Well, dear readers, last night we had our final preview, and it was just about perfect all the way around. I really only wrote down about four notes and then I didn’t even give them. One scene in act one began with low energy but the actress knew it so that won’t happen again. All of the costume changes were really fast and the pace was terrific. There were nice laughs, people seemed to be touched, and two back-to-back numbers in act two brought the house down. The cast was really on their game, and are finally no longer worrying or struggling with lines – they’re in there listening to each other and reacting all the time and it just makes the show a lot of fun to watch. One of the things I’m proudest of at this point is there hasn’t been one second in either preview where anyone in the audience coughed, fidgeted or got antsy. I’m sure there are things in this production that may bother the authors a bit, but I have done the production I wanted to do and have tried to explain all along that directors must be allowed their freedom to interpret in different ways, to find new and interesting and different dynamics, new ways to pace and play scenes and that I’m extremely happy that this production is completely its own thing. We got lots of wonderful comments after the show, too, and that’s always very nice. No technical mishaps, either. I think as they play the show it will keep getting better and better. I’m basically done giving notes and will do so only if I see things getting sloppy or too much.
I got the photos from the show and thought I’d share a couple with you dear readers. Here’s our six ladies – left to right it’s Leslie Stevens (kneeling), Cynthia Ferrer, Adrienne Visnic, Stephanie Fredricks and Dana Meller – of course that’s Sandy Bainum in the chair.
Here’s the final image in the show.
After, a few of us went to the Coral Café, and once again I had the eggs benedict and hash browns and a tiny piece of cherry pie. Prior to that, I got about seven hours of sleep. I did some work on the computer, then went and had a teeny-tiny portion of chicken tenders, after which I picked up no mail. I came home, did more work on the computer, had a few telephonic calls and then it was time to be on my way to the theater.
Today, I shall hopefully arise after a good night’s beauty sleep. I will do nothing whatsoever but relax. Then I’ll attend our opening night. We’re having a little after-party for our indiegogo donors at the theater.
Tomorrow, I’ll attend our matinee and arrive early to work a bit with the understudy who’s going on. Monday we will finish the last of the casting on the Kritzerland show and I’ll get everyone their music so they have plenty of time to learn it. The rest of the week is busy with meetings and meals and a whole lot o’ catching up to do for all the things I’ve been neglecting while getting this show done, most especially prepping the new Kritzerland release.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, relax, attend an opening night, and attend the after-party. Today’s topic of discussion: When you were growing up what were your favorite soda pops? Did you collect bottle caps? What soda pops did you hate? And if you could bring back one now defunct soda pop, which would it be? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have had such a lovely preview. We’ve already gotten one five-star review on Goldstar – here it is:
Featured review from Dennis Trigubetz
Although the Friday show was a preview I can safely say director Bruce Kimmel has another hit. This Doug Haverty/Adryan Russ musical is witty, both in dialogue and song. Of the six amazingly talented cast members, Sandy Bainum and Leslie Stevens particularly stand out. I will be back for at least one more performance as there is so much to take in.