Well, dear readers, we had us part two of our first rehearsal, from 3:30 to 8:30, an hour later than we were supposed to go. This was mostly due to having to run stuff over and over again because of keys and arrangements and getting the talented kids on the right track, performance-wise. First, we had Sophie Petersen, who ran her two numbers – those went very quickly – then Sadie Reynolds, who was with us two years ago and who practically walked away with the show, so self-assured and poised was she. I think she was ten then and is twelve now. Or close to it. We ran her two numbers, one of which has some dialogue within it that’s tricky to time to the music, so we got that straightened out. Then we had some down time, and then it was one after another. We had two sisters, Zo and Emerson McNeely, and we ran their two duets. We worked quite a bit on both, mostly for energy and how to play each song. Then it was Erin Tardibuono and Talia Doyle – we ran their duet and had to straighten the chart out to match the ending we created when we recorded the song, we straightened out some notes, and that was that. Then we ran their solos, and they went well – had to correct some piano stuff for both but as soon as tracks are finally listened to, we’ll be fine. It’s been my experience over fourteen years that even though I tell our pianists they must listen to the tracks if we’re doing those arrangements, they never think they have to – but they do, Blanche, they do. I’ve been promised that will finally happen today. I don’t know what the reluctance is, really – it makes it so easy to get the song layout, tempo, and feel. Then it was Daniel Peters and young Zander Chin. We ran their duet, and it took some doing to find just the right key. It’s really fun. Then we ran their solos. Zander, who just joined the show last Friday, knew his stuff already and he’s singing a song of mine and after he did it and I gave him one tiny note, I told him no one has ever sung it better. The other solo is going to be lovely – a lot of the time it’s just getting the young folks to understand that they’re the boss of the song, the song isn’t the boss of them. They have to be in control. Once they get that, then we have the right energy. Finally, it was Elena Bertacchi and Benji Katzke. First we did their duet, another ME song, I gave a few suggestions then gave them a bit of staging for it. Elena had her solo down very well, and then we spent a huge amount of time on the big six-song medley. It’s all fine and dandy to map out a medley like that, but until I’ve heard it sung, I have no idea if we chose the right keys or if the transitions work the way I think they should. Benji is having a ball with it and we spent most of the time adjusting keys and fixing transitions. It’s going to be great and there’s a big surprise for an audience member with the medley. We wrapped at eight-thirty, and I was, in a word, exhausted.
Prior to that, I had a bit of a rough night with an upset tummy, so I only got five hours of sleep and was up at eight. I showered, answered as many e-mails as I could, and then she of the Evil Eye showed up. I did a few other things and then left at nine-thirty. I went to the nearby mall, which opens at ten. I looked around Macy’s for a while, went to the Apple store to check things out, hung out in the food court, and then at noon I came home, turned on the air conditioning, then moseyed on over to Barone’s to lunch with our very own Donald Feltham and Mara Bushansky, the person who was responsible for getting Richard Sherman to me. She worked with us at the label we do not mention and because of all that drama back then, we didn’t talk for many, many years. When Album Produced by came out, I got in touch with her and sent her the book. Then when we did the Richard Sherman celebration of life in June, I invited her and her hubby and son to the show and we all had fun at lunch, and I hope that mended fences are truly mended. I had a small salad and spaghetti and meatballs. All very good. I got back home by two-thirty, answered more e-mails, and then our pianist showed up and the rest you know.
After the rehearsals, there was no way to watch a movie, so I just watched some irritating YouTube videos, and that was that. Oh, and someone sent me a track that they’re desperately trying to identify. It sounds super familiar – a big band tune, I’m sure. The first six notes are the same as two other songs – Someone to Watch Ove Me and In a Sentimental Mood. Again, I know I’ve heard this tune so anyone with a clew can let me know on the discussion board or via the discussion board Private Message feature.
https://on.soundcloud.com/4qCJcSp3noGmvxJG7
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, I’ll check with the mail place and see what’s what, but mostly I have to rest my voice and relax, I’ll eat something fun, and then at some point I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow is our super long rehearsal – two o’clock to seven-thirty, but we shouldn’t have to do much arranging or key fixing on the second rehearsal. I’ll have to eat prior to the rehearsal, like noon o’clock. Friday is a ME day of rest and relaxation, Saturday is our stumble-through, and Sunday is sound check and show.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up when I’m up, do whatever needs doing, check with the mail place and see what’s what, I’ll eat, I’ll rest my voice, and then at some point I can watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have had a good but long part two of our first rehearsal.