So... As for my Mary Poppins rehearsal today...
It was the first staging rehearsal that I've played for the show. And, actually, it was the first rehearsal that I've actually played for the show - the past two days, I've just sat back and taken notes. Well, let's just say that there truly is nothing more valuable than actual "hands-on" experience. And, for me today, that meant playing while through the score with a conductor, and actually playing/practicing the score a bit more.
I did OK. I could have, and should have done a lot better. Brad, the conductor, came in during the last part of rehearsal, and, of course, that just made me extremely self-conscious and nervous. But since we were going through "Jolly Holiday" - a.k.a. The One With The Big Dance Break - I was thankful to have some guidance with the tempos and feels. Alas, my eyes, fingers and mind just didn't seem to be coordinating today. -And, for some freakish reason, I couldn't play anything slow(!) today?!?!?!? In any case...
After I had left rehearsal, and finally managed to hail a cab to the airport, I called Brad, and we talked about today's rehearsal. Some of it good, some of it not so good - which did not surprise me. I didn't feel like a musician today, let alone a competent pianist. However, he did say that the Resident Director was very happy with me - so that helped me breath a bit easier. I do have my score with me down here in Charlotte, and I believe I shall be using bits and pieces of it over the next couple of days as my warm-up.
In summary... Whew!