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June 17, 2009:

PHASE TWO

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, we had our second Nudie Musical performance and now that this staged reading is over I guess I can say what I felt about it without really caring who might be reading this here site. Simply put, I will never again do a staged reading of anything without being able to cast it exactly as I want. When I saw that I was going to have to settle for less in certain cases I should have pulled the plug. When I saw I wasn’t getting the caliber of people I wanted for the ensemble I should have pulled the plug. When I found out about the set we were going to have to work on I should have pulled the plug. And most importantly, when I found out that certain ensemble members had no real interest in the show (they were recommended by another cast member, and these few people had just come off a tour) and had no sense of commitment or a larger picture I should have pulled the plug, because frankly all those things combined made this not only a very stressful experience, but a very unpleasant one. Between having to remove every vestige of choreography, and having to completely rethink and restage everything, having exactly one run-through, having the same people show up late for every single rehearsal, and having not one minute to work with the actors on interpretation (other than giving as much guidance as I could in little ten-second conversations), as well as working with a musical director who could not do the job, whether locking in tempos, playing the score the way I wrote it, or coming in on cue, well, none of it served the show well, I learned almost nothing from seeing it because so much of it was so wrong-headed. So, while I don’t mind directing staged readings in LA, I will never again direct a staged reading of any show that I write. Our second show had its moments – some really big laughs – some from the film material, and some from the new material, but it was so sloppy and so lacking in energy from several people that even though the show is clocking in at a very brisk hour and fifty minutes, it seemed endless to me at times. I know that staging, rehearsal, and a top-notch cast and musical director will help a good many of those problems – yes, there are a few things that obviously need attention – they’re not major, but we’ll fix those up over the next few weeks. There were so many blown musical cues last night that I wanted to go brain the musical director. And the lack of energy and focus from certain cast members was really a shame, because the audience wanted to love every minute of it. The funny stuff is really funny, and there are several new things in the show that land perfectly. I did get a very nice complement from an Internet reviewer who said he thought I have a really wonderful way with hummable melodies, so that was very nice to hear. If we decide to go ahead and do a New York staged reading I will only do it if I get exactly the cast I need, and if I can stage the show exactly as I wish to and that includes a couple of choreographed sequences. I can say at this time that the only people who would be a certainty to keep playing their roles should they want to get themselves to New York for a reading are Niki Scalera (Rosie), Harrison White (Dick Davis), Russ Hobbie (George Brenner), and Lisaun Whittingham (Joy Full and ensemble).

I knew quite a few people in attendance – I saw Matt Ashford and his kids, but they may have left at intermission because the kids seemed ill at ease. Our very own Nick Redman was there with his daughter Rebecca. The author and composer of the very long musical was there, as were six people from the LA Festival of New Musicals. Also there was Grease’s very own Cha Cha, Annette Cardona. Occasional posters Amy and Mark were there, too. Cissy Wechter came late and her friend didn’t want to sit in the aisle, so they left. There were others, too, but I’m blanking on names right now.

There were positive aspects of the experience and now that I’ve vented I’ll dwell on those and just forget the negatives. It’s always grand fun when the laughs are huge and people are nailing the jokes, and it’s also great fun to watch a number like Let ‘Em Eat Cake, without any staging whatsoever, get laugh after laugh because Niki went to a perfect place in her attitude and delivery – I love when that happens – it’s just magical. And I did enjoy working with mostly everyone. And I’m quite certain that the few that I didn’t enjoy working with will not be crossing my path or Adam’s path ever again.

Prior to the show, I had a rather nice day. I was awakened at seven, did the long jog, did some errands and whatnot, and then got a whole slew of dealer orders, which included several packages to overseas, packaged and shipped. I had some pasta papa at Hugo’s, did a few more errands, and then actually managed to relax for a few moments before I toddled off to the theater. After the show, a bunch of us convened at the Eclectic CafĂ© – I had pasta Bolognese.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I am way overtired and I have a ten o’clock appointment with our very own Teddy, who will make me look kempt.

Today, I shall be kempt once again – my hair suddenly got really long and weird and I can’t stand it. After that, I have no real plans to do anything, other than have a very light meal, and watch motion pictures. I think the new Kritzerland release may go live at some point today, so then I’ll have to send out the eBlast, but other than minor things I’m not doing much of anything for the next few days. And let me tell you, I need the break.

After the next few days, the next order of business will be the new Kritzerland release, which is a never before released soundtrack by one of my favorite composers. That will be followed by two other soundtracks in quick succession, both two-fers. And in a couple of weeks, it will be back to work on the long musical, and also getting my new book prepped for the publisher.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, get a haircut, I must pick up a package or three, and I must relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you dear readers get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, as we begin to think about phase two of Nudie Musical – thank goodness phase one is over.

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