The Big Boo Hoo

"Now it's time to get funk-eh."

It's been a minute since my last blog. Whoops! So. To get caught up...:

We've at least started learning all elements of the show: choreography, blocking and music. So I can see it coming together and we're still a good month + out from opening. There have been several experiences that I have had in theatre that ended up falling into place in the last week of rehearsal. Which is frightening. I'm not saying that we don't have work to do...But it's fun to see, so attainable, the potential of this show from so far out.

Tangent: I shaved my mustache. I was saying leading into the process that I was going to keep it until the last possible minute, then shave for opening. I was rehearsing "A Little Upset" choreography last Sunday (which is SIIIIIAAAACK!) and I was slipping into character. I was moving my knees and it felt right. The hair I had slicked back was falling down, and I could feel a few strands tickling my brow. My hips were just doing what they wanted...which, in the mirror, looked right. It felt right. I brought my hands up to my face to snap 2 & 4.

MUUUUUSSSTAAAACHE!! 

It sucked me right out of that world. It's amazing to me how delicate being in character can be sometimes. It reminded me that I wasn't ACTUALLY this guy. This awesome guy. I was me, pretending to be awesome. Then I realized that with such an aesthetically exploited era/movie/person I have to "look it" to "be it." This may not be the case with other shows/characters. But there are some shows that just demand it. So much of who these kids are, is how they dress/walk/dance/look. They were idolizing. They had to look the part too. So I shaved it. Out of respect for my cast mates, too. Clearly, I had an issue embracing my character while staring into my handlebar; maybe other people would too. Especially with all the making out there is, in this show. You'll thank me "Allison."

The other night while rehearsing blocking for ACT I, I was measured for my costume. This just in: My Legs are Fucking Out of Control. Why didn't any of you tell me that I looked like a freak. Cry Baby had long freakish legs though, didn't he? Yeah. You know what? Yes. He did. Moving on...I got to put on a leather jacket for most of rehearsal. It's like some sort of magic cloak or some shit. I felt different. I'm pretty sure my balls dropped just a little further, my biceps grew in diameter, I got a little angrier, and I remembered that my motorcycle needed an oil change. I can't wait to be in full costume.

I'm stealing that coat.

Naturally, being so encouraged by the talent in this cast, I want things to be ready to go. Like, now. You know what I mean? I know it's going to be phenomenal. It's made me impatient. You know when you move into a new place and all you have is a couple of lawn chairs, an inflatable mattress, a shower curtain and some chips? And you just want to go out and buy all this amazing shit to spruce it up... But then you realize it'll happen in time. This is kind of like that. Except, we have the decor already. We're just taking the time to design. I'll try not to wish it away. I'm having fun. 

What I'm most impressed by (no particular order):
1.) Robin's ability to capture an era and emotion so perfectly in her choreography.
2.) Scott's ability to see something others don't.
3.) Dowdy's comedic timing and advice.
4.) Taylor.
5.) Ari's memorization and blog writing skills.
6.) Marcy's pregnant belly.
7.) How fun everyone is.
8.) The power of a mustache.
9.) Terrie's creepy little smile when she gets all "Lenora Crazy."
10.) "Aaaaaaawwwww YEEaaaaah! WWhoooooo Weeeeee!" (To the tune of Tutti Frutti)

After almost 4 hours of dancing last Sunday (A Little Upset), we get to go back to it tonight to finish it. That song is a BEEEAST! I'll stretch this time. For those of you that don't know: "A Little Upset" is the song that CB sings in jail after hearing on the radio that Allison is going to get married to the guy that framed him (Baldwin). All because Lenora is a crazy bitch and had to go telling Allison that she was pregnant with CB's kid. What a ho. Anyway, the choreography is brilliantly masculine and fun to do. It makes it easy to look upset. That song/choreography could stop the show. It's pretty sweet.

I can't wait to be memorized. I want to start doing things that can only be done without a script crutch. I still laugh, and incredibly hard at every rehearsal. I can't imagine this show without anyone who is in it. That being said...It really does break my heart that Joel won't be joining us as the judge. He was awesome and did the part so well. I wish him well in his surgery/recovery. Hopefully I get to work with him in the future.

I love the friends that I am making in this show. It's such a blessing and a perfect welcome to the STL theatre community. Thanks. I'm growing increasingly anxious to let an audience into our world. Until then? ...Let the fun continue.

P.s- I know who Ari's crush is. We're friends. He tells me things.

Now We're Talkin'.

Ba bi da ba bi da ba bi da ba bi da ba bi da ba bi da baby! Bid a baby! Bid a baby! Bid a baby! *huge breath*

WHEEEEW!...Good gravy.

SO, last night we made it through the last of the music! I am writing this blog while  listening to "Money Honey" by Elvis for the, let's see...1, 2, 3, 4....24, 96....1,000th time? Starting to feel a connection with 'ol CB.

Last night's rehearsal was a lot of fun. I've found that in pretty much any artistic facet, one of the best things you can do for yourself to better your character, dance, sound, style, timbre, painting etc...is to observe. It's a fine line between "being influenced by" and mimicking, though. That's why I almost always rather play characters that exist only in someone's head. There is no wrong answer, and you don't have to forfeit your artistic expression by resigning yourself to a criteria or a "right/wrong" standard of performance. This is an interesting endeavor for me because CB is most definitely his own man. And a "character." A really fun one. But he is very clearly influenced. So, I have to be influenced by Cry-Baby who is influenced by someone else. The more parties you add, the more room you leave for miscommunication. It would be so easy to lose the authenticity through the multi-layer distance between my performance (today) and where it all came from. That's without having mentioned that his world exists in 1954 and I'm about as far removed as you can get from that era. It'd be easy to make him a cartoon. A "characature" of Elvis. But I can't. That's not what he is. He's a human being. Influenced by people just like I am influenced by Jim Carey and/or Kevin Spacey. The easiest way to capture that, I think, is to observe and find the admiration. I have to want to be Jerry Lee Lewis the same way and as much as Cry-Baby does. Which should be a blast (and is so far).

I'm starting to pick up on the little nuances of the casting choices and the interesting dynamics that make this cast so perfect and fun for this show. I'll explain:

1.) The Teardrops---> They, all three, look as though they belong to the same group. They look to be friends (in this world and Cry-Baby's): Short(ish), dark hair, spunky... But the unique sounds that each of them bring to their characters makes for a perfect distinction and identity. Marcy (Pepper) has a sound as big as a house. Huge voice. Sarah (Hatchetface, haha) has that Joplin rasp that makes you wish you smoked cigarettes. And Crissy's (Wanda) voice is perfectly sweet and pure. How cool.

2.) The Whiffles---> All of them have the perfect "blending barbershop" voices. Their timbres match. They bring an authenticity to it, too, by enjoying singing it. :) You can tell they have a good time. Because they sound brilliant!! And sounding great is ALWAYS fun. I can't pick out their voices individually, like I can The Teardrops. And that's the way it should be. It's perfect.

Drapes always want to stick out. Squares don't.-----> Fact.

Fuckin' Squares.

3.) The stark difference between my untrained voice and "Allison's"  trained (and beautiful) voice is really going to help paint the picture of this story (audibly, of course). There is an inherent difference between our voices as Ryan and Taylor. So buying into this "other world" will be a little bit easier because that difference isn't manufactured. It's organic. And fun.

As a cast I feel like we are starting to develop a personality. And we're only starting week 2 of rehearsals. I'd say I feel good about what's happening here, but that would be an understatement. Give us a couple of months and you'll have to pry my leather jacket from my hands during strike.

Now, I'm going to watch a little "Jailhouse Rock" before heading to rehearsal tonight for our all inclusive music review. Let's see what we managed to sponge up over this past week! Looking forward to working on the story, soon.  :)

Watch your ass,
CB

Baby-Comma-Cry 101

It begins! Welcome to my Bloggy Blog. Let's see how I do about keeping up with this thing...Thank you, "Cry-Baby," for popping my blog cherry. Hurts so goooooood.

I'll start with this: I feel honored. These people are incredible. Everyone involved with this show is so fun, open, talented and perfect for their parts. So, thanks to New Line for a warm welcome to a, seemingly, awesome chapter in my life. :)

I am writing this the night before our third rehearsal so I'm getting a late start. Quick Highlights:

1.) Zak Farmer is funny.
2.) Scott's enthusiasm is contagious.
3.) The music is awesome!
4.) I'm nervous as all get out.
5.) When we sing together, as a chorus, it feels awesome.
6.) The Whiffles are sounding like one of the best Barbershop groups I've heard.
7.) This show is funny.
8.) I'm nervous as all get out.
9.) Ari (Our Dupree) is also from Iowa. And he's a show stopper. Very talented.
10.) We're all stoked!

So, NOW...I just got back from our third rehearsal, because I  procrastinated posting this bitch. The Teardrops sound SIIIIIAACK!

I'm just a teeny tiny bit frustrated with my vocals. Not anything anyone is doing wrong. Not even sure that I am doing anything wrong, really. I just have a sound in my head for Cry-Baby and I am still trying to find HIS voice. I don't think he should sound like any other character I have ever played, because I've never played a character like him. I'll be listening to a lot of Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis over the course of the next few weeks (which is a great thing to feel like you have to do). I feel that, maybe, I have a lot of "rock" in my voice so far, but not enough "-abilly." CB's voice is hiding somewhere in my gut and I'm super anxious to find it. "Come out, come out wherever you are."

Judging by these first few rehearsals, everyone is exceedingly capable of their roles in this show. That's all anyone can ask for. I'm running out of things to say because my experiences have been limited to only 3 rehearsals, but I'm looking forward to having pages of things to write about, soon. Cheers!