|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAY 2, 2006
|
|
We begin week three by deconstructing Act 1 on Tuesday and then running the play at the end of the day. Wednesday we will do the same for Act 2 and run the play again. We will run the play every day now, because I always feel, as an actor and as a director, that we learn enormous amounts from running the race as often as you can. It’s rather like running long distance, the more you build up to it the more effortless the race becomes and you start to feel it more and think about it less.
Doing the play in bite size pieces gives you an opportunity to examine it in detail and then put it in the perspective of the whole, and that is of value for both the actors and for me.
As I pull back from the trees, the outline of forest becomes more pronounced and profound. This is important for the director because we are about to start tech and I will need to have a broader scope in mind as we add lights, sound and costumes. I am mindful of the visual metaphors that we talked about months ago when we began working on the set’s look and feel. Even now I am rethinking and getting inspired by what the actors are bringing into the room. Weather is now being added as I discuss rain with JR Lederle, our lighting designer.
In the meantime the actors are woodshedding the words at night, fighting to get the poetry word-perfect, looking to get the emotional journeys just right, and searching for connections with each other moment to moment. It’s a tough week and it only gets tougher as we head into a weekend that will include two days of ten hours each.
We looked at costumes again today; new suits for the boys were fitted, and they look handsome in them. Rondi’s outfits are being tailored and will be ready for the weekend. Last night Fitz, our Production Manager, called at 9:30 pm from the shop. He was building matching armchairs for the set and wanted me to stop by to see how they looked. I drove over and they looked great, so he and Rob, our prop person, finished them off.
Andy Matthews, our Edward, has become addicted to Portillo’s across the street from us and he looks forward to his nightly visit for a double cheeseburger. Tonight however he has a pecan salad in mind and since we’ve all tried it we give it the Zagat seal of approval. Lunch of course comes from Panera as Katie Jones, our Asst. Director, kindly pops over to get our orders and our pal Bilal fixes us up.
Our little rituals comfort us as we build the play and our ensemble. Sunday, my wife Candy and I had everyone over for a barbeque. Laura Glenn and her husband John Lister brought their new baby Mary over and it was a blast. It’s such a great group, and we really love the play and sharing our experiences and feelings about it.
I for one am so happy to be working on this piece. So sad and yet so exhilarating, in that it gives us hope. Like Rondi’s character says, it’s comforting to know that others have been through these same things before us.
More anon…
Beej |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006/07 SEASON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
........................... |
|
|
|
|
|
2005/06 SEASON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
........................... |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
