Ivy Moody Annie National Tour 2008-10: February 2010

Cells, cable cars, chocolate, chinatown, cellphones & crepes in California

We headed back to California and spent a few days performing in Modesto at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The theater was very nice and they gave us a reception after our first show.

Some of the seats in the theater were REALLY comfy chairs and we of course took advantage of them during our sound check. After one of our shows they arranged a Meet & Greet with several students that won an essay contest so they could come backstage to meet us, ask us questions and get autographs. It was so nice to meet them.

Luckily our hotel was next door to a movie theater. The theater had a FREE movie day for the entire ANNIE company. A bunch of us went to see Avatar 3-D and loved it. Across the street was a very nice shish-kabob restaurant where kids ate free. We ate there alot. As you can see we loved texting and talking to each other on our phones even when we are at the same table.

We can't seem to get enough of each other. After our matinee show in Modesto we all checked out of our hotel and headed to San Francisco for a GOLDEN DAY.

First thing that morning in San Francisco we hopped on an electric car to catch the Alcatraz boat.

We got on the big boat and it took us over to The Rock. As we walked around the island we wore headphones and listened to an audio tour so we could learn about the prison life. We also watched a movie about the history of the island. The neatest part was seeing the holes that two escaped men had made in their cell walls with just ordinary spoons.

Luckily, I was a good girl so I got to return back to tour!

While riding back on the boat, I noticed a man that looked like someone on The Food Network. I was right, it was Robert Irvine from Dinner Impossible. He was so nice to us and told us about his daughter that also like performing on stage in her home town.

After Alcatraz we visited Ghirardelli Square.

Yes, we got chocolate samples! Yummy.

Then we got to ride a San Francisco cable car. I got to stand on the outside of the car, right in front (I held on really tight). It was going so fast up and down the hills. That was so, so, so much fun.

On the cable car we rode to Union Square and then walked to Chinatown. We loved walking up the street looking in all the neat chinese stores. We stopped for dinner and had some great chinese food.

Our long day was almost over.

We walked all the way back to Fisherman's Wharf and ended the day with a banana & nutella crepe. Well, we did burn alot of calories walking all day!

We were all exhausted and saw so much in one day.
But, the highlight of my Golden day was spending it with my best friends.

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Missoula, Montana, Mountains, Malls, Merry-go-Round & Mardi Gras!

We left Seattle very, very early on Monday and spent a very long day on the bus heading to Missoula, Montana. We all settled in for a long nap. I must have slept to long because I had a hard time sleeping that evening in the hotel. But sleeping on the bus is easy because of the vibration of the bus and it is so warm and comfy on the floor (believe it or not). When I wasn't sleeping the view outside was beautiful. So many snow covered mountains. In Cincinnati there are no mountains at all.

For many of our bus lunch stops we go to malls for an hour. That way everyone can get the food that they want, shop a bit and stay warm inside the mall. The bus also stops every 2-3 hour for a bathroom break for about 10 minutes.

While in Missoula our hotel just happen to be right next door to the Missoula Children's Theatre. It is the largest children's theater in the country that also travel to cities in the USA and overseas to put kids on stage for 1 week. We are HUGE fans of MCT. At age 8, my very first time on stage was in MCT's Jungle Book(Wolfy). I have performed in five of their shows in Cincinnati. I was also in The Frog Prince (frog prince), Rumplestilskin (Clara), Cinderella (town crier), and Little Mermaid (Gil).

One morning my mom and I went over to see the theater. The nicest person named Cate took us around to see the inner workings of the theater. They showed us were they make all the costumes and props. We met just about everyone that worked there. Everyone was so nice to us both and they were so interested in how my mom and I have been touring with ANNIE for 13 months. They were so happy we stopped by to say hello.

If a Missoula show ever ends up in a town near you I highly recommend signing up. I learned so much by being in their shows and look forward to doing more shows when I get home.

Afterwards we walked to a nearby carousel that happens to be one of the last ones that have the hooks you grab as you pass by. The first time I grabbed 16 and the second time I grabbed 22. It was such a fast carousel!!

Our hotel was close to our performance venue so Maddie and her dad, Kenny, organized a Mardi Gras parade on our way to our first show. It was Fat Tuesday and they had Mardi Gras beads to toss to passerby's. We walked about 3 blocks singing and making alot of noise while Kenny and Zander played New Orleans music on their trumpet and guitar. It was so much fun!! We had lots of stares in Montana!

I though I would show you what my mom and I travel with in one of our small suitcases. Sometimes we are in hotels that are not near restaurants. Sometimes we just get sick of eating out and when the hotel offers a microwave and frig we choose to just eat in the room. It is healthier and cheaper that way too. So when ever we see a grocery store that we can walk to we stock up with potatoes to bake, pasta, rice and lots more! This picture is right after we went shopping. Its nice to know we have food in our suitcase...just in case.

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Washington Was Wonderful!!!!

We spent 4 days in Yakima, Washington and performed at the Capitol Theatre. While in Yakima a sweet stray dog followed Emily and her mom to our hotel one day. It was very hungry and alone. They took it to the vet to see if it had a chip to find its owner. They put up signs at the theater and showed him on Facebook. No owner could be found. They named him Hojo. We all loved Hojo but we knew we couldn't take him on tour with us. No room on the bus! Emily's family drove him to Seattle and found a nice loving family to take care of him in their neighborhood. HAPPY ENDING!!

After 5 days in Yakima we all headed to Seattle where it rained and rained. We performed at the Paramount Theatre. It was great! Outside the theater they had huge posters of Maddie, David, Lynn and Zander. I loved the one with Lynn and Zander! We performed 5 shows at the Paramount and several were sold out. We had many fans come by our stage door in the rain for pictures and autographs. Now thats a true ANNIE FAN! Love that!

Each morning before our 2 show days my mom and I got up to see Seattle.

We went to the Public Market where they throw fish. Maddie asked to hold one of the fish for a photo but I think she regretted it afterwards. Yuk!!! We saw the original Starbucks and ate fish & chips! We finally had to buy an umbrella cause we were getting soaked.

The next day we got up and rode the Monorail to see the Space Needle and the Science Fiction Museum.

One of our favorite places to eat was M.O.D Pizza. We loved the kiddie table.

While in Seattle we had our Secret Valentine Party on Valentines Day. All week long we gave our secret Valentines small gifts and clues. I was lucky enough that Kelly had me. She gave me great clues and gifts but I didn't guess it was her. I love you Kelly!

Kai also made all the orphans her own handmade sock ugly dolls. She is so creative and sweet. Each one was different and unique which made them that much more special. My ugly doll had a heart on its tongue just perfect for Valentines day. Love you Kai! We also had to say goodbye to Dan one of our drummers. He was so nice to us all and we will miss him!

My dad and brother made this Valentine message for my mom and I with all the snow that has fallen back at home in Cincinnati. We love you Daddy, Max and Pixel too.

Even though it rained alot we ALL LOVED Seattle...

especially because we loved seeing Martin Charnin (ANNIE's director/creator/lyricist). He watched several performances and was very happy and loved the shows.

What a great Valentine weekend!

I love my ANNIE family so much. The ones that I see everyday and the ones that are far away but close to my heart.

LOVE, IVY

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Rockin Riverside

We spend 5 days in Riverside, California. Riverside was such a cute city. Downtown was mostly mission or spanish looking buildings. The Fox Performing Arts Center was just renovated and ANNIE was their GRAND opening show.

After our first show the theater had the most beautiful opening night party for us. It was at a historic hotel downtown called The Mission Inn. When we walked into the party the press was there to take our pictures and write down our names. People who came to the party came up to us and asked for our autographs and photos with them.

The food was sooooo good. They had these huge cupcakes everywhere. The kids even got to drink sparkling apple cider! It was a wonderful evening.

On Friday my mom and I drove 1 hour into LA to spend the day at an audition thanks to the Aladjems. Several ANNIE cast members went too. We drove by the HOLLYWOOD sign for just a brief second because we were in a hurry to get in line but at least saw it again! It rained and rained all day. On our way home combined with LA traffic it took us 3 hours to get back to our hotel in Riverside. But it was worth it.

Since Madison and her family are from New Orleans we all became fans of the Saints. We all made big WHO DAT posters and brought them to our vocal warm ups just before our Sunday matinee show because our conductor, Adam, was a Colts fan!!

After the show we QUICKLY got dressed, hopped on the bus and drove to a bar/restaurant (that allowed kids) to watch the Superbowl. We had so much fun. Every time the Saints made a touchdown, Madison's dad pulled out his trumpet and played "When The Saints Come Marching In". The entire restaurant loved it!! It really made watching the Superbowl special and fun!!!

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All my dreams came true at Disneyland!

COSTA MESA REVIEW

We had 5 beautiful days in Costa Mesa, California. We performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. All around the community were huge sculptures. This one was so big and when you walked into it the echo was so cool.

This is looking up out of the sculpture.

Our hotel was right next door to the theater and just one block away was a huge Mall. Again I bought to much stuff and my suitcase is really, really heavy now. I just need to go home for a bit just to unload some stuff. It is difficult to live out of a suitcase for so long with out collecting things along the way!

While in Costa Mesa we had a GOLDEN day. Jack was so great and gave the entire company Disneyland tickets. Our bus took us all to the park to spend a long fun filled day together. We all kinda scattered as the day went on but every time we turned around we saw someone we knew!

My favorite ride of all time was the Indiana Jones Adventure ride. We rode that one twice! I want to bring my dad and brother to Disneyland just to ride that ride. I also was talked into riding Space Mountain by Sydney and Adam and I LOVED IT!

We rode some scary rides that Mackie didn't really like so we also hit the younger area so she could enjoy some rides too. SHHH dont tell anyone but they were my favorite rides too!

Teacups