"IT'S SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE"

Our final group hug :(

The end of our 24,000+ mile tour had brought us to Akron, OH for 3 shows. A cast party on Friday night after the show and 2 shows on Saturday with an early flight home on Sunday. Gail was flying in on Friday to see the show but got held up in bad weather. Little did I know, she was living a scene from "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" to get to Ohio. Thank goodness she made it, just as we started the cast party! Boy we were excited to see her! Quentin flew from the table like Superman when he saw her.

We all had a great time just taking pictures and not thinking much about goodbye just yet, we still had 2 more shows on Saturday. Gails friend Gretchen who had come to the show in Toledo came to the afternoon show. More friends, Brenda and Larry came to the to the evening show. It was so nice to have friends with us for this final weekend. Their support, love and warmth was exactly what we needed at that time.

I admit I got pretty choked up during both shows. I tried so hard to carve the memory of my little man singing, dancing and perfoming into my brain. It has been an amazing trip, but thats for later. After each show we took pictures in the Green Room, Backstage, Hallway, and anywhere else they let us. It got pretty emotional for all of us as we left for the hotel and took our final pics there. It's really over!

Quentin went right back to school on Monday less the 2 hour delay for snow. Go figure we get snow in Virgia Beach! Nonetheless we are HOME and it is wonderful to be home. It's been a week or so and Q is loving school and I have put our Duffel Bags in the attic :) I must admit though we will miss the ROAD (a little) we will miss the friends/road family (a lot). It was amazing watching everyone grow a little more everyday on stage and off stage. And ....Me offstage, in other ways (not funny though). The stories we all shared and places we have seen will stay with us forever. I must give a Shout Out to everyone who came to see what I thought was an amazing show; eventhough I am biased. Thank you road Mom's for being the awesome "RENTS" that you are. Quentin and I will always remember what great fun we had. "It's so hard to say goodbye", and so I won't. We hope to see you again, we will keep in touch, we'll "be back soon".

Love ya,

John & Q

Friends in Akron, OH

Thank You Larry and Brenda for comming to see the show
Thank You Gretchen for coming all the way from Toledo

A blog from Mom!

I felt the need to write a little something from my perspective. It has been a long separation and I am so happy my boys are home, however, at the same time, I am so sad that this adventure is over for my son.

My daughter and I stayed home while Quentin and John went on this 7 month excursion. Someone along the way asked if I was jealous because my boys were on this outing, traveling and seeing the country. There is no way in the world I could be jealous! My son received an education that is priceless. This opportunity is something that only few get to experience and at such a young age. He has grown so much as an actor and a young man. I am so grateful! Grateful that my husband was able to join him in this experience, grateful for the other parents, for their kindness and their encouragement, grateful for the cast for their discipline and for the director for taking this chance on Quentin and giving him this unbelievable opportunity. I am so proud of the show and of everyone involved. Jealous – no! I am overwhelmed with pride, love and amazement. Thank you to all our friends and family!

10 memories from Mom's perspective:

• 5 am - coffee and blogspot/facebook - where is my baby boy today??
• Holding my breath while reading reviews.·
• Finding a "Google Alert" in my email inbox.·
• My hug in Pembroke, NC. It had been over 4 weeks since I had last seen him and the way that hug felt will stay with me forever.
• My (heart) belongs to Oliver and Tiny Tim! I had 2 Dickens boys!
• Mikey's rendition in sign language of Mr.Bumble's "lovey, chubby, hubby" – so funny!
• "I miss you Mommy" the ending of many conversations. I missed you too, more than life! I hope you know that.
• Reina and I flying to Reno, NV. Her final words "Thank you so much Mommy for taking me with you. I had a great time!"
• Reina explaining to the passenger next to her on the plane home from Reno that she (this passenger) was sitting next to a STAR's sister. This was the first of many intro's of "My brother's a star!"
• Arguing about how many inches he grew…In total he grew 3 inches!!!