Hamilton-Gibson Blog

More loose ends

Too many loose ends. Still lines not memorized and that has me worried. A scene that isn’t memorized just doesn’t work. Duh. Some moments are classic and working really well…very funny, very moving, very  human. The challenge is to get all of it at that depth.

What did W.C.Fields say about working with children? I love working with children, but there is an element of lack of consistency that always has me worried. Again…great moments…but not consistent…yet. Two of these guys are young and never been on stage before so I’m asking a lot of them.

Tempo is a current challenge. And the tempo can’t be controlled if the lines aren’t second nature. They’re close, but not yet second nature.

The set pieces are another element. Some volunteers haven’t been able to follow through so I’m behind in that. And the lights. And the sound. (We’ve found some great 1950s clips that will work really well…as soon as we have it ready.)

Linda is a huge help. It’s so great to be able for me to put down the script and not have to follow along…to be able to watch and analyze. The best part is when I can put down the pen and not have to write anything down and just enjoy the story. I put down my pen some last night! Yeah.

I’m concerned that we don’t wear out the cast/crew. Every day a rehearsal…that’s a lot for anyone of any age. These guys are troopers and putting everything into it. I haven’t heard one word of complaint.

Hunter got his haircut yesterday and was worried it would be too short. It looks great…I can remember having haircuts just like it in the late 50s.

Costumes are almost finalized.

Rehearsal tonight without two cast members. Hopefully we can focus on scenes without them. Tomorrow a long rehearsal with lights, sound, and full run. I’m hopeful.

Always concerned about attendance. A few performances are filling up nicely, but it would be lovely if every performance were packed.

I’ve told the cast about my experience seeing the show in Rochester: I laughed with 500 others in the audience…really deep healthy screaming laughed…then the next moment found tears running down my face. It happened in rehearsal last night. Eddie the oldest son finally is able to say what has been building up inside. He explodes and honestly pours out his response to the oppression supplied by his father. Just before that moment is sheer hilarity. There I sat laughing…and aching for this wounded child.

Loose ends

Now I’m dreaming about all that has to be done. Too many loose ends; not enough time. The set still has lots to be done—those pesky doors! And painting! I want wallpaper on all the walls…but to purchase wallpaper and apply and distress it…well, maybe easier to paint and make it look like wallpaper. I love doing this, but wish I could have a few days to devote only to it.

Of course, on top of the play which opens NEXT WEEK!!!!!! are the rehearsals for the choir concert on Sunday. Not to mention getting ready for the cabaret this Saturday. And rehearsals for A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

The TV. A year ago our friends Mike and Patti Knighton left a message that there was a cool old TV sitting on the curb near their house. It was clean-up week. I tried calling them back but couldn’t reach them and left a message. They called back and left a message that it would probably be picked up that night and I’d need to get it soon. I got this message at about 10:00 at night at home. I live ten miles out of town and wasn’t about to hike back in to get it, so I called my son who was living in town then and asked if he could get over there to see if he could get it. He called from his cell phone and said it was a cool looking TV, but he couldn’t fit it in his car and that he doubted if he could even lift it himself! Wait, maybe he could drag it into the bushes of the house and leave it until morning. This is a really cool TV…it’s really big. Oh, wait, he thinks he can shove it into the back seat of his car. Wait. Yep, he’s got it in.

That’s the story of the TV. The Knightons didn’t even know we were going to produce a play that takes place in the 50s…but they knew it was cool enough that just in case we ever did a show in the 50s we’d have the TV. And we do.

The set

More sheesh!

Now that TWO GENTLEMEN  OF VERONA is over (still playing in area high schools, however) we have the stage available to begin building the set. I’m going back and forth as to the layout of the set. I’ve been working with one plan for the past six weeks, but now I’m second guessing. Rudy and Georgie’s bedroom…where the heck is the best place for it. It all works in my head and with the current blocking, but for some reason I want it more toward the audience; but the only place is far stage left…and maybe that’s too far left! And lighting it would be problematical.

Jim Reifer is helping today to build an small extension to the stage for the Rudy/Sister scenes…I definitely want that down center…right in the audience face. I did go back and forth on that for a while, but once we really got into the rehearsals it was clear that it needed to be down and center…down and dirty. One of the scenes opens the play so it must have the feel of “OK, here it goes; this boy has a conflict…and her name is Sister Clarissa.” Anything but in your face would lessen the impact.

I’ve got to begin rehearsals for A CHRISTMAS CAROL very soon. Rob Kathcart is in TWO GENTS  so he’s hoping we can wait until it’s over to begin (he plays Scrooge). Jeff Ryan is in both OTT and CC so he’s going to be one busy fellow. (And we’re still looking for a replacement for one actress in the version at the other site. Any women out there who’d like to be in a play?)

Georgie comes tonight for his first full rehearsal. Looking forward to having the whole family together at last. We’re having pizza; the family that eats together…

Phases

Sheesh…look at how long it’s been since I wrote about this process. Don’t think for a moment that the process has not been ongoing! Rehearsals have been wonderful…lively and focused…and a lot of fun. This cast has a sense of humor. A sense of humor is necessary—and a blessing—with a cast because there are so many ups and downs in the process. There are phases. One of those phases is “OK, what in the world did I ever sign up for this play; the weather outside is just too beautiful to be spending in a dark theatre with no windows.” Another phase might be “I’ll never get these lines; why did I ever sign up for this play!” Another phase is likely to be “Day after day after day…we’re going through the same scene a million times; why did I ever sign up for this play!” A sense of humor can carry a cast through these and a host of other phases.

Linda Iseri is a huge help in the process. She is eager to learn and ready to help. She’s been able to work with characters on lines while I work on the stage. It’s a great benefit and an efficient use of time for the actors; I do not like to have actors sitting around doing nothing! (“The weather outside is just too beautiful to be spending in a dark theatre with no windows….doing nothing!”

After a lot of consideration, Marie has left the cast as Sister Clarissa. We’re hoping to get her to record the lines of the Mother Superior. Barbara Biddison has agreed to step in as the old nun. At this late date, she’s done more than step…she’s jumped with both feet!

We also have a Georgie! Nate Wilson is an elementary school student in Wellsboro and is eager to play this difficult role. We’ve only had one rehearsal with him, so Wednesday is going to be a big rehearsal.