January 20th, 1996
Awakening
This is the part of the process that has me wake up each morning
and immediately start thinking about the show. For the good or
the bad, it's the first thought that enters my mind. It becomes
somewhat surreal. Obsession of thought. Always working, even
when I'm not. Stress-ville.
Flash Gordon
At the end of the movie Flash Gordon, Flash is guiding a burning,
rattling, crackling rocket ship toward the home base of Ming. The rocket
barely holds out just long enough to crash through the huge glass
of Ming's lair.....with the spear like tip of the rocket lodging right
through the center of Ming's skull, instantly killing him....bullseye.
Ming is opening night
The rocket ship is the show
I am Mr. Gordon
It's times like these when I think to myself, "I would have been a very
funny veterinarian".
Skits
All in all, the skits are fine. The show is holding up well. All new
material that held up pretty good over the weekend. Still too many
2 person scenes, too much sitting, and tooooooooo conventional
Second City. Worried? Not a fucking bit.
We have ample time, a great cast, good material on the boards, and I completely
trust myself.
This makes me think of something. The other night an alumnus of Second City
was watching the show. And what I noticed is that I was not watching him.
Now what does that mean? That means that it occurred to me that I didn't
care what he thought. I respect him well enough and he's a good guy and he's
directed before, etc......but I just don't care what other people think at this
point. It used to be that I would watch the producer or another actor or director
or anyone else I respected to check out their reaction. Now I just don't.......such
a waste of time, and it's all because I trust myself. Now that doesn't mean that
I won't accept suggestions or opinions.......
Opinions
Everybody has one, and quite often it's a good one....... and more often it is irrelevant.
I don't mean that in a hateful way (yes I do), it's just that most suggestions are
either premature or ill-informed or not within my priorities at the time. Some
suggestions are great, and I consider them...others are insulting. Whatever the case,
there certainly are a lot of them, day in and day out. Most people who are close to
me respect that space, and know that if I want to know what they think I'll ask....
and I often do. Others have the complete right to offer their opinions, and I give them
due consideration. (Cast,Ruby,Craig,Kelly, Andrew, Molly). Then some are just pure
bullshit:
"Are you going to leave that scene like that?"
Yes, it's not working so well that it's going in the show just like that.
"I think that scene was funnier the way you had it before"
Hmm, I thought the audience's silence was sure indication it was hilarious.
There's a lot of two person scenes in the show
Really, I hadn't noticed.
My biggest, biggest pet-peeve (or whatever words are stronger), is when someone
offers me a suggestion WHILE I'm watching a rehearsal or a show. My God, that
pisses me off. And they are usually whispering in my ear. Know that if you are
doing that, I will probably be as nice as I can be......but what I really want to do is hit you.
What else.....
A new set has been approved for the Mainstage. To Kelly's credit, he has agreed to
get a new lighting system, as well. The sightlines will be improved, and there
will be a couple of extra entrances and playing areas. In general, the stage will
have more depth and texture. I'm very excited that this is happening......it'll really
improve the look and feel of the show. The last week before opening is going
to be a wonderful technical nightmare.
The improv sets are happening. Lots of physical, silly, cast stuff.
Rachel is still adorable.
No matter where I am, I'm freezing.
Later...
email mick
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