This will probably mark the end of my posting for the evening. I am totally exhausted after the choreography rehearsal today, and we only did two of my numbers. The problem was that The Dead End Kids, sorry Fagin's Gang had completely forgotten all of the choreography they had previously learned for Be Back Soon. After several painful minutes that resembled an accident on the Santa Monica Freeway, the Gang was banished to the upstairs dance studio to relearn the steps. As their leader, I was banished, as well. To make matters worse, the three main children’s parts (Oliver, Dodger, and Charley Bates) are all double-cast. The reasoning for this is that, particularly during the winter months, children tend to be plagued with an assortment of ailments ranging from measles to influenza. Double casting those leading roles cuts down the need to cancel performances. In addition, this eliminates another common child actor disease -- temperamental attitude. Kids think twice about throwing a tantrum when there is another child with equal talent and rehearsal time observing from the front row. Of course, that means that every section of the dance has to be run twice, once with each set of principals.
After an hour of work, we were called back to work the number on stage, where the kids managed to fall apart all over again. After approximately another ten to fifteen times through that damn number, we were finally released for the day. I didn't notice much improvement between the first time and the last, but, at least, I am much more sure of my lyrics for that song.
The Bottom Line: I will be the first to admit that I am too old and too fat and too out of shape to do one dance number over and over for two hours straight, even with Orson Welles’ dance belt.
Having said that, I will sign off for the night without having discussed any more of my collections. I will say only that in addition to the dust bunnies, my only other collection would be any and all things regarding the Titanic. Wow, Jane, I envy you that original newspaper regarding the sinking of that great ship. Although, I have a great many newspaper dating back as far as 1900, that is the one paper that I have never been able to find or afford, except in reproductions. Maybe some day!