I spent a not-so-quiet evening at the theater last night, building each look and recording cues. It is not the most cue-intensive show that I have ever done, but it sure ranks up there in the top few. Probably the worst was the production of The 39 Steps a couple of years ago. That show had literally hundreds of cues.
I say not-so-quiet because Kerrie, the sound person was there for the 90 minutes or so, testing sound effects and wireless mics. It made us smile to have fire crackling sounds as I added the fire lighting effects. :) I will say that it was nice to have such pleasant company!
It has been an interesting and exciting journey over the past 3 months. From the initial design concept discussions with Scott in late July, through fabricating in the scenic shop, it has been a lot of work and a lot of fun. Patrick, Melanie and I grew to be closer friends and I think we really became a team.
By the time we got to load-in two weeks ago, (seems so long ago! So many hours at the theater since then) it was like having three superintendents. All three of us knew how it went together and all three of us shared a common vision for the completed project. I think that is why load-in went so smoothly. We knew every nook and cranny of that set...every little piece and how it had to fit together.
Lighting was an adventure, as I previously commented on. But we worked through it. The first time in a new facility is always a challenge. Like the set, I learned a lot about the space and how to light a show in it. I am sure that there will be holes in the light plot, shadows here and there that I cannot fix at this point because the instrument just can't stretch to fill it. Overall, I think that it will be OK.
The cast has been SUPER excited and supportive of me as I made my way through my first show with New Line. The kicker was to hear Marcy squeal when she walked in Thursday evening for rehearsal and the set was warmed with stage lighting. Thank you, folks, for being AWESOME!
And I especially appreciate working with Scott...he has had a unique balance of a clear, focused vision and allowing me artistic freedom. Hopefully not so much that I hang myself. I feel that I have been able to convey my ideas, and he either agreed or, without condescension, in a reasonable, thought-out, and frank manner, told me how his concept was different. It was a truly professional and collaborative process. It was not fraught with drama or ego. He made it a pleasure to do this show.
Now we come to cue-to-cue day. I have a few details to wrap up. I will need to adjust the lights on the band after they get set up. After sleeping on it, there are a couple of cues that I want to edit a bit for better transitions. And I have the last of the set dressing to coordinate...mostly granny clothes in the dresser and putting the set back the way it should be at the beginning of the show. WOW! Does it get trashed in 80 minutes of action! :)
Then I will give Gabe the cue marks in his script and we will walk through it with the cast. It is getting to be very, very close to where I must let it go and the cast and crew will bring it to life... what a great journey and tremendously rewarding process this had been.
Now I rest... See you at the show!
R
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