Well, dear readers, let me say it plainly and simply, not necessarily in that order – it’s show time. Tonight, I walk onstage and do my first performance of the play. I wish I could say that my three go-throughs at the theater last night were perfect, but each of them had minor hiccups, which mostly had to do with me head-tripping myself out about upcoming lines. The first time through was the best in terms of freshness, and the third time was mostly fine, too. It took a bit of getting used to doing it on the set and getting my timing right on the blocking, but, by the third time through all the blocking was smooth as can be. If I can just stop myself from fretting over upcoming lines, I’ll probably be okay. I looked at Matt at one point between runs and I said, “You know what I hate – I hate that when the lights come up, I can’t leave the stage if I feel like it.” Matt and I are finding some really nice things to play – it’s really the first time he’s been able to have some consistency so that he can set certain things and know that he’ll be given them at every performance. The videos worked, too, so that’s good. Other than that, yesterday was a strange day. The musical theater workshop (MTW) was a bore for me, as the pianist was just laying down songs today. We did set dates for the new musical – May 21, 22, and 23. Other than that, I tried to relax, ran my lines a few times, did some of the rewrites on the musical, and had an early supper with Miss Tammy Minoff prior to leaving for the theater. After the rehearsal, I came home and immediately sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled Capote. I was really looking forward to it, and I enjoyed it very much. It’s a good, sometimes very good, but never great motion picture. When the director’s being simple, all is well. But, like most of today’s directors, he can’t help but show off and do those clichéd slow motion things with exaggerated sound, and it all takes me right out of the movie. I thought Philip Seymour Hoffman did a splendidly splendid job as Truman Capote, but I didn’t love Catherine Keener as Nelle Harper Lee – I thought she was okay, but never more than that, but it’s not that well written a part, either. The rest of the cast is fine. I must say, for a new film, I wasn’t all that thrilled with the transfer – there’s nothing wrong with it, but there’s a bit of “noise” in the image and it’s just not as good as a lot of transfers of new movies are.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below, because it’s show time, and I’m going to be running my lines throughout the day, just to make certain I have them in my head. However, I’m not going near them after about four – then I just have to let my head rest and as Doris Day sang, Whatever Will Be, Will Be.
Have I mentioned that it’s show time? Today I intend to relax, do a spot of rewriting on the musical, meet up with Matt for one line-through, relax some more, and then be on my way to the theater for my first performance. I’ll get there early, so I can wander around the stage in my show shoes, which I forgot to bring last night. Now, all during the evening, if all you wonderful hainsies/kimlets can just send your strongest vibes and xylophones to the El Portal Forum Theatre, that would be lovelier than lovely. Don’t forget now.
I’m hoping we have decent-sized houses tonight and tomorrow night. I know I have a few people coming, including Mr. Jason Graae and Miss Susanne Blakeslee, who are coming this very evening.
I don’t have much planned for this weekend – she of the Evil Eye will be here tomorrow morning, so I’ll have to vacate the premises for a couple of hours instead of being able to sleep in, but then I’ll come back and just relax all the livelong day, up until show time.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a play, I must run lines, I must write, and I must eat an early light meal, as I cannot eat anywhere near show time. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, Return To Peyton Place. DVD, the new Planet Of The Apes box set. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and please don’t forget to send your most excellent vibes and xylophones at show time.