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OLTL Discussion Group
How'd Pirates of Penzance turn out?
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Sounds like a hit W.E.! I'm glad most things went without a hitch. Sometimes it's the things that go a little bit askew that makes something even more memorable.
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I went to see Pirates yesterday and an hour ride turned into almost 2 hours.....blame the NJ Turnpike. Grrrr!!! I'm so glad that I felt I could risk going but my body doesn't share my feelings today.
Curtain Up!
''Pirates'' was a delight!! I don't know how Bob and W.E. get as much from the kids as they do. Putting on a operetta is no small task. Her choreography was faboo (so much fun) and the vocals were quite good. It's a difficult score and I was surprised at how well it was performed. W.E. also did her usual other job of 'cuing' during the show. Oh W.E.......does that include standing up and directing your ''chorus line'' from the booth? (LOL) I saw that!!! You're too funny!
I must say that she had shared with me much of what she posted but the closing show was a rousing fun fest for me. Ahem, *I* didn't have to work with those ''certain'' challenging kids!! However, I have no doubt that our W.E. is more than capable of getting everyone in line unless they just don't show up!! THAT certainly was different. I suppose ''Miss No Show'' will not be working with the Thespians next year!!
The pit orchestra was especially wonderful this year, and I enjoyed how she was able to weave her choreography into the show. Like her, I thoroughly enjoyed the cops and pirates.....G&S silliness at it's best. The choreography was funny and true to G&S. I just loved it. As for Major General, well, shall we say that he was in his own little ''zone''. However, it all fit in with the goofiness of ''Penzance''.
It was good seeing W.E.. I met "poopaloop'', some other relatives, and her sisters were there again. My granddaughter couldn't go this time (darn).....such a shame as she would have loved the silliness of it all and meeting ''poopaloop''.
I think there is no higher form of flattery than to have any member of the G&S Society put their stamp of approval on your work. I've sung with them and they're a marvelous bunch whom I can't say enough about. I have such respect for them.
What a fun day, and it goes without saying that it was grand seeing W.E. again!!!
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First, thanks for asking!!
This was a huge undertaking for us. HUGE!! We had 39 cast members but it seemed like 100 (lol). Usually we have close to 50 but there were SO many newbies to care for.
They were well rehearsed and ready to go even though the missed rehearsals were mamoth.
Thursday Night: We open and we're on FIRE. Going swimmingly...UNTIL... the entrance of the major general. He sounds like a FROG because HE decided (on his OWN) to change the placement of mis body mic. The sound man is told by ME that his mic is literally laying ON his windpipe and there's nothing we can do BUT turn it off and hope he projects. Will he do that? NO!! So the audience were treated to him sliding the sound up then down then up then down as he (I don't know) hoped it would magically fix itself?? Sooo onto ACT II. We get their morale back up and tell them to just DO IT...and they did. The cops and pirates were utterly magnificent and saved the day.
Friday Night: The show went really well but so underenergized because they were in we're-so-wonderful-all-we-have-to-do-is-show-up-and-they'll-love-us syndrome.
Saturday Night: This is the show we'll keep. They were told by ME that I want to see Thursday's performance again SANS the major general BOOBOO. Only problem? We have a fresman girl playing a lead. Her family are still in that middle-school-we'll-yell-and-scream-for-her-and-NO-ONE-ELSE mode. That had it's effect on the cast but they were still fantastic. She's a great kid but MAN!! Curtain call?? She came out and three rows stood and screamed then sat back down again. What possesses people? The audience did give ovations where they were deserved but that was such a POOR showing from her family.
Sunday Matinee: One cast member doesn't show. A FIRST in all my years here. So we go through the entire show to correct any place she's needed. Funny it wasn't all that hard - good riddance. They had some closing day foibles. Three of my girls (including one dance captain) had a major gaff in one of their numbers (hellooo, also a first). Major general this time decided to forego his movement and did his own - Dramamine anyone. Still the performance was really good. I had 13 people there including Songbird and her brother. I'll let her say more on the subject if she wishes to.
It was a very difficult rehearsal period. A first doing an operetta. Over half the cast soooooo green but most worthy of trying (the others? Hmmmm). All in all we are very pleased with the outcome and the reaction from the audience and a friend from the Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He loved it (and he also saw yesterday's show).
I know it was wonderful but I have NEVER been so happy to finish a show and move on. Going to Vegas this Saturday - I need it!!
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