Reunions on I-70

On day two of the WhaleBone Tour, we awoke in St. Louis, and ended the day in the metropolis of Kansas City.

After an early start, we made our first stop in Warrenton, MO, where we were able to meet with Bethany Herron, yet another graduate of Belhaven’s Theatre Department. Beaming is the word I would use to describe my friend, Bethany, and she is currently in the process of starting up a community theatre in New Haven, MO. If there is anyone who can do it, it is Bethany. I recollect the process of starting up a theatre company from my days with Gratuitous B, and I can assure you it is not the easiest thing in the world. Assembling a board of directors, drawing a charter, applying for 501 c-3 tax exempt status, etc. It’s tedious, but well worth it. We wish Bethany nothing but the best and will keep an eye out for the New Haven Community Theatre.

We arrived to Columbia in the early afternoon. This town is the location of Stephen’s College, the college where BJ graduated. It was fun to watch BJ relive old memories and see the elation he was experiencing when we saw shrines such as 506 Walnut Drive (BJ’s old house), Stephen’s Lake, and Ernie’s Cafe, where we met two of BJ’s theatre teachers from Stephen’s, Addison Myers and Bret Prentiss. Having spent their most of their lives full time in theatre, it was fascinating to hear these three men reminisce about days gone by and people who they haven’t seen in years. In fact, it had been approximately thirty years since BJ had seen these men. One of the thoughts that ran through my mind while I was observing this conversation was that I was watching myself in forty years. Seeing old friends and catching up with them. It also got me to thinking about where I would be in forty years. These were fellow artisans in the theatre who I was sitting with. Many of the experiences the recanted were stories that I may be telling years from now. They said

…all that theatre truly boils down to is a series of bad stories…

But when many would consider bad stories to be unfortunate, they usually are a reference to comedic stories in the theatre. Another saying in show business…

It’s not what you know, it’s who…

That is a very true statement; however, seeing the intercourse at Ernie’s illustrated that the important aspect of knowing people isn’t necessarily what they can do for you, but the joy you receive from fellowshipping with your fellow theatre person. Addison told me before he left BJ and I to take acting/writing seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously. Good advice.

We rolled out of Columbia and finished the stretch to Kansas City. We rewarded ourselves by eating at High Boy’s, an iconic Kansas City burger joint, right down the road from Arrowhead Stadium (home of the Kansas City Chiefs). Ron Kelly, another on BJ’s friends from the days of yore, met us here. I enjoyed a cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake. We will be joining Ron for a small party on Sunday night where we will meet other inhabitants of Kansas City. But before that will be BJ’s first performance on the WhaleBone Tour. We set up the props and green room tonight, so we should be ready to roll for tomorrow’s performance. Details to come.