Ten days have gone by in the blink of an eye! Adam Ramsey and Rob Ferland, have done wonders technically in a matter or days! Tech Crew of volunteers from Saint Raphael Academy are on board. Everything has miraculously come together and we are ready to perform.
I thought I'd be nervous or concerned, even worried, but I'm not. So many talented people have come together to make this happen and Happen It Will!!! So looking forward to having an audience view this work and finding out how they feel will be a tremendous shot in the arm. This is a Workshop Production where the emphasis has been on the Script, Music and Lyrics. The cast decided to present it with some costuming and set pieces which were borrowed, bought or scrounged up somehow! It looks sensational. Yes, the audience will have to use their imaginations to fill in the blanks but for the most part it feels like a full blown production. I think that what makes this show a good one is the love and respect shown by the cast for one another and a creative team that believed in this project from the word - GO!
I am truly one lucky fella!!! My thanks go out to everyone involved. I know I can't thank you enough nor can I express just in words how much you all mean to me....just know that "I'm Awfully Glad I Met You"!!!
Love to all and to all a GREAT OPENING NIGHT!!!
Saints, The Musical
Friday, June 26, 2015
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Stage 11: Dance 10 - Looks GREAT!!! What a CREATIVE TEAM!
Watch your step! Or in this case watch all the steps as the choreography by William 'Bill' Evans is really creative and innovative. He is a master at his craft and we were so lucky to have him on our creative team. When I watch 'My Motorcycle' it seems as if the guys are really on motorcycles. And that's just one number.
The whole world's a stage and there are some really fantastic numbers staged by Sandy Cerel, Co-Director. In particular, 'I'm a Salesman', where the cast truly thumps bibles in a rock'em sock'em revival-type meeting for perspective salesmen and one saleswoman.
Tow the mark and mark your scripts when Lila Kane our Musical Director expects and receives nothing short of perfection from singers who give their all in every song and dance. Lila's husband, Kevin, has arranged "We're Awfully Glad We Met You", in true barber shop harmony which would make my Uncles and Father, who sang that song beautifully in the 1930's and 1940's, very proud!!
Annie Colannino, Co-Director, holds everything together. There's always one person who seeks no special attention nor desires to be singled out and that's Anne! Working as hard if not harder than everyone else she has managed to get us through the rough times with laughter and always a kind and understanding word. So helpful and creative, she has been teacher, mentor and dear friend for many, many years.
Marianne Douglas, my dearest friend and support, is billed as Assistant to me but she's more than an assistant. She's taught me so very much on how to be happy and to make others around me happy and I am so very grateful to her. Organized, amazingly talented and so beautiful inside and out it amazes me that she gives me so much of her time when she's so busy with so much else going on in her life. I could write a whole musical on all her accomplishments....who knows maybe one day I will!!!
Stage Left: Lights, Camera, Action!!! Technically speaking...
The whole world's a stage and there are some really fantastic numbers staged by Sandy Cerel, Co-Director. In particular, 'I'm a Salesman', where the cast truly thumps bibles in a rock'em sock'em revival-type meeting for perspective salesmen and one saleswoman.
Tow the mark and mark your scripts when Lila Kane our Musical Director expects and receives nothing short of perfection from singers who give their all in every song and dance. Lila's husband, Kevin, has arranged "We're Awfully Glad We Met You", in true barber shop harmony which would make my Uncles and Father, who sang that song beautifully in the 1930's and 1940's, very proud!!
Annie Colannino, Co-Director, holds everything together. There's always one person who seeks no special attention nor desires to be singled out and that's Anne! Working as hard if not harder than everyone else she has managed to get us through the rough times with laughter and always a kind and understanding word. So helpful and creative, she has been teacher, mentor and dear friend for many, many years.
Marianne Douglas, my dearest friend and support, is billed as Assistant to me but she's more than an assistant. She's taught me so very much on how to be happy and to make others around me happy and I am so very grateful to her. Organized, amazingly talented and so beautiful inside and out it amazes me that she gives me so much of her time when she's so busy with so much else going on in her life. I could write a whole musical on all her accomplishments....who knows maybe one day I will!!!
Stage Left: Lights, Camera, Action!!! Technically speaking...
Monday, June 15, 2015
Stage 10: Another Opening, Another Show
But it's not another opening of another show! It's the opening of a show that was written for my brother with love and appreciation for all he's done for me and my siblings. It's my attempt to turn his extremely funny novel into a musical. I hope I have done him justice.
On that note (pardon the pun I can't help myself) I've been thinking lately that it may be somewhat intimidating to the cast and the Directors to have the author of the book and the creator of the musical sitting out in the theatre watching them at every rehearsal breathe life into the characters Don and I knew so well.. But they shouldn't worry or be nervous as we are thrilled with the results of the work that these very dedicated actors and directors are achieving. For both of us it's an exhilarating experience seeing it all come to life through the talents of this cast and crew.
It's getting so close to opening night. These last two weeks will be exciting and arduous but also a lot of fun. This show is really a lot of fun. I am so interested in seeing an audience react to what we are all creating. For those of you old enough to remember, or for those of you who watch old TCM movies....it's the closest thing to a Mickey and Judy movie ( if you don't get the reference ask your mom or dad or grandma or grandpa) I'll ever experience! They would write a musical, get a cast of talented young people, find a barn and put on a show that when performed was a sensation and it was all supposed to be done without any money or support whatsoever....except they had MGM studios to make it look like a huge Broadway success!!! We don't have MGM but we have a terrific show.
Come see what we've done. You, the audience, are all we need in two weeks time.
Stage Left: "I laughed, I cried, it was better than Cats!"
On that note (pardon the pun I can't help myself) I've been thinking lately that it may be somewhat intimidating to the cast and the Directors to have the author of the book and the creator of the musical sitting out in the theatre watching them at every rehearsal breathe life into the characters Don and I knew so well.. But they shouldn't worry or be nervous as we are thrilled with the results of the work that these very dedicated actors and directors are achieving. For both of us it's an exhilarating experience seeing it all come to life through the talents of this cast and crew.
It's getting so close to opening night. These last two weeks will be exciting and arduous but also a lot of fun. This show is really a lot of fun. I am so interested in seeing an audience react to what we are all creating. For those of you old enough to remember, or for those of you who watch old TCM movies....it's the closest thing to a Mickey and Judy movie ( if you don't get the reference ask your mom or dad or grandma or grandpa) I'll ever experience! They would write a musical, get a cast of talented young people, find a barn and put on a show that when performed was a sensation and it was all supposed to be done without any money or support whatsoever....except they had MGM studios to make it look like a huge Broadway success!!! We don't have MGM but we have a terrific show.
Come see what we've done. You, the audience, are all we need in two weeks time.
Stage Left: "I laughed, I cried, it was better than Cats!"
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
STAGE 9: Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse
Not sure who said it nor whether or not I'm quoting it correctly but - 'If you hire the right cast then half your work is done for you!" We have hired the right cast!! I have never worked with a more giving, hard working and truly beautiful group of talented professionals.
The rehearsals can be long and tiring but everyone of us looks forward to them. The cast has made the show better every time we get together. The script is tighter, the songs are enhanced with nuances only truly gifted performers could bring to them, the dance by William Evans and Sandy Boyer is so thrilling and exciting and the accompaniment by Lila Kane is flawless.
Being a new work no one really knew what to expect. Our Co-Directors, Anne Colannino and Sandy Cerel, have dedicated hours upon hours of preparation to make sure that rehearsals go smoothly and as quickly as possible for all involved. Cast members are on time and ready to work with an attitude that 'this is really fun!'
Once in a great while magic happens onstage and if our rehearsals are any indication of that then we have cornered the MAGIC Market!
I know, I know....you're thinking of course he's going to say good things about the show...after all he wrote it....but let me tell you I didn't know just how amazing it could become until the rehearsal process began. Sometimes, if you're lucky, a cast comes together and becomes a family. We are a family. Everyone doing their part to make things be the best that they can be, sharing ideas and talents, helping one another with intricate and difficult dance routines, making the whole process be fun. Yes, rehearsing can be fun! Who knew?
Please come see our show. You'll be treated to an evening of joyous entertainment and before you leave us you'll be part of our family too!
STAGE LEFT: Getting awfully close to OPENING NIGHT!!!
The rehearsals can be long and tiring but everyone of us looks forward to them. The cast has made the show better every time we get together. The script is tighter, the songs are enhanced with nuances only truly gifted performers could bring to them, the dance by William Evans and Sandy Boyer is so thrilling and exciting and the accompaniment by Lila Kane is flawless.
Being a new work no one really knew what to expect. Our Co-Directors, Anne Colannino and Sandy Cerel, have dedicated hours upon hours of preparation to make sure that rehearsals go smoothly and as quickly as possible for all involved. Cast members are on time and ready to work with an attitude that 'this is really fun!'
Once in a great while magic happens onstage and if our rehearsals are any indication of that then we have cornered the MAGIC Market!
I know, I know....you're thinking of course he's going to say good things about the show...after all he wrote it....but let me tell you I didn't know just how amazing it could become until the rehearsal process began. Sometimes, if you're lucky, a cast comes together and becomes a family. We are a family. Everyone doing their part to make things be the best that they can be, sharing ideas and talents, helping one another with intricate and difficult dance routines, making the whole process be fun. Yes, rehearsing can be fun! Who knew?
Please come see our show. You'll be treated to an evening of joyous entertainment and before you leave us you'll be part of our family too!
STAGE LEFT: Getting awfully close to OPENING NIGHT!!!
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