NEW YORK CITY?As you might have guessed, I?m on a two-month long concert tour, which began on Sept. 18 in Vancouver and will end on Nov. 13 in Maui. So far, I?ve visited some really great cities, a few of which I?ve never been to. That always makes my travels heaps of fun.
It?s a little different this time, though. I?m not exactly ?eating my way across America? now (if I went down that route, I?d have to order new costumes midway through the tour); instead, it?s become the ?in which city does Lea not have friends or relatives? tour.
It makes my touring manager laugh, since he has to arrange for their tickets. In some cities, we don?t use even one ticket from our official allocation; in others, we have to make a mad scramble to accommodate loved ones and business associates.
A bulk of my shows is held at the showrooms of casinos, and what?s surprised me is that the venues are really specially made for concerts. They?re not converted ballrooms with a makeshift stage that?s put up just for the scheduled show, but one with a fully functioning stage with proper dressing rooms, permanent light rigs, a roomy backstage area, stadium seating, and impressive sound equipment. I was really impressed.
Our entourage consists of 10 people, each traveling for a specific purpose: a road manager, a merchandising man, a makeup artist, a musical director, five musicians and me. It?s not huge by any means, but it?s a fun crew and we all do laugh a lot. The band provides laughs by the second, which makes for an easy ride from one city to the next.
As far as adventures go? we spent two hours at the Canadian border from Vancouver to Washington state on the way into Seattle just waiting to cross? and there was our bus driver who, when going the wrong way, refused to take advice on directions from three passengers with portable GPS on their mobile phones, announcing to all of us on the bus, ?I don?t trust technology.? On this day, technology triumphed. GPS was vindicated.
Right now, I?m at the apartment of one of my best girlfriends, enjoying the summer?s transition into autumn. By the time you read this, I?ll have met my oldest sister?s new boyfriend and seen two Broadway shows.
My next concert is in Tarrytown, NY, at the Tarrytown Music Hall, a beautiful little performing space with incredible acoustics. On Saturday I head up to Buffalo, NY, to sing at the University of Buffalo, and then back to Manhattan to perform in a benefit for Tropical Storm ?Ondoy? victims at the Philippine Center (which houses the Philippine Consulate) on Oct. 12. The Ayala Foundation will be handling the donations.
Over the next several weeks, the tour will go to Brooks, CA; Cerritos, CA; Medford, OR; Cabazon, CA; Toronto, ONT; Richardson, TX; Austin, TX; Houston, TX; Honolulu, HI; and finally, Maui, HI.
I love my job.
?Spring Awakening?
Just received this late-breaking update from ?Spring Awakening? director Chari Arespacochaga:
Due to the country?s state of calamity, Atlantis Productions announces the change in play dates of the Tony Award-winning musical. The Oct. 3, 2 p.m. show has been moved to Oct. 18, 8 p.m. while the Oct. 3, 8 p.m. show has been moved to Oct. 11, 8 p.m.
Tickets with the original play dates will be honored on their rescheduled dates.
The rest of the run will continue as scheduled.
?Spring Awakening? runs at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza till Oct. 18. Shows are on Fridays, 8 p.m., Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Parental discretion is advised. Call 892-7078 or 840-1187. You may also visit http://www.atlantisproductionsinc.com.
Your Songs? update
As of Sept. 30, we have closed all portals for receiving requests for my concert ?Your Songs.? Thanks for your varied, eclectic and fabulous mix of music wishes!
But you may still send in audition videos for the chance to sing with me live on stage, as well as upload your photographs. Keep ?em coming!
