Sparks & Wiry Cries

Last night we had our final dress rehearsal.  Other than a large welt on my shin from running into a row of lights after a black-out, things went really rather well!  After Tuesday's tech rehearsal, we all felt a bit anxious and defeated.  All the performers showed up yesterday afternoon and exchanged stories of sleepless nights and anxiety dreams.  Two and a half weeks does not feel like enough time to mount a brand new work!  But ...

I don't know that I've ever been involved in a show that required so much collaboration betwixt all artists involved: composer, director, pianist, dancers and singers!  We are now well into the second week of staging this two-act Opera/Cabaret, Love in Public.  The composer, David MacIntyre is present in all the rehearsals.  Anytime the director needs a little extra time or a different tempo, or a slightly different sound, David jumps right in and adds a few notes. 

Next week I am going to be starting rehearsals for the production of a new show by Canadian composer, David MacIntyre entitled Love In Public.  It is a full-length work in two acts, categorized as a cabaret.  The text uses all 44 of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnets from the Portuguese.  The words are glorious and they tell the story of Elizabeth and Robert's love affair.  It was a thrilling and exciting time for both of them and their growing passion was kept utterly secret; hence the title of the work.