2 posts tagged “playwriting”
Spukt opened on Friday to lots of laughter and applause. Two sounds that are most welcome at a comedy.
I'm very relieved that the show is open and we're no longer tinkering with the script. Or, well, um, at least not massive chunks of it. There are still lines and moments here and there that get discussed after every show. But I'm sure that will settle down soon and we'll get into a nice rhythm. Knock on wood.
Friday night was our first night with full costumes and tech and whatnot and, of course, we had five reviewers in the house. It was a sold out show, with lots of friends, so that helped. They laughed in all the right places and even applauded a few moments that were particularly inspired. Seriously, it's worth the admission price just to see David Kodeski milk every possible second out of Napoleon's death scene.
But if you're not into super-glazed ham on your stage, perhaps I can tempt you with a little fox.
There's a lot to be entertained by in this show. A little something for everyone. I add plenty of ham and cheese to the offerring. While Diana Slickman, Guy Massey, David Kodeski and Rachel Claff do yoeman's work wringing out the funny from just about every possible moment.
Come see it, won't you? And then stick around and let me know what you thought about it. I'm really interested to know what this show looks like, having no director and all.
The show I've been rehearsing, Spukt, opens next week. At least that's the plan. To say that this show has been "troubled" would be putting it mildly. When I came aboard in July the script had already gone through a few revisions and between that day and this there have been many, many more. It's as if the script were one of those zen, sand gardens and we keep moving shit around to see how it looks. Last night even, we were cutting lines and adding new ones. No wonder I'm having trouble getting off book.
Don't get me wrong, it's been an enjoyable time for the most part. I've thoroughly enjoyed my fellow castmates and can't remember a rehearsal process where I've laughed as much. At times I've felt like we were only there to crack each other up. I wish every show could be this much fun.
Where things tend to get a little dicey is during those rehearsals when we have "outside eyes". You see, Theater Oobleck doesn't use a director, so most of the rehearsals have been us five actors running through the scenes and doing our thing. We give each other notes, discuss certain parts here and there and keep going. But once we get to a certain point in the process, it helps to have someone not so closely involved watch the rehearsals and give us a little feedback. Or so the theory goes.
But it's hard not to get defensive about these well-intentioned notes. After all, some of these people have never even read the show and are seeing it for the first time. How dare they give me a note about what my character does or does not want. Also, without having a "leader", aka director, it feels like you should take every note that comes your way, which can be confusing, especially when two people see the same moment from different angles. You have to learn to pick and choose. Or completely ignore.
In the end, though, I hope we've created an entertaining evening of theater. There will be live music. (I have two brief moments of singing.) Lots of running around. And, hopefully, lots of laughter. There's a small blurb about us in the upcoming issue of American Theater Magazine (with a photo of yours truly.)
We open at the Viaduct next Friday, November 9. If you'd like to come to a preview Wednesday or Thursday (and be an Outside Eye.) let me know and I'll give you the details. $12 dollar suggested donation "More if you got it, free if you're broke." You can't beat that. So come on out and see what we've been working on. I'd love to hear what you think of it.
