Hey, also...a few of us from the show are blogging.
Check them out:
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Leave a message...
Rent Rehearsals are in full swing and moving at the speed of light. Because I don't know the music as well as most, and some songs not at all, I am doing my homework and trying to learn what I can in advance. This Sunday we are rehearsing the voice mails and some pretty big songs. I am playing Alexi Darling and she has some pretty well known VMs. I have listened to about 15 different recordings of them today. Too funny. They, unless I am just not getting it, are not supposed to sound good so much as annoying and somewhat taxing to the ear. Somewhat of a stress reliever, and a good time to have fun!PLAY!!!! yeah! I am also playing Roger's mom. So...I will learn that one too...before I have to rehearse it, lol.
Monday, January 13, 2014
One Down...
After three, annoying, cancellations due to St. Louis Snowpocalypse, we finally had our first rehearsal for Rent last night. It was good. We sound good. Like good. I, as was to be expected, was nervous...but really once we got going it was fine. One of the most reassuring, if not intimidating, parts of the whole evening was how well most of the cast already knows the material. I am learning as I go; but a handful of the cast, not counting the folks who have already done this show, seem to know it by heart...freaks. haha, just kidding...no, but really...I'm only half intimidated now.
Observations from last night:
1.) There are no two alike in this production! You need only look at the bevvy of hair and clothing styles to see that...and wait until we speak and sing, haha. Talented weirdos of every variety. it's nice.
2.) The production team, maybe even more so than the cast, is super excited to be staging Rent. This artistic team is going to make us look and sound gggooooooodddd! Thanks!
3.) All the companies who own rights to musicals and books need to get their shit together. I have NEVER worked on a show where the book and the music matched up 100% Why is this? Isn't that their job? Don't they charge a butt load of cash for the rights to perform their property? Well, then buckle down, put on your big gal panties, and fix it! Makes me crazy.
4.) Found out there is an orgy of sorts in this musical...Contact. I didn't know that. OK then...3-2-1 have fake sex on a 12 ft moon. haha. OK.
Observations from last night:
1.) There are no two alike in this production! You need only look at the bevvy of hair and clothing styles to see that...and wait until we speak and sing, haha. Talented weirdos of every variety. it's nice.
2.) The production team, maybe even more so than the cast, is super excited to be staging Rent. This artistic team is going to make us look and sound gggooooooodddd! Thanks!
3.) All the companies who own rights to musicals and books need to get their shit together. I have NEVER worked on a show where the book and the music matched up 100% Why is this? Isn't that their job? Don't they charge a butt load of cash for the rights to perform their property? Well, then buckle down, put on your big gal panties, and fix it! Makes me crazy.
4.) Found out there is an orgy of sorts in this musical...Contact. I didn't know that. OK then...3-2-1 have fake sex on a 12 ft moon. haha. OK.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
It didn't snow enough last night: an at work, and in the dark rant...
The tittle really does sum this whole thing up. Im sitting with 7 other Theatre teachers, in a tiny little room, in the dark. We all got done early, but have to stay here until 3....tick toc tick toc...tick toc!
Tick toc...But, this dark and all this waiting got me thinking....what would it be like to live somewhere with no real heat or electricity? What would it be like to be basically homeless and squatting in a huge loft, with no prospects for money or amusement? Could I survive the sickness and the cold and the hunger and the loneliness? Why do people like this musical? The premise sounds AWFUL!!!! It sounds nothing like what a catchy rock opera, with attractive folks and 5 part harmonies should. I know that the bleakness isn't the point; the relationships-the fighting-the energy-the love-the SURVIVAL is where the heart is. I guess I'll find out soon...like in 3 days.
Tick toc...But, this dark and all this waiting got me thinking....what would it be like to live somewhere with no real heat or electricity? What would it be like to be basically homeless and squatting in a huge loft, with no prospects for money or amusement? Could I survive the sickness and the cold and the hunger and the loneliness? Why do people like this musical? The premise sounds AWFUL!!!! It sounds nothing like what a catchy rock opera, with attractive folks and 5 part harmonies should. I know that the bleakness isn't the point; the relationships-the fighting-the energy-the love-the SURVIVAL is where the heart is. I guess I'll find out soon...like in 3 days.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
In the beginning...
Cohesive, this will not be.
A lot of my friends call me a "Theatre Cheerleader." I accept this because I try my best to support and promote STL theatre, when I can. Theatre; it's what I do, it's what my friends do, it's (WARNING - CHEESY) what pays my RENT. I feel compelled to reinforce the idea that we CAN and DO produce good theatre here in St. Louis!! Like any other theatre town...we also produce our own ass-load of shit, but...I don't promote those productions, if avoidable.
Um, okay-confession: Unlike 95% of theatre folk, I have not heard all the music from Rent. I have not seen the movie version of Rent. I have not seen a live stage production of Rent. Aside from what EVERYONE else knows...I do not know this musical all that well. I am not one of the masses, on this one. I have never felt an overwhelming urge to see it, listen to it, or act in it. However, I heard/saw the film version of "Santa Fe," and that has stuck with me. I love that fucking song, hard. I don't know why. I really don't know what it refers backs too or connects with. I don't know why this devastatingly hot, caramel, man is singing about a desert city, while swirling around in a subway car. No clue. Don't care. Love that song. Is it wrong to admit, that other than some serious prodding from the Bull (BF), that is one of the major factors in me auditioning for Rent? Too bad, it was. That song moved me, somehow, and I wanted to be part of it. Now I get to be. The end. Boom!
On a different note, and confession #2: as would be expected, most of the cast of Rent has been very vocal at how excited they are to begin. Not me. I am horrified. No, really. I hate week one of rehearsals. Give me an audition, a call back, give me a performance...any day. Those first few days, you know-when I don't know shit and everyone else is all amazingly perfect and off book and fine...I'm a hot mess. A hot ass, not confident, not vocal, not in my own skin, mess. But....that fades, quickly. The first two or three days I feel out of sorts and displaced and uncomfortable...like an amateur. After that, if history is any indication, I love it and am a happy little camper. Just, ya know, so you all know.
Lastly, my ass hurts from sitting on the floor so I'll make this quick. This is my first show with New Line Theatre. I have seen several productions, but never been a part of the performance. I don't do a lot of musicals...this actually is exciting. ***Also, now Anna can really never ask me to sing Take me or Leave Me, at karaoke ever again! Haha!! Worth it!!
Bye?
A lot of my friends call me a "Theatre Cheerleader." I accept this because I try my best to support and promote STL theatre, when I can. Theatre; it's what I do, it's what my friends do, it's (WARNING - CHEESY) what pays my RENT. I feel compelled to reinforce the idea that we CAN and DO produce good theatre here in St. Louis!! Like any other theatre town...we also produce our own ass-load of shit, but...I don't promote those productions, if avoidable.
Um, okay-confession: Unlike 95% of theatre folk, I have not heard all the music from Rent. I have not seen the movie version of Rent. I have not seen a live stage production of Rent. Aside from what EVERYONE else knows...I do not know this musical all that well. I am not one of the masses, on this one. I have never felt an overwhelming urge to see it, listen to it, or act in it. However, I heard/saw the film version of "Santa Fe," and that has stuck with me. I love that fucking song, hard. I don't know why. I really don't know what it refers backs too or connects with. I don't know why this devastatingly hot, caramel, man is singing about a desert city, while swirling around in a subway car. No clue. Don't care. Love that song. Is it wrong to admit, that other than some serious prodding from the Bull (BF), that is one of the major factors in me auditioning for Rent? Too bad, it was. That song moved me, somehow, and I wanted to be part of it. Now I get to be. The end. Boom!
On a different note, and confession #2: as would be expected, most of the cast of Rent has been very vocal at how excited they are to begin. Not me. I am horrified. No, really. I hate week one of rehearsals. Give me an audition, a call back, give me a performance...any day. Those first few days, you know-when I don't know shit and everyone else is all amazingly perfect and off book and fine...I'm a hot mess. A hot ass, not confident, not vocal, not in my own skin, mess. But....that fades, quickly. The first two or three days I feel out of sorts and displaced and uncomfortable...like an amateur. After that, if history is any indication, I love it and am a happy little camper. Just, ya know, so you all know.
Lastly, my ass hurts from sitting on the floor so I'll make this quick. This is my first show with New Line Theatre. I have seen several productions, but never been a part of the performance. I don't do a lot of musicals...this actually is exciting. ***Also, now Anna can really never ask me to sing Take me or Leave Me, at karaoke ever again! Haha!! Worth it!!
Bye?
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