Sunday, July 23, 2006
A Few Bumps in the Road: Performance Number Three
I should probably preface this entry with the disclaimer that it would be difficult for any show to live up to the magic of our gala opening... The energy and playfulness that had exploded onstage on Friday, however, was clearly a little more reserved and tentative tonight. (Perhaps a direct result from last night's celebrating...?) Again, it wasn't a bad performance by any objective standard, but I left feeling a little frustrated. I'll dispense with my obligatory plot synopsis as I have a feeling people may be skimming over those anyway.
So what was different about tonight? In short, it just felt a little less tight and disciplined. Energy wasn't focused clearly and the show felt a bit static. This was something that had haunted us a little last year, in terms of characters more-or-less standing in non-descript locations talking about unspecific events with minimal emotional energy. I am, of course, exaggerating a little, but there were several moments that I felt the need to literally force physical action on stage. I commented yesterday that I had been able to truly hang up my director's hat and just watch the run unfold. Tonight, I had to put it back on several times, particularly in our second act, to help right our course. The average audience member may not have been aware of this, but it certainly changes my personal perspective of the performance.
I've just sent out a long email to the company reviewing some of the problem spots and dynamics, so I won't repeat that all here as I feel it's mainly the company that reads this to make sure I'm not slamming them publicly! Gina summarized the issue nicely when she talked about a general lack of energy. This often is reflected by the presence or lack of dance in the show, and we were definitely dance light tonight. We also became a bit ballad heavy again, which can make the second act feel considerably longer, and we didn't do well really identifying the star's need or core desire. Many of the songs also seemed a little light in terms of content or slightly self-indulgent.
On the bright side, I thought we had some interesting new dynamics and relationships in act one, and, as per usual, there were many fun quirky characters and situations. There was also a strong positive audience response and a near full house (again) serving as the culmination of what has been, by all accounts, a highly successful opening weekend. I'm just always looking for the show to grow and develop, and tonight it slinked back into the shadows a little. But that's the joy and frustration of improv, as I've discussed here before.
Next week we move to our permanent time slot of 10:00pm. I'm a little anxious that this might shrink our audiences, but I'm hoping that I'll be pleasantly surprised. The show plays well in the more traditional 8:00pm slot, but hopefully we can tempt people to join us in our later home.
But now my bed awaits...
Your hat-juggling Director, David C.
I should probably preface this entry with the disclaimer that it would be difficult for any show to live up to the magic of our gala opening... The energy and playfulness that had exploded onstage on Friday, however, was clearly a little more reserved and tentative tonight. (Perhaps a direct result from last night's celebrating...?) Again, it wasn't a bad performance by any objective standard, but I left feeling a little frustrated. I'll dispense with my obligatory plot synopsis as I have a feeling people may be skimming over those anyway.
So what was different about tonight? In short, it just felt a little less tight and disciplined. Energy wasn't focused clearly and the show felt a bit static. This was something that had haunted us a little last year, in terms of characters more-or-less standing in non-descript locations talking about unspecific events with minimal emotional energy. I am, of course, exaggerating a little, but there were several moments that I felt the need to literally force physical action on stage. I commented yesterday that I had been able to truly hang up my director's hat and just watch the run unfold. Tonight, I had to put it back on several times, particularly in our second act, to help right our course. The average audience member may not have been aware of this, but it certainly changes my personal perspective of the performance.I've just sent out a long email to the company reviewing some of the problem spots and dynamics, so I won't repeat that all here as I feel it's mainly the company that reads this to make sure I'm not slamming them publicly! Gina summarized the issue nicely when she talked about a general lack of energy. This often is reflected by the presence or lack of dance in the show, and we were definitely dance light tonight. We also became a bit ballad heavy again, which can make the second act feel considerably longer, and we didn't do well really identifying the star's need or core desire. Many of the songs also seemed a little light in terms of content or slightly self-indulgent.
On the bright side, I thought we had some interesting new dynamics and relationships in act one, and, as per usual, there were many fun quirky characters and situations. There was also a strong positive audience response and a near full house (again) serving as the culmination of what has been, by all accounts, a highly successful opening weekend. I'm just always looking for the show to grow and develop, and tonight it slinked back into the shadows a little. But that's the joy and frustration of improv, as I've discussed here before.
Next week we move to our permanent time slot of 10:00pm. I'm a little anxious that this might shrink our audiences, but I'm hoping that I'll be pleasantly surprised. The show plays well in the more traditional 8:00pm slot, but hopefully we can tempt people to join us in our later home.
But now my bed awaits...
Your hat-juggling Director, David C.
Comments:
<< Home
It's too bad you can't keep the 8pm time slot. Seems it suits the show and audience better.
Better show, better time slot
Better show, better time slot
a little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplinedva little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplineda little less tight and disciplinedva little less tight and disciplined will make it better.
Post a Comment
<< Home
