NCL Majesty

I am waiting in the airport for my flight home after being on the NCL Majesty all week installing the new cast out there and getting the shows up and going.

The Majesty is NCL's smallest ship and has been sold so this is the final cast (the ship will officially close down in October). The stage is smaller and the theater is very different from other ships and what the performers are used to. This cast did a FANTASTIC job of adapting. They are going to blow people away out there.

Garris Wimmer and Kelly Evans and I were the production team this time and we really enjoyed working together! Everyone did a fantastic job! Here are some pictures and video of the week...


Blake Rowden, John-Michael Zuerlein, Andrew Loveridge and me. Blake and John-Michael are two of our singers. Andy is the Band Leader.

Lindsey and Francesca---two of our dancers in the cast finishing up on the Majesty

Matt Atwood and Matt Castano--two of our singers in the out going cast

One of the best treats of the week was that the cast of the Spirit came over to see us. (They were in port in Bermuda as well.) I was so glad to see old friends! Pictured here... Gemma, Kelly, Dani, Garris, Julio, Rusty and Kelly.

Kelly, Dani, Julio, Gemma and I catch up in the theater and hear stories about the Spirit.

One of the most beautiful beaches in Bermuda--Tabacco Bay

On the way to the beach we passed these church ruins...construction on this building began in the early 1800's but because of a church split and a later hurricane, it was never completed.

Here's the Majesty docked at St. George

This bag pipe player was standing on the front of this pirate ship playing the theme to "Titanic" (My Heart Will Go On). I thought it was really funny!

One night we walked over to St. Catherine's beach and built a fire and roasted hot dogs. It was so beautiful! Pictured here are Gary and Amanda Hipperson (two of our dancers) and Matt Atwood

Jasmin Richardson, Paige Salter and I...enjoying the bonfire. Paige and Jazz are two of our new singers on the Maj.

Carissa Bellando and I at the beach. Carissa is one of our new dancers on the Maj (she has worked for us several times before and is the dance captain for this cast)

Blake, Jasmin, Paige and John-Michael pose before one of the costume tech runs

Carissa, Topher, Amanda and Gary

Paige, Blake and Jasmin

Hairspray--costume run

Here are some video clips from one of the dress rehearsals. The old cast came and they were all so supportive!

We send our best wishes to the cast as they open their shows this week! Have a wonderful contract, guys! Meanwhile...I can't WAIT to be home to celebrate Sam's birthday and Maddie's lost tooth and all the things that mean so much.

Happy Birthday, SAM!

Happy birthday to my all time favorite little guy! Sam, you've come into our lives and blessed us in ways we never even expected. You are a charming, warm, compassionate, funny, adventurous boy who I pray will grow into the same kind of warm, loving man of God. I am so thankful for you today! Happy 4th birthday!

Divine Friendships

Sometimes I like to ponder the impact of friendships. Friendships have a profound impact on us. Take a moment to look back over your life and imagine it without those who have affected, influenced and shaped you. It's really hard to imagine isn't it? Honestly, if you removed some of the people in my journey who are most important to me I would be a completely different person.

Sheryl has always thought that my only child status has caused me to hold on to friendships in a different way. There are friends in my life who are those brothers and sisters I never had. I can't fathom life without them.

Truth be known, I have a lot of learning to do about friendship and what it means to be a true friend. Men like Stephen Bailey, Chris Doggett, Craig Fisher, Jeff Berry, Nathan Slingluff, Daren Stanley and Josh Ross teach me every day what it means to be a brother and friend. I can't imagine life without them.

Last night was spent in the company of good friends. We've been trying for WEEKS to schedule a couple's date night with Mark and Holly Whaley, Grant and Jill Batson, and Gary and Ellen Musick. (The Musicks couldn't make it) We all ended up at the Batson's house and sat and laughed into the wee hours of the morning. What would people do without friends?

Life passes so quickly! Sometimes it's hard to realize the beauty of our surroundings...and the impact on our lives made by those who care for us. Today I'm taking a break to stop and thank God for people who mean so much to me. I feel incredibly blessed.

Friday Night Fun

Last night the Majesty cast came over for dinner. We had such a great time! The kids were so excited all week looking forward to having them.

Carissa and the girls

The cast

Paige, Topher and me

Carissa, Blake and Jasmin

Gary, Carissa and me

The cast of the NCL Majesty (R-L)

John-Michael Zuerlein, Jasmin Richardson, Blake Rowden, Gary Hipperson, Carissa Bellando, Paige Salter, Christopher (Topher) Burkes, Amanda Hipperson

Last Day of School

It's so hard to believe that today is the last day of school. Thanks to Katie Dunlap for this amazing picture taken on the FIRST day of school last fall. Thank you, Katie! Congratulations to all the students and teachers who are about to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Team Hoyt

Amy Westerman sent us a message last night after finding a random YouTube posting of the Team Hoyt video with our (ZOE's) version of "Redeemer". The song was edited some by whomever made it but still sounds good. This YouTube video has been viewed almost 5 MILLION times. That is crazy!! Thought I would share the link with you guys...

My blogger isn't working well today and it's not letting me give you a link...but if you select and copy paste this it will take you to the video... OR, I've added a link to it under my favorite sites if you want to just click that...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY

School Days

It's so hard to believe that school is almost out (this week)! Sheryl and I got to go to Ella's program in her room yesterday. It was so fun! Mrs. Locke has been incredible and we are SO very thankful for her. Here are some pictures from yesterday-

Ella was so ready to perform!

At the end of their program they did a sweet thing where they read different things about Kindergarten.

Then...making all the parents tear up, they held up first grade signs showing that they were growing waaaaay too fast!

Ella and the WONDERFUL Mrs. Locke. Ella just looks so OLD. I can't believe she will soon be a first grader!

The Ants Go Marching!

Saturday Fun

Today while Sheryl worked on flowers for a wedding, the kids and I played Uno...to the death and then went up to the studio to watch a run-through of the Majesty cast. It was really fun! Here are some pics from the run...

John-Michael

Jasmin and Blake

Carissa, Blake and Amanda

Sweet Jasmin with Maddie and Ella

Sam and me

Blake sings AM Radio

"Everything is Alright"

"Natural Woman"

Brief Trip to the NCL Sky

I am waiting at the airport for a flight home after a very quick two night trip out the NCL Sky to see their show called "Soul Rockin' Nights". This ship's shows are managed by in-house NCL productions but I'll be teaching that show for another ship later in the year and it was good to experience it first hand. The cast was really great and so sweet. Here are a few pics...I love the proscenium! Our guys in the shop built it. The lights really make it look cool.

"Born to be Wild" and "Life in the Fastlane" are really cool with these motorcycles

I am glad to have the weekend back home and enjoy being with my family. Thank you to everyone on the Sky for being so welcoming. I enjoyed my visit very much.

NCL Majesty Rehearsals Begin

The cast of the NCL Majesty began rehearsals this week. I am teaching the singers and I am so thankful for this amazingly talented cast! Jasmin Richardson (2nd from left) is someone I have been wanting to work with for over a year. I first saw her in the leading role of "Aida" at ACU in the fall of '07. She is fantastic! Blake is one of my favorites too (a returning performer). John Michael is also returning to us and he's got a great voice. Paige is new--we discovered her at a local audition. She is graduating from Belmont with a degree in Musical Theater. Fantastic performer!

Blake, Jasmin, John Michael, and Paige

I am also glad that all of our dancers are returning performers. Carissa and Topher were recently on the NCL Spirit and Gary and Amanda worked for us on Celebrity.

Congratulations to this cast on a fantastic start!

A little taste...the batteries on my camera ran out before I could capture more.

I leave tomorrow for a quick trip to the NCL Sky to check out one of their shows. 2 nights and then home!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to two of the best moms I know! You love and serve tirelessly and we're all better for having you in our lives!

We had Mother's Day lunch at our favorite near-by restaurant...Toyama. The kids like watching the food being cooked in front of us!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!