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Well, I had an entire post written, but then I deleted it when I saw the official announcement.

Don is headed to Broadway in Escape to Margaritaville!

We found out last week, hence our celebratory dinner, but I didn’t think I should say anything until it was official.

Whoo hoo!

This also means that he will tour with the show this fall – a week in New Orleans, a week in Houston, and a month in Chicago. Then in January, rehearsals start for Broadway with previews starting in mid-February.

His agent negotiated a great contract for him, with the biggest relief being that he will have a studio apartment during the month of rehearsals in September and then during the year-long contract he has for Broadway. This means we’ll spend a fair amount of time apart, but having been there, I cannot tell you how difficult it is to go back and forth every day after 8+ hours of rehearsal and especially after evening performances. When I did it several years ago when I was working at the Public Theater for Shakespeare in the Park, I didn’t get home until 2 am, then I had to turn around and do it again the next day. The apartment is everything.

And I’ll be able to stay with him when I want to spend some time in the city!

We are over the moon. Over the moon! So, Don starts rehearsals in NYC a week before I get home from Hartford. I’ve never been to New Orleans, so I’m definitely going to tag along on that leg of the tour. And Chicago is home to my best friend, Laural, and my niece, Liz, and nephew, Eric, and their families. My birthday will fall during that part of the run. (And it’s a biggie.)

My guy has work starting in September through all of next year and beyond. Tickets are already sold through November 2018.

Don loves the show and his fellow actors, so he’s thrilled.

Happy, Happy Tuesday!

 

 

 

Comments

  2. I’m sorry, but I haven”t even read the post beyond “Your News!” YAY!!!!!! I MUST GET A TICKET!

  3. Can you hear me shouting??? You should!!!! Come hell or high water, I will be in Chicago to see Don!!! I seriously don’t think I have ever been so excited!! Oh my gosh!! Laura and the cats are rolling their eyes at me 😄
    Hugs all around!

  4. Congratulations Don! This is just wonderful news. What an awesome blessing! After following your blog for a few years Claudia I know how much this means to both of you. I am so happy for you both!

  6. congratulations, don and claudia!!! i am very happy for you!

    am hoping to see “escape to margaritaville” somewhere. chicago is much closer, but i love, love, love nola! glad you can get to see don in more places and especially in nola! that’s one of my most favorite cities (i’ve been going there for thirty years so if you want some suggestions, let me know) and i am glad you will get there! yay!

    kathy in iowa

    • Thank you, Kathy! Hopefully, Meredith will join us there. Fingers crossed. Nothing I’d like more than to explore that city with my sister and husband.

  7. Congratulations! I would love to see him in a performance, but Colorado is a loooong way from anywhere he will be performing. Maybe add in a run in Denver?

    • Unfortunately, I don’t have control over that! (Or anything, to be truthful!) Thanks, Melina.

    • It’s his second time on Broadway – the first was in Take Me Out, but that was before I started blogging. Thanks, Gayle!

  9. Congratulations!! This is wonderful news!! My daughter works in Manhattan and I hear you about the importance of the apartment there!! It sounds so exciting, Claudia! I am so happy for you and Don!!

  11. I just knew my guess was right!! Your smiles were a dead giveaway in that picture you posted. Hopefully the show will be extended to San Francisco, too, because we’d love to see it. CONGRATULATIONS to Don and you, too, Claudia. That is fabulous news. xoxoxo

    • I don’t think there’s any room in the schedule to extend it! It runs in Chicago through November and very early December. Then it starts rehearsing in NYC in January. Thank you so much, Cathy!

  14. Oh my goodness! I had my fingers crossed that this was what you were celebrating over dinner! What wonderful news, and what a sense of relief it must be to have secure work for the foreseeable future. Does this impact your planned European trip? Perhaps, depending on your schedule and availability, I might be able to get to Chicago and treat you to tea at the Russian Tea Room! My warm congratulations to both of you!

    • Yes. We had planned to go this year, but as soon as Don started to work on Margaritaville, we knew we might very well have to delay it. The good news is that we’ll enjoy it even more – delayed gratification!

      Would love to see you in Chicago, Martha!

  16. Congratulations to you both! This is wonderful news! I read your blog every day and was hoping for this.

  18. Fantastic!!! Buying the stove was exactly the right thing to do you see, I am sure that it has tied all of this together for you!! Congratulations Don, I am sure it will be fabulous and you can enjoy the city time together too when possible! Yay!!!

  19. I am so happy for you. I am so looking forward to hearing about it, so I am happy for me and your readers also. This is so exciting!

  20. Oh my gosh! I am thrilled for the two of you. As a person who did theater earlier in my teaching career, I know how difficult this can be. Hmmm, a trip to NYC may be in the near future! Congratulations!!

    • He’ll get to use it first – hopefully – while I’m still away. And then when he comes home on his days off. But yes, mostly me. Thanks, Robin!

  23. Terrific news, Claudia! The best! I knew it had to be something involving Margaritaville! And it couldn’t have happened to TWO more deserving individuals! Just want you to know I’m telling EVERYONE I know that I have a friend headed for Broadway! Congrats to Don – he’ll be terrific & he’ll have the BEST time! I fully expect to hear his name on the Tony Awards sometime in 2019! Just wonderful, wonderful news!

    PS – I think I’ve set a personal record for the use of exclamation points here. But I couldn’t help it! 💛 Congrats again!

    • He’s been on Broadway before, but never in a musical or something that is such much darned fun! Thanks, Janet!

  25. Over the moon!!!!! I just knew it! Congratulations to both of you because I know it was a team effort. When these things happen as we get older, it is just all the more sweet! Yay…. dreams and fairytales CAN come true!! (It “just” takes years and years of hard work and dedication mixed with sweat and tears!!) ♡

    • It is all the more sweet! A nice thing to happen later in his career. (He was on Broadway not longer after we moved here in the play Take Me Out, but it’s been a long time since then!) Thanks, Chris!

  26. Congratulations Don! So glad the play is going on the road and then to Broadway. Just what the world needs about now. He will miss the stove. And you.

  27. I HAVE TEARS IN MY EYES. I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH. BIG CONGRATS TO DON!

    It sounds like a happy, fun gig anyway; uplifting production. Better than some downer role he’s got to put his head into day in, day out! He knows it by heart. It’s work, i.e. STEADY MONEY and I know what that means because I grew up with parents and grandparents and uncles who were self-employed, my whole life (Dad was still doing it at age 80), and I’m married to a guy who’s still largely a freelancer. Yes, oh yes, I do SO know what this means for you both; it’s financial relief and a glorious development all the way ’round … and prestigious to be a Broadway actor! I’m also glad for Jimmy Buffett (maybe they’ll all win a Tony!!); it couldn’t be a better time for this kind of musical, when we Americans need a respite from the grinding, grueling news of the day, our Washington DC decision-makers in such a mucky mess. A stress-relief musical! And because you’re between canine companions right now, you both can come and go without having the worry of leaving a little loved one behind when you travel. The only thing you’ve got to worry about is weather but you’ll deal with that; you’re a weather warrior, Claudia!

    You can give a wave for me to the megalopolis which is Houston, where I once lived (glad you’re not there in summer!!). And I haven’t seen New Orleans since pre-Katrina but a cousin of mine, who formerly lived in Metairie there (his home was wiped out although he’d sold it a year before) and still visits New Orleans a lot, says the city has rebounded (a slow healing); he loves it so much (I’d always wanted to tour the Garden District but we just ran out of time when I was briefly a tourist in NOLA).

    What about Mr. Robot? What if they want him for his recurring role? How does it work; can he be released from his theater contract to go do something like that, like a one-day shoot? Seems impossible because he’d have no way to fit it in.

    Good thing Don kept his longer mane; I bet he had an inkling…

    At least he has a good part of the Fall to break in the stove for you!

    I know the gig has put your Europe trip on hold this year. (But now you’ll even have more time to plan it.)

    My husband recently told me that after her retires from his day job, he still plans to freelance as long as he can, at least for another ten years (well into his 70s, if he can just keep up with the technology of his profession). I don’t know how tricky that is once you’re drawing Social Security, but we’ll figure it out; I’m actually acquainted with more than a few seniors who are choosing to work part-time in retirement (it’s sometimes healthier!). What am I saying, look at you two, over age 60, in the full of life, working & active & busy; very admirable! You’re my new role models.

    Thank you for sharing the good news. IT’S REALLY, REALLY GREAT NEWS!

    (Caps and exclamation points galore, oh my…but I’m feeling excited for you!)

    • Oh, Mr. Robot wanted us to not go on our vacation so Don could shoot one scene and he turned them down. Love them and the opportunity, but they’re not using him much – last year he was promised 3 episodes and ended up only doing one. If he’s free and they can film it during the day, I’m sure it would be fine. Actors do that all the time.

      Don just got his hair trimmed yesterday. But he’s got two months to get it long again. It needed a trim – it was too wild and out of control.

      Thanks so much, Vicki!

  32. I Don’t know anyone more deserving , Than the wonderful couple that you are!
    from the small amount I’ve seen ,Don is just a great Actor. Much Love Judy A

    • Yes. He’s been on Broadway before in the play Take Me Out. But this is a musical and and it’s fun and Broadway never gets old! Thanks, Mary!

  35. Wow! This is thrilling! I am so happy for Don…and you, too, of course. Oh…the cities…the travel…you are going to have so much fun! It’s so sweet, when something this momentous happens later in life! I’m going to figure out a way to get to Chicago…by hook or crook! ;)

  36. OH Claudia!! I am so excited for the both of you. What a wonderful thing to have happen. I wish I lived closer to the cities you mentioned I would be first in line for a ticket.

  38. When I saw that giggly, celebratory selfie, I hoped I knew what was behind it. Hurrah! You already know Chicago is a great city, but what riches you have in store in New Orleans! If Houston follows immediately on NOLA’s heels, you should consider coming this way with Don. Much to see and do, and a strong art and music scene. The apartment is a huge deal; I’d wondered how that part would shake out. Such exciting news!

  40. Happy, Happy days for you guys! Congratulations to Don and I can tell you ARE thrilled beyond measure. What a fantastic post!
    I would be shouting out to the rooftops…but you won’t have to; he is on Broadway!

    Love,
    Katheryn

  41. WOW!!! Congratulations! This is great news! Is the show coming anywhere near Atlanta? So excited for you — and we all get to go along for the ride because I know you will be so kind and share with us! WOW! On Broadway! Congratulations again!

  42. Congratulations! I am so happy for Don. You two are so cute together, thank you for sharing your lives with us. The garden is so beautiful and it shows the care it is given.
    Hugs!

  44. Congratulations for you both! How exciting that you will get to be with him some of the time. When will he be in Houston? I might have to take a trip down that way just to see the show.

    Judy

    • I’ll have to look up the dates, Judy. I’ll try to put them on tomorrow’s post. xoxo

  47. Such wonderful news! Congratulations Don! I know you’re so thrilled for him Claudia and so very proud!

    We will have to check on tickets for Houston. Would love to see the show.

    You will love New Orleans. Such a fabulous city filled with wonderful and amazing people. The music. The art. The historical architecture. The churches. The food. The river. Just incredible! Used to be my old stomping ground. The city will forever have my heart.

    Enjoy this time together no matter how chaotic it may be. It’s these sort of times that make like so magical! Blessed be,

  48. Congratulations, Don! You are both going to have a busy year ahead. I’m happy for both of you and hope all goes well and great success. Ranee

  49. Congratulations! That is such glorious news. I am so happy for you. It will be a wonderful adventure for Don and for you. You guys deserve this good fortune. Enjoy this time to the fullest.

  52. Wow, that is exciting news, so delighted for you both, well deserved. It
    will be so nice to not worry about bills for a year or more.

    It is so rewarding to see kind and decent people get a break. ❤️❤️❤️

  53. Thank you for sharing the HAPPY! It is wonderful news and I know you are going to LOVE New Orleans!

  54. This is the best and you both deserve it! Noble and I are going to be in New Orleans from October 4 through the 9th for Max Williams and Christy Pellegrino’s wedding there. Will he be there then?

    • I’m not sure when they travel there but I think it’s in early October. They’ll be teching there. xo

  55. Just bought our tickets for next May, though they won’t be “printed until December”! Yikes!

    Oh, I hope you will love New Orleans as much as I do. Such a unique and wonderful place. I could also live there, me and my gypsy soul.

    • Yippee! I’m sure I’ll love New Orleans. Thank you, Shanna! (Your husband messaged me on IG and told me you had the tickets!)

  56. OMG! OMG!! I thought it might be Broadway!! So excited for both of you. Congratulations!! Love your blog.
    Alice

  58. I had an inkling your celebratory dinner had something to do with Escape to Margaritaville, but this news is the BEST! Congratulations to Don! And to have work lined up for a good run is awesome. Congrats to the lucky couple!

  60. OMG!! OMG!!
    I thought it might have something to do with Broadway. So happy for both of you.
    Love reading your blog. You draw us in…..and we’ve become friends even though you don’t know it. 🌷

  61. I’m beyond EXCITED for you both!! Has Don been on Broadway before? And how fun that you can “tag along” to the other cities too … AND the apartment! This is definitely an answered prayer for you guys … long term steady work, and in a production (and with others) that Don loves. I absolutely couldn’t be happier for you Claudia! :)

  62. so happy for both of you. clapclapclap. standing O. and a few cartwheels … X … X … X …
    looking forward to hearing about your new adventures. –suz in NE ohio

  63. Congrats to both of you. What a wonderful, exciting adventure full of opportunities you have ahead of you! Enjoy every moment!

  64. what fabulous news! It’s clear that you and Don love your work. It’s especially nice that you can enjoy some sights in between shows. The use of an apartment sounds like a Godsend. All the best to you and your fella.

  65. Such great news! It must be wonderful to work with a cast of people you love. And even better to have producers who honor the original cast by bringing them to Broadway. Makes my heart happy to hear good things come to good people. Good, hardworking, talented people. Congratulations to you, I hope you both enjoy the travels and new experiences coming your way.

  68. Amazing news. Congratulations to Don! I would love to go see it. Maybe this will be my motivation o go to New York.

    Definitely go to New Orleans. I love that city.

  69. Bravo!!!! Well, done young man. And congrats to you both. New Orleans will be fun, Chicago is wonderful, and New York is great too! I love hearing uplifting news. Especially in our current political stupidity. I can’t wait to see your stove. I grew up with an O’Keefe stove in our home. The day the purchase came up the steep stairs of our upper victorian flat is still vivid in my mind. It was the early fifties and such a purchase was monumental. Thanks for sharing your joy.
    Fondly,
    Lani

  72. CONGRATULATIONS to you both, from your friend you’ve never met. Could not be happier for you. BTW, love your new stove!

  73. Congratulations! I had a feeling this was your good news. I’m so happy for both of you.

  74. Congratulations, Don! What exciting news! I am thrilled that this show will be in Chicago. Brian just checked his work schedule and there’s a few possible dates we can go. Will you be coming to Chicago, too? I would somehow love to meet up with you!

    • I’ll be in Chicago at some point, but I’m not sure when. It’s too early to make that decision! Thanks, Melanie!

  75. If there ever was a HAPPY Claudia, this is it. I’m so happy for Don and you!

    Please let me know when the show is in Chicago-I’d love to see it. Perhaps we can meet up?

    Jane

    • There’s always a happy Claudia!
      The dates for the tour are on today’s post. Thanks, Jane!

  76. It’s wonderful to hear good news from good people. Congratulations to Don, and Claudia, enjoy all the perks you’ll have from a husband on the road.

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