But man, we really lose a lot of time waiting for actors to put on costumes. Apparently, that half-hour that equity allows is not mandatory if there is no runthrough scheduled - you can just get actors in place when ready.
As predicted it took a while for the designers, psm and cast to get into our rhythm. But I dare say that by post dinner we were humming along nicely.
Biggest challenge seemed to be bringing a body on stage with candles in hand. . I've staged it so each of the three valley women have a candle as does sofia. Right before they reach the candles go out and the actor gets in position. Let's come up slowly to reveal the grizzliness. Nice.
The set is a beauty - still have many sightline issues to resolve as the show gets into performances but I do think it looks great - all wood. And wilson will add a light stain to get it looking more natural.
With jojo we keep searching for new places to stage moments, underused portions of the stage where perhaps a widow can appear. But, though we are in the round (alley, really) we have too few entrances onto the set. No one's fault - just the quirk of this particular set.
Not quite sure how I'll stage the priest/captain scene. I have them in chairs - but I hate seeing those chair throughout and I worry about having anyone bring them onstage.
I only think I came close to losing my cool twice. Once, at the beginning of the day when someone was telling me they couldn't see from one of the seats (duh - I hadn't even started spacing, nor resolving sightline issues. And once towards the end of the day at the cranky hour of 1038. All's cool though.
Today, I hope we can penetrate act three. Let's hope for the best. Also, there seems to be a strange widows plague - about 9 out of the 18 have at some time come down with flulike symptoms. Ching seems fully recovered, thankfully.
I'll be in a dark wooden room from 2 till 10.
