Thursday, July 24, 2008

of all people

My brother got on to me because I haven't been eating.  If he didn't sound like a daddy, I don't know what he sounded like.  I called him last night because I never know what day it is any more.  I just know it's not Friday.  So, I called him last night on his night off, thinking I was calling while he was at work...  It was good to talk to him.  He sounds good. 

This morning, he called me and said, "I'm hungry - are you hungry - let's eat."  So, we had a snack while we talked on the phone.  He said he'd call me back if he needed to; to make sure I was eating lunch.  Silly man. 



Rehearsal is chugging along.  We open on Friday.  Invited dress is tonight.  I can't wait to get people in the audience.  We are all experiencing fatigue and several of us have injuries (not that you'll be able to pick us out during the performances).  Having people in the audience (starting tonight) will revive our energy and enthusiasm for the show. 

It has come together and we're going to pull off a great show.  I think everybody will be pleased. 

For you trivia hounds, here is a Wikipedia article on the origins of "break a leg."

Saturday, July 19, 2008

songs in my dreams

My choir director from high school is the vocal director for the musical.  He asked me the other day if I'd like to do a recital.  Tonight, my mind began to whir with ideas and snippets of songs that have followed me more than half my life. 

As I've gone through scores and song collections, I have reveled in memories from high school and college - from the first aria I ever heard Io son l'umile ancela from Adriana Lecouvreur to the first aria that ever made me cry Tu che di gel.  I've listened to dozens of arias from dozens of singers tonight; each one touching the piece with her own individual gift.  Some were not good; others simply divine.  Some I've sung; others I've dreamed of singing. 

I've come up with the beginnings of a list.  Most recitals I've been to feature between 11-14 songs.  So, here it is. 
















































Song/Aria

Tu che di gel
Work/Opera

Turandot
Composer

Puccini
Winter Song Lee Hoiby
CrucifixionHermit SongsBarber
Allerseelen Strauss
Si, mi chiamano Mimila BohemePuccini
Vissi d'arteToscaPuccini
Dupuis le jourLouise 
Ebben? Ne andro lontanaLa WallyCatalani
Io son l'umile ancellaAdriana LecouvreurCilea

 

I know I need some happier songs in there - most of these are pretty dramatic.  Deciding the order is going to be tough because several of these are grand finale caliber; Tosca's prayer; Mimi's sweet introduction or Butterfly or Liu's death arias are exquisite and certainly worthy to finish the evening.  Tosca is the obvious choice because it is the most dramatic.  I mean, goodness, she kills a man with a steak knife after singing Vissi d'arte.  Chilling.  But Butterfly's death aria is magnificent. 

I saw a staging once of Butterfly, in Dallas, that completely stunned me.  Butterfly is not one my favorites because it feels so long.  But Un bel di vedremo was sung to her very young son.  The sight of the very small child on stage was my undoing.  When they took the child away and she commits suicide, I just wept.  And the B flat at the end is fabulous.  Who could go wrong ending a recital that way? 

I love opera.  (can you tell?)

Friday, July 18, 2008

it's great - if you don't mind cop funerals

Saw Dark Knight today.  The highly anticipated new Batman movie.  I hated it.  Sure, there were some really funny moments.  The special effects were fabulous and, as always, Christian Bale is HAWT.  BUT....

 



Heath Ledger was scary.  I mean crazy scary.  They did that high pitched horror music in several of his scenes - as if you aren't already tense enough.  Ug. 

And the dead cops everwhere was WAY more than I really wanted to deal with on a Friday matinee.  Thank you but I think I'll be passing up this one on my "to buy" list.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

tired

Show opens next weekend and I can honestly say I'm ready to get this done.  Not being able to sleep until midnight sucks.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

This part of the rehearsal process

We're coming into the final three weeks of rehearsal for the show and these 10:30 nights are killing me.  *laugh*  Even two years later, I feel older and a little less capable of processing new information at 10pm than I did during King and I.

Still, it's fun and I'm having a really good time. 

Things are good at work.  Busy but really good.  I'm getting projects done and checked off my list and I feel like I've got a better handle on how to tackle some of the projects that snuck up on me last year.  I've applied to be a presenter at next year's PR conference.  I don't know if I'll be chosen but I'd never know if I didn't apply.  So, what the heck, right?

My office is a mess but I'm making progress!

Monday, July 7, 2008

cat picking her toenails

kali is laying on the bed, bathing (what's new) but she's picking at her toenails with her teeth.  Classy, Kali.  Really classy...

Sunday, July 6, 2008

A Rich Life

You know, I got to thinking this afternoon what a rich life I lead.  I have a precious daughter, super close relationships with my family, good friends, just the kind of romance I need and a job that I love.  Life is, in general, pretty darn good.  Heck, I'm even one of the few people who can say she generally gets along with her ex-husband.

How bad could it be? 

It's been a good weekend.  The 4th of July was super fun.  Super hot and humid but lots of fun. 

Tomorrow is Monday and now that we're into July, I'm officially on a six week countdown until the teachers are back on campuses and things gear up again.  I've got to get my back to school stuff planned and ordered so it will be here before the middle of August.

The show is good.  The gal playing the lead, Nellie, is on vocal silence which is concerning.  I know she's talked about the part being so low and having some concerns about all the belting; I really hope she doesn't hurt herself.  Many wishes going her way for a speedy recovery. 

I miss my little crackerbox.  I'm ready for her to come home.  She sounds SO good on the phone, though.  I know she's having a ball with her dad.  I'm so glad.  I find it difficult to tell him in a way that doesn't sound patronizing how much I appreciate his consistency and how much it pleases me to hear her using her good manners this summer; a departure from behaviors that surfaced last summer.  I credit that all to his stronger influence this year verses last; when she was pretty much given free reign (not by him, mind you, but by others around her).  Still, while I know she's having a great time and this time with her dad is critical to their relationship, I miss that little girl something fierce.  I guess knowing he reads this blog from time to time is a roundabout way of telling him without having to actually tell him; risking sounding foolish. 

Having said that, I still have no idea what it's like to miss her 10 months out of the year, like her Dad.  I wish there was a way I could help him move back to Texas.  I really would, if I could.  It would solve so many problems.  But I know he's built some semblance of a support system there, in New Jersey, and it becomes harder to leave once you get that established.  If he's taking care of himself, he can be a good dad to M and that's what counts.  *sigh*  It's all so complicated. 

Well, it's midnight and I really should be in bed.  I'm going to be hating life at 6:30am.    'night, y'all

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Directive



 

You must see this movie.  I laughed.  I cried.  Yes, really.  The soundtrack is amazing.  The animation is, of course, fabulous.  It's funny.  It's poignant.  It's darling and I'm in love with this little movie.  Go see it.  TOTALLY kid safe.  It's WONDERFUL.

Friday, July 4, 2008

4th of July

What a fun day!  We went to the parade and down to the park - as tradition demands and then cooked on the grill for dinner.