Well, dear readers, I am exhausted from our long two run-through day, but it was really good to do two. I arrived at two and worked with a couple of actors on things, then at three we began – or tried to begin – Miss Preen entered and the door handle came off in her hand. We knew what we were in for then, so I stopped, they attached it, and we began again. And again, it came off in her hand. So, we stopped, they quickly put another temporary knob on the door, and we began again, already fifteen minutes behind. The first run-through was a bit rough, line-wise, but we got through it – it’s running long and after we were through, rather than give notes I simply told everyone I loved them but that my job was now to get them to play the show I directed – meaning pace, pace, and more pace. It’s all about getting the lines out quickly, rather like a Howard Hawks movie. There are only a handful of places where I let them slow down. We have to pick up about six minutes in act two, about three in act one, and two in act three, then we’re in the ballpark of what I need this to run.
Then we took an hour break and Barry Pearl and I went to a nearby McDonald’s, as he had a craving for a Big Mac. Then we came back and got ready for the second run-through, about an hour later than we’d planned. Many of the costumes were worn and they’re going to work just fine, but there are several to come and they have to come by Tuesday, as we’re having people in to see the invited dress. Then we ran it again, and it was so much smoother, with lots of good moments. Still too slow, but better, so we’re on the right road, at least. We’re also ready to have some audience reaction. It’s really hard to play a comedy with nothing but silence greeting you. Before yesterday, the cast would sit and watch and laugh, which was always helpful, but now they have to be backstage for these final runs. I didn’t even take notes for the second run. I gave a few to several people, so I don’t have to type so much tonight and in the morning. Then I fixed the blocking of the curtain call, so that’s smoother now, and I added music to it so it’s perky.
I also am making slight changes to the sound cues that open each act – just not quite working properly, but the changes will make them work perfectly. The stage manager is calling the show well and gets better with each run. We had a photo shoot, and then I came home, two hours later than I wanted, but we had to do what we had to do. I’m hoping everyone really takes today and rests, clears their heads, and runs their lines.
Prior to all that, I got almost eight hours of sleep, really had no time to do much of anything, and then moseyed on over to the theater. The rest you know.
Today, I can sleep in and I WILL sleep in, and I don’t care who knows it. Once up, I’ll do the usual things, I’ll eat, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, I’ll do some banking, and mostly I’ll relax and perhaps even watch a screener or two.
Tomorrow, I won’t do much during the day, and then the cast will convene at six so I can run a couple of things, and then we do an eight o’clock invited dress rehearsal. Wednesday is the exact same schedule but is our first official preview, Thursday is our second and final preview, and then we open this thing on Friday night. And I pray it will be the production we all want it to be.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sleep in, do things, eat, hopefully pick up packages, bank, relax, and perhaps watch a screener or two. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite chips, both potato and otherwise? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have gotten in two runs on our two run-through day.