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APRIL 17, 2006
THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW
DAY 1 |
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 I arrived at O’Hare on Monday morning around 5:30 AM after watching our third preview of R3 in
Seattle
. I was able to catch two hours of sleep before heading to the rehearsal hall to do the first reading of Retreat from Moscow with Rondi Reed, John Hoogenakker, and Matt De Caro (who is replacing John Mahoney as he convalesces from a previous illness that forced him to withdraw from Retreat... and from Romance at the Goodman as well). We are very grateful he will be fine, and I am sure we will have the opportunity to work with him again, but his health is a priority.
I am fortunate to have Matt available, as he is one of
Chicago
’s finest actors and has been in many Northlight productions. So luck is once again on our side.
After the entire staff assembles we introduce one and all, take a look at our set and hear about the lighting design by our old friends and colleagues Linda Buchanan and JR Lederle.
Linda and I have known each other since 1981 at Court Theatre and she has done many productions at Northlight, so we have a working shorthand and a lot of mutual respect. JR is new to us and I am thrilled to have him since he and I will be doing a show at Steppenwolf this summer and I am eager to utilize his sensitivity and skills. Our stage manager, the beloved and brilliant Laura Glenn, has worked with JR many times and so we are a rather comfortable team.
When we read the play, Rondi and Matt are terrific and terrifying together and John is heartbreaking. I look up at the end and my wife Candy, (Mrs. Northlight) who attends all readings, is in tears as is our dialect coach Linda Gates. I am so glad I chose this play and with this team on board we are blessed.
I also have a board meeting tonight, so after a chat and notes on dialects with Linda everyone heads off to look at their words while I catch a 45-minute nap on my couch.
The board meeting is jubilant. We have tons of good news for our loyal supporters, announcing our subscription numbers (nearly 60% renewed) and telling them about our new board members who will join us for a benefit on Friday night at the
Chicago
Cultural
Center
. Paul Lehman passes out cookies to the board development committee for their hard work and success.
So we are on our way! I am thrilled that we have chosen this beautiful play, which is a delicate chamber piece for three extraordinary actors. What a change from Rounding Third, and A Number, which I worked on at Next Theatre this winter. I am blessed to have had this year of extraordinary directing opportunities, which started at The Asolo with Enchanted April, yet another lovely play.
More anon
Beej
Photos: Rondi Reed and John Hoogenakker |
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2006/07 SEASON
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2005/06 SEASON
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