Well, dear readers, we had our final invited dress rehearsal last night and the first time with folks in attendance, a small group of about thirty people whose average age was, well, about twenty years senior to me. But I actually love those audiences because they appreciate theater and really get into the stories. I arrived at four-thirty to record the pre-show announcement, which I’d written earlier in the day. Once that was done, I saw our projections, which really add a lot to the show – a few of them will be finessed, but they’re cool. Then we had our performance. Even though they were fairly quiet, they did laugh loudly at the pre-show announcement and several lines got nice laughs – but every one of them came up afterwards to tell me how much they liked the show and how it resonated with them. Technically it was fairly sloppy, but it’s starting to look better and I had very detailed technical notes. The cast is beginning to understand the mechanics of the show, the set changes are smoother, and so are the performances – I had to be strong with one of our actors, who I really like – he’s done very well this past week, but went backwards last night, and I have to get him back to where he was. Our leading man is terrific and really carries the show – he literally is off-stage twice for about a minute each time. The band is struggling right now, but Richard Allen knows the problems and is working to fix them. When they’re all together and playing well, it sounds great. Costumes look better and better. So, that’s the report.
Prior to that I got seven hours of sleep, unpacked stuff, did some grocery shopping, and answered lots of e-mails that needed answering. I did change of addresses at SAG and the DGA, but need to call the WGA – even though I’m not a member, my residuals for The Faculty are paid through them and I have to do the change of address there. I think that’s about all I need to do, really, and then I won’t have to put in a change of address at the post office. I had a bite to eat near the college – a fast-food Chinese place of no great renown, but it was edible at least.
After the show, I gave notes – actors first, then technical – then I had to put gas in the motor car, then I came home, to the new house – still getting used to not getting off the freeway where I used to (it’s two stops more to the west).
Today, I’ll hopefully sleep until ten, then I have a visit with Mr. Nick Redman, who’s coming to see the new house. After that, I’ll do a few errands and whatnot, pick up whatever mail has come in during the last few days, and ship out the remaining Red Shoes CDs. Then I’ll get something to eat, perhaps the House of Pies, and then we’re putting a bigger button on the act two opening number and tightening the curtain call by over a minute – it’s just going on too long and I may consolidate bows more than I’ve done. Then we play our one and only preview.
Tomorrow is, of course, our opening night. I have to do a Costco run to get some foodstuffs and a big cake or two and I have to write thirty thank you notes, so that’s two hours of the day. Then I’ll mosey on over to LACC around six after grabbing a bite to eat. Richard Sherman and his folks will get to the theater around seven-fifteen and we’ll take him right in and get him seated comfortably. So far we have about half-a-house, which will look fine – that fills the entire center section and some of the side sections. There are some fun folks coming. Saturday is our two-show day, and then Sunday I rest. We’re just about cast for Kritzerland so it’s just assigning songs now. Next week is all rest all the time and unpacking.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sleep, have a brief visit, do errands and whatnot, pick up mail, eat, and then attend our preview. Today’s topic of discussion: When was your very first romance? And are you still in touch with that person today? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, having survived our final invited dress rehearsal.