Around this same time I too ditched college to tour as a Wardrobe Mistress for dance companies in which we performed at community colleges. Your recounting of the your experience of being in a traveling group and all the struggles reminded me of those times. The stories I could tell!
Holy shit. That sounds awful. I once lived with a roommate who was in the Rockettes on Tour and she had to dance on pointe in a 25 lb bear costume throughout the entire winter seasons. She had to retire early from dancing in her mid 20s because the weight of the costume created a bone fracture in her foot that destroyed her ability to ever dance professionally again. The things that performers have to endure for the audience...
Your account is hilarious though. Despite not having proper choreography, I think most people didn't care unless they were professionals themselves. I was a kid back then and loved TMNT so much, but I never saw the live performances and certainly never attended Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade which seems like it's just too huge of a production and at the wrong time of the year (well, I guess the summer would be worse but still...).
Your talents (and pain tolerance) know no bounds! So thankful for your writing, comedy, podcasts and all-around humanity. Wishing you and your family a lovely holiday.
I still have the TMNT Coming Out Of Their Shells Tour concert VHS. I also still constantly sing the songs from the concert (neurodivergent), including "Pizza Power." I learned from HIGNFY that you were the "Promotional Raphael," which is awesome as he is the best turtle. My friends and I taped our fingers together and sang into broomsticks in our backyard concerts. Thanks for the memories!
I feel your pain but what a great story, especially when you got to share it with your kids…..and can look forward to telling it to your future grandchildren. That’s the best part.
A high school friend of mine performed as Goofy at Disney World. I'll never forget him telling me you were not allowed to break character even if you vomited inside the suit. I felt like the fact that they had guidance specifically for that scenario spoke volumes.
My commiserations. You did a fine job with the dancing bit. Was there an adrenalin rush from seeing the blissful little kids that got you through that part? Could you even see them?
I don't know, Leonardo seems to be really into it.
Around this same time I too ditched college to tour as a Wardrobe Mistress for dance companies in which we performed at community colleges. Your recounting of the your experience of being in a traveling group and all the struggles reminded me of those times. The stories I could tell!
Holy shit. That sounds awful. I once lived with a roommate who was in the Rockettes on Tour and she had to dance on pointe in a 25 lb bear costume throughout the entire winter seasons. She had to retire early from dancing in her mid 20s because the weight of the costume created a bone fracture in her foot that destroyed her ability to ever dance professionally again. The things that performers have to endure for the audience...
Your account is hilarious though. Despite not having proper choreography, I think most people didn't care unless they were professionals themselves. I was a kid back then and loved TMNT so much, but I never saw the live performances and certainly never attended Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade which seems like it's just too huge of a production and at the wrong time of the year (well, I guess the summer would be worse but still...).
These dance moves are incredible. I didn't know you were a triple threat.
At least it made for a good story later! Happy Thanksgiving!
Your talents (and pain tolerance) know no bounds! So thankful for your writing, comedy, podcasts and all-around humanity. Wishing you and your family a lovely holiday.
I still have the TMNT Coming Out Of Their Shells Tour concert VHS. I also still constantly sing the songs from the concert (neurodivergent), including "Pizza Power." I learned from HIGNFY that you were the "Promotional Raphael," which is awesome as he is the best turtle. My friends and I taped our fingers together and sang into broomsticks in our backyard concerts. Thanks for the memories!
The crowd was so excited and happy with your performance. 😂👏🙏
You did the dance.
You were the Whole Steamboat!
I feel your pain but what a great story, especially when you got to share it with your kids…..and can look forward to telling it to your future grandchildren. That’s the best part.
This is hilarious. Sharing with everyone I know. Happy Thanksgiving!
Who knew the true heroes were on the inside of those costumes! What a description!
A high school friend of mine performed as Goofy at Disney World. I'll never forget him telling me you were not allowed to break character even if you vomited inside the suit. I felt like the fact that they had guidance specifically for that scenario spoke volumes.
My commiserations. You did a fine job with the dancing bit. Was there an adrenalin rush from seeing the blissful little kids that got you through that part? Could you even see them?
Some fine moves there!
Cowabunga!
And Happy Thanksgiving.
Good story. Thanks.