Well, dear readers, I am sitting here with a splitting headache, due to a lot of, for me, unnecessary drama last evening, none of it really to do with me, but irritating nonetheless. I don’t really need to go into it, but I was put in a very awkward position and had to be strong about my position, but there was really no other way to be. Since I’m crazy about the person who did it, it was even more difficult. Hopefully all will be well and I suppose I’ll know more this evening. I hope the right thing is done. There was also other unnecessary drama, again not involving me directly, but boy was I ready to blow my stack at one point – I kept calm as did the other person involved and hopefully we are now past that bit of unnecessary drama. I’ve taken two Advil and hopefully they will kick in soon. I don’t know if in likes being kicked by Advil, but that’s another story.
Otherwise, it was another day where I never stopped doing stuff – endless stuff I was doing, endlessly. I got up around ten, answered e-mails, then had to do some packaging fixes for some packaging. I then had to write three blurbs for our three new titles that we’re announcing shortly. Then I had to prep the three-title release. I took a break for lunch and had a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and no fries or onion rings. I simply had no time to go to the mail place. I came back, finished prepping, then dealt with some of the audio samples. All of that took practically all day – I just never stopped right up until it was time to leave for the theater.
The twenty-five minute drive took one hour. We began the evening by learning a revised opening number – originally we’d been doing a put-together of The Beautiful Land and Pure Imagination, but I was asked to try it with just Pure Imagination. To me, Pure Imagination is a song in search of a real ending – so a few days ago I came up with one I liked. I also switched up the arrangement and added a repeat of the bridge with a whole different feel. So, the first thing we did was teach it to everyone. Then Kay Cole put it on its feet and we simplified all the movement. I know it pleases the person who asked for it, and I thought it worked okay, so I’ve agreed that’s the one we’ll use. Beautiful Land bookending it gave it a certain playful fun, but Pure Imagination now at least has a strong ending and we go directly into a really up and fun number, so I’m fine. I had the orders for the two-act version, the one-act version, and an alternate one-act version, which contains a mid-show reprise of Pure Imagination – which only works in the one-act version. Again, it was something I was asked to do and so I decided that the run-through would be that version so I could decide right then and there if we were keeping it.
Given that we’ve had a week off, I was very surprised how smooth the run-through was. The new opening works fine and everyone kind of remembered it, which was good. There were a few missteps due to the new order, but it became very clear very quickly that the two numbers I moved to the first half of the show work beautifully there. In fact, the whole show played beautifully in terms of structure, and I didn’t mind the reprise of Pure Imagination. So, directly after we finished, I said that I was happy with this version and didn’t feel it was in the cast’s best interest to even try the others because we’re too close to opening and there would just be too much confusion. The entire cast did really well, and Sami really came into her own last night and I was very pleased and proud of her. Still a little work to do, but she was just on her game.
After the run-through, we had the two bits of unnecessary drama that gave me this splitting headache, but I’ve just had an e-mail and I think we’ll be fine regarding the awkward position I was put in, so that makes me feel a bit better.
We discussed a few things after the run-through, but it was just small stuff other than having a brief discussion about a change I was asked to try in one number and which I’d said no to. I explained why I felt so strongly about it and I think that finally made sense to everyone, at least I hope so as I’m not changing something that works perfectly. Then I came home – the freeway was fine and it only took twenty-five minutes.
Today, I shall get the rest of the audio samples to the web guy and then I have some errands and whatnot to do, some packages to pick up, some food to eat and then our final rehearsal before our final two previews and our opening night. We’ll spend the first hour of rehearsal fixing several light cues that don’t work as well as they should – we really just need to take that time. Then we’ll start our run-through at nine and be done by ten after ten, after which I’ll head straight home to have a meeting and meal. Any notes from anyone can be sent via e-mail or discussed on the telephonic device.
Tomorrow we announce three count them three titles, and tomorrow and Friday we have preview audiences and we’ll just keep honing as much as we can. Saturday is our official opening night and Sunday is matinee and my birthday.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do audio samples, do errands and whatnot, hopefully pick up some packages, eat, and have a run-through. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite Armenian sayings? I’m kidding – It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you 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, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which I shall arise and hopefully without a splitting headache.