Here's husband in his first appearance in the blog (See! He really does exist!). As usual, he's always ready to serve. In this case, it's as a table for Diego.
Viola and I often take cat-naps. She takes more than I do, lucky dog. I mean, cat.
Friday, July 4, 2008
I almost forgot!!! CAT PIC FRIDAY!
Cat Pic Friday!
Here's husband in his first appearance in the blog (See! He really does exist!). As usual, he's always ready to serve. In this case, it's as a table for Diego.
Viola and I often take cat-naps. She takes more than I do, lucky dog. I mean, cat.
Here's husband in his first appearance in the blog (See! He really does exist!). As usual, he's always ready to serve. In this case, it's as a table for Diego.
Viola and I often take cat-naps. She takes more than I do, lucky dog. I mean, cat.
A Swinging Par-tay!
The head honcho of the opera company hosted a party today. It was weird, as usual, to be sort of alone there. I mean, yeah, Alex and Husband came along, but just like at rehearsals, chorus draped on chorus and principals hung with each other. I was the only super there, not a surprise. My co-supers are very shy and don't interact with the singers much at all. Me, I'm right in there joking around and whatever, because, well, why not? I can stand there and examine how nicely my fingernails fit at the end of my fingers, or I can join in the banter. Up to a point. They all live in the dorm, they party together and so on, so I can't just jump in and enter that intimacy. Oh and they're all at least 10 years younger than I am, if not more. So I can join in but I'm not about to hug anyone and put my hands on their... well, I'm not about to hug anyone.
So at the party, Liz kept trying to get Alex to sing. She is enchanted with him and his opera videos on YouTube. She was so cute, she wanted him to perform for the director. And let's just digress for a moment here - I am a little intimidated and unsure how to act around him, even in a social setting. NONE of the chorus seemed to interact with him at all. Bizarre. Again, he's older than me, they're all in their 20s and this was a party. So anyway there was a point where Elizabeth was on the swing set on this two seater see-saw swing contraption. And anyone who knows anything about 4 year olds knows that a half-empty see-saw swing is an invitation to sit down, so Alex ran over to ride with her. She was thrilled and kept trying to get him to sing. So I started him on the Spiderman theme song a la MoxyFruvous and he joined in, of course raising it up a half-step because silly Mommy started it a little lower than the recording we listen to. She kept trying to get him to sing Papageno but he wasn't having any of that. Then he started singing Libiamo (with la la la not the words, and, of course, the Sock Opera version. And I also must mention that the Libiamo link is to a YouTube video of Rolano Villazon and Anna Netrebko singing it, and I think Michael Fabiano has a much nicer sound than Villazon does, at least here. And Elizabeth has a fuller, smoother, rounder and more pleasant sound than Trebs has here. But that's for another post... But see how everyone in that scene has a glass? Guess how they get them in our production? SPLASH! And now back to your blog post, already in progress.) But she jumped right in and sang with him. So Alex has now sung a duet with a professional opera singer. Can we put that on his resume?
Meanwhile I was just laughing because here we were, supernumerary and diva, hanging out on the swings. Or as someone else called me, a superluminary. Must be because I glow.
So at the party, Liz kept trying to get Alex to sing. She is enchanted with him and his opera videos on YouTube. She was so cute, she wanted him to perform for the director. And let's just digress for a moment here - I am a little intimidated and unsure how to act around him, even in a social setting. NONE of the chorus seemed to interact with him at all. Bizarre. Again, he's older than me, they're all in their 20s and this was a party. So anyway there was a point where Elizabeth was on the swing set on this two seater see-saw swing contraption. And anyone who knows anything about 4 year olds knows that a half-empty see-saw swing is an invitation to sit down, so Alex ran over to ride with her. She was thrilled and kept trying to get him to sing. So I started him on the Spiderman theme song a la MoxyFruvous and he joined in, of course raising it up a half-step because silly Mommy started it a little lower than the recording we listen to. She kept trying to get him to sing Papageno but he wasn't having any of that. Then he started singing Libiamo (with la la la not the words, and, of course, the Sock Opera version. And I also must mention that the Libiamo link is to a YouTube video of Rolano Villazon and Anna Netrebko singing it, and I think Michael Fabiano has a much nicer sound than Villazon does, at least here. And Elizabeth has a fuller, smoother, rounder and more pleasant sound than Trebs has here. But that's for another post... But see how everyone in that scene has a glass? Guess how they get them in our production? SPLASH! And now back to your blog post, already in progress.) But she jumped right in and sang with him. So Alex has now sung a duet with a professional opera singer. Can we put that on his resume?
Meanwhile I was just laughing because here we were, supernumerary and diva, hanging out on the swings. Or as someone else called me, a superluminary. Must be because I glow.
Shoetastic *YAWN*
Fashion break!!!
Recently purchased these and wore them to two or three rehearsals. Then I found out I needed character shoes,
and since those adorable ballet flats actually hurt like hell I decided to return them to avoid spending all my hard-earned cash on Sesame Street Band-Aids. OMG there are Hello Kitty Band-Aids! I had no idea!! Can I get my painful shoes back????
That shoe picture is from our final room-run. I took a few pictures so I could show everyone just how exciting the the life of an opera singer is:
Recently purchased these and wore them to two or three rehearsals. Then I found out I needed character shoes,
and since those adorable ballet flats actually hurt like hell I decided to return them to avoid spending all my hard-earned cash on Sesame Street Band-Aids. OMG there are Hello Kitty Band-Aids! I had no idea!! Can I get my painful shoes back????
That shoe picture is from our final room-run. I took a few pictures so I could show everyone just how exciting the the life of an opera singer is:
Wigging Out!!
Got two emails from the super captain (I love that, he sounds like a super-hero) today. Email # 1 has the word "wig" in it 4 times. Go ahead, count them:
Wigged? I don't want to be wigged! And Kelly - she has gorgeous long black curly hair. GORGEOUS! What a shame to cover it under a wig. Can't we all do buns? Or beaded corn-rows?
And email #2, for my professional resume no doubt:
Hooray for small favors. What, I don't need to wander around the stage trying not to spill the feather-light champagne flutes? Hmm on the other hand maybe I should go...
I hope the prop people remember to bring towels. I'll be the one on stage in the checkered dress, on my hands and knees wiping up the spill as the opera moves on around me.
I'm looking forward to the dress rehearsal for several reasons, but by far my favorite is to see how everyone maneuvers around in their giant dresses. Space was tight yesterday in Tiny Clothes. Should be interesting.
Dear Supers:
The la Traviata piano dress is at 11 am on Saturday. The only wig call I see is Kelly at 10:35. If you haven't seen wigs yet you should drop by wigs early so they can decide if you need to be wigged.
Wigged? I don't want to be wigged! And Kelly - she has gorgeous long black curly hair. GORGEOUS! What a shame to cover it under a wig. Can't we all do buns? Or beaded corn-rows?
And email #2, for my professional resume no doubt:
Dear Supers:
From John:By the way, the supers are doing terrific. Very attentive, and really know their stuff.
You guys are super supers! Also, you will not be needed for the Wandel.
Hooray for small favors. What, I don't need to wander around the stage trying not to spill the feather-light champagne flutes? Hmm on the other hand maybe I should go...
I hope the prop people remember to bring towels. I'll be the one on stage in the checkered dress, on my hands and knees wiping up the spill as the opera moves on around me.
I'm looking forward to the dress rehearsal for several reasons, but by far my favorite is to see how everyone maneuvers around in their giant dresses. Space was tight yesterday in Tiny Clothes. Should be interesting.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
So... exhausted...
Two rehearsals to write about. Utter exhaustion has set in.
Tuesday - Got a great parking spot. Ummm don't remember much more. Took notes, will do "real" post later.
Today - rehearsal was from 1 until 8:30. Yup, you heard it. We did have a sort of longish break for dinner and a couple of shorty breaks here and there.
Today's rehearsal was a tech run. That means it was our first time in the theater and on the stage. The rehearsal was to get all the staging fixed up since what fit in between the tape lines on the floor didn't necessarily work on the stage. We were there from 1 until about 4:30. Then Husband and Alex came into Princeton to meet me for dinner at Triumph. After dinner we went back to the theater and I showed them around backstage.
Elizabeth Caballero, who plays Violetta, has a YouTube page. I subscribed and put a comment on her page on Monday. So Tuesday when I walked in she said hello and confirmed it was I who left the comment. (aside: like my grammar? It was I...) Chatty chat, thanks for the comment, blah blah, etc and so on. Oh and, "Is that your daughter?" Umm... no. Ok fine the picture is teeny-tiny, I can see where gender identification could be difficult. Anyway today at the start of rehearsal we were all onstage and she stage-whispered from downstage, "Your son! He's so cute! I saw the videos of him singing!" and then later, when I was bringing him into the theater she was coming in and got all gushy on him. She was with someone whose name I should know and do know but I'm too tired to think... anyway she said, "You should hear him! He wants to be an opera singer! I heard him sing Papageno's aria! I'll have to send you the link on YouTube." Of course Alex refused to even make a sound at that point.
So after dinner we were called back for 7:15. I got there at about 6:45 when the principals were doing some staging. They were doing the last act, when Violetta is dying and Alfredo gets there just in time. At one point they were singing and she slipped in, "Am I singing the right words?" and later when she collapsed into Michael's arms for the death scene, she had a little too much momentum and down they both went. Another time he was laying her down but sort of let go too early and we all heard her head clonk on the floor. Actually I think that might have happened twice... So anyway at about 8:30 the supers had to go back onstage to close the doors to the ballroom. I think we did it twice. Then a half hour later we were released. Yes, I waited an hour and a half for 10 seconds of rehearsal. Isn't life in the theater exciting?
It's interesting to watch the chorus interact. Like last year, they drape all over each other. Although last year it seemed more out of affection and familiarity. This year it seems a little more steamy. There is a set of people who are always heavily flirting, hugging, touching... and the pairs seem to be interchangeable. Interesting, no? At one point I was sitting in the row in front listening to one guy relate a very intimate experience he once had to one of the women. Definitely far far Too Much Information. And now of course whenever I look at him this story pops into my head. That, and he's a winker. That's right. He winks. Like a friggin' grandfather. Ok, stop winking at me, you're what? 25?
Am about to fall asleep on the keyboard and I doubt anyone wants to read the jumble that my head would end up typing. On the other hand, who knows, maybe that would be my best blog entry ever.
So on a parting note, I'd like to direct everyone to the very insightful, clever and delightfully obnoxious blog of a self-labeled "random" chorus member. The blog is called, "Viva la Diva." Doesn't she have nice legs?
Tuesday - Got a great parking spot. Ummm don't remember much more. Took notes, will do "real" post later.
Today - rehearsal was from 1 until 8:30. Yup, you heard it. We did have a sort of longish break for dinner and a couple of shorty breaks here and there.
Today's rehearsal was a tech run. That means it was our first time in the theater and on the stage. The rehearsal was to get all the staging fixed up since what fit in between the tape lines on the floor didn't necessarily work on the stage. We were there from 1 until about 4:30. Then Husband and Alex came into Princeton to meet me for dinner at Triumph. After dinner we went back to the theater and I showed them around backstage.
Elizabeth Caballero, who plays Violetta, has a YouTube page. I subscribed and put a comment on her page on Monday. So Tuesday when I walked in she said hello and confirmed it was I who left the comment. (aside: like my grammar? It was I...) Chatty chat, thanks for the comment, blah blah, etc and so on. Oh and, "Is that your daughter?" Umm... no. Ok fine the picture is teeny-tiny, I can see where gender identification could be difficult. Anyway today at the start of rehearsal we were all onstage and she stage-whispered from downstage, "Your son! He's so cute! I saw the videos of him singing!" and then later, when I was bringing him into the theater she was coming in and got all gushy on him. She was with someone whose name I should know and do know but I'm too tired to think... anyway she said, "You should hear him! He wants to be an opera singer! I heard him sing Papageno's aria! I'll have to send you the link on YouTube." Of course Alex refused to even make a sound at that point.
So after dinner we were called back for 7:15. I got there at about 6:45 when the principals were doing some staging. They were doing the last act, when Violetta is dying and Alfredo gets there just in time. At one point they were singing and she slipped in, "Am I singing the right words?" and later when she collapsed into Michael's arms for the death scene, she had a little too much momentum and down they both went. Another time he was laying her down but sort of let go too early and we all heard her head clonk on the floor. Actually I think that might have happened twice... So anyway at about 8:30 the supers had to go back onstage to close the doors to the ballroom. I think we did it twice. Then a half hour later we were released. Yes, I waited an hour and a half for 10 seconds of rehearsal. Isn't life in the theater exciting?
It's interesting to watch the chorus interact. Like last year, they drape all over each other. Although last year it seemed more out of affection and familiarity. This year it seems a little more steamy. There is a set of people who are always heavily flirting, hugging, touching... and the pairs seem to be interchangeable. Interesting, no? At one point I was sitting in the row in front listening to one guy relate a very intimate experience he once had to one of the women. Definitely far far Too Much Information. And now of course whenever I look at him this story pops into my head. That, and he's a winker. That's right. He winks. Like a friggin' grandfather. Ok, stop winking at me, you're what? 25?
Am about to fall asleep on the keyboard and I doubt anyone wants to read the jumble that my head would end up typing. On the other hand, who knows, maybe that would be my best blog entry ever.
So on a parting note, I'd like to direct everyone to the very insightful, clever and delightfully obnoxious blog of a self-labeled "random" chorus member. The blog is called, "Viva la Diva." Doesn't she have nice legs?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
I knew them when...
Here are some of the people who participated in the local opera company's Summer Season last year. Of course I'm only mentioning the singers who didn't ignore the supers, ha ha.
Zulimar Lopez on YouTube: Remember? She stole the show here. She came in 2nd in the Met Council Auditions for her region, but she should have won first place.
and
Jenni Bank's professional page. She's the curly-haired person mentioned here. Oh and you can see her here:
and here:
Glorivy Arroyo is very involved with Opera Boston Underground.
Oh look here's Manon Strauss Evrard singing Juliette in Romeo last year. I wonder who put this up. And I wonder why she doesn't have a professional web page. None that I can find, anyway, and isn't that the point?
and
There are others very much worth mentioning, but that's all for now.
Zulimar Lopez on YouTube: Remember? She stole the show here. She came in 2nd in the Met Council Auditions for her region, but she should have won first place.
and
Jenni Bank's professional page. She's the curly-haired person mentioned here. Oh and you can see her here:
and here:
Glorivy Arroyo is very involved with Opera Boston Underground.
Oh look here's Manon Strauss Evrard singing Juliette in Romeo last year. I wonder who put this up. And I wonder why she doesn't have a professional web page. None that I can find, anyway, and isn't that the point?
and
There are others very much worth mentioning, but that's all for now.
Who's That Girl? Believe! Believe!
Due to the automobile configuration this morning, I drove to work in the car that has this thing in it called a cassette player. So instead of listening to Natalie, or Joyce, or Juan Diego, or Nathan or any of the others, I popped in the tape from my last voice lesson.
One of my friends recently teased me that I probably listen to my tapes over and over just to hear myself. Ha! Au contraire! I listen to them only to do the warm-up exercises and to go over the pronunciation, rhythm and melody for new songs.
So this morning I listened to the warm-up and exercises without singing. Wow. I really AM improving. At some points I found myself thinking, "I don't remember my teacher singing that part, I thought I sang the entire thing," and then I'd hear her say something in the background... because it was me singing. And she totally knows what's going on in my mind because what she's saying is, "Believe! Believe!" and then, "Caress the notes! Sing like an opera singer! Gorgeous! Beautiful rounded tone! Yeah baby!" at which point, of course, I lose it and start laughing because I can hear myself and, in spite of her shouting, "Believe! Believe!" I can't believe that I'm producing that music.
My conclusion: Practice, practice, practice. I have to get used to the idea that I can sing like that, so that I can learn to do it for longer stretches without dissolving into laughter.
One of my friends recently teased me that I probably listen to my tapes over and over just to hear myself. Ha! Au contraire! I listen to them only to do the warm-up exercises and to go over the pronunciation, rhythm and melody for new songs.
So this morning I listened to the warm-up and exercises without singing. Wow. I really AM improving. At some points I found myself thinking, "I don't remember my teacher singing that part, I thought I sang the entire thing," and then I'd hear her say something in the background... because it was me singing. And she totally knows what's going on in my mind because what she's saying is, "Believe! Believe!" and then, "Caress the notes! Sing like an opera singer! Gorgeous! Beautiful rounded tone! Yeah baby!" at which point, of course, I lose it and start laughing because I can hear myself and, in spite of her shouting, "Believe! Believe!" I can't believe that I'm producing that music.
My conclusion: Practice, practice, practice. I have to get used to the idea that I can sing like that, so that I can learn to do it for longer stretches without dissolving into laughter.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Grammar Police!
Wow people (including myself) are going a bit nuts on Nathan Gunn's Yahoo Fan Group. It started with a link to his journal entry, and then a comment on the grammar and spelling in his journal, and then everyone (including me!!) went off (or is that on???) about grammar.
Meanwhile, what none of them know is, because I spend so much time with my over-generalizing son, I've been known to say "goed," "taked" and other rule-following yet grammatically incorrect conjugations.
Speaking of my over-generalizing child, today we watched parts of Fille. Again. Rataplan Rataplan Rataplan. Actually I don't mind at all - I like it too. When I like an opera I can listen to it several (hundred) times in a row. I'll hear different things each time. In fact, today I was listening to the music lesson in Act II on my way home from work. It's so wonderful. Natalie Dessay's voice is just... too beautiful for words. I felt like the music was pouring into my ears and spreading through my body like warm sweet syrup. And it's all calorie-free!
Meanwhile, what none of them know is, because I spend so much time with my over-generalizing son, I've been known to say "goed," "taked" and other rule-following yet grammatically incorrect conjugations.
Speaking of my over-generalizing child, today we watched parts of Fille. Again. Rataplan Rataplan Rataplan. Actually I don't mind at all - I like it too. When I like an opera I can listen to it several (hundred) times in a row. I'll hear different things each time. In fact, today I was listening to the music lesson in Act II on my way home from work. It's so wonderful. Natalie Dessay's voice is just... too beautiful for words. I felt like the music was pouring into my ears and spreading through my body like warm sweet syrup. And it's all calorie-free!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
It's La Fille-ful
Fille was on PBS again this afternoon. I saw the DVR recording light on so I turned on the TV to see what it was catching. Canceled the recording because I already have it, but kept it on anyway. Alex was totally into it! It was at the part where the soldiers caught Tonio and dragged him into the camp. Ah yes the Little Tenor in his lederhosen, so adorable. Alex kept complaining, "This is an OPERA! There's too much talking." I agree, there is far too much. But we did some puzzles and played some games during the talky bits. He watched the ENTIRE THING THROUGH TO THE END!!! INCLUDING THE CREDITS!!!!
His favorite part: When the drunken soldiers sing the "Rataplan" song.
Natalie Dessay is AMAZING. I so want to be able to sing like her but realize that it's just impossible. It will never happen. She hits notes that when I try, no sound comes out. What's up with that????
After watching it through to the end this afternoon, I came and reread my post-Fille posts and got that happy excited tummy feeling. Sounds hokey but y'all know what I mean, right?
His favorite part: When the drunken soldiers sing the "Rataplan" song.
Natalie Dessay is AMAZING. I so want to be able to sing like her but realize that it's just impossible. It will never happen. She hits notes that when I try, no sound comes out. What's up with that????
After watching it through to the end this afternoon, I came and reread my post-Fille posts and got that happy excited tummy feeling. Sounds hokey but y'all know what I mean, right?
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Whatever you do... DON'T LOOK DOWN!
Surprise surprise - no parking fiasco today! Another surprise, although I would have known had I looked carefully at the schedule - no chorus today, just principals, smaller parts, covers and supers. Michael wasn't there so his cover did the part. I forget his name - Cody maybe? He was pretty good. They ran through the entire thing so I got to see parts I hadn't heard before. Everyone is awesome!
When the supers were done we went to the costume shop to get our dresses fixed. Someone had previously put these huge hacked-up hems in them so they had them taken out. Then there was far too much material so they had to cut the bottom. I went first. I had to climb up on this pretty high table. Like, I got on a chair and still had to put a knee onto the table to get up - I couldn't just step up. The costume woman, who was in a surprisingly good mood, (another surprise!) sat at the edge of the table with her hands on it: "Come forward. More. More. Keep coming. Forward. A little more..." Until my feet were touching her hands. I mean, right at the very very edge of this rather tall table. For some reason I was reminded of being at the doctor's or dentist's office where they tell you to do stuff and you just trust them. Then she said, "Whatever you do, DON'T LOOK DOWN!" and went to work snipping, snipping. I had my new strappy character shoes on and all my weight was in my heels. I imagine I was even lurching backwards a bit. Then she said, "I'm going to hold your ankles. Turn SLOWLY to the left." Inch, inch, inch... around I went. Snip, snip, snip. Then the ankle hold again while I turned my back to her. Then of course I was leaning forward with all my weight in my toes. She finished up and I couldn't get off that table fast enough. Then it was Rachel's turn. I took her picture up there. Is that dress not the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen? Oh wait by gorgeous of course I mean HIDEOUS! It makes everyone's eyes go all wiggly. I cropped the picture and tried to fuzz out the lights because they were so bright, hence the weirdness around her head. Wow I just used the word 'hence' in my blog. The hands working on the hem belong to a sitting-down person. I was tempted not to include that info because then the table would seem even bigger, and therefore my adventure even more adventurous, but then I realized that none of my intelligent readers would believe that such a high table would exist.
So, I learned today how far I can lean in one direction without falling over. Can't wait to see if I'm sore tomorrow in leg muscles I didn't know I had.
Photo: Rachel getting her dress snipped.
I asked the costume woman if we were going to wear bonnets and she said, "Oh, have you been called to the wig shop yet?" Uh.... how is anyone going to be able to put a wig over this head of hair???
Looks like there might be some more opera adventure in my future - but this one better not involve snipping!
When the supers were done we went to the costume shop to get our dresses fixed. Someone had previously put these huge hacked-up hems in them so they had them taken out. Then there was far too much material so they had to cut the bottom. I went first. I had to climb up on this pretty high table. Like, I got on a chair and still had to put a knee onto the table to get up - I couldn't just step up. The costume woman, who was in a surprisingly good mood, (another surprise!) sat at the edge of the table with her hands on it: "Come forward. More. More. Keep coming. Forward. A little more..." Until my feet were touching her hands. I mean, right at the very very edge of this rather tall table. For some reason I was reminded of being at the doctor's or dentist's office where they tell you to do stuff and you just trust them. Then she said, "Whatever you do, DON'T LOOK DOWN!" and went to work snipping, snipping. I had my new strappy character shoes on and all my weight was in my heels. I imagine I was even lurching backwards a bit. Then she said, "I'm going to hold your ankles. Turn SLOWLY to the left." Inch, inch, inch... around I went. Snip, snip, snip. Then the ankle hold again while I turned my back to her. Then of course I was leaning forward with all my weight in my toes. She finished up and I couldn't get off that table fast enough. Then it was Rachel's turn. I took her picture up there. Is that dress not the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen? Oh wait by gorgeous of course I mean HIDEOUS! It makes everyone's eyes go all wiggly. I cropped the picture and tried to fuzz out the lights because they were so bright, hence the weirdness around her head. Wow I just used the word 'hence' in my blog. The hands working on the hem belong to a sitting-down person. I was tempted not to include that info because then the table would seem even bigger, and therefore my adventure even more adventurous, but then I realized that none of my intelligent readers would believe that such a high table would exist.
So, I learned today how far I can lean in one direction without falling over. Can't wait to see if I'm sore tomorrow in leg muscles I didn't know I had.
Photo: Rachel getting her dress snipped.
I asked the costume woman if we were going to wear bonnets and she said, "Oh, have you been called to the wig shop yet?" Uh.... how is anyone going to be able to put a wig over this head of hair???
Looks like there might be some more opera adventure in my future - but this one better not involve snipping!
Anticipating an Adventure
Rehearsal starts an hour from now. I'm already wondering what my parking adventure will be.
We have a costume fitting today. I have to wear my new fabulous shoes and climb up onto a Very Tall Table so the costume kids and their dragon-master can pin and sew me into my dress.
I will, of course, post a full report of the evening at some point tomorrow or Monday.
We have a costume fitting today. I have to wear my new fabulous shoes and climb up onto a Very Tall Table so the costume kids and their dragon-master can pin and sew me into my dress.
I will, of course, post a full report of the evening at some point tomorrow or Monday.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Flashback!
Looked up tonight to see the little red light on the DVR. What oh what could it be recording? Wait a sec... it must be Great Performances... which means it must be La Fille du Regiment!! The very same one that I was at , up up up and away in the beautiful balcony balloon!
No matter how good it sounds in the theater or on TV, live and in person, even from waaaay up in the balcony, it's exponentially better. Exponents, remember them from math class?
*sigh* Juan Diego does look so very cute in lederhosen, especially when compared to this. Go ahead, click on that, and then once there click on the "not safe for work set." Seriously. Then you too will think how wonderful the little tenor looks in Tyrolean digs.
Sitting there on the couch in my Hello Kitty pajamas I totally remembered how excited I felt to be sitting there in the Met up in the balcony waiting for the moment when Juan Diego made his entrance. And Natalie Dessay is nothing to sneeze at - the opera is a showcase for her - she's AMAZING! And now that it's "intermission," instead of running down three levels to hang out with the rich people and drink the expensive champagne only sold at their bar, I grabbed an ice-cream sandwich and came upstairs to write. But that's only because we're out of champagne.
I wonder if I can wear my pajamas the next time I go to the Met?
No matter how good it sounds in the theater or on TV, live and in person, even from waaaay up in the balcony, it's exponentially better. Exponents, remember them from math class?
*sigh* Juan Diego does look so very cute in lederhosen, especially when compared to this. Go ahead, click on that, and then once there click on the "not safe for work set." Seriously. Then you too will think how wonderful the little tenor looks in Tyrolean digs.
Sitting there on the couch in my Hello Kitty pajamas I totally remembered how excited I felt to be sitting there in the Met up in the balcony waiting for the moment when Juan Diego made his entrance. And Natalie Dessay is nothing to sneeze at - the opera is a showcase for her - she's AMAZING! And now that it's "intermission," instead of running down three levels to hang out with the rich people and drink the expensive champagne only sold at their bar, I grabbed an ice-cream sandwich and came upstairs to write. But that's only because we're out of champagne.
I wonder if I can wear my pajamas the next time I go to the Met?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Splashes, Shoes and a Rubber Chicken
Sunday
While I realize that I promised to write about Sunday's rehearsal, the truth is, I was sort of ill, took very few notes and don't remember much. Let's see, I drove down a questionable alleyway to find my way to that one-way street mentioned in the first rehearsal. I even remembered how to get back to the car afterwards.
Ok here are my notes as scribbled in my notebook:
water in glasses
dancers
principals come in last, sit together, hug the director
sing octave lower to protect voice
cell phone or electronic game sound
Director: "You know why Verdi wrote it like that? The orchestra stops... To shut up the Italian audience."
and
"It's not sloppy drunk but it's feeling good."
So let's see... during the musical rehearsal there was some sort of cell phone or electronic game noise playing. Everyone scrambled to check their phones, except, of course, the owner of the offending device. Eventually the stage manager looked in his bag, and yup, it was his. Oops.
The glasses we brought out on trays had water in them. Blah blah blah not very interesting. I already posted the interesting part, when Ellen picked the wax out of Michael's ear. Yes, it was that kind of day. And now, three days later, I'm still waiting for the Imodium to wear off.
Oh! Here's one nice thing! Meanie girl actually smiled and said hello, and has been friendly even. It's as if she read the blog and recognized herself. I highly doubt it.
Tuesday
Yes, yet another parking fiasco. I didn't have to be there until 7:30 so I figured I'd have no problem finding a spot on Prospect Street near the rehearsal building. And in fact, there were no cars parked on Prospect Street for the 1st quarter mile.... because all the spots were blocked by friggin' saw-horses! There were "no parking" bags (yes, bags) on the meters. I was like a mile down the road before I spied an empty spot another quarter of a mile away. While I am a very big fan of walking, and do like a brisk walk after dinner, I don't relish the idea of leaving rehearsal at 10:00PM to walk a mile in the dark to my car. Alone.
So once again I drayed around until I found a spot on another street slightly closer than the spot I would have gotten on Prospect. Turns out that a Transformers Movie was being filmed there, during the day, which meant that the spots had to be blocked all day and all night. Or maybe someone forgot to unbag the meters.
So I did eventually make it to the rehearsal with time to spare.
I had been sort of ignoring it before, but the director has a sort of hissy fit when people talk when they're not supposed to. I suppose he has a point but he'll be calmly giving direction to someone and then suddenly he'll snap and shout, "SHUT UP!" It's shockingly effective. Individually everyone seems ok but when the chorus gets together they are very much like a bunch of kids.
EXCITING SUPER NEWS TO REPORT!! We've been put into the opening scene! (rah, rah rah.) Half the chorus enters and we come in behind and stand in the back. I'm carrying a vase of flowers, Kelly has plates and forks, Ken has two bottles and Rachel has a tray of glasses. The chorus does this slow motion move for a count of 8 and then when they break out and move at speed we step forward and set the table as fast as we can. Then we run off in time for Kelly to go back on to give Violetta her two flutes of champagne. Next we take our trays of drinks out. As I stepped out with my tray, one of the glasses wobbled... and over it went with a splash. Did I mention that they were full of water? Oscar-worthy actor that I am, I ignored it and went on to serve the drinks. Kelly later said that she heard the splash and was thankful that it didn't come from her tray. The asst stage manager ran out to wipe up the floor and said that if it happens during a performance one of us would come out with a towel to clean it up. Great. Nothing quite like the potential for humiliation in front of a paying audience to give me a steady hand.
We also got fitted for costumes. I should have taken a picture of the delightful black and white checkered floor length, long-sleeved, high-lace-collared dress I get to wear. It was a little too long so they have to take out the horrible choppy hem someone put in it and redo it while I'm wearing the shoes. Patty, the head costume person, was just as surly and frightening as she was last year. The interns are just as young and all have normal names! Meaning, there's not an Ashely, Brittney, Taylor or any other soap opera name among them. I guess classic names really have made a comeback. Of course I don't remember any of their names. So anyway my dress fits just fine otherwise, thanks to my post-pregnancy, um, figure, (I will continue to "blame" pregnancy for my new, larger shape for as long as I can, meaning, for the rest of my life) but for the Kelly and Rachel and their fat-free dancer-bodies some adjustments have to be made to account for the extra material in the chest area. Ahem.
We made it back to rehearsal in time to move the table on for the poker scene. I had been debating about whether or not to bring a fake spider or other small plastic insect to stick on the table, but decided that I didn't want to risk really fooling anyone - those toy bugs are frighteningly realistic. So instead I took a tiny Lego man and sat him down behind the bag of poker chips. At the end of the scene when we brought the table off he had moved to behind the ashtray and under some money. I calmly palmed him as I arranged the stuff on the table and no one said a word. So today I brought home from work a tiny rubber chicken I had there, and I do mean tiny - like less than an inch long - to put there on Saturday.
Today I went to a nearby Capezio outlet to get character shoes. This store!!! I can't believe I didn't know about it before!!! Very cool shoes meant for dancers but perfect for fancy events, all leather, mind you, for under $30! Sale shoes were $5 a pair!!! $5! For high-heeled leather strappy shoes and sandals! And the dance clothes are like workout clothes, also super cheap and adorable. $5 racks of what look like super-comfy yoga pants, racks of sport bras in all sizes and colors... if I didn't have Alex with me I would have spend a few more $$ than I did on my new shoes.
Next rehearsal: Saturday night.
Goals:
While I realize that I promised to write about Sunday's rehearsal, the truth is, I was sort of ill, took very few notes and don't remember much. Let's see, I drove down a questionable alleyway to find my way to that one-way street mentioned in the first rehearsal. I even remembered how to get back to the car afterwards.
Ok here are my notes as scribbled in my notebook:
water in glasses
dancers
principals come in last, sit together, hug the director
sing octave lower to protect voice
cell phone or electronic game sound
Director: "You know why Verdi wrote it like that? The orchestra stops... To shut up the Italian audience."
and
"It's not sloppy drunk but it's feeling good."
So let's see... during the musical rehearsal there was some sort of cell phone or electronic game noise playing. Everyone scrambled to check their phones, except, of course, the owner of the offending device. Eventually the stage manager looked in his bag, and yup, it was his. Oops.
The glasses we brought out on trays had water in them. Blah blah blah not very interesting. I already posted the interesting part, when Ellen picked the wax out of Michael's ear. Yes, it was that kind of day. And now, three days later, I'm still waiting for the Imodium to wear off.
Oh! Here's one nice thing! Meanie girl actually smiled and said hello, and has been friendly even. It's as if she read the blog and recognized herself. I highly doubt it.
Tuesday
Yes, yet another parking fiasco. I didn't have to be there until 7:30 so I figured I'd have no problem finding a spot on Prospect Street near the rehearsal building. And in fact, there were no cars parked on Prospect Street for the 1st quarter mile.... because all the spots were blocked by friggin' saw-horses! There were "no parking" bags (yes, bags) on the meters. I was like a mile down the road before I spied an empty spot another quarter of a mile away. While I am a very big fan of walking, and do like a brisk walk after dinner, I don't relish the idea of leaving rehearsal at 10:00PM to walk a mile in the dark to my car. Alone.
So once again I drayed around until I found a spot on another street slightly closer than the spot I would have gotten on Prospect. Turns out that a Transformers Movie was being filmed there, during the day, which meant that the spots had to be blocked all day and all night. Or maybe someone forgot to unbag the meters.
So I did eventually make it to the rehearsal with time to spare.
I had been sort of ignoring it before, but the director has a sort of hissy fit when people talk when they're not supposed to. I suppose he has a point but he'll be calmly giving direction to someone and then suddenly he'll snap and shout, "SHUT UP!" It's shockingly effective. Individually everyone seems ok but when the chorus gets together they are very much like a bunch of kids.
EXCITING SUPER NEWS TO REPORT!! We've been put into the opening scene! (rah, rah rah.) Half the chorus enters and we come in behind and stand in the back. I'm carrying a vase of flowers, Kelly has plates and forks, Ken has two bottles and Rachel has a tray of glasses. The chorus does this slow motion move for a count of 8 and then when they break out and move at speed we step forward and set the table as fast as we can. Then we run off in time for Kelly to go back on to give Violetta her two flutes of champagne. Next we take our trays of drinks out. As I stepped out with my tray, one of the glasses wobbled... and over it went with a splash. Did I mention that they were full of water? Oscar-worthy actor that I am, I ignored it and went on to serve the drinks. Kelly later said that she heard the splash and was thankful that it didn't come from her tray. The asst stage manager ran out to wipe up the floor and said that if it happens during a performance one of us would come out with a towel to clean it up. Great. Nothing quite like the potential for humiliation in front of a paying audience to give me a steady hand.
We also got fitted for costumes. I should have taken a picture of the delightful black and white checkered floor length, long-sleeved, high-lace-collared dress I get to wear. It was a little too long so they have to take out the horrible choppy hem someone put in it and redo it while I'm wearing the shoes. Patty, the head costume person, was just as surly and frightening as she was last year. The interns are just as young and all have normal names! Meaning, there's not an Ashely, Brittney, Taylor or any other soap opera name among them. I guess classic names really have made a comeback. Of course I don't remember any of their names. So anyway my dress fits just fine otherwise, thanks to my post-pregnancy, um, figure, (I will continue to "blame" pregnancy for my new, larger shape for as long as I can, meaning, for the rest of my life) but for the Kelly and Rachel and their fat-free dancer-bodies some adjustments have to be made to account for the extra material in the chest area. Ahem.
We made it back to rehearsal in time to move the table on for the poker scene. I had been debating about whether or not to bring a fake spider or other small plastic insect to stick on the table, but decided that I didn't want to risk really fooling anyone - those toy bugs are frighteningly realistic. So instead I took a tiny Lego man and sat him down behind the bag of poker chips. At the end of the scene when we brought the table off he had moved to behind the ashtray and under some money. I calmly palmed him as I arranged the stuff on the table and no one said a word. So today I brought home from work a tiny rubber chicken I had there, and I do mean tiny - like less than an inch long - to put there on Saturday.
Today I went to a nearby Capezio outlet to get character shoes. This store!!! I can't believe I didn't know about it before!!! Very cool shoes meant for dancers but perfect for fancy events, all leather, mind you, for under $30! Sale shoes were $5 a pair!!! $5! For high-heeled leather strappy shoes and sandals! And the dance clothes are like workout clothes, also super cheap and adorable. $5 racks of what look like super-comfy yoga pants, racks of sport bras in all sizes and colors... if I didn't have Alex with me I would have spend a few more $$ than I did on my new shoes.
Next rehearsal: Saturday night.
Goals:
- Don't trip in the shoes
- Don't spill anything
- Talk to the principals
- Plant the tiny rubber chicken on the poker table
We're Like, Supers Who Sing! Umm.... No.
So the woman whose lap is featured in a prior post has a blog of her own, Viva La Diva. Check it out.
When I told her how I became a super, she said that she's like a super who sings. Yeah, um, except that all I had to do was say I was interested. She had to audition. In New York. She gets daily coaching in voice and acting. And when the summer is over she'll be going to another voice program somewhere else. One she auditioned for. And got into. Me, I'll continue taking voice lessons once a week.
I'm the super who sings. I just refrain from singing when I'm supering.
When I told her how I became a super, she said that she's like a super who sings. Yeah, um, except that all I had to do was say I was interested. She had to audition. In New York. She gets daily coaching in voice and acting. And when the summer is over she'll be going to another voice program somewhere else. One she auditioned for. And got into. Me, I'll continue taking voice lessons once a week.
I'm the super who sings. I just refrain from singing when I'm supering.
Can't... Catch... Up...
I've got too many drinks in the buffer. And I'm not here now to catch up either.
Just realized that I've been saying how Ah-Maze-Ing Michael Fabiano's voice is so why not give an example. Thanks, YouTube, for everything.
Just realized that I've been saying how Ah-Maze-Ing Michael Fabiano's voice is so why not give an example. Thanks, YouTube, for everything.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
First of Three
I have three things to catch up on:
1. My most recent voice lesson
2. That outdoor concert
3. Sunday's rehearsal
So....in this post I will discuss....
1. My Most Recent Voice Lesson:
Had a make-up lesson Saturday morning in one of the practice rooms at Westminster. Like the space so much better than the 6th grade math classroom the lessons have been in so far! With it's "Black Holes are God's Way of Dividing By Zero" banner across the board... yes it's a Catholic school. Yes I'm Jewish. Yes it's vaguely disconcerting to me to be surrounded by crucifixes and other Catholic symbols but I've gotten used to it. So anyway... wow I digress a lot... so Saturday we were in the practice room. The sound was great! My teacher told me that I did really well at the studio class - I didn't realize that this was my first time seeing her since then. Then we did some vocal exercises - one of my favorites where I sing See-YAAAA Ahh ahhh ahhh all legato... I think it jumps up a fifth (?) from see to yaaa and then down in, what, 3rds? I don't know... but it's so much fun to do. She always tells me to "Let loose, sing like an opera singer" and so I do and it sounds great and then I laugh and have to stop because I can't believe it's me singing like that. Then there's usually a point where I don't let myself slide up to the YAAA note for whatever mental block reason and I have a pause between the two notes. It's like I don't feel like I can control the slide to stop at the right note, although I can just hit the note. I think it's the C. I try not to peek at the piano but sometimes I do. So I KNOW I can hit the note, I just have to trust that I can slide into it from below. Anyone out there have any tips for overcoming that mental thing?
So we moved on from there and started "Ouvre Ton Coeur," which meant first checking the IPA, meaning, I copied it onto my copy of the music, then we went over the words and how to pronounce them, back and forth, a word and then a phrase at a time, then the rhythm, chant chant chant to get the words with the right number of beats, then she played the tune on the piano without us speaking the words at all. I recorded it all and have been listening to each part. I'm forcing myself to be comfortable with each aspect before I seriously try to put it all together. I have problems with the pronunciation once I try singing it. And I took French all through college - you'd think it'd be easy for me.
So I have one more make-up class to do over the summer, probably at my teacher's house.
1. My most recent voice lesson
2. That outdoor concert
3. Sunday's rehearsal
So....in this post I will discuss....
1. My Most Recent Voice Lesson:
Had a make-up lesson Saturday morning in one of the practice rooms at Westminster. Like the space so much better than the 6th grade math classroom the lessons have been in so far! With it's "Black Holes are God's Way of Dividing By Zero" banner across the board... yes it's a Catholic school. Yes I'm Jewish. Yes it's vaguely disconcerting to me to be surrounded by crucifixes and other Catholic symbols but I've gotten used to it. So anyway... wow I digress a lot... so Saturday we were in the practice room. The sound was great! My teacher told me that I did really well at the studio class - I didn't realize that this was my first time seeing her since then. Then we did some vocal exercises - one of my favorites where I sing See-YAAAA Ahh ahhh ahhh all legato... I think it jumps up a fifth (?) from see to yaaa and then down in, what, 3rds? I don't know... but it's so much fun to do. She always tells me to "Let loose, sing like an opera singer" and so I do and it sounds great and then I laugh and have to stop because I can't believe it's me singing like that. Then there's usually a point where I don't let myself slide up to the YAAA note for whatever mental block reason and I have a pause between the two notes. It's like I don't feel like I can control the slide to stop at the right note, although I can just hit the note. I think it's the C. I try not to peek at the piano but sometimes I do. So I KNOW I can hit the note, I just have to trust that I can slide into it from below. Anyone out there have any tips for overcoming that mental thing?
So we moved on from there and started "Ouvre Ton Coeur," which meant first checking the IPA, meaning, I copied it onto my copy of the music, then we went over the words and how to pronounce them, back and forth, a word and then a phrase at a time, then the rhythm, chant chant chant to get the words with the right number of beats, then she played the tune on the piano without us speaking the words at all. I recorded it all and have been listening to each part. I'm forcing myself to be comfortable with each aspect before I seriously try to put it all together. I have problems with the pronunciation once I try singing it. And I took French all through college - you'd think it'd be easy for me.
So I have one more make-up class to do over the summer, probably at my teacher's house.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Great. Now that photo'll be all over the Internet.
No, Michael, not all over the Internet. Just on my blog.
"Random Chorus Member Number 12," as she prefers to be called, whose lap is under Michael's head, inspired the photo caption: (meaning, I took part of what she said and then made it my own.)
Truth is, when I showed him the picture and he said what has since become the title of the post, I couldn't tell if he was being snarky or jokey. I was sitting there on the steps eating my apple when he plunked his head down in her lap and said, "You smell good, like a girl," and she replied, "You have a big chunk of wax in your ear." And she really did dig the wax out, using the paper towel I had used to dry my apple. No, I didn't take the towel back. Ew.
Here are some more rehearsal pictures:
Look! Someone was recording the rehearsal! What is that machine? I want one!
Some sort of stomach bug is going around the cast and apparently the supers are not immune, so I'll have to write about the rehearsal in detail another time when I am in full health.
Also, I went to a live performance behind Panera last night, well half of one anyway, and I'll have my version of a full review up in a few days.
"Random Chorus Member Number 12," as she prefers to be called, whose lap is under Michael's head, inspired the photo caption: (meaning, I took part of what she said and then made it my own.)
World-famous La Scala tenor Michael Fabiano with xxxx Opera Company,
where chorus members scramble for q-tips to dig chunks of wax out of his ears.
where chorus members scramble for q-tips to dig chunks of wax out of his ears.
Truth is, when I showed him the picture and he said what has since become the title of the post, I couldn't tell if he was being snarky or jokey. I was sitting there on the steps eating my apple when he plunked his head down in her lap and said, "You smell good, like a girl," and she replied, "You have a big chunk of wax in your ear." And she really did dig the wax out, using the paper towel I had used to dry my apple. No, I didn't take the towel back. Ew.
Here are some more rehearsal pictures:
Look! Someone was recording the rehearsal! What is that machine? I want one!
Some sort of stomach bug is going around the cast and apparently the supers are not immune, so I'll have to write about the rehearsal in detail another time when I am in full health.
Also, I went to a live performance behind Panera last night, well half of one anyway, and I'll have my version of a full review up in a few days.
Friday, June 20, 2008
It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's... Super Supers!
Email received at 10:13 last night:
Oh no! I was counting on that rehearsal for more fodder for the blog. Plus I know at least one of the dancers, not only from last year, but also because his little sister took voice lessons with my teacher in the time slot before me, so I used to sit in the hallway with her mom (and his, obviously) chatting before my lesson began, and she told me all sorts of stories about him. (Holy run-on sentence Batman!) I was looking forward to seeing him today. Perhaps Sunday.
So I wonder if John (the director) thought about saying, "The supers are doing super." True, it doesn't flow as well as "great," but still, for me, it would have been hard to resist.
Cat-pic Friday:
Dear R, K, K and Susan:
You guys are NOT needed on Friday. It will be more of a dance rehearsal for chorus and dancers.
From John, "The supers are doing great."
Sincerely,
M
Oh no! I was counting on that rehearsal for more fodder for the blog. Plus I know at least one of the dancers, not only from last year, but also because his little sister took voice lessons with my teacher in the time slot before me, so I used to sit in the hallway with her mom (and his, obviously) chatting before my lesson began, and she told me all sorts of stories about him. (Holy run-on sentence Batman!) I was looking forward to seeing him today. Perhaps Sunday.
So I wonder if John (the director) thought about saying, "The supers are doing super." True, it doesn't flow as well as "great," but still, for me, it would have been hard to resist.
Cat-pic Friday:
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Italian Lesson
"Piu staccatto!"
"Bravi! Bravi!"
"Crescendo!!!! Crescendo!!!!"
"Molto piano"
"Subito piano"
The maestro is so cool. He dances around waving his arms and shouting in Italian. I love it!
My rehearsal adventure starts, as always, with the parking. Today I found a spot on the street, hooray! Right next to some guy who was changing the tire on his car. I pop out of my car, "Hi, need any help? Uh, not that I could do much more than cheer you on. Hey, you're doing a GREAT job changing that tire!" He must've thought I was a freak. Then I put too much money in the meter. Parking is free after 7 and I got there 6:30. I swear I'm good at math... or at least I used to be... but I gave Parking Authority an extra 25 cents.
So I had 20 minutes to kill. I went to the music building and saw some of the chorus there. I said hello with a smile... nothing. Hmm. Not another repeat of last year! I went outside and sat next to Sean, said hello, he looked familiar, was he here last year... nope... but he was in Rigoletto. So we met. Then the meanie girl from last year came out. I said hello. She looked the other way. Very drama-llama dramatic. Okayyyy... I'll wait to see if she comes around. Then someone else came out and lo and behold she was... friendly!! Made me wonder, was she actually in the chorus, or just some random woman passing by? Seriously, so many of the chorus girls were so standoffish last year (and by standoffish, I mean, of course, well, this is a family show kids so I'll stick to standoffish) that I had a hard time processing the friendly interaction.
So once again the rehearsal started with the music, and I've summarized that above. The chorus sounds AMAZING. A MAZE ZING. Two of the leads weren't there so the covers sang the roles. Then we moved on to staging - another party scene. This time Ken and I carry a card table laden with drinks, cigars, cards and cash onto the stage. The we skedaddle out of the way so Kelly and Rachel can bring the chairs. Worked great without the chorus on stage... then the director had them come on, and part for us, but then they closed back in just as Ken and I were trying to exit and there was a lot of shuffling and bumping. I cannot count how many people I bumped into tonight. So anyway then Ken and I go back to the table and grab trays of drinks. The tray had I had had two gummy sticky things on it so I stuck two of the glasses there. Then we had to go right back onstage and serve the drinks. I just go into the crowd and people take a glass, so it's different every time. The last person to take a glass tugged on it and almost took the tray with her. She burst out laughing and I got the giggles. Well I had already had them from before, when I was trying to exit the stage and kept bumping into everyone. Then at one point we have to remove the table, and again *bump* *oops* *sorry* *snort* *don't laugh... don't laugh.... don't laugh...* Really this one guy just has to get out of the way, but each time he stepped to the side, I also stepped to the same side... Eventually we'll figure it out.
Then we had a break.
Overheard in the bathroom (translation: I was in the stall):
"Ohmigod! Look! Three blonds together"
"Well, I'm not as blond as you two."
"True, your hair tends toward red." Pause... "But it looks GREAT with your coloring."
(An aside here: They're all platinum blond. None of them tend toward red.)
Pause.
"Ooohhhh! Did you know we're going to be in a lesbian scene together?"
(I'm still in the stall wishing so much that I had my notebook to write this all down)
"Yeah, he told me to put my head in her lap and my face ends up in her crotch!"
(I flush and exit the stall as they're on their way out.)
So I decide to sit outside. I plunk myself down next to some of the chorus members and pull out my little container of fruit.
My nearest neighbor:
"Hey! You have blueberries! And grapes!"
Me:
"Wow, you're really good at identifying fruit! Would you like some?"
And so we got to chatting. She asked how I became a super so I told her I had a friend who had a picture of herself with Nathan Gunn, and I asked her how she met him. She told me she was a super in an opera he was in and I was like, "A super? What's that?" and the rest is history. Well as soon as I said I had a friend who met Nathan Gunn her eyes lit up and she was all "OMG!" so of course I whip out my iPhone to show her The Picture.
I told her the whole story, and that I know one of his students, and she said that someone in the chorus this year studies with him. She also asked if she can come the next time I meet him... I told her to get in line! I also told her that I study voice at the local Conservatory. Turns out she goes to college that the conservatory is associated with AND my voice teacher was a guest lecturer in her pedagogy class. She asked me what I was singing and so on. I was still amazed - a normal person in the chorus! I think last year's experience really jaded me. This year is already a lot more fun.
Anyway, break over, back in we go.
So we go over some more table-moving and drink-serving. Someone left a libretto nearby so I was reading along. There's one point where the chorus sings, "Alfredo, voi." Alfredo, it's you! and at that very moment Michael Fabiano, who is Alfredo in the production, opened the door and came in. It was hysterical - I don't know if he planned it since he could probably hear the chorus through the door.
Did I mention that the chorus sounded AMAZING??? And Michael is awesome. WHAT a FABULOUS voice.
The director was very pleased with everyone's performance and we got out an hour early.
I walked out with Ken and Rachel and we talked about how nice everyone is this year compared to last year.
Next rehearsal: Friday afternoon.
"Bravi! Bravi!"
"Crescendo!!!! Crescendo!!!!"
"Molto piano"
"Subito piano"
The maestro is so cool. He dances around waving his arms and shouting in Italian. I love it!
My rehearsal adventure starts, as always, with the parking. Today I found a spot on the street, hooray! Right next to some guy who was changing the tire on his car. I pop out of my car, "Hi, need any help? Uh, not that I could do much more than cheer you on. Hey, you're doing a GREAT job changing that tire!" He must've thought I was a freak. Then I put too much money in the meter. Parking is free after 7 and I got there 6:30. I swear I'm good at math... or at least I used to be... but I gave Parking Authority an extra 25 cents.
So I had 20 minutes to kill. I went to the music building and saw some of the chorus there. I said hello with a smile... nothing. Hmm. Not another repeat of last year! I went outside and sat next to Sean, said hello, he looked familiar, was he here last year... nope... but he was in Rigoletto. So we met. Then the meanie girl from last year came out. I said hello. She looked the other way. Very drama-llama dramatic. Okayyyy... I'll wait to see if she comes around. Then someone else came out and lo and behold she was... friendly!! Made me wonder, was she actually in the chorus, or just some random woman passing by? Seriously, so many of the chorus girls were so standoffish last year (and by standoffish, I mean, of course, well, this is a family show kids so I'll stick to standoffish) that I had a hard time processing the friendly interaction.
So once again the rehearsal started with the music, and I've summarized that above. The chorus sounds AMAZING. A MAZE ZING. Two of the leads weren't there so the covers sang the roles. Then we moved on to staging - another party scene. This time Ken and I carry a card table laden with drinks, cigars, cards and cash onto the stage. The we skedaddle out of the way so Kelly and Rachel can bring the chairs. Worked great without the chorus on stage... then the director had them come on, and part for us, but then they closed back in just as Ken and I were trying to exit and there was a lot of shuffling and bumping. I cannot count how many people I bumped into tonight. So anyway then Ken and I go back to the table and grab trays of drinks. The tray had I had had two gummy sticky things on it so I stuck two of the glasses there. Then we had to go right back onstage and serve the drinks. I just go into the crowd and people take a glass, so it's different every time. The last person to take a glass tugged on it and almost took the tray with her. She burst out laughing and I got the giggles. Well I had already had them from before, when I was trying to exit the stage and kept bumping into everyone. Then at one point we have to remove the table, and again *bump* *oops* *sorry* *snort* *don't laugh... don't laugh.... don't laugh...* Really this one guy just has to get out of the way, but each time he stepped to the side, I also stepped to the same side... Eventually we'll figure it out.
Then we had a break.
Overheard in the bathroom (translation: I was in the stall):
"Ohmigod! Look! Three blonds together"
"Well, I'm not as blond as you two."
"True, your hair tends toward red." Pause... "But it looks GREAT with your coloring."
(An aside here: They're all platinum blond. None of them tend toward red.)
Pause.
"Ooohhhh! Did you know we're going to be in a lesbian scene together?"
(I'm still in the stall wishing so much that I had my notebook to write this all down)
"Yeah, he told me to put my head in her lap and my face ends up in her crotch!"
(I flush and exit the stall as they're on their way out.)
So I decide to sit outside. I plunk myself down next to some of the chorus members and pull out my little container of fruit.
My nearest neighbor:
"Hey! You have blueberries! And grapes!"
Me:
"Wow, you're really good at identifying fruit! Would you like some?"
And so we got to chatting. She asked how I became a super so I told her I had a friend who had a picture of herself with Nathan Gunn, and I asked her how she met him. She told me she was a super in an opera he was in and I was like, "A super? What's that?" and the rest is history. Well as soon as I said I had a friend who met Nathan Gunn her eyes lit up and she was all "OMG!" so of course I whip out my iPhone to show her The Picture.
I told her the whole story, and that I know one of his students, and she said that someone in the chorus this year studies with him. She also asked if she can come the next time I meet him... I told her to get in line! I also told her that I study voice at the local Conservatory. Turns out she goes to college that the conservatory is associated with AND my voice teacher was a guest lecturer in her pedagogy class. She asked me what I was singing and so on. I was still amazed - a normal person in the chorus! I think last year's experience really jaded me. This year is already a lot more fun.
Anyway, break over, back in we go.
So we go over some more table-moving and drink-serving. Someone left a libretto nearby so I was reading along. There's one point where the chorus sings, "Alfredo, voi." Alfredo, it's you! and at that very moment Michael Fabiano, who is Alfredo in the production, opened the door and came in. It was hysterical - I don't know if he planned it since he could probably hear the chorus through the door.
Did I mention that the chorus sounded AMAZING??? And Michael is awesome. WHAT a FABULOUS voice.
The director was very pleased with everyone's performance and we got out an hour early.
I walked out with Ken and Rachel and we talked about how nice everyone is this year compared to last year.
Next rehearsal: Friday afternoon.
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