Well, dear readers, we had a two run-through day yesterday and I don’t care who knows it. The first was a bit sloppy, which was my main note – just sloppy in terms of the staging and I don’t do sloppy staging. Sound issues were there since our sound designer wasn’t getting to us until two. Even with all that, it went relatively well. Prior to arriving, I got six hours of sleep. We had a food break – Kentucky Fried Chicken. I remember when KFC first came to L.A. back in 1965 (first location was actually within walking distance of where I currently reside) and what a huge deal it was and how many lousy imitators followed. But back then, it was THE fried chicken – and really good. Great coleslaw, too. From that point on, tons of L.A. locations opened. It was always a treat and when I returned to L.A. in 1970 and the Darling Daughter was born, it was a family favorite meal. What has happened in the ensuing years I know not, but what I ate yesterday was so far from what it used to be – with soggy chicken and mediocre coleslaw, and really expensive, too. Things change, I guess, and for fast food fried chicken, Popeye’s rules the roost, now. Where was I? Oh yes. Sound guy came and fixed all the issues, and then we had to fix one tiny lighting issue. The one thing we did not have were complete costumers and due to health issues with our designer, we’re not going to have them until Tuesday or Wednesday, which is really not fair to the actors who then must not only deal with trying to do a good performance, but must deal with some quick changes, too. So, I may just have to rethink a couple of those changes, which is a shame. They should have had all this stuff days ago to work with. Anyway, we did run-through two and it was much better – still a bit fumfery in the second half of act two, but that will smooth itself out. Thankfully, all sound issues but one were fixed and that’s now fixed, too. I have some quick general notes and got everyone out of there around five-fifteen. Pacing-wise, the show’s running time has been very consistent.

I came right home after rehearsal, ordered some carbonara from the Cheesecake Factory, it arrived and I ate it – not my favorite but it hit the spot, then I had quite a few e-mails to answer. It was then my intention to either futz and finesse or write some new pages, but I did neither because I dozed off. Just need to catch up on this past weekend’s lost hours of sleep, which I can do this week.

Today, I’ll try to be up by ten, I’ll futz and finesse, and then I’m intending to write for at least four or five hours spread over the day and evening. I’m praying for a modern major miracle so I can have a stress-free week and get our show open, I have an Amazon same day delivery coming – some necessities – I’ll eat something light but fun, and I’m sure I’ll need a break and I’ll watch, listen, and relax.

Tomorrow will be more of the same and then we’ll convene at six to run a few rough spots, then at eight we do an invited dress, although I’m not sure anyone is coming to it. That might be okay given the costume situation. Wednesday and Thursday are our two previews, and then we open on Friday and I’m hoping for a nice house. We’re already at fifty, so I’m hoping for another thirty or forty to fill us up. Saturday is light at the moment, and so is Sunday, but the matinees usually fill up and we have a week to do that and I’ll really be pushing the show this week.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, try to be up by ten, futz and finesse, write new pages, pray for a modern major miracle, get an Amazon same day delivery, eat, and watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: When did you first have KFC and what other fried chicken jernts have you liked in the past? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to be heading to our opening night.