Whitehead documents her scenic stroll through the city en route to work and offers a glimpse at her behind-the-scenes activities at the historic venue.
9:30 AM - I wake up to my rescue dog, Lucy, a mini pincher/Chihuahua mix! I have had her for 2 years. She rocks!
Chryssie Whitehead
Hotel Room on the 9th floor in Downtown Seattle Homewood Suites. I have a fireplace, which I love!
Chryssie Whitehead
View from my hotel room.
Chryssie Whitehead
Another view - This is facing Pike Street. Up Pike is Capitol Hill. I really love the area we are staying in. Ten minute walk to theatre and lots of cool coffee shops, restaurants, shopping, music, etc!
Chryssie Whitehead
10:30 -We actually get free breakfast here every morning, but we also have a kitchen. This morning I made my favorite spinach, egg and feta omelet.
Chryssie Whitehead
11 AM- Out the door and on the way to the dog park and my favorite coffeehouse on Pine Street. I go there almost every morning!
Chryssie Whitehead
We ran into Scott, my fellow cast mate who came out here from Paper Mill, too. Six of us joined the Seattle Cast.
Chryssie Whitehead
The dog park is a block away, and it’s different from the ones in L.A. Because it rains so often in Seattle, they have gravel instead of dirt.
Chryssie Whitehead
I go here a few times a week. It's been around a long time. I love the feel of the place, and the baristas are very cool.
Chryssie Whitehead
I started liking the taste of coffee at this special place. Never really been a fan of coffee until Bauhaus Coffeeshop. The latte is just perfect!
Chryssie Whitehead
The best part about it is all dogs are welcome indoors. I have never seen that before, not even in L.A.
Chryssie Whitehead
12 PM. On my way to Olympic Sculpture Park and Pike Place market I run into another historical theatre, the Paramount. Part of a group of 5 theaters known as the Downtown Historic Theatre District, all of which were built prior to 1930.
Chryssie Whitehead
Thinking about doing this wacky tour. Looks fun! $28 for Adults.
Chryssie Whitehead
The Olympic Sculpture Park. About a twenty minute walk down from the market. You can sit on those red chairs and enjoy the scenery.
Chryssie Whitehead
The Space Needle in the foreground.
Chryssie Whitehead
On my way back, I walked too far and ended up at the Seattle Art Museum, a few blocks away. Good to know for the future! Then I walked back up to the beginning of the Pike Market.
Chryssie Whitehead
I visit this market to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
Chryssie Whitehead
I always take a cat nap in between shows on the weekends. Playing Lola is so much fun, but also takes up a lot of energy. Once I am on in the first act, I have three big numbers almost back to back.
Chryssie Whitehead
We also get free dinner from 5 - 7pm Monday - Thursday.
Chryssie Whitehead
Vaden Thurgood is staying at Homewood Suites too. Ran into him for dinner. He is one of our fabulous flipping, high-tenor ball players!
Chryssie Whitehead
My walk to the theatre by the convention center. Movie theaters and tons of shopping. Dangerous!
Chryssie Whitehead
I have stopped a few times at this amazing outdoor creperie on the way. Nutella crepe all the way!
Chryssie Whitehead
Outside The 5th Avenue Theatre. It's gorgeous inside and has been around since 1926.
Chryssie Whitehead
Publicity shots from Paper Mill got worked into the poster, with the talented up-and-comer Christopher Charles Wood as Joe Hardy, along with Seattle star actor Hans as the Devil.
Chryssie Whitehead
Alley to the stage door entrance.
Chryssie Whitehead
Stage door!
Chryssie Whitehead
Eric Knauer, one of our wonderful stage door men who has been here for 18 years. Note the tie-dye socks, which he does himself. He gave me a pair on opening night with the note “Tie-dye: Hippies wear t-shirts. Artists wear socks!”
Chryssie Whitehead
Meg Plimpton, another one of our backstage door people. Eric, Meg and Dean LaRoque are just a great group of people to begin your night.
Chryssie Whitehead
Backstage the walls have become known as the “Show Bricks.” These decorated bricks are filled with signatures of performers from all the previous shows at The 5th since 1980.
Chryssie Whitehead
The backstage crossover path. Costume changes are pre-set and ready to go.
Chryssie Whitehead
This picture does not do it justice. It is stunning to see. I only wish I could see the design when performing. Over 2000 seats.
Chryssie Whitehead
Our opening set so brilliantly designed by Rob Bissinger.
Chryssie Whitehead
Here’s our locker room, waiting in the wings for its entrance.
Chryssie Whitehead
Head Sound Engineer Karen Katz and Assistant Sound Engineer Jim Rudy - our exquisite sound department. Pristine!
Chryssie Whitehead
The very spacious and fun filled Crew Room – Bob Hall, Tristan Hansen and Michael Harris relaxing before show begins.
Chryssie Whitehead
Assistant Property Manager Ron Darling, in his office, before the show! He works in Props and gives me my fake cigarette every night. Another kind soul on the crew.
Chryssie Whitehead
Signing in. Everyone has to be at the show by a half hour before Performance. I get in right at half hour as I don't show up till 45 minutes into the first act.
Chryssie Whitehead
I don't know what is going on in Seattle, but the BAKING is out-of-control-yumminess! Almost every other day there are goodies made by the cast and crew. Cakes and brownies are always homemade! I never can resist.
Chryssie Whitehead
The Marketing and PR department is really spot on. Thank you, Bridget Summers, Brittany Carpenter, Chris Marcacci, Sean Kelly and August Laguio.
Chryssie Whitehead
Our Applegate, Hans Altweis, before the show! What a comedian. I wish all of New York could see his performance.
Chryssie Whitehead
My dressing room. I like to put up cards and notes people have given me along the way. My Paper Mill cards traveled with me, too.
Chryssie Whitehead
Michael Ericson and I are proud A.M.D.A. graduates and Faculty Members. Here is a little memory caption for the students and Alumni "Two Singular Sensations!" Thank you, Harry Woolever! We are happy to carry on the tradition.
Chryssie Whitehead
Vaden stretching out before the show. The choreography, by Denis Jones, is amazing in this show, and the cast is wonderful.
Chryssie Whitehead
The lovely company manager, Lauren Smith, handing out checks. Yay for Payday!
Chryssie Whitehead
Richard Ziman relaxing in his chair. He plays a very sincere and endearing Mr. Welch.
Chryssie Whitehead
Mr. Ben Whiteley, our Musical Director, has been incredible to work with. He has taught me so much.
Chryssie Whitehead
They have called places and Christopher Charles Wood is ready to start the show. We have a great time playing off each other, always discovering new things.
Chryssie Whitehead
Mary Jones doing my pin curls! What a lovely woman and so gifted in Hair. Beth DeVries, playing Miss Weston, beside me.
Chryssie Whitehead
Kasey Nusbickel, Beth DeVries and Sarah Rose Dave, as housewives. They kick start the show with "Six Months" while I am just starting to get ready backstage.
Chryssie Whitehead
The stellar Nancy Anderson with Heather Sincic who rocks at doing our wigs! Nancy brings the house down with "Shoeless Joe" and all the boys! She is one talented performer.
Chryssie Whitehead
Mary Jones finishing my wig. They based it off of Elizabeth Taylor. Different than the one in Paper Mill.
Chryssie Whitehead
Julie Briskman and Carol Swarbrick pop by during the show. They play Sister and Doris and are a hoot together. What characters, such fun roles to play.
Chryssie Whitehead
Warming up on my roller, thanks to Sean Gallagher, the brilliant physical therapist from my Chorus Line days. It saves my body, which is a good thing since there are no understudies here.
Chryssie Whitehead
My wonderful dresser, Teresa O’Leary. Always efficient, caring and trustworthy. This is my opening costume for "Little Brains/Little Talent.” My entrance is on an elevator coming up to the stage in a lift. So much fun!
Chryssie Whitehead
Can you see the magnet in my hair?
Chryssie Whitehead
And voila! My flower is a magnet. It's genius. I take this off, among other things, in “Whatever Lola Wants.”
Chryssie Whitehead
The final look after the strip-down onstage. Just like the legendary Gwen Verdon.
Chryssie Whitehead
The very sweet and lovely Hugh Hastings, who plays the older Joe Hardy. I catch him during intermission. It's sad because I don't ever see anyone onstage until the very end. My whole show is only with Joe Hardy and Applegate.
Chryssie Whitehead
I am posing here next to my 9 costume changes and 5 pairs of shoes! Alejo Vietti, our costume designer, is a genius! Lola is high maintenance, you think?
Chryssie Whitehead
I caught Allen Fitzpatrick (Coach Benny Van Buren, in the blue coat to my left) and the whole team right before Act II began for “The Game!” Definitely not the same scene, can't you tell?
Chryssie Whitehead
Hans and I in our costumes for the hotel room scene in Act II. He always escorts me to the stage. We have so much fun working together. I have great leading men to work off of. Very lucky!
Chryssie Whitehead
Allen Fitzpatrick and Bob De Dea ready for action! The actors in Seattle are fantastic. They represent their city with heart and talent.
Chryssie Whitehead
I love Nancy's expression. I had to use this picture. We are never in a scene together, but wouldn't it be fun? Hans is blurry. Sorry!
Chryssie Whitehead
I never see the incredibly gifted singer Patti Cohenour backstage, but caught her as she was getting her wig fixed before the Court Scene. She plays Meg and is a dream to watch on stage. She was in the original cast of Phantom. It's an honor.
Chryssie Whitehead
“Two Lost Souls,” here I come. My last two changes are backstage. This is one of my favorite parts of the show. It feels like dancing in heaven.
Chryssie Whitehead
10:30 PM - Fun show tonight. Hans and I say goodbye to Heather as she is taking the picture. Now, I walk home.
Chryssie Whitehead
I make some food and then chill out with my dog, some candles and the lovely fireplace. In bed around midnight. A fun day, indeed!
Chryssie Whitehead
Whitehead was featured as Kathy in Lincoln Center's Company and Kristine in the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. Other credits include Gigi (Reprise), The Studio (Signature Theatre), The Producers, All Shook Up, Fosse, Radio City Rockettes, and Paul McCartney's Driving Rain tour. www.chryssiewhitehead.com.
* Paper Mill artistic director Mark S. Hoebee directs the Tony-winning musical that will run through May 20 in Seattle. The production previously played New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse, concluding its run there April 1.
The audience favorite has a book by original director George Abbott and Douglas Wallop, with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The Faustian musical was adapted from Wallop's 1954 novel "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant." Damn Yankees has music direction by Ben Whiteley and choreography by Denis Michael Jones.
New to the cast for the Seattle bow is Hans Altwies (Robin Hood), who takes over the role of Applegate from Howard McGillin, who played the role in the New Jersey staging. Hugh Hastings steps into the role of Joe Boyd.
The Seattle production reunites Christopher Charles Wood(Spring Awakening, Curtains) as Joe, Whitehead (A Chorus Line, Company) as Lola, Patti Cohenour (Light in the Piazza, Mystery of Edwin Drood) as Meg and Nancy Anderson (Wonderful Town, A Class Act) as Gloria.
The cast also includes Allen Fitzpatrick (Memphis) as Coach Benny Van Buren, Carol Swarbrick as Sister, Julie Briskman as Doris, Richard Ziman as Mr. Welch, Bob De Dea as the Commissioner and Beth DeVries as Miss Weston.
The ensemble features David Alewine, Blaine Boyd, Scott Brateng, Gabe Corey, Daniel Cruz, Sarah Rose Davis, Christian Duhamel, Michael Paul Ericson, Eric Esteb, Kasey Nusbickel, Matthew Posner, Dane Stokinger and Vaden Thurgood.
The design team includes Rob Bissinger (set design), Alejo Vietti (costume design), Tom Sturge (lighting design) and Andrew G. Luft (sound design).
Phone (206) 625-1900 or visit 5thAvenue.
