NOT JUST ANOTHER OPENING OF ANOTHER SHOW!

Tuesday, October 27th, marked the opening/beginning of an exciting and new experience for me. Though it was not the official opening, friends, supporters and "mucho" familia came out!! The house was packed, the scene was set, and the music began. My heart was racing, not only for the cast as a whole, but also for my swing--ChaCha (Kristina Fernandez). She was on for Rayanne, whom we missed dearly for she sprained her ankle last Sunday.

IT WAS A HIT. 96,000 (a number not to be missed if you see the show!) felt like concert applause afterward. It was probably my last time watching the entire show from the house for a while, and opening night was the perfect send off. Rayanne getting injured was a big wake-up call for the swings. I find myself holding tension a lot in my body as I walk around, day to day, thinking about step or music or costumes. I told Cha, the next time I see a tour and I stand at the Stage Door for autographs, Im going to ask for the Swings as well--ALL SWINGS ARE MY HEROES. :) I am ultimately humbled by this job, and it is an honor to be cast with such responsibility on your shoulders.

The Caruncho family and our Producers threw a get-together at Maestro's after the show. It was lovely. Natalie is a crack UP! I love that girl--and now her family too. Thank you to our Producers for the ITH bag before the show, the reception and of course the WONDERFUL tour they put together.

Getting Their Personalized Hand-Made BOXES!

It was a night of sentimentality as gifts were exchanged--hand-made postcard boxes to be exact and bottles of champagne. The cast even got us swings a bottle! It meant a lot. So, Opening was a success and to TAMPA I say Thank You!

Backstage Opening Night!

(**I have been lagging with the video editing, which I hope to change, but with rehearsals and studying and traveling, it has been a whirlwind of events and emotions. BUT I have LOTS to pull from--some HILARIOUS and some really awesome!)

AGAIN, and always, thank you to my Mommy and Daddy and Clear Talent (agency) for the flowers last night and your constant support!

NEW FAMILY MEMBER as IM JOINING A NEW FAMILY

WOW, it has been an exciting couple of days.

FIRST of all, my baby nephew was born this morning, 3:17am. His name is William Howard Thomson. I have the most adorable picture of him on my phone and that is what woke me up this morning; what a blessed and humble way to start my day. I miss my brother and his family dearly. I wish I could be there to help them with

the kids and celebrate at least one holiday this year with them :( I really strive to be a good Aunt and someone my nieces can turn to/admire, but living so far and now traveling so much makes it difficult. Any suggestions?

SECOND of all, In The Heights tour cast has their first audience tomorrow! Our invited dress will take place on the UF campus (GO GATORS!)...and clap vertically.... tomorrow afternoon. THEN WE LEAVE FOR TAMPA and OPEN on Tuesday! I CANNOT believe it has gone by so quickly. I am scared this year will fly by and I will be back in Los Angeles without even having "smelled the roses" as they say.

Here is the CAST of In The Heights with creative team on Abuela's Stoop! (for you Lin)

Our rehearsals are going well. They go by so fast, I feel like its 9-5 instead of 10-12am! Crispers is still our spot to go-I had their summer salad again today!!! We have had many funny moment in rehearsals....our cast is hilarious! And so is our di

rector....dang...that Tommy sure is funny....OH and Mom, Tommy and Lin say hi--they

love your comments on my blog, mention you everyday! <---that was for you Tommy.

Lin sang Paciencia Y Fe for us

the other day, yes high A! I also heard the beginning demo for sunrise! Lin is pretty much a ge

n

ius and it was so interesting to hear what parts stuck and what parts didnt make it to the final cut

. I loved the lyrics and the melody was different, I liked it a lot. In fact, I didn't write down some notes because I was enthralled with the song! JK Andy hehe.

Frisbee is still our favorite pass time. It was so nice to play in the sun today and run around like a crazy person trying to catch the frisbee. OH and Tommy came up with this brilliant game--who can get the frisbee into the other player's open mouth accurately? Welp, so much for dental coverage.... just kidding, it was funny!

I need to pack now because we have baggage call in the morning. Thanks ITH FAM for a wonderful Gainesville Tech. OH and thank you University of Florida for your hospitality and kindness. Especially Bethany for bringing Silk Creamer to the theater!!!

Morgan

Swingin into Tech! intheheightsthemusical.com

Ok, I think I am getting the hang of this beast! And by beast, I mean heart-felt, 96,000 (haha) layered show!!! I just want to say I couldn't be happier. Yes, I am away from my family, but other than that, I am living a dream; a dream that began in someone else's heart, in someone else's movement, in someone else's voice. It is a dream that is becoming my own. :)

On a lighter note, the people I get to work with everyday are HILARIOUS. Everyone brings something to the table and I LOVE THAT. We all found a new favorite restaurant--Crispers! Yummy salads! OH and exciting--the craft service table HAS SOY! WOOHOO! Pretty sure everyone has almost made me cry laughing so anyway, THIS IS GOING TO BE A YEAR TO REMEMBER.

Thanks mom and dad for everything. I constantly think about you while Im here. I miss you besties :)

Morgan

TECH WEEK!

ALL ACCESS PASS! Me on the Fire Escape on-set! I felt like a kid on a playground. Everything is so new in this process, I feel so blessed and so joyful. It's definitely the college experience I never had--the most stressful situations make you harder.better.faster.stronger.

This week is our tech week, which means 10/12s. They have been long days, but extremely smooth! It is actually kind of informative and sometimes relaxing to be sitting in the house. Lin visits us on every other break. Tommy (our amazing director) calls our area "swing town".......that's right ladies and gentleman......Tommy Kail. Stephanie, the B'way Dance Captain, keeps us smiling in rehearsals. She gave us gift sets to help us succeed as swings! In return, we gave her cheetos, red bull and beef jerky, because Michael (the other DC) said they ate that non-stop in the original tech week, so we thought it would be fitting. Here is a pic of us being dorky before rehearsal begins!!

P.S. Our set is amazing and so detailed! Our ATM in the Bodega is hilarious... take a look.

GAINESVILLE!!

OK U of F, here we come! Just arrived in Gainesville, FL. After an overage charge, I need to learn how to travel light. I have a year to do it, so woohoo! Everyone got so excited on the bus and we were looking @ pics of our set!! This is the best thing I've ever gone through. Probably with the best people, too. Tomorrow 10/12s!

TOUR Begins!

OK, In The Heights tour begins, and so does my blog! I am so excited to start this journey with all of these wonderful artists. They are all so talented and good-hearted--which is so important. We have been working non-stop to get this tour launched!! The Broadway cast visited us in rehearsals--and I mean all of them--which was one of the best experiences I will ever have. We tech in Florida for a week and then open in TAMPA! Who's coming?? visit the website for tickets: intheheightsthemusical.com

I was warned that swinging this show is extremely tough, and I've learned the rumors were all true! AHHH We are pulling our hair out because the material is SO detailed. BUT, that is why the musical has been so successful and it's why we change lives everyday. Cant wait to kick this off. Come support!!!