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!
Performances are underway and tickets can be purchased online. Now, you might also want to take a look at the early promo for the show, created by Anthony Chiles...
We opened to a raucously appreciative Sold Out crowd last night! Due to my extreme Bipolar and OCD perfectionism, I am rarely happy with the final product... but, last night's performance (with only one scene problem) surprised and pleased even me.
The cast was on point through out most of the show, and finally some of the long standing notes and directorial comments were put into play, so things smoothed out into a nice, neat and fun little performance package
I have to admit, this has been a hard production journey for me to complete. I was faced with numerous challenges from the start -- most concerning company issues like a VERY small budget and some inadequate 'help' from one of the company provided personnel. In fact, because of this and in an effort to save money, most of the set pieces have been 'borrowed' from MIDSUMMER (except for the... uhm... 'fountain')
Of course, we had one problematic actor (not even a principal), who caused complaint and concern from every corner of the cast, so replacing him rather than bowing to his ultimatums and failing attempts to direct my show from his perspective, was an easy choice.
Also, coming directly from another (overlapping) show, having only 5 and a half weeks of formal work rehearsals -- all of which were plagued by numerous actor conflicts & absences -- and healing a broken foot, had to have something to do with why this journey was so exhaustive for me.
I have to admit, I wasn't sure if my vision and concept could be realized at the end of it all. I don't think I have questioned or feared the outcome of a show since... well, since some of the nightmare shows with my own company, namely Sleeping Beauty, As You Like It and the evil Rabbit show we did at one point. But, this one exhausted and stressed me.
I always KNOW it will be alright in the end, constantly tell my
cast to trust me (and most of them truly do) and can see the final
'painting', but this show... Uhm, no. One minute the vision was there, the next it was a little cloudy.
However, starting at rehearsal 2 weeks
ago, something changed... The cast seemed lighter emotionally, less
inhibited, more relaxed and it all began to fall together one piece at a
time.
Every rehearsal saw massive changes to tiny moments and
sections. Even my flow and artistic view was less stifled and much more
receptive to the new ideas which were randomly popping into my head...
The cast is packed with actors, many who have never done Shakespeare before, a few who have a resume packed with it, some who have never worked with a demanding, perfectionist, detail oriented director like myself before, but all who appreciate the ensemble and protective bond they have created. They are all truly an ensemble group, who work together as an unbreakable team.
Though, there are still a few sections and moments that could have
benefited with another week of focused clean up, this piece of Shakespearian art has
been 'painted'... with just a few little endearing quirks to make it
'special.' And, for what my cast gave me last night, I shall always be
grateful.
I have never faced so many administrative (and venue /
technical) challenges on a show before, but with all the issues
working in this space and with this company entails, I am delighted with
what my cast and production team have given me. They have pulled something unique out of
this show and have truly given us a sparkling little production.
Now for a little look at what happens in our world of Much Ado...
Hero and Claudio, with Beatrice at the masked ball
The 'Schoolgirl' Watch take note of some villainy
Beatrice and Benedick in the 'church' scene
Claudio gets a 'talking to' from Antonia and Leonata
Don Pedro examines Benedick, as he talks of his ills
Hero and Claudio seal their devotion to each other
Principal Cast includes (Top to bottom) Juliet Howard-Welch as Beatrice, Josh Katawick as Benedick, Jared Mola as Claudio, Elizabeth Dillard as Hero and Tony Copper as Don Pedro.
I realize it has been quite a while since my last post, but the actual task of directing the show has had me a little busy...
In addition to directing, the company has me performing a series of other paperwork and company tasks that are creeping up on me, while overwhelming the process. While this show has been far more draining than I expected, we are well underway and move into partial runs next week. Some scenes are flying along beautifully, while others are causing quizzical looks on my face and holes in my brain on a daily basis. But, past experience reminds me that every show is different and challenges me in varying ways... and that it will all find it's feet eventually... perhaps, in a new way, so I know I have to be open and trust the new process I have to devise to resolve the challenges of this show. One day, I will use it on another production.
It is time to start developing the interlude scenes and add the music
to the show, as well as dealing with those naughty problem scenes that
are causing many a sleepless night (or high school related
nightmares...) so that is what we will be working on through this
week.
Much needs to be done and my focus will be on that. The group scenes are my main concern, as they contain people who have been to rehearsal so irregularly.
We are also still reveling in the 1920's setting and exploring the many changes that occurred in the world at that time. The Titanic already sank 9 years earlier, women are making great headway in the world, skirts are rising, music is becoming a little more upbeat, if not risque at times, and women are really starting to come into their own. Though the first world war is over, the Irish rebellion is gaining steam and starting to create warlike symptoms around the British Isles. What an exciting and scary time to live....
Of course, we have had our share of drama... but, we have had more than
our share of fun and amusement as the scenes are being developed and
begin to grow. Some scenes are stronger than others, with the group
scenes needing the most work. On the other hand, If I could remind one
or two members my cast of one thing, it would be to trust that the
vision will come together, but only if the few quit trying to change,
question and alter every aspect of concept that is given to you. If
there are too many unimportant ideas thrown into the mix, the important
things get lost. We do not want that. I won't allow that.
Shakespeare is universal and can be done in many settings and time
periods... not just the one you have in mind. I also want to remind
everyone not to overthink the tasks given to
you... these processes have been done scores of times before and do not
require the drama or excuses given to make it more difficult than it
actually is. I do love working in the educational and professional theatre arena, but
this regional theatre thing is still somewhat new to me. Now... Cast and Creative Headshots will be posted soon ... In the meantime, head over to facebook and LIKE the MUCH ADO Facebook Page for more immediate information and details on the show.
Incidentally, all photos shown in this blog have been taken by Lisa Bernheim, who is playing Margaret and is also my Student Director.
Readthrough down and character work begins tonight. Was difficult to let go of the previous show and move on to the next, but 'needs must'... so on we go.
I have a solid and talented cast and look forward to working with them, getting to know them and sharing this beautiful text with them!
Have numerous plans for this piece... away from the fast paced, sometimes cartoon portrayals in Midsummer... and on to a little more realistic, yet sophisticated humor. My set will be representational and have it's own water feature and sculptures!
