Sunday, March 29, 2009

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

It's Show Week!

Dear Blog-followers:


Today was our first public outing and it was terrific! I am so proud of how far we have come in the last few weeks, and of course since we started this show 4 months ago!
The reviews from the Middle School and Elementary schools are in, and they were blown away by the full ensemble numbers, the dancing, the backdrop, the setwork, the quality of the transitions.
Personally, I agree with all of the observations.
As we are in the final stretch, the detail work that will happen during these next few days will be quite impressive, and add a sparkle to our show.
Though we raced through teaching the bows today, I am really excited, and think that it is a great way for us to end the show.. High energy, movement, smiles and the like really will leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Please be sure to check out each of the three nights of performance. Each time you go, try to notice different details some things to look for:
  1. Backdrop design: Alison and Gabriella came up with these designs with very little guidance and a whole LOT of creativity and devotion. Look at the detail work that they have done - when you think about the size - 800 square feet of canvas, they really went above and beyond in creating beautiful pieces of artwork.
  2. Lighting Design: Congratulations to Billy and Brendon on creating an amazing light plot. Each lighting change represents an artisitic decision that had to be made, light fixtures that had to be aimed, cabling that had to be run and a light cue created on the light board. In addition to creating a light plot, they did it all while learning how to use a brand new (read: complicated) light board.
  3. Sound Design: Joel and Kevin worked really hard on creating a "sound plot" for this show that was easy to understand for both actors and audience. Running 18 Wireless microphones this close to a metropolitan area is next to impossible, they were able to help find ways to make everyone heard clearly.
  4. Set Changes: Almost every set piece is stored somewhere on the stage even when it is not being used. Finding a hiding place for each of these set pieces that still allows that piece to be accessible for the next scene, or so that it doesn't get in the way of the actors is a challenge that Emily and the rest of the stage crew has done an amazing job with. Luckily for me, they don't let me go backstage - apparently it is flurry of activity both in between and behind scenes.
  5. Props: Everything that is not a costume or a set piece is considered a prop. Shirley, Karen Carrie and Jessica have made almost every prop by themselves. After reading the script, they came up with a list of things that the actors needed and started developing creative ideas to make each of the props come to life.
  6. Ensemble work: Even during scenes where leads are taking center stage, the ensemble characters have worked very hard to make each scene come to life. Each actor on stage has developed their own character to make the entire scene more believable and realistic.
  7. Leads: Of course much of the audience's attention will be on the person who is speaking, but from time to time, take note of reactions, and other interactions on the stage. Everything that happens on the stage is calculated and well thought out, and adds to the entire atmosphere of the show.
  8. Whole picture: All of the above (and then some) contribute to the overall generall effect of the show, and I'm proud to say that our kids have gone above and beyond in creating a realistic "1922 NYC" production.

Enjoy the show!!!

Monday, March 16, 2009

2009 Spring Musical Tiered Donors


 


 


Friend of the Show:  $1.00-$20.00 




Diane Anderson


Pontolillo Family


Matt Yarri


The Di Lavore Family


 



Cast Member:  $20.01-$50.00 




Superior Hair Cutting


Bill's Friendly Auto


Parkway Delicatessen


Willis Avenue Professional Dry Cleaning


Dr. Grosso


Dr. Maccaro


Donna Strein


Cindy Velez


The Flaum Family


Alicia Parendo


Vijay's Educational Supplies Inc


Celeste Rachell


Rose's General Store


Village Heros


Pine Cleaners


Marco's Barber SHop


Randi Cleaners


Meadow Drive PTA


Devra Small


Adam's Family


Monica Schlichting


Valentino's


Drs. Seltzer and Reing


Donna Trump


Hampton Street PTA


Mineola Middle School PTA




 


Pit Orchestra: $50.01-$100.00 




Mineola Music Parent


Adam's Family


PJ's Sandwich Shoppe


K's Automotive


Mineola High School PTSA


Sperry Federal Credit Union




 


Crew Member: $100.01+ 



Elaine and Frank Oliveri


Filipe Mendes


Oliveri Family


Mitchell and MaryEllen Williams

Jill Falcone

Sunday, March 15, 2009

GOOD NEWS! (And the rehearsal schedule)

Fundraising Status:  HEY EVERYONE!!! WE HAVE MET OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL!!!
$560.00 in DVD's
$2067.00 In Ads and donations
$890.00 Chip In Donations

TOTAL: $3517.00!!!!  WOW.. and the number keeps going up!

Now  LETS EARN IT:  Rehearsal schedule:

Monday: 3:00-8:00 Crew
Monday: 6:00-8:00 Cast – Act II Scenes 1-5  WITH SET MOVES. 
        Scene i: Office. Forget About The Boy, Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life/I'm Falling in Love,
        Stenographers, Speed Tappists, Miss Flannery, Millie, Mr. Graydon, Jimmy, Ms. Dorothy,
        Scene ii:  Window Ledge.  I Turned the Corner, Falling in Love Reprise
        Jimmy, Millie, Mr. Graydon, Ms. Dorothy, Ching Ho
        Scene iii:  12th Floor of Hotel Hallway
         Ms. Dorothy, Mrs. Meers, Ching Ho, Bun Foo,
        Scene iv:  Cafe Society.  Long as I'm Here with You
         Muzzy's Boys, Muzzy, Millie, Jimmy, Dishwasher
         Scene v:  Muzzy's Dressing Room, Gimme Gimme
                Muzzy, Mathilde, Millie

Monday: 8:00-9:00 Cast – Solo Dance Couples for Nutcracker 

Monday: 8:00-9:00 Cast – Act II Scene 7 and 8
        Scene vii: Hotel Lobby
        Mrs. Meers, Muzzy
        Scene viii: Dark Hotel Hallway
Ms. Dorothy, Ching Ho, Mrs. Meers, Bun Foo, Muzzy, Mr. Graydon, Jimmy, Millie, Priscilla Girls


Tuesday: 3:00-6:00 Crew
Tuesday:  6:00-8:00 Cast – Nutty Nutcracker EVERYONE involved in that scene
Tuesday: 6:00-8:00 Dancers (Ms. B)

Wednesday: 3:00-8:00 Crew
Wednesday: 6:00-9:00 Full Cast Act I Run-Through
Wednesday:6:00-9:00 Boys will work on Choreography with Ms. B when not busy.

Thursday: 3:00-8:00 Crew
Thursday:  6:00-9:00 Full Cast Act II Run-through

FRIDAY:  During the day.. TBA
FRIDAY:  CREW: 3:00-10:00
FRIDAY: CAST: 5:00-10:00.  RUN THE SHOW!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Picture day!

Everybody put on your nicest cardigan and bring your pocket combs to school... pictures will be taken for the publicity board starting tomorrow (most likely, finishing tomorrow, too..)

<3 (read: Less than three, or heart...)

Hey Everyone...
Congratulations on a GREAT first pit rehearsal on Friday night.  Your preparedness of the first act has paid off.  Now it's time for act II, which is less ensemble intensive, and will be blocked entirely by Saturday.

This is really it.. crunch time..
Here is the rehearsal schedule for this week and next.

Monday:  3:00-4:00 FULL CAST (I'll tell you what you're doing when you get here)
Monday: 3:00-5:30 ACT II Scene I, Forget about the Boy (stenogs, Flannery, Graydon, Jimmy, Ms. Dorothy) We will do the scene first, so Graydon, Jimmy, Dorothy can be finished first. Graydon and Ms. Dorothy will then Block Falling in Love)

Tuesday: 3:00-5:00 Crew - Backdrop painting day - set moving day, other crew activities.
Tuesday 6:00-8:00 Nutty NutCracker ensemble

Wednesday 3:00-6:00 Act II, Scene I

Thursday 2:45-4:00
ACT II Scene v: Muzzy's Dressing Room, Gimme Gimme Muzzy, Mathilde, Millie
ACT II Scene vi: Cafe Society Mr. Graydon, Daphne, Dexter, Millie, Jimmy,
Thursday: 5:00-8:00
Scene iv: Cafe Society. Muzzy's Boys, Muzzy, Millie, Jimmy, Dishwasher

Friday 3:00-8:00 Crew
Friday 5:00-10:00 
5:00-6:30 Act I Review
6:30-10:00 Act II Run Through with Pit.

Saturday: 9:00-3:00 Crew
Saturday: 10:00-4:00 Full Cast, Everything will be blocked by this day!!!

NEXT MONDAY
6:00-8:00 Nutty Nutcracker  solo couples.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Relive Les Mis?

Hi everyone..
Just wondering if anybody was interesting in attending Chaminade's production of Les Mis.
I believe that a good date would be 14th (Saturday) Lemme know if you want to go!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Snow week...

So unfortunately, we got snowed out of today's rehearsal...
This week will be very busy, as will the rest of our production period. We have some catching up to do... There will be some late rehearsals, please ensure that you're getting your school work done!

This week's rehearsals will be as follows:

Tuesday: 3:00-5:00 II:iii II:v, II:vii. All arrive at 3 please.

Wednesday: 3:00-5:00 Full Cast: Speed Test and Nutty Nutcracker.

Wednesday: 6:00-8:00 I:v, I:ix Priscilla Girls, Chinese II,iv Muzzy's Boys, Muzzy, Millie, Jimmy, Dishwasher

Thursday: 3:00-6:00 Speed Test (office workers) 3:00-5:00 FULL CAST (to do speed test stuff.)

Friday: Full cast and PIT 5-10

SATURDAY: 9-3 CREW, 9-5 Full Cast (specific times to be determined)

Barbara Brenner said...
Finishing "Speed Test" in 2 rehearsals is quite ambitious...but if everyone that's in it is at rehearsal on Wednesday AND Thursday...we'll have a MUCH better chance at achieving it!! Bring your tap shoes! (If you don't have them, bring shoes you can tap in). Also...wear pants you can kick in...no super tight jeans...unless you don't mind ripping them.