Saturday, September 28, 2013 Confession

Okay....we arrived in Aberdeen with time to spare.   You already read Alyssa's report that a great  -FAST- time was spent in the Caravan Tour's favorite park:   Wylie Park's Story Book Park.  

Well....what Alyssa did not reveal was that I:    yes me-myself and I collectively        FORGOT the Snow White wig. After we had searched every conceivable nook and cranny in the van, I texted Russ only to find that I had left the wig box in my van ---in Sioux City----300 miles away!   I calmly called an old acquaintance who had I'd worked with on productions in Sioux City and who now lives in Aberdeen but she, of course, didn't have a Snow White wig at her home (one could hope, couldn't one?)  She gave me the phone number of ACT, the Community Theatre in Aberdeen.   It was Saturday afternoon and ACT was holding a big film festival.   The chances that ANYONE would answer the phone was slim to none.   None won.

Josie wisely said, "It's Halloween.   I bet we can find a Snow White wig at Walmart or Target or some place."  So, after setting up the sound system and running out of the Holgate Middle School Theatre as fast as these legs could take me, I jumped in the van knowing that I would need a miracle within the next 45 minutes to achieve a picture perfect Snow White. I popped into Target and grabbed the last Snow White wig ---child size.   I paid for it quickly and rationalized that Alyssa was just a bit of a thing.   Surely a child size wig would work....   

Next paragraph

It looked hideous.   No, that word is too weak.   It was atrocious.   Miserable.  Disturbing.   She looked like a black headed Einsten on a very, very, VERY bad day.   The decision was made to have Alyssa use her own hair, which ended up being a wise decision and one that didn't seem to traumatize the kids as much as the wild haired Einstein would have.  After we struck the set and got settled into the Ramkota after the show,    I made a run to Shopko seeking out their Halloween department.   I was dismayed that an adult size Snow White wig was nowhere to be found.   I picked up a wig that was supposed to go with the sexy French maid costume just as a preschool child was giggling with joy as she twirled in a cute little Cinderella costume.   I looked at her and said "I know who you are.....You are Cinderella!"  She giggled at me and said, "Of course!"   I held up the wig and giggled back at her, "And who do you think I am?"   "Oh, you are Snow White!"           That reply was music to my ears.

Problem solved....

Diana Wooley

Saturday, September 28, 2013: Aberdeen, SD

Tour Update: We officially left this morning at 8 o'clock! We had a 4 hour drive to Aberdeen, South Dakota. We first went to Storybook Land/Wizard of Oz Land where we got our exercise of the day in! We only had a half an hour tops to view the park and take pictures so we would make it back in time for our 4 o'clock show! We were on a roll. We then went to the school that we performed at! Our second show was still fun to do, but as soon as we packed everything back in the van after the show was done we were totally exhausted! We then went to the hotel and ate at Minerva's! It was such a fun dinner with the girls! After supper we hung out in our hotel room and then later we went to Walmart to have our Walmart adventure! After a long day full of excitement and fun we are now snuggled in our beds getting ready for another great day tomorrow!

Alyssa Collett

Thursday, September 26, 2013: Sioux Falls Orpheum Theatre

Our first performance of the Tour was a 'stand alone' show at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux Falls.  It is a beautiful facility with an absolutely wonderful and accommodating tech crew.  On the ride to our first performance the van was absolutely silent.   The girls met me at the theatre at 2:15 and we left almost immediately in our 15 passenger van.   We originally were going to take 2 or 3 eight foot trees but I decided that comfort on this long tour was more important than a couple trees...so we substituted our forest for a small bush. The trip home was the exact opposite as the girls were on a performance high all the way home and nearly every musical ever written in the last several decades was heard ringing in the van.   This will be a fun tour.   Snow White and the Missing Dwarfs received a wonderful reception and the audience was so very receptive and complimentary after the performance.  We have a winner!   Kids really do love music.   This was a good decision to travel with a musical

.   I am really looking forward to the rest of the journey.   We have Friday to get ourselves ready to go for a nearly 2 week road trip.   This will be fun.

Diana Wooley