“It’s the day of the show ya’ll!” I start my opening day at our local housing - the Homestead Studio Suites in the Galleria section of Houston. Notice the Palm Trees!
Danny Gardner
The first thing in the day is a work out at the beautiful Trotter Family YMCA! It’s the most beautiful YMCA I have ever seen! It’s has two pools!
Danny Gardner
After the gym I stop by the Starbucks - Jamba Juice combo. Awesome.
Danny Gardner
I had some extra time before the show so I took a trip to the huge mall “The Galleria.” It’s the second largest mall in America and has a skating rink in it. This is where I practice my triple lutz every day before the show.
Danny Gardner
After my ice-skating practice, I took a walk to my favorite park sclupture. It’s a 64-foot-fountain with a Scaene Frons in front of it. This is where I practice my monologue from Oedipus every day before the show.
Danny Gardner
It’s 6:15 and time to head to the theater. On my way to the theater I run into one of our Broadway veterans Dottie Stanley!
Danny Gardner
These are my car mates – Nikol Wolf and Tess Ferrell.
Danny Gardner
Driving into downtown Houston.
Danny Gardner
Before the show I stop into the TUTS Encore gift shop to say hello to Suzanne Tidwell and Kirk Goodman.
Danny Gardner
Look at all the Annie swag!
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Time to go to work!
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Look at the lovely opening night gifts.
Danny Gardner
I catch Dustin Harder (ensemble member and dog handler), Macy the dog (Sandy) and Sadie Sink (Annie) getting ready to practice their scenes before the show. Macy is a true Bill Berloni-trained dog!
Danny Gardner
Here are Tara Jeanne Vallee (choreographer) and Eddy Robinson (musical director) getting ready for opening night. Looking good creative team!
Danny Gardner
This is the ceiling of Sarofim hall. Theater Under the Stars originally started as an outdoor theater and it is still “Under the Stars” to this day. The fiber optic ceiling is arranged to represent the Texas summer solstice.
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The calm before the storm! The Theatre seats 2650 people! It’s huge!
Danny Gardner
This is a view from the back of the house in the “nose-bleeds.” I am always impressed at how beautiful the house is.
Danny Gardner
Here is a picture of the Hobby Center. It was only built 10 years ago and holds two theaters: Sarofim Hall where TUTS has its performances and Zilka Hall, that is a more intimate space, which seats 500.
Danny Gardner
I catch our stage manager Roger Allan Raby at his booth getting ready for the show.
Danny Gardner
The backstage scenery / props area. No show is complete without a teddy bear in a wagon.
Danny Gardner
The fly rail.
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Stage Left. Too bad they went with the small staircase.
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Happy Opening!
Danny Gardner
Bill Berloni Theatrical Animals often teams up with a local rescue group to put the spotlight on dogs that need homes.
Danny Gardner
Here’s our Assistant Stage Manager Cole Ryden collecting dollars for Dollar Friday. A tried and true tradition throughout the theater community.
Danny Gardner
Here’s our AMAZING Annie –Sadie Sink getting her wig on.
Danny Gardner
I check in with George Dvorsky (Daddy Warbucks) before the show. This is a "before" picture…
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This is the "after" picture. George is so virile he has to have his head shaved every day before the show. (It’s fun to flip back and forth between the pictures.)
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I catch our director (Mark Waldrop) hanging with Michele Ragusa (Miss Hannigan).
Danny Gardner
Time to Mic up. I catch Roger Preston Smith grabbing his mic before the show. And yes he does like it hot!
Danny Gardner
Dave Schoonover (Rooster) extremely happy about his opening night flowers.
Danny Gardner
I lucked out and was able to catch the entire costume crew of TUTS having a meeting before our opening. We are so lucky to have these professionals on our side.
Danny Gardner
Sadie Sink wigged and microphoned up! “Look, it’s me on a t-shirt!”
Danny Gardner
George Dvorsky takes his pre-performance stretching VERY seriously. Never interrupt him when he is mid-stretch. He may drop a damn or two.
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Michael Tapley as Mr. Bundles.
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Our “Star-To-Be” Tess Ferrell wigging-up.
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Glory Crampton (Grace Farrell) in the Green Room proving that blondes do in fact have more fun!
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Dave Schoonover (Rooster) at places call. Look at the size of those remotes!
Danny Gardner
As I go back to my dressing room I pass the wall murals of all of the past shows that have played at TUTS – touring and self produced. This is one of four different hallways that are filled with murals.
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My first costume of the night: the stern Lt. Ward.
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“We think you’re gonna like it here!” With laundry baskets. Bill Bateman and Roger Preston Smith are the comedic relief in our dressing room.
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David Schoonover (Rooster) and Brandi Wooten (Lily) juggling into character!
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Tom Treadwell (FDR) and Dustin Harder (Ensemble / Dog Handler) playing some cards at Intermission.
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We had the pleasure to have George and Barbara Bush at our show. Believe it or not, instead of saying cheese for the camera we all said, “Obama!”
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The kids at intermission. Getting revved up for the second act. Maybe I shouldn’t have put all that Easter candy in their dressing room.
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Sadie Sink (Annie) likes to decorate her dressing room for each Holiday.
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Ahhh the Lovely Boylan Sisters: Erin Wasmund, Tess Ferrell and Nikol Wolf.
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It’s time for the radio show. Rod Roberts (Wacky), Sound Effects Guy (Michael Tapley), Christopher Carothers (Bert Healy), Cailtlin Cannon (Page) and Me (Jimmy Johnson).
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Three of FDR’s cabinet – Morganthau (Me), Hull (Rod Roberts), Perkins (Susan Shofer).
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The orphans after the curtain comes down on opening night! YAY!!!
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Happy Opening! Opening night is at the “Artista” restaurant in the Hobby Center building. Me with Frank M. Young (Founder of TUTS), Michele Ragusa and Glory Crampton.
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Time to Celebrate...
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As the song goes, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile!”
Danny Gardner
