First National Swing: Schenectady Happened.

Oh, Toronto. Your theatre was impossibly far from our hotel and the weather was biting cold, but at least we had a view of Niagra on our way back home.

The mutts found comfy perches for our nine-hour bus ride - below you can see BoGo under Geo's legs, followed by Meer-Meer (yes, these are the real names...) riding side saddle:

Our company manager had mentioned that we'd be taking our lunch break at a mall, but it wasn't until I saw this sign that I started freaking out:

THE CAROUSEL MALL?! SYRACUSE?! WHERE I WENT TO COLLEGE?!!!

Oh, friends. I was giddy. Over a mall.

The stores have changed since last I visited. There's a Teavana now.. can you imagine how much money I would have spent if I'd had this in college? Hoo, boy.

I didn't have time to do serious shopping, but I wish I'd gone to look in the Syracuse shop downstairs. I like the look of those letterman sweaters, and I don't own any Syracuse sweatpants. Technically, that means I never attended the school.

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Some things haven't changed:

Teenager that I am, I couldn't walk by Hot Topic without popping in for a look-see. What was waiting for me (aside from the Legend of Zelda clothing)? An ENORMOUS box of Pop Rocks!

I adore Pop Rocks. 30 calories in a bag, and they're completely satisfying. They're also delicious in chocolate bars, but it defeats the whole low-cal idea. They had a whole mess of flavors, but I stuck with the classics: Strawberry, Cherry, and Watermelon.

Gil decided I didn't really need the Watermelon pack. Always looking out for me, that one.

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When we finally arrived in Schenectady, I was thrilled to hear from my high-school era friend Chris; he was working on a production of Man of La Mancha at a neighboring theatre. We got some sushi followed by coffee and pastry at Starbucks... Gil stole my mini red velvet whoopie pie. Once again, he saved me from extra calories.

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The next morning, Christy and I took Alex out for a birthday breakfast at a local cafe called Ambition:

Hugh and Jeremy (our servers) helped me steal the check and put together a little birthday candle action:

Ambition is one of those neighborhood places I wish I could stuff in my pocket and take with me. Eclectic decor inspired by 9 to 5, Madonna, and disco-era pop stars line the walls. The menu is health-consious without losing flavor, and the staff is small-town friendly in the best way.

While we were enjoying dessert, a regular named Barbara offered Alex a birthday painting:

If it isn't framed and hanging in her dressing station for the next city, I will be severely disappointed.

(Christy's arm is blocking it, but Travolta's pants are packing a punch...)
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After breakfast, we wandered around the local antique shops. Hidden in the back corner, we found this little gem:

Yes, friends. That is our swing, Brad, circa 2006. In drag on a wall in Schenectady.

I love tour.

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After a pit stop for Gil to grab Coffee...

...we made our way over to the beautiful Proctors Theatre:

Just inside the door there were two, conflicting posters:

And a trippy staircase advertisement:

Our opening night was a blast. Schenectady surprised us all with vivacious audiences who were eager to laugh and applaud. The whole community came out to support us, and we responded with a super energetic show.
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The Addams Family film came out twenty years ago. That boggles my mind.
Let us celebrate:

Angelica Huston is a STUNNER.

Proctor's had an adorable window display for The Addams family - complete with decapitated roses and dolls. I especially like "Thing" in a box:

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You didn't think I'd neglect to add a mole picture, did you?

An anchor in honor of Becky's husband booking Anything Goes! Broadway Debut!!

It doesn't compare to Hugh's fabulous facial hair, though:

Speaking of Hugh (and, by extension, all the folks at Ambition), I have to add how impressed I was by the customer service. Our associate conductor, Chris, is a vegetarian. When he tried to order his third black bean burger of the week, Marc (the owner and chef), insisted on cooking something off-menu especially for him. Sweet chili tofu and veggies with coconut rice? Yeah, I ordered it too. The next morning he made us lemon-ricotta pancakes. That evening, tempeh stir fry with whole wheat noodles in a peanut sauce. All of it was delicious, and all of it met Chris's dietary restrictions.

Needless to say, we wanted to do something special for our friends at Ambition. I suggested painting something since I already had a paint set and time on my hands. We went back to the antique shop where Brad-in-Drag resides and purchased a three-paned, antique window frame with a white washed border. I painted a message, as well as a couple characters from the Addams Family comics:

That night, Ambition took us bowling. Before we hit the lanes, Chris and I gave Marc the painting. He LOVED it. I hope it finds a comfortable home somewhere on the walls of Ambition!

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SURPRISE!

While we were busy celebrating Christy's birthday (breakfast at Ambition, of course), we got the call that Crista was calling out for the matinee. Christy finally had the chance to sing her face off, and I got another crack at her track. Here we are:

Looking as good as a dead suffragette can possibly look!
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Now we've arrived in Buffalo. I have no idea what the town's like, cause I drove back to Syracuse today to meet up with my professors and reminisce about college!

First, Marie and I went for a delightful bruncharoo at Eggplant:

Gil insisted on a piece of the action:

Then I wandered the halls until I ran into...

ALICE MUZQUIZ!!! If you've never had the pleasure of meeting Miss Alice, you're missing out. Such a joy.

Next up on the docket: my dear, dear Craig. Words can't describe how happy I was to see this man:

You can't tell from a picture, but that sweater is mega-soft. Just another excuse for extra hugs!

LAST... But certainly not least...

The one...

The ONLY...