It is 9:30 am and I have been sitting in rehearsal since 8 blocking our final show in our repertory, Love Broadway. Since I was raised in the musical theatre world one would think this would be my favorite show. However, the songs included in this show are a little outdated for the current Broadway scene. Most of the songs include classics from Hello Dolly, Mame, They're Playing Our Song, Cabaret, West Side Story, Phantom and The King and I. Of course all the songs are wonderful but overall the show could use an update to touch on the more recent musicals. On the flip side this show kicks my butt vocally... it is definitely one of the more challenging out of the 4. I am thrilled however to be finishing rehearsals. After our blocking rehearsal today we will have a midnight tech run, followed by a noon dress rehearsal tomorrow. We open the show tomorrow night and then it will be time to RELAX!!!!! Our time on board thus far has been filled with rehearsals, fittings, and meetings. Now we will all have a chance to sit back and enjoy the sights of Alaska.
I have begun making a list of activities I would like to participate in once things get settled. These include:
*Dog-sledding in Juneau
*Zip-lining in Ketchikan
*Mendenhall Glacier tour by float plane
Those are the big three...I will also be hiking along side the ship in our ports as well. Some of the trails are suppose to be beautiful with waterfalls and tons of wildlife.
I figure I can spread the big three events out and do one each month. That way I can budget for one big activity a month. I may not be able to do them all depending on how much money I can put towards my school bills. My goal is to pay down a big portion of my student loans while on board, but at the same time I want to make the most of every opportunity because who knows when I will be cruising again. I just have to keep a good balance=) Also, I have to save money for Australia and Asia, because from what I hear, things are much more expensive over there!
Ship life has been good! Yesterday I made a visit to the Greenhouse Spa and got my haircut. The crew gets major discounts on port days. I thought 15 bucks was very reasonable. There are 2 stylists on board. I asked around before going and the consensus among the crew was to go to Mo. He is a middle aged man with a quirky attitude. He has 3 kids all grown and has 2 grandkids. He was very funny and did a great job on my hair! I enjoyed my experience with him and will definitely be going back to him instead of finding someone else in port. Our spa manager is really nice too. She is 21, from Southern England, and is in charge of the entire spa team! I had a good conversation with her the other night in the Officer's Bar. She is really down to earth and mature. I could listen to her all day due to her accent, it is almost mesmerizing at times. A great aspect on board is the cast can use the passenger gym. The guests have first priority on machines, but most nights there are barely any passengers there. They gym is well equipped and looks out over the bow of the ship. It is great to be able to look out at the mountains while working on the elliptical. The other day I was working out and saw 2 whales spouting out in the distance. It is still surreal to think that these are my surroundings and home for the next few months.
Although you may be thinking that the cruise lifestyle is glamorous, I can assure you for the crew it is not. Most of our areas are minimal and bare...resembling the hallways of a hospital. The rooms are small and usually most crew members share their room with another occupant. In passenger areas we are suppose to be "on", meaning that guests are our first priority in conversation. No cell phones or computers may be used in these areas at any time. All of us wear name tags so we are easily picked out among the crowd. I don't mind all the rules, but at times I would love to be able to write on my laptop in the library while sipping on coffee.
Speaking of coffee...ship coffee is mud, terrible, and has no flavor to those who enjoy the actual taste of coffee. I am sad to admit that I have been drinking Starbuck's Via on board. I really dont enjoy the taste of it either but it is way better than the so called "coffee" they serve at the Lido. Our one coffee shop on board is not much better. The barista's manning the bar over-steam the milk and pull watery shots. Most coffee drinkers could care less, but my coffee snobbing self is dying for a good cup of coffee. I have been thinking about getting a water heater for my room (totally against the rules due to fire hazards) and getting my hands on a french press so I can make my own in my cabin. Then I have to figure out how to get my hands on some good coffee beans, it wont be a problem in Hawaii, but up in Alaska I may have some difficulties. I would give anything to have a cup of Portland Brew from Nashville, or Old City Java in Knoxville....I type this as I sip on a cup of sludge (it is far from coffee in my opinion)
I am so out of it today. This rehearsal is dragging and my brain is really struggling to pull this show out from 2 weeks ago when we reviewed it last. I am going to have to put in a few hours of review on my own to polish up my lyrics and moves. I believe this blog is over for now. Hope you are all well. I miss my daily interactions with all of you.
much love
-b
The pictures are of Glacier Bay, Sabrina and the guys in our Southern Nights opener costumes, and then Brittney (my leading lady) and me in our Southern Nights finale costumes!
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