The Last Five Days... The Last Five Weeks... The Last Five Years

We closed last night after an all too brief run. What a great experience. I was initially very excited to be asked to direct this project. What an honour when people who know a lot of talented people ask you to participate in a major way to their project. I am even more flattered after all is done. When I think of the entire team they assembled and the quality of the skills that everyone brought I feel blessed to have been a part of it, and even more blessed to have been considered equal to the task. I think I held my own. I certainly was happy with the production. I like working with people who strive to be as good as they can be, who take notes with the intentions given (to make it more right), and who trust me. I think I earned the trust. This was such a wonderful process. It felt a little tight for time at the beginning, and another week (a warmer one) plus a few more shows would have been lovely, but those would have been icing on the cake. We had 4 fabulous shows. We received plenty of positive feedback. And we didn't compromise on the standards that we all set for ourselves. I feel I learned from this experience and I think that those I worked with did too. I met some new wonderful artists and strengthened the bonds I already have with others. Perhaps the short run will teach those who said 'I wish I had made it' to not miss it the next time? Who knows.

All in all the last 5 days, the last 5 weeks and The Last 5 Years passed by all too quickly...

Still Number 12 on the Wait List....

A conversation the other evening with Magnolia while the techs focused the lights reminded me that I needed to see where we were at with my Fringe show so I sent off an email to the Fringe. I am still #12 on the Wait List, but I was told not to fret, that I should check back in April and that things were likely (but not guaranteed) to change with regards to my number. So, I am still waiting. That's alright. I have more than enough to keep me waiting until April. Perhaps I shall review the script. It has been a while since I tracked through it. I picked it up last weekend and got discouraged as it all sounded familiar (I did write it - it should be familiar), but maybe after this week and The Last Five Years is done, I can truly focus. Speaking of, the show is quite lovely. I may be bias in this assessment, but I don't think I am. I just want the heat on in the theatre so my actors don't get sick. It is a big sing for both of them (though Martin will say he has the harder stuff - ha!) as each has 1/2 of the 80 minute show to sing. The songs are challenging and push at both ends of their ranges and they are fabulous. This week will be a marathon for them.

Tech week/days... we open on Thursday...

Tonight we move into the space. We will use tonight to get our set established and see how some of our ideas for set will work in the space. I hope people realize what a luxury it is to work in Walterdale when you get the stage for weeks and sometimes over a month before the show opens. You can clearly see what doesn't work and try new things and have more than 3 days to figure it out when it doesn't work. We will be doing some painting of the cubes in the space because the cold has made it impossible to paint in unheated garages. A summer show is easier in that respect. I painted the chair in my kitchen last night and I am quite liking what it looks like. I might go get more gold enamel or else I will be frugal with it. I am without children until 3:20 today so I have a bit of time. I am foregoing the pedicure until another day. A nap might be more useful for this week and I am not the one who have to bare my toes in the show.

I whipped up some fliers to copy and take to my Drama class tomorrow. I hope some of them come and see it. I do not know if there are musical fans out there. The Third Space is also a challenge for non-drivers, but perhaps a few of the them could taxi-pool... I'm just saying...

I am relieved that I can move my right arm again. Today it feels like normal, but I still get a twinge here and there if I reach too quickly. At least I have the extension of the arm. I just can't move it as fast as I'd like to sometimes. It really through me for a loop this weekend Thursday was excruciating. I feel my 41 years in times like that, because I know that my age has a lot to do with the machine breaking down occasionally. In any case, I now have the drugs required and the rest needed to function again. Just in time...

Just a few things...

1. Wonderful to hear the band with the voices on Sunday. Cathy and Jamie sound so good and when you add violins, and guitar, and the coolness that a bass just is, it all gets better. Somewhat sad I had to leave before they made it through the whole show, but I will hear it again (and again, and again). The Last Five Years, People! March 12-14th! Be there!

2. Good meeting tonight with the directors of the Reading for he Footlights Festival. We have a plan for casting both shows that should be fair and manageable. A bit of a challenge to sort it all out from names and numbers and some resumes, but we do have a plan. Both the ladies are sharp and keen and enthusiastic and working for the good of the script. That's what I like to hear! I feel good about this.

3. Spent a lot of time working for Revenue Canada today and I am glad that is done for another year. When you only do the monumental task once a year it is always a steep learning curve come February!

4. Great fun at the library with Gibson today. If I paid attention to what he actually said I would know everything there is to know about Mario.

A Good Day...

Today was the Friday of Teacher's Convention. It was so nice not to have to leave the house for anything. The boys are getting to the age that (for the most part) they can play well together and they also appreciate a day with no running around. I had a couple of big writing and reading tasks that I needed to do and the boys played and I got to work. I completed my Post-Workshop Draft of Zachary and the Storytelling Stones for my meeting on Tuesday and I also finally got around to the second Draft of Mr. Twiddles, the script I am providing dramaturgy for as part of the Play Readings portion of the Footlights Festival. I have felt bad about the second item because my life got crazy-busy with winning the workshop for Zachary so I lost the time I thought I would have over Reading Week to get things done. I had a lot of scripts to read and that had to happen, as did the workshop and whatever work I had for school and L5Y, so unfortunately I pushed Mr. Twiddles to the back burner. I didn't want to do a sloppy job of it and not give it the time it deserved. Today I focused and got the work done.

I also did laundry and managed to make my clothes minty fresh by leaving a full pack of gum in the back pocket of a pair of jeans. Duh!

p.s. Twas nice to wake up singing songs from L5Y. We had a good rehearsal last night. My actors are working so hard and they pick up notes so fast. I will soon become redundant and unnecessary (let's hope not).

Salvaging the day...

I apologized and threw up the white flag... it was thrown back in my face. I can do no more.

I am going to try and salvage the day by writing about what went well.

1. Gibson had a fabulous play-date with Ethan from Fun Factory. You would think having two 4 year olds running around would be crazier than normal, but it was not. It was delightful. They played well and negotiated with each other and there were no fights or tears.

2. I received some lovely e-mails/messages from people complimenting me on what I said (my apology and taking ownership of the error). I appreciate those people. I even got one from someone I do not know, but who was reading and involved in the discussion. I really appreciate this kindness from a stranger. I also appreciate being informed, so thanks to that individual who gave me the heads up. I like tackling things head-on. I will own when I am wrong, but if I don't know about a problem I can't even attempt to apologize for it or repair it. I also received help and support from the Board. My gracious thanks, because I do not know if I deserve it.

3. I finished my homework.

4. I had wonderful thoughts about last night's rehearsal. To think we have completely blocked the show and in such a short amount of time. There are already some lovely, fully realized moments and it can only grow from here.

5. Oliver was very helpful today. I think he sensed my sadness, but for whatever reason, he has been super good and had a good day at school.

6. I bought flowers at the grocery store this morning and they are lovely to look at.

Public vs. Private

Apparently I have stirred up a bit of a 'shitstorm' (not my word, someone else's). I forget that people might possibly read this Blog... well, I know a few who do... friends and family and the like, but I guess I assume I'm not really anybody so I don't think people outside my immediate circle of friends and family actually read this. I guess I am wrong.

Overall, in the previous post I say the show is good (I looked, I say that) and that it had the potential to be tremendous. A show has a life and an evolution. I saw it Opening Night, perhaps with a few more runs the kinks would be smoothed out. Who knows? The trouble with commenting is that people only hear what they think is 'negative'. I am torn on what to do now. I like synthesizing my opinion. I may have to refrain from commenting on theatre productions in future and that concerns me as I really like this blogging thing and theatre is such a big part of my life. I don't want to be a Pollyanna and just say everything is great when better could be done.

Anyhow, I took out the stuff on Hamlet. I may or may not be posting for a while...