"Eight shows a week, two matinee..."
Nov. 7th, 2004 12:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mrdreamjeansThus all fairy stories end...
Only an actress can pretend
affairs of state are the latest play,
eight shows a week, two matinee.
My how the worm begins to turn...
When will the chorus girl ever learn?
My how the worm begins to turn...
When will the chorus girl ever learn.
“Evita” is open and now it’s time to knuckle down to the routine of the eight-show work week. Some folks were already complaining last night during the cast party about the Saturday and Sunday matinees, but I don’t see what the fuss and bother is about. After all, we’ve done the show more than once a day for the past three weeks in rehearsal. It’s the same... only now all of performances are for the paying public:)
Opening night went exceedingly well. We had a note session with Hal Prince at 4:00pm and on the way to that rehearsal, I stopped to watch a protest march by members of the Janitor’s Union of Boston. Since the number that closes Act One of “Evita” is about the support of unions for Eva Peron (A New Argentina), it felt a little bit like art imitating life, imitating life in Argentina in the 1950s.
Hal’s final words to us last night were laudatory. He said he felt disloyal to the original cast of his shows, when he praises the ones who follow, but told us, “No group has ever owned this show (Evita), more than you.” He asked that, as we play venues of varying sizes, to retain the integrity of the show. “We’re happy with the laughs in the show”, he said. “They’re cynical, satirical, smart laughs. Don’t succumb to the the audience’s prompting for easy laughs.”
Hal told us the first day that this show is about politicians who keep the voting public from the truth. After what happened November 2 on Election Day, it’s a message I believe that we can keep present in the hearts and minds of our audiences. I think we can do more than just entertain, but also educate through our musical efforts.
I did my usual disappearing act last night after taking photos at the opening night party (I give photos as opening night gifts the next day:) I shot my typical one-rolI minimum, said my goodnights, went back to my room and to bed:) I did take time to say goodbye to the designers, members of the creative team and staff who leave as soon as the show opens. I will miss having Larry Fuller around. He is the original Broadway choreographer; indeed, was Tony-nominated for his work. Larry’s been my mentor for the past 13 years with regard to productions of “Evita”. He made it possible for me to take my career to a higher level. I thank him; I honor him; I am grateful to call him friend.
Finally, I want to mention the gifts we received for opening night from Hal, Larry and the producers. Hal gave us autographed DVDs of Broadway’s Lost Treasures featuring “Evita” and a signed DVD of “A Conversation with Hal Prince” which uses clips of the rehearsal that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago.. the one where we were filmed. It includes our pictures. Yay! Larry gave each of us a Lottery ticket for the $77 million drawing here. Come to think of it, I didn’t check my numbers after the drawing:)
Our producer gave each of us an “Evita” National Tour robe. The robes are a soft grey with the tour logo on the back. They will be very useful since all the costumes are placed in gondolas (wardrobe boxes) in the wings backstage. We are never in a dressing room once the show begins, so no costumes are placed there. Sadly, this means the male dancers will not walk down to the gondolas in their dance belts, but it is necessary since we have children in the production. I hate losing perks. LOL! Since Chicago, Detroit and Appleton, WI are our stops in December, I think we’ll need the robes for warmth, a practical use.
Sovereign Entertainment has put the money and effort into a first-class production, now it is our job to do what we were hired to do...sell the material and perform - “eight shows a week, two matinee”!
Neil dressed in tails
as an Aristocrat for "Peron's Latest Flame".
The mens ensemble minus one.
Bradley Dean (Che), Neil and Gabriel Burrafato (Magaldi)
backstage prior to the top of the show.
Kathy Voytko (Eva Peron), her husband John Cudia (currently Raoul
in "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway) and legendary director Hal Prince at
the opening night party for "Evita" in Boston.
Only an actress can pretend
affairs of state are the latest play,
eight shows a week, two matinee.
My how the worm begins to turn...
When will the chorus girl ever learn?
My how the worm begins to turn...
When will the chorus girl ever learn.
“Evita” is open and now it’s time to knuckle down to the routine of the eight-show work week. Some folks were already complaining last night during the cast party about the Saturday and Sunday matinees, but I don’t see what the fuss and bother is about. After all, we’ve done the show more than once a day for the past three weeks in rehearsal. It’s the same... only now all of performances are for the paying public:)
Opening night went exceedingly well. We had a note session with Hal Prince at 4:00pm and on the way to that rehearsal, I stopped to watch a protest march by members of the Janitor’s Union of Boston. Since the number that closes Act One of “Evita” is about the support of unions for Eva Peron (A New Argentina), it felt a little bit like art imitating life, imitating life in Argentina in the 1950s.
Hal’s final words to us last night were laudatory. He said he felt disloyal to the original cast of his shows, when he praises the ones who follow, but told us, “No group has ever owned this show (Evita), more than you.” He asked that, as we play venues of varying sizes, to retain the integrity of the show. “We’re happy with the laughs in the show”, he said. “They’re cynical, satirical, smart laughs. Don’t succumb to the the audience’s prompting for easy laughs.”
Hal told us the first day that this show is about politicians who keep the voting public from the truth. After what happened November 2 on Election Day, it’s a message I believe that we can keep present in the hearts and minds of our audiences. I think we can do more than just entertain, but also educate through our musical efforts.
I did my usual disappearing act last night after taking photos at the opening night party (I give photos as opening night gifts the next day:) I shot my typical one-rolI minimum, said my goodnights, went back to my room and to bed:) I did take time to say goodbye to the designers, members of the creative team and staff who leave as soon as the show opens. I will miss having Larry Fuller around. He is the original Broadway choreographer; indeed, was Tony-nominated for his work. Larry’s been my mentor for the past 13 years with regard to productions of “Evita”. He made it possible for me to take my career to a higher level. I thank him; I honor him; I am grateful to call him friend.
Finally, I want to mention the gifts we received for opening night from Hal, Larry and the producers. Hal gave us autographed DVDs of Broadway’s Lost Treasures featuring “Evita” and a signed DVD of “A Conversation with Hal Prince” which uses clips of the rehearsal that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago.. the one where we were filmed. It includes our pictures. Yay! Larry gave each of us a Lottery ticket for the $77 million drawing here. Come to think of it, I didn’t check my numbers after the drawing:)
Our producer gave each of us an “Evita” National Tour robe. The robes are a soft grey with the tour logo on the back. They will be very useful since all the costumes are placed in gondolas (wardrobe boxes) in the wings backstage. We are never in a dressing room once the show begins, so no costumes are placed there. Sadly, this means the male dancers will not walk down to the gondolas in their dance belts, but it is necessary since we have children in the production. I hate losing perks. LOL! Since Chicago, Detroit and Appleton, WI are our stops in December, I think we’ll need the robes for warmth, a practical use.
Sovereign Entertainment has put the money and effort into a first-class production, now it is our job to do what we were hired to do...sell the material and perform - “eight shows a week, two matinee”!
Neil dressed in tails
as an Aristocrat for "Peron's Latest Flame".
The mens ensemble minus one.
Bradley Dean (Che), Neil and Gabriel Burrafato (Magaldi)
backstage prior to the top of the show.
Kathy Voytko (Eva Peron), her husband John Cudia (currently Raoul
in "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway) and legendary director Hal Prince at
the opening night party for "Evita" in Boston.
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no subject
Date: 2004-11-06 10:11 pm (UTC)I'm always happy to read about your show! :-)
no subject
Date: 2004-11-06 10:50 pm (UTC)I'm anxious to hear, when you can, all that's taken place as the tour evolves through the next year or so.
Good luck and as the old saying goes, break a leg!
Nice pics BTW.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 09:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 09:49 am (UTC)The great bovine rawks, doesn't he?
no subject
Date: 2004-11-06 11:09 pm (UTC)Love the top hat one, just the 'right' tilt...
cheers!
Dressing Up!
Date: 2004-11-07 09:46 am (UTC)I like the Aristos costume too. The picture doesn't do justice to how crisp the white shirt, tie and vest are, nor does it portray the first-rate quality of the fabric. I feel spiffy in it. Too bad there aren't more occasions in real life to dress up so much! Here's a tip of the top hat to you!
Re: Dressing Up!
Date: 2004-11-07 10:28 am (UTC)I know exactly what you mean regarding the costumes, not all, but with several exceptions I've been amazed at the quality and level of detail of some of these production's costumes, specially for period operas, layer upon layer of articles of clothing (stuff that nobody in the audience would notice, but for authenticity's sake!), and the richest of materials. T
Then againn, there are those productions where one is asked to bring one's own shoes, suspenders, even ties and/or belts! Have you ever had to wear somebody else's dance belt? We had, for a production of "Faust", no less! It was HELL...
Re: Dressing Up!
Date: 2004-11-07 03:19 pm (UTC)Re: Dressing Up!
Date: 2004-11-07 03:32 pm (UTC)Re: Dressing Up!
Date: 2004-11-07 07:31 pm (UTC)Re: Dressing Up!
Date: 2004-11-07 07:40 pm (UTC)Re: Dressing Up!
Date: 2004-11-08 08:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 05:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 06:14 am (UTC)Also interesting that Gabriel is not doing a prosthetic nose, a la Bob Gunton. I think that's a good choice. The men's emsemble has a couple of hotties...including the red-headed bear in the middle ;-)
no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 07:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 08:03 am (UTC)This week we open Christmas of Swing and it's going to be the week from hell, so send me some good theatre energy...I'm gonna need it!
no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 09:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 12:18 pm (UTC)Now that you've opened, how are the reviews? I'm glad Mr.Prince likes the show, and that you and the cast feel good about it (The audience response is a good sign, as well), but what do the critics say?
no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 03:26 pm (UTC)Kathy's reviews were harsh, but then experience tells me whomever is playing the role takes shots. Eva Peron was not a nice person; the music is strident to reflect that and Kathy, as others before her, has been directed to underline the raw ambition and strength of the real Eva Peron. Eva's death scene is ugly and shattering. If you want pretty singing, see "Phantom", is really how they feel about it. My understanding is that there are reviews available on two internet sites. I'll try to get their names and post them. Thanks for your kind words!