Les Miserables and More! Part II
I really don't know why I called this two part blog "Les Miserables and
More"...because it really is all about the Les Mis! After I finish this
post, I'll tuck it away in my memory. I promise. But I have to blog my final
thoughts on the experience, for record keeping purposes. :)
I ALMOST didn't do this show. I've never been one of those musical theatre people who are obsessed with all things Les Miserables. I haven't listened to every cast recording. I don't know who played Jean Valjean in every production or which actors won awards. It was just, "whatever" to me. But I really love the role of Eponine and thought, why not audition and get a chance to perform a great role with my friends again? When I got offered an ensemble role instead of Eponine, I was pretty disappointed. I debated committing to the exhausting process of a show for yet another ensemble role. But my good friend Sara convinced me it would be fun. To say she was right is an understatement.
Never in a million years did I imagine I would have the experience that I did. My expectations were exceeded on every level. I had heard that Donald, the director, was amazing. But I had no idea just how amazing. As a director and as a person, he is special. It became evident right away that it was going to take someone incredible to pull off such a massive show in a community theatre setting. I won't delve into the details of just how crazy things got. But I will say, it got scary! We had to rehearse the show elsewhere and we were way ahead of schedule. The actors were ready! But we didn't get into the theatre to begin tech until the Sunday before opening. As the week went on, and tech continued, we started to worry we would only have 2 dress rehearsals! And then, only 1. And then we realized we had run out of days. Opening night was upon us and we still had many un-teched, unrehearsed elements of the show. Time was up!
As an actor, going into an opening night of a HUGE show with a nearly sold out house of people with high expectations...well, it's pretty much the scariest, most exciting thing ever. Couple that with having NO idea what the show even looks like all put together....yea. There were some nerves. Some people were quietly panicking while keeping a positive attitude, others were openly announcing that doomsday was upon us. After all, we had a cast of 40 people, finicky microphones, a barricade to build and unbuild, a Tetris of set pieces that needed to be carefully and quietly moved on and off stage by various people, lights, props, sound effects, smoke effects, power point slides, quick costume changes....all which hadn't been rehearsed straight through, and some not even at all. Donald gave us a pre-curtain speech with a big smile of confidence on his face, which only scared me more because I knew he was secretly harboring a paralyzing fear. But we all marched upstairs with smiles on our faces, ready to see how it would all unfold. As the lights dimmed and the music began, the crowd immediately started cheering so loudly. I thought my stomach was going to fall out of my butt. But then the first scene came and went without issue. And then the second, and then the third. Nothing was going wrong. Everything was working like a well-oiled machine! Could this be happening? I held my breath through every effect and every scene change just waiting to hear a crash or see an out of place staircase chillin' out in the middle of Fantine's death.
Nothing.
We reached intermission and you could just feel the relief among the cast and see the excited look of shock on everyone's faces. But it wasn't over yet! The second act started......more beauty. We built that barricade like a bunch of pros. And then we took it down. And then we sang....and sang some more. Before we knew it, it was curtain call! We took our bows in front of 400 standing, cheering, crying people. In that moment, I knew something special had happened. We all did. I felt a high that trumped my first skydive, my first scuba dive, my first bungee jump, and even my first time on stage. As we all stood there receiving our accolades, I realized that this happened because we had a talented team of cast and crew who love the show, love the theatre, love each other, and all worked together to make it happen. We had a director who lived, loved, and breathed our show for many months before we even began rehearsing. How did we ever have a doubt? And how often do you get to be a part of a moment like that? It's the true magic of theatre. I had warned Bart at length of the potential disaster that could occur that night and in true Bart fashion, he giggled and showed up primed and ready; hoping for the best, for our sake, but eager to see the hilarity that might unfold for his amusement. At the end of it all, his words were, "I was pleasantly disappointed." HA! He truly enjoyed it, and even came back a second time.
The entire run continued like opening night, and it just got better. Aside from the typical sound issues here and there, smoke machines misbehaving, props dropped back stage, etc., we had a nearly flawless run. We even had 2 nights that our leading man couldn't be with us and our understudy stepped in. You'd never know he had never run the show with us. The whole 4 weeks we made magic on that stage, and somehow, avoided serious barricade injury. :) We sold out nearly every night, breaking theatre records along the way. In the end, we performed for over 5,000 people with nothing but positive responses. I also made so many new friends during this experience that I will keep with me forever. Some of the most talented people I've ever worked with, who just happen to be awesome as well. I can safely say it was one of the best experiences of my life. (As I write this, I realize I said the same thing about the half marathon. And we still have a wedding coming up! 2014 is lookin' good!)
I was pretty sad that Mom and Dad couldn't make it out for opening. After all, it's tradition! But they made sure to be there for closing instead! It amazes me that they have managed to make it to every show I've ever been in. Whether it's just down the street, in New York, or Florida. Whether it's awesome or terrible, they always support me. And AJ and Desyree even came down from Nashville! The craziness of the week got in the way of us doing much of anything other than Les Mis stuff, but it was fun just having them here. They seemed to enjoy just relaxing at the house.
Another incredible addition to closing weekend, and to this whole experience, was having my friend Sarah come see the show. I met Sarah during my time at Remuda Ranch in 2002. She visited me shortly after we left, but we haven't seen each other since. We've kept in touch on Facebook and since she was in Orlando on vacation with her husband and family, she decided to make the trip up! It was an emotional reunion, to say the least. Thankfully we were able to have dinner later in the week and catch up in a less chaotic setting! It's amazing that you can know someone for only 2 months, and not see them for 12 years, but feel such a deep connection. Living that experience with her created a very special bond unlike any other. I can't really explain in words what it meant to me to see her again. Especially to see her doing so well and thriving in her life as this happy, healthy, vibrant woman. And being that she's now a therapist, I told her to expect to hear from me many times as I work through my degree. :)
When all of this was over, I felt shell shocked! What an emotional ride it was. I don't think I had one tear uncried or one smile unsmiled. And suddenly, no more show, no more family...back to life as normal. It's always a crushing blow. But work and school is keeping us plenty busy, and us Les Miser's have managed a few reunions since. :)
Thank you all for humoring me for the last few months as I have posted, emailed, and chatted incessantly about this experience. I couldn't help myself! Enjoy the abundance of photos to accompany my abundance of words. And I promise, I will now move on! (Sort of)
Here is a fun review we got! It's terribly written, and they called Donald "David Rupe"....but still, it's nice. :)
http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=116266
The End
I ALMOST didn't do this show. I've never been one of those musical theatre people who are obsessed with all things Les Miserables. I haven't listened to every cast recording. I don't know who played Jean Valjean in every production or which actors won awards. It was just, "whatever" to me. But I really love the role of Eponine and thought, why not audition and get a chance to perform a great role with my friends again? When I got offered an ensemble role instead of Eponine, I was pretty disappointed. I debated committing to the exhausting process of a show for yet another ensemble role. But my good friend Sara convinced me it would be fun. To say she was right is an understatement.
Never in a million years did I imagine I would have the experience that I did. My expectations were exceeded on every level. I had heard that Donald, the director, was amazing. But I had no idea just how amazing. As a director and as a person, he is special. It became evident right away that it was going to take someone incredible to pull off such a massive show in a community theatre setting. I won't delve into the details of just how crazy things got. But I will say, it got scary! We had to rehearse the show elsewhere and we were way ahead of schedule. The actors were ready! But we didn't get into the theatre to begin tech until the Sunday before opening. As the week went on, and tech continued, we started to worry we would only have 2 dress rehearsals! And then, only 1. And then we realized we had run out of days. Opening night was upon us and we still had many un-teched, unrehearsed elements of the show. Time was up!
As an actor, going into an opening night of a HUGE show with a nearly sold out house of people with high expectations...well, it's pretty much the scariest, most exciting thing ever. Couple that with having NO idea what the show even looks like all put together....yea. There were some nerves. Some people were quietly panicking while keeping a positive attitude, others were openly announcing that doomsday was upon us. After all, we had a cast of 40 people, finicky microphones, a barricade to build and unbuild, a Tetris of set pieces that needed to be carefully and quietly moved on and off stage by various people, lights, props, sound effects, smoke effects, power point slides, quick costume changes....all which hadn't been rehearsed straight through, and some not even at all. Donald gave us a pre-curtain speech with a big smile of confidence on his face, which only scared me more because I knew he was secretly harboring a paralyzing fear. But we all marched upstairs with smiles on our faces, ready to see how it would all unfold. As the lights dimmed and the music began, the crowd immediately started cheering so loudly. I thought my stomach was going to fall out of my butt. But then the first scene came and went without issue. And then the second, and then the third. Nothing was going wrong. Everything was working like a well-oiled machine! Could this be happening? I held my breath through every effect and every scene change just waiting to hear a crash or see an out of place staircase chillin' out in the middle of Fantine's death.
Nothing.
We reached intermission and you could just feel the relief among the cast and see the excited look of shock on everyone's faces. But it wasn't over yet! The second act started......more beauty. We built that barricade like a bunch of pros. And then we took it down. And then we sang....and sang some more. Before we knew it, it was curtain call! We took our bows in front of 400 standing, cheering, crying people. In that moment, I knew something special had happened. We all did. I felt a high that trumped my first skydive, my first scuba dive, my first bungee jump, and even my first time on stage. As we all stood there receiving our accolades, I realized that this happened because we had a talented team of cast and crew who love the show, love the theatre, love each other, and all worked together to make it happen. We had a director who lived, loved, and breathed our show for many months before we even began rehearsing. How did we ever have a doubt? And how often do you get to be a part of a moment like that? It's the true magic of theatre. I had warned Bart at length of the potential disaster that could occur that night and in true Bart fashion, he giggled and showed up primed and ready; hoping for the best, for our sake, but eager to see the hilarity that might unfold for his amusement. At the end of it all, his words were, "I was pleasantly disappointed." HA! He truly enjoyed it, and even came back a second time.
The entire run continued like opening night, and it just got better. Aside from the typical sound issues here and there, smoke machines misbehaving, props dropped back stage, etc., we had a nearly flawless run. We even had 2 nights that our leading man couldn't be with us and our understudy stepped in. You'd never know he had never run the show with us. The whole 4 weeks we made magic on that stage, and somehow, avoided serious barricade injury. :) We sold out nearly every night, breaking theatre records along the way. In the end, we performed for over 5,000 people with nothing but positive responses. I also made so many new friends during this experience that I will keep with me forever. Some of the most talented people I've ever worked with, who just happen to be awesome as well. I can safely say it was one of the best experiences of my life. (As I write this, I realize I said the same thing about the half marathon. And we still have a wedding coming up! 2014 is lookin' good!)
I was pretty sad that Mom and Dad couldn't make it out for opening. After all, it's tradition! But they made sure to be there for closing instead! It amazes me that they have managed to make it to every show I've ever been in. Whether it's just down the street, in New York, or Florida. Whether it's awesome or terrible, they always support me. And AJ and Desyree even came down from Nashville! The craziness of the week got in the way of us doing much of anything other than Les Mis stuff, but it was fun just having them here. They seemed to enjoy just relaxing at the house.
Another incredible addition to closing weekend, and to this whole experience, was having my friend Sarah come see the show. I met Sarah during my time at Remuda Ranch in 2002. She visited me shortly after we left, but we haven't seen each other since. We've kept in touch on Facebook and since she was in Orlando on vacation with her husband and family, she decided to make the trip up! It was an emotional reunion, to say the least. Thankfully we were able to have dinner later in the week and catch up in a less chaotic setting! It's amazing that you can know someone for only 2 months, and not see them for 12 years, but feel such a deep connection. Living that experience with her created a very special bond unlike any other. I can't really explain in words what it meant to me to see her again. Especially to see her doing so well and thriving in her life as this happy, healthy, vibrant woman. And being that she's now a therapist, I told her to expect to hear from me many times as I work through my degree. :)
When all of this was over, I felt shell shocked! What an emotional ride it was. I don't think I had one tear uncried or one smile unsmiled. And suddenly, no more show, no more family...back to life as normal. It's always a crushing blow. But work and school is keeping us plenty busy, and us Les Miser's have managed a few reunions since. :)
Thank you all for humoring me for the last few months as I have posted, emailed, and chatted incessantly about this experience. I couldn't help myself! Enjoy the abundance of photos to accompany my abundance of words. And I promise, I will now move on! (Sort of)
Visiting the TST Headquarters. Vice President's office.
For weeks I had many people tell me that I look tired. How rude! But yea. It's true.
Dad even joined us on a run with Lindsay and Paul!
The beginning of the end...
Sarah!
Mom and Donald - love this pic!
Dad with his Picassa...Gotta love it.
I love that our regular wine bar has become the family's regular wine bar too. :)
We were definitely miserables on closing day.
Awesome photo bomb by Bianca.
Closing curtain. Some of us aren't hiding our sadness as well as others.
TST represented!
The silver lining to this ending, for most of the guys, was finally getting to shave!
We may have just closed, but we couldn't resist watching the video!
1 week later. No show? Fine! We'll do something else!
Here is a fun review we got! It's terribly written, and they called Donald "David Rupe"....but still, it's nice. :)
http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=116266
The End
Okay, a few things: 1) It was so nice to see Sara without her scary make up on! HAHA! I do miss the mole a little...2) Wish I could've gone to your favorite wine bar...lol...alright, I'll stop whining. 3) Why is dad holding a grandpa cheating on D'Alana?! 4) I was seriously cracking up because as I was reading I thought...I wonder how long it took for David to shave. And then BAM! A pic of him shaving! HAHA! 5) I wanna go back to acting...I miss it:( Great blog, Kiuh!
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