Well, dear readers, the third day of our little workshop was the trial by fire for all the LACC kids. None really had a huge amount of time to prepare and I knew that going in. At the beginning I let them know that no one was going to be judging them and to feel that they were in a safe environment, which they were. It was a great afternoon and a real eye-opener for some of them, which was what I wanted. This batch of kids has such heart you just want them to succeed. And each and every one of them got up and tried, which was all I cared about. Lloyd Cooper was great with them. A lot of these kids didn’t realize what it would be like singing with an accompanist – they sang along with a CD or whatever to learn their songs and it’s a very different thing when it’s just you and a piano accompaniment you’ve never heard before. As each person finished their song, I got up and chatted with them and with a few I gave some notes and pointers and had them do certain sections again. Everyone was very nervous, as expected, but that didn’t matter to me – what mattered was the trying. Only a couple really had worrisome pitch issues, but frankly I think with work they could overcome it, and I’m putting both of them in the show for sure, because it’s a school and they’ll have a great time. I’ve done the same thing in all the shows I’ve done there – it’s one of my biggest joys, to watch someone who may not be to the manner born step up to the plate and DO it. One of our girls had a lot of trouble hearing her pitches and was doing a song she’d just learned, which was a difficult song and the wrong choice. She was very upset and teary after, but I told her I was very proud of her getting up to do it – she was the most nervous of them all. I told her to pick a song she knew like the back of her hand and to try it at the final session. I also told her that I don’t give up on people who try and give it their all and I know she felt better after that. So many of the kids came up to me after and said how much they were loving these sessions. I also had Sami Staitman there, and she did my song Annie – I wanted them to see what someone who’s wanted to do this since she was four and who’s devoted every waking hour to performing did when they had confidence and assurance. They loved it and love that she’ll be in the show. But I also told them about how difficult Pure Imagination had been for her because I took her out of her comfort zone, and that’s what I was doing with all these kids and it’s really good for them. So, our final session today will be more singing, with me giving notes and pointers, a real work session. And then I’ll begin casting the show. We really don’t have an Abner (I was hoping we did, but you really need an assured and classic baritone – too many songs and it has to be great), so I’m on the hunt, but I do think we have mostly everyone else.
Prior to that, I futzed and finessed and wrote about a page, then went and had a ham and Swiss on rye and a small thing of fries. Then I came back home, wrote another couple of pages, then got ready to leave.
After the workshop, Lloyd, Sami and her mom and I went to House of Pies. Lloyd and I had a slice of peanut butter pie, Sami had a lemon meringue and her mom had cheesecake. Then I came home (way too much traffic) and had a one-hour work session with Kyra Da Costa for And the World Goes Round, with our musical director, Joshua Eli Kranz. Kyra is amazing and she’s going to record beautifully. Joshua is very collaborative and we’re starting to find our way with tempos and subtle ways to make this new recording our own. After that, I finally got to sit down and write. I ended up writing a bit over seven pages, so that was very good. I also had a telephonic message from Muse Margaret, who hadn’t been able to call until after I’d already left. She said she was really happy with the new pages and wanted to be specific about them, so we’ll talk this morning – I can’t wait. Meanwhile, on I go. I also finished the Kritzerland commentary.
Today, I shall be up by nine or so, I shall futz and finesse, write a new page or two or three, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, one in particular that I can’t wait to share with you, then we’ll have our final workshop session, then Lloyd and I will grab a bite to eat.
Tomorrow and Sunday are strictly writing days and I have a page goal for each – don’t know if I’ll make it or not, but I’ll try – ten pages each day. I think if I am in the mode and don’t get distracted, I might just be able to do it. Monday is our first Kritzerland rehearsal, and we have one on Wednesday, too. There is a band rehearsal on Thursday morning that I’ll try to attend, then we have our stumble-through. Friday is our sitzprobe and I go directly from that to the theater to put in our new cast member and to make sure the transition to the new theater works in terms of staging and energy. Then we record And the World Goes Round on Saturday and Sunday. Pure Imagination reopens that Saturday night and I really wish I could be there, but we won’t probably wrap till after seven. If we do get out right at seven or even seven-thirty, I might just hop on the freeway and even if I’m late at least see some of it. What a week, and, of course, I have to write every day – will not let one day go by without at least three or four pages.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, write, hopefully pick up some packages, do the final day of the workshop, eat, and write. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/Blu and Ray player? I won’t start because I haven’t had one minute to listen or watch anything and won’t for a few days. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which I shall get up, get going and have the workshop kids have more trial by fire.