Review of act one and the kiss

It was a tough night, though a helluva lot got accomplished. I had to put in several actors who were not there the first time we blocked. I found that some scenes were easier to really do nitty-gritty work right away, while others required a full run of the scene, before stopping and starting.

Jojo - the best associate director in the world - thought I was peevish. I probably was. Though I am elated by the proceedings thus far, the toughest part is choosing the time to talk through a moment, and just essentially being steely and pushing through. If we talk through something, well there are anywhere from 12 to 18 people there. And not every opinion should be incorporated or its a free-for-all. On the other hand, I think I've gotten my best suggestions naturally from the actors.

Always interesting to see who has impulses that they can just try out, or who needs to talk those through, who's uncomfortable physically onstage, who gets stage picture etc.

It's clear to me that I need to get the Women of the Valley to be more like peasants - and rather than play an idea of peasants, i think they need to get it in there body what a life working in the fields, doing laundry by the river, losing your husband! might be like. It's coming along nicely.

"She's there, but not really there." One of the actors so that as a physical stage direction (as if they were ghostly beings - there but some place else). I read it as a psychological stage direction (distracted). Funny.

THE KISS - it's a grotesque moment and I won't spoil it: but there is a kiss that should hopefully make you squirm. Spoke to both actors and tried to talk through how I thought the kiss should go and what I think it is intended to mean. Both actors are doing great with it, it seems. Good stuff.