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August 7, 2007:

HUMID TIMES THREE

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, it is humid, humid, humid (that is three humids, which is three too many if you ask me). Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, it is three humids. I’m sitting in front of my laptop like so much fish, and it is humid times three. The AC unit is ineffectual, and I really don’t like having it on when I’m sleeping, but tonight it will be. So, today’s notes will be humid. Speaking of humid, yesterday was a very long day, but an interesting one. For example, I woke up. That was interesting. I then had to answer e-mails and make telephonic calls, and then it was time to toddle off to our first round of auditions. After the long walk to the rehearsal studio in the humid weather, I was grateful to enter the rehearsal room and have it be nice and glacial. Two hours later, glacial had turned to freezing and I actually had to put on my jacket. The auditions were fascinating. I must say, if could just cast a show with friends and never have auditions, I would be perfectly content. We saw some very good people for the ensemble, and we saw a few potential Rods (the beatnik character) who were not at all the type I’m looking for. We’ll be seeing quite a few more candidates on Wednesday. We saw a couple of people for Kevin Spirtas’ role, but I didn’t feel they nailed it. But, we did cast two of the six ensemble people, and we’re having a dance call to mix and match tomorrow. I’m hoping we see some Fred and Joyce’s tomorrow, too, because what I thought was a pretty sure thing with the actress I’ve been talking about, has suddenly turned very iffy. While I’d love to have her in the show, it’s taking way too long for a decision, so I’m still hoping we get a “yes,” but if it’s a no then we have to move quickly to other choices. Dear reader Jose is a very impressive accompanist. The only person I really knew was dear reader Jason, who sang very well. We did see one really terrific actor for a role we’ve had an offer out on. I finally talked to the actor we offered it to, and there are some issues that would have to be worked out with him, and I’d rather not deal with issues, frankly. While I know he’d be wonderful in the part, the fact is he’s not really a singer (although the character only has one part of one song) – but we did make the offer, so we have to play it out. I’ll be talking to him this afternoon – if the issues can’t be worked out, then I’m very comfortable using the actor we saw today, because he was really very good, acting and singing-wise.

After the casting session, Adam Cates, our choreographer, and I went and had a meeting. He’s a sweetheart, and has good energy and I know it’s going to be a good working relationship. We talked about all the numbers, I told him what of my musical staging had to stay as is, and where he had freedom to add and/or embellish, and he seemed totally cool with it. He asked about doing some 50s kind of dance things, and I had to give my spiel about the show being set in 1958 but that I never wanted to call attention to it by doing typical stuff from that era. I’ve said it to our set and costume people, and to everyone – no winking about the era. There’s been too much of that in shows. It’s why there’s not one 50s-style musical number in the show. He had some good ideas for other numbers, and I think the show will benefit from his involvement. He’s very respectful that I know exactly the style and tone of the show, staging-wise, and as long as everything is within that framework, it will all be fine.

After that, I toddled over to FJL and Skip’s place, where I met the lovely Milla and re-met the lovely and new dear reader Julie. I had to have two telephonic calls while there, which I hated to do but which was necessary. Skip made fantastic fried chicken and ribs, and unbelievably wonderful potato salad, which, I’m either proud or ashamed to say I had three big helpings of. The conversation was sparkling, the dogs were adorable and it was a wonderful evening all around. After that, I walked home in the hot and humid evening (about fourteen blocks) and by the time I arrived I was drenched in sweat. Drenched In Sweat – that’s the title of my next novel.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because frankly this entire section is much too humid.

Today, I have a meeting with our casting director to discuss possible actors, and deal with the actor we have the offer out to – to see if his issues can be overcome – I may have him talk to the actor because I’m a bit of a pushover. However, I want to say, that if he suddenly can do it, I know he’d be fantastic in it – he’s brilliantly funny (he stars in a movie I directed and wrote). I just want to be sure the commitment is known and that we know his voice can withstand rehearsals in terms of the singing, because it’s very high and I can’t change the key at this point.

After that meeting, I have a production meeting with most of our creative and production team, which I’m very much looking forward to, since I haven’t met a one of them. That will last two hours, and then I have to figure out what I’m doing for dinner – I do know I’ll be meeting up with Miss Merrill Grant later in the evening, but I’ll have supped by then, I should think.

Tomorrow is our final casting session – I do hope we’re able to find a Rod, and the we have some Fred and Joyce options. General Mills will be cast one way or the other today – at least that is my hope.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, meet, meet, deal with the humidity, then eat and eat. Today’s topic of discussion: I love fried foods – what are the best fried foods you’ve ever eaten and where did you eat them – fried chicken, fried clams, fried fish, fried anything. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and lots of excellent vibes and xylophones for the actress working out and for funding the fundraiser working out, whilst we try to survive the humid humidity times three.

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