The Home Stretch

A shiver of terror runs down my spine as I type "home stretch" into the title line here. Don't get me wrong: the show is in terrific shape. It's moving along at exactly the right pace, possibly even faster than that. The performances are gaining shape and depth, the choreography tightness, the music dynamics. Everyone is working incredibly hard on every level, from those in the rehearsal room to those on computers and phone lines setting up PR, tickets, and strategy. Stuff is getting done.

The terror, though! Why?! It's simple, actually. As tasks get completed, and full plates get emptied, they get replaced by fewer tasks, smaller plates (for now). It's terrifying because as you have less and less to worry about, you're certain that you're forgetting something. It's not supposed to be getting easier!

And yet, musicians have been hired. Photos have been retouched. Builders have been contracted, spaces rented. E-blasts get sent.

In short, A Grand Night for Singing is happening. It's becoming real.

Last night, we hit a new milestone in rehearsal, as we graduated from work-throughs to run-throughs. The difference is that now the creative team takes a step back and lets the show fly, without stopping. We feverishly take notes instead. Things are tweaked, or even actually changed, but the tools have changed from hammer and chisel to the, I dunno, smaller chisel? Pairing knife? I was never much for the sculpting. From hedge-clippers to little tiny scissors. 

Tonight, outsiders come into the room, as we have our design run, followed by a production meeting.

More to come...