Weekend in Fairfield

Just got back from a LOVELY weekend in my hometown...Fairfield, Iowa.  MAN, I LOVE that place! GREAT restaurants...GREAT stores...and GREAT friends with which to "catch up"!!!!

Crashing the cast party as soon as I got to town!!!

Tena in front of the mural on Revelations Bookstore/restaurant

Me in front of the mural

Waiting for my mocha

Tena waiting (and waiting...and waiting...!) for her chai

"Into the Woods" starring TENA!!!!

Last day of the "old" Hy-Vee grocery store

I really LOVE Hy-Vee!!!!

Andrew and me at Revelations for lunch

I was also able to stop in at the 40th anniversary open house for Roger and Diane.  It was a TOTAL "time warp", as it was held at the First Baptist Church...in which I spent MANY Sundays (and otherwise!) growing up!

Me and Diane at her 40th anniversary open house

My main reason for coming down was to see my friend Tena play the baker's wife in "Into the Woods". WOW!  She was FABULOUS!!!  I think this is probably the FAVORITE role I've seen her play.  I LOVED her as Miss Hannigan in "Annie", and I've loved every other character she's played, but she has a special "nuance" with this role (which she played about 15 years ago at Spayde Theater) that is very touching and sweet.  I actually CRIED during her last song.  I was SO PROUD of her!!!!!

LaDawn at Vivo...looking GOOD!!!

Outside the Sondheim before the show

Sunset by the Sondheim

Denyce and Eric before the show

Me and LaDawn before the show

Intermission!

Me and Tena after the final performance of the show...did I mention how AMAZING she was in this role??!!!

It was an AWESOME weekend, all around...from mochas and (later) wood fire pizza at Revelations, to shopping the "quirky" stores around the square, to dinner with LaDawn at Vivo, to the play, to brunch with Denyce and Eric on Sunday...a truly FABULOUS visit "home"!!!