Good morning! I hear you’ll be spending the day with me. I better get up and get ready for today’s adventure
Sheria Irving
Ok I’m out the door. Believe you me, there were tons of boring things that happened between my waking up and leaving home (teeth brushing, puttering, cleaning, etc.). All boring, I assure you.
Sheria Irving
I live right across the street from a park in Harlem. Here is my shortcut towards the train.
Sheria Irving
This marks my first ascent of the day. O, how I abhor the stairs! (you’ll understand why very soon).
Sheria Irving
Here’s my train. I catch the A downtown to 42nd street.
Sheria Irving
Down I go… and look more stairs.
Sheria Irving
Here’s the shortcut I take to get to the theater. Everywhere else is severely congested. You gotta love Times Square!
Sheria Irving
First Stop: Corso!
Sheria Irving
I grab a Monet Special! Named after this amazing barista who combines an Americano with vanilla to get me going.
Sheria Irving
One sip and I’m off to the theater
Sheria Irving
Behold R & J! Hey baby, it’s my first job on Broadway!
Sheria Irving
Let’s open the door and see who’s inside…
Sheria Irving
It’s Jimmy! Not only does he secure the stage door, but he’s photogenic too and always has time for a quick shot. Say cheese!
Sheria Irving
There’s our ASM, Kelly. I’m not late, I promise!
Sheria Irving
I feel so blessed to work on this stage and look out into the audience each night.
Sheria Irving
I’m greeted by my fellow ensemble member Donte Bonner, stretching it out on the stage.
Sheria Irving
It’s time for me to start stretching and warming up as well, but I’m distracted when I see a bolt of black fur running amuck with Condola and Christian.
Sheria Irving
Its first victim, Conrad Kemp was seen lying in child’s pose
Sheria Irving
But wait! It’s only Penny, Condola’s beautiful sweet puppy.
Sheria Irving
Condola and I share a moment of silence as we prepare for the 2-show day ahead.
Sheria Irving
Corey Hawkins bows, pleased that the fight call choreography went off without a hitch.
Sheria Irving
Now it’s time to get dressed and begin my journey, and what am I met by?
Sheria Irving
Stairs.
Sheria Irving
And more stairs.
Sheria Irving
And even more stairs
Sheria Irving
Along the way I see one of our amazing dressers, Shonté.
Sheria Irving
Yep, you guess it…more stairs.
Sheria Irving
Here’s Paul, He’s always there at the home stretch to encourage me through the final steps.
Sheria Irving
Finally! My dressing room!
Sheria Irving
I share it with our phenomenal cellist Tahirah Whittingham, my beautiful friend in the back, Carolyn Michelle Smith…
Sheria Irving
And positively the sweetest woman on earth, Nance. Hi, Nance!
Sheria Irving
A friendly glance from my dresser Susan, and I know it’s time to get ready!
Sheria Irving
I “neatly” lay all my stuff out.
Sheria Irving
Then take a quick bite of the salad I got from Corso.
Sheria Irving
Now I’m ready to get ready!
Sheria Irving
Tons of make-up later…
Sheria Irving
I’m all ready! Five minutes to places. I know I’ll make it if I can just get past…
Sheria Irving
... the delicious scones on display downstairs with the sole purpose of tempting me.
Sheria Irving
Oh no! More temptation around the corner!
Sheria Irving
The culprit behind this surgarland is head of wardrobe, Robert Guy, seen here with cast member Tracy Sallows.
Sheria Irving
Two minutes until curtain. I’m met by Condola’s dresser, Suzanne, who frowns at my relentless sweet tooth.
Sheria Irving
One minute left. I have time to give some love to my favorite little furball, Penny! She’s always so excited to see me.
Sheria Irving
Although I was just tossed aside by Penny, the show must go on.
Sheria Irving
Justin, are you ready?
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Tom, are you ready?
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Then let the show commence!
Sheria Irving
Joe Carroll and I unleash the beast in the ball scene.
Sheria Irving
After the ball scene. I have some time to spare. I learn to play the guitar. Donte, seen here, and Geoffrey Owens are my fantastic teachers.
Sheria Irving
What do others do with their spare time? Michael Rudko, Geoffrey Owens, and Don Guillory play Scrabble.
Sheria Irving
Maurice can’t help but laugh at Don, who never seems to win against his opponents.
Sheria Irving
It’s back to work as Chuck Cooper and I patiently await our cue to go on stage.
Sheria Irving
When show number one ends, I rush over to Bareburger for a feast of champions.
Sheria Irving
Roslyn Ruff, Donte and I even polish off dessert.
Sheria Irving
Then with a quick change, it’s off to filming “The Sound-Off” backstage interviews hosted by Condola and myself. This week’s episode features Chuck Cooper.
Sheria Irving
Look! Chuck brought his Tony Award for show and tell. I’ve never held a Tony before. I can feel its power!
Sheria Irving
Corey Hawkins, who plays Tybalt, is our awesome camera man.
Sheria Irving
While I wait for the video to upload, I make a final run to…
Sheria Irving
That light at the end of the tunnel …Starbucks!
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And look who greets me on the way.
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Back at the theater, my stage manager, Kristen, and associate director, JV, chat before the next show.
Sheria Irving
Roslyn is excited for the show to come.
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Mr. Guillory is also happy to be back from dinner break.
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So happy, in fact, that he forgets where his dressing room is. It’s one floor down, Don!
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Now back to business as usual! I touch up my make-up and head down to the stage.
Sheria Irving
Meet Seventeen! She opens our show every night. She eagerly awaits her places call.
Sheria Irving
The stunning Jayne Houdyshell gives a little wave. Howdy, Jane!
Sheria Irving
Orlando gets his game face on and pumps up Conrad and Dan to do the same.
Sheria Irving
Justin stretches it our one final time, and it’s on with the show.
Sheria Irving
Backstage, our cast loves to hang out. We’ll do anything to make each other laugh.
Sheria Irving
Just take a look at some of the projections of my castmates’ careers.
Sheria Irving
Our hair supervisor Ricky made pumpkin soup! It’s delicious.
Sheria Irving
There comes a point in the second show when things begin to slow down. A time when eyes get heavy.
Sheria Irving
A time when a cute four-legged furballs curl up on their pillows.
Sheria Irving
And freezing friends curl up together on the couch.
Sheria Irving
A time when one must reflect back on the happenings of the day.
Sheria Irving
In hopes that they left it all on the stage. And here I leave you. Thank you for spending the day with me. It was my pleasure. Goodnight!
Sheria Irving
