Rehearsal Journal

Two more shots of some of the greyhounds who’ll be taking part in The Comedy of Errors:

Artistic Director Steve Maler meeting Gill (you may have seen this picture in Friday’s Globe):

And Zelda again:

It Begins…, originally uploaded by rpmaxwell.

So much catching up to do, dear readers.

The truss is assembled on the Common. The lights are cabled and ready for focusing. The deck is being put down. The stage is ready to go up on top of that. And in rehearsal today, we ran the show twice.

Work is continuing on the set and lights throughout the weekend. We’ll be running things again tomorrow in rehearsal.

Everything is coming together so fast and so (knock on wood) well.

Can’t wait to get out there under the lights.

Yesterday, Steve Maler took a break from rehearsal to head to the Common and meet some late additions to the cast of The Comedy of Errors: the first three members of a rotating cast of greyhounds who will be a highlight of the dumbshows between Shakespeare’s acts.

So, internet, meet Ben:

Zelda:

And Gill:

All three of these dogs were adopted after they left racetracks in various parts of the world and come to Commonwealth Shakespeare Company thanks to the interest and efforts of Greyhound Friends in Hopkington, MA.

It Takes Two, originally uploaded by rpmaxwell.

Actors Rebecca Whitehurst and Dan Roach work a tango into Act 4.

Just in case you might be getting the impression that this show is all singing and dancing: Here’s a brief reminder that the production going on behind the scenes is just as big as the one that shows up on stage (Though there is significantly less singing and dancing at production meetings…)

Let’s Face the Music…, originally uploaded by rpmaxwell.

Another week closer to opening. Another day in the hall. Another high-energy, full-company production number.

You might not want to get too attached to your socks, because this production may just knock them off.

• Mad Dog’s Tooth - Somewhere in the Florida Keys; great steamers and beer
• Circe’s Cup - Upscale joint where the karaoke night is mostly the Thompson Twins
• The Melancholy Vale - Traditional Irish bar that also serves absinthe and pernod
• The Naked Sword - Let’s just say there are no all-ages shows…
• The Abbey Walls - A real bar-bar in a basement right off the campus of a topflight university

But don’t take our word for it: check out the text yourselves and let us know if you find any others.

Notes Panorama, originally uploaded by rpmaxwell.

Pictured: Artistic Director Steve Maler gives notes to the company of The Comedy of Errors after the first stumble through of the first three acts of the play. (Click through for full-sized and full effect)

Stumble through of Part One was a resounding success. There is still a lot of detail work to be done, and everyone was in a state of shock afterwards: at what we have been able to put together in such a short amount of time. But also energized by the possibilities: what this group has already done is only proof that we are ready and capable of doing so much more…

Which is a good thing, as we are now diving headlong into PART TWO! (MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA)

Jitters and nerves were flowing back-stage as the actors and actresses waiting to take their turn to show they have what it takes this summer. 

One confident actress, Hannah Jane McMurray, stated, “I auditioned the first time hoping for a call-back, not for the role.” She took a unique approach, taking it one step at a time. It made her less nervous this time around, rather than pacing every few minutes, as others were doing. 

While others who were more nervous, were so because the call-backs entailed a piece from Henry IV Act 5, Scene 2, which was chosen for them. As Jeremy Browne stated, “it was like a curveball being thrown for the scene and song selection.” A curveball or not - these actors and actresses were very talented, even if they were beginners such as Ashley Gramdini who is still a Junior at Wellesley College. 

My favorite part of the auditions was the female song selection, which entailed the females ranting and raving of how and why they “hate men.” The best was when a gentleman also had to sing that for his song selection. Lets just say, the individuals critiquing their performances were having a hard time not laughing throughout the song, especially during the lyric, “He may have hair upon his chest but, sister, so has Lassie.”

Ladies n’ Gentlemen - no matter who is chosen for the upcoming play - it shall be a performance not to be missed, as seen just from these auditions. 

After a couple of rain delays, tonight’s finally the official opening night performance of As You Like It!

We hope you get a chance to come visit us on the Common before August 3rd. All of the work that we’ve done is for you and we want to share it with as many people as possible. 

See you soon! 

-Karl

Photos by T. Charles Erickson