My LTYM Travel Season, By The Numbers

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and it also happened to be the last day of the 2015 LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER season. Each year I have driven to see some other shows, not only because I like hearing the stories live but also because I like to see how other cities do things (every city, while having to stick to certain national guidelines, creates a show that reflects their community), and it’s a way for me to support my fellow producers and meet up (on their own turf) with some of the teams I’ve coached as the LTYM National New Cities Mentor.

This year, Jim was slightly astonished when I told him that I intended for 2015 to be the year I’d break personal records. I’m exhausted, but I did it!

I thought it would be fun to summarize my LTYM travels in numbers. None of the following stats include my own Chicago show.

Number of shows I saw this year: 5, including the book launch/reading event
NYC, Detroit, Valparaiso (NWIndiana), St. Joseph (SWMichigan), Madison

Miles traveled by plane, round trip: 1622

Miles traveled by car, round trips: 1280

Readings enjoyed live: 54

Types of venues: 5
Bookstore (NYC), Rock concert hall (Detroit), Opera House (NWIndiana), High School Auditorium (SWMichigan), Former movie theater and vaudeville house (Madison)

I didn't get a picture of BookCourt in Brooklyn, to represent the book launch. Pretend it's there. Also, Memorial Opera House photo is by Tracey Becker.
I didn’t get a picture of BookCourt in Brooklyn, to represent the book launch. Pretend it’s there. Also, Memorial Opera House photo is by Tracey Becker.

Shows I saw that were produced by people I mentored in 2014: 1
Metro Detroit: The Angelas (Angela Amman and Angela Youngblood)

Shows I saw that were produced by people I mentored in 2015: 1
SWMichigan: Kim, Meagan, and Beth

Shows I saw that were produced by people who mentored ME in 2012: 1
Madison: Ann Imig
Note: was also mentored in 2012 by Deb Rox and Stephanie Precourt! Still am!

Fellow show-runners I got to hug: Lots
2 in Detroit, 1 in NWIndiana, 3 in SWMichigan, 3 in Madison, and so many in Brooklyn. There were so many show-runners at the book launch in NYC that I can’t count/mention names because I’m sure I’d leave someone out!

Top left--with Angela Amman and Angela Youngblood of Metro Detroit; Top right--with my Chicago co-producer Tracey Becker and NWIndiana's Lovelyn Palm; Bottom right--with SWMichigan's Meagan Francis, Beth Haire-Lewis, and Kim Jorgensen Gane; Bottom right--with Founder, National Director, and Madison Producer Ann Imig
Top left–with Angela Amman and Angela Youngblood of Metro Detroit; Top right–with my Chicago co-producer Tracey Becker and NWIndiana’s Lovelyn Palm; Bottom right–with SWMichigan’s Meagan Francis, Beth Haire-Lewis, and Kim Jorgensen Gane; Bottom right–with Founder, National Director, and Madison Producer Ann Imig

Cities I visited that are personally significant: 2
Detroit is Jim’s hometown; D lives and works in Madison

I love Detroit, not only because my husband was born there but also because the residents have a great "WE ARE COMING BACK" spirit.
I love Detroit, not only because my husband was born there but also because the residents have a great “WE ARE COMING BACK” spirit.
For me, Mother's Day also happened to be "Go See Where Your Kid Works Day".
For me, Mother’s Day also happened to be “Go See Where Your Kid Works Day”.

Opportunities I took to have non-LTYM fun in conjunction with my LTYM travels: 5
NYC–Extended visit with my sistuh-from-anuthuh-muthuh in Jersey; Detroit–met with The Angelas for breakfast; NWIndiana–post-show silliness with Official LTYM Chicago photographer Brandi of Balee Images; SWMichigan–finally visited Redamak’s and ate a Velveeta Cheeseburger; Madison–hung out with older son

The lesson Liz and I learned in Brooklyn: make sure you make a bathroom stop before going back to the subway.
The lesson Liz and I learned in Brooklyn: make sure you make a bathroom stop before going back to the subway.
Worst but most fun ussie ever, in front of a mural in NWIndiana
Worst but most fun ussie ever, in front of a mural in NWIndiana
I've wanted to try the Redamak's burger for years. Now I'm sad about all the time I wasted. SO GOOD.
I’ve wanted to try the Redamak’s burger for years. Now I’m sad about all the time I wasted. SO GOOD.

Nights spent in a hotel: 2
NYC and Detroit

Friends or family members who accompanied me to the shows: 10
Liz in NYC; Melissa in Detroit; Tracey, Erin, Pamela, Kathleen, and Brandi in NWIndiana; Jim in SWMichigan; Jim and D in Madison. Counted Jim twice because he’s FANTASTIC for going with me to two shows.

Times I did a near-perfect rap-along with Debbie Harry on “Rapture”: 2
In the car after the NWIndiana show

Number of additional shows I wish I could have seen this season: 33

Number of days until the first show of LTYM 2016: 347
Don’t mention this to Ann.

And that’s a wrap! Take a bow, everyone…well done!

LTYM 2015 bows

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