Sunday was the last performance of 90 Miles Off Broadway's The Sound of Music. We had over 400 people in the audience! It was amazing. The show went really well and the energy was awesome. I'm thrilled we had a successful run, but am a little sad that it's all over. Our cast member who was injured on Saturday did end up with a fracture, so was in the hospital for Sunday's performance - she was missed.
The cast party was relaxing and a good time - a pot luck dinner and some time to wind down and say goodbye. I was given a beautiful collage of photos of the cast as did the director and musical director. I can't wait to find a place to hang it up. For your viewing pleasure - a photo collage of the show is found here. One of my favorite songs from our production is featured in the clip below.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Sound of Music - Performance Update
Last night the show was the best it has been so far, which was awesome considering the way it started ... We had to hold and started 15 minutes late - we had one of our cast members fall, and she was taken away by ambulance. She was in good humor, other then being in pain, but still - not the greatest way to start a show.
I felt awful, as we had to start making plans for adjustments to the show as soon as I had made the 911 call, before she even left the building. It was rough emotionally on everyone as she is one of our rays of sunshine in the cast. Everyone was so helpful - thanks to the New Paltz Police and New Paltz Rescue for their speedy response, and to all the cast members who helped with the situation. I've not yet heard how she is, so my thoughts are with her.
The show ran really well in spite of what happened. I got chills at times watching, and many of the actors did such a great job - I saw the character instead of the actor ... they became the role, no longer someone playing a role. I got chills at times - kudos to the whole cast for such a stellar performance. All of my backstage work went really smoothly, set moved properly, my dresser duties (costume changes) done with lots of time to spare, my solo was the best I've done, I think - and the night ended on a high note with a "fan club" screaming my name at curtain call .... it made me smile - thank you, I needed that.
Today is bittersweet, the end of another show - I'll miss everyone terribly, yet I'm happy to get my free time back for a while. I'm anticipating our largest audience yet today and a stellar performance.
I felt awful, as we had to start making plans for adjustments to the show as soon as I had made the 911 call, before she even left the building. It was rough emotionally on everyone as she is one of our rays of sunshine in the cast. Everyone was so helpful - thanks to the New Paltz Police and New Paltz Rescue for their speedy response, and to all the cast members who helped with the situation. I've not yet heard how she is, so my thoughts are with her.
The show ran really well in spite of what happened. I got chills at times watching, and many of the actors did such a great job - I saw the character instead of the actor ... they became the role, no longer someone playing a role. I got chills at times - kudos to the whole cast for such a stellar performance. All of my backstage work went really smoothly, set moved properly, my dresser duties (costume changes) done with lots of time to spare, my solo was the best I've done, I think - and the night ended on a high note with a "fan club" screaming my name at curtain call .... it made me smile - thank you, I needed that.
Today is bittersweet, the end of another show - I'll miss everyone terribly, yet I'm happy to get my free time back for a while. I'm anticipating our largest audience yet today and a stellar performance.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Second Weekend of Performances - The Sound of Music
Last night was the beginning of our second weekend of performances. It went well, but was a little off, a little nerve wracking as we had to change the choreography a little to help the actor who had the issue yesterday. It looks good, just not quite what we had wanted... but it looks nice. We also had some interesting dropped lines and some good saves. Thank you to everyone who kept things pulled together.The audience was very responsive and enthusiastic which made the performance easier and I received numerous compliments on how much they enjoyed the show. Tonight will be smoother - sometimes it gets a little rocky easing back into the second weekend of a run.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
SOM - Brush up rehearsal
Tonight we had a brush up rehearsal - it was a little silly and wild. Hope we got that out of our systems for tomorrow night.
We also had an actor collapse - I'm worried about him and will check up tomorrow.
We also had an actor collapse - I'm worried about him and will check up tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sound of Music - Second Performance
Saturday night of the Sound of Music was great - lots of energy and a full audience. My parents and my Hubby came to see the show - as did a bunch of my friends. It always makes a performance especially nice when you know some people in the audience.
Not too many glitches Sturday - little things that we continue to correct as we go. Some of it relates to having a transient backstage crew - makes it more difficult as they sometimes make mistakes by going too fast, instead of focusing on efficiency. I didn't have any "extra" stage time when in my backstage blacks, so that was good.
Onstage the show continues to improve and grow - the audience had good energy and was very responsive to it. I think next weekend will be even better.
Not too many glitches Sturday - little things that we continue to correct as we go. Some of it relates to having a transient backstage crew - makes it more difficult as they sometimes make mistakes by going too fast, instead of focusing on efficiency. I didn't have any "extra" stage time when in my backstage blacks, so that was good.
Onstage the show continues to improve and grow - the audience had good energy and was very responsive to it. I think next weekend will be even better.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
7 Tips to Improve your Audition
Auditions can be a challenge for an actor. I know. Believe me, I know.
It's not easy being on the decision making side of the table either. Every time I participate on the production side I gain additional insight into what makes a successful audition. So I've pulled more tips on auditioning together to make it easier to audition.
1) Be Memorable (in a good way). Dress professionally, look like you take yourself seriously. This is an interview, think of it that way.
2) Be Prepared. Know what you are going to sing and practice it enough to be confident in singing it. Preferably without the words in front of you. It's better to sing well and la-la through some words, and show us you can connect with an audience, then to be hidden behind your sheet music.
3) Make a Choice. Don't be afraid to be strong and wrong. Show some sort of character personality when you read. It might not be what the director had in mind, but it will be more memorable then a vanilla reading. This is easier if you know the show. Check your library... many times you can find scripts for shows.
4) Don't Apologize mid song. We know your nervous. It's okay if you hit a wrong note or are slightly off tempo. It is really hard to judge your skill singing if you keep apologizing every time you take a breath. If you need a restart stop and ask to start again. Most times you'll be allowed to do so.
5) If you get Advice Take it. If a member of the production team gives you some sort of feedback .. sing louder, drop the accent, read it meeker, whatever ... take this gem - they like you enough to see if you could fit the vision of the show.
6) Be Truthful. If you won't do the show if you can't have part X, say so. Don't waste our time, and we won't waste yours. If you won't take a part if your BFF (or daughter, cousin, uncle, son) doesn't also get a role, that's fine too, just be upfront about it.
7) Choose a Role you Fit. This is probably the hardest thing to do yourself. Ask a friend, fellow thespian, music teacher, drama teacher for help. Audition for roles you fit and feel strongly about. For example - I'm nearly six feet tall, for me to play a love interest onstage there either 1) needs to be a really tall guy 2) or a director who makes atypical casting choices - so generally, I look for strong supporting character type roles. Play to your strengths when auditioning, both vocally and aesthetically.
It's not easy being on the decision making side of the table either. Every time I participate on the production side I gain additional insight into what makes a successful audition. So I've pulled more tips on auditioning together to make it easier to audition.
1) Be Memorable (in a good way). Dress professionally, look like you take yourself seriously. This is an interview, think of it that way.
2) Be Prepared. Know what you are going to sing and practice it enough to be confident in singing it. Preferably without the words in front of you. It's better to sing well and la-la through some words, and show us you can connect with an audience, then to be hidden behind your sheet music.
3) Make a Choice. Don't be afraid to be strong and wrong. Show some sort of character personality when you read. It might not be what the director had in mind, but it will be more memorable then a vanilla reading. This is easier if you know the show. Check your library... many times you can find scripts for shows.
4) Don't Apologize mid song. We know your nervous. It's okay if you hit a wrong note or are slightly off tempo. It is really hard to judge your skill singing if you keep apologizing every time you take a breath. If you need a restart stop and ask to start again. Most times you'll be allowed to do so.
5) If you get Advice Take it. If a member of the production team gives you some sort of feedback .. sing louder, drop the accent, read it meeker, whatever ... take this gem - they like you enough to see if you could fit the vision of the show.
6) Be Truthful. If you won't do the show if you can't have part X, say so. Don't waste our time, and we won't waste yours. If you won't take a part if your BFF (or daughter, cousin, uncle, son) doesn't also get a role, that's fine too, just be upfront about it.
7) Choose a Role you Fit. This is probably the hardest thing to do yourself. Ask a friend, fellow thespian, music teacher, drama teacher for help. Audition for roles you fit and feel strongly about. For example - I'm nearly six feet tall, for me to play a love interest onstage there either 1) needs to be a really tall guy 2) or a director who makes atypical casting choices - so generally, I look for strong supporting character type roles. Play to your strengths when auditioning, both vocally and aesthetically.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Sound of Music - Opening Night
The Sound of Music opened to a large audience last night over 150 people! It went well - smoothly for the most part. There was laughs for the first time on the lines that needed them, applause at the ends of numbers and cheering. That is just the way a show should open. Phil told me it looked amazing - I wish I could be in two places at once to see it.
I got some accidental stage time when I was adjusting the couch and the lights came up, and again during curtain call, as I was first and tried to set a fast pace ... well the next in curtain call took a while, so again I ended up with additional stage time. Some friends came to see the show and loved it.
Here we go again in less then a half hour is call for tonight's show.
I got some accidental stage time when I was adjusting the couch and the lights came up, and again during curtain call, as I was first and tried to set a fast pace ... well the next in curtain call took a while, so again I ended up with additional stage time. Some friends came to see the show and loved it.
Here we go again in less then a half hour is call for tonight's show.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Another Op'nin, another show ... Sound of Music
Another op'nin, another show In Philly, Boston, or Baltimo'
A chance for stage folks to say hello!
Another op'nin of another show.
A chance for stage folks to say hello!
Another op'nin of another show.
I've always been drawn to the above lyrics by Cole Porter ... it explains clearly how I feel before a show starts. It's from Kiss me Kate one of the many local productions I've appeared onstage in. What is interesting about this show is that I've also seen it on Broadway - there's not many shows that I can say that about. Ah, Memories ...
So tonight we open The Sound of Music. We've worked out most of the kinks. We have some new things to try tonight, to fix other little things. I've updated my "cheat sheet"to include the places I must be .. to move set pieces, to help get people dressed. My costume is ready. Makeup case and suitcase of my things are ready by the door ... waiting.
So tonight we open The Sound of Music. We've worked out most of the kinks. We have some new things to try tonight, to fix other little things. I've updated my "cheat sheet"to include the places I must be .. to move set pieces, to help get people dressed. My costume is ready. Makeup case and suitcase of my things are ready by the door ... waiting.
It's exciting, exhilarating - indescribable. One of those moments you feel so alive, breathless ... in the moment. So to my cast ... Break a Leg!
To those of you in the area tonight ... come join us - tickets are still available. Austria, the von Trap Family and The Sound of Music awaits.
The Sound of Music
New Paltz High School Auditorium.
May 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m
May 17 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for Adultsand $12 for Seniors & Children.
To those of you in the area tonight ... come join us - tickets are still available. Austria, the von Trap Family and The Sound of Music awaits.
The Sound of Music
New Paltz High School Auditorium.
May 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m
May 17 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for Adultsand $12 for Seniors & Children.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Sound of Music - Dress Rehersal (Day 4)
Tonight was our last Dress rehersal. We open tomorrow! It's hard to believe it's here.The Sound of Music
New Paltz High School Auditorium.
May 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m
May 17 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for Adults
and $12 for Seniors & Children.
To reserve your tickets email Kim at Production@ninetymilesoffbroadway.com
or call Bright Beginnings at 845.256.9657.
Tech Week, General Overview
For those of you who have never experienced a tech week, we gradually add complexity until the whole show is together. For Example:
Day 1: Set Pieces and Props start getting used. Answer the questions of where the set pieces go, when they get moved and by who. Props get set in specific places and actors start getting used to location and the actual use of the set pieces and props ... doors opening, height of chairs, couches & benches ... and fixing any blocking issues that arise from these additions. Technically make sure sound cues, music cues, and lighting elements are getting into place. Often this is just done as a "cue to cue" meaning, only the tranitions run (generally the start and end of scenes) so that the various cues get worked out.
Day 2: Add in additional props or missing items from the day before. Replacements for things that aren't working the way they should or overlooked items are often added. This is generally a full run with props and set transitions. Lighting is often added in at this point.
Day 3: Add in Costume changes - also known as a Dress Rehersal
Day 4: Add in Hair and Makeup in addition to everything above. Continue to work out any technical issues and transitions to make things flow as smoothly and seamlessly as possible.
Then it's time to open the show. On Broadway and in professional theater there is often previews - for several weeks and tech weeks instead of just one week to work everything out.
Day 1: Set Pieces and Props start getting used. Answer the questions of where the set pieces go, when they get moved and by who. Props get set in specific places and actors start getting used to location and the actual use of the set pieces and props ... doors opening, height of chairs, couches & benches ... and fixing any blocking issues that arise from these additions. Technically make sure sound cues, music cues, and lighting elements are getting into place. Often this is just done as a "cue to cue" meaning, only the tranitions run (generally the start and end of scenes) so that the various cues get worked out.
Day 2: Add in additional props or missing items from the day before. Replacements for things that aren't working the way they should or overlooked items are often added. This is generally a full run with props and set transitions. Lighting is often added in at this point.
Day 3: Add in Costume changes - also known as a Dress Rehersal
Day 4: Add in Hair and Makeup in addition to everything above. Continue to work out any technical issues and transitions to make things flow as smoothly and seamlessly as possible.
Then it's time to open the show. On Broadway and in professional theater there is often previews - for several weeks and tech weeks instead of just one week to work everything out.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Sound of Music - Tech Week, day 3
Tech Week, Day 3 has been completed for The Sound of Music. It's going so quickly, yet slowly at times as well. Tonight we did our first Dress Rehersal with everyone in costumes - or nearly everyone. (Mine is still being made as we speak) there were other exceptions a well. It went well with only a few mishaps.
The Von Trap Children have a difficult tranition at the very end for the festival scene a couple of people were late on entrances due to dressing issues, but we'll finish ironing that out tonight. It sounds wonderful - and is flowing pretty smoothly. There's still things to fix, but the majority of items have been checked off.
I'm working backstage as this point, as Maria's Dresser - helping her manage her (many! and some difficult) costume changes. I've created a checklist of what-change-in-which-wing so I know where to be and what costume to have ready. I'm also helping move set pieces so that's on my "Cheat Sheet" as well. We had a small mishap ourselves as we started a cosume change too early, and ended up having to reverse it ... so Maria could get back onstage. Her dress was inside out and she didn't have shoes on ... oops!
But the parts I was able to watch are lovely. I think the end result will be spectacular.
The Von Trap Children have a difficult tranition at the very end for the festival scene a couple of people were late on entrances due to dressing issues, but we'll finish ironing that out tonight. It sounds wonderful - and is flowing pretty smoothly. There's still things to fix, but the majority of items have been checked off.
I'm working backstage as this point, as Maria's Dresser - helping her manage her (many! and some difficult) costume changes. I've created a checklist of what-change-in-which-wing so I know where to be and what costume to have ready. I'm also helping move set pieces so that's on my "Cheat Sheet" as well. We had a small mishap ourselves as we started a cosume change too early, and ended up having to reverse it ... so Maria could get back onstage. Her dress was inside out and she didn't have shoes on ... oops!
But the parts I was able to watch are lovely. I think the end result will be spectacular.
The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music - it's a classic theater piece. Even non-theater people know and love this show. That's largely due to the movie - which is shown on TV at least twice a year.Now the play and the movie are not exactly the same, and neither is completely historicly accurate - we'll go into historical inaccuracies some other time perhaps. But certain songs from the film are not in the show - and some of the songs from the play are not in the movie.
The Sound of Music is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Many songs from the musical have become standards, including the title song ("The Sound of Music"), "Edelweiss", "My Favorite Things", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and "Do-Re-Mi".
The original Broadway production, starring Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, opened in November 1959, and the show has enjoyed numerous productions and revivals since then. It has also been made into an Academy Award-winning 1965 film musical. The Sound of Music was the final musical written by Rodgers and Hammerstein; Hammerstein died of cancer nine months after the Broadway premiere.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Sound of Music - Tech Week, day 2
Day two of tech week is here. We're concentrating on all the details that make a show flow properly. Which means we have a lot of questions ...Which side do props get set? Who needs help from a dresser? Who is going to move the flat, the couch, the patio furnature? What is that music cue? Why didn't that transition happen smoothly? How do we fix this or that?
All of which is normal tech week things. Getting used to the set and props. Figuring out the lighting. We add another layer of complexity tomorrow with everyone in costumes. We won't worry about hair and makeup until Thursday. Friday we open!
Don't forget to get your tickets!
The Sound of Music
at New Paltz High School Auditorium.
May 8,9,15,16 at 7:30 p.m
May 17 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for Adults and $12 for Seniors & Children.
To reserve your tickets please
email Kim at Production@ninetymilesoffbroadway.com
or call Bright Beginnings at 845.256.9657.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Sound of Music Opens this Friday!
Well this is it ... Tech week for the Sound of Music. The backdrop is amazing. (Thanks to Richard Prouse) The costumes are just about ready. The props ... are all in place. The set pieces just need a few more finishing touches. The music is beautiful - the actors very tallented. Our Von Trap Children one word ... Adorable.You can even see me onstage for the first time in about three years! (a small walk on role, I was talked into about three weeks ago)
The show opens this Friday night. I invite you all to come see 90 Miles Off Broadway's production of
The Sound of Music
at New Paltz High School Auditorium.
May 8,9,15,16 at 7:30 p.m
May 17 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for Adults and $12 for Seniors & Children.
To reserve your tickets please email Kim at Production@ninetymilesoffbroadway.com or call Bright Beginnings at 845.256.9657.
Sound of Music - Tech Week, day 1
We had a couple people with conflicts tonight - it happens, college classes are ending soon and people have commitments. It does make it challenging to do a run through of the show. I was unaware of the conflicts so I was very suprised when I walked in and Phil, the director, asks me to play the Captain and Liesl for the evening.
I remembered most of the blocking, so most of the actors were able to interact around me - although I found it rather amusing to be standing on a bench singing "I am Sixteen" with Rolf, and later singing the "Sound of Music" with first the children, then Maria.
Tomorrow we should have everyone. Which means I can go back to my regularly scheduled role of Assistant Director and my small role in act two. Hopefully my costume will be done Wednesday for dress rehersal, but my mom only got the patern and materials Friday. She finished my blouse and I tried it on before rehersal tonight. It's pretty. The dress she'll be working on tomorrow night.
I remembered most of the blocking, so most of the actors were able to interact around me - although I found it rather amusing to be standing on a bench singing "I am Sixteen" with Rolf, and later singing the "Sound of Music" with first the children, then Maria.
Tomorrow we should have everyone. Which means I can go back to my regularly scheduled role of Assistant Director and my small role in act two. Hopefully my costume will be done Wednesday for dress rehersal, but my mom only got the patern and materials Friday. She finished my blouse and I tried it on before rehersal tonight. It's pretty. The dress she'll be working on tomorrow night.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Sound of Music - Update
Last Rehersal before tech week. We're looking good. Today, my dad stopped by to help our Captain with the Boatswain's whistle - my dad is a wealth of talents ... too bad I've not been able to talk him into a production.
My little one came with me to rehersal today. It made things interesting. We ran through the whole show, and I tried to keep track of notes of things we need to fix. We have lots of little details to polish, but the big picture is all there. I can't wait to see how it looks onstage!
My little one came with me to rehersal today. It made things interesting. We ran through the whole show, and I tried to keep track of notes of things we need to fix. We have lots of little details to polish, but the big picture is all there. I can't wait to see how it looks onstage!
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