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Wonderful Town Diaries - November 25-29...

By: Mar. 10, 2004
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Tuesday Nov 25 '03

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OK! Back in the saddle. There's such an odd energy in the house tonight. The reviews were nearly unanimous raves - especially for Donna. All that detailed work she did really paid off! The Times' Ben Brantley wrote her a love letter! It looks as though we'll be here a long while. But still...I think that after the big buildup there's a big let-down. We've worked so hard and those long days are done but now the real work begins. Those people who have never done a long run will never understand one simple rule. It is nearly impossible for an actor to maintain any type of performance over long periods of time without a good, solid acting technique to rely on. There will be days when you feel uninspired or tired or sick, but the audience will still expect you to perform at the standard which they've read about in the reviews. They didn't receive the notice you sent out about how tired you are today...and they don't care. They've spent a good chunk of change to see you do what you do for a living. If you don't feel good...stay home! Otherwise, do your job!

Some days it's real easy - but some days you have no clue where you might muster up some energy. But you DO find it through technique and muscle memory. That's our life.

Thursday Nov 27 '03

This is our first week of regular show schedule and that includes a performance tonight. The audience seemed a little turkeyed out but the cast was in good spirits. Had a lovely chat with Fran and Barry before the show and they congratulated me and the others on our good reviews. They've treated me and the entire cast with nothing but respect and good will throughout.

Friday/Saturday Nov 28/29 '03

Had a touch of the flu that's been traveling around...achy and feverish...ugh!

It's interesting how people outside the biz perceive our jobs. My wife recently attended the funeral of her cousin, a policeman. His death and funeral just happened to occur during our last week of previews. For those who don't know, this is the last chance for the director to make any changes or cuts or rewrites before opening...after that, nuttin'. There is not an opportunity for an understudy to walk on and do your part because basically, they're learning the part themselves. Linda went on for Donna during previews but only after the show shut down for her to prep before they threw her to the wolves. My understudy, Matthew Shepard ( who coincidentally is from the same high school in Texas) is just now learning the music.

Anyway...the folks who came to Deborah's cousins funeral could not understand why I just couldn't take some time off and go to the funeral. Of course, as a policeman, there are many officers who can step in and cover you if you're out for any reason. They've been doing their jobs for a long time and it's fairly reasonable to step out and have someone else step in.
But not here! They were actually angry that I didn't show up to pay my respects to someone I barely knew! I wonder if I asked them to attend the funeral of one of my actor friends if their attitude would be different. I think you can bet on it.

Allright...enough of my rant...that's our life on Broadway. The show goes on whether we're sick, angry or sad...no difference.

On a different note...the boys on my floor, Michael Magrath, Peter Benson, David Margulies and myself have been listening to and reliving a tape of 'most embarrassing moments' of stars in recording sessions and the like. They are currently recounting Orson Welles doing some inane commercial, losing his temper, having a meltdown and I can't even begin to do it justice here..we are howling! Michael has a great ear for imitation and the voices that come out of him are uncanny! Peter has a lightning fast wit and is our champion at lyrics from the madhouse. David is our resident anarchist and has a keen mind for subtle sarcasm...me, I just pass the football, but this is the floor to be on.

Our houses have been great. They now come with the expectation and laugh they do! It's so good to be in a critically acclaimed show! Woo HOO!




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