"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" on tour...Sometimes, to get the sweetest fruit, you have to go out on a limb. In this case, Utica would be the limb, The Stanley Theater, the fruit. This is, hands down, the most beautiful theatre we have played, or are likely to play. Somehow, it managed to escape the insult of being turned into a multi-cinema in the 70's, so the community was able to concentrate their money on upgrading and enlarging the backstage facilities. The pictures are not very good, but it's the best I could find (thanks to Flickr) and it will give you a sense of the scale and ornate-ness of the place.
There is a reception for us after the first night's performance during which the organizer asks the crowd to raise a glass and thank the cast of "The Drowsy Chaperon" for a fantastic show. Awkward pause. There is, however, plenty of beer, wine, hot and cold nibbles and live music. The music comes from an ancient square-style grand piano, circa 1840. At the keys is a tiny, hunch-backed woman, also circa 1840. Apparently, she can play anything you ask her to. She is put to the test as the alcohol continues to flow and the cast begins random performances. I leave before it gets too involved, though when Michael staggers into the hotel room 45 minutes later he is still giggling about doing a trio version of "Sentimental Journey" with Duff and Susan Johnson-Collins.
Through the night, most of the State is hit with a snow storm. Flights are delayed, schools are closed, streets are messy. The storm is supposed to go on through the night. The city of Utica declares a state of emergency. The weather channel is calling it DEADLY STORM. We, wondering what all the fuss is about, call it what we usually call six inches of snow........winter.
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