December 27th, 1996
Madison
Spent Christmas in Madison, WI with a friend. I had never been there before....nice town.
Saw a sneak preview of Evita........fun but dissapointing. Context problems.
Also saw the movie Shine.......LOVED it.>
Relaxed......thought about the show.
When you direct a show, it seems as if you can never get it out of your mind. Always
thinking of a moment or a beat. Wake up evrery day and think about skits. First thing
that enters your mind.
Hmmm
I'm feeling a little behind on the show right now. Maybe it's because we took three days
off. There are six scenes in the show and I like them all. I just wish at this point there
were about two more...then I would feel on pace. Oh well, nothing new. I always feel a little
behind with everything, always have. Through the holidays there are double shows each
night and no set. This means we can't test a new idea or scene for about a week. So I
proposed that we take a slot in the show and swing in a new scene to that slot each night.
That means we have to adjust the tops and bottoms of each scene we put in every night.
Tops and Bottoms
Or T's and B's, are the transitions from scene to scene. In a revue show, this often happens
in a blackout..i.e., when it is dark. So in the dark, one has to change chair sets, execute
prop and costume changes, and move around without hitting anyone or anything. This must
happen in less than 5 seconds. Eventually most of the scenes will transition without black outs......but for now, it's easier just to black it out.
So the second show of each night this week and through the weekend, we're going to swing
in a brand new scene in the second show, and use the hour between shows to work out the
T's and B's. The scenes that we're going to throw in are, at best, half worked out. So I give
the cast credit for taking this chance. It takes a lot to improvise through some sketchy beats
and present it as if you've been doing that way for months to a paying audience. Fun.
We'll see if any of them hit.
The Cast
I've recieved some questions about the cast.....like, who are they?
I'll answer that by providing some facts about each one and a compliment to their talents.
No dirt today. (or any day......you'll have to come to the tavern for that)
Rachel Dratch
This is Rachel's 3rd mainstage show. Rachel is petite, and comes from Boston.
Adorable (she hates that). Makes physical choices that wouldn't occur to me in a hundred
years. If there's a scene that mentions a goat, Rachel becomes the goat, or a toaster or
a lawn mower or whatever. It's been fun watching Rachel grow as person/performer through
the years. She's at a point where she'll take a stab at about any character on the planet. I
think she's going to show up well in this show.
Jenna Jolovitz
Jenna has great red hair, and she knows how to use it. I've known Jenna for about 10 years.
We used to work at a restaurant together. I was a waiter and she did pay roll. I was dismissed from that position for saying two words (the last one being "you") very loud to a customer. Jenna quit because she got hired for Second City's touring company. She's been
with S.C. ever since. I think this might be her fourth mainstage show. She won a Jeff Award
(the Chicago equivalent to the Tony's) for her work in Citizen Gates. Jenna and her words.
She can take anything and on the spot craft a well packaged monologue that is smart and funny
as hell. Currently, in a new scene called NPR, she has the opportunity to do that a bit......and
she always nails it.
Tina Fey
Plucked out of a touring company and thrown on mainstage. That's a leap. She handled it well.
I had never met Tina before the 1st day of rehearsal for Citizen Gates. I had only watched her
on tape. Scot Allman was a big fan of hers, and I am a big fan of Scot. (Allman left S.C.
after Citizen Gates to get on with his life......this is the first show at S.C. I've done without him and he's wonderful and I miss him and blah blah blah). Tina is showing up as a great
actress. Her characters are full and seemingly effortless. I love watching her and Rachel
in a new scene called Wicked. Every gesture means the world. Tina's not crazy, and she's great to work with.
Kevin Dorf
Kevin Dorf walked out of the year 1956. Tall, lean, Chicago, deft, angry, gentleman, charming,
smart, dresses well. Kevin and I have been improvising/working together for years. I was
really excited to get to work with him on mainstage. Like having an old friend. This is Kevin's second show and he's taking chances I've never seen in him before. Something perplexes me about Kevin. I've never seen him pick up a book or a magazine or a newspaper
ever......yet he knows everything that has happened, is happening, and probably will happen
in the world. Bizarre.
Scot Adsit
Tall with long stringy hair which he works with very well (I appreciate anyone who
uses their hair well). One of the best actors I've ever seen at Second City. Grew up
around Chicago, went through Player's workshop, tourco, ETC, mainstage. Interesting
dark side, (we share a similiar sense of humor). Scot also has a good eye when it comes
to scenes. If he's not in a scene he'll often come out in the back of the house and watch.
His observations are always welcome, and usually quite valuable. He's also a visual artist.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot.........he says he loves it when the sets "rock". Love him.
Jim Zulevic
First Mainstage show but you'd never know it. Big guy, black hair, south side Chicago fellow.
This is the first time I've worked with him, it's effortless. He'll do anything 'cause he's been
around long enough to know that nothing fucking matters and who cares and the show will open and everything will be fine and fuck it. I like that. He never missed a beat going from
ETC to mainstage. Came in with ideas and stuff he'd written and thoughts right away. Usually
there's a little "gel as an ensemble" time when there's a new cast, but Jim made it so we could get to work right away on the show. He's also great to have a beer with.
Ruby and Craig
Music and Stage Manager....I'll talk about them later.
Am I done for today, yes I am. Alt.sex.whatever.......no, I better get ready for rehearsal.
'Til later on.
email mick
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