HAPPY 200th POSTING!

That's right readers, you are reading my 200th posting on the GO GLOOP blog. Hard to believe that it was a year ago that the blog-fun started. And now we're well into a whole 2nd tour! Craziness...that's what that is.

So today...we had a run through with the fall cast (this afternoon) that had more than one not-so-great moment. But the highlight of those moments was when Jeffrey came on as Mr. Bucket, with the newspaper in hand...reading about Mr. Wonka's exciting 'Golden Ticket' news. The line he is SUPPOSED to say is 'Five Golden Tickets have been hidden in five ordinary candy bars...." But in the rush of the day and the tiredness of the run and everything else, Jeffrey actually said, with everyone listening, "Five Golden Tits..Tits...TICK-ets...." And then pandemonium struck. I mean, you try and pull yourself together after that! No one could do it. I mean, eventually, we got over it...but it was tough there at first. And at the end of the run, after any number of things went wrong, Graham said that from now on, any run of a show that he does that goes as bad as the one today did is going to be called a 'Golden Tits' run.

In OTHER news, at our TOUR MEETING yesterday, we did, indeed, get the travel schedule for the fall portion of the show. For those friends and family members between Washington DC and the West Coast (I'm speaking to the Midwesterners....and PRIMARILY my cousins in Wisconsin and Minnesota...and any other folks around there listening...), I am going to list our couple of stops here for you. These are stops we're making as we head way out West. So if you're around and want to see the show (some of you brave souls for a SECOND time) or just want to hang out with ME, just shoot me a comment here or an email and let me know. For those of you saing, WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE? Just know I hear you...and I will get you a link as soon as one is available.

SEPTEMBER 12th: Eau Claire, WI (10am show and 12pm show)
SEPTEMBER 15th: Ames, IA (10am show and 12pm show)
SEPTEMBER 16th: Mason City, IA (1pm show and 4pm show)

That's all she wrote today, folks. In the words of our TD, Craig....BE BRILLIANT!
Ciao.
G

Random Rehearsal Pics and BEYOND...

So let's be honest....who comes here to read this crap? HONESTLY....I think deep down, we all come for the pictures. I know I do. And every so often, you might stop and see if I've written any entertaining stories to amuse and delight....but like most everyone, we come for the pictures! So today, besides telling you that both run throughs today were fine and the costumed run through reminded me how HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT my costumes are, we are just going to look at a random splattering of pictures over the past few days. AND - since you're always such a good audience...I will reward you with our first official CASE OF THE UNFORTUNATES 06-07 entry at the bottom of this entry.
So go ahead....look at the pics and enjoy.....

This past weekend, Elisa tried to rally the troops from Wonka 05-06 together before we all headed out on the road. We ended up with: Elisa, Chris, Eric and myself - who all see each other every day at rehearsal, and our special guest, miss Jackie Lamptey! Fresh in from Fairfax, Virginia! It was great to see Jackson and catch up. And as always, TONS of laughs were had. We miss you terribly, Jackson!

Roe gets caught flashing some skin during rehearsal.

LOOK who came for a visit to rehearsal...to get a chance to meet the NEW cast that they will be traveling with AND to watch a run through. Hoops thought the show was just as fresh and exciting as last year. Yoyo kept telling me that I've 'slowed down' and need to pick up the energy. But BOTH of them took and instant liking to Felicia. Best friends forever....TO THE MAXXXXXX!

Rachel, Eric, Hoops and Yoyo pose for a group photo after the run-through.

You wouldn't believe it if you didn't see it here, folks! Today, we met Mike, our Sound Director for tour. Mike, as you can see, is extremely tall. How tall, you ask? 7 feet tall. Yes. That is correct. NOT an exaggeration. And Felicia is....um...NOT 7 feet tall. So that's fun.

Today we had our TOUR MEETING...where we go over policiies, procedures, schedules, etc. And since they are part of the show, a member of the puppet-group has to be at the table for the tour meeting. The Oompa-Loompa at the end of the table had a lot of good input at the meeting.

Roe, on the other hand, had a lot of bad...output at the meeting.

And me? Well, there's no telling what I was doing at the meeting. But atleast I looked THIS good.....

AND NOW...our Case Of The Unfortunates (C.O.T.U.)

First off, a HUGE thanks to Rachel for taking one for the team on this one so we could get the shot. I know...some of you are going to say that I'm being mean or that she's homeless or whatever...but my COTU's are based in knee-jerk-reactions. And I knew when I saw this outfit that, homeless or not, the who ensemble was too unfortunate NOT to show here. PLUS - this lady flashed me a PEACE sign when I was off the bus and it drove by me. So she appreciates my honesty, I think. Stay tuned for MORE COTU's over the coming weeks and months!

2 Weeks From Today...

It's hard to believe, but 2 weeks from today:

-it will be September

-school's across the country will all be in session

-the country will be remembering the 5 year anniversary of September 11th

-the NFL season AND college football seasons will both be off and running

-Labor Day will have come and gone

-the cast of Willy Wonka will be in Eau Claire, Wisconsin!

* * * * *

The Fall and Spring casts are both up and running the show...and tomorrow we are running the show ONCE with all the understudies in and a second time with the fall cast in full costume. What does all that mean? It means that this crazy ball of fun is rolling along and it's almost time to get on the open road! It means that sooner than later, the pictures and stories from the road are going to start pouring in here...and reports of cheesecakes, unfortunates and van mayhem will be the topics of the day.

It means, all other things equal, we are part of something pretty amazing...because we're getting ready to travel the country (some of us for a 2nd year) doing what we love and giving kids a chance to experience live theater. It means Eau Claire or LA, we are all very blessed to be able to be a part of this adventure called WONKA!

But most importantly, it means that 2 weeks from today, I WON'T HAVE TO REHEARSE THE OOMPA-LOOMPA'S OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND I WON'T HAVE TO RUN THE LADDER/FLYING SEQUENCE 10 TIMES A DAY, THUS SAVING ME FROM HAVING A SERIOUS MELTDOWN IN FRONT OF MY PEERS...and that, above everything else, ROCKS.

A Little Housekeeping

Friends and Family -

Just a few points of information for you, as our time to head out on the road gets nearer and nearer. For those of you wishing for a complete schedule....it hasn't been posted yet. The Kennedy Center will get it up on their website soon, so as soon as it is there, I will get you a link here that will take you there. Why? Because I care.

ALSO - for those of you in the Washington DC area, or that are going to be in the area between December 23rd and January 7th, don't forget that October 11th, tickets go on sale for the Kennedy Center run of the show. Rumor has it that it's going to be a HOT TICKET over the holidays. So, as stated above, because I DO care, I am adding a link right HERE to the show's page on the Kennedy Center's website. By going there TODAY, you can set a REMINDER to buy tickets - so when it gets closer to October 11th, the KC will remind you that tickets are going on sale. This is going to be one of those moments that includes such witty phrases as 'You snooze, you lose', and so on and so forth.

Also, for those of you out there who are DYING to see the show in one of it's first official performances, I want to let you know that you are all invited out to OUR invited dress rehearsal on Friday, September 8th. The show is going to be up at Montgomery College - which I REALIZE is a bit scary to some of you Virginians, but I know the character you all posses, and I know you can handle it - and it's a free event. I don't have all the details, but if you are interested, either shoot me an email OR post a comment and let me know you are interested, and I will get you the info on the show. BUT - the only way you are invited to this dress rehearsal is if you ALSO promise to come to our run at the Terrace Theatre in December/January. You can't do one and not the other. And if you do, I will hunt you down.
Or make you a feature on the "Case Of The Unfortunates" this year. You choose.

Finally - an update on rehearsals: we did the oompa loompa's again today. rachel said something funny about journey. as a band. then we had lunch. we came back and worked on some oompa loompa stuff again. then we went home.

Tomorrow is Friday AND payday...and the world tastes good because of it.
Happy Friday to you all....
G

Rehearsals Continue....

Rehearsals in full swing...

It's time for another installment of REHEARSAL PHOTOS! Exciting, I know. I was sitting thinking today that so far, there hasn't been a lot to report from rehearsals. On the road, there are stories and places and foods and events and STUFF that happens. If I wrote about our day everyday, it would basically say, "We ran the Oompa-Loompa scenes. We ran them again. Lunch break. And then we ran the Oompa-Loompa's once more." Who wants to read that?

Anyway...this is just a quick selection of photos from our 2nd week of rehearsals...and a heads up as to WHO is WHO in the cast. I'm sure you'll all be picking out your favorites...and watching closely for my 'Meet The Cast' installments. Patience. That time will come.

Until then, get back to work.

G

L: Fall Violet (Tara - left) meets Spring Violet (Felicia - right). R: Rachel takes a well-deserved break.

L: Cristina and Mama Gloop hard at work. R: Jeffrey takes a break for rehearsing his number.

L: Elisa and Kirsten (National Tour Manager - standing) watch what appears to be, from the look on their faces, something scary. R: Ingrid (choreographer), Graham (Director - standing), and Dan (Music Director) watch as the antics on stage unfold.

L: Rachel starts working-in some of her props...to the delight of many. R: Um...we were a little loopy at this point.

Kirsten stops by to check on Felicia and Cristine...who just moments before this photo was taken were punching each other. Not really. I just wanted to see if you were reading the captions.

These 2 pictures are part of an important little story. Today, while rehearsing her Veruca number, a few people were talking to Roe about the special PERSONAL touches she adds to her dance...like little hand twists and turns. And like a true champion, Roe shot back with what I cosider to be the line-of-the-day...or LOTD. "I add that extra FLAIR to deter from my lack of dance experience."

3 of the 4 boys of Wonka 2005-2006 are reunited at the Kennedy Center!

For Jill.

* * * * * * * * *

Who's Who In Wonka 2006-2007

Steve Tipton as WILLY WONKA

Rachel Brennan as MRS. BUCKET/WONKA'S ASSISTANT

Roe Kizeik as VERUCA SALT

Tara Garwood as VIOLET BEAUREGARD (Fall)

Brian Rodda as CHARLIE (Spring)

Jeffrey Scott Bailey as MIKE TEAVEE

Felicia Curry as VIOLET BEUAREGARD (Spring)

Cristina Flagg as UNDERSTUDY FOR WOMEN'S ROLES

Chris Sizemore (left) MIKE TEAVEE UNDERSTUDY and Eric Thompson (right) CHARLIE (fall)

Tour Blog 2006-2007

Friends...
So I know you've been reading along, faithfully tuning in for your daily dose of Wonka World - some of you from the very beginning. Those readers who followed along during 2005-2006 Tour came to expect some various features during the year...and I want to assure you that once we get going, you can expect more of the same.
Some of those treats include, but are not limited to:

-Case Of The Unfortunates (COTU's)

-Guest (cast member) Blogs

-Tons and tons of tour-related photos and stories

For those of you reading this thinking, "WHAT ABOUT THE CHEESECAKE?" please calm down. I have been thinking the past month or so that the Cheesecake Tour was a HUGE success this past year...and I would love to continue it. UNLESS there is something that all of you out there think I should pick up and try along the way instead. Already, I have had someone say that I should make this year an Ice Cream Tour. Interesting idea...worth looking into. So I'm writing now to ask all of you for your input! Should I stick with the Cheesecake Tour from last year? Is there something else you're DYING to read about from across the country? (Be realistic folks....but be honest....but know that I won't eat seafood...and I love desserts.)

Beyond that, any other ideas for things you want to see, just throw the ideas out there. I'm not promising anything...but if you think "HEY! I want Matt to play Vanity Plate Bingo with all 50 states and post pictures of them on his blog!" then throw it out there...the worst I can do is say NO WAY. Be bold - be adventurous - be creative. Let's make this next years blog-tour-experience a tour blog you WANT. And if I get bored with what you want, I'll go back to doing things my own way. I'm fine with that.

But seriously folks....get those comments flowing...especially those quiet souls who read but NEVER comment. Let me know what you're thinking.

We are about 19 days from heading out on the road...and you could cut the excitement with a KNIFE.

Peace out.

G

Life Imitates Art

..Today we started week 2 of the rehearsal process...and things are moving right along. Did you know that if we had to....I mean if SOMEONE put a gun up to our head and forced us to run the show RIGHT NOW, beginning to end...we could? I mean, it would be a little weird, since it's 11:20pm EST, but still, all I'm saying is that we could. And it wouldn't be perfect...and there would probably be a lot of laughing. But let's be honest folks, doesn't that sound like the past year of our tour? ? RIGHT. So what's the big deal?
Long story short, everyone has worked INCREDIBLY hard this past week...and there are a lot of good things going on at the Kennedy Center these days. PLUS today...our group was made complete with the arrival of FELICIA CURRY...straight from her run as Topaz in the Barbie LIVE! In Fairytopia tour. She flew in this morning and came to rehearsals, and it was great to have her with us finally. She is playing Violet in the Spring - and she is a kick, folks. Just prepare yourself.
But now you're saying WHAT IS WITH THE TITLE OF THIS BLOG ENTRY? Well, ask no more. I have found a story that will amaze you AND delight you. So to wrap up our first week, please just click HERE or HERE to find out how somehow, somewhere, someone's life is imitating MY art.
It's a little disturbing...and yet...intriguing.
ENJOY!
G

The First Few Days In Photo

Hi everyone.
Apologies for missing you all yesterday....I was tired and not in a writing mood. And there really wasn't a LOT to report, anyway. We all showed up for day 3 of rehearsals - we all rehearsed - we all went home. That's the plan for the next 3 weeks.

But the GOOD NEWS is that yes....I have had my camera at rehearsals....and have a few photos to kick off the parade of pictures for year 2! These are just some fun candids that I have snapped over the past few days.

Things are going well - and everyone is working hard. It's a lot of work - even as a returning cast member - and I had forgotten over the summer JUST how much we all did. We end the days pooped...but it's the good kind. Wait....the good kind of pooped? Hmmmm....I question the useage of that phrase. We end the day TIRED....but it's the good kind. MUUUUCH better....

So without further ado....welcome to my photo journal of 'Our First Few Days Together'.

The troops sit around while Elisa lectures on puppet safety. There are a lot of faces here...but you're going to meet them all below, so I won't fill in names just yet. Sorry.

Wonka strikes a pose with Fall Charlie and Spring Charlie. L-R: Eric (Fall Charlie), Steve (Wonka), Brian (Spring Charlie)

L: Rachel (Mrs. Bucket) and Cristina (Master Understudy of all women's parts.) R: Roe, Rachel and Charlie mug for the camera.

Tara takes a break from trying to find her inner-Violet.

L: Cristina throws me a little rehearsal-attitude from the sidelines. R: Brian and Grandma Josephine just hanging out between scenes.

Eric catches me trying to take pictures during Think Positive (Jeffrey is on the right. he is playing Mike Teavee.)

I take pictures anyway.

Scenes from 'Think Positive'

Roe....um....never mind.....

L: Steve surveys his 'factory' while I sneak secret pictures from behind the set. R: Still behind the set...I spy Elisa and Tara talking about blueberry business.

So...I was bored. I was standing behind the set...holding the 'rehearsal blueberry' costume...and I thought, WHY NOT make it a hat. So I did. And then Cristina pulled out her camera, and we had a quick photo shoot with the rehearsal blueberry hat. These photos are from Cristina's collection. A huge thanks to her for taking them...and letting me steal them off HER blog.