Very interesting reading all the comments about ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
It was a LONG night last night. And we didn't even get started on it until 10:10! But I asked LP and Pippin if they wanted to work on it, or wait until Monday. All three of us decided to go for it, Marilyn the pianist said she would be happy to stay.
So we started. Well, folks, this show has been a great challenge to me, and has certainly used all my training and ALL of my imagination. I am not Mr Bob Fosse and my kids are NOT dancers....4-H kids, college MUSIC majors, high schoolers who think FOOTLOOSE is the BEST MUSICAL EVER!
My Leading Player, Matt, is VERY TALL, and comes from a very religious family, and is a talented musician and singer. Pippin, who is Tim, is shorter and not thin - not husky, but NOT thin.
It has been my practice to OVER CHOREOGRAPH so that if something doesn't work, I am prepared with something to go into it's place.
ON THE RIGHT TRACK however was ON THE RIGHT TRACK from the first measures. The boys knew their music cold - and we worked together using my steps, improvising here and there, and made the dance on them rather than vice versa - and by 11:15 we had a show stopping Act Two opener.
I was a bit sad as I put the last piece of paper from my TO BE DONE folder in my DONE folder....but there are still some improvements in other numbers to be made, and once the orchestra arrives there will have to be adjustments.
I will only say - don't be afraid to take a theatrical challenge. I almost turned this show down because I didn't think I could do it. I ended up doing some of my BEST worked ever, inspired by the music, the show, and the cast.
Crossing my fingers that our August 11th opening will prove me right!