Well, dear readers, we had us our second preview and I have to say it was pretty good, in fact, it was VERY good, and, at times, it was even better than VERY good. A little slow at the top, but by the time we hit scene two in act one, everyone found their footing and we sailed from there. The laughs were huge, and I think that really energized the cast. I took very few notes and what notes I took are all nitpicks about vocal energy and speed. But boy was it fun to watch the actors really step up to the plate and be sharp. And I have to believe they felt the difference. And the hope is, of course, to now build on that foundation over the course of the run. I was very heartened and very pleased, and I don’t care who knows it. We had half a house, which is good for the previews. So, now it’s on to opening night. Oh, and I’ve pretty much resigned myself that with the two intermissions we’re going to come in at 2:30 – there’s really no way around it because the play is the play – even when we pick up the pace of act one scene one, we won’t lose more than a couple of minutes – same with the infrequent slow spot in acts two and three.
Prior to that, I’d gotten just about eight hours of sleep, and once up I did the usual morning things – several e-mails to answer, and even several texts to answer. Shortly thereafter, I moseyed on over to Jerry’s Deli and had some matzoh ball soup, which they do just about better than anyone and it was just what the doctor ordered – and frankly, I’m a bit tired of the doctor copying me, but that’s another story for another day. I had some rye bread with the soup and that was good, too.
Then I went to the mail place and picked up several packages, including more screeners – The Lion King being one of them, and some Avengers thing I couldn’t care less about, although I’ll give it the old college try. I came home, and then spent the rest of the day relaxing, doing a little work on the Kritzerland show, and started planning our final releases of the year – there will be three of them – two show-related, one classical-yet-film related that I’m especially happy about doing. Then I got ready, after which I moseyed on over to the mail place again to pick up one additional package.
Then I arrived at the theater, heard the fixed act one sound cue, saw the fixed lighting (two bulbs had blown out before the first preview), and we ran the opening a couple of times and then Whiteside’s entrance, which we re-blocked a bit. And then we played the show.
After, I didn’t give notes or keep anyone – I spoke to a couple of people briefly, and then Barry and I had a long conversation about some interesting stuff he’ll be doing and not doing towards the end of our run. Then I came directly home directly.
Once home, since I’d only had the soup, I had a couple of English muffins with butter and cherry preserves – they were excellent and just the right evening snack for the likes of me.
Today, I can sleep until eleven. Then I have to write about twenty-two thank you notes to the cast, which will be intriguing since I only have eighteen note cards – I’ll have to get an additional ten or so somewhere during my travels. Once that’s done, Barry and Cindy gave me some turkey soup, so I’ll heat that up and have that, and then I’ll hopefully pick up some packages. Then I’ll relax until it’s time to mosey on over to the theater – I’ll probably get there around 6:45. And then we have our opening night, which is always followed by a little bash in the green room. It will be so nice not to sit with a pad and pen. It really will be so nice. I will, of course, have a full report for you.
Saturday, I have to be up early, as she of the Evil Eye will be here bright and early. So, I’ll eat something light and then hopefully pick up some packages. After that, I’ll relax, perhaps watch a screener, and then I’ll attend our evening show. Sunday, I will achieve a new number, age-wise, I’ll see our matinee, and then I do believe there will be some sort of birthday dinner. Monday, we have our first Kritzerland rehearsal, and I have meetings and meals to do, a second Kritzerland rehearsal, a put-in rehearsal for our alternate Banjo, and then our second weekend of performances coinciding with our stumble-through and Kritzerland show. And let me tell you, after that I am not doing anything else for the rest of the year, other than preparing to begin a new book on the first day of the New Year.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sleep until eleven, write thank you notes, eat, hopefully pick up packages and buy some additional note cards for some additional notes, relax, and then attend our opening night, followed by a little bash in the green room. 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 – CD, lots of interesting classical music by lots of interesting composers. DVD, a bunch of screeners. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have had a very good second preview.