I’m sure none of my fellow holdovers would appreciate being called “old,” so let me try to rectify; we have sixteen days to blend the new and the seasoned, better. (Or maybe “the veterans?” Or “the idiots who re-signed for what would amount to a total of eighteen months, mostly because the itinerary is freakin’ awesome, we got a raise and we already know the shows?”)

Whatever it’s called, we’re starting anew…though there are only three new cast members, it feels almost brand new. The late-nite rehearsals, the re-blocking of shows, the newness of it all; it feels exciting, well, exciting and scary.

Apart from putting up the shows, The Boat is repositioning, making it’s way across the Atlantic Ocean and starting the second leg of my Grand Voyage; Europe, The Baltic’s and The Mediterranean.

Day One:

May 17, 2011

Ft. Lauderdale – “The Introductions Show”

Rehearsal – “The Broadway Standards Show”

I’m not in the opening night “Introductions Show,” the show which introduces all the Stars of the Showroom, so unlike the rest of the group, I didn’t need to cut my hunting and gathering day short because of rehearsal. The surprise Coast Guard drill did that just fine, thank you. My list of things to do was three pages long, but as I type this, with my larder fully stocked, my personal grooming items put away, and my wine rack filled, I think I’ll be just fine. The first rehearsal for me is tonight at 11:30 PM. Here’s to hoping it goes smoothly….

Because we can’t be in the showroom twenty-four hours a day, there are daily events and guest performers who need to tech and perform as well, we’re forced to work at odd hours.

We begin with blocking. Inserting the newbes into their respective places is easy.

For some reason, the issues we had this night were with the tech; issues we’ve never had before.

The newbies had it worst, not only did they have to rehearse, do a show and then rehearse again for a different show they also had to travel from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale. “The Broadway Standards Show” is almost complete and everyone fit quite nicely together. The Powers-That-Be could see that everyone was starting to become useless so we were released, around 2:00 AM. There’s a renewed energy in the cast. It’s almost as if the old and the new are bringing it. It’s as if everyone has something to prove to everyone else.

Day Two:

May 18, 2011

Sea Day – Guest Performer

Rehearsing – “The Broadway Standards Show”

We started work at 10:00 AM. Our newbies started the day with safety meetings at 8:15 AM. Nine months ago, when I did the same thing, it was killer, I feel a little, but still Jew and Gentile Readers, just a little…. I think one of the main reasons I decided to extend rather than taking time off and coming back is that I’d have to go through everything I went through again, not to mention rehearsals in LA and to be honest, that isn’t something I’d like to repeat.

We finished blocking the newbies into the show around noon. A few slight changes made, nothing to write home about, but for me, it was enough to cause challenges; when doing the same show repeatedly; dance moves, mic position and the such happen more from body memory than anything else. Even the slightest changes can sometimes throw off your game. My game seemed way off.

Smack dab in the middle of our rehearsal day, we had to deal with another hour forward; there are five hour forwards on this cruise added to the three hour forwards which were tacked on to the end of the last cruise which for the arithmetically challenged is eight hour forwards over the course of sixteen days, it hurts.

A full tech at 3:00 PM and it’s nap time.  Our dress/tech is scheduled for 11:15 PM to go at midnight; a full run with costumes. But when we get there there is a hold up.  The set had been built for rehearsal, torn down for the guest entertainer’s show and then rebuilt, which meant we couldn’t begin our run until 12:30 AM when it was completed.

I’m sure tomorrow, final dress and two performances will go off without a hitch, right now however, I’m hating everything about this job and feel I made the wrong decision about staying. Maybe I should’ve gotten off The Boat as originally planned, Europe better be freakin’ amazing…

Day Three:

May 19, 2011

Sea Day – “The Broadway Standards Show”

Rehearsal – “The Broadway Standards Show”

11:30 AM call for a noon dress.

The same as every other show day.

Why then, does it feel harder to get out of bed today? Why don’t I want to leave my cabin? Why is it all that’s running through my head is packing up my shit and going home?

Life isn’t a rose garden. One has to take the bad times with the good, and while there have been bad times on the first contract; during rehearsal in LA, during turnover 1.0, during the changes of the “Broadway Standards Show” halfway into the first contract and during the winter Holidays, I wish I could put my finger on what they’ve in common…

I got a curt phone call at noon which woke me up. I can’t blame the oversleep on being overtired or the four phone calls I got from a guest at 7:30 AM as she was trying to get reach cabin 7048…my mind and body just didn’t want to get up.

I went right back to bed after the tech run. Maybe I do have mono…

I woke up, brushed my teeth and went to the show. The first show went off without a hitch – standing ovation – I’m not talking just a few standees, I’m talking the full audience jumping to their feet. It felt good. The second show, the same. When work pays off, it feels good.

Day Four:

May 20, 2011

Sea Day – Guest Performer

Rehearsal – “The Girly Show”

They only need to put the dancers in today so it’s a day off for me, I’m taking a personal day; sleep, eat, poop, repeat.

Day Five:

May 21, 2011

Sea Day – Guest Performer

Rehearsal – “The Duets Show”

I’m only in ten minutes of the show so my call time is noon instead of ten o’clock. I don’t do anything with the dancers until the final bows, I’ll just be needed when they get to the full run-through.

If it wasn’t for the 9:00 AM cabin inspection I’d still be sleeping but instead I had a lovely breakfast with a sweet couple…and then…as usual…nap time!

Midnight techs kill me, I nap beforehand and afterwards I’m pumped-up and wide awake. I can’t fall back asleep until four or five in the morning and then I do it all again the next day.

Another hour forward in the middle of the day…I’ve no idea how the passengers are dealing with the time change, perhaps the older you are the easier it is to deal with.

Day Six:

May 22, 2011

Sea Day – “The Duets Show”

Rehearsal – “The Duets Show”

Show Day. The Duet’s Show is up and running. My part hasn’t changed…

Normal schedule: 11:45 AM call for noon tech with the band. 7:30 call for new band member costume fittings. Shows at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Oh my goodness! The 8:00 PM show was filled with excitement!

Just as the music was starting, right before the Pop Male Lead was to be reveled behind the sliding doors of the set, the fire alarm went off. This was not a drill. The band stopped playing and we waited…

The officer of the watch came over the loudspeaker, “A fire has been detected in the backstage dimmer room. Please, don’t panic and remain where you are.”

The dimmer room happens to be directly above the dressing room.

The powers-that-be rush to us, I have to admit I was a little aroused by the would-be rescue. It’s in this show where our Female Pop Lead wears nothing but Bob Mackie designed gowns, some of which cost upwards of $10,000. For a moment there, we all thought the powers-that-be were rushing back to save the costumes, not us…. We sat for a few moments as the dressing room filled with smoke. When we were eventually evacuated, I went backstage and waited in the wings.

Another announcement, this time it’s the Captain, “We’re currently investigating the cause of the alarm. It seems there was a short in one of the theatrical dimmers. There’s no cause for panic.”

A few more minutes pass.

Another announcement, “The investigation is closed, there is no fire. The theatrical smoke being used set off the alarm. The doors to the dimmer room were inadvertently left open and due to blow back, the alarm was tripped. There is nothing to be concerned about. Thank you.”

Later, after both show, over drinks in the OB, we found out that one of our powers may have been the cause, right before the show he went up to the booth and demanded more smoke…

Day Seven:

May 23, 2011

Sea Day – Guest Performer

Rehearsal – “The Old Standards Show”

As the dancers aren’t in this show, putting-in the only one newbie should be easy since it’s mostly park and bark. We’re not doing the Old Standards Show for an audience this cruise which is too bad because it’s great. I’d go so far as calling it my favorite.

The only thing that makes the day hard is the hour aheads. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, they’re killer. My body clock is totally mucked up. I find myself up all night and sleeping during the day between rehearsals. Really, let’s face it, it’s not a nap when it’s over six hours long, it’s sleeping. I think what I need to do is fight the nap-time and stay awake as long as I can and hopefully it’ll force me to sleep though the night.

The day lasted three hours.

Day Eight:

May 24, 2011

Sea Day – Guest Performer/Black And White Ball

Rehearsal – “The Popera Show”

A day off for me. Yea!

Tonight is the Black and White ball.

All I want to do is sleep, could I have mono?

Day Nine:

May 25, 2011

Sea Day – Guest Performer

Rehearsal – “The Game Show”

Call time 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, only an hour. Done and done. The girls have done the show, the band has done the show. I’ve done the show. How bad can it be?

Day Ten:

May 26, 2011

Cork, Ireland – No Performance

Rehearsal – “The Girly Show”

A great day in Cobh and Cork, Ireland. I got off The BoatThe Boat when we ported, after eight sea days I needed dry land and I needed it real fast. I explored the entire town in about an hour and a half. Nothing was open for business and the town was almost dead quiet. It was a sweet little town with a cathedral in the center the first of many I expect to see throughout Europe.

I ran back to The Boat to meet up with friends and we took the train over to Cork. On;y fifteen minutes away, it was like stepping from the past into the future. I big bustling town full of shops and pubs and a chain coffeehouse called COSTA.

Costa coffee is apparently very big in the UK. It hasn’t reached the states yet, and I’ve a feeling it may never. The coffee is supposed to be an Italian blend created especially for the seller, but it has nothing on the South American blends of Starbucks. Of course, I bought a travel mug and stole a handful of napkins and sugar packets because they all had my last name printed on it.

It was in Cork I discovered exactly how expensive Europe is going to be. A small H&M shopping trip cost almost $100.00. If I were to spend that in America I’d have a lot more to show for it besides a shirt, two pair of underwear and a sweater…all from the sale rack…

Luckily we visit Cork again, I was caught unawares that the Blarney Stone was very close by. I had the chance to give it a little peck on the cheek but missed it. Next time it’s the first stop.

Day Eleven:

May 27, 2011

Dublin, Ireland – “The Girly Show”

Rehearsal – “The Girly Show”

No one enjoys having to perform a show on a port day, but alas, it happens. We have no control over the schedule, what really stinks is when that happens at a port The Boat is only visiting once which is the case with Dublin.

On port days, the tech rehearsals are usually scheduled earlier so everyone involved has time to get off and enjoy what the port has to offer. This tech was no different. Call time: 10:45 AM to go at 11:00 AM.

I was late, again. I must have mono.

Our new Dance Captain had to make the phone call this time. At 11:00 AM I was shocked awake by the high pitched ringing of the telephone.

“Vinnie, we have rehearsal.” she calmly stated.

“For what?” I groggily asked.

“The Girly Show.”

“Ah shit! I’ll be right there.”

The tech was tech, we know what we’re doing…so it’s was off to Dublin.

We weren’t ported in Dublin proper, but after a short bus ride we were in the Ireland’s biggest city. We were dropped off in the City Center, just ‘round the corner from Trinity College. The choice, grab a hop-on/hop-off bus tour and see as much of the city as possible, this is the only time The Boat stops in Dublin, or hit a pub and go shopping. Since three hours wasn’t enough to time for bus, the bus wouldn’t be worth it ‘cause there’d be no hopping-off.

The Pub it was. Fish and chips. Guinness.

I was told, when in Ireland it was imperative I buy myself an Irish wool sweater so separated from the group and I went to the Trinity Sweater Shop. I didn’t have much time before the last shuttle back to The Boat was scheduled to leave so I went in with a mission. I wanted something that looked fisherman-y, so I left with a natural (read: ecru) cable-knit crew-neck. I didn’t even care that after the exchange, it cost me $75.00.

I wore it the very next day in Liverpool.

Day Twelve:

May 28, 2011

Liverpool, England – No Performance

Rehearsal – “The Popera Show”

Again, I woke early, debarked and watched the city wake up before me. Needing to get a little business done (read: illegal downloading) I sat myself down at Starbuck’s and went online for a few hours. To be alone with my thoughts, my computer and my ‘bucks was exactly what I needed.

After internet, I wandered around town suppressing the desire to shop and headed to Albert Pier. Albert Pier is very much like Chelsea Piers in New York City. Except instead of sports facilities it’s full of museums. There’s a branch of The Tate, The Maritime Museum, even a Mermaid Museum – which was closed – and most importantly, The Beatles Museum.

Less a museum and more an interactive experience I met my friends and we made our way through halls designed to look like the places the Beatles became the Beatles. After the museum it was the Experience, a fifteen minute 4D movie which told me, just do drugs, it’s all good…

By this time it was almost 2:30 PM, we were meeting a former shipmate and resident of Liverpool at a local pub, The Pump House at 3:00. We found out the Cavern Pub, where the Beatles placed and which we visited in the museum was only a few blocks away. We made the pilgrimage.

Back to The Pump House, pints with me mates, sliders for my tummy and suddenly it was 4:20; time to run back to The Boat. All aboard was 4:30 and we were about fifteen minutes away.

The girls took off and it was just me Jack and Erwin.

Erwin and I began to run, halfway there, I could run no more.

“Go Erwin! Save yourself. I’ll take the punishment.”

We turned a corner, a 200 yard sprint would get us to the gangway.

“I see the girls.” Erwin shouted to me. “They’re going the wrong direction. The Boat is that way!”

“Maybe all aboard was 4:00 and we were turned away?” I shouted back.

“But, I see the gangway.”

The girls were headed back, we met up and we got great news.

“‘Due to bad weather at our next port, it was canceled and we’re here until 11:00!’ that’s waht security told us, so were going with it.”

“Quick, Erwin, run, catch Jack.”

“But…”

“Just go. Go!”

Erwin sprinted to where we left Jack, but Jack wasn’t there. He’d gotten into a cab and met us halfway. When we strolled over to where Jack was supposed to be and Erwin was, laughter ensued.

“Well,” Erwin said, “At least I don’t need to go to gym today…”

What followed was a long night of debauchery, a Liverpool pub crawl with a local. The Cavern Pub, The Cavern Club, Lennon’s and a quick succession of gay bars. We ended up running for the ship again at a quarter to eleven, but this time is was more like a fast stumble. Of course, we were the last to board.

The Popera peeps had a midnight tech which didn’t start until after 1:00 am. I laid down at 11:15, the intention being a disco nap, I woke up the next day around noon.

Day Thirteen:

May 29, 2011

Sea Day – “The Popera Show”

Rehearsal – “The Popera Show”

With the planned port canceled due to inclement weather it was a welcome sea day. Since it was “the Popera Show” day, I got a full day to recover from the previous night’s Liverpool debauchery.

I watched the 8:00 PM show, to give the newbies my support and then went to bed. Nothing like being hungover all day…

Day Fourteen:

May 30, 2011

Cherbourg, France (Memorial Day) – No Performance

Rehearsal – None

A group of us wanted to visit Paris, but it wasn’t in the cards, the day wasn’t long enough so we decided to visit Mont St. Michelle instead. An island sized Abby and fortress off the coast of France.

We got off the ship as a group and found out the only way to get to Mont St. Michelle was taxi and it would cost us about 300.00 Euro per car. After nixing that idea we resigned ourselves that were would be staying local until we found a tourist information booth where a very polite Frenchie told us we could rent a car and drive ourselves there for about 80.00 Euros per car.

Adventure!

Nothing like driving in a foreign country, where all the signs are are in another language that no one in your car speaks…needless to say, we got a little off-course. We ended up passing the Normandy World War II Memorial which was all the more meaningful once we realized it was Memorial Day.

After our two and a half hour drive through the French countryside we made it to our destination. The island city of Mont St. Michelle.

Jew and Gentile Readers alike, if you get the chance to visit France, you’ll have to plan a side trip to St. Michelle. It island town was used at the prison fortress in the most recent movie version of the Count of Monte Cristo.

We spent the day exploring the nooks and crannies of the sixteenth century fortress; up the steps, down the steps. There were so many steps! We had lunch at one of many the cafes, traditional French cheeses, baguettes and crepes.

The ride back was uneventful and much faster, we made it back with time to spare. Time we used to grab a quick bite at a great Scottish restaurant, McDonald’s.

We didn’t have to run for the gangway this time, but we were walking slowly, the full days beginning to catch up…

Day Fifteen:

May 31, 2011

Dover/London, England – No Performance

Rehearsal – “The Game Show”

Our Boat won a fleet wide contest and as a thanks to the Captain, Hotel Manager and Purser we got a free shuttle to London. The shuttle was scheduled to leave Dover at 8:30 AM and return at 2:00 PM and would take approximately two and a half hours each way. The Boat wasn’t scheduled to leave until midnight, with all aboard scheduled for 11:30 PM, so a group of us decided to take the train home which would allow us to have a much fuller day in old London town.

We decided to get tickets to the hop on/hop off bus – as it was the only late-nite in London we were going to get, we wanted to see as much as we possibly could in the shortest amount of time possible.

We saw:

Big Ben.

Westminster Abby.

Buckingham Palace.

The West End.

SoHo.

Chinatown.

The London Eye.

Hyde Park.

Piccadilly Circus.

Scotland Yard

The Tower of London.

The Tower Bridge.

The London Bridge.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

Trafalgar Square

Towards the end of the day we went to the train station to pre-purchase our tickets back to Dover. Confirming the departure time and duration we were set to make it back to The Boat in plenty of time to make it to our last 11:15 PM tech. When we got back to the station we discovered the train was leaving ten minutes past the time told to us and would take 40 minutes longer.

Shit!

We’d make it back to The Boat in time, but we’d get to rehearsal late.

Rehearsal was, to say the least, tragic.

Day Sixteen:

June 1, 2011

Zeebrugge, Belgium – “The Game Show”

Rehearsal – None

I woke up at noon. I got off The Boat and took the free shuttle to the town center. I walked around for an hour or so looking for both postcards and patches and couldn’t find either. All I could find was chocolate. A shit load of chocolate. I bought some, I ate some, I came back to The Boat.

At 9:00 PM it was time to get ready for the show.

At 9:30 PM when the show was supposed to start, it didn’t.

At 9:50 PM, twenty minutes late, when contestants were bribed with alcohol to be involved, the show started. It should’ve been canceled due to lack of participation.

It was tragic. As tracic as last night’s rehearsal.

What a sour note to end turn over on…I hope it’s not a sign of things to come…

Since a lot of older folk take long boat trips, they need to be entertained with music they remember, right? Well, we’ve got ‘em! From Perry Como to Rosemary Clooney – wait, that’s technically  only “C” to “C” but, you know what I mean…

It’s got a lot of words and a lot of notes, with some very crooner-like, tight harmonies.

For those of you who may’ve seen me in any of the Cake incarnations, or just heard me speak, you may be wondering to yourselves, “crooner-like, tight harmonies? But, but…” But nothing! I’ve gone and changed my singing style, I’m no longer sassy, brassy Vinnie Costa, I’m blendy, covered-tone Vinnie Costa.

It’s a little different for me, but I’m starting to like it.

Don’t worry, Jew and Gentile reader, I’m not giving up the loud and funny Vinnie, he’ll still be around, he’s just retired for a little while; the last thing I want to do is blow out any hearing aids…

We just started and I’ve a feeling it’s going to be a bear of a show… it’s the first show we’re working on which includes all eight of us.

Once upon a time, most cruise ship shows had up to 18 performers, usually an M1, M2, F1, F2 – see previous post – and up to 14 male and female dancers. Our shows are much smaller – again, there are only eight of us – so everyone is expected to sing and dance their asses off. When I was cast, I was told I wouldn’t be dancing as much as everyone else, because I’m the character-guy, but the person I’m replacing could really move his butt so the shaking my jelly is required!

The M2 and F2 are supposed to be more dancer/singers – we don’t have an F2 –  so, for this show everyone’s dancing, dancing, dancing and I’m no exception.

A little worried, I am, but I plan to give it 125% – I WILL NOT be the weakest link!

I have one number, it’s a funny, in fact, delightful little number designed to give the leads a chance to change costumes and take a breather. Since it’s a duet show and I don’t have a funny-lady counterpart, I pick someone from the audience and make her sing with me.

I like being the speciality act, it’s fun!