Cypress Gardens 101

As many of you may or may not know, I arrived Sunday in Winter Haven, Florida where I will be working for the next 3 months at Cypress Gardens. So far so good. I am doing a 1950's review with 5 other people. I am living with 4 of those people in an apartment about 5 minutes away from the park. I am the youngest. My roomates are Jere (pronounced "Jerry"), Brian, Hasheen, and Jessica. I get my own room (hoorah) but it was unfurnished so I am for the time being living boho on a mat. Lisa makes our 6th and she is living with her soon-to-be inlaws. Everyone is 24 or 25 except me and Jessica who is a little older. Today is only our second day of singing and dancing emphasis on the dancing. And I am sore. The first day Tony (the director) didn't make his flight so we spent the day getting a (paid) guided tour around the park. We went to see the very patriotic (considering the cast is largely Russian) ice show and caught a bit of the water ski show on our lunch break yesterday. I haven't ridden any of the rides yet... they don't have very many they were just added during the renovation. At this time of year the park seems to cater primarily to elderly crowds. It's very scenic the lake is beautiful and they have a mini zoo complete with alligators AND crocs. And the gardens of course. "Southern belles" wander around... there's a pirate comedy show... Yeah, well I like it. The weather here is fantastic, I've been wandering around in a T-shirt all week. Flying south for the winter birds have a good thing going.
The show is going to be called "Shake, Rattle, and Roll"
The songs are:
Let the Good Times Roll
Shake Rattle and Roll
The Sea of Love (I have a solo)
Johnny B Goode (I have the solo)
Love Potion #9
Hound Dog (girls trio)
Jailhouse Rock
At the Hop
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Since I Don't Have You
Great Balls of Fire
Dream, Dream
Rock around the Clock

I really think it's going to be fun. And a pretty paycheck.

Let's see other interesting tidbits: Tony is Cuban and spent 7 months in refugee camp as well as toured with a ballet company and helped choreograph Chita Revera in Kiss of Spider Woman. Oh, and Grease 2. His assistant, Angela, went to Shorter. She graduated the year before I transfered. And Nakeisha Daneil from Shorter did our "Rock around the Clock" dance (that we are stealling the choreography from) for a show at Wild Adventures -- I saw her in the video last night.Jere and Brian worked at Dollyworld together. Oh! And we have a dog! Jere brought his dog, Toby, who is very lethargic.