mrdreamjeans | I Get Weary... But Never Sick of Trying....

New York rehearsals have ended. We performed a “gypsy run-through” for an invited audience this afternoon and the performance went exceedingly well. We were told to treat the run-through as just another rehearsal, but when 150 of your peers show up, many of them currently performing on Broadway, any semblance of a casual approach goes right out the window. It was definitely a performance!

Our last week of rehearsals has been in a new theatre space at 49th and 8th Avenue. Hal Prince insisted on special lighting for the run-through; we used an electronic keyboard and drums, placed chairs and benches to suggest various furniture, the coffin, the balcony and other set pieces. Hal spoke to the audience, introduced Larry Fuller, Kim Jordan and the leads; we took our seats and bam - the show began.

I love the introduction of an audience into the process, as suddenly you understand what elements of the material they respond to, get a feeling for where the laughs might land and where there might be applause. “Evita” is not staged to stop for applause except at the end of “Buenes Aires” and “The Money Keeps Rolling In”; even the powerful “A New Argentina” has a couple of false endings.

“Evita” has always been about making political statements and encouraging, no, demanding that the audience think about the manipulation of the voting public by politicians. Twenty-five years after it’s theatrical debut, I believe the subject has never been more timely. We received a standing ovation from the audience and the feedback was that this might be the best company of “Evita” put together since the original... and perhaps a stronger singing ensemble than any currently on Broadway... pretty heady words.

Touring performers are often referred to as “gypsies”, as their work takes them all over the country; we’re “wanderers” if you will. Gypsies have a wonderful opportunity to meet folks all around the country and the tours engender many long-term friendships through the sharing of the work and the experiences, both good and bad, on the road. I was extremely happy to see many long time friends from previous productions at the run-through.

I often wonder what my career might have been if I had not left NYC in 1985. I haven’t been based in New York since then. No agent wants to represent an actor who isn’t readily available, no matter the credentials. I’ve never been happy in New York, preferring a more affordable, less driven lifestyle elsewhere, so the jury is still out on my choices. Did I sabotage my career or just make a different choice, one where family and friends were a higher priority? I know that I wasn’t ready for success in my twenties or thirties. The question is.. is success on this "stage" still a priority?

Several of my friends have careers that have sky-rocketed, and believe me, there are days when I am envious of their opportunities, but never their success. I understand that success in the theatre, with talent a given, is often about perseverance and luck. I’ve had my successes, but in those solitary low moments (when I’m weary), I admit to sometimes playing “what if” with my career. Such moments often follow the excitement of a day where I get more compliments and positive feedback than one man can ask for. On a day like today, the old ambition and drive creep in and I begin to wonder... what if I had stayed here.

For example, in today’s audience were my friends Sandy Joseph, Christine in “Phantom” on Broadway; Julie Schmidt and Marilyn Caskey, respectively, Carlotta and Madame Giry in the same show; Beth Nackley a ballerina in the Broadway “Phantom”; Ray McLeod (Wonderful Town) and Donna Marie Asbury and Greg Butler from “Chicago”. I still have a picture of Greg, a big muscular tatooed African-American dancer, in the blonde Eva wig and white dress, a Christmas pose taken during the 1992-94 "Evita" National Tour:)

With each of these actors, I shared moments on the road... important life memories... the ups and downs of rollercoaster careers... the sadness when they missed their spouses and the joyful reunions when loved ones came to visit. I am completely happy for the upward trajectory of their careers; they are my peers and I feel like I belong beside them. But will I get my opportunity? Only time will tell... I may be weary... but I never get sick of trying...

Tomorrow night we leave for Waterbury, CT and begin seven days of “ten-out-of-twelves”, teching the show and doing two performances for invited audiences. With the move comes the addition of the sets, microphones, the 14-piece orchestra that is going to travel with us; make-up, lights, costumes... all of the layers that must be added before we’re ready for our opening. We make our first public performance in Boston on Election Day and officially open the tour on November 5.

I want to thank my Live Journal friends for their loving words of encouragement and support during the rehearsal process and send special hugs to John_NYC and his partner Chip, to VernNYC and to Tim (gotmoof). Sharing special moments in the past three weeks in NYC with you made my time here a little less lonely and enhanced the quality of this experience in the Big Apple. So - “Let’s here it for the Rainbow Tour. It’s been an incredible success”... So Far!