Tech: Day Two

As anyone in theatre knows, performance levels ebb and flow like the tide. Standard theatrical superstition suggests that "on" nights are followed by "off" nights, and best case scenario is that your "on" night falls on opening night. Given last night's basically "off" night, tonight should be great, Thursday might be a little dodgy, and Friday (opening) will be great.

And that's not to say that it was terrible: far from it. But you know when things really start to "click" and they absolutely did NOT last night. Maybe it started with the damnable telephone ringer I borrowed. The phone I tried to use didn't seem to respond well and didn't offer an audible ring. I had already told everyone to take home their other phones, so I was left shouting "ring-ring" from the house again.

Again, it wasn't a bad performance, just not a great one as compared to some of the really GREAT rehearsals we've had. I know for a fact that the audience interaction will change everything. I believe it will energize everyone.

One of the last things I did was to hook up the two "monitor" speakers (guitar amps) and balance out Zach's speakers so that the house right folks won't get blown away. Todd had graciously picked up two 20' speaker cables and two "Y" splitters. At first, I was concerned that they were two pole (TR) cables rather than three pole (TRS) cables, but it worked beautifully. And Sarah is plenty loud with Sr. Mary Annette, so I'm not worried about getting rid of the wireless mic for her. It was serving more as a crutch than an aid, so, good riddance.

Costumes are great. I can't say that enough. Connie and Kelly have done a superb job, and I'm quite happy. The set is done, thanks to Leana. Kelly and Liz will bring in some more set dressing, but it looks great. I had run out of steam last night by the time it came to paint the floor and touch up the dings. Sarah, Kelly, Liz, and Ron took care of the remaining paint tasks, and I got to sleep soundly last night.

As always, a few new things cropped up:

• We need the carpet strips from storage to quiet backstage noise. Tom has agreed to help with that.
• We still need to dress the speaker cables running house right, but Ron has agreed to pick up a roll of gaffer's tape today.
• The "marquee" poster needs to be done. Tom was unclear about the poster, but his wife Judy is GREAT at those sorts of things.
• I still need to have the house cleaned and vacuumed. The building manager traditionally does that, but I don't know what the arrangement is.

I just have to say again how much I love this production and this group of people. As completely exhausted as I am, it would not be worth it if it weren't for this cast and crew. And the wife and kids have made it all possible, too. My oldest daughter has had a BAD week, sickness-wise. She is just now getting back up on her feet. Fortunately, no one else seems to have gotten it.

Tonight is the final tech/dress rehearsal before the preview tomorrow night. Right now, I'm too tired to be excited, but I believe it will grow on me later in the day.

- Sean