 |
|
BJ with students from Cornish College for the Arts
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Patrons buying hot dogs from Al's Gourmet Sausage in INTIMAN's courtyard
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Patrons showing their baseball pride
|
|
|
|
Previews are among my favorite times in the process because the audience becomes part of the equation and they answer many questions we may have had in rehearsal. How to adjust for timing, when do they attach themselves to the journey or when do they get restless. Timing for laughs becomes important because we want to make sure we stay ahead of them and balance the play with both humor and gravity.
The boys did very well the first night and we learned so much about what level of energy we need to put out in our bigger space. The rehearsal hall was one thing, but there are 450+ strangers out there and some are 40 feet away while some are only 10 feet away and we must find a balance between them.
The second night played like a huge comedy and we were adjusting to that all night. This was valuable too, because it felt like that was what they came to see, and we want to make sure that they get equal parts of humor and pathos.
This is why I love previews. It is experimenting with live ammunition and it is so much fun. I think the guys are starting to enjoy it too. Though laughter can be seductive and also reductive and we don't want the play to be about only that.
The last scenes in the acts play wonderfully and the simplicity of the end of the play, quiet and understated, is great. It feels full, ironic, and bittersweet. The sigh from the audience on Saturday night was audible. Just great. The reaction to the discovery about Don's wife was audible as well, which means the scene is strung just right in terms of tempo and timing. It’s as if the audience rehearsed with us. Such is Dresser's artistry, a consummate comic craftsman. Tomorrow is Easter and the house will be smaller but frequently they can be more gratifying because they really want to be there.
Here is a picture of the Cornish students I spoke with. And the hot dog stand, temporarily set up in the INTIMAN Courtyard for select performances, did a land office business. I love the fact that people are showing up in uniforms and bringing their kids in their Little League uniforms. I hear they are selling a lot of beer and popcorn too. People are singing along with Dave Niehaus when he does Take Me Out and they applaud too!
More anon,
Beej
|
