Well…our first few rehearsals obviously were music rehearsals with John Franks, our Music Director. It stands to reason that in a musical revue, the most important aspect of the show is the music…duh!!! And what musicians these artists are! I know I sound gushy but these singers rock!!! And on top of everything they’re really sweet. As usual I’m feeling behind the eight ball and yet in actuality we’re already over halfway done blocking the show! So many of the numbers are ballad solos that won’t require blocking and choreography, so we’re doing fine as far as pace goes. It seems like the cast likes my concept of reworking the setting of the show from a backstage then onstage concept to a setting on an urban street where an “enchanted radio” seemingly abandoned in a homeless person’s shopping cart helps a group of street musicians discover that the power of beautiful music like Rodgers and Hammerstein really can change the world.
But there are challenges looming….our beautiful Baritone Ben Czarnota is so awesome that he has been noticed by casting directors for a national tour and has a call-back today in New York!!! Obviously that would be awesome for Ben but would take him out of the show….so….we’re holding our breath!!!! Of course all my good wishes go to Ben…but not really, if you know what I mean!!
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- Our Beautiful songbirds: (l. to r.) Colleen Zettler, Maureen Clark and Liz Baumgartner
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- Bob Stoesser at the piano
