the calm before the storm

Well, here we are in 2009, and this is my first post. I will be using this blog to document my journey through my crazy crazy rehearsal/performance schedule for two shows I will be doing in rep with each other. SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN and MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - both running at The Legacy Theatre in Tyrone, Georgia. SMOKE runs January 30 - February 22, and MVP runs February 9 - 20. Performances for the former will be Friday at 8:00, Saturday at 3:00 and 8:00, and Sunday at 3:00.

Performances for the latter will be Tuesday - Friday at 9 and 11 AM. So yep, you guessed it, there will be a lot of 2-show days and even some 3-show days.

I live a good hour and a half from Tyrone, but they're providing free housing for me and the other actors who live far away. I was cast in these shows back in June 2008, so I've had plenty of time to "dread" this. Just kidding. I will be going back and forth a lot between home and where I'll be staying. I worked it out in my schedule so that I'll never be away from home any longer than a week.

In SMOKE, I'll be playing Dennis Sanders. I bought the cast recording last July, and we received our scripts and scores shortly before Thanksgiving. I've had a couple of one-man readthroughs of the show and have even sat down at the piano to plunk out my parts in the songs. Rehearsals start this Friday, and I'd like to do some more studying. I have no idea if I'll be ahead of the game or behind in the familiarity factor compared to the rest of the cast, so I'm trying to be "too prepared."

I know absolutely nothing about MVP, except that I'm playing Pee Wee Reese and Clay Hopper, whoever they are. My audition in June was very unique in that the director of SMOKE wasn't even there and I didn't read anything from MVP. I'm looking forward to these two projects. I've never performed in multiple shows at the same time, and I've always been envious of the people at places like the Shakespeare Tavern who do it regularly.

I think I've given all the background info I intended. As I said, the craziness begins January 9th. Let us pray.