Well, dear readers, let there be light, and there was light. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, there was light. That is because we had a run-through last night with actual light cues, which provided actual light. We ran straight through with no stops, even though our stage manager had never called the show or run through the cues. So, there were mistakes, of course, but we got through it and I took extensive notes. I’d been there with the lighting guy for a few hours before we began, and he’d already made some adjustments for me, and after the run-through, I asked to do a cue-to-cue to make further adjustments throughout the show, which we did. I’m not completely happy with it yet, but he knows what I feel is slightly lacking and will try to get a few more instruments up to give the lighting just a bit more depth. And he’ll look through some gobos to see if those will help on the walls and floor. That stuff won’t happen until our day off, which is Monday, so everything should be ready by Tuesday for our second to last dress/tech. But overall, the show looks very good and I do really like most of the lighting and it shows the set off very well.
The projections were also up and running and I must say that was much easier than I thought it would be. When we did the cue-to-cue I called out timing for the stage manager, so she should be all ready and secure now in the flow. In the run-through, Sami was very strong, with only a couple of line fumfers – but the performance is just getting better and better and more self assured with every run. We began the rehearsal with her working with the few props she’s got to deal with – two life-sized standees on wheels for one number, a tricked up plastic frog for The Dissection of the Frog number, getting her tap shoes on and off quickly, and by the run she was pretty comfortable with all of it. I must say, when we did the workshop, I was very concerned about the frog number – we hadn’t had much time to actually work on the business and it involves audience participation and we hadn’t had time to figure any of that out, so the number just kind of sat there like so much fish. But I really focused it, went to town on how to really involve the audience member, and just added bit after bit after bit over the course of five rehearsals. We’ve already brought up our costume designer and set designer as guinea pigs and the song and the bits really worked well, and Sami is having a blast with it. Here she is with the frog and her scaaaaary lighting.
Our stage manager brought in some pizzas. I had three pieces of the loaded one but the were really small slices so it was really like eating a slice and a half of a normal-sized pie.
Prior to that, I’d gotten about six and a half hours of sleep, did some work on the computer, then had a lunch meeting at the Coral Café. I had a BLT wrap, which is very calorie friendly. Then I went to the theater and you know all that stuff.
Today, she of the Evil Eye will be here at nine. I’m not sure I’ll be able to jog in the morning, so I’ll just shower, go get something calorie-friendly to tide me over till dinner, and then we arrive at eleven, we’ll work through some stuff and run some light cues, then we do a full-out, non-stop tech rehearsal at noon or noon-thirty. I’ll give notes after, but then Sami and I have to hurry back to my house for the Kritzerland stumble-through. If the run-through has gone swimmingly, then we’ll have the evening off. If not, we’ll go back to the theater to work on whatever problems there were. I’m hoping we have the night off. I’ve been fighting feeling sick all week, although I fight being sick every week before a Kritzerland show, so it’s probably mostly in my head, but do send some excellent vibes and xylophones that my voice holds out and that I don’t get sick.
Tomorrow we’re back at the theater at noon, we’ll run trouble spots, then we’ll do another full-out non-stop tech rehearsal at around one. I’ll give notes, then we’ll head over to The Federal to do sound check and then the show. Monday’s off, and then it’s full steam ahead for previews and opening. I can’t believe we’re opening already.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have something light, rehearse, do a run-through, do a stumble-through and eat. Today’s topic of discussion: What do you think of today’s set designs and lighting – and all the projections in lieu of real sets? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy that there was light.