Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Dressed to Kill

Well, it's finally here. Dress rehearsal tonight. I'm excited and nervous about it at the same time. It's been so long since I was involved with a theater production, but in some ways it feels like I was never away.

Dress rehearsal is always such an important night. There will be an audience - selected important people are invited - and this makes all the difference. For weeks and weeks we have been rehearsing the show. The same lines, over and over again. It's a comedy, and those of us watching have laughed, but it's not the same as when there's an audience. The 50th time you hear a funny line, well, it's just not that funny anymore. I've heard it all, and read along in my script so often, sometimes I think I could go on and replace any of the actors should an emergency occur. Who needs understudies? I'll just do it.

Suddenly, though, when there are fresh ears, it's as if it's all new again. The actors will find out where the big laughs are, and learn to adjust their timing to allow for that. We'll also find out some important stuff tonight, like whether the quick costume changes will work. How to work lines around the sound effects. Whether it's possible to melt from the extreme heat when we're all crowded in the small space backstage.

Somehow, I hope to keep everything organized backstage. Get the girls changed into new outfits during the scene changes. Make sure the props are at hand, and in hand, when they are supposed to be. Make sure the tech guys know when it's safe to bring up the lights. Ensure there is an apply supply of water and lozenges ready for scratchy throats. Be a silent cheerleader for actors coming off of or waiting to go out on stage. Keep track of where we are in the script in case anything goes wrong. See? Nervous and excited.

Dress Rehearsal. I can't wait.

25 comments:

As Cape Cod Turns said...

BREAK A LEG!!! I can't wait to hear how it all goes! You guys have worked so hard! HAVE FUN!!!

Unknown said...

Break a leg, ME! Looking forward to photos! Enjoy each moment!
~AM

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Have fun. You deserve it after all the hard work you've put in. Glad I get to see you briefly this morning!

Hallie :)

Laura Marchant said...

Good luck!

Evansmom said...

I accepted ME's challenge and started a blog. I hope you will check me out at

www.justsayin-evansmom.blogspot.com

I can't say as I am nearly as witty and entertaining as ME but I hope you will join me on my journey into the blog world.

Unknown said...

We had tech last night and it went well.

MET is correct. It's nervous time. Can you hear that? It's my knees knocking together.

As the director of the show, my job is just about done. One more night of "directing) and then I hand the whole shooting match over to my stage manager...which just happens to be Mary Ellen.

I could not be happier with doing so, however. There is no one I'd rather have back stage, in charge, than her.

And not just because I know, throughout the show, what juvenile thoughts will be running through her head at various lines.

I have been blessed to have her as my partner in crime and theatrical malapropisms.

(I can't wait to see if my leading male says "nice piece of ass..." or if my Mayor will say "That son of a bitch Alderman...")

Unknown said...

"Break a Leg"!
THat is AWESOME!! That has to be such a rewarding, FUN, and fulfilling job! MORE FUN and EXCITING than acting!!! :)

Eternal Lizdom said...

Break a leg!!!

Nonna said...

Dress rehearsal is the most fun...and get ready for a kudos and a critique from the director...there are always little issues that are noticed on dress rehearsal night that a good director will point out and try to correct for the performances...enjoy it all, it's an amazing experience that's hard to describe to someone who has never been part of a play or musical production !

Corrine said...

can't wait!!! WOOT!

Hey, check out full circle's blog today, ME.

c3 said...

Awesome! I love dress rehearsal, and I hate it, too. Break a leg tonight!

Melissa said...

Break a leg!

Kim said...

Good luck! (I see some others already said "break a leg!")

Corrine said...

ME, full circle has a note to her birth mother posted. Some commonality, maybe you could poke her.

Elenka said...

I certainly can see how you would be nervous and excited. After all that work, I'll be it's very satisfying to see this thing fall into place. Good Luck!! Looking forward to hearing about it.

Elenka said...

'bet'

Unknown said...

cool, hope it goes well.

Odette said...

Oh man I love the dress rehearsal, although now time seems to move at light speed and before you know it the show will be closing!

I am so jealous! I miss live theater so so much you are going to have the best time! :)

Andrew I am sure that you both are going to be blown away by how amazing your team does. I am sure that you all have done great jobs! :)

MaBunny said...

good luck!

Mrs4444 said...

Break a leg!!!

Cupcake Blonde said...

Have a fabulous time! I always loved dress rehersals. That's where you find out if everything is really going to work together. And you get pumped up for Opening Night. Can't wait to hear all about it!

What show are you doing?

Robin said...

good luck (or break a leg, whichever is the "luckiest")!!

you'll do great, it'll be fine and we'll get to read about as if we were there....can't wait!

Lori Skoog said...

So how did it go?

joanne said...

you know I have to say it....break a leg!!

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