IMFourPlay

The Casting of an Improv Musical:
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blu [sic]

Well, after several days of wrestling with conflicts and the like, the new FourPlay company has finally come together. We had good attendance at the auditions this last weekend, especially considering the niche nature of the project. I was particularly relieved that much of last season's strong talent was willing to throw their name back into the hat! Here's the cast list as it stands on this fine Thursday evening:

Mark Baratelli
David Charles
Charles Gray Jr.
Jay Hopkins
Kate O'Neal
Chase Padgett
Robyn Pedretti
Darren Vierday
Ron Weaver

Jim Rhinehart and Keith Dickerson will be returning to their crucial roles as our live improvising band, and the original SAK production team remains in place.

I'm sure it's common to most directors, but casting always leaves me a little restless. For every company member that I'm excited to add to the list, there's another player that I wish I could include, but we definitely learnt last time that too many company members caused problems as individuals didn't feel they got enough rehearsal time on stage. While the company is only slightly smaller, nine instead of ten, I don't have a single rehearsal before our opening in mid-July in which I will have full attendance (such joy!), so I definitely need a little wiggle room. Also, while a strong singing voice is alluring (and good singing chops is a must), we discovered that the sheer complexity and length of the piece demanded players with strong story and improv instincts and experience. We're looking to craft a two-hour story afterall!!

There's a lot to be excited about. We have something old. (Get used to the puns and word play - it's apparently what I do!) Our great band is back -- anyone who saw the show last year knows just how integral they are and how fortunate we are to have a musician of Jim's ability on deck in the lead position as musical director. Also, two-thirds of our current cast were involved last year, so this should give us a chance to forge ahead quickly to new terrain. I'm sure those of you who saw our fledgling attempt last year will also be glad to see that most of your favorites are back.

We have something new. In addition to some new changes to the form itself, we also have some great new talent joining us on stage. Ron is joining us as a fresh newly minted graduate of SAK U bringing with him great energy, excitement and a lot of muscial theatre under his belt; Mark, a natural for this form if ever I've seen one, comes to the production after just finishing his own improv cabaret with Fringe and will clearly be an asset; and Jay, a true SAK veteran, will undoubtedly raise the improv bar for us all with his remarkable listening and story telling skills. FYI - You can find out more about many of the company members by checking out SAK's website, and I'll be posting some blog interviews with them here in the next few weeks.

We have something borrowed. As mentioned above, I've a LOT of conflicts to contend with as we go into production, so much of the company feels borrowed! Jim has a regular evening gig with Universal for the remainder of the month; Jay is appearing with my wife, Heather (our choreographer) in Mad Cow's The Constant Wife, which provides some challenges; Mark may be joining the company of Bath House: The Musical which will run in tandem with FourPlay. (An oddly apt pairing of projects perhaps!!!) Put on top of that several scheduled vacations, day jobs, class schedules and the like, and this is very much a rehearsal scheduled formulated on borrowed time!

Finally there is a tinge of blue in that some strong players from last season -- Richard, Lisa, Krisha and James -- are unable to join us for a variety of reasons. The latter two are now in Tennessee (not Kentucky - who would ever think such a thing!) with their daughter, Hanah Blu, who was the unofficial company mascot last season! James was becoming particularly adept at working her into his scene work during rehearsals. And who wouldn't miss that cute little face (I'm talking about James of course)!?!

Well, in the spirit of a good improviser, I've justified my own punny title, so this would seem to bring my entry to a close. (And people say I'm verbose?!?)

Only two days now until the first rehearsal, so it's time to start fleshing that out...…

Your schedule-crunching director, David C.