Well, dear readers, we have had our one and only dress/tech/preview – a small audience but good to finally have some bodies in seats. The good news – the show ran VERY smoothly and we’ve got each act down to fifty-three minutes, which is great. The cast did really well, and the technical end was great – I saw just about five little things, lighting-wise, that have to be fixed, which they will be today. I got tongue-tied a few times – when one talks this much it’s bound to happen. I need to have more fun in act one – act two I have fun – act one is a little academic now and I have to bring my personality to more of it, and I think that means I will probably do some off-the-cuff stuff with the audience. I’ve really enjoyed working with this cast – and the LACC gals have really come into their own and I’m very proud of them. So, tonight we open – hoping for a good-sized crowd – it’s a little nerve-wracking that they do most of their business day of show. So, send your excellent vibes and xylophones for a smooth, fun show with no flubs.
Prior to that, I’d gotten up much earlier than I wanted to, mostly, I think, because the notes weren’t up and I wanted to get them up. I awoke to quite a few People In The Picture orders, although not as many as I would have hoped for. Hopefully, they’ll keep coming in every day. I did the four-mile jog, the helper came and got invoices, I answered e-mails, and then I had to go to Teddy’s to get my do done. I had him leave the top part a little longer than he usually does, but he ended up giving me the best haircut I’ve had in years. I only hope it comes out as well when I do the do. After that, I got some make-up for the show – I wasn’t sure if I’d need it and/or want to do it, and after the run-through (I didn’t use any) I’m thinking I won’t, unless my skin gets irritated from having to now shave every day. I stopped at Pomodoro and had their Caesar salad, since I hadn’t eaten anything.
I got to LACC at four, re-recorded my pre-show announcement, saw some new light cues, and made one final change to the finale of act one – since we do the bows to Take It In Your Stride and they sing the last line of the song after the company bow, I decided to have the company sing the last line of the song when Alet does the number – they’re onstage doing staging, but had nothing to sing – it works much better with everyone singing the last line.
I stopped at Gelson’s and got two little snack things, came home, printed out more orders, answered e-mails, ate the little snack things, and that was that.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really must get a good night’s beauty sleep so I can awaken with a strong voice and energy.
Today, I shall hopefully arise after a good night’s beauty sleep. Then I’ll hopefully print out more orders, do the four-mile jog, eat something very light, do some banking, pay some bills, write some opening night notes, hopefully pick up some packages, and then be on my way to LACC for the opening night of Lost and Unsung. The opening performance is the only one for which we have a guest star, and I’m happy about that, actually. Mr. Richard M. Sherman will get to the theater a bit early, and we’ll bring him in and show him how his bit will work. One really interesting thing about doing this is that it’s basically Lost and Unsung Unplugged. There is some mild sound reinforcement from two hanging choir mics, but that’s it. We just get to hear these glorious voices unadorned and sans amplification. It requires the audience to actually listen, and these days it’s a bold move – these days they mic straight plays, these days they mic entire casts in sixty seat theaters and they so over amplify every show now and that’s what audiences are used to – sadly. But we’re hoping everyone goes along for the ride. I’m going to write a little something to be put into the program about that very thing. In any case, please send those excellent vibes and xylophones for a wonderful opening night, and to me personally to have a strong voice for the run.
Tomorrow, I’ll try to sleep late, and then I have to get to LACC at one to rehearse with the matinee gal – then we do the matinee, then I’ll have to shut up and then do the evening show. There will be no going out to eat with this show, thanks to the matinees on Thursday and Saturday. But on Saturday night, I think we’ll all head over to Genghis Cohen for a partay.
In case no one has noticed, today is the final day of November – unbelievable how fast this month flew by, like a gazelle having a cucumber peel. So, it is my fervent hope and prayer that December will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, get a good night’s beauty sleep, do the four-mile jog, eat something really light, write opening night notes, hopefully pick up some packages, do some banking, and then do our opening night performance. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask me or any dear reader any old question and we get to give any old answer. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland in preparation for our opening night of Lost and Unsung.