218/30

You're about to see lots of Elixir photos. The one above is from performance #2 of 5 within 6 days. Performance #1 of those 5 was our first student matinee with the alternate cast, and I got to step in as conductor. That means that neither I nor the cast rehearsed with the orchestra prior to doing a slightly cut version in front of 2,200 excited field-tripping kids. This is my fifth set of such performances, and they're always nerve-wracking and exciting. Little things are bumpy, but I'm always amazed at how everyone rises to the occasion.

Meanwhile, the original cast performed later that same night. LB was wondering where all the off-stage photos were, so I had to catch him in his 'stache-i-ness. By the time this posts, he's on his way out of Houston, and I'll be happy to see him again soon in NYC.

217/30

Multiple trips to the Galleria finally convinced me to stop and walk over to the Williams Tower wall of water. Next time I'll bring a tripod.

216/30

When I feel like LMB is enjoying Chicago too much, I'll send her a little taste of the non-stop excitement of home and Bossy Cat. You see BC fixated on my camera strap...until something else distracts her at the very end. High quality entertainment at its best, I tell ya.

215/30

Lohengrin continues. Don't you hear it?

214/30

This one has been pawing at the comforter so that she can crawl in with me under the covers. Makes it hard for both of us to get up in the morning.

213/30

It's difficult to remember a more exciting opening night than our Lohengrin. It's one of the biggest pieces mounted since I've been part of the company, drawing on almost all of our resources in all the best ways. For example, the chorus (all 84 of them) began rehearsing August 21st for an October 30th opening, creating an even closer family within the greater family of the company.

Important debuts were made, hurdles were, uh, hurdled, and for all its loudness and pomposity, this piece is really made in the beautiful, aching moments, where time stops and existences are pondered. Before you know it...4 hours have passed and people are glad for it. Wouldn't–stop–applauding–and–cheering glad for it.

212/30

Let the record state that the first Washington Avenue Pub Crawl began with four founding members. It was precipitated by a long stretch of work days in a row - MC won with something like 22, SH with probably something more ridiculous, me with a paltry 14, and CS with countless hours logged for the same show - and a curiosity about the ever-changing face of Houston's Washington Ave.

Food was consumed, drinks tried, and friends seen and made. In a word, legendary.

And much needed.