The Joys of Community Theatre

[TheCalvinator24]

I got a phone call at 6pm from the guy who plays one of the Wickersham Brothers in our production of Seussical. He said he had been throwing up all day and wouldn't be able to make tonight's show.

Well, we don't actually have a Stage Manager (whose problem it should have been), so I had to handle it. For those not familiar with the show, there are supposed to be three Wickersham Brothers, so it shouldn't be that big of a problem. You just shift a little placement. Maybe make sure some lines in songs are covered.

BUT, we only had 2 Wickersham Brothers.

It's really tough to make many things work with only one of them.

The only solution (because we are teen/adult male deficient in the chorus as well) was for me to step in. This is on top of already portraying General Schmitz and Yertle the Turtle.

So, I had to learn the dances to 2 songs (thankfully VERY easy steps) and the music on one of them.

Normally, this wouldn't have been a big issue, but I've been fighting a cold for about a week and a half. I nearly lost my voice completely during my big solo as General Schmitz, but I soldiered through and managed to get everything out all the way to the end of the show.

[kayrharris]

The show must go on! Good job, Cal. I hope you have a few days off from
the show to recuperate now.

[franktangredi]

I got a phone call at 6pm from the guy who plays one of the Wickersham Brothers in our production of Seussical. He said he had been throwing up all day and wouldn't be able to make tonight's show.

Well, we don't actually have a Stage Manager (whose problem it should have been), so I had to handle it. For those not familiar with the show, there are supposed to be three Wickersham Brothers, so it shouldn't be that big of a problem. You just shift a little placement. Maybe make sure some lines in songs are covered.

BUT, we only had 2 Wickersham Brothers.

It's really tough to make many things work with only one of them.

The only solution (because we are teen/adult male deficient in the chorus as well) was for me to step in. This is on top of already portraying General Schmitz and Yertle the Turtle.

So, I had to learn the dances to 2 songs (thankfully VERY easy steps) and the music on one of them.

Normally, this wouldn't have been a big issue, but I've been fighting a cold for about a week and a half. I nearly lost my voice completely during my big solo as General Schmitz, but I soldiered through and managed to get everything out all the way to the end of the show.

I know it well! Sometimes, it's fun to go by the seat of your pants. Or at least it is in retrospect.

[TheCalvinator24]

The show must go on! Good job, Cal. I hope you have a few days off from
the show to recuperate now.

Thanks.

We have a matinee tomorrow.

I am praying my voice holds up.

I also have my suspicions that the Wickersham will be there without any signs that he is getting over an illness. No solid evidence, but definitely a thought. If I knew it to be true, we would fire him from the show and do the final 5 performances the way we did tonight.

[TheCalvinator24]

I know it well! Sometimes, it's fun to go by the seat of your pants. Or at least it is in retrospect.

Thanks for the thoughts. If it weren't for the issues with my voice, I would have enjoyed it immensely. As it was, I was very nervous that my voice would just give out totally.

[5LD]

Hey Frank --

(Sort of off topic, sorry Cal.)
We have a small but good community theatre here that does a new play festival each year.......if they produce your show you have to come do a talk back or some such thing -- if they do a reading you don't have to come.

They do pretty good work, best in the area from what I understand. I know the President and Artistic Director among others and they are good folks who are thoughtful and interested in good, challenging stuff.

More info.

http://www.curtainplayers.com/playwrights_festival.php

[peacock2121]

I think community theater is always better when the players have to scramble and use what most don't have to use.

Break a leg!

[TheCalvinator24]

MIA actor was back today.

I'm 98% certain that he wasn't really sick.

I came really close to losing my voice in the middle of the show today.

Certainly hope it can recover this week.

[SportsFan68]

The show must go on! Good job, Cal. I hope you have a few days off from
the show to recuperate now.

Thanks.

We have a matinee tomorrow.

I am praying my voice holds up.

I also have my suspicions that the Wickersham will be there without any signs that he is getting over an illness. No solid evidence, but definitely a thought. If I knew it to be true, we would fire him from the show and do the final 5 performances the way we did tonight.

98% is pretty good certainty. Can you not cast him in future productions?

[TheCalvinator24]

The show must go on! Good job, Cal. I hope you have a few days off from
the show to recuperate now.

Thanks.

We have a matinee tomorrow.

I am praying my voice holds up.

I also have my suspicions that the Wickersham will be there without any signs that he is getting over an illness. No solid evidence, but definitely a thought. If I knew it to be true, we would fire him from the show and do the final 5 performances the way we did tonight.

98% is pretty good certainty. Can you not cast him in future productions?

If I Direct, I will not cast him. I will also share my concerns with anyone else who Directs with our theatre.