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