Well, dear readers, we had our two-show two-understudy day yesterday and I must say we had two great shows. For the matinee, Adrienne Visnic’s understuday was on, as Adrienne was shooting a commercial. Because Adrienne is completely unique – in looks and voice – I was so worried it wouldn’t be anywhere near as good, although I knew our understudy for her was very talented. I needn’t have worried – she was a thorough pro and nailed every laugh and killed with her song. And she did everything an understudy should do – in other words, not change the role so much that it throws off all the other actors, but to keep the flavor and timing of things the same, but also bring a little of herself to the role. We were all VERY happy with her and she was very relieved. In fact, the matinee was one of the best shows we’ve done – great audience (more than half full), loud reactions to everything, and wonderfully paced. We had lots of fun folks there, several of whom I knew and who were very complementary about the staging of the show.
Between shows, several of us went to Dino’s Pizza for pizza. I had four pieces and it was, as always, superb. Then it was back to the theater to do our added performance, with our matinee understudy on again and our second understudy, doing Sandy’s role, on. She was very, very nervous – it’s really daunting getting thrown into a show without a full rehearsal, but she got through it fine. Again, we had a fantastic audience – lots of huge laughs, big applause and the cast really did a swell job again. In fact, a couple of things worked better than they’ve ever worked. Adrienne wrapped her shoot in time to come cheer her understudy on – I think it was really illuminating for her to sit out front and watch. She’s never seen the staging, the lighting or any of that stuff and she had a great time and I just so adore her, especially for being such a positive, warm and loving spirit and to embrace her understudy and send her such positive vibes and xylophones. She is a rare person.
Prior to the shows, I really didn’t have much time to do anything at all – I got about seven hours of sleep. Instead of going out after the evening show, I came right home and wrote an entire set of liner notes, which is why these here notes are going up a little late. I got the liner notes to our designer, so I should have something in for approval on Tuesday. We’ll announce the title on Wednesday, and it’s a goodie.
Today, I’ll be up by nine and then to our Sandy rehearsal at ten-thirty. Also, the piano guy is supposed to take the hammer and knuckles out of the piano but I haven’t heard from him – that kind of has to happen today or tomorrow at the latest, as it’s going to take four days to get all that replaced and then back into the piano. After the rehearsal, we’ll probably have some lunch, then I’ll come home and do ALS stuff, mostly contacting performers and locking down their song choices. I’ll also be finishing up casting and choosing songs for the April Kritzerland show – way behind on that, although some stuff is chosen already. Hopefully I’ll pick up some packages, and then I have a few other things to attend to.
The rest of the week are Sandy rehearsals, meetings and meals, announcing our new title, writing the Kritzerland commentary, finding the show order and then we have our final weekend of shows. Sunday, especially, is a crazy day – I have a book signing in the morning, then our matinee, then our closing show, then right to The Federal for Sandy’s sound check and show. Whew!
And before I go any further, may I just wish a very happy haineshisway.com birthday to my most beautiful and loving darling daughter – she is something special and I wish her a wonderful day and year.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have a rehearsal, eat, hopefully pick up packages, finish casting, choose songs, talk to the ALS performers and other things. Today’s topic of discussion: What shows have you seen where you saw understudies go on for the stars of the show? How did they do? Who was the best, and who didn’t quite do it for you? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy the two-show day is done and that it went so well.