Weekend Three and Moving Forward

I wrestled ALL week with whether or not to give notes on last weekend's performances. There were some significant issues that SHOULD be corrected, along with some minor issues that COULD be corrected. In the end, I kept coming back to the same resolution.

We have a good show. Everything that happened last weekend that could be improved should be improved, but you don't need me to tell you what those things are, because they are ALL things I've given notes on before. I'm not giving up, I just think that the more I try to muck with things that are probably not going to change anyway, the greater the chance that we lose some of the REALLY GREAT stuff that is going exceptionally right.

So THAT is what I'm going to focus on in this set of notes, so that we can complete this journey together on a positive note. It has been an exceptionally rewarding experience, and I want us to finish it together and in sync.

Jeff - Thanks so much for everything you've done and everything you do to keep this show moving forward. From Narracott to follow spot (heh heh heh!), there's a very subtle but important grease you add to the wheels of our bus. Thanks!

Leland - You follow your instincts but you are also a very disciplined performer. Enjoy this performance as a final swan song of Tony Marston.

Tami - Continue to give us those great, scary little glimmers of darkness that Ethel has, but keep it understated. Enjoy living in her skin one last time.

Jerry - Send the General off with a fitting salute. Continue to keep the wonderful dignity you bring to the role. Enjoy Mac's final slow descent into dementia. Don't forget to play off of Vera, as she is your greatest possibility of assistance for Mac. Look for the answers to it all in her eyes, and allow yourself to get angry when the answers aren't there.

Helene - Keep up the great work. Keep it fresh and allow Vera's words to wound you so that you can build the defenses back up.

Aaron - I'm going to miss working with you, my friend. Keep up the solid, inspired performance, and enjoy experiencing all of the great ups and downs Rogers goes through before falling to pieces (bwahahaha).

Howard - Understated. Understated. Understated. You are at your absolute best when you aren't "playing" crazy. Especially at the end. Your best delivery, even though the lines weren't solid yet, was on opening Saturday. You rattled through the oppressive final monologue as though it were a deposition briefing, and you played it low. Do that once more. You don't have to yell to get your point across. Subtle. Creepy but calm. Skate along just below the radar and Wargrave's plan will work out perfectly.

Mark - It has been an extreme pleasure watching you develop and refine this character. I hope it was as rewarding to do as it is to watch. Thank you for growing with the role without changing the arc of your character or of the story. Tap in a LITTLE BIT into the true mania that bubbles under the surface. We've been close to seeing it. Let just a little slip out this time and surprise us. You know where it will work best, I think.

Jack - You've had this guy locked in tight for months now. On this final performance, give him just a LITTLE more probability of totally loosing it. Make the other characters (like Armstrong) have a reason to suspect you. Make their characters work for it by making opportunities for the other actors. You do that well. Trust that they will take those opportunities and run with them. And thanks for all of your hard work.

John - Great stuff man. I hope this was fun and interesting for you, because it's just great to see how malleable you are as an actor. I love it. Once it's just you and Vera, keep it real. Forget the mechanics of HOW you need to do something I blocked you into; go for the WHY Lombard is where he is and does what he does. Relax. You (John) have got it under control. Now make us believe that you (Lombard) have lost it all.

Linda - You've got it all down. You're solid. I love everything up until the darkness scene. In rehearsal, early on, in the darkness, Vera was petrified, like a possum too scared to move. What has happened though, is that it's regressed to comfort, and that comfort carries on into the next scene, but it can't. If you're comfortable, there's something wrong, as there are five dead bodies in there, and you're calmly stuffing your face. Then, when Blore gets whacked, you've got no where to go. The interaction with Lombard about having to get out of the house doesn't work. Also, don't forget, Blore is lying dead outside, so when you go out there, imagine you see him. Let it all build up to the utter breakdown that is impending. Let it take you away. Enjoy it and don't be afraid to give up a lot of control this final time.

Jenn - Thanks for running this whole ship. Keep everyone on their toes and don't allow them (or yourself) to get sloppy. Keep this final performance clean, and let's give them everything they need to knock it out of the park.

Shawn - Everything is great. Thanks for keeping it all on track up in the booth, and for helping Amanda get it all down as well. It's great. Let's keep it nailed down for this last show. I can't imagine having done it without you.

Brittney - Thanks for all of your hard work as well. I know you're doing a great job because I've had essentially ZERO notes for you, but your efforts are GREATLY appreciated. I'm proud to have you on the staff, and it's great you get to support your folks. We really love you guys!

That will be it. I'll post one or two follow-ups after this, but nothing major. See you this weekend!

- Sean