Understudies, Put-ins, and corrections...

Yesterday proved more interesting than we had expected---

It was our first UNDERSTUDY rehearsal. The majority of us convened in an empty theatre, without stage crew, to mime through the show with minimal cast and music(that meaning only a piano that was onstage after being moved from the green room).

Normally in an understudy rehearsal, a cast of characters is assembled using our rslim roster of peeps and we run-through the show. This has no sets, no costumes, no props(because that would mean paying the StageHands union to show up just so we can use a prop), no mics, and nothing but flood lights to see. We might as well be back in the rehearsal studio with a bunch of the cast being sick, because there are people missing from the formations all over. Yesterday's cast involved:

Elle: Lauren
Warner: Adam
Emmett: Tally
Margot: Alex
Pilar: Sara Jenkins
Serena: Leslie
Kate/Chutney: Sara Andreas
Callahan: Paul
Dad/Winthrop: Josh Campbell
Mom/Saleswoman: Sara Andreas
Saleswoman/Judge: Leslie
Aaron: Spencer
Padamadan/Nikos: Jay
Pforzheimer: Spencer
Lowell: Jay
Paulette: Mamie
DJ/Dewey/Kyle: Brian

We got actually about half way through the 1st act- stopping and starting due to people never having been rehearsed. So basics were mastered---i.e. blocking, choreo, basic intentions, and vocal lines. At one point there were 4 different things happening on stage at the same time---people were taking full advantage of time. We are professionals people---and by that i mean UNION actors. check out http://www.actorsequity.com

And here is where the day got more interesting....Stacey called out for the night's show.

For those of you who dont know--Stacey is the SALESWOMAN/JUDGE track. She was stretching before the 2nd act wednesday night and felt like she pulled something. After consulting both Xander ( Coleens boyfriendwho is a masseuse) and a holistic specialist she was informed a muscle ( the one that wrapped from her bottom ribs around to the back) had lifted off of the bone and not returned. So, it was inflamed and she had trouble even sitting down. The last hour of rehearsal then became a semi PUT-IN for Leslie into Stacey's track. Here is the definition of PUT-IN:

Def- a rehearsal in which an actor gets costumes and mics and gets the honor of running through the show with the full cast on stage( i think that is right, though the rest of the cast are in street clothes)


Funny thing about us just opening is that the understudies & swings have no costumes or wigs for the roles they cover. So, Leslie got to rummage through what costumes we have in the basement and they quickly sewed up some of Stacy's wigs to make them the right size for Leslie's head. HILARIOUS---one would think that the swings would have a basic outfit just in case this thing happened(which happens all the time!!!!!). But, as I found out from AEA today, the understudy costumes are not actually contractually covered by the costume designers contract. WHAT?!@! So it is left to the talent and time of the traveling costume supervisors to fill the gaps. HA!

Needless to say, Leslie did awesome. I was sad to not see her in all of Stacey's wigs( though putting her in the tina turner wig wouldnt quite be right--- FYI Leslie is Caucasian and Stacey is Tobagoan/Trinidadian?)

The only real snaffoo came during the bows when the front scrim flew in and almost took out 4 of our leads--Ken, Jeff, Megan, and Coleen. Tom ( the PSM) was seen berating someone afterward--whether they got fired is unbeknownst to any of us on this rainy RI day. But, the show proved full of surprises. Oh almost forgot, during BLOOD IN THE WATER the SR prop closet came crashing down and those onstage SR had no idea what was happening. Though Ven ( the golem of strength he is) kept giggling like a wee child to reassure nothing was wrong, i still thought death was imminent. AND, Campbell and BPM almost lost half of the Dept. Store unit when we move them US at the end of the song.....but the jumprope number was pseudo flawless for the first time. Go figure!

What will happen tonite? Stay tuned to the same LB time same LB channel.........

and in closing, Dani Spieler( BWAY vacation swing) also came up for the opening night. Dont know how i missed her name, but its a magical thing i like to call HUMAN ERROR. She is glorious!!