BWW Blog: Meet SCANDALOUS' Elizabeth Ward Land - The New Normal

Wow! My first BroadwayWorld.com Blog! I had every intention to blog from the point of view of an average, "normal" working actress in the throes of helping create a brand new Broadway show, thru rehearsals, previews and opening. Then, Hurricane Sandy (are we still calling it that- or is it "SuperStorm Sandy"?) came, and I realize - there is no more "normal" for all of us, at least not any time soon.

Rehearsals for SCANDALOUS started in September, we moved into the Neil Simon Theatre in early October and began previews October 13. All normal. We have been rehearsing every day since then, 12-5pm, and putting in the changes we make into the show at night, in front of an audience. All "normal" for this process. Exhausting, exhilarating, exciting - but all very normal.

And then Sandy hit. We all really had no idea what to expect - but the devastation here is worse than you can imagine, affecting us in far reaching ways we could never have anticipated.

The Broadway League decided to reopen all the shows for Wednesday, which posed a whole new set of issues for each of us. Just getting into the city without the subways, trains and buses running on Wednesday was extremely difficult. And because we are still so early in our process here at SCANDALOUS, there is very little leeway for any of us in any of the departments in the entire production NOT to make it in. Understudies haven't been rehearsed and don't have costumes yet, musicians haven't brought in subs to learn the score, prop guys haven't taught their part of the backstage puzzle to anyone yet- the list goes on! But, in true Broadway trouper fashion, so did the show. I am proud to say that every single person made it here. Ensemble members Dan'yelle, Betsy and Hannah walked from Brooklyn and Queens. Our dresser, Pamela, rode her bike an hour and fifteen minutes to get in. Candy Buckley (Minnie), lives in downtown Manhattan and has no power. Our very own star, Carolee Carmello, has no power either, and has been driving in from New Jersey every day. And as for me? Well, I made it in but it took me three hours!

Today, Friday, seems to be a bit better. More subways are running and buses are helping folks get in and out of the city. But we are running out of gas quickly and with power not set to come on for many people anytime soon, it could be a long couple weeks before any real relief! We have all realized how lucky we are to have had no major damage or loss of life among our circle of family, friends and colleagues. And we have realized that we are completley dependent on electricity, gas and having whatever we need, whenever we want it, at our fingertips.

Here at SCANDALOUS, we rehearsed a new finale and a couple of new scenes today. Last night we put in a new Aimee- on-trial sequence. We'll have the next four shows this weekend to smooth everything in. Next week will bring more rehearsal and a few more changes. Again, all normal for this process. But as I navigate my way home tonight (maybe hitch a ride with a friend who is in PHANTOM?), I realize that my new normal will be showing itself to me, one day at a time. Just like a Broadway show in previews.

Erica Dorfler and I having a SCANDALOUS beer post Sandy

Liz as Louella Parsons in SCANDALOUS.  Photo by Betsy Struxness

My neighborhood in New Jersey post Sandy

My neighborhood in New Jersey post Sandy