Fakesgiving

It seems a tradition on Theatreworks shows that, at some point, you stay at a company member's home.  In the productions I've been connected with (except A Christmas Carol, but that one is pretty quick), this has definitely been the trend.  And, with the Fancy Ducks headed to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, it was my turn.  The folks readily agreed to put us all up (somehow procuring the appropriate number of mattresses; I'm not sure how), and fix us a feast of epic proportions.  What we have termed "Fakesgiving."

You see, our schedule had us traveling to Traverse City, MI, on the final Thursday of November and everyone agreed that, after six hours in the van, nobody would be feeling up for a big turkey dinner.  Plus, despite the artsy/funky factor of Traverse City, finding a place serving vegan fare along with meat on Thanksgiving proved tricky.  Enter Mom and Dad Angelica.  When I finally confirmed with them that the company would be crashing at their abode, Mom gleefully asked, "Do you want us to make Thanksgiving dinner?"  I have never, ever heard a Theatreworks company decline free food, so, with a resounding yes, the plans were set.  My sister was a vegan for years, so Mom and Dad were savvy to the Tofurkey and Earth Balance routine.  Plus, Nic (our resident Doctor Dolittle) just about died when I mentioned that we would be joined by a Golden Retriever and two cats.  So all was set.

Kristen dives into her vegan cobbler with gusto!

Mom Angelica serves up pie

Good homestyle eatin'

Our true hostess (Kugel, the Golden Retriever) is camera shy.

After weeks of diners, fast food joints and meals assembled at grocery stores, a family-style, home-cooked meal, around a table, with a dog begging for leftovers was precisely what we needed.  It provided a momentary feeling of home (more so for me, but I've heard reports from others of the same).  Plus, Mom and Dad Angelica were eager to hear all of our tour tales live, and so, with numerous voices and some minor staging, we "performed" the the last two months of our lives for an eager audience.

On a personal level, this was particularly special for me because, in five Theatreworks stints, this is the first time I've been close enough to introduce my parents to the people I spend my days with.  Both caught Click Clack Moo when they happened to be out east for work, but they each came for the performance, gave me a hug and left.  Now, with a Sprinter parked on the street and six Equity members in the house, they were getting the full experience and, from what I could see, thoroughly enjoying it.  The touring life is a strange beast, and the best way to explain it is really to spend a day or evening in our shoes.  Thanks, Mom and Dad, for putting us up, and putting up with us!

(P.S.  Why "Fakesgiving"?  Nic and Kristen coined it.  It stands for "Fake Thanksgiving" and is to be celebrated the Tuesday prior to the real day.  It involves much eating.  Mark your calendars!)

Call tomorrow: 9:30am, La Quinta, somewhere in Indiana.  We're headed to Traverse City.

Kid Quote of the Day: When the Duck was announced as the new farmer in "Duck for President," a little boy gasped, "WOW!"

Adult Quote of the Day: Continuing with our fruit theme, Matt gave us more details on his appreciation for it: "I love fruits, but I hate it when it's messy and juices goes everywhere."