Flying to Asia!!!

Today is the day we have all been waiting for! We fly to Asia tonight!

We had a shorter rehearsal this morning, and as of today, we have actually sung through - and assigned harmony parts for - every single piece of music that the kids sing in the show. The harmony is really coming along! The music directors are very careful about how they split things up to get a good blend, and to have strong voices on each part. Today I agreed to be the "harmony swing" (wheeee!) who can change parts if we have another swing or understudy stepping in for someone. Some of our swings/understudies have to learn a different harmony for each role they swing, so it's easier if I'm prepared to switch parts as well.

For those of you who don't know, I LOVE singing harmony. My parents, two older sisters, and I have been singing in harmony for as long as I can remember. We three sisters used to sing the 3-part harmony for "The Sound of Music" on long car drives, with my parents singing the Captain's part. Other favorites were "Lida Rose" (3 part harmony for sisters and me, Marian's melody for my parents) and "Sweet Gypsy Rose" (just 3 parts for 3 girls). I wish we had some recordings of us singing those back when we were little! It's funny to think about my oldest sister working out the 3-part harmonies to the songs, then teaching parts to my middle sister and to me, so that we could sing them all together. Ah, the good old days. Anyway, I am very happy to return to part-singing on tour, and to not just be put on the melody because I have a high voice. Hooray for being well-used!

We have an extra-long break this afternoon before we all meet at the airport tonight at 10:30 to prepare for our flight. I took one suitcase to rehearsal this morning, and lovely Maddy (Liesl) took it to her apartment for me. Tonight I'll bring my larger suitcase and my carry-on downtown and meet her, and her parents will drive her, me, and Chris (Rolf understudy) to the airport.

I'm a little worried about this flight! I tend to worry about things. Will I get the aisle seat I covet? Will I be able to sleep? Will I have enough to do if I can't sleep? Will it be nice and quiet?

We shall see in a few short hours. Next time I post, I will be in China!