Choices...

 "Our Lives are made of choices that determine our fate each with a consequence we cannot see... Choices.  Such Little Choices..."
 

When I walked into this project, I knew very well what I was getting into.  Was I ready for it?  No.  Nope.  Absolutely not.  Oh, I had done the research... I had done the analysis... I knew the script.  What I didn't know, was 'me' in the middle of this project. But, I put on the 'I can do this' face and jumped right in.  I was in the eye of this great storm, attacking  my own choices head on. 

It has been extremely difficult to work through this journey.  But, I have been blessed with a cast and team who have been fearless and jumped off every cliff edge I have put in front of them.  They have committed.  They have trusted.  They have supported each other, as well as Geoff, TJ, Haley and I with a bond and trust I have never experienced within the realms of a local, educational show.  A show with a variety of experience and ability and techniques.  We have the professional level actors such as Patti King, Angie Timpone  and Troy Berry -- Trained, highly experienced and full of the ability to mentor.  We have the drama student in training in Leah Schulz -- Bright and energetic, willing to try anything.  We have the usually backstage technician  / wanting to be onstage guy in Jon Owings -- So dedicated and into every part of this production.  We have the retired school psychologist, now theatre student in Paula Arter.  And, the 'try anything and give her all' science grad student in Michelle Graham -- A young lady with few shows behind her, but much enthusiasm.  Always a challenge to mix experience and cast levels.  But, with this group, it worked.  

We have deconstructed the show and worked it.  And, worked it again.  We have evaluated and experienced and explored until we could do no more.  Now, we have brought all those pieces back to the table and taken each one, turning it around in every possible configuration to find the correct spot to put it all back together and get the great big picture.   As we move into the final clean-up rehearsals... and, watch the set assemble and become one small corner of the hills of the Scottish lowlands... we see sparks of the final product come to life. 

Two more rehearsals and then tech.  And, then we will truly meet the Women of Lockerbie.

Our Merry War continues...A review hits a blog and the understudies hit the stage on Friday...

A successful weekend down and one more to go.  We played to one Sold Out and two nearly Sold Out houses... three different, but exceptionally appreciative audiences.   Audience member, Joey Ahern, has given us his honest review of the performance  in his blog.

I could be critical of each of the performances...little, annoying bits which the actors never fixed or changed...pacing that was slightly 'off' here and there... but, of course, I am a perfectionist. True, there are issues I would change, but, I have to face reality and remember I am working in a tiny theatre, with limited resources and a cast with varying abilities and experience.  That is what I love about this show... the complete spectrum of all the artistic aspects this production covers.  

Friday's performance will feature our Understudies in the principal roles.  Of course, understudy performances always scare me... no they are not as rehearsed and all of them are of the less experienced portion of the cast, but they will indeed give you a good, if not different performance. 

One of the understudies, Jon Dowler, takes on the role of Claudio.  His stage experience is limited to his normal role of Watch #1 (which will be taken on by principal actor, Jared Mola in the understudy performance) and Ensemble in my last show, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT's DREAM.  Jon has been working very hard to build his performance, and I am sure will do well. 

 Also part of the understudy team, Jon Hung (Watch) takes on the role of Benedick in the US performance and Michelle Graham (normally in the role of Conrade) will do Beatrice.  Jon has really taken his position of an understudy seriously and has worked hard to prep for Friday, while Michelle has actually played the role of Beatrice in a previous production of MUCH ADO. 

Katie Paeg (normally Watch #3), will take on Hero in Friday's performance.  Should be an interesting little performance and an even more interesting weekend of performances, so don't miss this!