Courtney Jones worked at NYCPAS as Assistant to the Director for two years before embarking on the national tour of “WICKED” as an ensemble cast member. She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase College and has danced professionally in New York City with Jennifer Muller/The Works, among others. This is her eighth blog from the road (click "blogging from the road" in our tag cloud [right column] to see all her blogs!).
Believe it or not, five straight weeks of sunshine in San Diego left me yearning for a gloomy day, so heading to Seattle was actually quite exciting. The moment I stepped into downtown Seattle, I immediately felt rejuvenated. I remember thinking if my alma mater, SUNY Purchase, were its own city, it would be downtown Seattle. Youth groups rallying on the street, local musicians playing their music on every corner and lots of energy.
I was so inspired by Seattle that I did something I had not done since I had been on tour. I contacted an old professor of mine who I knew had completed his MFA in Dance at the University of Washington to find out if there were any dance studios where I could take a class as a visitor. He referred me to a wonderful space called Velocity Dance Center (thanks, Michael!).
Professionally, Seattle brought changes to the cast of Wicked: we said goodbye to both Myra Lucretia Taylor, who played the lovely Madame Morrible, and Lenny Wolpe, who played The Wizard (see photo of cast on their final performance). And we welcomed Randy Dawson and Richard Kline of "Three’s Company" fame!
The Paramount Theatre had a lovely charm, however the backstage layout proved to be more than difficult. With only one elevator and the women’s ensemble dressing room on the fifth floor, visits to and from the dressing room were nearly impossible. If you did decide to wait for the elevator, you would be waiting a very long time and risked the possibility of getting trapped, which happened on more than one occasion (sorry, Shanna!).
Since we were in the “Emerald City” and had played the house before, the audiences were knowledgeable and really great. The staff members at nearby restaurants were used to ou
r time constraints between shows -- they showed us great respect, and got us in and out with lovely service. I would also like to thank the Taphouse Grill for letting me celebrate my 28th birthday there with the entire cast -- we had an awesome time.
For those who have never visited Seattle, make sure you make it down to the Pike Place Market and, although I regretfully did not make it there, don’t forget the Space Needle. Seattle was a beautiful and exciting city to play. Thanks, Seattle. I will definitely be back!
