So today at play practice-there were a lot of costume fittings. I can only imagine the enormity of Frances McSherry's task. To costume everyone in the play, shoes, undergarments, wigs etc, on what I assume is a modest budget. Building things such as my wonderful tuxedo suit(see the picture on the blog). I'm actually grateful to be wearing my own hair. (yes that's my own hair-I got a review once that said something about my fantastic fright wig and it was in fact, my own hair-nice). She's doing a great job. More choreography. Never thought I'd be putting TAJ in a bathtub-or that I'd be dancing around a toilet on wheels. Gotta love musical theatre. More choreo today, going over some Act 2 music-still no talky no singy. Seeing the ENT tomorrow, I have my fingers crossed that things look better. The cast has been very understanding of my predicament (and the artistic staff of course). It's kinda funny, just like when I had my jaw wired shut (no Peri it wasnt' because I was enormous and my parents wanted to stop me from overeating!-I have/had terrible TMJ and an underslung jaw, like a bulldog-attractive and so I had it fixed), people get close to me, as if they'll be able to hear me if they're close. I'm not making any sound, so that's probably not going to help. Or they talk loudly as if, because I can't talk, I must also not be able to hear. Or slowly, like I'm mentally not all there or foreign. It's funny, in a sick sort of way.
It's fun to come in to rehearsal and see everyone working out! What a buff cast! push ups and crunches. A cast favorite is "the plank". Great for the abs. We should have a best abs, best buns contest. I think I know who would win that. I gather Marla is a spin class enthusiast. Betsy has quite a lump on her head, but I think she's ok. When you see her just call her "fancy".
I wish I had a camera to record Rick climbing on top of Paul "boxstep" Giragos, but it's burned into my memory. Paul did get his wish today, Kelly added a boxstep in "Let Me Drown" and Paul got to show us his magic. That's all I guess. More fun tomorrow.
xx, Li
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Wild Party Day 10
It was rather odd being at a rehearsal for a musical and not being able to speak, let alone sing. I have to say, it is probably one of the most depressing situations to be in. I'm not generally an overly optimistic person, but I have to believe that it will come back, it has to. Perhaps this is some karmic attack for saying something not so nice about someone. We look for meaning in the things that happen to us don't we? And the odd thing is, that I lost it the day after I sang for Easter Sunday services. What does that mean? But I must say Todd G. makes a pretty convincing lesbian! Everyone is snuffling and coughing-it ain't pretty. But, again, better this week than next or God forbid, the week after that. We ran Act One. And it did just that, it ran. No one died, but someone did get hit in the head. Poor Betsy ended up with a pretty big lump on her little noggin during a dance number. I'm not saying who, and I'm not even sure which number it was. During the run, I found myself confused about what comes next, and how and why I end up in certain spots. Again, Todd G. sang my number for me and I seemed to remember all the movement in it, with one exception. After that, it was lunch, then notes. Notes, are when the director tells us what went right and what went wrong, with the run through. And what to change. The actors ask questions etc. Then we ran music/learned for Act Two (also odd, not being able to speak-lessons everywhere) and started to stage it. We got to leave early (YAY!) cuz alot of the first part of Act Two is just the principals. I'm not called until 11 tomorrow YAY!. Maybe if I pray to St. Anthony my voice will come back. He's the patron St. of lost things right?
xx, Li
xx, Li
Monday, April 09, 2007
wild Party Day 9
So today is our day off. Yesterday, everyone brought in their left over easter candy for the cast/crew coffee table, and it was pretty much gone by dinner break. I think we needed the sugar. We worked our butts off, literally and figuratively. We finished the juggernaut-I think. I'm actually not sure. But we did a lot of dancing. Changed some stuff, and fixed other things etc. (wow that was specific). It was a long day. Some of us went to get a bite to eat at a very cute place in Harvard Sq. where Betsy is a server. I learned a lot about what to say and what not to say to a server. Very enlightening. It was nice to spend some time getting to know each other, away from the rehearsal space. What makes everyone who they are, why do they do what they do. Don't know everything, but we're getting to know and everything we know will help us with our onstage relationships. Though we did end the evening trying to talk thru the sequence of Act one. So there's really no escape. lol
Some bad personal news:
On the way home I felt like I couldn't cough the crap off my chords, very odd but not unusual if you have GERD. And then when I woke up this morning, I had no voice. PANIC!!! (this doesn't happen to me-I don't mean because I'm immune, I mean cuz i try to take great care of my voice. When I'm singing, it's like being a professional athlete. I don't smoke and I try not to be around it, I don't drink, I try to sleep enuf, I work out, and I warm up-all the stuff you're supposed to do) I called my ENT (otolaryngologist) and cried hysterically while I waited for him to call me back. Luckily he took me right away. Thank god. He's just the best, Tim Anderson at Lahey. We scoped my throat (a thrilling experience if you've never had it done). It kind of cracks me up. Picture this, you sit forward, you stick out your tongue, the dr. grabs it and holds it out with a piece of gauze, you have a mic clipped to your shirt and you hold a stethoscope to your throat, then he sticks a very long and hard piece of metal into your throat and asks you to relax and sing "E" fairly high in your range. Then they say," there's a bit of tension". (really? lol). It is cool, to see your chords in action. So the good news, there are no nodes-that would be really bad- think Julie Andrews bad, and no vocal hemorrhage-thank god-so I'm grateful-it could have been really really bad. However, I still have very little sound. My chords are very swollen, and vascular. Which means they can't phonate properly. Singing or talking on them would not be a good thing. So, the course of action is-silence. Absolute and total. If I had to sing, then steroids are prescribed but should only be used when there is no other alternative. I'm lucky this happened this week. But it's scary as hell. Without my voice, well, I'm a mime! When I was in college, I had my jaw wired shut and I wasn't able to speak for 6 weeks. Not being able to speak certainly gives you an appreciation for others who can't and for what you have. I remember that people used to speak rather loudly to me as if because I couldn't speak, it meant that I also couldnt' hear. It was interesting to say the least.
So tomorrow, I'll be a mime and I'll dance my tucsh off and I'll wait. xx, Li
Some bad personal news:
On the way home I felt like I couldn't cough the crap off my chords, very odd but not unusual if you have GERD. And then when I woke up this morning, I had no voice. PANIC!!! (this doesn't happen to me-I don't mean because I'm immune, I mean cuz i try to take great care of my voice. When I'm singing, it's like being a professional athlete. I don't smoke and I try not to be around it, I don't drink, I try to sleep enuf, I work out, and I warm up-all the stuff you're supposed to do) I called my ENT (otolaryngologist) and cried hysterically while I waited for him to call me back. Luckily he took me right away. Thank god. He's just the best, Tim Anderson at Lahey. We scoped my throat (a thrilling experience if you've never had it done). It kind of cracks me up. Picture this, you sit forward, you stick out your tongue, the dr. grabs it and holds it out with a piece of gauze, you have a mic clipped to your shirt and you hold a stethoscope to your throat, then he sticks a very long and hard piece of metal into your throat and asks you to relax and sing "E" fairly high in your range. Then they say," there's a bit of tension". (really? lol). It is cool, to see your chords in action. So the good news, there are no nodes-that would be really bad- think Julie Andrews bad, and no vocal hemorrhage-thank god-so I'm grateful-it could have been really really bad. However, I still have very little sound. My chords are very swollen, and vascular. Which means they can't phonate properly. Singing or talking on them would not be a good thing. So, the course of action is-silence. Absolute and total. If I had to sing, then steroids are prescribed but should only be used when there is no other alternative. I'm lucky this happened this week. But it's scary as hell. Without my voice, well, I'm a mime! When I was in college, I had my jaw wired shut and I wasn't able to speak for 6 weeks. Not being able to speak certainly gives you an appreciation for others who can't and for what you have. I remember that people used to speak rather loudly to me as if because I couldn't speak, it meant that I also couldnt' hear. It was interesting to say the least.
So tomorrow, I'll be a mime and I'll dance my tucsh off and I'll wait. xx, Li
Photo Shoot Results
Leigh Barrett a
s Madeline True.Todd Alan Johnson (Burrs), Marla Mindelle (Queenie), and Maurice E. Parent (Black)
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Wild Party Day 8
So let's see, it's very late. Later than I would like it to be and all the choreography is one big mush in my head.
I can't believe I actually Got the stuff we were doing this afternoon. Ilyse says that sometimes if you just let your mind go it comes to you. (not my mind, the mvt.) Today was choreo, alot and there's still more to come. I could feel people's brains freezing. The "kids" all went out tonight, so we'll see how "bonded" they are tomorrow. Luckily, because of the Easter holiday, we're not called until 1. But it will still be a long day-til 9. But a wonderful Monday is ahead of us. WE did the phot shoot today, God knows how they'll come out. I don't think I photograph well when i'm actually trying to be photographed. I'm much better candid. I'm off to bed. Singing bright and early tomorrow am. xx ,Li
I can't believe I actually Got the stuff we were doing this afternoon. Ilyse says that sometimes if you just let your mind go it comes to you. (not my mind, the mvt.) Today was choreo, alot and there's still more to come. I could feel people's brains freezing. The "kids" all went out tonight, so we'll see how "bonded" they are tomorrow. Luckily, because of the Easter holiday, we're not called until 1. But it will still be a long day-til 9. But a wonderful Monday is ahead of us. WE did the phot shoot today, God knows how they'll come out. I don't think I photograph well when i'm actually trying to be photographed. I'm much better candid. I'm off to bed. Singing bright and early tomorrow am. xx ,Li
Friday, April 06, 2007
Wild Party Day 7
so I just finished going over my number (and over and over and over), not singing full out though. (thank god the kids were upstairs playing game cube!) And my adorable husband looked at the lyrics to make sure I was getting them right. (and couldn't help making a few suggestions...heh,heh). I'm gonna blog fast so I can get to sleep-early to rehearsal tomorrow. Wig and costume fitting then a photo shoot. Then rehearsal. I think we're dancing all day, all the live long day....Been staging though, today and I really like that. Walking from place to place I can do. Love what Rick has come up with for my number-the one I just mentioned that I was just working on, and I think I've fleshed it out the rest of the way. We'll see if it works. I think so. Wish it were down a minor third though. That's my sweet spot (love you Toddy! Have I mentioned how much I love you?-how 'bout money? would that do it?) Anyway, there was lots more simulated sex going on. It's funny when someone from the "outside" world stops by and looks in the windows (children especially disconcerting). (the rehearsal space has these big windows open to the steps where there is art that the general public or anyone else can come and admire) I wonder what they must be thinking.
Today at play practice the following was heard...."My mouth is open, just stick something in it"...marla...not sure what that's in refrence to though, could be anything. And Rick mentioned something about oysters....I'll stop there. I forgot to mention that Jeremy Towle has joined the cast. He is playing our Jackie but was absent the first few days because of anther show. He does a russian off of the pouf, that is just amazing. Let me explain, a Russian, in this instance, is a dance move that means jumping high into the air and doing a split and landing back on the ground, hopefully upright. He does it and it's thrilling. I hope he keeps that in-just for me. And a pouf is a giant "sit onable", like an ottoman. He also does a back flip-WHAT? Brian and Paul are the brothers D'armato, a piano and composing "brother" duo. They, in the play, have written a musicale based on Adam and Eve and the lead into it is pretty funny. Todd J. is hysterical and scary and hysterical. It is amazing to see how all these creative minds race to come up with new and interesting ways to get from point A to point B and Rick is a terrifically generous director in that way. He allows us all to be a part of the creative process, putting in our 2 cents, making us feel like it's actually worth something and of course as the director, being the final arbitor of what ends up in the piece. But being able to take a chance, make a mistake, take a risk and feel safe doing it, is what the "process" (hate that word) is all about. Todd G. is making his big acting debut in this as the neighbor! Hilarious. I know that you all enjoyed his "Play Ball" from last seasons Ragtime ( why he didnt' get a norton nom for that portrayal is a scandal-lol-though he did recently win the IRNE for music directing Ragtime-well deserved-not a suck up for key changing!), but this is a huge leap for his acting career at New Rep. Eddie and Mae (Jake and Ilyse) did their number too and it is just 12 shades of adorable! You're gonna love it. The quartet sounds so so good, I can 't believe I have to do my number after it. Outside of rehearsal, everyone is making plans for Passover (or made plans I should say) or Easter. Talking about their favorite Easter candy. Some are going out tomorrow night to do some "cast bonding". I won't be joining as I've got some big singing to do on Sunday, so bond for me and let me know what happens so I can blog it. I think I'm going to bed. Can't remember anything else....literally. xx, Li PS David Costa and Jeff Mahoney opened tonight in Singing in the Rain-I'm sure it went fantastic!
Today at play practice the following was heard...."My mouth is open, just stick something in it"...marla...not sure what that's in refrence to though, could be anything. And Rick mentioned something about oysters....I'll stop there. I forgot to mention that Jeremy Towle has joined the cast. He is playing our Jackie but was absent the first few days because of anther show. He does a russian off of the pouf, that is just amazing. Let me explain, a Russian, in this instance, is a dance move that means jumping high into the air and doing a split and landing back on the ground, hopefully upright. He does it and it's thrilling. I hope he keeps that in-just for me. And a pouf is a giant "sit onable", like an ottoman. He also does a back flip-WHAT? Brian and Paul are the brothers D'armato, a piano and composing "brother" duo. They, in the play, have written a musicale based on Adam and Eve and the lead into it is pretty funny. Todd J. is hysterical and scary and hysterical. It is amazing to see how all these creative minds race to come up with new and interesting ways to get from point A to point B and Rick is a terrifically generous director in that way. He allows us all to be a part of the creative process, putting in our 2 cents, making us feel like it's actually worth something and of course as the director, being the final arbitor of what ends up in the piece. But being able to take a chance, make a mistake, take a risk and feel safe doing it, is what the "process" (hate that word) is all about. Todd G. is making his big acting debut in this as the neighbor! Hilarious. I know that you all enjoyed his "Play Ball" from last seasons Ragtime ( why he didnt' get a norton nom for that portrayal is a scandal-lol-though he did recently win the IRNE for music directing Ragtime-well deserved-not a suck up for key changing!), but this is a huge leap for his acting career at New Rep. Eddie and Mae (Jake and Ilyse) did their number too and it is just 12 shades of adorable! You're gonna love it. The quartet sounds so so good, I can 't believe I have to do my number after it. Outside of rehearsal, everyone is making plans for Passover (or made plans I should say) or Easter. Talking about their favorite Easter candy. Some are going out tomorrow night to do some "cast bonding". I won't be joining as I've got some big singing to do on Sunday, so bond for me and let me know what happens so I can blog it. I think I'm going to bed. Can't remember anything else....literally. xx, Li PS David Costa and Jeff Mahoney opened tonight in Singing in the Rain-I'm sure it went fantastic!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Wild Party Day 6
Ok, so I'm a blog late and definitely a dollar short.
We're starting to block (stage) the show-the scene work. I haven't been called the past few mornings cuz I'm not really in the first few scenes? I guess that's what they're called but they're not really quite scenes actually, well maybe they are...I don't know. Anyway, I'm not in them but Brian DeLorenzo (god I hope I spelled that right) and I will be singing off stage while others onstage are writhing around. We began staging today from the end of Raise the Roof...and did an improv thing. (love to improv-speaking, movement, life-I just love it) (did anyone note the subtle sarcasm?) I just don't feel like I'm good at it. I feel like what ever choice I'm making is wrong, and I look totally stupid doing it-something to get over, note to self. It was helpful though and then we went back and used the improv to inform the movement and interaction. Ok I get it. It was nice to do some scene stuff, now that I can remember. (emphasis on that, I can't seem to make anything underlined). Grabbed Perri's boobs-sorry. There's alot of that going on-and Perri actually fit herself under a chair! Like crawled through the bottom rungs of a chair-to get away from TAJ (Todd Alan Johnson)-hilarious. She just ran away from me. lol. While staging here are 2 words from the Rick Lombardo dictionary-"Queenie sexified" and "orgasmatron". Too tired to write anymore and it's late. See you in the morning!!!
xx, Li
We're starting to block (stage) the show-the scene work. I haven't been called the past few mornings cuz I'm not really in the first few scenes? I guess that's what they're called but they're not really quite scenes actually, well maybe they are...I don't know. Anyway, I'm not in them but Brian DeLorenzo (god I hope I spelled that right) and I will be singing off stage while others onstage are writhing around. We began staging today from the end of Raise the Roof...and did an improv thing. (love to improv-speaking, movement, life-I just love it) (did anyone note the subtle sarcasm?) I just don't feel like I'm good at it. I feel like what ever choice I'm making is wrong, and I look totally stupid doing it-something to get over, note to self. It was helpful though and then we went back and used the improv to inform the movement and interaction. Ok I get it. It was nice to do some scene stuff, now that I can remember. (emphasis on that, I can't seem to make anything underlined). Grabbed Perri's boobs-sorry. There's alot of that going on-and Perri actually fit herself under a chair! Like crawled through the bottom rungs of a chair-to get away from TAJ (Todd Alan Johnson)-hilarious. She just ran away from me. lol. While staging here are 2 words from the Rick Lombardo dictionary-"Queenie sexified" and "orgasmatron". Too tired to write anymore and it's late. See you in the morning!!!
xx, Li
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