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May 23, 2014:

TWO-A-DAY

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, we had our two-show day yesterday and a more entertaining way to spend those hours I cannot imagine.  We had about fifty people for the matinee, which filled the entire center section.  They were a very nice audience and the show got its laughs.  As is usually the case with second performances, there were a few weird things here and there, but mostly it was solid.  There was very little time between shows, so we brought in pizzas for everyone.

Then came the evening show, which, somehow, was even better than the opening night show.  We had almost a full house, which, considering two days ago we had five reservations, was pretty amazing.  Part of that is because the word of mouth from opening night has been incredible.  In any case, the show was sharp and tight as can be, the laughs were huge and often, the applause large (the opening number repeatedly gets one of the largest hands and I think it’s because they simply don’t know how to write or construct an opening number as brilliant as It’s a Typical Day), and we even got a few people standing at the end, something that almost never happens at LACC in my experience anyway.  One fun thing that’s happened at all the performances so far is that people hang out to watch and listen to the band do the play out music.  I knew several folks at the evening show, including our very own Mr. Nick Redman and his beautiful daughter Rebecca, just home from England, where she’s been studying drama.  Two of our regular youngster performers were there – Brennley Brown and her family and Hadley Miller and HER family.

The hot fudge of the day came when Rob Stevens, the critic here at Now Playing HHW, gave us a love letter review – and for those who might think we get an automatic love letter because we host Rob, think again.  Our deal is he writes whatever he wants whether it’s me or anyone else.  He gets no editorial supervision from me whatsoever.  But to get a rave from him is lovely, because he is NOT an easy mark.  Also, Mark Evanier, a real Abner expert, wrote a lovely piece on his blog – I posted the link in yesterday’s topic so check it out.  He’ll write a longer review, but what he’s already put up is just wonderful.  And we’ve gotten several long and beautiful Facebook posts from audience members.  As I sat in the theater last night, I just was so proud of this production and everyone’s work – the students have so embraced this now, and especially after hearing the reaction the show gets.  The sets and costumes are fantastic, as is the lighting.  The band is great fun.  And my pros bring such a wonderful energy to the proceedings.  I just really could not be happier.  And I REALLY want to move this production.

Prior to the matinee, I’d been up at six, fell back asleep at seven-thirty and slept until ten.  Then I answered e-mails and did stuff on the computer, then went and had a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich and no fries or onion rings.  Then I picked up a test copy of the Two Roads sheet music and it looks great, so we’re now printing up a few hundred copies.  Once I get Richard Sherman over here to sign, then we’ll make them available at Kritzerland.

After the evening show, a bunch of us went to House of Pies, where I tried their broasted chicken – two breasts and a piece of cornbread.  It was absolutely fantastic, but boy were the breasts huge and I ate both of them all up.  And the cornbread was quite good, too.

Today, I have a work session at noon, then I’ll eat something light but amusing, and then I will write the Kritzerland commentary and more questions for the Richard Sherman event.  Then I’ll attend our evening performance – it’s already at about sixty people, so because they get a huge walk-up business, we’ll probably be near sold out.

Tomorrow, we have our final two-show day.  The matinee is at two and I’m told we’re over half full for that one already, and the evening show is sold out.  The cast party is at some bowling alley – I probably won’t attend, as Sami and her mom have something planned for us.  Sunday will, I’m quite certain, be a day of some sadness at Abner being over so quickly, but that’s the only sad part – doing this show has made me indescribably happy.  Mostly Sunday will be a day of rest and if I haven’t quite finished with the commentary I will definitely finish it that day.  Then comes the Kritzerland rehearsal week and as if that wasn’t enough, we have the Richard Sherman event, too – that’s now sold out.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have a work session, eat, write, do some banking and then attend our evening performance, after which I’m sure some of us will go eat something.  Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/Blu and Ray player?  I’ll start – CD, who knows?  Blu and Ray, five new Twilight Time titles, all of which I’m looking forward to viewing.  Your turn.  Let’s have loads of lovely postings shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland after our wonderful two-a-day day.

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