I agree. Those last weeks are the craziest as well as the most fun.

I'm bringing the high school kids in on Tuesday to start building. Already have had kids ask when we start. We'll get the set done in 7 weeks and have the actors take the stage with the finished set for the last two weeks.

That's when I get all my light cues going, deal with the forgotten costumes, fix the changes to the script the director forgot to tell me (those are always fun ) AND teach the crew stage hands what they will move and when.

Good Times!

No, there is nothing more exciting than live theatre.

Tell 'em all to break a leg for me!

I was fortunate enough to direct this show several years ago.  As a matter of fact, I designed and built the set almost by myself (had a little help) and when it was done - it was gorgeous.  BEAUTIFUL deep red colors, rich looking floor (I laid on the floor painting each individual board like complete with nailheads - I'd fall asleep on the floor, wake up and keep going...lasted all night).  But the characters are GREAT in this show - an actors' tasty plate if you ask me - playing all those different roles.  I was lucky to have a great cast (well save one actor who wanted to know "what his motivation" was in some scene - to which I replied "because I told you to do it") and it was a wonderful success.  LOVED the script, the characters, NOT the props (prop-heavy show) and the set (dressed by a good friend of mine who is incredible - I was lucky).  And it was a financial success too which is about all I could hope for but got far more.

Hope YOU enjoy it as much as I did.  It was a fun, fun show with some great acting opportunities in it for actors.  Break legs, eh?

TonyDi

To both of you -- do your actors find that response helpful?

You would have loved working with THAT actor.  What I said at the time was WHAT HE NEEDED TO HEAR.  He HAD all that was required to do the job and he chose to make life difficult.  I simply needed to take the bull by the horns and wrestle it to the ground.  Afterwards he was fine. He did the job and was excellent.  And I told him so too.

Thanks for your observation.

TonyDi

As I said, I didn't come on here to incite anyone's ire.  Evidently you think so. That's regrettable.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESSFUL SHOW!!!  Always nice when the audience - whether the critics think so or not - like the show and extend their appreciation by such rousing applause.  It's a good show and apparently you and your cast did a stellar job to warrant such accolade.  Makes doing it worth the time invested to say the least.  But as always it's a crap-shoot.  You never know how something is going to be received.  It changes from audience member to audience member and performance to performance.  Best thing is to be consistent and let the chips fall where they may.

I've always loved it when the audiences for successful shows pretty much negate what a scathing critic might say.  Seems like icing to me.  But this critic issue is another topic altogether.  It's the audience we do this work for - not the critics.  And I am delighted that you had a good opening and trust you will have a successful rest of the run.  Break legs all around - and break open that champagne bottle!! 

TonyDi

Thanks for the clarification.  Without context, I misunderstood what was going on.

No ire here whatsoever.

No, I'm fairly sure he thinks I was.

This makes sense, in context with how you have said you work.  Again, here, it's me with the failure of understanding.

You all know the story George Burns used to tell on this topic, right?

Director:  In this scene, there's knock on the door, Joe opens it, and you come in.

Actor:  Why?  What's my motivation?

Director:  Okay, there's a knock on the door, Joe opens it, and you DON'T come in.

Actor:  Why NOT?

Director:  Because the actor who has replaced you will be coming in instead.

Never having been unfortunate enough to actually see an actor get to that point, I certainly understand the reaction.

Hey castMe,

I am so delighted it worked for you.  Actually it DID take some audiences a little while to catch on when we moved from scenario to scenario, changing characters, changing scenes.  But it wasn't long.  They picked up on the idea pretty quick - just a little slow on the uptake.  It IS such a good script and covers the gamut for most of the actors of a wide array of character types with which to shine.  Glad you had a good show.  More of the same now!! 

TonyDi

By the way, did you read your Private Message about the other issue?  Wasn't irritated with you - or anyone actually.  More shocked and a little stung.  I'll get over it I guess.

Originally posted by castMe Shoot.  I don't suppose any of you folks would be interested in coming up to Waterville, ME a few weeks before Thanksgiving.  It's really lovely in Maine in the autumn and you can sleep in the theater.  POB, BMD, Topper?  Anyone? Still smiling here.

I'd consider it (you do pay mileage, right? ), but I may be busy.  I never mention upcoming auditions (I'm a die-hard rationalist, except when I'm acting!), but the kids and I may be stopping by a local theatrical establishment the first weekend in October . . . I hear there's an upcoming Christmas Pageant, and rumor has it that it may be the Best Ever . . .