First Night at the Golden Gate

[mrdreamjeans]

I just returned from our first performance at the Golden Gate Theater. I was apprehensive before the show as the crew was behind on the load-in; in turn, the sound check was delayed. We were called at 6pm, held an abbreviated sound check, put the San Francisco kids into the show and met our dressers at 7pm. We were in a new venue, with a new local orchestra, and new crew that hadn't rehearsed the set changes and lighting cues, but it went surprisingly well. I thought it was a really good performance.

Cast members Andrew and Kevin share a dresser with me. The space is so tight back stage that the three of us are changing costumes in a narrow hallway on the way to the audience. I am literally changing in front of the door to the stage right house. There is less than two feet of space upstage of the set to cross over from stage right to stage left. Everyone is being really careful until off-stage traffic is worked out and set. I never appreciate everyone's professionalism more than when circumstances aren't ideal.

I really appreciated the support of several live journal friends who attended the Tuesday performance. I was able to take everyone backstage and offer a view of "Evita" from our perspective ... share info about the show. It's nice to be able to show how proud I am of the production. In attendance were bearbrat (Tom); pyrogeoff (looking terrific in a navy pinstripe suit and tie); buffcub (Duane); sfbear (Jerry) and future (rather than non:) LJer Ray. It was my first time to meet Duane, Jerry and Ray. We managed to waylay Kathy, Phillip and Bradley at the stage door, so all of the guys got to meet the leads. All in all it was a fun evening.

Tomorrow I have two shows and a benefit rehearsal between them. It's the beginning of a what I think will be a busy, but wonderful month in San Francisco. Let's hope the run here is golden:)

Comments

[teddybtoronto.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear the San Francisco opening went well, despite the potential for problems.

Thanks for sharing your perspectives. I really enjoy your posts, and I'm looking forward to seeing the show when it gets to Toronto.

And, I am happy to say, we are finally getting spring weather here!

So, by the time you get settled into the Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto will have all the sidewalk cafes in full operation, the flowers will be in bloom everywhere and the city will be at its best.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

We're all really looking forward to our long run there! Many of us are looking for apartments, since the housing selected for us is a hotel. The hotel is supposed to be really nice, but we won't have fridges or microwaves and 5 weeks is a long time to have to eat every meal out. It will be a pleasure to meet you.

[teddybtoronto.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to meeting you, too.

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance in getting you information, or answering any questions, about Toronto, or if I can be of any assistance in providing details to help in weighing different housing options.

One thing I think you'll enjoy about Toronto is just how easy it is to get around here. The transit system is very good, and if you are living downtown, you really can get just about anywhere in the city quickly and reliably on the TTC transit system.

If your schedule permits, you may want to do some day trips out to nearby areas like the Mennonite community of St. Jacobs, and its great farmer's market. If you DO opt for an apartment, both the St. Jacobs farmers market and the St. Lawrence Market (which is right downtown in Toronto) will make you glad you have a chance to do some of your own cooking. *grin*

I have a few bear buddies who live out that way, and some in the Niagara Falls / Niagara-On-The-Lake area who I am sure would be happy to help you and your cast-mates discover those areas.

So, plan on having a great time during your Toronto run.

[sflonestar.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that your first night in town was such a success, Neil. Boy, I wish I could have seen Geoff in his suit. I'll bet he looked smart. Anyway, I'll see you tonight!

[heypyro.livejournal.com]

"I am so smart! S-M-R-T!" - Homer Simpson

[sflonestar.livejournal.com]

I knew I liked you, Geoff. You are fashionable AND bright! LOL!

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

Of course, Neil has never forgiven me for wanting to show up to his last night with Phantom wearing tshirts and shorts. *rolls eyes*

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's a toughie! I've attended the-ay-tuh wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals before, but when I do that I generally regret it for feeling at least partly underdressed. As much as I hate dressing up (at least in the summer — winter is a different matter) I have to admit that I just feel more respectful and respectable when I do. But then I'm a "musician," and our sartorial esthetic is different from that of, say, actors, perhaps because we're so used to not really being looked at. ;-)

[squalidbear.livejournal.com]

Welcome to San Francisco and congratulations on your first night performance.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Glad your first night in SF went well despite some unknowns. Seems that's the case with most of your new venues, everything seems to go well. That says a lot about your cast and crew and how flexible and carefull everyone is.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

"... how flexible and careful everyone is ..." We are lucky to have such a good crew and group of actors. Thanks!

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Your most welcome and enjoy SF (and I know you will. ;-))

[enhydrasf.livejournal.com]

Break a leg!

See you today.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It is an excellent suggestion! My ex David and I used to go there when I was visiting the city. My Dad took me to San Francisco as a high school graduation present when I was 18. I've loved visiting ever since:) Hugs!

[gnumoose.livejournal.com]

pity that you'll be concluding three days before I come to town. I arrive on the 13th of April.

Break a leg and all that.
-Tom

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Howdy! Thanks! I may be gone, but then you'll have all of San Fran to yourself:)! Have a good trip!

[gnumoose.livejournal.com]

Thank you.
Planning on it.

Keep a chair warm for me at StarBears.

I noticed you were looking for apartment space. There is the Inn on Castro which is right above Castro and Market. They have self- catering apartments which they rent on a long or short term basis.

the number is on their site www.innoncastro.com

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I just double-checked my schedule and your profile info to determine that I'll be playing Philadelphia in June at the Academy of Music. SO, if you want to see "Evita", you'll have a chance:)

[gnumoose.livejournal.com]

awesome.

yup, ill be here in June. Once it gets closer Ill be in touch.

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Hey, Neil, what are your dates in Philly? I'll be home for a good deal of that month; maybe I can try to trot down via NJ Transit and SEPTA to catch a performance, since I never made it to Wallingford.

Philly Dates

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

We play Philadephia from June 21 through June 26.

[castrowoof.livejournal.com]

Welcome to San Francisco

Break a leg! enhydrasf and I will be at the 2pm show today and will come stalk you at the stage door after the show!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'll look for you after the show!

Thanks

[sfbear.livejournal.com]

That was a great show and I had so much fun. Thank you again and you guys were great.

Re: Thanks

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks for being there and for being so supportive of the "Evita" cast. We appreciate people who appreciate theater:)

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Envious as always of anyone who gets to perform for a while in SF... since I know how fabulous that can be. :-) Just when and for how long will you be in Toronto?

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Hey Chip! It's going to be a nice time here in the Bay Area and the bear community on livejournal is certainly being supportive. We'll be in Toronto for 5 weeks, though we're waiting to hear about a sixth. Right now, we play there from April 26 through the end of May. The following week (beginning week of June) will either be a one week extension in Toronto or a week in Washington, DC. I'm not sure which one to root for:) Are you enjoying Kentucky? Or on to the next city? Hugs!

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Enjoying Kentucky... from across the river in Cincinnati. :-) This is week #1 of two weeks here, so we'll actually get to enjoy our Monday for a change. Of course the first thing we're going to do to mess that up is to have a Sunday night "trailer trash bash." People will be dressing up like, well, Jerry Springer rejects, I think, and the food will be stuff like corn dogs, fish sticks, "sushi" made out of Twinkies (a secret I just found out about yesterday), and cheap-wine-in-a-box. Then on Monday there's an excursion to an outlet mall, but I'm going to skip that. My plan for Monday night includes getting myself to a Contra dance (for the exercise, etc.!).

Wow, the timing of your Toronto dates (extension or not) makes me want to go see you THERE! But that's infinitely harder to get to than Philly, so I'll hopefully make it to see you at the Academy. I love it that you're playing where the Philadelphia Orchestra plays...!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I think the hall will be wonderful, but we are staying in Cherry Hill, NJ and commuting. Hotels are sold out citywide for a convention..same thing when we play Atlanta.

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

That Bradley, he's adorable…