Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
It's Show Week!
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 FalconeSunday, March 15, 2009
GOOD NEWS! (And the rehearsal schedule)
$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!
<3 (read: Less than three, or heart...)
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.
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)
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
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Relive Les Mis?
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!