Long Time No Read...

Sorry to all the fans of my finest literary work to date. I have been
slacking on my duties as a documenter of New Line History.

As you can imagine, the show is almost polished. We open Thursday so
it better be. Last weekend was the beginning of "hell week". Saturday
we went from cue to cue for the lighting folks (this day is
shockingly called "cue to cue"... I wonder how they came up with that
one?) Of course Sunday was my favorite day... the Band! It makes all
the difference in the world when you get to hear them behind you. It
kinda psychs you up!

Hot Blades is coming along. I have been playing a little more with
him where possible. Old man Strong is a tad harder for me. His lines
are not necessarily funny or even powerful a lot of the times. I have
been playing him a little more real to garner sympathy for him when
he gets sent to Urinetown. I think he's come a long way from where
he started.

Can't really think of much else except BUY YOUR TICKETS! I warned
peeps the last time and they couldn't get them because we sold out.
We are already at 200 for pre-sale (good for us) so heed my warning!

Arguably the Best Blog Ever

Dear Diary,

Much has happened since my last entry. Where should I begin? I guess I should mention that we moved into the theater on Sunday. Isabel and myself were supposed to just bring lunch for the crew but due to lack of crew, we stayed and helped. Isabel was getting down and dirty wearing a pretty dress and flip flops and I had on my favorite corduroy shorts and sandals... LOL. But I have to say, we rock! Matt Korinko came in later wearing his little softball uniform and of course Greggy was no where to be seen. He had to go "get lumber"... SURE GREG! I guess any man would take any opportunity they could to get some wood.

Last night we had a clean up rehearsal for dance... I guess that means we were dirty. Also, I guess I will actually have to start dancing now and not just marking it. I tend to do that until we move into the theater and start actually running the show... that way I don't risk a leg injury (yeah right). I would like to publicly apologize for breaking Zach's flip flop (thong) last night during the dance. He was really upset. I hate to see a 7 foot tall man cry (well maybe he's only 6'8").

Tonight we run the show in its entirety. A little worried here. I haven't really gone over lines in a while and I won't have time today because I have a photo shoot with Mayor Francis Slay (oops... I just dropped a name... let me pick that up). I'm hoping my energy and enthusiasm picks up soon. Its strange. I love this show and I like the people in it, but I still miss Grease and the gang from there. I think that's one of those shows that I will always miss and nothing will ever measure up. All that aside, this is such a hard show to get right and I want to be good but it's really hard coming straight from work after 9 to 10 hours of brain bashing. I just feel dead inside (hmmm, thats how I felt with the last person I dated too). I definitely don't feel like I am totally with it when I'm there and I'm not sure that I am acting as friendly (and by friendly I mean smart ass) as I usually am. Plus I don't think I am giving 100% to my performance -- My mind is totally focused on this magazine I am designing thats going to have Francis Slay on the cover (OMG, I did it again. I'm such a clutz today). I'm sure it'll work itself out. Wish us (more like me) luck!

Hail Francis Slay. Now you can go back to surfing for porn!

HBH

Consider Yourself Warned

So last night we were supposed to be off book for Act 2. Lets just say it seemed a little rougher than Act 1, especially the first time through. Although I have to say, even though, as a whole, we weren't as solid as we could have been, it seems we are much more on target without a script in our hands. Its also easier to play, as Matt Korinko says on his brilliant blog (see the link to the right and feel free to leave him a comment... he really gets excited when people do that), and it will get even easier when the lines become second nature.

One thing is clear, this show is going to be aggressive. We are "up in the audiences grill" quite a bit. Now I know some people like to be passive theater attendees. They like to keep their distance from the actors and really would be quite happy if they never had to interact with us at all (and that’s fine. Many people also purchase John Tesh CD’s. Far be it for me to pass judgment.) But if any of the 11 people reading this blog are those kind of theater goers, PLEASE, call your friends that are just like you (you know who they are... birds of a feather and all) and tell them that maybe you all should skip Urinetown.

Don't show up and sit in the front row of the theater and refuse to turn around and watch when action starts taking place behind you. Don't bitch when a flashlight gets shined in your face and don't watch the entire show with your arms folded like you are pissed off at the world that you are stuck at the Artloft. I know that people like you really like some of the "big budget" companies in town, but let me tell you..."Those Companies" do not and will not ever do the kind of work that you can expect at a New Line Show... And the people in charge there that "sweeten up" traditionally edgy shows because their audience (i.e. people like you) might get offended should be disemboweled with a potato peeler.

So if you're in the mood to see a really "cute" production after dinner at Kemol's... go to the East Side. At least there you don't have to interact with the entertainment unless you pay $20 bucks for "Candy" to mount you like the pony you always wanted (or had in some cases) when you were a kid.

You've been warned! Now you can go back to surfing for porn!

HBH

What the F**k Did You Say?

Let me just start off by saying this... Urinetown is brilliantly written and poetic in much of it's lyrics and dialogue. Now that I have prefaced...

...this shit is hard to say! Just memorizing lines becomes a chore for our midwest vocal chords. Mind you, most of us hail from or have been influenced heavily by the St. Louis area-- a metro known for its "unique" vernacular (highway Farty Far). So maybe it is just us. Maybe other companies don't have this problem... maybe they all pronounce it "yoorintown"... those bastards!

The other challenge is in creating character voices and still enunciating properly. The voice you pick and your delivery can be funny as hell but if they can't understand what you're saying, who cares. The worst feeling in the world is looking out and the audience has that "I don't understand" look - you know the look. It's the same one people surely got trying to understand Helen Keller at first. I am having that problem with Hot Blades Harry and I am sure others are struggling with it as well. There are a lot of parts in this show that rely on building believable characters and as that process goes along, I'm sure we are all hyper-aware of making sure the audience can understand us - at least I am trying to be. Maybe its just me! Maybe I am the only one worried about it! Maybe no one else cares and I am sweating over this little detail for nothing! OMG! Oh Wait! Scott Miller is concerned... thats right....PHEWW!!!!

And I haven't even mentioned the singing.... I am trying to approach this like when I was in madrigal choir where everything is over enunciated and exaggerated because once we start singing together, we don't want it to become a big ole' gob of yuck! There is this one line that goes "Cladwell's nuts, no ifs ands or buts". Easy to read but hard as hell to sing and get all the words in there. The problem for me is I tend to belt it out too loudly to over compensate and I got a note for it last night, so I need to pipe down... woops.

On a new note - we start blocking act 2 tonight. We ran act 1 last night in its entirety for the first time... and it wasn't too shabby. We'll get there! Oh yeah... we were off book for act 1 last night as well.... a little rough in spots but I have faith in us (myself anyway...screw the rest of those people... hee hee).

Enough blabbering by the guy none of you know and/or care what he says. Now you can go back to surfing for porn!

HBH