Movin' On

Cruise # 17- This cruise cast change kicked into new gear. I was working so much that I wasn't able to get off the ship. They had several tech runs and I was on call all day everyday. I showed up in the theatre at least once an hour to get props or move set pieces for the new cast. This week they took over Generations and Singing with the Big Band. They were able to do the shows, although some of them seemed unsure at times what the choreography was. It was a little strange seeing new people in some of these costumes. There was several times during the show where I said the wrong name over com. This is the last cruise for the old cast. They are hanging out more now and are all excited to be going home. I wish they would have hung out more throughout their contract. I feel like I could have better friends with some of them if they had. I will miss them anyway though. They were really good at what they do. I know I won't see some of these people again because some are retiring. This brings an end to exciting chapter in my contract.

The fly-ons for this cruise were Carl Faulkenberry, Karen Grainger, Darren Sanders and Marcus Monroe. Carl Faulkenberry is a comedian. Have you ever been to a party and met someone who think they are hilarious but everyone just wishes he would shut up? That's Carl. He looks like an accountant and is just as funny. Karen is the love of my life! Darren is a comedian. I was doing other work backstage during his show and didn't pay a lot of attention to him. He seemed like a nice guy but didn't hang out after the show so I can't say much about him. Marcus is a juggler that is finally starting to be a regular again. Thank goodness because his shows are not at all work. His shows are improved and you never know what he will do next. This keeps his show fresh and interesting to do every time he is on board.

Since I didn't get off this cruise there isn't much new to report. I will take this time to tell you about my stage hands that help with Generations and Ticket to Ride. I have been assigned six guys to help with moving props and erecting sets. I did not choose them. They were picked by the staff captain. Most of them do not speak good English. I have two from India, two from Mexico, one from Honduras and one from Indonesia. There is usually a change or two before every show. This is usually do to a reblock of the choreography. I have to let them know what changes have been made so that we can have the proper movement of things backstage. Usually, I will tell them what is going on and the couple guys that speak good English will then relay the message to the others. After the second, non-English meeting I will see the others faces light up as they learn what is going on. Then, I usually get a nod or a thumbs up from them. This is problematic sometimes because it is like the game you play in elementary school where you pass the secret around the circle. It almost always is a different message by the time it gets back to you. There have been several times where I have told them to do something and they have done exactly the opposite. This is one of the many things that keep my job interesting.

They are quite funny at times. I have had this same group of guys for several months now and they know what they are doing. They even know the shows and sometimes I will look back and they are doing the choreography or singing to each other. On my side I have Melvin. He like the ring leader of the shenanigans. He jokes with everyone including the dancers. During the world tour section in Ticket to Ride the stage revolves revealing one new set after another. Once the set is finished backstage the dancers come on and get into their starting positions. Melvin always gets in their starting positions just off the revolve. The will see him and laugh just before they start dancing. Also, on my side is Warren. He looks like he is twelve. He gets really excited when he completes a task and usually runs up to me and says' "I did it boss" while he gives me a thumbs up. Melvin is like Warrens dad. Melvin is always correcting him or telling him which way he is supposed to go. They keep things fun backstage.

Talk to you soon,

Chris

Picture #1- Finale of Generations, This just after the first pyro blast in Break Down, Shake Down

Picture#2-70's section in Generations. Here you can see three of our five lifts are up. The lifts move independently from each other to create any look we want.

Picture #3-First pit lift during Minnie the Mooch in Singing with the Big Band. I set the stage during the opening number down in the pit.

Picture #4-Finale in Singing with the Big Band. Christopher Alan Graves is in the foreground. He came up with the concept for the show and is he star performer.

Picture #5-Half way through the revolve in Ticket to Ride. The stage revolves 360 degrees to any position we want. Later in the show the bus splits in two. It is pushed by my stage hands and I.

Picture #6-The Hard Days Night section in Ticket to Ride.

All photos in this blog courtesy of Nathan Gosseling's(dancer) mom.