Waco, Texas Day Two

After a fairly quiet morning we loaded up the bus at around 1 and drove two blocks to our hotel for tonight.  (See the last post for details about why.)  Shortly after we checked in we headed downtown to get ready for two shows at the Waco Hippodrome.

Like many old theaters the Hippodrome has seen various incarnations since it first opened in 1914, from performance space to movie house in the late 1920's to restoration as a performance space in the 1980's.

Among the folks who have performed here over the years are Elvis Presley, John Wayne, Ann-Margaret and James Earl Jones.  And, of course, Barter's Of Mice and Men cast.

We had two shows today, one at 3 and then an evening performance at 7:30.  In many ways the stage sort of reminded me of the main stage at Barter, particularly in the narrow stage left wing space.  The dressing rooms here are downstairs and are reached by two sets of stairs directly behind the stage.

Stairs leading from the dressing rooms to stage right.












Both shows went well and after the show most of us headed back to the hotel.  After we got back, Mike O and I headed across the highway to IHOP for a late night snack.  I had a short stack of buttermilk pancakes and Mike decided to try the New York Cheesecake Pancakes.  Yes, they really do have New York Cheesecake Pancakes.  Here's the result:

Mike O's New York cheesecake Pancakes - Before

Mike O's New York Cheesecake Pancakes - After

Mike O after eating the New York Cheesecake Pancakes.






I like to think of it as an early breakfast.  Tomorrow morning we get up and head for Austin, about 1 1/2 hours down the road, for an evening show at the Paramount Theatre downtown.