Well, dear readers, we had our final dress rehearsal – a bit too rough technically for my taste, but there’s nothing to be done about it. I’m sure by the time opening night rolls around it will be smoother, but I’ve simply given up being annoyed about stuff that hasn’t been done or is being done at the last minute. The set is finally almost finished – just one outside wall and some greens to go in today. The lighting guy and stage manager are coming in at three to work through the problems we had – it’s his first time working a board, the stage manager – he’s doing a very good job but he’s never had the proper time to be tutored.
We had about ten people see it and I told them it was our final dress and to expect mishaps, so they were prepared. The play ran exactly what it should, and there were some mild fumfers but no line disasters. But the energy was way too low for me, so that was most of my notes. Of course, since my voice was trashed I couldn’t give them, so instead, when I arrived home, I e-mailed everyone their notes. So, we play our first preview tomorrow – hoping we have a decent house for it. I’m trying to impress on our cast that a lot of things in this play are funny and I want each and every one of those laughs. They’re a good group and I’ve had fun working with all of them. Here is our wonderful and almost finished set – the part that isn’t finished is outside the doors on the left.
Prior to all that, I got nine hours of sleep, got up, had almost no voice, and felt like merde. An hour later I decided a nice big bowl of matzo ball soup might help, so I went to Jerry’s Deli and had that and a bagel, both very good. Then I picked up some packages, then came home. I had some work to do on the computer, which I did whilst listening to music. Then I sat on my couch like so much fish.
I continued checking out the La Strada Blu-ray – it got better after the first ten minutes, but I’m not in love with this transfer. I also fell asleep for a while. Then I did other stuff until it was time to mosey on over to the theater.
When I arrived, they were still plugging in lights and working on stuff. When the company arrived we worked a few things, but mostly I was trying to not talk and protect my voice.
Today, I’ll hopefully arise after a good night’s beauty sleep and I’m praying my voice is a bit better and not a bit worse. So, send lots of your most excellent vibes and xylophones for a healthier and stronger voice. If there are any real problems, I’ll probably try to get in to see my ENT so he can swab my throat and give me some prescription medicine. I’ll eat at some point, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, and then I go to the theater at six. We have some stuff to run, some lighting to run, some sound to run, and then we play our first preview. I will, of course, have a full report for you.
Tomorrow is more rest, then our second preview. Then on Friday evening, we open and there will be a little partay after. Then we play on Saturday night and Sunday matinee. Next week is all stuff for the Sherman Brothers show, including meeting with the new lighting designer at LACC, but also setting the rest of the cast for the reading.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, hopefully have a voice and feel a bit better, I must relax, I must eat, I must hopefully pick up packages, and I must attend our first preview. 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, hoping to be on the road to wellness sans this horrid coughing.