IMFourPlay

Starting Act Two: Rehearsal Number Nine

It was a bit of an awkward start today. I had printer issues so was a little late myself to find that I was still earlier than most - although I knew of some conflicts: Robyn is teaching Improv I at SAK so can't be there right at 2:00, and Chase was also coming from work in the Parks. Props to Jim and Ron who are always on time. It's hard to do any real kind of warm-up or skill building without a full house, so we reviewed some of the trickier song formats while we waited. Robyn had been gone for a week, so I was anxious to introduce her to some of the song formats that are new or improved from last year. I've attempted to ask company members to catch up on missed material outside of normal rehearsal times, but in reality, this isn't always very practical. (Few of us have access to a musician like Jim after hours!) A guy can keep trying though...! Secretly I dream of having a company that has no rehearsal conflicts, or pockets deep enough to provide a living wage during the rehearsal period...

While the first act breaks down quite nicely into the four character episodes, act two demands a more flexible structure. This is made even more complicated by the fact that we don't even know its featured character until this is announced on stage after the first number! This was a deep breath rehearsal for me. Without a stock of act one characters to base act two choices on, it is almost an exercise in absurdity trying to model and build the structure. However, we can't stumble through the units without first understanding their purpose and song potentials. Classic Catch 22! While everyone was patient and generally focused, I was personally frustrated as I tried to provide enough information and coaching to guide the discoveries without overwhelming everyone with details that may be important later but will probably only clutter things now.

Much of the rehearsal focused on a format I'm calling a "Montage Song" that is replacing the "Inner Thoughts" number that stood in its place last year. Loosely speaking, it's a madrigal-type variation with multiple voices weaving in and out (inspired in part from the similar device in "Who Will Buy" from Oliver!). This was surprisingly difficult! Our first attempt worked well, but we had a difficult time pulling the number apart so that we could recreate this style. As we played, it became clear that if the accompaniment was too rhythmic initially, we tended to provide less interesting vocal choices (I believe Charles was the first one to vocalize this.) With the addition of a bridge section and a higher energy close, the number seemed to take shape. There was some good group trouble-shooting as we tinkered with this new device.

Gradually, we pieced together the first half of the act with an odd assortment of particularly random characters! Jim had a gig and had to leave early, so we squeezed in a quick stab at the first half of the act. Content aside, I think it roughly modeled the desired steps. Major points to everyone for just throwing themselves into it! My favorite moment? Dancing around Robyn in a circle led by Mark!

We have the second group workshop this evening, and will piece together the remainder of the act on Tuesday. I'm keen to get that awkward part of the process behind us so we can start some tentative runs and solidify the big picture. Ron has generously agreed to take a look at the slides we use throughout the show. I'm hoping we can have some new surprises there and incorporate John's overall graphic style.

Your big-picture-craving Director, David C.