Well, dear readers, our first Kritzerland rehearsal (sans two of our singers – they’re rehearsing on other days) was surprisingly smooth for a first rehearsal, and what a delightful show it’s going to be. There’s nothing quite like listening to happy holiday songs and this particular Kritzerland holiday show is very eclectic and therefore always surprising and fun. And what a cast we have. First to arrive was Lisa Livesay and we ran her three numbers – What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve, Sleigh Ride (Lloyd Cooper and I did a really fun arrangement of it), and a put-together of Happy Holiday and White Christmas. We just adore Lisa. Next up was Dan Callaway – shockingly, the last time he did a Kritzerland show was LAST December. His three numbers are great – first up was a put-together of two rock-and-roll Christmas classics, Jingle Bell Rock and Run, Run Rudolph. Then it was Count Your Blessings (one of my all-time favorite songs), and then Emma Degerstedt arrived and they did their duet, Be a Santa. Delightful. Emma then ran her two other songs – the first was Santa Baby, which we did a rather saucy arrangement of, and then a put-together of an Adryan Russ/Brad Ellis song called The Gift (which Guy Haines recorded) and I’ll Be Home For Christmas. She does them all beautifully. Then Bill Hayes came by to run his one song – The Christmas Song. What a wonderful, warm, genuine man he is. And his voice is in great shape as is he. He ran the song a couple of times and it’s just kind of magical. Then Jenna Rosen and her mom came and Jenna ran her number. When I decided that she’d be in the show, I knew almost instantly that I wanted her to do Turkey Lurkey Time. And I knew that I wanted her to do it solo and to also learn some of the original Michael Bennett choreography. I did a routine of the song with Lloyd and that’s what she learned and all I can say is it will stop the show cold. She sings it wonderfully – I’d built in two key changes but after hearing her do it, I removed them because she doesn’t need it nor does the song. Of course, we cut all the dance music and I made a vocal ending and her doing those crazy steps (not all, but all the iconic ones) is just incredibly fun. So, a very enjoyable first rehearsal. You’ll hear about the other songs as I tell you about those rehearsals.
Prior to that very enjoyable rehearsal I had a rather wacky day, most of which was enjoyable. I got up around nine-thirty, and was happy to see the number of views for the new Outside the Box episode was around 5,000 – by the end of the evening it was close to 6,500, which is very gratifying, I must say. The premiere episode is closing in on 9,000 views. We did a Face Time test with the East Coast Singer and that worked fine. Then I did some banking and had a turkey sandwich with no fries or onion rings. I did one bit of Cyber Monday shopping at hanes.com, buying all new underwear because everything I own has seen better days. Everything was already on sale and on top of that it was thirty-percent off, so great deals. Then it was time for me to do a little stage blocking from 3,000 miles away. Unfortunately, there is no wireless where they’re rehearsing so they used an iPhone and the shakiness of it was quite nauseating. I just did a few things, then I’ll work on the solo movement privately with the Singer and I’ll see everything put together on Friday.
Then I had a snack of two pieces of rye toast with jam – excellent. I do believe I did not eat over 1100 calories all day, which is what I need to do for a while. Obviously I had no time to watch any motion pictures. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get a good night’s beauty sleep.
Today, I shall hopefully complete casting – I added two more wonderful people, one for each of the two episodes: Calvin Remsberg and Clent Bowers. Just about six to go and we’ll be all set. We have one singer coming at noon today and then I’ll eat, hopefully pick up some packages and hopefully receive my new replacement debit card and renewed driver’s license. I think the little holiday last week caused a bit of a delay, frankly. After that, it will be some writing and some relaxing.
Tomorrow, I’m lunching with dear reader Jeanne, then more writing. We have three more Kritzerland releases for December, that will all come in one announcement, at least that’s what I’m thinking about – so I’m prepping a lot of packages right now. Thursday is our next rehearsal, and one singer comes on Friday, plus I have an early dinner on Friday. Then it’s our stumble-through on Saturday and sound check and show on Sunday.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, complete casting, rehearse, eat, hopefully pick up packages, replacement debit card, and driver’s license, and then relax. Today’s topic of discussion: If you could write a biography of any person in history, who would it be and why would you want to write about them? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland where I shall do the Turkey Lurkey.