February 13th, 1997
Opening Night
This is the day of the opening night. Today, for me, will be like the
last scene of Goodfellas......but I'm hoping it doesn't end in the same way.
For the last two days, of course, we have been working non-stop. While Craig
has been learning a new programmable light board and hanging lights (which
change, God bless him, every five minutes on a whim), Lyn has been coordinating
the set, room, and costumes. The cast and I have been furiously working on the
show.
I am very happy with the show.
Yesterday we worked non-stop for 14 hours. We still have a mini rehearsal
today to work on this montage I dropped in the show 2 days ago. While the
energy of the montage is very welcome in the show at that point, it's still
not funny enough. It got a little better the second night we tried it and last
night around 2:30 in the morning I gave everyone a little homework and
hopefully, by some miracle, we can make it happen today. A montage, by the way,
is an array of very quick scenes that live under a mini context....for example, this
one is a very quick series of scenettes depicting a guy's life. The other thing we
have to do today is the T's and B's.....or Tops and Bottoms of scenes, in order to
practice how to come in and out of scenes....and then, of course, the closer.
Last night we started on the closer at about midnight. The closer is the last thing
the audience will see before the curtain call.....which we haven't choreographed either, oh yeah, there's a scene I have to work, too.
Seems silly doesn't it? The irony is, I'm much further along at this point on one of these shows than I have been in shows in the past. No problem.
Randomn thoughts
I think that's about the only way I can think right now, so.....
Snap
That's what you do when you get so stressed you yell at someone....no one did that
yesterday, amazing. Close, but no cigar on the snaps
The Room
Lyn has painted touches in the house to color coordinate with the set. I love it.
Suit
I have to buy one today.
Flashy Trash
That's where I'll go. On every opening night for Second City or Annoyance......I walk in
a place called Flashy Trash and buy a suit or a jacket. The same people have worked there for a long time and they always know me and help me quickly. I love Flashy Trash.
Party
There's one at Second City and then everyone will come back to The Annoyance.
I like to think that opening nights on mainstage Second City is not just for Second
City, but a celebration for the entire Improv community. It's an extremely supportive
community right now and I love it. This is due to the Charna from I.O., Andrew and Kelly from S.C., Mick and Howard from Annoyance.......for years it was stupidly competetive, it is no longer that. It will be wonderful to see all of those people tonight in a theatre that I and others have worked hard on for the past 8 years.
I hope no one gets in a fight.
Martin
There's a man named Martin de Maat that will appear tonight as the first special thanks
in the program. I vowed years ago to always have him appear in that spot of special thanks of any show I direct forever. Now I'll tell you why. Martin, to me, is the
poster boy for process. He's helped me out tremendously over the past few years, and
I often refer to him as the best improv teacher in the world. What I've learned from
him is invaluable, and it always shows up in any show I direct or any class I teach.
Thanks, Martin.
Off
I'm off. Off to open this show. I feel very good and nervous and excited. I won't sit down tonight, I don't even bother to reserve myself a seat. If I know me, and I don't, I'll probably wander between show and lobby and bar. Easy on the scotch.....relax.
Consequence
I'll let you know how all this turns out.
email mick
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