Chicago: Week Two

This past week has been the most intense emotional roller coaster of the tour... for me and for all of us. I'll start with the dirt and end with some fun facts and photos. To begin, almost directly following my last post things backstage began to go a little crazy. The first red flag was from our physical therapist who told one of the dancers in the ensemble that she may have a stress fracture in her shin. She had been dancing through pain for a few weeks, but chalked it up to being difficult choreography. After this warning, she stayed off the stage until further notice from a doctor. As soon as that happened, my roommate Jessica was stepped on which caused a severe sprain on the top of her foot. This meant another dancer (and featured "silly girl") would have to be out of the show. Meanwhile, the Wardrobe/ Madame de la Grande Bouche had completely lost her voice and was feeling terrible due to sinusitis, making her the third female to call out of the show in ONE DAY. Now we have swings to fill in for instances like this, but with so many women out of the show it made it impossible for Chandon to cover everyone. But, since she is the dance captain as well she magically made the show come together and work out for the best. It was truly amazing to watch her work and repair all the broken scenes.

While we waited on doctors visits and hoped for healing, the show went on without an extra hitch. Everyone really stepped to up fill in for our missing coworkers. Unfortunately, both Allyson and Jessica will be going home for a number of weeks, and as soon as we heard this news we were also informed that a new team member would be joining us and arriving that same evening. Having now met her, Carleigh is a sweet girl who has a big job ahead of her. We all feel anxious about performing with a new person, but Carleigh has our utmost faith and total support. It's all about how to make THIS show work... whatever "this" show is that day.

So, even though the nights have been filled with utter insanity, the days have been filled with fun, adventure and relaxation. I got to see most of the Chicago sights that were on my list and even had a visit from my dear friend, Lizette!!


Navy Pier on the beautiful 80 degree day!


Liz (Belle) and I on the ferris wheel


Out celebrating Gaby's Bday at Salute Wine Bar


Posing with Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte"


Lizette and I at Millennium Park

Now, my friends, after a week of settling into a new version of the show, tonight tragedy struck once again. Another member of our ensemble heard a "popping" sound within his right leg in the middle of a dance number. I was supposed to be laughing and talking with him and all of sudden he disappeared! When the song was over, I found out that Clifford was unable to walk with ice surrounding his shin and calf. Soon after he was taken to the emergency room and we are all waiting to hear how he is doing and what is to happen next. I will certainly keep you posted, but needless to say: Never a dull moment here at Beauty and the Beast. Until next time-

Namaste.
Heather