Washington D.C.
We're here in D.C. for a month so we can put down some roots for a while and feel like we're not living out of a suitcase for once. After almost a year on tour, that means alot.
Opening night at the Kennedy Center is really quite a thrill. The hallways around our theater are these capacious marble and flag-festooned passages that look like something out of the original Superman movie. The theater is reminiscent of the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC: deep red walls and huge chandeliers. We've already had some VIP's come to the show (The Vice President's wife, Lynne Cheney, was here and she brought her granddaughters who are cute and love chocolate) and we're expecting some more to come see the show throughout our run here.
At the opening night party, Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's Hardball, was there and graciously agreed to pose for photos with many of the cast members. Jeffery Ross, a comedian who has my record for the funniest off-color joke I've ever heard, was there, as well as Joe Pantoliano, who is much taller than I had envisioned him.
D.C. is very civilized (recent crime spree notwithstanding). Riding the Metro here, you will see a courteousness that is sorely lacking on the NYC subways. I've hypothesized that it has to do with the presence of so many military personnel, who have strict codes of personal conduct, that raises the bar on everyone's behavior. It makes me think of all the young DC men who have the benefit of good examples around them on a daily basis and how in NYC I've seen small boys witnessing men behaving in the most deplorable fashion. I'm a big fan of military people and all that they do for us. Be good to them, they deserve it.
We took a tour of the Capitol building, courtesy of Congressman Ike Skelton via our own Cary Michelle Miller. It was really amazing to sit in the House of Representatives and see all of your reps doing that thing that they do. The Capitol is really an amazing place and if you every get a chance to have a look at it, it will take your breath away. Next week, we go on a tour of the White House! I'll let you know how it goes.
My offer of backstage tours has been quite a success. I've given a bunch of tours to all of you lovely people who managed to get out here and I look forwad to a bunch more.
Hey Mr. Varela-
Glad to hear that things are going good for the tour down in D.C. I can't wait for you guys to make your way back to Los Angeles and to perform at the Pantages, I have been waiting for a year. I have a question: Is there anyway to get a tour at the Pantages with you?
Posted by: Eva Hinojoza | July 14, 2006 at 10:37 AM
The Capitol sounds amazing! And I am VERY much in support of modern chivalry. That is so inspiring. It's so funny that you are all posing with VIP's, because in my eyes YOU are all the VIP's! :-) Enjoy your tour of the White House! I'm so glad your backstage tours have been popular... I'm still negotiating LA with all the determination of Jo March herself! ;-)
Posted by: Katie Rose | July 14, 2006 at 12:43 PM
Dear Mr. Varela,
My family and I are looking forward to seeing Little Women the Musical =
in Los Angeles. We would absolutely love to take a backstage tour if it =
is possible for this venue. If you can accommodate us please let me =
know. We'll see you August 8th in LA.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Jorgensen
Posted by: Jeremy Jorgensen | July 14, 2006 at 01:17 PM
Thanks for posting!!! I missed comming here and having a new story to read...I love DC, and yes, I love the DC metro too...hope everything goes well with your presentations (mhm, the ones im missing even while in dc)...and have fun in the white house tour!
Posted by: kk | July 15, 2006 at 03:11 AM
I am not a regular eBay user, but I have some items in lovely condition that I want to sell in order to collect some extra funds for my school's drama trip to New York City in May, so I decided to look into it. I was browsing around, and completely by accident stumbled across this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Little-Women-The-Musical-Button-and-Bookmark_W0QQitemZ7558554263QQihZ017QQcategoryZ778QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The shipping is more than item, and eBay is supposed to help me SAVE money, not SPEND it, but, haha, how cool is this? :-)
Posted by: Katie Rose | July 16, 2006 at 08:33 PM
Hey, you. Good seeing you guys (and Oscar *g*) in town. I won't be around this weekend since I have to head out to St Louis for Les Mis tour closing (Steve knows I couldn't possibly miss that).
Take care, all, and I look forward to seeing all of you in future projects.
Posted by: Jessica | July 17, 2006 at 05:49 AM
my daughter madeleine (age 7) and i were able to see the show on sunday night when someone passed on their season tix (center orchestra, third row!) i have to say it was one of the most memorable and tender times we have ever had as a mother and daughter. "little women" is dear to my heart as a first born of four girls--my sisters and i know this story backwards and forwards--but something about the performance moved me in a new way that took me by surprise. thank you so much--and extend our thanks to the entire cast. you gave us a memory for a lifetime.
Posted by: jen lemen | July 18, 2006 at 09:30 PM
I saw the show on Tuesday 7/18, and brought my husband last night 7/20. The show is wonderful, and certainly showcases the supberb talents of Kate and Maureen (we wish Maureen got to sing more)! I'd never read Little Women but the show touched my heart thanks to the immense talent of all the cast. I wish I had seen this earlier to take you up on the offer for backstage tours (even though I work at the KC, I would loved to have met Maureen for longer than it took her to sign my playbill last night!) :) Kudos to the cast for a job well done - and best wishes for continued success on the last bit of your tour.
Posted by: erin dower | July 21, 2006 at 11:32 AM
I recently saw the show at the Kennedy Center and you all were phenominal. I LOVED it. I had never heard the music before I went to see the show and it was just so gorgeous I was in tears before the end. I'm also glad you liked the Kennedy Center, I spend a lot of time there and I too think it is beautiful. Hope you had a lovely visit!
Posted by: Karin | July 22, 2006 at 09:40 PM
mr varela,
I saw the show and I enjoyed it immensely. just a question though; your accent sounds Indian. Is Prof Bhaer indian? Just a question. Loved you in the show. Especially your last scene.
thanks.
minasha
Posted by: minasha mahavi | July 24, 2006 at 02:44 PM
Hello Minasha!
Professor Bhaer is actually German. If you enjoyed the show, read the novel (which I adore) or watch the 1994 movie adaption to get to know Professor Bhaer better.
-Katie Rose
Posted by: Katie Rose | July 24, 2006 at 03:57 PM
Well, I guess we won't be the first from Wyoming to see the production tonight. Lynn Cheney has always been a great supporter of the arts! Very cool to know that she was there with her grandchildren.
Posted by: Meg | July 25, 2006 at 08:03 AM
Katie,
Thanks so much for answering my question. I wonder why Prof Bhaer is German in the first place?
I am coming to L.A to see it again. I hope I get to meet Prof Bhaer at the stage door and see if he really speaks in that accent.
Thanks again Katie.
-minasha
Posted by: minasha mahavi | July 30, 2006 at 06:53 AM
*sings* I'm going to LA, I'm going to LA TOMORROW... YIPEE!
Posted by: Katie Rose | August 04, 2006 at 09:39 PM