Hi Playbill, this is Richard Cerato reporting live and in living Technicolor from the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. I'm so pumped to do my second Playbill.com exclusive photo album and this time have you join me on tour!
Richard Cerato
Celebrity Spotting: Look! It's Broadway Heartthrob Ace Young!!! But wait a minute... let's not peak too soon. Before we go backstage for an inside look, let's skip back to the beginning of our journey and see how we got here.
Richard Cerato
It all started with rehearsals at Pearl & Chelsea Studios in New York City. With this guy. Andy Blankenbuehler. Our amazing director/choreographer extraordinaire.
Richard Cerato
After about 2 1/2 weeks in the studio, creating and rehearsing the show, we head upstate to tech onstage at the very handsome Stanley Theatre in Utica, New York.
Richard Cerato
Andy is so sweet. He buys us donuts and other pastries when we behave. He is a God.
Richard Cerato
Stop. Wait... or is he really the Devil? Knowing that we are bare chested the entire show... (See photo above) Is he secretly trying to sabotage us with fried sugary carbs?!
Richard Cerato
After subsequent post-pastry gym-time, We gear up for our rockin' opening night at the Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio.
Richard Cerato
Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids collection season is upon us. So we have to sign about 500 show posters. Here I caught castmates and local Cleve-ebrities Tricia Tanguy (left) and Katie Whetsell (right) along with our stars Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo.
Richard Cerato
This is Ann. Mark, Brandon, and I befriended her back at our Utica hotel during tech. She is the sweetest of the sweet and came all the way to Ohio to see us in the show. Also, she has been sending the three of us care-packages of Almond Joys. For real.
Richard Cerato
After a successful couple of weeks in Cleveland, we pack up and get on the bus to Chicago, Illinois. It's St. Patricks Day after all so we join in the usual festivities.
Richard Cerato
We could rally and drink the whole ride, but responsibly we catch up on sleep instead.
Richard Cerato
Some of the cast brought their pets on tour. Once we all arrive in Chicago, Ace and I take our hot dogs for a walk. That's right. No yah... you got the joke. It's an actual hot dog I'm walking. Just making sure you're all still paying attention.
Richard Cerato
Quick Tour-Trick-of-the-Trade: It's important to save some per diem by staying in and making food. Going out to eat in each city can get very expensive. My dad is from Italy and taught me how to make a mean pasta.
Richard Cerato
After settling in, we get the whole cast together to play the gnarliest game I've ever experienced: Whirlyball! A mix of lacrosse and bumper cars, this is a Chicago staple. Beware however, you can get INJURED. Whiplash, back aches, shoulder pain, etc...
Richard Cerato
Good thing we have physical therapy at the theatre. Perfect segue to our first stop backstage. This is where the magic happens folks.
Richard Cerato
And just in case a cast-member got overly competitive, and Whirlyball got too physically out of hand... we have our AMAZING swings ready to save the day. All of whom actually did save the day this week for the first time. Two of them mid-show!
Richard Cerato
After warming up we hit the stage for our daily pre-show lift call.
Richard Cerato
At half-hour I run and say hello to all the dressing rooms as they get prepped.
Richard Cerato
Diana DeGarmo & Ace Young pre-show.
Richard Cerato
Wigs! (Matthew Tiberi, Sasha Hollinger, William Thomas Evans, and me with my flowing hippie hair)
Richard Cerato
And finally in costume heading to the stage at places. (Diana with Ryan Williams, Lili Froehlich, & Christine Cornish Smith)
Richard Cerato
I grew up Catholic on my Dad's side and Baha'i on my Mom's. There is only one Baha'i temple on each continent and the one in North America happens to be just 30 minutes away in Wilmette.
Richard Cerato
Unfortunately, our stay here has come to an end. Next stop is Tulsa, Oklahoma! At the airport, we find a yoga room and indulge in centering ourselves preflight. (With Lili Froehlich & Amanda Braun)
Richard Cerato
Just before boarding I had to grab some of Chicago's finest, Garrett's popcorn. That brings us to the end. Shout out to Brandon Hudson, who helped me edit these pictures. Come check us out on the road!
Richard Cerato
