Sun, Stand Thou Still wrapped up on Saturday night. I think I can safely say that the final weekend was my strongest of the run. Which, is good on some levels, in that, as usual, all of my friends that came did so at the last possible moment, so at least they saw me at my best.
It really amuses me how the final weekend of a run always, and I mean ALWAYS, becomes a mad dash for everyone who's "meant" to come to the show, actually makes it. I always get the calls and e-mails...Can I get comps? Do you need reservations?
Now, why was it the strongest of the run? Pretty simply, I finally relaxed. This show was a tough one for me. Just because it demanded a lot, and I had to figure out how to deliver and connect the emotional dots. I can't say I always did it successfully, and, frankly, this show has become the champion "screw-up" show for me. I've never had as many brain-farts and general "off the rails" moments as I had during this run. It took me all four weeks to take what we had rehearsed and really make it my own.
Which, frankly, doesn't speak well for me.
Maybe I'm too hard on myself, but I really do feel like I could've done better. Of course, I ALWAYS feel like I could do better. God help me when I finish a show and think, "well, I was just perfect, there."
Long story short, Ka-Tet is a good group of people and, I'm happy to have worked with them and director David Fehr. Hopefully, there will be a second time.
Had an audition on Saturday for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, reading for Brick. Long story short, schedules made the entire thing a waste of time. I'm not the kind of person who can drop out of something just because I think there's a "better deal" being offered.
It does kind of kill me, however.
I don't know how many times I heard in undergrad, "oh, you are such a Tennessee Williams actor, you look like a Williams character, you're gonna end up doing tons of Williams plays." Which was great with me, along with Mamet and Miller, Williams is one of the playwrights I really FEEL. I don't know if that makes any sense, but I can hear the rhythms which I read the plays. I can hear the dialogue in my head.
...And, of course, I've never, not once, played a Williams character.
(Well, aside from running on and off as Stanley Kowalski in Woody Allen's God: A Play.)
Anyway, this is the second time in as many years that I've had a chance at a favorite Williams' show, and had it go south. (Last year was Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, which, honestly, hurt even more.)
Frankly, audition opportunities recently have been S-L-I-M. I went through 3 weeks of notices today, and found only one that I'd be interested in. Unfortunately, it's a show I've already agreed to do. So, that's a no-lose situation, but I'd still like to find something for October-November, since I'm not doing the Fall show for Stage Left, Kingsville. I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that I'll be doing the Stage Left Spring Show...
Speaking of which, Stage Left (as you may have guessed, since I'm talking about it) has officially announced their 2010-2011 season. Go, check it out, and, if you're in Chicago, Leapfest is right around the corner. Come see me in The Meaning of Lunch by Dan Aibel, as well as all the great workshop shows.
Showing posts with label Sun Stand Thou Still. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sun Stand Thou Still. Show all posts
Monday, June 7, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Back to the Grindstone
I am so glad Monday is a holiday. Not only that, but in a rare moment of grace, I don't have any rehearsals or performances that day. So, not only am I off work, but I'm off everything.
My fervent hope is that I'll actually be able to pick up my guitar and finish the track that's been on the 8-track recorder for weeks now. Honestly, since before Sun, Stand Thou Still opened. I've wanted to work on it, but setting everything up, getting the chord progression back in my head, working over it until I figure out what to play, not to mention play it fluidly, just takes more time than I've had available.
That's frustrating.
Rehearsals for The Meaning of Lunch, however, have been a dream.
I love this script very, very much. I have since the very first time I read it. It's exactly the kind of play I, personally, feel Stage Left should always be looking for. It's got a larger issue to deal with, but playwright Dan Aibel is gifted enough to allow it to be subtext. It's not a story about THE END OF AN ERA OF AMERICAN BUSINESS, it's a story about a family, a father and son. Like I've said in previous blogs, I, very strongly, feel that sort of this is what engages an audience. We can talk about "art" and "ideas," but the thing that makes a story powerful, what gives it meaning, is how we FEEL about it. The best way to do that, in my opinion, will always be to show the audience an honest, simple reflection of people they can relate to.
Our Director, Jason Fleece, and cast, Sandy Elias, Melissa DiLeonardo, and Gabe Estrada, have brought all kinds of great energy to the project. Lorenzo Blackett's been supporting Jason, too. It's just a really fun environment.
Sun, Stand Thou Still also returns to the stage tonight. I'm hoping some more of you will be coming out to see us. Playwright Steven Gridley will be on hand for the May 29th show, for a discussion. I get to be way over the top! I mean, come on, don't you want to see that? Long story short, the show's a good time, and very different from a lot of what I normally do.
My post-Leapfest projects are already lining up, as well. A writing/directing gig for Strangeloop Theatre's Loopshop festival that's very low time-commitment, wise, but also wearing on me. The script is one of my old Brown Couch Theatre Company (yup, the site is till there) ten-minute play festival scripts, called Protected. I'm excited to do it, very much so, but Director-Mark is seriously giving Playwright-Mark the evil eye about the stuff I have to find for this script.
I also have my August-September pretty much set, now. I feel like it's a little early to start talking about that show yet.
Mix in a trip to see the family in July, as well as the ever-present SDCC trip. Add a heaping helping of Stage Left Spring 2011 show auditions (which I'm REALLY excited about) sometime in July. Mix until my head spins.
I enjoy being busy, I can't deny it, but sometimes I do feel the "overbooked" thought rattling around in my head. There are definitely nights I'd rather just go home and collapse in front of the TV more than anything else.
So, come on Monday!
My fervent hope is that I'll actually be able to pick up my guitar and finish the track that's been on the 8-track recorder for weeks now. Honestly, since before Sun, Stand Thou Still opened. I've wanted to work on it, but setting everything up, getting the chord progression back in my head, working over it until I figure out what to play, not to mention play it fluidly, just takes more time than I've had available.
That's frustrating.
Rehearsals for The Meaning of Lunch, however, have been a dream.
I love this script very, very much. I have since the very first time I read it. It's exactly the kind of play I, personally, feel Stage Left should always be looking for. It's got a larger issue to deal with, but playwright Dan Aibel is gifted enough to allow it to be subtext. It's not a story about THE END OF AN ERA OF AMERICAN BUSINESS, it's a story about a family, a father and son. Like I've said in previous blogs, I, very strongly, feel that sort of this is what engages an audience. We can talk about "art" and "ideas," but the thing that makes a story powerful, what gives it meaning, is how we FEEL about it. The best way to do that, in my opinion, will always be to show the audience an honest, simple reflection of people they can relate to.
Our Director, Jason Fleece, and cast, Sandy Elias, Melissa DiLeonardo, and Gabe Estrada, have brought all kinds of great energy to the project. Lorenzo Blackett's been supporting Jason, too. It's just a really fun environment.
Sun, Stand Thou Still also returns to the stage tonight. I'm hoping some more of you will be coming out to see us. Playwright Steven Gridley will be on hand for the May 29th show, for a discussion. I get to be way over the top! I mean, come on, don't you want to see that? Long story short, the show's a good time, and very different from a lot of what I normally do.
My post-Leapfest projects are already lining up, as well. A writing/directing gig for Strangeloop Theatre's Loopshop festival that's very low time-commitment, wise, but also wearing on me. The script is one of my old Brown Couch Theatre Company (yup, the site is till there) ten-minute play festival scripts, called Protected. I'm excited to do it, very much so, but Director-Mark is seriously giving Playwright-Mark the evil eye about the stuff I have to find for this script.
I also have my August-September pretty much set, now. I feel like it's a little early to start talking about that show yet.
Mix in a trip to see the family in July, as well as the ever-present SDCC trip. Add a heaping helping of Stage Left Spring 2011 show auditions (which I'm REALLY excited about) sometime in July. Mix until my head spins.
I enjoy being busy, I can't deny it, but sometimes I do feel the "overbooked" thought rattling around in my head. There are definitely nights I'd rather just go home and collapse in front of the TV more than anything else.
So, come on Monday!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, Monday....
Tired today.
Extra performance of Sun, Stand Thou Still tonight. Industry night.
And I am tired.
This was one of those weekends that doesn't even seem to exist. Rehearsals all day, shows at night, and generally a "gotta run" vibe to the whole thing. Not very relaxing, as you might guess. I was really, really happy to see that, along with having next Monday off work, I'm not scheduled to be ANYWHERE that day. Which is great, I'm dying to work on some music.
Generally speaking, after a period of about a year where I had very little going on, theatre-wise, I've suddenly found myself up to my ears in work. Totally committed, probably over-committed. Completely one of those "damned if you do, damned if you don't" things. I've been really upset about my lack of work, so, when opportunities present themselves, I want to grab them and run. that puts me in this situation, where I've probably said yes to a few too many things.
When it rains, it pours. I can't complain too much.
Extra performance of Sun, Stand Thou Still tonight. Industry night.
And I am tired.
This was one of those weekends that doesn't even seem to exist. Rehearsals all day, shows at night, and generally a "gotta run" vibe to the whole thing. Not very relaxing, as you might guess. I was really, really happy to see that, along with having next Monday off work, I'm not scheduled to be ANYWHERE that day. Which is great, I'm dying to work on some music.
Generally speaking, after a period of about a year where I had very little going on, theatre-wise, I've suddenly found myself up to my ears in work. Totally committed, probably over-committed. Completely one of those "damned if you do, damned if you don't" things. I've been really upset about my lack of work, so, when opportunities present themselves, I want to grab them and run. that puts me in this situation, where I've probably said yes to a few too many things.
When it rains, it pours. I can't complain too much.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tech week begins....
So, here we are with tech week, which, for the uninitiated out there, is when we move rehearsals into the actual theatre space where we'll be performing, and start putting all of the technical elements in place. These are traditionally long, somewhat tedious nights. Lots and lots of sitting around. Lots and lots of trial and error.
Very little sleep. The schedule for the next three nights is 6:00 to midnight. Then up as early as possible, so I can get to work early, thus facilitating my ability to leave work early to make it to rehearsal.
Hi-diddley-dee, as that damn puppet said.
Usually this is fine, I soldier on, and that's, that. I'll be pretty groggy by Thursday, which is our preview, and, God willing, our first guinea pigs...err, audience. My problem at the moment, however, is this...
I already feel like I need to crash.
This is not good. Yet, nobody has the time or energy to listen to me bitch, so...
Saturday night was our first read-thru and table work for the show I'm doing for Stage Left's Leapfest. I'm working on The Meaning of Lunch by Dan Aibel, with fellow Stage Left Ensemble member Jason Fleece directing. Reading through the script with the cast was great fun. I've loved this play since I first read it, months and months ago. It's so great to hear the dialogue out loud, and see the life coming to it.
I think we're gonna have a couple of really solid shows here.
Very little sleep. The schedule for the next three nights is 6:00 to midnight. Then up as early as possible, so I can get to work early, thus facilitating my ability to leave work early to make it to rehearsal.
Hi-diddley-dee, as that damn puppet said.
Usually this is fine, I soldier on, and that's, that. I'll be pretty groggy by Thursday, which is our preview, and, God willing, our first guinea pigs...err, audience. My problem at the moment, however, is this...
I already feel like I need to crash.
This is not good. Yet, nobody has the time or energy to listen to me bitch, so...
Saturday night was our first read-thru and table work for the show I'm doing for Stage Left's Leapfest. I'm working on The Meaning of Lunch by Dan Aibel, with fellow Stage Left Ensemble member Jason Fleece directing. Reading through the script with the cast was great fun. I've loved this play since I first read it, months and months ago. It's so great to hear the dialogue out loud, and see the life coming to it.
I think we're gonna have a couple of really solid shows here.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Another Week Down.
One less week until SDCC...
It's kinda pathetic how much I'm fixated on this trip. I mean, I have a LOT to do between now and then. Two shows, plus rehearsals, load-ins and strikes, two concerts I'm pretty (actually completely) revved up about, and a trip to see my family for the first time in years. There's a lot going on in the next few months, not even to mention the general work routine.
Right now, as far as Sun, Stand Thou Still, I'm in the "learn your damn lines" phase. I mean, I really haven't even started blocking rehearsals yet (that would be Sunday), but I feel the specter of tech week (starting May 10th). It's stalking me, and I mean to have it before it has me.
I also sat in on casting for the show I'm doing for Stage Left's Leapfest this week, so I have that bearing down on me, too. I'm doing one of the two major roles in The Meaning of Lunch, which is a script I was a big supporter of during the selection process. It's great fun, but also very quick, clipped, Mamet-like dialogue (Gee, why would I like that?). We'll also open the festival 12 days after Sun, Stand Thou Still closes. Both perform at the current Stage Left space, as well.
I was really happy to get to read The Meaning of Lunch selections with the actors up for the role of my father. I just love the play, and all of the guys made it fun to read. It's just so snappy. When you do one of these festival gigs, sometimes it feels like the fun gets sucked out of what you're doing. Not enough time for proper attacks on the material, but just reading a few pages got me all kinds of fired up. I can't imagine not having fun with this.
It's a quick turnaround between these two shows, quicker than I've done in a while. I know it'll all work out, as we say in the thea-tar, "it always does." However, I have these two scripts to become intimately familiar with quickly.
That said...I am walking over lunch today. I've spent too much time cooped up in this office going over my script this week. I need fresh air.
It's kinda pathetic how much I'm fixated on this trip. I mean, I have a LOT to do between now and then. Two shows, plus rehearsals, load-ins and strikes, two concerts I'm pretty (actually completely) revved up about, and a trip to see my family for the first time in years. There's a lot going on in the next few months, not even to mention the general work routine.
Right now, as far as Sun, Stand Thou Still, I'm in the "learn your damn lines" phase. I mean, I really haven't even started blocking rehearsals yet (that would be Sunday), but I feel the specter of tech week (starting May 10th). It's stalking me, and I mean to have it before it has me.
I also sat in on casting for the show I'm doing for Stage Left's Leapfest this week, so I have that bearing down on me, too. I'm doing one of the two major roles in The Meaning of Lunch, which is a script I was a big supporter of during the selection process. It's great fun, but also very quick, clipped, Mamet-like dialogue (Gee, why would I like that?). We'll also open the festival 12 days after Sun, Stand Thou Still closes. Both perform at the current Stage Left space, as well.
I was really happy to get to read The Meaning of Lunch selections with the actors up for the role of my father. I just love the play, and all of the guys made it fun to read. It's just so snappy. When you do one of these festival gigs, sometimes it feels like the fun gets sucked out of what you're doing. Not enough time for proper attacks on the material, but just reading a few pages got me all kinds of fired up. I can't imagine not having fun with this.
It's a quick turnaround between these two shows, quicker than I've done in a while. I know it'll all work out, as we say in the thea-tar, "it always does." However, I have these two scripts to become intimately familiar with quickly.
That said...I am walking over lunch today. I've spent too much time cooped up in this office going over my script this week. I need fresh air.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Working Toward the Weekend.
Ah, Friday...You can be a cruel bitch.
Facing yet another weekend where the plate fills up fast. All good stuff, to be sure, but, man, I still yearn for a weekend where I don't have to see a show, or go to a meeting. I've been getting really excited about working on music, and my time seems oh-so limited for it.
I don't know if it's reading the Slash autobiography, or the music I've been listening to recently, but I've been feeling confident with the guitar lately. I feel inspired. Just this morning on the train, I hit upon what I think is a really cool idea, and something I've never done before. A cover, but with the full guitar/bass/drums sound. I did Freelove Freeway on early pressings (HA!) of my Hourglass 34 disk, but that was just me and an acoustic. It was also mainly a joke. (The Ballad of Serenity Valley was a second thought...LOL)
This would be more of a serious attempt. With a concept for attacking it that fits into the whole idea behind the tenor of tracks I'm working on, now. If it doesn't work, no fear...You'll never hear about it again.
Anyway, there will be some time for music this weekend, I think. Tonight we're taking in The Plagiarists' The Wreck of the Medusa.
Tomorrow we'll be heading out for Ryan M's belated birthday celebration, including Hello, Again with Bohemian Theatre Ensemble.
Sunday is yet another Stage Left meeting. Adding in the general tasks of grocery shopping and laundry, that ought to leave me some time Saturday during the day, and Sunday evening to play a bit.
Still, who knows? Best laid plans, and all that...
First week of Sun, Stand Thou Still is in the can, and I'm having a pretty good time. Last night was table work, and I think the entire company learned that I am one of those people who can just run on at the mouth when I get to thinking about things. Next week is very, very lean, for me, I'm only in on Monday night for a one-on-one session with our director. That's nice, but also a challenge. It's a long time to be away from it, and then jump back in the following week. I also really need to get down to business with the script. It's not a huge part, but there are pretty dense, fast-paced (at least in my mind, for what that's worth) sections, that I really would like to get in my head as soon as possible.
I pre-ordered Splinter Cell: Conviction for my Xbox this week, and it ought to be in my hands Tuesday evening...I'm jazzed.
Splinter Cell is, in a lot of ways, the game that really got me into video games. It was certainly my first "obsessive" game, where I just couldn't stop playing, and I've been waiting a long time for the new game. It looks great, to my eyes, with the stealth gameplay (the game series was based more around not being detected, rather than killing everything in sight, though that was always an option) now being mixed with what looks to be a much faster paced game engine. In any case, I'm very excited to put Sam Fisher through his paces again, complete with that fantastic Michael Ironside voice work...
Also very excited about the announcement yesterday that Rush is going back on the road this summer.
I love Rush with a great deal of passion. It's gonna be a heck of a juggle to get the financials worked out to make it happen (the SDCC costs are always on the horizon, but they're playing July 5th in Chicago at the Charter One Pavilion, which is very close to downtown. For once, I won't have to drive all the way out to Tinley Park, I can just take the train, so that's a bonus.
Well, almost lunch...
Facing yet another weekend where the plate fills up fast. All good stuff, to be sure, but, man, I still yearn for a weekend where I don't have to see a show, or go to a meeting. I've been getting really excited about working on music, and my time seems oh-so limited for it.
I don't know if it's reading the Slash autobiography, or the music I've been listening to recently, but I've been feeling confident with the guitar lately. I feel inspired. Just this morning on the train, I hit upon what I think is a really cool idea, and something I've never done before. A cover, but with the full guitar/bass/drums sound. I did Freelove Freeway on early pressings (HA!) of my Hourglass 34 disk, but that was just me and an acoustic. It was also mainly a joke. (The Ballad of Serenity Valley was a second thought...LOL)
This would be more of a serious attempt. With a concept for attacking it that fits into the whole idea behind the tenor of tracks I'm working on, now. If it doesn't work, no fear...You'll never hear about it again.
Anyway, there will be some time for music this weekend, I think. Tonight we're taking in The Plagiarists' The Wreck of the Medusa.
Tomorrow we'll be heading out for Ryan M's belated birthday celebration, including Hello, Again with Bohemian Theatre Ensemble.
Sunday is yet another Stage Left meeting. Adding in the general tasks of grocery shopping and laundry, that ought to leave me some time Saturday during the day, and Sunday evening to play a bit.
Still, who knows? Best laid plans, and all that...
First week of Sun, Stand Thou Still is in the can, and I'm having a pretty good time. Last night was table work, and I think the entire company learned that I am one of those people who can just run on at the mouth when I get to thinking about things. Next week is very, very lean, for me, I'm only in on Monday night for a one-on-one session with our director. That's nice, but also a challenge. It's a long time to be away from it, and then jump back in the following week. I also really need to get down to business with the script. It's not a huge part, but there are pretty dense, fast-paced (at least in my mind, for what that's worth) sections, that I really would like to get in my head as soon as possible.
I pre-ordered Splinter Cell: Conviction for my Xbox this week, and it ought to be in my hands Tuesday evening...I'm jazzed.
Splinter Cell is, in a lot of ways, the game that really got me into video games. It was certainly my first "obsessive" game, where I just couldn't stop playing, and I've been waiting a long time for the new game. It looks great, to my eyes, with the stealth gameplay (the game series was based more around not being detected, rather than killing everything in sight, though that was always an option) now being mixed with what looks to be a much faster paced game engine. In any case, I'm very excited to put Sam Fisher through his paces again, complete with that fantastic Michael Ironside voice work...
Also very excited about the announcement yesterday that Rush is going back on the road this summer.
I love Rush with a great deal of passion. It's gonna be a heck of a juggle to get the financials worked out to make it happen (the SDCC costs are always on the horizon, but they're playing July 5th in Chicago at the Charter One Pavilion, which is very close to downtown. For once, I won't have to drive all the way out to Tinley Park, I can just take the train, so that's a bonus.
Well, almost lunch...
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Day One....
After a fairly long dry spell, I'm starting a new show tonight. Sun, Stand Thou Still with Ka-Tet Theatre. It's exciting, and a bit scary. I always get nervous with new shows where I don't know anyone. It's always impossible to tell how the personalities will mesh until you're neck-deep in the process, and, frankly, I can be a bear to work with.
No, no...I'm not unpleasant, I don't argue and fight. However, I'm almost 40. I know what works for me, and what doesn't, at this point.
Case in point; group warm-ups....HATE them. I like to go off by myself and get centered, and go from there. I don't feel comfortable standing in a circle "getting my energy up," and I can be a real butthead about it. In fact, anything that makes me feel like I'm at a summer camp is really not fun for me.
I'll usually bear it out for a while, then slip away to be by myself.
Anyway...there will be another edition of yesterday's blog, but I have to work myself up to it. The Peter Pan situation, even at the time I understood, was not a malicious situation. No one was evil, it was just an overly stressful situation, and a lot of people got caught up in it. Doesn't change my utter despair over it, but I didn't walk out of that show hating a specific person, or feeling they were evil.
I'd be exposed to that soon enough.
Also...some people seem to have gotten the idea that yesterday was some sort of statement of my desire to quit, again. Not so. I have the impulse a lot, I assure you, and, as I said, at least once a year I feel that utter despair of being lost within something that I can't feel a connection to. I was simply talking about how depressing that show was over the weekend, and, yes...it did connect to some of the things I've seen/am dealing with lately. That doesn't mean I'm packing in, just yet.
I also got "Reason" and "Zep" re-done over the weekend. "Zep" still needs a guitar solo, but I've got most of that worked on in my head, I just need to get it down. REALLY happy with how these new versions sound, and I can hear new riffs in my head....So, hopefully, this weekend with bring at least the start of a new track.
No, no...I'm not unpleasant, I don't argue and fight. However, I'm almost 40. I know what works for me, and what doesn't, at this point.
Case in point; group warm-ups....HATE them. I like to go off by myself and get centered, and go from there. I don't feel comfortable standing in a circle "getting my energy up," and I can be a real butthead about it. In fact, anything that makes me feel like I'm at a summer camp is really not fun for me.
I'll usually bear it out for a while, then slip away to be by myself.
Anyway...there will be another edition of yesterday's blog, but I have to work myself up to it. The Peter Pan situation, even at the time I understood, was not a malicious situation. No one was evil, it was just an overly stressful situation, and a lot of people got caught up in it. Doesn't change my utter despair over it, but I didn't walk out of that show hating a specific person, or feeling they were evil.
I'd be exposed to that soon enough.
Also...some people seem to have gotten the idea that yesterday was some sort of statement of my desire to quit, again. Not so. I have the impulse a lot, I assure you, and, as I said, at least once a year I feel that utter despair of being lost within something that I can't feel a connection to. I was simply talking about how depressing that show was over the weekend, and, yes...it did connect to some of the things I've seen/am dealing with lately. That doesn't mean I'm packing in, just yet.
I also got "Reason" and "Zep" re-done over the weekend. "Zep" still needs a guitar solo, but I've got most of that worked on in my head, I just need to get it down. REALLY happy with how these new versions sound, and I can hear new riffs in my head....So, hopefully, this weekend with bring at least the start of a new track.
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