Almost there...

It’s surprising that we are so close to being finished blocking this show. We breezed so quickly through the two acts that it almost doesn’t seem like it happened at all. But, on the brighter side, that means that we have a lot of time to play around with the show. I mean, the title is The Wild Party. And most of the show is just that, a party! Parties are spontaneous, unexpected, and mysterious at times. It’s going to be hard to solidify into one definative track what is going to happen at this particular ‘wild party.’ As we start running the show for these next few weeks, I’m really looking forward to the chance to just have fun with everyone else in the cast, see what works, and generally be creative. What a great vehicle!



Not gonna lie, I don’t exactly feel comfortable with where things are with the show. I feel like I don’t really know what’s going on, and a lot of it is still really unsure to me. I’m trying to stay positive knowing that this is the time in the rehearsal process where that is what everyone is kinda thinking, and I just need to have faith in the cast and crew that all will come together. I will just make sure that I rock at what I do know, and depend on everyone else to do the same.


I’m also pleased to be a little bit healthier this week, and so it makes it much easier to focus on what I need to. Pesky vacation cold wouldn’t shake, but I’ll kick to the curb soon.

~AVY

Artificiality is Not Recommended

Phew, it’s been a while since an update. This past week has been whirlwind for me. After three nights of rehearsal in a row, I was whisked off to New York City for a short vacation. I had an amazing time! I was particularly inspired by the shows that I was able to see. Next to Normal was my favorite by far. I hope to use this inspiration in my preparation for The Wild Party. I was particularly enthralled by the fact that the actors in the show were such amazing characters, both individually and in relation to each other. Nothing seemed artificial in the world that was created by the abstract set, and this is what kept me glued to the edge of my seat while watching.



With this inspiration, I am now going to have to work extra hard to keep up with rehearsals. I missed one rehearsal, and due to scheduling the cast isn’t really getting to rehearse again for a number of days. This means that I find myself humming the tunes in the car, doing a few of the dance steps as I wait in line at the grocery, and find myself anxiously reviewing my script to see what I do while other scenes are taking place. I mean, this is typical rehearsal life; I’m just in the thick of it.


I’ve found myself making up funny little rhymes and image sequences to remember phrases and steps. I imagine a fox, an anchovy, a glued-on bikini top, and a full stomach as I remember the lyrics “lightly, quickly, slightly sickly, pasty, tasty…” I think it’s funny sometimes, and it keeps things interesting among the long lines of text in the lyrics.


I’m really excited for tonight’s rehearsal, when I will be learning Jackie’s Last Dance, which will be my few minutes in the spotlight for this show. I am curious to see how Robin choreographs it, and hope that it will really culminate some of my thoughts about my character.


P.S. We open a month from tomorrow. :)

Archive: Main Points for Today

Music rehearsals: Complete.

Music learned: Prefer not to comment.

Blocking rehearsals: Starting this week.

Dance rehearsals: *whimper*

Choreographer: Awesome.

Her choreography: Demanding and fun.

My body: Screaming at me, even two days later.

Tonight: Read through of the show.

Currently: Pretty impressed.

Highs: Getting to know the cast.

Lows: Overwhelming amount to learn and remember.

Recommendation: Come see this show! (and don’t stay out too late on Saturday night when you have rehearsal Sunday)

From: Aaron

A.K.A.: Jackie

Andrew? Really?

Alright, so up to this point I have raved about how fun the music in this show is. I have to be honest now though, it’s still fun but it’s getting to be overwhelming. I've reached a threshold where the craziness is starting to get to me. No, it’s not impossible, but really Andrew Lippa? Really? Is that triplet necessary? Do we have to jump an octave and a half? Why does this eighth note have to have a seven part harmony when the rest of the line is in unison?



I think Emily summed it up for me when she made the comment Tuesday night: “Sometimes I just want to punch him in his Lippa.” :)


The good news is that tonight is our last music rehearsal, and then we start blocking. So I know all this work will be worth it once we get into the meat of putting together the production.


“a-rib-rab on the flim-flam”

~Aaron

Advice

Sunday was our first choreography / pseudo-blocking of the show. First number, and we’re already getting involved in some… suggestively interpretive activity… to put it lightly ;)


Word of advice (more for myself than for you, but in case you need it)…

Even sarcastically over-animated sex acts should always utilize good posture.

(Such wisdom, eh? You should go print yourself a plaque to hang in your kitchen along with the “Home is Where the Heart is” needlepoint your great-grandma made you)

If I had followed this shrewd suggestion, my back might not be KILLING me today! I know it was the repeated thrusting and grinding and other shenanigans that I took part in yesterday. (Not including the rehearsal… haha JK!!) But at least I was able to get a good night sleep; that helped a little with the stiffness this morning.

At any rate, the number from yesterday is going to be a lot of fun to perform. Once I get down the steps, it will be a lot of fun to layer in some character to the steps. I know the audience will love watching, because the cast is full of great characters (both from the script and in real life )


Music rehearsals continue this week… looking forward to it…


~Aaron