And so, we near the end.
Up at 9AM this morning was Shooting Stars the Jim Demonic-directed play about a female version of the Harlem Globetrotters, of sorts. I has assumed walking in to the play that the script was not the best-written one in the history of theatre (as I had been informed by Krystal Blackman), and (lo and behold!) that assumption was correct. The script itself was absolute rubbish, but there were things about this first cast that I truly enjoyed. Kira (Dolfi in A Far Country) was in this production, and I think that she did a fine job in her role. Other than that, there was nothing really too extraordinary about this play. It did have some funny bits, but, it didn’t necessarily change my life.
Next up was Maybe Tuesday which was so entertaining that I can’t really remember a thing about it as I sit here typing up this entry. I do remember that it wasn’t all too funny, and it ended on kind of a down note (although I was sure this was supposed to be the comedy series). After typing that, it comes to mind that Nathan Wills was in this show. He did a great job in his part, but his scenes were largely more dramatic than anything. Yes, that reminds me, there was one guy in the cast (I don’t know his name — but I know he works downstairs in Production) who was absolutely fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed his performance.
11 o’clock saw Shooting Stars again, but this time with Krystal Blackman in the same role that Kira had occupied earlier. Will Carter was also in the show as the coach of the team (who later dressed as Santa Claus and has a heart attack in the bathroom). Looking back upon it, I’d have to say that I enjoyed this cast far better than I enjoyed the other. The other show had some moments that were done better (acting wise) and some cast members who were better in their respective roles, but this show was paced much better, and I guess I’m biased because I think Krystal is enormously talented.
I didn’t get in to the show at noon, because I hung out in the library with Zoe, Stephanie, Ambr, Amy, and Angela (all the foreigners), and by the time I headed back up to the MM, the house was closed.
Hours later, I was able to catch The Royal Family, which had Kristen-Michelle Franks (from my first section), G, Andrea Bone (from Far Country), and Hunter (who was one of the first people I met in the New Yorker). I will say that Hunter’s performance was one of the most hilarious that I’ve seen on the MG stage. He made something as simple as eating a piece of bread a side-splitting one. I really respected what G and Kristen-Michelle had to do today, as well — because their blocking looked complicated as all hell. I really thought that G did a great job, and overall, I enjoyed the show.
At 3 was Dinner At Eight, directed by James Hallet (who directed me last series in The Dancers. I really enjoyed this show. Kiki was a wonderful choice for her role, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. Elyse (whom I don’t really know on a personal level) and her romantic opposite (who was the other Horace in The Dancers) were also great. Josh Hunt kind of blew me away with an extremely tense scene in which he slaps Elyse… it came off so well. But the person who surprised me the most was Rochelle. The scene between her and Kira (whom was in both my Far Country and The Dancers cast) was absolutely amazing… and I was left cracking up hysterically. It kind of reminds me of her bit with Myia from the English Restoration comedy scene in Styles, now that I think about it. Speaking of Myia, she was also quite good in the show, although there was not anywhere near enough of her.
After the show, it was time to retire to rehearsal for Inspector Hound — up in room 52. Immediately, I got a feeling that the weather was absolutely disgusting. It’s been hot and humid all day, but I didn’t really have to notice for a while because the theatres and the library are air conditioned. I did feel it in room 52, however, and considered myself fortunate that I didn’t bring my costume (a black turtleneck sweater, grey suit, and a scarf), although I dread having to put it on tomorrow (which I’ve heard will be more of the same, weather wise). We listened to all the sound cues for the show (the bits where the radio turned on — T decided that he liked Jim’s voice, but wanted to make it sound a bit more “authentic” as a radio), and then started a run through.
Although we got through the show, beginning to end, with only a few skipped lines (which were, by the way, all my fault), it didn’t feel good at all. Criss summarized it perfectly when she said “it wasn’t fun.” It was strange, because we’ve been having fun doing this show for over two weeks now, and for some reason this run very serious and quite boring. If there’s anything that this show is not it’s boring or plain. After T gave us some notes (and agreed that the show wasn’t great this time, probably because of the fact that we weren’t having any fun), we learned that it was 6PM, as the other cast of Hound made their way into the room. With both casts ready to go, T pulled some strings and reserved rooms 44 & 45, so we could both run the show, he could go back and forth, and take notes on both.
Once we got in room 45, it really felt as if our dynamic changed. Perhaps it was the realization that we should show that we’re having fun, but everyone turned out amazing performances. In fact, Angela did a great deal of experimentation with her character, as did myself and Joel — and it all really paid off. In fact, a couple bits were removed from the show today (Simon being frightened by Mrs. Drudge, Hound shaking Cynthia) and a few new ones were added (Simon drinking tea just before dying, Magnus singing as he enters via wheelchair). Just goes to show that theatre is always a work in progress.
After that final run, I’m really looking forward to the show tomorrow. My stomach is already aflutter with positive nervous energy. Really, all that’s left to do is go downstairs to the laundry room and wash some black socks to wear for the show. Other than that, I can just pray that I have fun tomorrow and hope for the best. It’ll be amazing. We rock.
(Off to knock on wood…)
18 hours until The Real Inspector Hound.
