Well, dear readers, this first full week of rehearsals has flown by, like a gazelle dancing in a Maidenform bra. And now it is quite late, as I saw an actual Broadway musical this evening, and I also had an actual post-theater light repast. Can you have a light repast in the represent? Where was I? Oh, yes, fast notes. Notes in short order. Notes on the half shell. Notes to be devoured with an oyster fork. I ask you, where else on all the Internet can you find a mention of an oyster fork? Nowhere, that’s where. Speaking of an oyster fork, we had a good rehearsal, and accomplished quite a bit. All the musical numbers are now blocked except for one duet and the stuff we have to put Fred into. And, after today’s rehearsal, all the scenes will be blocked, too, so then it’s just a question of getting our Fred acclimated to everything and then Alet stepping back into the show. She has a few new things to learn, but Miss Adriana Patti will be returning to LA with all the new blocking and moves, and they’ll be rehearsing all of it prior to Alet’s arrival. I’ll say again, this cast is making my job very easy – I really don’t have to say much of anything to anyone. I just occasionally suggest and/or edit. We blocked the humungous end of act two, which is a long scene that then leads into our finale, character playoffs, and finale ultimo. Again, we were recreating the LA blocking, and it just gets a bit frustrating at times, as Miss Patti is not used to doing this sort of thing and it gets a bit confusing. Still, when all was said and done, it had taken only an hour to re-block, and then we ran it and it worked like a charm. There were a few new things in the scene, so those had to be staged, too. I’m very much looking forward to the arrival of our Fred, Rob Evan, come Monday. Both Monday and Tuesday’s rehearsals are basically putting him into the show and teaching him the musical numbers – he’s had the script and CD for a week now, so I’m sure he’ll be familiar with the material. Our ensemble continues to delight me – they are just such pros, and each has a distinct look and personality, and they all get to play various roles in the show.
Yesterday, we lunched at a restaurant called Hooter’s. I’d never been to a Hooter’s before, and I was happy to see I was allowed to enter the restaurant despite my distinct lack of said hooters. Well, the food was marvelously marvelous, and their wings (for which they are known) were the best I’ve ever had anywhere. I shall now have to become a regular at Hooter’s.
After rehearsal, I came home, answered e-mails and telephonic calls, and then I toddled off to see an actual Broadway musical comedy.
Last night I saw an actual Broadway musical comedy entitled Xanadu, based on an actual film entitled Xanadu. Now, I saw Xanadu, the actual film, on its initial release, and several subsequent viewings have only confirmed that it was one of the all-time worst films I’ve ever seen. And now we have a new Broadway musical based on the awful film – a musical that spends most of its time making fun of the film and everything else. I will freely admit that camp humor of this sort is not really my thing, but Xanadu has some funny stuff in it, and the audience was very responsive. At ninety minutes it’s still a bit long, but it’s a surprisingly sweet show and I wish there were a bit more of that than the onslaught of winking jokes one gets every two seconds. I was surprised to not think less of it, but it’s very good-natured and where it really shines is in its cast. Simply put, everyone is terrific, with one notable exception, and that notable exception is Miss Kerry Butler who, with this show, owns the stage of the Helen Hayes Theatre and owns this show. In a word, she’s charming, lovable, funny, sweet (well, that’s four words and I’ve only just begun), she sings beautifully, and her energy and timing and they way she inhabits her character is infectious and wonderful. Whatever one thinks of the show, she carries it on her beautiful shoulders like a champ. I also thought Cheyenne Jackson was great – very funny, and very endearing. Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman were very big and, at times, very funny. And Tony Roberts is such a pro and really fun – I’d read criticism of his role, but I thought it worked very well. I was a bit surprised to see a smaller band and cast than The Brain, and I didn’t love the orchestrations. I also didn’t love the set, which was ordinary in just about every way, and what this mania with onstage seating is, I have no idea, but I wish it would be banished forever to the bad idea pile. The only other real criticism was with the sound. It actually started off at a normal level, which was heartening. By the end of the show, however, I’d say it was at least five decibels louder and it gave me a big ol’ headache.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must wrap up these here notes on the half shell and serve them with an oyster fork.
Today, we have a short rehearsal, basically going over music and I’ll be finishing the long act one scene we did half of the other day. I’ll then pay a visit to Academy, the used CD store, and then a few of us will be dining at the Thai restaurant we loved when we saw Slammer. Tomorrow, Miss Patti flies home with all the new Alet blocking in hand (Alet also got a video of the new tap routine), and I have Sunday all to myself – I think I might be seeing dear reader Rodzinski at some point.
I also have to do some work over this weekend, and, if you missed the posts yesterday, we’re taking pre preorders on my new book, with the first twenty-five people to order receiving a special something with their signed hardcover. I think we’ve had about twelve orders, maybe a few more, so if you want a special something with your signed hardcover, order now or forever hold your piece or your peace or your peas. The “official” preorders will start next week sometime, and an e-blast is going out tomorrow. Even if you miss the special something, do order the book anyway – it will be ever so much fun if everyone has a copy. To pre preorder simply send a paypal payment of $24 (cheaper than anywhere else) and $5 for Priority shipping (total $29) to kritzerland@adelphia.net and a copy will be reserved for you. We’ll be shipping in about three to four weeks.
Am I the only one who’s noticed that August is no more and September has arrived? That means that in twenty days The Brain From Planet X will be opening. Here’s hoping for a wonderful, healthy, wealthy and productive September, with excellent vibes and xylophones for all who need them.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, rehearse, visit a used CD store, dine on Thai food, and do some other work. Today’s topic of discussion: For those who are fonder of camp than I, what are your favorite camp classics and why do you consider them camp and why do you like them? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, as I bring these notes on the half shell to a close.