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September 21, 2007:

AN OPEN BRAIN

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, I guess we’ve survived the completely wacky day and evening of the opening of The Brain From Planet X. It was fun to finally have the thing open, and I knew several folks in the audience, including Mr. Peter Filichia, dear readers Noel and Joy, Julie, Jose, and several others. FLJ stopped by with gifts, which was very sweet of him. In any case, I feel like I’ve been hit by a mack truck, so let me just cut to the chase and give you the lowdown. I got up very early and toddled over to the Acorn to begin our endless day of tech. We got all our stuff preset and our lighting folks began writing the rest of the heaven-knows-how-many light cues (somewhere around four hundred). The projector was up and working right away, so that was a big load off. In fact, I would say the first five hours were very productive and I was very calm, which surprised everyone. The biggest decision I had to make I made very swiftly – when I saw how far downstage the onstage band was going to be, I decided to put them where all the other shows have their band – in the upstage left offstage corner (with just the piano visible onstage). That helped us out in any number of ways. Miss Adriana Patti arrived in the morning to help us out and to take notes, and Mr. David Wechter, the co-author of the show arrived to lend support. The cast arrived at one, and it took close to an hour to get them into their mics – the danger of doing a show with a cast of fifteen. So, we were already behind. We got the cast used to the stage and their entrance and exit points and where they’d be doing quick changes, and we ran a few things. Then, around three-fifteen we finally began a run-through. I wish we hadn’t had to do it, but obviously, when one is miking and teching a show in six hours, one does what one has to. We had to fix light cues as we went, and occasionally we had to stop and fix things, so the run-through didn’t really end until six. By that time, the sound folks had gotten the band sound right, but I felt there were a lot of issues with the actor sound, i.e. low sound, too much gain on certain mics, and, most importantly, a lot of missed cues on the performers. I gave notes, many of which were about those issues. But, doing that run-through so close to show time did take its toll (as I’m sure it’s doing on all the NYMF shows save one), as people just didn’t have enough time to rest and gather themselves together before their half-hour. In the hour we had, all the light problems were addressed and as many as we could fix were fixed. And then the audience began arriving.

I’d guess we had about 130 people or so (I’m told that all the audiences this week in our theater have been that number). The show began pretty much on time. I sat in the back with the Wechter clan and Miss Patti. I had no idea what to expect and I just prayed we’d get through it without any real meltdowns. The show began, and the first three laughs landed beautifully, but I could tell instantly that the energy level was a bit low – people were really tired from the run-through and all the work in the afternoon. Still, somehow, miraculously, we managed to get through the show with no grave technical gaffes. Yes, there were some light cues that didn’t quite land, and actor sound is still jagged, and there were missed actor sound cues all over the place. Fortunately, it’s a small theater, and if a mic doesn’t get turned on, they can still hear the actors. Act one’s running time was about six minutes longer than it’s ever been and that’s mostly due to slow line pickups or scenes being dragged out, but that will get fixed as we go. Obviously, it’s difficult on actors when they’ve never played on the stage before and never had an audience before. Despite the occasional flub and energy problem, they did an amazing job and I do love this company dearly. I went back during intermission and gave an “energy boost” speech, and the second act played much faster and much better. The Brain Tap’s audience participation didn’t work quite as well as it usually does because one of our company members told Cason to choose his friend sitting in the first row. I wish I’d been told, because the guy was an actor, and that’s the worst thing for that sequence – we need someone who completely feels uncomfortable onstage and someone who preferably embarrasses easily. From now on, I tell Cason who to choose.

I’m guessing as we settle down, things that didn’t work their best will be back to working, but frankly I was so exhausted I really am not the best person to ask how it went. After the show, we had a little cast get-together at Angus McIndoe. We’d tried several other less-expensive jernts, but none were available, so we called Angus, with whom I have a long relationship, we told him what we had to spend, and he gave us the second floor all to ourselves and took care of the appetizers and drinks and kept us within our tight budget. I know the cast appreciated it, and it was really fun to wind down with good food, good drink, and nice people. I met two really sweet men from the Gay Men’s Chorus – they’d written me several months ago asking for permission to sing Bring Me An Earthman, which I granted and which I arranged for them to get the music. They really loved the show, so that was nice. Several people came up to me afterward and were very complimentary, but, you know, one can’t put much stock in that stuff.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because it’s really late and I’m really tired, and I really need my beauty sleep.

Today I shall sleep as late as I possibly can, and then I may join dear reader Jose for some mac and cheese. And then it’s performance two for The Brain – an important one, too, and we’ve sent the word out to everyone to try and fill the house as much as possible with friendly faces – it’s Yom Kippur, so it’s not that easy, but we have about a half-house now and I’m hoping we can match what we had last night. And then I will have three lovely days off before our next show. I may try to catch a NYMF show or two, but mostly I want to relax and smell the coffee or the roses or the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

I’ll arrive at the theater at seven to deal with some sound and light issues, then give a few notes at seven-thirty to the cast. I’m sure I’ll go somewhere to eat after the show, as I do love to do that.

Hold on there, Earthlings – 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 Hokey-Pokey because today is the birthday of our beloved dear reader Laura. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our beloved dear reader Laura. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR BELOVED DEAR READER LAURA!!!

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, relax, perhaps eat some mac and cheese, and then attend performance number two for The Brain. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? Obviously, I don’t have anything in any player, so, your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and do send another batch of excellent vibes and xylophones for tonight’s performance – it’s a crucial one.

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