The Sheridan College musical theater program is the premier musical
theatre school in Canada and is devoted to the development of new
musicals. Part of this is very practical because the students benefit
through exposure to the process of workshopping a new work -- working
with a writer, getting new pages constantly, and originating a role.
Working with this cast and the wonderful director Marc Richard I am
continuing to evolve the piece as we rehearse because I feel free to
experiment. For example, I came into the rehearsal process with two new
songs, and I've just added a third new song! As I work with Marc, I'm
discovering new things in my own work! Very cool.
I have to admit that I have enjoyed realizing this very personal and
focused vision for PLANE CRAZY. I am proud of the work I've done on the
show since NYMF, and watching the Sheridan rehearsals I know the show
has improved. I know these characters so well that I know how they
would react to a change in storyline, pacing, or dialogue. I know that
while a song may be a cool song, it might not really be right for the
character in the show at that point in time.
I also know that I need a collaborator if I am going to take PLANE CRAZY
to the next level, and ultimately to Broadway.
But how do you find the right person? Someone who has a lot in common
with you but is also different enough to bring that missing ingredient
to the table? (Darn, and I promised myself I wouldn't use kitchen
imagery!)
Should I place a classified ad: FOW seeks MWC (Freaked-out Writer seeks
Miracle Working Collaborator)?
Ask if they know all the verses to "Jubilation T. Cornpone"?
Ask them if they own both the fullscreen and widescreen DVDs of DOWN
WITH LOVE?
Or just ask them if they know where I got the name Webster Ramsey
Templeton Advertising from?
We open at Sheridan on February 16 and run for 10 performances, which
will give me another great chance to see PLANE CRAZY in front of an
audience. Then we head off to a regional production, hopefully with a
collaborator...
I guess it's true what they say -- you go into rehearsal with a play
with music, and you come out of rehearsal with a musical!
