First and foremost, I want to say that everything in this blog is meant to be fun and entertaining. Everything you are about to read is all in good fun. So this is for your entertainment.
When I was asked...No...Told I was going to be doing the blog for Annie, I think I was thrilled. So here it is. We started rehearsals the second week of November. I do have to say that I have not worked with a cast in a long time or perhaps never worked with a cast that is this nice. What I mean is, not only is everyone incredibly talented from the kids up to the adults, but everyone is so nice and genuine. No one thinks they are better than anyone else and they always have time to stop and say "Good morning" or "Bon Jour" (musical theatre joke) to each other. Everyone is greeted with a smile from the cast as well as the production staff. Can we talk about the production staff??? Everyone is accommodating and fun to be with. When it's time to work, we work but there is always fun to be had and little jokes back and forth to keep the day moving as efficiently as possible.
Rehearsal started with the standard music rehearsal and we went on to blocking the following day. I am pretty sure the whole show was blocked in one week and we started running through the show rather quickly. Everything is running smoothly. When things needed to be cut down for time reasons or continuity, the decision was a simple one for our fearless leader Marc Robin (director, choreographer and all around nice guy). He would come up to me and say "Steve, we're cutting your lines... you never knew them anyway so I didn't think it would make a difference." Of course this is a joke (or is it?).
When Marc was making his decision to cast me in the show, first he had to weigh out if he wanted anyone to work with me or get to know me. After he made the decision to "Go For It" and cast me, everything that he feared really did come true. So I am saying right now to the cast and production staff...I'm sorry for anything and everything that I have done or have yet to do, but ultimately you will have to blame the director for bringing me into this in the first place.
In all seriousness, Marc Robin is not only a very talented person, but he also cares very much about his shows, the people he works with and the people he casts. If you're having a bad day, he wants to know about it and help you. That is very rare in this field and we all appreciate this very much. Thank you Boss!
Our Stage Manager Nykol first and foremost, has great hair. Long, curly and red. Next, she along with Anne and Bryan (Assistant Stage Manager and Production Asst.) are the best audience in the world. They laugh at everything and applaud, and even keep a tight running ship in the process. I'm sure I speak for everyone in the cast when I say "you're in for a long run."
Ron, our Music Director. Great voice, great patience and great ability to transpose. That is truly impressive. I look forward to getting you to play some Billy Joel for us during production week. I hope that's not a problem.
As we get into production week, I will be able to talk more about the rest of our fearless staff. So no one is safe.
As far as the rehearsal space goes, it's very nice. Two floors and a kitchen. I feel the only thing missing is the coffee cakes and donuts. If we had these things, it would really make the rehearsal time a lot more constructive. But that is just this guy's opinion. We get to move into the beautiful theatre on Wednesday of this week. The day before Thanksgiving. Now the real fun starts. If I may right now, I would like to put in a request for coffee cakes and donuts for the dressing rooms right now. Thank you.
I hope you have enjoyed the first installment of the Annie Blog and I hope you stay tuned for the upcoming ones.