Well, dear readers, we’ve had our one and only preview. It was a complete sellout, so much so that people were turned away, but given tickets to the Saturday matinee as a consolation. About fifty of the people came from a papering service I use a lot, and about ten or fifteen were students at LACC and the rest were just folks. And we could not have asked for a better audience – they were simply amazing and with the show from start to finish. They asked me to give a curtain speech so I can talk up the school, which I’m always happy to do. I had fun with it. Richard Sherman had asked if he could come to the preview even though he’s coming to opening night, so it was fun to have him there. A friend from my childhood was there and that was fun, too. There were a lot of older folks and I always say they can be some of the best laughers there are. You just never know how an audience will react, so I just sat down and hoped for the best.
The opening music got a nice chuckle (it’s the opening bars of the Dragnet theme) and the opening number got a terrific reaction. We then had a repeat of the same screwy light mishap so that was completely annoying. But the second song went well, and then the first sketch happened – it’s really short but got a great laugh. And the quick number that followed it, written by Wayne Moore, brought the house down. Aside from a couple of blackouts that happened too quickly, everything else went well. The big act one monologue was well received (it’s serious, but people love the subject matter), and I just gave the actress who’s doing it a couple of energy notes, especially at the very top, because she’s coming on after an incredible show stopping song and dance number. The act’s big comedy sketch got some good laughs, but because they’ve never gotten them before, they were stepping on the laughs too much and when you do that the audience just stops laughing so they can hear everything. I gave some notes on that, too. Richard’s song was beautifully received. And then the end of act one began. The song part was really fun, and then, when the audience realized we were actually going there, actually going to do a wrestling match, the joint went berserk. The laughs were huge – screaming laughs that went on and on, each new bit getting that same kind of screaming laughter that I so cherish. And they were reacting to the match itself, booing, cheering – it was absolutely amazing to watch and hear. It got a huge ovation at the end, kind of a perfect way to go to intermission.
Act two was also really good, with just a few fumfers and a sketch that fell flat because of energy problems – I gave a lot of notes on that and hopefully it’s finally going to click in with the actor who’s been having that problem. The long gay history sequence had some people wiping their eyes, so I guess they found it moving and affecting, so that was good. It got a really good reaction, and then the final song of the show went over great, despite some problems with the keyboard playing that was robbing it of its dynamics when it needed to be dramatic. When the band arrives tonight, we’ll run that to make sure it’s completely right. There were a couple of other tempo issues, but those are easy/breezy to fix. After the final song there was an instant standing ovation, something I was not expecting at all – I really don’t care for them because I feel they’re never earned, but this one really felt real to me.
I had so many wonderful comments afterwards from folks I didn’t know, mostly the older folks who were just bowled over by it. Several said it was the best thing they’d seen in years, which was so nice to hear. The band was very tight and good and I only wish Grant were now not going off and missing the first three shows, but his replacement is very good. Grant’s mom, wife, and daughter was there, and Sami’s mom took about 2,500 photos – here are three. The first is our opening number, This Is the City.
Next we have a shot from the number that follows it, The Helms Man.
And finally a shot from the show’s first sketch.
Prior to all that, I’d gotten ten hours of glorious sleep. Then I got up, got ready, and moseyed on over to the Oaks of Sherman to do a radio show promoting our show. That was lots of fun. After that, I picked up a couple of packages, and then had a turkey sandwich with no fries or onion rings. Then I came home, relaxed a bit, and then moseyed on over to LACC, where I did some work with our MD and that was that.
Today, I get to do nothing other than a little banking in the morning. Then I’m going to LACC around six-thirty to make sure the light cue has absolutely been fixed, then it will be our opening night. They’re having a little do afterwards, too, and I may just go out after that with some friends. I will, of course, have a full report and photographs.
Tomorrow, I have to be up early due to she of the Evil Eye, and then I’ll attend our matinee, sup, and then attend our evening show. We should have a decent crowd for the matinee since we’re giving away free tickets to that show. The evening show is a little light, although we’re hoping word of mouth will spread. Tomorrow I see Camp Rock, the show Barry directed, but other than that it’s just relaxing, then on Monday I finish choosing the songs for the Kritzerland show and get all that stuff ready.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, bank, relax, maybe have a small something to eat, then I shall be on my way to LACC for our opening night. 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 – are you kidding? Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, so happy our preview went very well, and hoping all the little hiccups will be in absentia for our opening night.