It has been the most unexpected and incredible journey traveling as a “Broadway Mom” with the cast of Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical and eventually becoming a “Broadway Girlfriend!”
As I jumped back into pageantry last year, I caught up with my longtime pageant coach and mentor, Kim, for some training in May. She was telling me about the amazing experience that she and her daughter, Kennedy (lovingly known as “KK”), had living in New York the year prior as she starred in her first Broadway show at 8 years old. She also shared how she might have a role in a traveling show in the near future, and that they were going to need some help to make it work logistically.
I was so excited for her, but the conversation slipped my mind as I had a crazy busy few months. By early August, I had competed in Miss Arkansas, started a new job that was fully remote, and was deciding where I wanted to move. I put all of my belonging in storage to spend (what I thought would be) a month or two with family while I made some decisions about my next move since I could work anywhere.
However, that all changed when I heard that Kennedy got the part, and my mind raced back to the conversation with Kim earlier that summer… And I realized I could help! With the flexibility of my professional role, an itch to travel, and a love for mentorship, I knew this was an amazing way to spend a bit of time. Next thing I knew, my flights were booked and soon I would be on my way to tour with Mrs. Doubtfire!!!
Kennedy and I had more fun together than I ever could have anticipated. What was already an unexpected journey took an even more unexpected turn… I met my boyfriend through this adventure!!! Leo, one of Kennedy’s costars, is an amazing talent but an even better person. It has been a Hallmark movie romance dating a British actor in a different city each week, and I couldn’t be more fortunate to have met such a great boyfriend in such fun circumstances 🙂
Now, nearly one year later as I am wrapping up my time living in a suitcase, I couldn’t be more grateful for this adventure. From October 2023 to July 2024, I traveled to 22 major cities across the country, hitting the majority of the 30 tour stops. I saw dozens of friends located in the areas I visited, boarded nearly 100 flights, and saw what makes nearly every corner of this country so special.
I can without a ~doubt~ say that Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical has drastically changed my life for the good, and I am oozing with gratitude as the journey winds down. So, let’s reflect! Here is a photo from each stop + a favorite memory or highlight worth documenting from each stop. Here we go! KK and I did a great job of taking a picture at each theatre. Me and Leo, not so much lol!
PART 1: NORTHEAST & MIDWEST WITH KENNEDY
Highlight: Touring the ESPN facility just down the road in Bristol!
Highlight: Visiting our nation’s capitol for the first time and seeing the monuments with KK!
Highlight: Meeting Leo at the airport on our travel day!
Highlight: Going on my first date with Leo, and celebrating Halloween with Kennedy!
Highlight: Ice skating on Thanksgiving Day after a fun day with the entire cast!
Highlight: Going to the cutest Christmas popup bar!
Highlight: Taking Kennedy to the zoo with Leo and telling her we were newly dating 🙂 + the Arch!
Highlight: Getting matching sweaters with KK and going to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame!
Highlight: Being put up to sing karaoke with Leo at the opening party (they had us sing Love Shack haha)
Highlight: I was super sick this week, but I managed to venture to the Rocky statue which was cool!
Highlight: We ate the most incredible Chinese food and BBQ here!
Highlight: It’s a tie… The architecture boat tour and the deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s!
PART 2: SOUTHEAST & WEST COAST WITH LEO
Highlight: My family and friends got to come see the show since it was so close to Little Rock!
Highlight: Long walks on the beach with ice cream cones!
Highlight: Sunset dinner on the Bay (shoutout to American Social!)
Highlight: Boat day cruise down to Miami with lots of the cast, it was SO fun!
Highlight: Taking Leo to Disney World for the first time… We did all 4 parks in one day and it was magic!
Highlight: Pat O’Briens Hurricanes + Cafe Du Monde beignets <3!
Highlight: So much hiking. I couldn’t believe how tall the cacti were!
Highlight: Beach time in Coronado and Jolla!
Highlight: Hiking to the Hollywood sign, it was epic!
Highlight: Spending the 4th of July in wine country with my British boyfriend lol!
Be sure to scroll back on my posts for lots more photos of the tour.
All I can truly say is thank you, Mrs. Doubtfire. My heart is so full. Cheers to the best year of my life, and to some big news about my next steps coming soon! <3
