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August 23, 2007:

THE FIRST DAY OF REHEARSALS

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, here I am, sitting on an aeroplane high in the sky flying to New York, New York (Newark, to be exact – then whisked by cab to New York, New York). I arrived at the airport at five in the morning, got through security pretty quickly, and then had a pleasantly pleasant wait in the President’s Club until it was time to board the plane. We did have to wait an extra ten minutes or so for a connecting flight that was a bit late – its twenty or so passengers then got on our plane and we were off. Okay, I must stop and tell you that there is an older gentleman seated next to me who either has the hiccups or is doing those inward belches I so loathe – and he’s either hiccupping or inwardly belching every twenty seconds, and he rocks back and forth when he does it and it’s quite annoying. If it’s the hiccups, I suppose I could try to scare him by making a loud, surprising noise, but then they don’t appreciate that sort of thing on aeroplanes anymore. I do believe this chap is going to keep doing it for the duration of the flight. Perhaps it is his “thing.” Actually, whatever it is he’s doing (I think it’s the hiccups), he’s now making an accompanying noise. I must try to ignore it, but it’s difficult because every time he does it he shakes the seat, which in turn shakes my seat. Otherwise, things are peaceful and calm and I already nodded off once just prior to takeoff. It’s lovely getting a head start on Ye Olde Notes, because tonight is going to be busy – first with the casting session and then with a late supper at Joe Allen. I forgot to mention, that we were served breakfast already – cheese omelet (which was so small it must have been made with a half-an-egg), a tiny piece of ham, and some cubed potatoes. I actually ate some of the cubed potatoes despite them tasting like, well, I don’t know what they tasted like but they made me want to vomit on the ground. THIS MAN IS STILL HICCUPING OR INWARDLY BELCHING AND I AM ABOUT TO THROTTLE HIM. My goodness, I went to the caps-lock place, didn’t I? If you were sitting here next to this guy, you would, too. Perhaps I should recommend to him my mother’s recipe for getting rid of the hiccups – put a knife in a glass of water, and then drink the water (hopefully without swallowing the knife). It always works, I must say, although I, myself, have not had the hiccups in a decade. The thing of it is, though, is that this guy has embraced his hiccups and is basking in his hiccups rather than trying to do something about them, like holding his breath for three minutes. Wait, I’ve got an idea. Perhaps I’ll PRETEND to have the hiccups and when he sees and hears just how annoying that is perhaps that will shock him out of his own hiccups. What a fine plan, but my concern is that if I fake the hiccups that I’ll really get them and then we’ll have two old Jews hiccupping.

I think I’ll do a little work now, and then try to nod off for a little while. Certainly I won’t be watching Shrek III on the tiny little TV thing hanging down from the ceiling.

And here I am in digs number one. I must say, I’m taken aback at what people charge for this type of place. It’s a studio apartment, but not what I’d call spiffy in any sense of the word. The kitchen’s fine, then there’s a little area with a mattress on a board, then the bigger area with a piano and a little desk thing, which is where I’m typing now. The bathroom is really tiny, but hopefully the shower will work well. I’m only here for three days, but the next place is supposedly completely refurbished with everything new, so we’ll see how that goes. This place is a fourth-floor walk up, and the two times I’ve walked up thus far feel like I’m doing a production of Barefoot In The Park. I’m not even really unpacking here – just the toiletries and three days’ worth of clothing. I’ll do the big unpack at the new jernt, which, I’m happy to say, has an elevator.

Well, why don’t we click on the Unseemly Button below because I have a rehearsal in the morning and I must get my beauty sleep. Oh, and the elderly man finally got rid of his hiccups, which allowed me to do a little snoozing.

The aeroplane landed about ten minutes late, but I was able to get off quickly and got a cab instantly, once outside. The traffic was actually pretty good, save for the last half-mile or so of the Lincoln Tunnel.

After settling in, I hied myself to the casting session. We saw some good folks, and happily it appears that our Rod and General Mills are now cast. We saw a wonderful Fred, but (yes, but), as usual there are seemingly insurmountable scheduling problems due to his “other regular job” which he has to do to support Ye Olde Wife and Kiddies. I know that this morning he is going to see if there’s any way we can both bend to make this work – it could go either way at this point, but I can’t jeopardize the show if he has to miss too many rehearsals (frankly, I’m not concerned about the blocking rehearals – that’s easy – I’m concerned about when we’re in daily run-throughs). So, after rehearsal today, should he not work out, we’ll be seeing yet more people. And we’re querying one other actor who we had on the back burner a couple of weeks ago – he wasn’t available until September 1st, but I think I’d just deal with it at this point. I’m hoping today will tell the tale and that the tale will have a happy ending.

After the session, I met up with Cason and BJ at Joe Allen. Just what up was doing with Cason and BJ remained a mystery. We had a lovelier than lovely repast, and BJ is thrilled to be in New York – his first time in the city. Whilst in the jernt, Jackie Mason came in, and then I saw my old pal Linda Hart, which was completely serendipitous since I’d been trying to get hold of her about doing the fundraiser. It looks like she might be able to, which would be great. Meantime, she’s in a NYMF show that just happens to be in our theater. So, if she can do the fundraiser, that means two people doing other NYMF shows at the Acorn will also be in the fundraiser. After dinner, we showed BJ Broadway, then walked back up to Tenth and I climbed four flights of stairs and then sat on my chair like so much fish.

Today, of course, we have our first rehearsal, which is basically a music-only rehearsal. I’m looking forward to seeing our merry troupe of players. As I said, depending on what happens in the morning hours, I might possibly be going to yet another casting session directly after rehearsal. I’ve no plans for tomorrow night, so may try to get together with some folks.

Now wait just a darned minute – let’s all put on our pointy party hats and our colored tights and pantaloons, let’s all break out the cheese slices and the ham chunks, let’s all dance the Hora or the Carioca, because today is the birthday of our beloved TCB. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our very own beloved TCB. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRHTDAY CHEER TO OUR VERY OWN BELOVED TCB!!!

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, rehearse, wait for what hopefully will be positive news, rehearse, and then perhaps go to a casting session. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite pet/animal stories – those things unique and wonderful and funny – whether at home or at a zoo or on the street? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, as we prepare for our first day of rehearsals.

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