Opening night of Kiss Me Kate tonight. My understudy performance on Monday went really well. I interpolated an F above high C into the cadenza, and actually performed the thing. That was the most exciting moment for me. The audience can't tell how high things are, really, but the cast did. I felt a little slow starting out in the show, but overall it was a very cohesive performance (considering it was only the understudies' second full runthrough). We had some good moments and a great audience. Now it's the regular cast's turn!

And, I got a role offered to me for Pinocchio through the fall, so I have my next show lined up!

Great day all around.

So at church today, the pastor was preaching on Mark chapter 7 - the one where Jesus calls the religious leaders hypocrites. The illustration went as follows:

"So let's define hypocrite for a moment. The word is a greek word, and is actually a Greek theatrical term referring to the masks that the actors would put on to portray characters in a play. Where's Rachel? Is she here today? Some of you may have seen her around. She helped out at VBS this week. She is also playing Maria in The Sound of Music this summer. After the games, she would have to leave to go get ready for her shows. As an actress, when she goes to the theater, she has to play a character that isn't her. This is what hypocrite means - the masks we wear."

It was actually really funny, after I stopped blushing furiously and trying to hide behind my Liesl, who was sitting with me that day. And the lady in front of me, who had been discussing the play before the service, turned around afterwords and said, "So, were you just sinking under the pew?"

Week two of the show is over, to great audience feedback. The night before last I "sound just like Julie Andrews," and last night the Captain was "better than Christopher Plummer." Several people told us they're going to go home and watch the movie now.

I'm still job hunting everywhere I can, but no luck so far. Business in town is very slow, and people just aren't hiring. Two more hotels posted front desk opening, which I'll go apply for. But having worked front desk several times, usually they don't want to train someone for less than two months worth of work. We'll see.

I had my first batch of friends come into town and see Friday night's show. It was great to see both of them, and Tasha with her theatrical background can offer constructive comments about what works well. We had breakfast at the local coffee shop, then walked along the river until it was time for them to go. It was lovely to have friends here.

Today we run Act 2 of Kiss Me Kate. I've got to go brush up on lines in case they get to understudies today.

Opening weekend was a success! We had a 3/4 full house on the 4th, and a full house on the 5th. I thought the second show went better than the first one, but both were good solid performances. I sang better the second night. The first night the wind was blowing and I felt dry and raspy for a few songs until my water kicked in.

Last night was a soiree for major donors. The leads from all three shows went and sang a song apiece. Afterwards we schmoozed. The Captain and I had several people come up to us who had been to the understudy performance. They all said the same thing; "Well, we saw your understudies, and really enjoyed it. You'd better do as well as they did." Huh. We looked at each other, smiled and said, "We'll do our best."

Really, what else can you say?

Opening Night.

Oh dear. Oh dear.

My hands starting shaking so badly an hour ago that I glued my braid to my hands instead of my headband.

I'm filling out my opening night cards now, and thinking about whether I'll be able to keep dinner down if I eat something.

Oh dear.

Watching Sound of Music

Watching

The Captain and I got to watch the understudy run tonight, and see what works and what doesn't. It's going to be an absolutely beautiful show. Beautiful setting, beautiful costumes, beautiful moments.

We were, however, wet, as a thunderstorm rolled through pre-show and dampened us all, but not our spirits.

Tomorrow, first dress!

Can't remember what day this is. Thursday, perhaps?

Blazing hot rehearsal this afternoon getting the dances shifted from our rehearsal space to the outdoor theater. Seriously cool set, and unbelievably nice vista from the audience over the mountain ranges that surround the ski hill. Tonight is a lengthy cue to cue rehearsal. I have a vocal rehearsal for the other show to go to in an hour or so.

A bit of boredom ensuing. We're so far ahead of schedule with Sound of Music that they keep cancelling rehearsals. Which is great for the people who live in town - they can get back to doing regular things. For me, it means more hours of bumming around my room twiddling my thumbs.

Today I'm running over to see the rehearsal for my director's other show, and then I'll be good and go schlepping for jobs again. It would be so nice to start working and refill the coffers a bit.

Last night was the first rehearsal with orchestra - always a rough proposition, but the conductor has done the show many many times, and all will quickly be well. Something Good needed an extra runthrough, and Confidence made their eyes go big - I change tempos a lot in the opening. But we all muddled through somehow.

Tonight is a dance rehearsal for Kiss Me Kate - I've not had to go so far, since I'm mainly set dressing. I hear its really fast and really good. I get to Lindy Hop at some point, hurrah!

And I'm off to see the Wizard now. Really. That's the kids show. The costumes were lined up around the room during last night's rehearsal, and I was itching to put on a munchkin hat. The one with the big flower on it. But I didn't, since I am a professional.

And there was a big sign saying:

DO NOT TOUCH
NOT NO ONE
NOT NO HOW

Triple Act II runthrough today, after a morning of review rehearsals. The first run was a bit clunky, but the last was great. Tomorrow our first full run.

I'm feeling a bit dry, and hoping I'm not getting the cold that one of our Kurts has brought to rehearsals. I think it's just aclimating to the desert after living on the coast. I can't seem to drink enough water to stay hydrated for longer than a few hours. My huge water bottle sprung a leak at rehearsals the other day, so I'm relying on the fountain.

Personal victory, I have now climbed the hill to my house on my bike twice without getting off and walking the last bit. Next goal is to be able to do it while singing "Doe a Deer" at the top of my lungs. I also got a library card - and checked out the Hitchhiker's Guide to read this weekend.

An endless runthrough with the kids, who are all doing a great job, but with double casting we run and run and run the kids songs. A break, and an hour Laendler review.

It's really starting to look good, and we have our first Act 1 runthrough tonight. It's going to be nice to put everything together finally. I'm going to stop by to see the manager at a job I'm hoping to get lined up so I can stop wondering when that's going to fall into place, and then rest for a few hours until its time for a review before the run.

I got my first full night's sleep last night, and am feeling good, if a little tired of singing the closing number over and over and over and over.