A day off

The day off. It's been a long long week. We've just finished Tech week here in Chemainus. Many a 12 hour day the last few days. So as you can imagine I'm tired, it's been very stressful, I seem to be taking it out on my body though. My jaw feels locked, and I can't relax it. Even though it's been a long few days, the pay off is good. We had a good run yesterday, and we got a lot done. The show will be great and people will really like it. Everyone in the cast and crew is working their butts off to make this a great production. They only complaint I have... well one of the main concerns is the size of my band platform. We can barely fit a keyboard in there, and I have 5 musicians at any given time. We've had to move musician down to the floor on the stage left side. I'm so happy to just be doing nothing today, though it's raining of course. There is supposed to be a BBQ at Alex (SM) and Sam's house today, but... who knows.. as you can see.. he's not happy about pictures being taken...
So I'm off to the bank, and to get some groceries. Hope the weather clears.
CK

The first rehearsals "Anything Goes"

On March 12th I had a one off rehearsal with the leads of Anything Goes. It was just a music rehearsal so my plan was to just sing through the solos and duets and maybe get to some harmony work. I thought it went very well and I was looking forward to starting officially on Sunday April 8th (Easter Sunday) So the Sunday and Monday came where again I was alone doing music. The first day I went through all the harmonies and solos again and I saved Monday for the real test... adding the instruments. Monday went very well considering I hadn't heard anyone play their instruments at all. I had know idea if they were beginners or advanced players. I was very thankful to hear that everyone was very competent. We managed to get though the whole show playing and working out who will be playing what where. Todd and I had to pre-block the show on paper so we would know who would be available to play at any given time. I'm so glad we did. It helped so much. After getting through a long Monday, we ended and I came back to Vancouver to see Jenn and get ready for the official meet-and-greet on Friday.

After a rough Ferry ride on that Friday to get back to the island we got in a bit later they I had hoped. Daniel Pitout who came for the ride, needed to get to his place before we could go to the rehearsal hall. We got there about 15 minutes late, and we found ourselves walking into the room in front of all the production staff of the theatre and all the cast facing them ready to start.. already waiting for us.... OOPS! Oh well it didn't matter we got right on and did a read through and sing though of the show. It was a lot of pressure, even though you know that people are not really expecting anything close to perfection, it still feels like they are expecting to be entertained. So I found myself playing like it was a show. After that, things seemed much calmer, we settled down and the production staff talked about all their business ie. Costumes, sets, sound etc. Everything looks and will be great. After the speeches we got down to blocking. We are very short on time with the rehearsals only 3 days a week we don't get as much done as we would like before we have to stop.

We've now blocked the show going into our 4th week of rehearsals. It's coming along great. This is always a crazy time for Actors and directors. It's that time where we just run the show, and it either platous or it reaches higher, and gets better all the time. I have a feeling this show is get better and sound better all the time. I can understand how some people can't see the light sometimes because it seems like such a daunting task, but I've worked in tighter situations with much less talented people and we've weaved gold. I think we'll be great.

Todd Talbot is directing, and he's doing a great job. I love to work with different people and see what kind of style they use. I think his is perfectly set to do a show like this under such a tight time frame. He's efficient and purposeful about the work. And the choreography will look beautiful.

Today is Thursday and I'm heading back for rehearsals tomorrow morning bright and early. I will update you on any new and fun developments in the near future. I hope you all can come and see the show which opens in just under a month. See you all soon

CK

From the Big Easy to the Big Disney... Watch them Wednesday 7pm

YES as Amanda pointed out I haven't written my feelings on the game. The Canucks won the game if you haven't heard. It was a really important game for so many reasons, but one mostly: How would we pull through as a team the history of Canuck disappointments and finish a team off. The Canucks pulled out a big team effort, topped only by the highlight of Trevor Linden scoring the go-ahead goal. He's the league's 7th game clutch player, and it was a perfect moment for me to see. SO ON TO THE DUCKS, and the back story of the Duck's current and former Canuck GM Brian Burke and his protege and now Canuck GM Dave Nonis. They are going head to head in the playoffs... SO EXCITING. We get to enjoy the Canucks run for at least another 4 Games.

As for me, I have so much to tell about all the rehearsals and island life here in Chemainus, but I have been so busy doing it, I haven't had much of a chance. I'll have to collect my thoughts and put them down for you in a day or two. Look for the next chapter: "The first rehearsal" soon.

Well I'm catching the 10:30 Ferry tomorrow back to Vancouver for a couple of days until my next rehearsal on Friday.

Later.

CK

6pm puck drop---->

It's 6pm on Monday April 23 2007 Canucks are in Game 7 of the first round series against the Dallas Stars. I know I haven't written for a little while, but if we will tonight, I will write back right after the game and let you know how I'm doing... I'm not quite sure how I'm doing right now until the end of the game.... See you soon... at about 8:30pm

Cross your fingers.

CK

De Wiz

Wednesday morning was another great event. We had a few friends to De Dutch again for a some food and frivolity. Jim, Pam, Randy, Helen, Jenn, Ryan, Scott, and me, had a great time chatting about theatre, golf, computers, vacations... you name it. I'm hardly old, but I've known for quite a few years now, that as I get older these moments are the ones you look back on. When I was younger you think that going out to a club, drinking and partying is how you have a good time. But now I know that waiting in line at a club is not the idea of a good time when I could be at home with some friends talking, and making memories is more fun. I'm glad I have good friends who agree with me. We all stayed and talked for a couple of hours. Jenn was having a good time so she decided to miss half and hour of her class at school to stay a bit longer. Thanks to all that attended, and we hope to get out more people next time. Hey, maybe we should turn it into a fundraiser!!.. well maybe not! but see you there.

On Thursday we went to "The Wiz" at Cap college. We had a few friends in the show, so we were excited to see it. I haven't seen a staged version of the show before, so this was a new one for me also. I had talked to Shelley the choreographer earlier in the day so I knew she would be there to watch some of the show. I'm glad she was there, I haven't seen her for a long time. Ryan and SAS joined us for the show, and we all got ticket together.

The show was... good. Now before you say anything, I actually mean it. I definitely was not my favorite show. The show itself is not that strong. Yes it's the basic story of the Wizard of Oz, but it was intended to be an all black cast, which this show was not. So there was "black" dialogue and situations written into the script that was intended for the time period in which it was written. These things get a little lost on a mostly white, Vancouver audience. If we were black living in New York in the 70s, these things might have rung more true. Now there were other elements that were GREAT! First the band was good, Kevin had a good mix of players, and the score is fun and upbeat with some perfect throw back with Wa Wa guitar and funky string lines. The balanced mix of mics covering the band was good I wished Kevin had stuck around after the show longer so I could tell him myself how much I enjoyed the band. Our friends in the show were great. Michaela Scott as the Lion was adorable, and was perfect for the role. All the dancers were great and I very much enjoyed Shelley's choreography throughout the show. But a special mention goes out to Brandyn Eddy as the Scarecrow. He had a great relaxed style that was exactly what the show needed, his voice sounded great and his movements were ideal. Good Job! And lastly the costumes were very well done also, with a program of so many students, Gillian has done a great job incorporating new parts into shows, and making the students create characters themselves. I enjoyed the "Tornado," and the "Yellow Brick Roads" The idea works and it adds some life an colour into the show.

Finally I would like to say that the biggest shame about the show was the lack of volume from the vocal mics. People often say to me as a music director, is the band to loud or are the actor's not singing clearly. Well I can say in the production of the Wiz that the band was a good level, it's a funky rock show, so the sound should be in your face, but the vocal mics were just too low. I don't know why they didn't turn them up. They didn't seem to have any problems with feedback, they weren't pushing it too much. With a show like this where the vocals for the girls is low most of the time the sound mixer needs to help them get up over the band. That's my only real criticism about the Cap show, besides the show itself, which they can't help. They students did a great job regardless. Can't wait for the next one!

Banana Boys

Saw Banana Boys on Saturday. Jenn and I went to see the show at the Firehall Theatre for the Matinee. Our friend Vince, and Rick, were both in the show so we were excited to see it. I knew going in that the show revolves around 5 men of Chinese decent, and their friendship in Canada. In case you don't get the banana boys reference it means yellow on the outside and white on the inside. I thought the show was well writen, but it had a few flaws. First of all I thought both Vince and Rick were great. Not just because they are friends of mine, but they were truly good. The same can be said for 2 of the other friends: The writer, and the friend who can't stop calling his girlfriend. The long and the short of it is, the character who is supposed to be the "lead" was a let down. The role could have been played so much better. I feel that at the end of the show, where we as an audience are supposed to be invested emotionally, we just weren't at the state of caring for him at all. The role is played up to be a very important point of the plot and helps change the other characters at the end. It just didn't happen. Please, Please... if you want to convince an audience that the character is a tough, driven business man that would do anything to succeed including taking so many uppers that he might die. PLEASE cast an actor that can play straight. I do not believe a man with a lisp, talking about having sex with multiple women. I can not suspend my disbelief enough to buy it. We live in Vancouver, and it's 2007, we know that gay people exist. As and audience member I can no longer think that he just has "feminine" qualities. We have broken down those Taboos, where we just don't talk about "it" anymore. It's not 1945 mid west America. I want to congratulate all the other actors in the show for their performances. There was some great acting moments. I wish they had shortened that show a bit though, too much manufactured anger at the end. I'm sad to say the show closed Saturday evening so people can't see it anymore. I am glad that the Firehall is putting on good Canadian content that isn't just about the prairies, and "Canadian" dialogue.

My first rehearsal!

So I had my one off rehearsal on Monday, with the cast of "Anything Goes," and it went really well. I was so apprehensive about meeting all the leads, because I haven't seen or met most of them before. I caught the 10:30 ferry from Horseshoe Bay, which got me into Naniamo at 12:10, so I was tight for time as it is. So I arrived just in time for the rehearsal to start. As I walked in they were all sitting around the keyboard waiting for me to arrive. It's times like these where I suddenly remember that I'm not 45 years old and that's about the age they think I'm going to be. It's the funny looks on their faces when I walk in sometimes. It always take people a few seconds for it to sink in that I'm not what they had in mind. After a bit of discussion we got down to business. The rehearsal went very well and I got more done then I was hoping for, so that is a great help. Now I must continue my adventure into arranging all the instrument parts for the cast to play.

It was nice to see my parents for the evening after the rehearsal. I helped my dad get a new bed that my parents had bought at the local auction. It's so nice of them, It's a bigger bed then the one they have currently so it will be awesome. So a few more weeks before I head off, so there are soooo many things to get ready before I go.

I'm so happy about my boys.. those Canucks. They are holding on to the 3rd in the West with only a few more games to go. They will make the playoffs this year, and they totally deserve it. They are solid, and I'm so happy to see some success. This city needs it from them.

The house is a mess, man I wish I would just get off my ass and clean sometimes. It's just so much effort to start. Jenn's out seeing another show for her classes at school, so I think I might go and pick her up and get some food. Thanks for listening.

Something worth mentioning

Living on the west coast of Canada, I'm aware of environmental issues. I know about Global Warming and it's impact on our planet. When I was in high school we recycled and knew it was a good thing. I have always had one question about Global Warming... Can we solve the problem? If we do the "right" things will the planet survive, will we even make a difference? Will there be a winter, spring, summer and fall? And can I visit the places on earth that are so beautiful forever? I've been sad because the answers have always been foggy. The media has never known what to say. They distort and report the horrible stories about our impending doom, without any sign of hope. I have always thought to myself that if someone would just tell me the earth will be okay if we act now, then I'll believe them. But I'm always amazed to find that there is no one that will say it. I just wanted to say that no matter what kind of person he is, whether he is motivated for the right reasons or not, Al Gore, should be thanked for his efforts. I watched "An Inconvenient Truth" today, and I'm so happy as a human being that this movie exists as a testament to a man's drive and dedication to an important issue. He answered my questions in an informative and shocking way. He said that we can make a difference that it's not too late if we do what we can, and we have the tools now to start. That was all I needed to know to believe. I think others must feel the same. I do hope everyone can see the film and at least talk about the issues. Thanks Al. You deserve the praise and accolades.

I'm free

I'm finished at Long and Mcquade and today is my official first day off from work. I have to admit I was a little sad saying goodbye to my friends at work. I was leaving, and I just stood up and said "Okay, looks like I'm heading off now" and they were so nice and encouraging, but it was a little hard to say bye. They have been nice enough at L & M to say that I can pretty much have my job back if I want it when I return from Chemainus. I think that's so great of them, but I hope that I won't have to come back. It was great getting to know my co-workers, but I don't think I'll miss the day to day things at work.

So I'm taking some time off before I go to Chemainus, to get all my prep done for the show. There is so much to do. I have to play through the score and decided who will play which instruments where, and who will sing what. I have to do a lot of reorchestration just to make it all work. I'm looking forward to it all, but it's a little daunting to think about right now.

I have to move back in with the parents again. It's sort of funny to think about. I will be in a seperate suite, but it's still my parents, so we'll see how it goes. I'm not looking forward to leaving Jenn here to finish school, and stay for the summer. We both like our place where we live that we don't want to leave it. So Jenn is staying to keep it, and work during the time off from school. I'm happy cause she might get a roommate to move it while I'm gone, but we'll see if that works out.

I'm so glad to know that TUTS is on again, and by the sounds of how many people showed up for the auditions, it should be a great couple of casts they get. It's such an important Vancouver institution and I'm thrilled they are now running with a new board, and with the knowledge that they are important to the theatre community. I hope you all get in if you're auditioning, and I can't wait to catch a few of the shows this summer when I come back from the island. I have to admit though I'm sad that I couldn't Musical Direct this summer, but I'm happy that I'll get to enjoy watching too.

Hope you all have booked your time to Chemainus to come and get me out of my boredom. Oh and see the show. Let me know.

C to the K

So Long and Mcquade... soon

So 2 more weeks until I'm done at Long and Mcquade. I gave my notice a week ago, so I would be able to have enough time to get all my prep done for Chemainus. I handed in my letter of resignation and I was a little sad. I've enjoyed my job here it was great to meet so many great people and contacts in a different field of work. I had thought about asking for a "leave" from the job, but I don't think it would fly being 6 months, but who knows what will happen when I'm done in Chemaninus and broke! Speaking of my work, I was alone today in the choral and band music department. My two co-workers were away today, so I had to hold the fort myself. I'm not that comfortable taking band music calls, because I never really played in highschool band so I don't know the "teacher lingo" that Greg knows. I found that I was much better today, much better then the last time I had to do it alone. The best part of the day was having something to do for the whole day. Most days when the others are there, we all work hard till about 3pm, then there is nothing to do for the rest of the day, and we JUST ran out of make-work-projects we made for ourselves. Now our days end consists of looking up stuff on the net. YAY!

I watched the 2 hour episode of 24 tonight... it was great. So much happened it was hard to take it all in. So many interweaving stories it gets hard to keep it straight. Plus after Jenn and I watched Heroes when she got home. That one is even harder to keep straight... I find that I'm mixing story lines up between the shows. Especially now they both have to do with an explosion. I love Monday nights now.

So I've joined facebook. I have to say it's MUCH better designed then MySpace, and it's more interesting to see all the people's activities updated constantly. So thanks ladies for the join, I likes it. So if you haven't "Friended" me yet.. come on over.

Oh I ordered pizza tonight also, cause I didn't want to leave the house with all the TV excitement going on. I called 310-0001 and ordered myself a medium pepperoni pizza and wings. Wow I forgot how crappy food can make you feel sometimes. I love eating there's no doubt, but pizza is a little like Mcdonald's, it seems like a good idea right up till when you actually eat it, then you ask yourself why did you do it.... Then you go back and do it again the next day. I REALLY have to start eating better. And exercise! OH that reminds me if you read this blog and you want to play some tennis let me know, I need to find some more people to play with.. Let me know.

Jenn's not feeling well, she's working really hard to finish these assignments she has to do for school, but she says she's so sick her "Heads gone soft" I think that's not true, but she is sick so someone send her some E-Vitamin C.

Goodbye

Mixed Emotional Weekend

Hello everybody. Sorry about the crazy time off from blogging. SO MUCH has happened. A great weekend. Thursday night I stepped in and played piano for the Applause Musicals 101 (Jerome Kern) We only had one rehearsal before Thursday night performance. So it was a little stressful, but we got through and the performers were great. After the Thursday performance we had to do it again on Friday night at the West Vancouver Public Library. It was so much more relaxed then Thursday, so we had a better time and the audience just loved it. I hope Applause can do it again in West Van.

Saturday night was a GREAT party! Kaylee's Birthday party was so good, it was Black Tie, so we all dressed up and it was a perfect mix of people, and it seems to be easier to talk to people when they look beautiful for some reason.

Sunday is one of my days off from work, so I really enjoyed sleeping in. Since hockey is on a break cause of the All Star Game on Wednesday, I decided to watch the NFC and the AFC football finals. It was so nice to just watch TV. But after that I had to attend a friends funeral service. Zeyn Ali passed away last week and Jenn and I went to a beautiful service. It was sad, but very well done. I was so happy to see so many people attend. There were some wonderful people there I haven't seen for a long time. It's always unfortunate that such occasions bring people together. I wish I had known Zeyn better, I wish I could have helped. Wishes are sad sometimes.

Bye Zeyn. You'll be missed.