Well, dear readers, we had our first rehearsal and I’m happy to say it was really fun and a sweet beginning to our journey. Before our two cast members arrived, I worked with our musical director, Lloyd Cooper on a few things, most notably a really different arrangement of a classic, and then an idea I’d gotten whilst driving home from Genghis Cohen, for a comedy take on another song – Lloyd got it immediately and we kind of assembled it roughly and he’ll work all the details out, but I think it will end up being hilarious and a highlight of whichever act I end up putting it in. Then our two actors arrived and we ran their solos and duets. These are two people I don’t really know well, and I’d never heard either of them sing, but they’re just terrific and a pleasure to work with. As we ran things, Lloyd and I did arrangement work, so everything we ran has at least some sort of arrangement. I love working like this – I find it exhilarating. While they were running and learning their material I was already thinking how I might stage certain things. We worked from seven to about nine-thirty. After I left, I tried what I think will be my default route home, since the 405 is wretched at any time of day or night – I took Venice to Sepulveda, Sepulveda to Olympic, Olympic to Beverly Glen and then over the hill to the San Fernando Valley – much easier and much less annoying and about the same duration.
Prior to all that, I’d gotten up a six and announced our new title. Then I got back in bed for a while – didn’t sleep or anything, but just thought about stuff. Once up, I printed out a LOT of orders, then moseyed on over to Dr. Chew for the teeth cleaning. That was fairly fast, then I came back home and had to get persnickety with the film crew – yes, a week later and their back, because on house loves to let filming happen there so they can make their mortgage payment. That’s peachy for them but not so peachy for their neighbors. In any case, when I got home they’d taken up about six parking spaces across the street, where I like to park so leaves and bird do doesn’t get all over my car. In fact, there was a car parking as I arrived. I parked and immediately asked them if they were with the crew and they said yes. I told them they were not allowed to park there and they just kind of smirked and walked on. That was it for me. I called the production company office and read them the riot act. They have very specific places they can park and the block my house is on is not one of them – furthermore they pay thousands of dollars for a crew parking lot a block away, which is where these ASSES are supposed to park – heaven forbid they should have to walk a block. The person I was talking to heard me loud and clear. I also went out and began berating the security cop and he finally made those ASSES move their sorry vehicle. They weren’t smirking when they did. Then the location manager showed up – he recognized me from my acting days and knew The Faculty, and he apologized profusely and within minutes all the other cars were gone. So annoying.
Then I went and had a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich with no fries or onion rings. After that, I picked up a couple of packages, came home, printed out more orders, did some work on the computer, and then amazingly it was time to head over the hill before traffic got too bad. I took Laurel Canyon (then Crescent Heights) all the way down to Olympic – it was quite fast, and then Olympic was a breeze all the way to Westwood Blvd. Once there I stopped at the deli that used to be Junior’s and I had a little kishka and looked at some book catalogs and relaxed. That’s probably going to be my daily routine – I’ll save my meal for that side of the hill, and I’ll try different places every day. I can work whilst eating and by the time I’m finished it will be time for rehearsal.
Obviously, watching a motion picture won’t be happening unless it’s after rehearsal (doubtful) or before I leave (possible).
Today, I shall hopefully arise after a good night’s beauty sleep, then I’ll hopefully print out more orders (we’re not that far from selling out), I’ll definitely jog, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, and then I’ll eat something fun and then we have our second rehearsal, which involves the full cast and all the group numbers. It will definitely last at least three hours.
The rest of the week is more of the same – rehearsals, meetings, meals and a couple of shows to see.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a jog, hopefully pick up some packages, eat, and rehearse. Today’s topic of discussion: What is your favorite deli food – not toy delis, but real delis? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy that our first rehearsal was really fun and such a sweet beginning, to coin a Newley and Bricusse phrase.