Irony

On the flight back from Rio de Janeiro, my wife and I were bumped up to First Class. (Bummer! I hate when that happens.) I'm sitting in my seat reflecting over the last nine months touring and performing in Saltimbanco and all the things that were experienced with this production coming to an end.

The flight attendant comes by my seat and gives me a porable DVD player with 21 movies to choose from. I notice a movie called A Prarie Home Companion, a movie I know nothing about. But I do notice that it was directed by Robert Altman, and I'm a big fan of Robert Altman's!

I pop in the disc and hit the PLAY button, and am amazed that this is a story about what goes on backstage at a radio show that is coming to an end after a long and successful run.

Goodbye Saltimbanco & Rio de Janeiro

Saltimbanco had its last performance on Dec 10th, 2006, and closed its doors after a 14-year run playing to almost 10 million people in 69 different countries. It was an amazing last show! All the acrobats and performers nailed their parts, the band was tight and rockin', and it couldn't have been a better show.

It was the longest period of time I had been away from home...at times exhausting, at times exhilerating, but never a boring moment.

Asleep at my makeup table between shows,
Sat. Sept 16, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Being a part of this Cirque du Soleil production was not only extremely rewarding but also one of the highlights of my life.

One of the most difficult I've ever done was saying goodbye to the many friends I made in this show -- performers, musicians, administrators and crew... a few are moving on to other shows; some taking time off, some going back to their homes in Russia, China, Ukraine, America, Canada, etc.

Thank you Saltimbanco for the ride of my life. You are all the most talented, creative, fun, amazing and whacky group of people I have ever worked with!

Saltimbanco Head Shots - Cirque du Soleil

I was able to get a copy of the head shots that appear in the Saltimbanco program. Here are two head shots that were taken of me at Cirque du Soleil headquarters back in April 2006.

Click pic to enlarge

2nd Biggest Mortadella I've ever seen

There was a mortadella promotion in our hotel and this is the 2nd biggest mortadella I've ever seen! Holy cow! Check this thing out!!