One of our actors said this about Dallas: "The best thing you can say about Dallas is that it makes Hartford look really good." Dallas was a big ole disappointment for most of us. We had expected cowboys and great Mexican and big hair and crazy line-dancing and great bars and friendly people. What we got was businessmen and scary child cheerleaders and deserted downtown streets that all run the wrong direction and insanely-planned highways and an utter lack of culture or restaurants or night spots.
Once again, we were in a really beautiful theatre -- the AT&T Performing Arts Center, which is brand new, was a beautiful facility. Huge lovely dressing rooms, a monstrous stage (so big that we had to tape paths on the floor for the actor to find their way on and off the stage), beautiful house, friendly staff. The audiences were friendly, if somewhat surprised by our little play. Houses were fairly decent, size-wise, and we got great reviews. So, the theatrical experience was good. But that doesn't excuse Dallas.
So, I will focus on a few fun and quirky parts of Dallas that we, being determined culture-and-fun-seekers, managed to discover and enjoy in spite of the Lone Star State's best attempt to keep us New Yorkers down!
-Our first night there we ventured to a delicious organic, local-food-serving restaurant called Bolsa, and had a lovely dinner of fresh veggies and great seafood (not sure where you get "local" seafood in Dallas, though) and organic meats -- including beef cheek. Yes, here in Texas they don't waste a thing.
-The next night was opening and, surprise surprise, we got a party! I actually dressed up, for once (meaning I wore makeup and a shirt not made out of cotton).