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May 2, 2008:

THE RETURN OF THE BRAIN FROM PLANET X

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, it’s going to be another late night for the likes of me, since I have to write these here notes and then must write the other notes I have about last night’s first public preview of the return of The Brain From Planet X. Since I know that’s what you’re waiting to hear about, let me dive right in and give you the skinny or, at the very least, the fat. Last night, we played our first public preview of The Brain From Planet X at the Chance Theater in the Heim of Ana. We had a very small audience – if I’d been told in advance how small I could have gotten some more people there, but, you know, I wasn’t. However, our small audience was very vocal, so that was good. Prior to the show starting, I found out the sound guy hadn’t been in but was coming AFTER the show. What I heard coming out of the speakers was beyond weird, but I resigned myself to grin and bear it because he would be there later to discuss the sound issues. The show began and right away the audience was with it and laughing in all the right places. The drums and reed might as well have stayed home, since they were barely audible for the entire show. Some song tempos were still off, and I’m not sure why this continues to be a problem, but I intend to find out. But boy did the first few scenes play like gangbusters. The rest of the show played well, but there were some obvious places where we need to tighten the pace, jack up the energy, and get some jokes that aren’t landing to land. The cast was right there and I think it was really helpful to hear the laughs – and also to hear a few places where there was silence instead of laughs. All the big numbers worked well, save for the fact that the mic levels during the songs are sometimes not hot enough. There were a few line fumfers and missed blocking, but overall it was quite a good show for the first time in front of a small audience. Aside from the sound issues, the technical aspect of the show worked wonderfully, and the projections are great, and the lighting works really well, and our assistant stage manager who is doing all the lighting cues is doing a great job. I know that everyone at the Chance will work hard to resolve the sound issues – they’re really good people.

And that is the report on the first public preview of the return of The Brain From Planet X. I know we’re supposed to have more people tonight – I was told around thirty to thirty-five – this time I’ve told them to call me if that looks like it’s going to be it, because I can make some calls and get some folks down there. I gather opening night is just about sold out, so that’s good. Other than that, I had a quiet day, slept and relaxed as much as I could, shipped some packages and did a few errands. My stomach finally feels like it’s getting back to normal, so that’s nice too. The only really terrible thing that happened yesterday had to do with our drive – somehow, from the time I got on the 134 (at 3:20) an accident happened between then and 3:25 that quickly backed up the 134 to Hollywood Way, and then it took thirty whopping minutes to go four miles to get past the 5, where the accident had taken place in the car pool lane. I just don’t understand how these stupid accidents happen, but the two cars involved were both facing in directions impossible for cars traveling east to be facing. Once past that we were okay until the 210 and then we just crawled the rest of the way to the 57, after which we were fine. I had a meltdown during the thirty minutes trying to go four miles because I am a well-known claustrophobe and I thought I was going to die sitting there and not moving for five to ten minutes at a time. I began to hyperventilate and the poor people in the car with me had to endure this madness until we finally passed the accident.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because it’s late, I’ve got the other kind of notes to write (mostly technical – very few actor notes), and then I must get my beauty rest.

Today, I must relax, then head down to the Chance as soon as they let me know what time the sound guy will be there – we have to fix the problems today. I do not want to play this show with the same sound I heard last night – not fair to the cast, the musicians, the show, the Chance, or me. So, I’ve told them I’ve made myself available whenever he gets there. I’m also supposed to have a brief meeting with one of the charity event people, but I’m keeping that loose at the moment, and she can always come to the theater, if need be. And then we have our second public preview.

Tomorrow, of course, is opening night. I have no plans for the day, shall go down to the Heim of Ana early and have a leisurely dinner, and then see the show.

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 beguine because today is the birthday of our beloved dear reader and punster, FJL. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our beloved dear reader and punster, FJL. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIGH HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR BELOVED DEAR READER AND PUNSTER FJL!!!

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sleep in, relax, ship a few packages, do an errand or three, and then drive out to the Heim of Ana to sup and then see our second and final public preview. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player. I’ll start – DVD, Une Chambre En Ville. CD, a bunch of Rogier van Otterloo CDs that I’m totally obsessed with. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, as we return to the return of The Brain From Planet X.

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