http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php Dedicated to providing the most authoritative and current information to the Indiana theater and film society from casting and auditions to reviews. en Sat, 31 Jul 2010 23:17:32 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/webchat/misc/rss.jpg http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=28 Sat, 15 May 2010 17:57:44 GMT Hello, Dolly! Well Hello, Dolly!
It's so nice to have you back where you belong.
You're lookin' swell, Dolly!
We can tell, Dolly!
You're still glowin' You're still still crowin'
You're still going strong.

We feel the room swayin'
For the band's playing''
One of you old favorites songs from way back when.

Wow Wow Wow, Fellas,
Look at the old girl now, Fellas,
WOW! Dolly'lll never go away again!!!!


Beef and Boards had her for early Spring in North Indianapolis,
Greenfield and Hancock County has Dolly for the Summer in East Indianapolis,
No matter where she is, this show stays with you for ever.
Hello, Dolly and we are glad you will never go away again!

Our leadership team is looking forward to awesome auditions.
Sunday - May 16th at 6:30
Monday - May 17th at 6:30
Tuesday - May 18th at 6:30 (primarily call backs) ]]> DonaldCrane http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=28 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=27 Sat, 01 May 2010 17:16:36 GMT Ricks-Weil Theatre Company is Shouting Out for *Hello, Dolly! AUDITIONS Sunday, May 16th, 6:30-9:00 PM Monday, May 17th, 6:30-9:00 PM Tuesday,... Ricks-Weil Theatre Company is Shouting Out for

Hello, Dolly! AUDITIONS
Sunday, May 16th, 6:30-9:00 PM
Monday, May 17th, 6:30-9:00 PM
Tuesday, May 18th, 6:30-9:00 PM

(All Audition participants need to come prepared to sing with a piano. An accompanist will be provided. All audition call backs will be asked to read and dance. Detailed rehearsal layout and schedules will b...e provided four weeks prior to auditions.)

After cast is called, Rehearsal CDs & Scripts will be provided.

PERFORMANCES
Friday, July 30th, 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 31st, 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 1st, 2:30 PM
Friday, August 6th, 7:30 PM
Saturday, August 7th, 7:30 PM

Donald Crane, Director/Music Director
Heather Uuk, Stage Director
Beth Ray-Scott, Choreography Director
Kathy Hoefgen, Production Supervisor

Check out our website - www.ricks-weil.com or email Don at dcrane@parkchapel.org ]]> DonaldCrane http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=27 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=26 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:14:22 GMT I just saw Oklahoma at Footlite musicals and I must say that it was probably one of the best shows I've seen there. Not only were the actors cast extremely well, but also the set was fantastically minimal which is what I would have wanted to see for Oklahoma. A shout out to the pit, they were the best I've heard. Jay Hemphill and Jessica Bartley captured their characters of Will Parker and Ado Annie. Dane Rogers' vocals were fantastic as Curly.
The choreography was amazing. The cast will dance their way into your heart as they transport you to turn of the century Oklahoma where "there's a bright golden haze on the meadow, the corn is as high as an elephant's eye, an' it looks like its climbin' clear up to the sky."

OKLAHOMA at Footlite Musicals
March 12-13, 19, 20,21, 26, 27, 28
1847 N. Alabama Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202 ]]> Rosie http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=26 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=25 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:03:20 GMT Well, no more waiting. Guess I have another job in community theater. Next up...OLIVER! at footlite musicals. I am very anxious to see the cast list.... Well, no more waiting. Guess I have another job in community theater. Next up...OLIVER! at footlite musicals. I am very anxious to see the cast list. I had several friends from past shows audition, and am hoping most of them got in. I cannot wait for the first rehearsal! I was practically jumping up and down after I got the call from Ellie. Wondering what's next... ]]> kruegger http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=25 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=24 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:21:11 GMT Why are theater quotes always so negative? I was looking up some for my signature, and every other one said that an actor is someone that can't act, just some fed up drama queen or whatever. Really? They also say its easy. Almost everyone I know can't say some George Cloony line without their face turning red and cracking up. "Acting is the most minor of gifts and not a very high-class way to earn a living. After all, Shirley Temple could do it at the age of four." (Katharine Hepburn? Really? There is a reason Shirley Temple could act that young. Most people call it talent. Anyway, Katharine Hepburn is dead, so she needs to stop criticizing people who can actually act. "Acting is like roller skating. Once you know how to do it, it is neither stimulating nor exciting." (George Sanders). No. It's not. Acting is different every time. Different shows, different characters, different plot lines, different costumes...it is completely different! How could something so different be so unexciting? People need to start writing quotes about acting that are actually true!
]]> kruegger http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=24 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=22 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:13:11 GMT It's been a while since I have had a job (on the stage, of course!!). I'm getting ready to start "Joseph" at Beef & Boards and "Peter Pan" at Footlite Musicals. Come check them out!! :) ]]> gwendolynstout http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=22 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=21 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:01:52 GMT Well let's see, what has happened since the last blog.
I survived two terrific runs of RENT. I am so proud of my cast. When we got back together for the additional weekend, it was like we were never apart. I was disappointed that Shannon didn't return, but was utterly joyed when Phillip came in to replace him. Phillip definitely brought a new energy to the show! I still remember his first time singing "You'll See" and Da'Keisha backstage shouting "He's one of my people! He's one of mine!" LOL :-) LOVE IT!

I survived Aida.... barely. Almost had a boo-boo but luckily Robert, Karen, Ed, and Michael came in and helped! That show was definitely a challenge but I enjoyed it, and people seemed to like my lights. Yay me!

I thoroughly enjoyed Forbidden Broadway with ATI. That show is friggin' hilarious. If you missed it, you missed a helluva show! I was so glad to reunite with my ATI family! I am excited to be doing Forever Plaid up in Logansport with them, then My Way and their fundraiser in Carmel!

During the extension of RENT, I was asked to direct A Year with Frog & Toad but unfortunately MTI pulled the rights to the production since it's coming to the Murat for ONE NIGHT in MARCH. Oy! So now, I'll be directing Clue: The Musical. This will be my biggest directing challenge since I've never seen it, only read the script. So we'll see! Auditions are this weekend, hopefully some people will come out! (HINT HINT)

So, for those of you who haven't figured it out, or I haven't told yet, my big decision from my first (and only) blog is final. After I finish with Clue: The Musical, that will be my final Community Theatre show as I've decided that I am going to be joining the Actor's Equity Association (AEA). I have thoroughly enjoyed these past 13 years working at all the theatres in Central Indiana that I have worked in. I have learned so much from everyone and will be taking all that knowledge with me to bigger and better things! :-)

This decision has been in my mind for the past 5 years and I finally decided that it was time. Some theatres know and I've gotten the "Who will do our shows?" "Who will do 5,000 things at once to make the shows happen?" "What do you mean you CAN'T do the show?" LOL and that just tickles me. I love the fact that so many people value my work and knowledge (and some faux-knowledge that just works out). I see why people started labeling me the "IndianaTechie" (which is why I've kept that name near and dear to my heart.)

I'll still be around for at least a year while I begin my Judging Season in a couple weeks for the Encore Association. So I'll be able to come out and view your shows (just can't talk to you Encore people LOL) :-)

Okay, back to work! :-) ]]> IndyanaTekkie http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=21 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=20 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:55:22 GMT So I decided to steal IO's plan of slowly watching the movie on the top 100-movie list.... (How creative of me.) I went through the list and slowly checked off movies that I had seen. (And could remember them seriously) Luckily I've seen 30 of the 100 movies, so that was a nice boost to the plan. (I'm also reading the top 100 classic novels, but that shall have to be another post.)

Today I watched Cabaret. "Cabaret is a 1972 American musical film directed by Bob Fosse and starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey. The film is set in Berlin during the Weimar Republic in 1931, before the rise of the Nazis under Adolf Hitler." (That's the basic sentences from wikipedia just to give you an idea of what the movie is about.)

I'll start by saying that I enjoyed the movie immensely. (For a number of reasons.) I chose to put aside my hatred of Ms. Minnelli and see the movie at face value. The music was good, and the voices mixed very well. I noticed similarities in the style of the score between this movie and "Chicago." (Granted that they take place in practically the same time period.) The tunes were very catchy, although some of the lyrics were a little less than thought provoking...

The thing that strikes me about the film is all the inconsistencies in themes. The movie manages to portray what one would assume would be mutually exclusive ideas. For example, the movie portrays the whole concept of Cabaret. A seedy form of dinner entertainment with mixed reputation, yet it pulls it off in a sophisticated and classy way. Liza's character (A star of the local Cabaret) is a seemingly amoral hedonist, but at times her love for Ben and her hope for a better life can only be described as "pure."

Another perfect example of the juxtaposition of the film is the view on humor and serious situations. Throughout the film there are subtle hints to the rise and the issues of Nazism in Germany. Most of the time they are not brought to the forefront, but anyone paying half attention can connect the dots. On one hand the movie is very lighthearted and amusing, and then on the other you have the bar owner being drug into an alley and beaten to death by Nazi soldiers. (Simply for throwing out a rowdy Nazi.)

A good movie…worth your time….good music.


That is all. ]]> JHudson http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=20 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=19 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:44:32 GMT Since this is the only place I'm reporting about this, I thought I'd jot down my thoughts while they're fresh. Yesterday was the first "workshopping" of the new plays at the Bloomington Playwrights' Project. I drove down and watched readings of five plays (including my own). After each reading, the playwright sat down front and everyone present discussed the play, following a fairly rigid format, with a view to making each play better.

I found it interesting, enlightening and useful. The format is in place to prevent audience members from riding roughshod over playwrights' tender feelings--and, I assume, to prevent anyone from dominating the discussion to the point of drowning out other voices. It was fascinating to sit on both sides, first as audience member/critiquer, then as playwright. I'm glad mine wasn't first, as I had time to become comfortable with the format before it was my turn to "face" everyone else. I tried to offer both positive feedback and constructive suggestions, and I felt that others had the same goal (though the format all but guaranteed that).

When it was my turn, I was pleased that everyone seemed to enjoy the play (they even laughed in all the right places!) but even more pleased that several people had excellent suggestions for how I might improve it. I hope the other playwrights took as much away from the experience as I did. I'm already looking forward to the next workshopping in November, by which time I hope to present a substantially improved script to the assembly. ]]> BrendaHB http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=19 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=18 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:24:21 GMT So, this will be my first attempt at a blog, so we'll see how it goes. :-)

This has been a busy summer and I'm glad it's almost over. LOL Doing things for shows that I'm not comfortable doing.

Started off first coming back to one of my first community theatres, Carmel Community Players. Director Jan Jamison asked me if I would design Lights and Sound for her production of The Mystery of Irma Vep. I told her that I know just enough light design to be dangerous, but she trusted me anyway. LOL Luckily the show was in the old Studio 15, so there wasn't that many lights to deal with. But that was also a problem as I had to light a house in both Act One and Three, but then I had to light Egypt in Act Two. I made it work I think. LOL :-) The show went well, and Jan seemed to have liked what I did with lights and the 70+ sound effects. LOL

After that, I get an email from Sue Smith asking if I would be the Technical Director for CCP's next production of Little Women The Musical. Little did I know, her definition of Technical Director also meant Lighting and Sound Designer. LOL So, after a lot of thinking I said yes. I get to the space at St Theodore Guerin HS and notice that its alot bigger than Studio 15. *Gulp* I had 18 lights to work with and 9 areas to light. So, you guessed it, I could only use 2 per area (Warm/Cool). So nothing could be fancy. So lights were okay (except having to lower the bar to focus, and learning the damn light board LOL). Sound on the other hand. Grrrrrr. We had discussed using no mics, which made me VERY happy. Then right before long Saturday, they decide they want to use mics. *KILL* LOL. I told them they better get someone in there to hook everything up because that is NOT my forte. So they did. LOL The show went well. Had GREAT audiences. Only had one major sound FUBAR that of course had to happen while I was fixing another mic. OY!
Next show on my lineup was supposed to be Willie Wonka the Musical with CCP, but unfortunately had to cancel it. So, I head up to Stage Manage RENT at the Artists' Studio. The cast has so much passion for this show that I feel it from them every night that I am with them. They have all worked so hard and I couldn't be prouder of them. Yes, we've had major technical problems the first weekend, but we had a MUCH better night last night. I just hope..... never mind, if I say it, I jinx it. LOL :-)
So after RENT closes this weekend, I have two more productions before I start my stint as an Encore Judge for the 2009-2010 season. Coming up first, I'll be running Sound and Lights for Actor's Theatre of Indiana production of Forbidden Broadway at the Oakhill Mansion in Carmel. I cannot wait to get back with my ATI Family (Don, Cindy, Judy, Terry, and Gary). The show itself is HILARIOUS and I can't wait to see what they do with it!
After (and kind of during) Forbidden Broadway, I'll be designing lights for Footlite Musical's production of Aida. This will definitely be my hardest show yet that I've lit, I just hope I can do it!
I do have a very hard decision to make which will ultimately effect (or is it affect) my future with Community Theatre here in town. Not sure what I am going to do yet. It's a good opportunity, but am I ready to do it and say goodbye to many of my theatre families here? I don't know...... ]]> IndyanaTekkie http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=18 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=17 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:27:42 GMT How do you document real live.... when you are exhausted and need sleep. I have been numb all week long! ... How do you document real live.... when you are exhausted and need sleep.
I have been numb all week long!

For the last three days I have been waking up with headaches ranging from simply awful to massively dreadful. I wake up with my shoulders pushed up against my ears! My shoulders and neck are so tense that just the thought of wiggling them in La Vie Boheme sends painful shivers down my spine. My left eye is twitching and I am eating at midnight because I am famished after rehearsals. I wake up in the morning… shake off the cobwebs drink a gallon of coffee, hit the road for my job and do it all over again.

Welcome to RENT's hell week.

It has been a whirlwind over the past 7 days and finding time to write has been nearly impossible. There is so much I wanted to share, so many little moments, but so little time. I laugh when I think about the first song of the show... "How do you document real life when real life is getting more like fiction each day"... indeed!

With one rehearsal left to go we are so close! With all the trials and tribulations the cast has been through over the past three months, we are at the final mile of this long marathon and it feels really good to sprint to the finish!

Costumes have been finalized and the sound cues are being cleaned up. The sound booth has a real challenge on their hands with all 15 of us being mic'd. We come on and off by ourselves and in groups of two, four, nine, three, fifteen, etc… and many of us as different characters! It is frustrating when the mic isn't dead on when you need it, but I commend Michael in the booth because it this is not an easy show! I don't know how he knows that Mic 4 needs to be on when I am homeless, a drug dealer, Joanne's father, a priest, a dancer and then back again in various order and in different costumes. I sing when I am not in stage and have lines when I am standing in the shadows. I’m sure he wonders minute by minute... "now who is that again and why are people yelling for mics!?”

The costumes are quite wonderful. Angel just got his white tiger striped tights and Pussy Galore wig yesterday. You would have thought it was Christmas morning and he had just snuck downstairs for a peek only to find his Red Ryder BB gun sitting under the tree! He was absolutely hilarious as he jumped around screaming hugging his tights! He then proceeded to parade himself all over the theater, tights, green underwear and wig. Alli's mother is finishing up her skin-tight blue pants for "Out tonight" and I got my black suit coat which brings my priest costume together.

I love the cast... each and every one of them. We are all so different in so many ways and that diversity lends itself so well to the show!! I can’t describe in words just how warm and welcoming it is every day on set. Every hug, high five and fist bump has significance. We joke, we laugh and we work hard as a family. It is like a mini reunion every afternoon when we get together and I have a hard time picturing a life beyond the friends I have made on the RENT stage, but when the lights go down, it is time for business.

You just can’t do RENT with a piano alone! There are some pieces that are driven by drums bass or guitar and working with a sole piano can be very hard to follow. David has been very patient and exceedingly resourceful as he has tried to work out the numbers by himself over the past few months. On Sunday much of that burden was dropped as the band joined the show! Having the live drums bass end electric guitars completed the music and added a fullness that we had not yet experienced! More than a few times, the cast has been compelled to poke their head into the on-stage pit to see if we were hearing the live band or pre-recorded show music. THAT is a good sign that our audience is in for something special.

The set... dear GOD what can be said about the set that has been put together. It stands alone as its own performer in the show! While our stage is much smaller than Broadway, Ken has assembled every piece with love and has recreated the essence beautifully!! From all the railings needed for Mimi’s "Out Tonight" to the metal tables, brick wall, hanging paper lantern and who can forget Angel’s industrial Christmas tree! The whole set appears (and most is) metal. This sounds strange to say, but JoEllen has aged the set beautifully! Never has rust looked so nice on stage. One day we left a bright shiny set, and the next day we came in to the theater and everything had aged 20 years! It is dirty, rust, industrial… it is RENT. The cast has adjusted well to the confines of the stage and all 15 of us are able to move around un-hindered from point to point.

While we have incorporated much of the movement and feel from the original Broadway production, the directors worked at giving it our own local twist. "Over the Moon" is performed in a cornfield with Mimi dressed in overalls and a straw hat. The scrims that have been brought in to create the new montage are simply incredible! "La Vie Boheme" follows up in a barn setting. It really takes on a different feel as we utilize a lot of line-dancing moves to bring it home! I kind of liken it to Adam Lambert’s “Ring of Fire”. It is different, but you like it but don’t know why. I think it makes sense given the rural nature of the Indiana audience that will be attending the show. The audience may recognize some of the "signature movements" but the directors didn't want to just be a direct copy of the recently released DVD so we have added our own little twists and pieces.

Sunday was rough and Monday was a struggle. We lost our bass player on Sunday and had to quickly find someone to step in at the last minute. I can't thank my friends enough for helping out with the search! The call went out Monday morning and by Monday afternoon we had our player! On Monday night he took a seat with the band and from the first note of the show... he was rock solid!!

We left the theater Monday night feeling like we still had a lot to accomplish with just a few short days to go!

On Monday we got our mic’s up and running and were working with a new bass player. We were all feeling a bit off keel as we still had so much to accomplish.

Tuesday we started playing around with costumes for the first time. The show started coming together. The energy that had been missing began to trickle in as we became more comfortable with the new additions.

Wednesday I found three police vests which are being overnighted to the theater and SHOULD arrive Friday before show-time. We also started hearing the first of the sound effects! There was a renewed energy around the cast and we were back on track and this train appears to be unstoppable!

Tonight is the last night to put it all together before the doors open Friday!

It is amazing to see it come together in such HUGE leaps and bounds!! There is no time to breathe as the sprint to the end is on and we are all running at breakneck speed! If you would have asked me on after Sunday if we were ready, I would have said… “not today”. We just had so many pieces that weren't in place yet. Last night I walked out of the theater confident that what we will be bringing to the stage will be an in your face... yet intimate rendition of the show we have come to love... RENT.

We are just about there. We all feel it. The music, the costumes, the set, the energy, the emotion.

We are all so tired and it gets harder to find those moments to take it all in… but I still do… and I still smile. That is a good sign!

La Vie Boheme! ]]> Joe http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=17 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=16 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:20:18 GMT We are coming down to crunch time! The show opens with 7 rehearsals left (one of those being LONG Saturday on the 4th of July!) ... We are coming down to crunch time! The show opens with 7 rehearsals left (one of those being LONG Saturday on the 4th of July!)

The platforms are set up, the stairs in place and with each piece of the set that goes up, the show gets that much closer to completion, and ultimately ending.

In all the years of acting, I have never experienced a show that has brought out so much raw emotion. The further along we get in this rehearsal process the more the characters are coming to life.

Ethan (Mark) has his camera with him everywhere he goes! That 1970 era black box must weigh ten pounds, but he carries it just the same as he fiddles subconsciously and constantly frames his shots all over the theater on and off stage. I honestly don't know if he realizes how much he has that camera in hand and how much he fiddles with it. I don't think he even knows how to put film in it but you would never know as he winds it up, points and shoots. Justin carries around his guitar and I just have to smile. It's a very "Roger thing to do". He sits on the table or in a chair and works on the chords and the Musette's Waltz when he isn't on stage. It is fun to see the excitement in his eyes when the song he is working on comes together.

Ok... I will admit that when I first met the cast I couldn't see how he and Alli would "fit" together as Roger and Mimi... but as I have watched them on and off stage, they have transformed into those characters right before my eyes over these past few weeks. No longer is there that uncomfortable feeling as they were getting to know one another and their complicated characters... when they interact it is natural and emotional. It is absolutely wonderful.

Alli brings an intensity to the stage in everything she does and with every word she speaks. If she brings half the power to the show that she brings to rehearsals, it will be an performance for the ages! She attacks the song "Out Tonight" with a brazen seductiveness that has made me divert my eyes more than once, I mean this is my friend Alli dancing in front of me, but then she has the ability to pull her character back into what can only be described as a cowering hurt child trapped inside the body of a woman coming of age in a world filled with pain and confusion! (How is that for a mouthful) For the first time I understand what a complicated character Mimi is. She is so young, but has been forced to experience so much! You can just feel in your heart the angst she is dealing with when she takes the stage and that passion and need to get away takes hold. You don't have to know her back story to feel for her hurt past. You just want to hug her... embrace her... protect the little girl she really is. I honestly feel guilty when I walk out to her shaking body on stage with drugs in hand, luring her... assuring her that now it will be all right since I am there to help her take it all away.

I have to wonder... is this what drug dealers feel at first? (Jesus, what am I doing to these people?) Do they feel guilt initially or are their hearts so black at birth that they can close off all emotion from the outside world? I just don't understand how you could walk up to someone who you know is hurting, screaming from the inside and not throw an arm around them... but instead lure them with a substance meant to keep them in that hurt state perpetually. I always thought that drug dealers were the worst type of scum, but through this show I have a new understanding of what it takes to be one... and my disdain has grown tenfold. If Alli weren't so remarkable in her character, I wouldn't have to feel the way I do. I guess it is the burden I carry working with talent.

Whew... I need to take a shower.

Last night I got to hear it!!!!! I LOVE RENT, but there are moments in the show that I REALLY look forward to and last night at 9:03pm I got to find out if one of those defining moments would live up to expectations! I have been been thwarted twice in my efforts to hear the song performed by Brook and Jenny and here it was.... finally... right in front of me with full force! Let me just say what I have been feeling since last night... "Take me or leave me" is a total in your face tour de' force show stopper of a song!! DEAR GOD I was floored! I had high expectations as I have heard them both sing for the past few weeks in the chorus but when they had the spotlight to themselves they BOTH exploded with a fire and a passion that simply blew me away. I cried... I actually cried. Not because it is a beautiful song, not because it is a sad moment, but because they put together a performace at a rehearsal that could be put on ANY stage ANYWHERE professionally or community in the WORLD and it would bring the house down! I can't say enough about these two. I loved them both before... but I love them more now.

I will write more about Kevin later. He plays Collin and he is another person you just want to hug. He is pulling so much passion in his songs that you really feel like someone is dying on stage! We stood in the doorway for a few minutes after his song waiting for our cue and I was laughing as he was wiping away tears... I said "Kevin... relax! Angel isn't really dead... honestly... he is standing right over there!! See... there is Andy... wave to him!" If he brings that type of emotion to the stage every night, he is going to have a nervous breakdown and none of us will be able to sing through the muffled tears.

There is so much more I can say about our chorus, or Angel, or Maureen, or... or... or... but I am going to leave it for later.

7 rehearals... just seven rehearsals!!!!

La Vie Boheme! ]]> Joe http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=16 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=15 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:43:33 GMT The tables, DEAR GOD the tables. http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:15VoXfVag4PIEM:http://blogwaybaby.com/Rent%2520the%2520Movie.jpgThey arrived... The tables, DEAR GOD the tables.

They arrived late last week and they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Three incredible, heavy, steel tables that serve the show in so many ways! They are Angel's drums, as beds during Contact, but most important to me, they stand as the focus point for La Vie Boheme!

Three tables to hold the weight of the cast as we hop on and off moving to the modern day tribal dance! La Vie Boheme which to me symbolizes the break and freedom from tyranny, for individual choice, and for anarchy in a time of oppression! These three simple steel tables hold the very weight of the show!

To finally sit behind, slap down and hop upon those steel tables left the entire cast with a feeling of renewal! These tables felt like the cornerstone of the show was just put in place for a lot of us and we enjoyed the heck out of it. We danced, we sang, we were the cast of RENT, not just a group singing a bunch of popular songs. It was a BLAST!

We ran through much of the second act last night and I got to see the main cast run their paces in character. They were simply fantastic. Even in rehearsal, they brought emotion fit for a live audience! It was a wonderful feeling to know that in a few short weeks, others will be able to experience the spectacle we are putting together for them.

On Saturday night, 10 or so in the cast were asked to sing Seasons of Love at the TAS awards banquet. As I understand it, there was a long standing ovation after the song and it was a great moment! I wish I could have been there to experience it all, but family was priority on that night.

My only regret to date will come tonight. My son's baseball team has won two tournament games (both of which I have missed) and they are having the semi final game against a really tough team. If we win, we go on to the Championship game Friday night! I would love to be there for him, but rehearsal calls. I keep thinking back to the move HOOK with Robin Williams. (I know what you are thinking... the movie got HORRIBLE reviews, but I enjoyed it) The beginning of the film, Peter's son is playing in the championship baseball game and he sends his assistant to videotape it for him. He was working and was too busy to attend himself. I don't want to be THAT dad to my children and it breaks my heart to even think about it, but I signed up for this show and have responsibilities to the cast. It is for this reason that Lori limits me to two shows a year and as much as I enjoy acting, I know she is right for this very reason. I don't want to miss my children's childhood.

With that being said... tonight will be bittersweet. My heart and soul will be with him in the field, but sadly my body will be elsewhere.

La Vie Boheme ]]> Joe http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=15 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=14 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:41:09 GMT Typecasting? You tell me. http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:15VoXfVag4PIEM:http://blogwaybaby.com/Rent%2520the%2520Movie.jpgThe first time... Typecasting?

You tell me.

The first time Scott cast me it was in Wait Until Dark. I played the part of Roat who was a bit of an evil psychopath who kills his partners, torments a blind woman and threatens to burn down her apartment around her.

I then was cast as Caleb in Spitfire Grill The Musical. I had a discussion about my character in during rehearsal one night with Scottand he said... and I quote... "I want you to be a sonuvabitch! I don't want ANYONE to like you!"

Now here I am in RENT. My characters among many others include "The Man", The drug dealer who entices Mimi back on to heroine in her time of vulnerability, and "The Priest" who has that famous line... "QUEERS" as he turns his back on Collins and his friends at Angel's funeral.

I don't know if I am a natural "ass" on stage but I told Scott last night that anytime he has a show that requires an "ass" I will be first in line at auditions.

We blocked Seasons of Love a few nights ago and I was placed as far as you can go on stage left. I thing Scott read my blog before placing us in our positions! Why do I say that? Well, I have a solo in the song and our other soloist is smack dab in the middle of the stage! I think he read that I am a blubbering idiot during the song! I think he figures that if I am going to break down, he would rather me do it on the far end then in the middle where people will see me. By the time people find out who is singing the male solo it will be over and their attention will be drawn elsewhere. They won't get a glimpse of the cryig man cowering in the corner. Last time we did the song I know he watched me the whole time to see if I would fall apart. I didn't! I was trying to hard to be sure I was hitting my notes!

By the way, if you are a blubbering idiot like me... you are married... and have kids... DON'T go see the movie UP! That movie was a nothing but a cruel punishment for blubbering people like myself hidden quietly behind the facade of a childrens animated film. I started sobbing in the first ten minutes and then again every 20 minutes or so my eyes welled up. My wife kept grabbing my hand throughout the movie and she went through a full array of kleenex and then popcorn napkins. By the end of the film, both of our eyes were swollen and red and our kids were wondering what they missed!

Unless you have a spouse you adore and kids you love you wound't understand.

Rehearsal tonight!

La Vie Boehme! ]]> Joe http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=14 http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=13 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:22:42 GMT What a great rehearsal last night. http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:15VoXfVag4PIEM:http://blogwaybaby.com/Rent%2520the%2520Movie.jpgPrior to... What a great rehearsal last night.

Prior to everyone else getting to TAS, I stepped into the main office and David and I chatted a bit about our "Soprano issue".

We had a rockin' incredible soprano cast in the show early on but after a few rehearsals, she learned her previous show in Reno Nevada got extended. One day she was there and the next day she was gone and we were on the hunt for someone who could replace her.

We found someone else to step in almost immediately and she was a very sweet woman and fit in so well with the cast! She was behind the 8-ball right out of the gate though as she had never seen or heard the show before and was struggling a bit with the music. With just three weeks before opening, I think there might have been a concern on both sides as to whether she could get up to speed. Most of the cast are "RENT Heads" and we didn't have to learn the songs as much as just figure out the various harmonies. We really needed someone who could jump in quickly with both feet.

We needed a miracle and FAST. Well, last night she walked through the door!

Back to the start of the night and why it was a fantastic rehearsal....

When I was talking with David before rehearsal he paid me a very kind compliment. I don't know how it came up but he told me simply "I don't give myself enough credit for my talent." This was HUGE for me! For people who don't know me, I am very insecure about my acting and singing ability. Before Spitfire Grill the Musical, the last musical I was in was back at Carmel High School over twenty years ago. Back in those days I always lived in the shadows of Ben Wright (who went on to star in a Sondheim show on Broadway), Doug Johnson who later went to California to try his hand in the professional world of acting, and everyone else around me in the Carmel Ambassadors! Really not a bad group to live in the shadows of, but I was in the shadows nonetheless.

Hearing those words from David really meant a lot to me. It wasn't a throw away comment, it was genuine and a very welcomed compliment.

We headed to the stage and blocked a few songs. I sat out as they blocked Life Support. I will be singing from the wings as my character Donatello was too embarrassed to go to the AIDS support group apparently. :rolleyes: Brook, who plays Joanne, and I chatted and lauged about all kinds of stupid little things as we wandered about the theater.

After they were done with that number we moved into blocking Will I. Let me just say, I love this song! It is such a sad and powerful commentary on people who feel like they are living a hopeless life.

Then it happened... David called us all to the front of the stage and told us to stand in a straight line. He introduced our new cast member and placed her right in the middle of line. We were in line for Seasons of Love for the first time. The first few chords erupted through the piano and my heart sank and immediately my eyes filled with tears. I kept my arms at my sides as to not draw attention to the fact that I am a big cry-baby and began to sing. A few times early on I got choked up and had to regain my composure, and then SHE opened up her mouth and began to sing her solo. (I say SHE because for the life of me I can't remember her name) Half of the cast forgot they were doing as she started to sing and we just stopped to listen to her amazing vocals. She was in one word... AMAZING. I dropped in with my solo and she finished out with the back end of her solo. When she hit the high C the song ended and we erupted into applause and cheers. We had found the last piece of the puzzle!

Jenny looked at me and said (I just adore her) "Finally we have TWO strong soloists for Seasons of Love" and she looked at me and gave me a hug. It absolutely made my night! To know she was speaking of me was just wonderful. When someone who is wildly talented gives you a compliment, it is a special moment indeed.

I love our cast... each and every one of them! We are all so diverse in SO many ways. We may not be exactly the cast of RENT people have come to know on stage, but I can say in all honestly that this is EXACTLY how it is supposed to be!!

I can't wait for these next three weeks to see how we pull all of this together!! ]]> Joe http://www.indianaauditions.com/forum/blog.php?b=13