From: cbezek@nva.lmco.com (Cheryl Bezek): tiggervibes@juno.com:
date: Fri, 8 Aug 97 18:03:36 EDT: Subject: Wolftrap Backstage
Helloooo,
Well, finally, here is the backstage account of the MB June 10
Wolftrap show. I guess it is rather out of date by now, so if you
choose not to put it in your Vibes, that is fine with me. It is
rather long!! so don't flip out. It could easily be one issue of your
Vibes--or not ;-))
I still want to give my two cents worth on VA Beach,
Blossom, Birchmere and Myrtle Beach shows. I'll try to start on those
next week. I only estimate two pages total on those--honest!
Backstage at Wolftrap, Vienna, VA June 10,
1997
Wolftrap is probably my favorite summer venue aside from Red
Rocks. Located in the Washington, DC area, visitors range from
dignitaries, senators, congressmen, entertainers, and families just
out to have a good time. Hillary Clinton is the Honorary Chairperson
for Wolftrap. Wolftrap dates to the late forties when the original
owner enjoyed entertaining for family and government friends. Mrs.
Shouse was known for her elegant but fun picnics. She often invited
President Hoover to her galas. Wolftrap is now a National Park for
the Performing Arts, which has included opera, ballet, rock
performers, and an excellent 3-day International Children's Fesitival
concluding each season. This year, Riverdance ran for three weeks,
Ringo Starr and His All Star Band, The Moody Blues and a cast of
thousands, well, maybe hundreds, have performed and will continue to
entertain this season. Seating capacity is 7,000 (3,000 on the
beautifully-kept lawns). The backstage of Wolftrap is considered to
be the largest for an outdoor venue in the United States. (Sue was
impressed!)
I have been a volunteer, assigned to Stage Door/Backstage
for almost five years. I LOVE IT.
Enough of the history. What you really want to know is the nitty
gritty on the band and company. Well, after seven hours of being in
the same building as the band, I was a "little" disappointed at the
end of the evening to not have had the opportunity to talk to John,
Justin, Ray or Graeme. Kinda hard to believe, isn't it? But I did
have an exciting evening that I will never forget. As Kathy Lee
Gifford once said, "this band was never about dirt," and you
certainly won't hear it from me. All I really have to share is just
observations, and hope that it will be of interest. My emotions that
night were so incredibly high. I had to be rather reserved with the
Wolftrap staff. Hope you realize that I just couldn't "reach out and
touch someone." Although I am definitely not the aggressive type, I
am also not meek.
My Wolftrap parking sticker permitted me to enter the #1
Parking Lot, located behind the venue. There were three white trucks
and two tour buses (one wine and one dusty rose). At 4:45 pm, the
sound of Wolftrap's Symphony Orchestra, led by Larry Baird, permeated
the air. Just hearing that sound gave me chills. It sounded so
crystal clear that at first I thought Justin was on stage, then I
remembered that it had to be Memorex!
I entered Stage Door and greeted my comrades for the night: two
college students who knew nothing of the Moodies repertoire and one
pretty cool teacher who bums in the summer as head of the Stage Door
recruits. She knew the bands' music. In fact, last year I
commissioned her to embroider the MB logo, which is displayed in my
home exercise room along with some other pretty neat MB memorabilia.
Mike Keyes had set up his office in our visiting Production
Manager's room, located directly behind our counter. Outside his room
was a large black trunk, which seemed to hold all kinds of
interesting things. I don't know what. Suppose I was craning my neck
just a bit too much when I just about fell off my stool. Did see some
backstage passes! Mike kept pretty busy running in and out, talking
with the crew, Larry, and later some of the band members and family.
Throughout the evening, no matter who entered Mike's office, the
visitor would knock softly, enter the room and close the door behind
them. Never heard another peep until they left the office! Mike was
the most organized Production Manager I have ever seen at Wolftrap
and I have seen many. He was professional, polite, and had a great
sense of humor.
There were a couple of things sent backstage for the band to
sign or review (I really expected to be flooded by fans--NOTHING).
One item was a radio script. The Moodies were given a few lines in
the script. The author had requested approval from the band, so I
passed the script to Mike. After a brief look, he told me not to
bother sending it down to the guys, that I could have it. Believe me,
it was so awful; I trashed it. It was well written, but not much of a
plot. Not worthy of our guys. Mike approved just about everything
else that was brought in for signature with the exception of
someone's guitar!
Never saw any love notes :-)) A couple sent back a request
for a dedication for YWD. Not for them--for their horse! The horse
was recuperating from surgery! Of course, the band did sing YWD ;-))
This was the Daily Schedule for the Band/Crew: 8:00 am
Arrival by Production--4 trucks (I only saw 3), 2 buses; 8:30 am
Breakfast; 9:00 am Load-In; 1:00 PM Lunch; 2:00 PM Load-In Cont'd;
3:00-5:50 PM Rehearsal for 55 musicians; 4:00 PM Security Meeting;
5:50 PM Dark Stage (no one is permitted on the stage or in the house
seats--I had requested to walk on stage to view the instruments,
etc., but was not permitted); 6:00 PM Dinner; 7:30 PM House Opens;
8:10 PM Performance; 9:00 PM Intermission; 9:20 PM Performance; 10:35
PM End of Show; 10:35 PM Load-Out. The following rooms were
used CR#1--Crew; CR#2--Orchestra, men's; CR#3 Orchestra, women's and
the Green Room (the suite) Moody Blues (12 total assigned).
This is coverage of the crew catering requirements and timetable:
(8:00 am--12 midday for 25 people): 1 doz. English Muffins, 3 Gallons
assorted fresh juices; eggs, bacon; adult cereals i.e. Total,
Branflakes, Wheaties, Raisin Bran; bread: wheat, rye, grain;
jams/jellies/butter; 4 gallons milk, 3 doz. tea bags & hot water;
coffee-with cream or half & half; 1 qrt spring water; assorted
iced sodas, assorted fruit yogurts; jar of honey, sugar, four slice
toaster; real bowls/spoons; 3 doz. assorted doughnuts; assorted fresh
fruit; 16 doz. towels; 24 bars soap. Note: Replenish above supply
until midday to allow for late sleepers from crew buses. Lunch--1:00
PM (Please remember four strict vegetarians) Fresh fruit; vegetable
soup/chips & salsa; salad; fruit salad, potato salad, tuna salad,
macaroni salad, bean dish-pintos, blackbeans, etc.; lettuce,
tomatoes, asstd pickles; cookies; drinks: coffee, iced tea, soda, 1
case Perrier, 1 gal. spring water & 3 gals. milk. In the Moody
Blues Dressing Room--4:00 PM set up; food-6:00 PM.
The following drinks were to be iced down in containers, ice to be
replenished when needed and after the start of the Band's set: 10
Corona beers, 10 Beck's Beers, 8 bottles Molson Ice beer, 6 bottles
nonalcholic beer, 12 Cokes, 6 Diet Cokes, 6 Diet 7-Up, 6 Seven Up, 12
8 oz Plain Perrier, 24 Qrts green Gatorade (Wolftrap got the wrong
color of green--a new flavor was recently added, and the crew was
really upset. Wolftrap had to exchange all of it for the true,
original green.), 2 gals fresh noncarbonated Spring Water; 12 bottles
Clearly Canadian carbonated water--Raspberry or Peach, 16 Litres
Evian noncarbonated water; clean ice for drinks in separate
containers; tea, coffee, hot water for eight with all condiments and
honey/milk, etc. ; potato chips, nuts, raw vegetable tray with
dip--eight people; large fresh fruit bowl to include bananas,
oranges, apples, grapes, nectarines, plums, peaches and seasonal
fruits; bowl of fresh cut limes; 24 towels; full length standing
mirror; ashtrays; 3 doz. 16 oz plastic cups. This list goes on and
on, so I'll just cover the tour bus and that will be it for the food,
etc. For the tour buses--1 case Budweiser Long Neck Beer per bus ; 1
case Molson Ice Beer; 40 lbs. ice per bus; 1 case assorted sodas per
bus; guiltless gourmet nacho chips/salsa/bean dip; bottled juices
apple/cranberry/pineapple; fresh juices orange/grapefruit and pink
grapefruit. 12 pizzas were also ordered for the buses before
departure. Local restaurant menus were also supplied such as Chinese,
Indian, Thai, Mexican. Don't know if they took advantage of this or
not. I think the band ate before they arrived for the performance.
At 6:00, the orchestra took a well deserved dinner break,
which was served downstairs in the musicians' lounge. I'm not sure if
Larry joined them for dinner. He did drop by Stage Door to see Mike.
I managed to talk to Larry for a few minutes. I welcomed him back to
Wolftrap, since it had been '93 since his (and the Moodies) last
visit. He remembered every detail of that '93 evening: the incredible
heat and the storm before the concert. It was so easy to talk with
him. What a nice guy and so down to earth. He did mention that he
prefers performing in the smaller venues like Wolftrap. Larry
appeared to have endless energy and what a fascinating memory.
Throughout the evening, whenever we passed, he always said "hello
Cheryl." Made me feel rather special.
Exactly at 6:30, two blue minivans pulled up to Stage Door.
Bill, Wolftrap's Production Manager, came up to my side and whispered
to me, "they're here." I couldn't stop smiling. I must have looked
like the Cheshire cat! In this order the band descended from the vans
and walked through the Stage Doors: Sue, Tracy, Bias, Paul, Ray,
Graeme, Amanda, Kirsten, Justin, and John (there was another man with
them, but I don't know who the heck he was--seemed to be in charge).
Throughout the night, the troupe always appeared in that order (with
the exception of perhaps Amanda and Kirsten)! Can't imagine how it
must have been for them in the Seventies--all those walls around
them.
I don't think anyone of them said hello to the Wolftrap staff.
They were all so busy talking with one another that they didn't see
anything going on around them. I want to stress that they really were
getting along beautifully, laughing and joking and talking to each
other. John never stopped talking. Never. He and Justin were always
chatting. I could never hear the conversations because they spoke
softly. Justin was the only one who observed what was going on around
him. I was thrilled just to see them walk by. They were wearing their
street clothes. Ray had on a striking, beige tweed long jacket. His
eyes never stopped smiling. He and Graeme were engrossed in
conversation. Justin had on jeans and a faded blue t-shirt and a blue
light weight jacket. His hair was perfect. I can't remember what John
was wearing. I was trying to "catch" everything; it was just too
much. John's hair looked great as usual. Sue carried a short, white
fur coat. Tracy was dressed in white shorts and a shirt that was
similar to that worn on her CD. Bias wore his wild silver hat; it
looked heavy. Kirsten wore a very pale yellow (matched her hair)
leggins with a long sleeved, scooped neck top that appeared to match
the leggins. Around her shoulders was wrapped a white gauze shawl. I
imagine that was very comfortable for traveling. Everyone appeared
happy and rested. The band was off the previous day.
Before I could blink, everyone was directed downstairs to the
Green Room, which is usually set aside for the star or lead of the
show. It is about the size of a living room with just that kind of
furniture, mini kitchen, restroom, dressing room, piano, patio off
the side, and refreshments such as sodas/waters and veggie/fruit/
cheese/cracker trays. I am still curious as to how they all changed
into their concert clothes in that one room!
We were informed that the Band's golf clubs and luggage
should be placed in the blue vans immediately after the concert so
they could head directly to the airport.
Once the band and company settled in, a few of them made their way
up the stairs to visit Mike. (I picked the best seat for the
evening--behind the counter, directly in view of the staircase. No
one could slip by me.) Paul came up first. He never smiled and never
looked at any of us at the counter. This is the same Paul who never
stops smiling while performing! It was obvious he was looking for
Mike and I thought it was rather funny to see him like a lost little
boy. He went back downstairs, only to return in five minutes with the
same look on his face! Finally, I called to him and asked if he
needed to see Mike and then directed him to the office. He never
smiled, just politely thanked me and knocked softly on Mike's door,
entered and closed the door behind him. Never heard a peep! Sue was
next. I did get to speak with her and really enjoyed our few moments
together. I took her to the third floor to make copies of her
passport and other items. She was really impressed with the size of
Wolftrap's backstage. She liked my perfume, which is my favorite,
Wings by Georgio. I just let her lead the conversation. She was
really sweet. Sue had the most beautiful skin and the new short
hairstyle was very becoming. Next up was Justin. I really didn't
expect him to come upstairs, so I lost control of my breathing for a
couple of minutes. Don't you know that he was the only one, the only
one, that did not need to ask where Mike's office was located. As he
came back by me, I was just ready to start a conversation, when I got
interrupted by a Wolftrap manager who needed assistance. And then one
of the college girls, whispered into my ear, "is that one of them?"
By the time I turned back around, Justin was inside Mike's office
with the door closed. Never heard a peep. It seemed like an eternity
waiting for him to come out. I sat there fiddling with the backstage
pass sheet, trying to look productive and also trying to think of
something clever to say to Justin when he came back out.
(BTW, the backstage pass sheet was pretty neat. It was a color
lazer copy of all the passes for the summer tour. There were six
different passes. I had the orange and blue Working Pass. Would have
loved to have had the laminate which had the starry night and white
dove, but that was only issued to permanent tour crew and family
members).
Well, finally, I heard Justin come out, but he and Mike were so
engrossed in conversation and they both walked downstairs. So close
and yet..... Next up was Amanda. She certainly seemed the friendly
type and enjoyed chatting with everyone--I can see why Graeme would
be interested in her. We were all chatting about lots of small things
and I can't remember any of the conversation. As she leaned on the
counter in front of me, I noticed her wedding ring, which was a bit
unusual. There were three gold bands. The wedding band had emeralds
evenly placed around the band and the other two bands were plain.
Amanda wore jeans and a white T-shirt. She wore little makeup, but
had a nice complexion. (I envy that English complexion; reminds me of
the 70's Yardley commercials.) Amanda also visited Mike. She knocked
softly, closed the door, not a peep! Next was Kirsten. She has aged
nicely and was pretty. She also had that lovely skin. I have always
heard such nice things about Kirsten, so I was really looking
forwarded to talking with her. She wasn't really into conversation
though, just the facts type of person. Following suit, Kirsten
knocked softly on Mike's door, entered and closed the door behind
her. Not a peep from anyone. Even the Wolftrap staff remarked how
everyone involved with this tour was very well organized, friendly
and reserved.
Throughout the evening Wolftrap management actually came to
me with questions regarding the band. They really appreciated the
fact that they had an "insider." If they only knew the extent of what
we "hard core" fans know ;-))
Once the performance started, I went back to Stage Left to
watch a couple of numbers. Most bands have family, friends, fans
hanging around, so I was surprised to find only Mike, Rene and
another crew member. Mike had pulled up a chair behind the curtains
to watch the show. After the intermission, Amanda joined Mike.
Kirsten never came up. Although I wore a long black dress, my hair is
blond and tends to be very visible. If you can see the audience, they
can see you, so I stood back quite a bit from the curtains so that I
would not be seen. After a couple of songs, a crew member came over
to me and I thought sure he was going to ask me to leave. (Some
entertainers, such as Celine Dionne, only want their staff backstage.
They were very strict, even with WT's staff.) Instead, he asked me
why I was standing so far back, to follow him and he would show me
where to stand. So, found my niche in between two black trunks, about
5' from the curtains, just a few feet away from those precious
guitars. How I wanted to reach out and touch/caress! With my luck
they would have all toppled down, causing a nice scene.
The trunks were just high enough for me to lean on. It was a great
angle to see the orchestra at it's best, Gordon, Justin, John and
Paul. I returned to Stage Door after "Never Comes the Day", but
everyone told me to go back out (usually, I only watch one or two
songs from thewings and then try to catch one song in the house,
standing along the side). This was certainly a treat. So I went back
out. I do want to mention that although I never had a really close
view of those leathers, I saw enough of the backside to realize that
Justin must have worn two different pairs of pants during the summer
tour. Pam N. had noticed that also. One pair fit a little snugger
across the behind, and the cut was different.
Went into the House to watch TOSOL. Love to see this
performed. No blue glow sticks.
Watched Question and RMSS from Stage Right. Great view of
Bias, Sue and Tracy. Sue and Tracy "played" with the tambourines with
one of the stage crew. They were having a blast.
The band played an excellent set to a sold out crowd.
Before I knew it, the show was over. Why does it always go
so fast? After all the preparation, tickets, etc., it's all over in
two hours. I remained at Stage Right until the crew had the stage
about half packed. I figured by that time, the orchestra and band
would be downstairs. The band had scheduled a meet and greet, so that
would give them time to change and freshen up. I went behind the
curtains and headed for Stage Door. This is a hugh place. The back
stage actually extends another 90' past the curtains and it's
probably a 5 min. walk from one end to the Stage Door entrance. I was
completely shocked to see the whole troupe walking towards me. My
mind went in a million different directions! My chance at last.
Breathe deep.
Breathe! They walked two by two--Tracy and Sue, Bias and Paul,
Ray, Amanda and Graeme, Kirsten and John and Justin bringing up the
rear. Everyone was talking to one another and not even looking my
way. They were certainly on a "high" from their performance. Sue
managed to say "hi" to me in between Tracy's conversations. The
others didn't even see me. That was the longest walk I have ever
made. I felt like I was moving in slow motion, looking at each
person, waiting for a turn or a glance so that I could jump right in
with some kind of intelligible words. It really would have been rude
of me to have interrupted them. You had to be there to
understand.Justin appeared to have watched me walk up to the group.
So, when I approached him, I gave him my perkiest "hi Justin" and
then--nothing. He just looked right through me and kept on walking.
It did surprise me and burst my bubble for a moment. I had to really
think about that. I guess he was in one of his "thought" modes :-))
I finally finished that long walk to Stage Door and put on a
happy face for everyone. I assisted organizing the Meet and Greet for
the band. There were about 20 people with backstage passes. I did not
recognize anyone. There were not any VIPs in this group. Basically, a
Meet and Greet is a casual reception in the lounge downstairs. Sodas
and chips are set out. The visitors can talk with the entertainers,
take photos and have items autographed. Wolftrap did not issue the
backstage passes. They could request passes from the entertainers'
production manager, but it is the entertainers' production manager
that controls who gets those passes.
During the Meet and Greet there were several people waiting at
Stage Gate hoping to get backstage. One lady faked a broken ankle.
Once an ambulance was brought to her aide, she was miraculously
healed. The Meet and Greet only lasted about 20 minutes. As each fan
came up the stairs, I marked through their pass with a black marker.
WT started doing that last year to prevent people from returning or
passing the pass to someone else. This also defaces the pass so it
will lose monetary value.
Once the last fan had left, the band also made it's way up the
stairs. Most of the WT Stage Door staff, including me, had returned
behind the counter to give the band room to move through. Everyone
said "goodnight and thanked us." Sue and Tracy. Paul and Bias. Graeme
and Amanda. Graeme gave me a wink. When Ray got to the top of the
stairs (which BTW are pretty steep) he looked at us and said, "these
steps were harder than the gig!" Then Amanda, Justin and John. John
was still engrossed in conversation with Justin. After I said
"goodnight" twice to John (I was determined to get a least a "hi"
from him), he finally turned around and said "goodnight." Then he
turned around again, recognizing me. I had to laugh. The whole darn
night, all he did was talk, never looking at the people or the
building. Maybe to him they all look alike after a while. And then
they were all in the blue minivans and wisked towards the airport. I
hung around until about 11:30, watching the trucks and buses being
loaded then decided I had better head home. It was a long 50 miles
that night, but I seemed to be floating as I listened to my "Red
Rocks" CD.
I had to wait four more days to see them at Blossom in
Cleveland, OH. I was on a "high" that whole week. Cheryl Bezek