May 11, 2005
Not only is Lennon the first Broadway show and the first professional theatre production I've been in, but it's also the first production of any sort I've done in over twenty years. My last show was in 1983, when I was a senior in high school. After attending Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) and becoming integrated into a tight theatre scene, I knew by the end that I wasn't going to do it for a living. Besides being fed up with musicals (which seemed to be virtually the only game in town), I lacked the discipline it took to be a real stage actor. I thought the natural talent and presence I had was all I needed and I didn't have a firm grip on the details. In short, I didn't wanna do the work.
So imagine my surprise when, nearly a quarter century later, I find myself thrust into an environment most of my classmates dreamed of (but not me), standing next to hard working, disciplined, award-winning veterans of the art. In order to cut it with these all-pro thespians, I have to completely surrender my mind and heart and check my ego at the door. This allows me to listen and take direction, something a lot of actors have trouble doing even at this level. I've brought with me a natural knack for characterization, which serves me well, but turning it into a performance that reaches the back of the house is the big trick. Artie the stage manager, who is running the show in the absence of the director (still in NYC), has also been running the swing rehearsals, and has a healthy dose of advice for me after each one. He lets me know if my line delivery trails off or sounds too contrived, if a line that I'm singing is inappropriate (stage and studio are two different animals), or if my performance just needs to be bigger and more "theatrical". Even though I've only had one shot at each role I'm covering and I'm focusing more on technical stuff than my performance at this point, I welcome each comment with open ears. The sooner and more often my stubborn mind hears them, the better.
Meanwhile, the main cast has completed twelve straight performances and we're three quarters of the way through the home stretch. There are a few signs of fatigue, but the performers are pacing themselves well to save their energy. And there's always time for laid back fun. After Sunday's matinee about twenty of us got together and had a cookout at Chad's place. In spite of the lousy weather, the view of the Golden Gate was spectacular and the food was fab. Chad had a copy of Haunted Gardenias and threw it on, to my surprise, and a few others have asked for it! Fortunately I have a handful (thanks, Sasha!).