Well, dear readers, January is already hurtling by like a gazelle run amok or, at the very least, like an amok run gazelle. Yesterday, for example, was a day that hurtled by like a gazelle in thong bikini. All I know is, I got up in the morning and the next thing I knew it was time to go to rehearsal at five. I cannot remember really doing anything, but I know that I had to be doing things because if not, where in tarnation did the time go? So, I cannot really tell you what I did yesterday, but whatever it was there was plenty of it. We arrived at the El Portal at five to tape video segment number two. I’d chosen a spot in the lobby, but when I arrived I was greeted with very loud music issuing forth from the big theater. I mean, VERY loud music. So, the lobby was out. I found another space in the small theater’s lobby, but the music was even loud in there. It was even loud in our theater, and I cannot imagine what would happen if there was a musical going on in the big theater whilst we were doing our show in the small theater. Thankfully, by the time we got everything set up, they were through with their music. It turned out that they were filming a concert in there – Mr. Willie Nelson’s concert, to be exact, although there was no audience, so I may be wrong about WHAT exactly was being filmed. Anyway, we taped video segment number two – we did three takes of it, of which the final take seemed to be best. We have video segment three to shoot at five tonight – that’s a harder one – a lot of dialogue, and my actor, even after all this time, still doesn’t know it word-perfect or even almost word-perfect. In fact, I got very strong about it last night, because I can’t have him get 2/3s of the way through, screw up, and have to start all over again, although I’m quite certain that will happen at least a couple of times. Our rehearsal last night was better than the night before, but still far off the mark. Parts of act two actually went very well, but in act one the actors were dealing with more props – every time we add actual props and set pieces, it throws them for a loop. But, they’re getting used to the space and what is required in terms of energy, both vocally and physically. The end of act one played very well, though, and Matt Ashford’s endless three page monologue was close to terrific. I gave my usual strong “you’ve got to get these lines down” speech – we basically only have four more days before we’re up in previews. Of course, on the weekend my plan is to do three complete dress rehearsals on each day – thankfully, the play is short and we’ll be able to do it. I must say, I’m very happy with my stage management team – really professional and really on top of things. I’m less happy with the understudy for Matt – he’s now missed his first two understudy rehearsals. One more, and we’ll find a new understudy.
I then came home and sat on my couch like so much fish, and ate so much fish as well. I must say that after these rehearsals I am fairly all in. What I really like to do after rehearsal is go out to eat – but no one on our team seems to want to do it. That’s the easiest way for me to unwind. So, instead I come home and remain wound. I hate when that happens.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below – after all, when in Rome do as the Romans do.
Well, we’ve done as the Romans do and here we are. Actually, when in Rome I like to do as the Spaniards do. I only like to do what the Romans do when in Greece. When I’m in Greece, I like to do what the Lithuanians do. If anyone has a clew as to what the HELL I’m going on about, do drop me a line.
Today, I must go to the El Portal quite early, to go over the last of the set things. I shouldn’t be there all that long, but we’ve got to get certain things straight. Hopefully, by the end of the day, everything will be on the set, and everything that needs to work, will work, including the complex part of the set. Then I’ll be back to shoot the third video segment at five, and hopefully my actor will have it together – it’s a two-page speech with a lot of words, and it has to be acted very well and very specifically and in order for that to happen the words have to be known perfectly. Pray for Rosemary’s Baby. After that, we have a run-through right at seven, which will hopefully be over by nine so that we can stop and start through trouble spots.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do as the Romans do or, at the very least, do as the Polish do, I must pick up a package or three, I must write, if possible, I must eat (definitely possible), and I must rehearse. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite rouging it types of vacations? Where do you go, how do your rough it, and what’s the best roughing it experience you’ve ever had. I, for one, have never roughed it, so I’m interested to hear about others’ experiences. I don’t camp, I don’t go anywhere where there isn’t a bathroom nearby, I don’t do hiking or fishing or live on an island on whatever’s handy – but I know that some are very fond of such things. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and don’t forget, when in haineshisway.com do as the hainsies/kimlets do.