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November 30, 2005:

BEDTIME FOR BONZO

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, just three more rehearsals and we do the show – all this work for one performance. One shot, and then it’s done. One shot, one gun shot, and bam – hey, Mr. BK, that’s what am. Yesterday was a very long day – in fact, it was twenty-four hours long. I’d only had five hours of sleep from the night before, but my adrenaline had kicked in and I was working on high energy. Later, I asked my adrenaline why it had kicked in, as in had done nothing to my adrenaline but buy it a Three Musketeers Bar. May I just stop right here and ask what the HELL I’m talking about? First thing in the morning, I met up with Mr. David Wechter and got the redone celebrity video master – it was much lovelier the second time around. I then did a few things around the home environment, then I went on my merry way to LACC. We finished setting appointments for Friday’s band rehearsal and Saturday’s sound check, and then I worked with alum Gary Stockale and Clente “Pancho” Bowers on their two numbers, which I think will be very good. Then we rehearsed with the faculty members for an hour. I am now fearful that the number will never get better – there’s just some blockage between brain and body, because they just keep forgetting the simplest things and we keep having to re-teach it to them every time. Since one of those things is the simple step that is repeated throughout the number, it’s all become worrisome. With only three more rehearsals for them, I’m afraid we’re going to get what we’re going to get. If they sing out and remember the lyrics, it will still be funny – but it’s so much funnier when they do the steps (which are all very simple) correctly – it’s just a hoot when they’re together and locked. We shall see. We then ran our three big numbers for the lighting and costume people, who seemed very pleased with them. Of course, one alum in the opening number came on and completely forgot which way to turn, where to stand – I mean, she’s been rehearsing this number for three weeks and has always done it correctly. I told her that that was going to be her only mistake and that it was good she got it out of her system. Otherwise, the number went really well, and the couple of replacement kids finally were sharp. Then we did the act one finale, and it was terrific – everyone doing exactly what they were supposed to. Two of the solo people weren’t there, and won’t be until Friday, but I kept their stuff very simple so they should be able to pick it up handily.

Then we had the band rehearsal. I’m afraid it was an ordeal, because the musical director, who works full-time, simply didn’t have time to do the bass and drum parts correctly and he wasn’t prepared enough. There were no bar numbers on the charts, which makes it really difficult when problems arise – everything grinds to a halt while they try to figure out where they are in the music. I know my boys were getting very frustrated – they’re used to being handed charts with bar numbers, and just whizzing through things (they’re great players). But, we got through it, slowly but surely, and they’re good enough that they’ll get us through. We have a three or four hour full band and cast rehearsal Friday night, and that will help things. I’ve asked my musical director to really try and write bar numbers between now and then, but I just don’t think he has the time. These shows are a lot of work, especially when someone has a full-time job (he works with kids all around the LA area – teaching music). After the rehearsal, I went over to the House of Pies to meet with Miss Tammy Minoff and our special effects gal. We discussed the effect she’s creating, and her solution was so obvious we just sat there and smacked our heads and said, “Of course, that’s the only way to do it.” Only, we hadn’t thought of it. And then, weary and worn, I came home.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because it’s bedtime for Bonzo and Bonzo needs his beauty rest.

Today, I shall get up early, package up a couple of orders, and then go ship them. I then have some stuff to attend to, and then I shall mosey on over to LACC. We’ll be working with the teachers at five, then doing a stumble-through the show from start to finish, mostly using stand-ins for the celebs who won’t be with us until Friday and Saturday. Just for lighting and sets. And then tomorrow night, we start working lighting and set moves for real, again using mostly stand-ins, but the big numbers will have everyone in them – the first number, which starts with a “backstage” look, has a lot of intricate stuff in it, as the entire set (mostly curtains, and a couple of wall units) has to fly in during the first six lines of the song. That’s the biggest number, really, in terms of lighting and set moves – everything else is pretty easy. Prior to going to LACC, I’m hoping that the three or four packages I was expecting will have arrived. There are times I really detest my mail place, because they get busy, and just don’t get around to putting notices in the boxes about packages. I’m pretty certain there was a package there today, but they were too busy to check and just told me there wasn’t anything. But, I could plainly see they hadn’t put a lot of stuff away. Damn them, damn them all to hell.

I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t said “yes” to this San Francisco thing, even though I know I’ll have fun. I just don’t even get a day to rest after all this intensive work. I fly up on Sunday afternoon, Mr. Haines, if he shows, rehearses on Sunday evening, and then the show is on Monday evening, and then I fly home first thing on Tuesday morning. Then, I start rehearsals for the play that evening, so the first day I’ll have to relax will be the following Saturday – two days after my birthday. I do hope someone is throwing me a humungous surprise party. Don’t tell me, though.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, work, work, work (that is three works), I must do, do, do (a coprophiliacs favorite Gershwin song), and I must go, go, go (wearing my go-go boots). Today’s topic of discussion: I’m too weary to come up with anything, so let’s do an old reliable, and one that I know I’ll enjoy reading about – what are your favorite pasta dishes – tell all about them in loving detail (I MEAN it), and maybe even give a recipe or three. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we. Right now, it’s Bedtime for Bonzo and Bonzo’s goin’ to bed.

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