Thoughts - Exciting & New

Charlotte here.

You may have noticed a dearth of posts from our first week through opening. Sorry. Apparently, putting up a show is quite time consuming. I knew this intellectually but in actual practice, it really did take up a lot of time.

But what a time. Last week was one of the most memorable in my career. And I say this from two very different standpoints.

As an actor, to be able to dive into this world, to be the Duchess, to experience her joy, her fear, her betrayal, her lust and her death has been an honor I could not have fathomed. It has been immensely surprising how some of her scenes just leapt to life for me - I didn't have to agonize over choices and intentions - they were crystal clear. One frustrating thing is that sometimes, I, Charlotte, stood in her way. I was distracted or hungry or tired or thinking about programs or lights in the dressing rooms or other such things at a time when I should have been in her world. I'm not going to pretend every scene, every line, every moment is a home-run, but I feel connected to her in a very organic way and that will always remain one of the highlights of this experience.

As a producer, I feel a happy exhaustion. Producing, at least at this stage, is all about hauling and carrying. A producer must make sure that things that are needed are delivered. So, if you are a first-time producer, you have to do the hauling and carrying (someday, we might be able to pay others to do it!) You need lights? Ok. Cable? Ok. Mirrors? Sure thing. Programs ? Got em. Food for the gala? Sho nuff. Risers built? Let me rent a truck. I have never moved, dragged, fire-man lifted or hauled by sheer will so many things in my life. Only moving house could produce that same bone-deep fatigue.

But here's the payoff: when I sit backstage waiting for an entrance and I look around at the dressing tables littered with water bottles, combs, ties, cups, newspapers and all the other detritus of a show in progress, I realize: we've made this happen. People are here. The tell-tale signs of a show being performed are here - in the very nature of the objects that surround it. The mirrors, the hangers, the clothing racks, the clip lights - all are here (dragged and hauled and otherwise purloined by the weary producers) to this very space and time to bring this world into being. If exhaustion is the price, it is one I will gladly take and wouldn't trade any of it for a minute.

And the benefits of all this? A terrific opening. A cast that not only delivers on stage depsite heat and Phillies games and all the other distractions in an actor's life but expresses their passion and professionalism backstage as well. A crew that is inspiring, loving and kind.

And a kick-ass show. I am allowed to say it, I think. This show is good. As good as anything I've seen. We deliver. I know we do. You feel the audience is with you. And we a review to prove it. Say what you will about reviews (and we all do), this show deserves the write-up it got and we hope for more. But more than that, it's the encouragement we receive from our peers that helps us. This show excites people. It is story-telling in a simple form and it is thrilling to see theatre so simple, especially in this day and age of apps and blockbuster movies and the like. Simplicity - today - is actually a novel idea.

And now the conundrum. Where are the hordes of people breaking down the doors for tickets? I don't know. I wish I did. We have people coming to see the show, yes, but if you figure if theatre were like a math equation, it would read like this: Good Show + Great Review = Full House. Well, artists are not known for their math skills and so it stands to reason that it doesn't quite compute like that. We are picking up in terms of sales but not at the rate we would like. There are two parts to every venture: critical success and financial success and rarely the twain shall meet.

And so I encourage anyone reading this to "lead Fortune by the hand" unto our merry show. It's a memorable night.

P.S. Anyone notice how listy I've become? Being a producer will do that to you. Loves me some lists.....

Dan here.
We're nearing the end of our second week, and things still seem to be humming along pretty well. We've had the incomparable J. Alex Cordaro with us for three consecutive days working out the combat, and it's all looking pretty sharp. There's a fair amount of mayhem in the latter half of this piece, and it's nice to be able to put it into the hands of somebody you can trust. We have a few more scenes to power thru in order to get this whole thing on its feet, but everything still feels under control. I meet with the musicians Sunday to work through some sounds - then next week they join us and start helping us fill the room. So many incredible things are happening. Martin Campos has been leading his workshops - and last night he brought a group in and they watched a pretty good chunk of rehearsal. Even after his group left, Martin hung around and kept his eyes open for us. Really an incredible guy to have in the room and very generous with us. I'm very excited to see how people respond to his work. Incidentally, he did the painting we've used for the Life is a Dream poster and materials. Gorgeous piece, and he'll be lending it to us to hang during the reading.
Every day I spend in the room working on this project I feel more blessed. I've had this play in my head for nearly ten years, and to see how strong it can be in the hands of a thoroughly capable cast is deeply warming. It's criminal how Webster is overlooked - or worse - remembered only as the bloodthirsty kid in Shakespeare in Love. There is such vitality, humor, and humanity in this play to balance the horrors. It takes a room full of thoughtful and generous people to bring it all across. That said - the more you feel for these folks, the harder it is to watch when awful things start happening...

First week wrap-up

My, oh my. Charlotte here.

We got through our first week. And actually, the words 'got through' imply that it was a slog or difficult in some way. Quite the contrary. It was pretty amazing. We have blocked/worked through a large chunk of the show and are even sewing in the seeds of all the interesting layers that we have yet to find...

And here's the interesting part, the energy never lagged. Sometimes, I've been in a rehearsal process where you can tell the energy is dipping...not here. Aside from one night when I was just zonked by the end (but in a good way ya?), we kept up a terrific pace. Everyone was so willing to jump right in and go there....

And when Martin's group of artists came into the room to observe us, it really became real. What are they seeing? What do they think? How does what we do translate into art in their hands? Can't wait to see what happens....

Administratively, we are also on a fast and furious clip. After getting our swag in the mail, we are spreading the word on every conceivable surface...I think Damon tried every piece of metal at the Fringe Bar to affix the 'Life is A Dream' magnet. The most successful spot? Bathroom stall. Because we are that classy. Hey, everyone needs to read sometimes....in the oddest of places. But press releases, meetings, emails, licking envelopes and lists, lists, lists abound.

Speaking of 'Dream' it goes into rehearsals tonight....the PAC officially launches a two-sided offensive...I believe in military terms it might be termed a panzer....or not, I just thought it sounded cool.

Ok. This gal has to learn some lines. My revelation this week? The more I dive into this world, the more I love this gal. The Duchess is so much more than just a classical character hidden in some dusty book.....

Be well.