#UticaRocks

#UticaRocks, the saying of our time in Utica, and even though there wasn't much to do where we were staying (mostly because we didn't have cars or any free time), the tech process brought on lots of bonding, laughing, and hard work that paid off to beautifully tech-ed and performed shows at the end of the week! This show is a beast to light and sound and costume and it really was amazing to see all of it come together! Most of my costumes are the same but I have a new AI look, and a new Rebel and Homecoming look. Everything else it basically the same stuff I wore on Broadway which makes me happy cause I love it but I also love the new stuff! To the right is a picture of my St. Jimmy outfit! Even though we had very limited free time, we had to eat! We spent most of our dinners eating at the restaurant Ancora by the theatre which we were so happy existed because there were not a lot of options! The atmosphere was nice, and the food was so yummy!! I recommend it to everyone! As for the other stuff around the theatre, there sure were some funny happenings between the hotel and the theatre. Our first day, we stopped at a place called "Green Mountain Coffee" and we were like, oh awesome a coffee shop! We walked up to the door and these old guys were like " What are you kids looking for?" and we told them coffee and then they said, "well this is sometimes a coffee shop but we are having a meeting today". We were like, uh okay. I will say though, between the Rite-Aid 20 minutes away, the wig shop down the street, and using our imaginations with what he could find at the hotel, our Secret Santa was a huge success that we had! People got creative, got thoughtful...Julian, one of our guitarists even whittled his secret santa an arrowhead out of his hotel soap!

Now onto more important things, CHRISTMAS!! How was everyones?? and Hanukkah? I had such a wonderful time having my first New York Christmas. Because of our schedule, I wasn't able to find the time to squeeze in flying home to Arizona for our few days off for Christmas which was super weird for me because this is a huge deal with my family! It was hard, but I will say, my small Christmas with my rommies was so much fun!! We watched Christmas movies, opened lots of presents to each other and sent from our families, and had a full on feast including a ham, mac&cheese, collard greens, tamales, beans (homemade Mexican refried beans that I made from scratch!!) and yummy desserts. Not to mention a breakfast feast too of cheesy eggs, cinnamon rolls, and a fancy southern apple sausage roll! It really was such a nice time being at home in my apartment with people I love. I missed my family, but I couldn't have asked for a better and more fun first Christmas in New York! What did everyone get for Christmas? or give?? My favorite thing I gave was a calendar I gave to my parents that I designed with a bunch of pictures of us kids when we were little and stuff. They loved it! And a few of my favorite gifts I got was a Juicy Couture perfume sampler, an awesome dress that I am going to wear for opening, and these beautiful diamond earrings with my birthstone in the middle (woah). I hope you all had a wonderful holiday full of love and lots of food!

Last but not least, here is a picture you Spring Awakening fans might enjoy!! Look who came to our first preview and brought me my favorite flowers??!

krystina :)

Next City: TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA!!

(remember to leave any and all recommendations for food, fun, sight seeing or just about anything in this city! Also, leave any questions if you have them about the rehearsal process, flying, life, or anything!)

oh and I have to give a shout-out to Katie Fitzmorris for all of her awesome recommendations to do in Utica! Thanks Katie! We never got a chance to check them out cause of our bonkers schedule, but we loved all your ideas!! 

I want to be a part of it...New York, New York!

Our time is coming to an end here in NYC, and it has been so incredible. It's funny, I thought that my body would be like, "oh yeah, I remember this, no problem" but instead it was like "ow OW OW OH HOLY CRAP OW". This show is the hardest show on your body but in the best (most of the time) way. We have had the pleasure of working with Steven Hoggett (original choreographer) every day and he is the definition of a warrior. Our "warm-ups" in the mornings are basically full on workouts/bootcamp and it is a sweaty mess. It's funny though seeing the difference already from week one to week two. We are still being worked super hard, but everyone (including me) is stretching farther, breathing less heavy in sprints, doing more push-ups, and looking fabulous. This show whips you into shape quick! It is really amazing getting to work with Steven because I actually never got to work with him when I was in the Broadway show except for one warm-up before a show when he made a special appearance. That is my favorite thing about being able to do the tour.

My experience being a Broadway replacement for this show could not have been more different. I had 8 rehearsals with just me and Ben, and sometimes with Justin Guarini, Davey Havok, and PJ Griffith the other replacements as the time. But mostly it was just me, the incredible Ben Thompson, and our MD Jared. But this time, it's crazy!! We are creating something together with everyone and it is so cool! Tom Kitt is with us every day tweaking the vocals, Steven Hoggett has incredible new ideas which you will all see and, if you've seen the show, will notice with some of the choreography, and it is just awesome because this time I actually get to have a full process. I get to hear Michael Mayer explain why we do this here, or fell like this there. It is a dream. Not to mention the cast. These new Idiots are unreal. It feels authentic and awesome and so fierce! Plus they are like the nicest people ever. I'm already making life-long friends...and they're funny too!

Enjoy some pictures from our rehearsal process! And check out this Playbill exclusive to take a closer look at our rehearsals in NYC! http://www.playbill.com/multimedia/gallery/3398/?pnum=7

 Last night after our last studio run which we performed for all the old Idiots, (such an awesome experience having all the Idiots in one room, plus it was SO nice to see everyone!) we all attended the premiere screening of NBC's new show Smash. Michael Mayer, our director, also directs Smash so he invited us all and it was a great way to end our NY rehearsals with a bang. It was at MOMA and we all dressed up, ate fancy hor dourves, took lots of pictures, and watched the show, which was so great! I can't wait till it premieres next year because I have a feeling people are gonna love it, ESPECIALLY theatre lovers! The acting was awesome, the performances were beautiful and fierce, and the show in general was superbly directed and written! Can't wait for you all to see it! And this morning, we had our Sitz Probe and man was in unbelievable!!! This band is SICK. My ears are still ringing!!

So tonight is my last night in NYC (minus the two days we have off for Christmas). It is crazy that we start tour tomorrow! Life is about to change drastically, but in the best way. I love touring and even though I will miss my life here in New York, I cannot wait to start performing this show around the country!

And now I leave you with a video introducing some of the Idiot girls and how we felt after our first week of rehearsal! I know a lot of you have been asking if I am going to make videos like I did for Spring Awakening...and the answer is...yes! Woo! Enjoy!



krystina :)

Next City: UTICA, NY

(remember to leave any and all recommendations for food, fun, sight seeing or just about anything in this city (especially Utica...what the heck is Utica? haha Also, leave any questions if you have them about the rehearsal process, flying, life, or anything!)