Well, we were supposed to start blocking Act 2 of Rumors today; but Mr. Covid had other ideas. Several cast members have tested positive, so rehearsals for this week have been cancelled. Yesterday, I swung by CVS and bought an at- home Covid test, which cost some twenty plus bucks. Now, I thought these things were supposed to be free. I was told to keep my receipt, as my insurance carrier may reimburse.
Don't you just love the picture on the box? "Gee Grandpa, do you think I'll ever catch a life threatening respiratory disease?....Grandpa? Grandpa? Grandpa...why didn't your generation do anything to protect the environment? Grandpa, you need to trim your nose hair..."
So reassuring!
Anyways...see how it says "EASY" on the box? Well, it's not really that easy. I was put in mind of the first at home pregnancy tests that came with beakers and a Bunsen burner. However, according to Quick Vue's precise directions, my test was clearly negative. Which is great. I was almost certain it wouldn't be, 'cuz that's just my luck. But by this point in my life, I've had so many preventative inoculations and vaccinations and prophylaxes pumped into my body I could probably go wander through the Ebola hot zone and come out relatively unscathed on the other side.
Rumors is not a musical. However, I have been, at this point, in my fair share. My first was a little show called The Green Room. This was about twenty years ago (or more!). Here's a number, kids! I'm in the orange shirt:
So reassuring!
Anyways...see how it says "EASY" on the box? Well, it's not really that easy. I was put in mind of the first at home pregnancy tests that came with beakers and a Bunsen burner. However, according to Quick Vue's precise directions, my test was clearly negative. Which is great. I was almost certain it wouldn't be, 'cuz that's just my luck. But by this point in my life, I've had so many preventative inoculations and vaccinations and prophylaxes pumped into my body I could probably go wander through the Ebola hot zone and come out relatively unscathed on the other side.
Rumors is not a musical. However, I have been, at this point, in my fair share. My first was a little show called The Green Room. This was about twenty years ago (or more!). Here's a number, kids! I'm in the orange shirt:
This is the little show that could. And I can say I was in the friggin' workshop production. So here's the skinny...
It was around the turn of the last millennium, '99-2000 and The Off Hollywood Theater Company was having its heyday; although, at the time the company was not aware it was their heyday. So, one day, the new boyfriend of one of the founders of the company, a young man named Chuck Pelletier, came to some of us and said: "My friend wrote a short story and I want to turn it into a musical. Do you want to be in it?" I raised an eyebrow. Why was he asking me? I wasn't exactly known for my singing. Had he heard me sing? Was he offering the part to me because he felt he had to or did he feel I would be up to the challenge? I wasn't sure; but I said "yes." I find you almost never regret saying "yes" but you often regret saying "no." Know what I mean?
So, he goes and finishes the thing and comes back to us with this short musical show about four college friends, all acting majors, on the verge of graduation. They hang out in the school's drama department "green room." There, they try and finish papers, goof around, fall in love and wonder about their futures. There's no plot really. I thought the book needed a little work; but the songs. The songs! The songs, I thought, were incredible. Like just not Broadway good; but Sondheim good.
So Chuck proceeds to put us through our paces. He brooked no nonsense. I barely knew him but got to know him pretty quick. He had a great sense of humor and was a very "nice guy." But when it came to the music, he was more serious than Beethoven. Bordering on dictatorial (because perhaps he had to with at least two non-singers in his cast) he dropped us into complicated musical arrangements, that I, for one, wasn't sure we could pull off. But I think we did.
Here's another number from the show with the original cast:
It was around the turn of the last millennium, '99-2000 and The Off Hollywood Theater Company was having its heyday; although, at the time the company was not aware it was their heyday. So, one day, the new boyfriend of one of the founders of the company, a young man named Chuck Pelletier, came to some of us and said: "My friend wrote a short story and I want to turn it into a musical. Do you want to be in it?" I raised an eyebrow. Why was he asking me? I wasn't exactly known for my singing. Had he heard me sing? Was he offering the part to me because he felt he had to or did he feel I would be up to the challenge? I wasn't sure; but I said "yes." I find you almost never regret saying "yes" but you often regret saying "no." Know what I mean?
So, he goes and finishes the thing and comes back to us with this short musical show about four college friends, all acting majors, on the verge of graduation. They hang out in the school's drama department "green room." There, they try and finish papers, goof around, fall in love and wonder about their futures. There's no plot really. I thought the book needed a little work; but the songs. The songs! The songs, I thought, were incredible. Like just not Broadway good; but Sondheim good.
So Chuck proceeds to put us through our paces. He brooked no nonsense. I barely knew him but got to know him pretty quick. He had a great sense of humor and was a very "nice guy." But when it came to the music, he was more serious than Beethoven. Bordering on dictatorial (because perhaps he had to with at least two non-singers in his cast) he dropped us into complicated musical arrangements, that I, for one, wasn't sure we could pull off. But I think we did.
Here's another number from the show with the original cast:
So, The Green Room still trods the boards fairly regularly. I have not seen it's current incarnation but the two songs I've featured here are still in the show with little to no changes. Apparently, the show is quite popular with small theatrical groups and schools. The simplicity of the show (one set, four characters) lends itself to this popularity. But I think it's the amazing songs that are what keep this show alive. I am certain this show is going have a break-through. Like a big one. And it deserves it. And I'm so glad I said "yes" those twenty odd years ago; because I feel like I had a small part in bringing something--a real piece of ART--to life.
I hope some theatrical producer is out there reading this. Anyone but Scott "String Cheese Now!!!" R. Or how about Mr. String Cheese. If anything, he knows a good thing when he sees it!
CFR 7/722
I hope some theatrical producer is out there reading this. Anyone but Scott "String Cheese Now!!!" R. Or how about Mr. String Cheese. If anything, he knows a good thing when he sees it!
CFR 7/722
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