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