"What up, Playbill! Join me as I share the past month on tour," says Blackman. "I've had fun capturing all our road shenanigans, from Detroit to Daytona Beach, Halloween to Thanksgiving, 33 houses and 57 shows...so far! You can follow the rest of my journey on Twitter @lauren_blackman. Enjoy!"
It's SHOWTIME!
Lauren Blackman
Time to sign in (here in Toledo) and then sign a few posters. Insider info... we all seem to sign in the same spot. Clearly I take the 'L'...now you can ponder which one...
Lauren Blackman
"In my next life I want to be a sunflower. Then I'll grow tall."- Sally Struthers. I adore this woman! Toledo presenters gave Sally this gorgeous bouquet of her favorite flowers.
Lauren Blackman
A little pre-sound check shenanigans. After a long bus ride, you never know what sound check will bring out of us. (Garett Hawe and Lauren Krautman do the table pop and Sally makes a flying table out of our youngest, Liesl Jaye)
Lauren Blackman
I don't know why people get so fancy when I come around. What's that you say? They're just stretching? Right...some people need to do these things...stretch..
Lauren Blackman
Meet Steve Neimic, who has worked the Stage Door at The Stranahan Theatre, in Toledo, OH since the day it opened. The last Hello, Dolly! to pass through his door starred Betty Grable, in 1971.
Lauren Blackman
Now the proper blush application face goes something like this. I may have been told I make this face on any occasion that involves a mirror.
Lauren Blackman
It's too bad my dressing room mate, Halle Morse, has to deal with this mess all the time. Lucky for her I don't have an ounce of OCD.
Lauren Blackman
Now this is what I like to see. Welcome to Sally's dressing table. A woman after my own heart. The organization is sublime. Notes should be taken. I am only slightly jealous.
Lauren Blackman
Halle and I prep to some Pandora tunes, and look who came on right at half hour... Nothing like a little "Hello Dolly," by Louis, to put us in the mood. We can never get enough.
Lauren Blackman
Tall girls always seem to stand out. (Paige Wheat and Lauren Krautman... two of our gorgeous dancers)
Lauren Blackman
Allow me to introduce you to Minnie Faye, Barnaby Tucker, and Irene Molloy! Off to dinner at the Harmonia Gardens. I am not sure I have ever worn a dress so beautiful or so heavy! I adore playing around with these two every night...
Lauren Blackman
I try to ask them not to pose, but when you "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" some things just come naturally. (Erin Chupinsky, Lisa Rohinsky, Lauren Krautman, Jamey Hood)
Lauren Blackman
Our gents dressed for a little "Dancin'." It may be my favorite number... well next to that semi famous one... (with AJ Hughes, Michael Baxter, and Lucas Fedele)
Lauren Blackman
Fire Drill!!! Fire. Drill. Everyone in the streets of NJ. There seems to be a slight "vampire lost among the mortals"' thing going on here.
Lauren Blackman
Just settin' among some average sized pumpkins on one of our Golden Days. Golden Days are days with no shows and no travel. Thanks to Matt Wolfe for planning a superb Fall Golden Day for us.
Lauren Blackman
The Fox Theatre in Detroit. One of 3 of these phenomenal theatres left. It is grand, grand, grand. And the history is never-ending. This Fox houses one of the country's largest organs. An honor to play here, among walls littered with famous signatures.
Lauren Blackman
Past meets Present at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. The walls are covered with the logos and signatures of every show that has passed through. You could spend days looking them all over.
Lauren Blackman
The incomparable Michael Gorman meets his past as Bobby in the Chorus Line tour. Then some of the cast snuck up to the rafters, crawled through a large hole & looked down at the seats from the famous elephant that sits at the top of the proscenium.
Lauren Blackman
My friends at home will be happy to know that the tri-folding continues on the road! E-Bags are genius! I separate my clothes into each bag, and they work like drawers. I just unzip and toss in the dresser and then zip it up and throw back in my suitcase!
Lauren Blackman
A joyous occasion. Our first Starbucks in 2 weeks and so much has changed... Peppermint Mochas and Red Cups!!! It's the simple things in life...
Lauren Blackman
Amurrica...
Lauren Blackman
On our bus ride Matt always likes to educate me on the town we are about to explore. I thought today's lesson was a map of our travels to come. Oh no....this was a map of Cracker Barrel. I have never been.
Lauren Blackman
With limited storage space on our bus, we have to find inventive places to store our belongings. The youngest always loses. (Paige Wheat and Liesl Jaye)
Lauren Blackman
Sally's rest stop obsession with "The Claw Game" bore these two gifts. I'm one talented lady.
Lauren Blackman
A fifteen minute bus break and we found a patch of grass. 'nuff said.
Lauren Blackman
Sensible Bus and Truck stop wear... vests and Lulu Lemon, naturally. (with Liesl Jaye and Michael Rios)
Lauren Blackman
Reasons to not watch "The Human Centipede." And reasons to not sit near me on the bus. Blackmail from Blackman, comin' atcha!
Lauren Blackman
We go straight from the bus to a work out. Sometimes we are lucky enough to have cast classes. Our near death experiences are brought to you by Michael Gorman.
Lauren Blackman
Erin Chupinsky completed her 17th and 18th marathons on tour. Both before 2-show days. BEAST.
Lauren Blackman
Let's face it...we're in it for the swag. Supreme effort goes to the haunted Genetti Hotel for providing toys. Perhaps Alice left it?... Genetti's child ghost.
Lauren Blackman
The haunted Coronado #nofilter
Lauren Blackman
The Haunted Coronado gifted me with this dressing room.
Lauren Blackman
Big Bird meditates, starring Jamey Hood.
Lauren Blackman
Sally keeps us entertained with toys. Bubble and Pigs in a Rockstar Bus Blanket. (with Lisa Rohinsky, Brad Frenette, AJ Hughes, and Joe Nicastro)
Lauren Blackman
The love of my life, Dolly Levi. Otherwise known as Sally Struthers.
Lauren Blackman
Harmonia Gardens Fare. Sally downs all dumplings (apples) each and every night. She's never been so regular...
Lauren Blackman
Halloween arrived. No need for costumes here...our wigs and preps do the job.
Lauren Blackman
O'Brien! Again no need for costumes here. The award goes to Brooke Robyn Dairman, channeling some "Downton Abbey."
Lauren Blackman
Michael Gorman originally auditioned for Irene Molloy. We all know how that turned out.
Lauren Blackman
Crossing the border! I believe the quote from the Canadian Guard was, "Get off the bus. Line up single file and wait in the cage." Yes, I believe that was correct.
Lauren Blackman
I caught Lucas Fedele in a moment before his first night on as Barnaby.
Lauren Blackman
I have danced with this fella for years, and now we get to say lines together! AJ's on for Barnaby! (It should be noted that Garett Hawe is always out! I tease... he had two scheduled days off.)
Lauren Blackman
The covers getting some pre-show time with their onstage love, Halle Morse. (AJ Hughes, Lucas Fedele)
Lauren Blackman
There's a reason I call her "Driver"
Lauren Blackman
Canada brought us my first Arena, some understudies, some swings, and the best chicken tenders I have ever had.
Lauren Blackman
These arrows are used in each theatre to tell us where to go. Nothing in this picture has been staged. Thank you Milwaukee.
Lauren Blackman
Anyone have an accordion? I'll provide the Polka Dancers. (Liesl Jaye, Brooke Robyn Dairman, Hilary Fingerman, Erin Chupinsky and Lisa Rohinsky)
Lauren Blackman
Our Director, Jeffrey Moss, surprised us in Schenectady. (also pictured: my handsome leading man, Matt Wolfe)
Lauren Blackman
The early morning before our 6th one-nighter in a row. Just looking at each other can be scary, this early. But there's a rainbow at the end of this particular tunnel. Tonight we see an audience FULL of our nearest and dearest, in Morristown, NJ!!!
Lauren Blackman
Witness the new hotel rush to grab the elevator first. This ride is bringing us closer to all our friends and family in the audience tonight in Morristown, NJ!!
Lauren Blackman
Want ideal after-show hair?? We very quickly learned there is only one person who knows this trick of the trade, called pin curls. Take a lesson ladies... Paige is still trying, while Lisa remains perfect.
Lauren Blackman
And the post-show results. Lisa for the win... again.
Lauren Blackman
Morristown, NJ was overflowing with friends of the cast. I could not have had a happier night with so many people I love. Here are 7 of those incredible people in my life!
Lauren Blackman
You're on!! Tony Triano as Horace Vandergelder and our Super Swings, Joey Cullinane and Taylor Schramm. All were perfection.
Lauren Blackman
Just a Dance Captain giving notes, and a principle giving it back...! It's all about the shock value with my dear friend Michael Gorman.
Lauren Blackman
Meet Dorace, our company horse. (a combination of Dolly and Horace) Everytime we enter a new theatre we have a company meeting and play a little game called "Where's Dorace?" My personal fav was getting locked together in the penalty box in Canada.
Lauren Blackman
The masterful work of Rae Phillips! 19 wigs in total and a rare shot of Dolly getting her locks styled, before the parade passes by.
Lauren Blackman
The Process of getting my wig on: wig pins drawing blood. I laugh it off. Wiping lipstick off my teeth. (This is a constant. It runs in my family). Fluffing my ruffles. Done.
Lauren Blackman
Allow me to introduce you to The Taco!! She takes balance and a wide girth.
Lauren Blackman
It's 1897...put away your gadgets.
Lauren Blackman
1897...That's more like it. Put On Your Sunday Clothes.
Lauren Blackman
A gentle Sunday saunter with the men before these famous waiters gallop.
Lauren Blackman
A sensible snooze of the Fab Four, before our final entrance. Been a long day. (with Garett Hawe, Halle Morse and Matt Wolfe.)
Lauren Blackman
And this is why we don't eat in costume. (with our wardrobe mistress, Melanie Clifton-Harvey and Company Manager, Andrea Ghersetich)
Lauren Blackman
Load out. At first I didn't know how to take it... all my dresses are transported in the Gondola labeled Big Girls. I mean... how is a gal to take that? Never well.
Lauren Blackman
The Best Surprise of the Tour you ask??? Why, that would be our trombone player, Aaron Hollon, proposing to our beautiful dancing Ms. Rose, Brooke Robyn Dairman. What a way to head into this night's show. Congratulations and we love you!
Lauren Blackman
The Parade passed by and Santa has crossed Times Square. So yes...we will enjoy some cheer Thanksgiving morning, on the Sally Bus, as we travel to Daytona Beach! Goodbye cold weather!
Lauren Blackman
Our Thanksgiving dinner came complete with Christmas Guards. (Lauren Krautman and Garett Hawe)
Lauren Blackman
Happy Thanksgiving Hello, Dolly!
Lauren Blackman
Corsets after Thanksgiving?? Read my face... Not. Exactly. Comfortable.
Lauren Blackman
Forever young on a carousel in Daytona Beach.
Lauren Blackman
None of us are competitive here! Lies... and Liesl's abs. What a way to finish the holiday!
Lauren Blackman
Some of our houses along the way...the Embassy Theatre, IN; Budweiser Gardens Arena, Canada; Hamilton Place, Canada
Lauren Blackman
Procters Theatre, New York; Community Arts Center, PA; The Mayo Center, NJ...and a lobby filled with our dearest from NYC!!! The journey continues. Come see us!
Lauren Blackman
*
Based on Thornton Wilder's 1955 play The Matchmaker, Hello, Dolly! features a book by Michael Stewart and music and lyrics by Herman. Song titles include "Put On Your Sunday Clothes," "Before the Parade Passes By" and "It Only Takes a Moment."
Jeffrey B. Moss stages the production that has choreography by Bob Richard. It is produced by Big League Productions, Inc., which is led by president and executive producer Daniel Sher and vice president of booking, John Starr. Over 70 cities are planned for the tour.
In addition to Struthers (9 to 5, Annie, Grease, "Gilmore Girls," "All in the Family") as Dolly Levi, the cast includes John O'Creagh (Katie Roche) as Horace Vandergelder, Matt Wolfe (Scandalous) as Cornelius Hackl, Lauren Blackman (Mary Poppins, Singin' in the Rain) as Irene Molloy, Garett Hawe (Newsies) as Barnaby Tucker, Halle Morse (Mamma Mia!) as Minnie Fay, Brad Frenette (Sweeney Todd) as Ambrose Kemper and Hilary Fingerman (The Bully) as Ermengarde.
Struthers and O'Creagh previously co-starred in Hello, Dolly! at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma in 2005.
The creative team is completed by Charlie Morrison (lighting design) and Skip Brevis (musical supervision).
For a complete list of tour dates, visit hellodollyontour.com.
