Harvey Returns! Welcome to The Return of special new series on BroadwayWorld.com - four time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein's personal MySpace blog of bringing his brand new musical, A Catered Affair to Broadway. We'll be exclusively picking up Harvey Fierstein's blog as he shares his first hand reports from rehearsals to Opening Night (and beyond). Check back for updates as rehearsals get underway!
Today is...
EASTER
And tomorrow is...
DRESS REHEARSAL!!!
That's right, kids. the time for hiding out and creating in the womb of a darkened theater is almost over and my new baby is about to see the world AND the world is about to see my new baby. WOW!!!
SITZ PROBE
This week started off with the traditional SITZ PROBE (I have no idea what it means but...) which is the first time that the orchestra plays through the score with the actors present. It's really the most exciting experience. I mean, after weeks of rehearsing to a piano, suddenly there are strings and wind instruments and percussion behind what you're singing. It's a thrill to feel it all come together.
Some of you may know that one of the changes we made between our San Diego try-out and our NY debut was to have the show re-orchestrated for a different sound. We were lucky enough to get the undisputed genius of orchestrations currently working on the Rialto... the one and only Jonathan Tunick. So, hearing the music with his brilliant vision was an entirely new experience for us. And let me tell you, TUNICK DELIVERED! The music has never sounded more romantic and lush and evocative and magical.
Here are two photos of the ORCHESTRA and us. Hard to see, but I didn't want to be too intrusive as I got my inside views for you.
THE THEATER
From there we went over to THE WALTER KERR THEATER where we had our first onstage rehearsal. It was another total thrill. The set has not changed much from San Diego. But it was designed for this theater, and so, to see it finally in the space for which it was conceived was a revelation indeed.
I'm sorry to say that rehearsals and lighting considerations did not allow me to snap any photos of the completed stage pictures that I can share. But here are a few of the backstage moments I snapped up for you.
You know I love to share the world from my viewpoint with you. So here is what we see when we stand center stage at the theater. Ain't this joint a pip? It was originally built in 1922 in 60 days. Can you imagine? So how come it's taking my guys 30 months to build my house?????
Of course it's an entirely different view with the houselights off. Here's my vantage point as I stand upstage looking out toward the audience. That's FAITH sitting on the edge of her daughter's bed and singing the haunting "MARRIED".
