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Hello all! Since I spend a lot of my life living out of a suitcase these days I wanted to start a blog giving props to some of the great places I have found along the way.

Portland, OR

Okay...so I am back from Mexico and ELATED to be in Portland, Oregon. For anyone who knows me....I have been obsessed with Oregon since childhood. Since the Ramona Quimby books! This is my third time back in Oregon and and I overwhelmed yet again! I am not sure how I am going to pick a few great places to mention here in Oregon but I will try. Basically...just come to Portland...and check it out -- but when I say Portland...I also mean the surrounding areas. You will LOVE IT! Check back in a few weeks and I will update you on all of my Portland adventures! Until then.....

 

Appleton, WI

So I arrived in Appleton in 9 degree weather. But was impressed by how adorable this little city is! It was nice to be in a city where the downtown area seems to be thriving!! I am staying at the Radisson and it is LOVELY! My arrival in Appleton began with WICKED-mania everywhere! The city seems so excited about the show. And SCENE magazine has plastered my press photo on the cover of its corner magazine. So everywhere I was going I kept seeing myself in green. It felt so strange to me! LOL

FOOD:
There are a ton of good restaurants right in the downtown area on College Avenue where the Performing Arts Center is. To name just a few of my faves:
KATSU-YA Japanese restaurant -- I LOVE sushi and really enjoy their seaweed salad. The hibachi tables seemes popular although I did not try them. Also...the jellyfish lamps created by a local artist whose name I couldn't find out (boo-hoo I wanted to BUY one) are fantastic! I also tried a raw scallop here for the first time. It was delicious.
COPPER ROCK COFFEE SHOP -- Also on College Avenue this was my favorite place to grab some tea and quiche in their spacious brick-walled coffee house.
TAPAS -- I had a birthday while here in Appleton and had a birthday party right here at TAPAS on College Avenue. I can't find a website for this tiny little gem but the owner also owns SENOR TEQUILAS which is more of a party place. TAPAS has great salads and soups and I have to suggest the Sauteed Mushrooms, the Poblano Pepper sauce with fried plaintains and for dessert: Fried Goat Cheese drizzled in local Honey. Don't knock it until you've tried it. It is incredible!
VINCE LOMBARDI'S -- This restaurant is a chain and I am usually not a fan but I had to meniton the wonderful staff at the Radisson for staying open late for our cast. If I had to recommend something I would say the crabcakes are very original -- they use almonds in them! The portions are too large though in my opinion at this restaurant so either share...or order and appetizer for dinner. Also...I discovered a lovely sparkling wine thanks to cast member Renee Lawless-Orsini called Angelique. They serve it cold here at VINCE LOMBARDI'S.

FITNESS:
While at the Radisson I was lucky enough to have a great fitness center and indoor pool at my disposal so I made use of those facilities. Other than that though...I didn't venture out TOO MUCH because of the weather. Also..I found a great tanning salon thanks to our Fiyero, Richard Blake, called SUN SEEKERS BY ROSIE. I am not an advocate of tanning beds and I do know the dangers but that is why I am recommending this place. The staff is very informed of the benefits and hazards of tanning and have a multitude of clean beds at several different levels. I tanned here a bit for two reasons: ONE -- the long winter was making me feel a but blue and Vitamin D is found in the sun and UV rays. TWO -- I was leaving for my vacation in Mexico and wanted to get a base tan before my trip. Luckily...the tanned skin won't affect my green make-up. Anyway..the staff at Rosie's was so wonderful I had to mention them.

So...I am off to Mexico for my vacation! See you in a few weeks in Portland, OR!

 

Louisville, KY

January finds the Emerald City tour here in lovely Louisville, Kentucky. I have never actually been to Louisville before. We are in the midst of an ice-storm -- yet I am still enjoying the charm of this southern and mid-western river town. And while I don't drink bourbon of know much about the Louisville Slugger...I still am finding my way here.

FOOD:
I am staying at the Hyatt on 4th street. It is a basic hotel and on a street called FOURTH STREET LIVE -- which is a very touristy area with a lot of chain restaurants. It isn't really my thing so I didn't have an interest in trying out the local TGI Fridays or anything. When I ventured over to the theatre I found an amazing restaurant called PROOF which serves some of the most original and freshest cuisine I have had on the road to date. The restaurant is very close to the Kentucky Center where WICKED was playing and you can't miss it -- it has a large antiqued chandelier hanging from the outside. The executive chef of the restaurant also served at Obama's inauguration apparently. The catch: You must go on Friday nights for the scallop special. If you like scallops they are not to be missed. I don't eat animal products except for some dairy and fish on occasion--being on the road makes it hard to stay completely healthy as a vegetarian so adding some fresh fish seems to help for now. Another note on PROOF: GO TO THE BATHROOM -- On the way to the "powder room" at PROOF you will walk through a fully functional art gallery. The exhibit was so amazing when I was there that I almost forgot to return to my table to have dinner. Truly an exceptional place. It was a political exhibit and one piece that struck me was a video installment by artist KENNETH TIN-KIN HUNG called WASHINGTON IS HOLLYWOOD FOR UGLY PEOPLE -- you can google is work. There is also a bar at PROOF for the late night crowd where I discovered a nice light drink called BEES NEES which is gin, fresh lemon juice and local honey. I am not a huge drinker...but these were amazing!!! Let's see...I personally did not go to the famous LYNN'S PARADISE CAFE but I had to mention it on this blog because everyone in the cast was just raving about it.

FITNESS/WELL-BEING:
As some of you may know I also try to keep as fit as possible while on the road and here in Louisville was no exception. I found a wonderful teacher who gave me private pilates sessions on her equipment at her house in the Cherokee triangle area. Her name is PATRICIA RIED and she is a former ballerina with the Louisville Ballet. Her website is www.primapilates.net and she is reasonably priced and a joy to work with.

FUN:
The weather here made it difficult to do a lot of sightseeing but I managed to cash in on a Christmas present at the LOUISVILLE GLASSWORKS. This place was SOO NEAT! For 50 dollars myself and a friend..in this case the wonderful ribbon boy RJ Marshall were each able to choose a mold and play with all kinds of glass and glass techniques. The studio then fires the works for us and we have these amazing glasswork creations. It really is a treat and great for both little kids and big kids like me and RJ! And it was therapeutic too. My grandfather unexpectedly passed away while I was here in Louisville so I dedicated my glass piece to him and made a special clock.

AND FINALLY....
...We had a benefit here in Louisville. DEFYING INEQUALITY and the turnout was incredible. In fact, we made as much money as the New York cast which means that the people in Louisville were MORE THAN generous to this worthy cause. It was a fun night and I was so impressed with all of the talent in our cast. I felt honored to be a part of our tour.

Off to Appleton, Wisconsin next...where it is supposed to be even COLDER.