Category Archives: School

I could do that again.

And I think I will. Three more times, to be exact.

If they can keep the energy up for three more shows, this will have been one of the most rewarding musical theater productions of my career — simply on merit of the B,S & T it took to get there.

RtB readers/posters Krissy, Meg and Sam were all wonderful on their features. Also, it was great fun to be reunited in the pit once again with Lars and #1 Son. How awesome is that?

So I’m going to take some photos tonight (if I remember). I’ll post some here tomorrow, after it’s all over and we can all breathe again.

Hitting the showers, then the school house. Have a great Saturday, my fiends.

Fink out.

Am I forgetting something?

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Nah, it’s not a crazy day.

I did forget several things. Hmmm. Setting up my orchestra pit (yes, we don’t have a real performance space, so my pit has to be “set up” in front of the stage). Mic batteries. Folding the programs. Ironing the outfit.

Forgot to tell the cast about twenty things after rehearsal last night. Oh well. Too late now. I was honestly so overjoyed that they actually showed up as actors, I couldn’t say much. Then there was the moment afterwards when someone was blocking the doors and I couldn’t get out of the room…I was sure they were defiling the Mighty Ford Ranger, but I was mistaken. I think they were plotting my accidental death come Sunday.

No matter. It will have been a terrific ride.

Bando, Conger…how’d opening night go?

Fink, to the ironing board

Image copyright Warner Bros. Entertainment

Thunderbirds are “go.”

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We’re tired, we’re a trifle loopy, and maybe a little sadder along with the wiser. But we are going to be ready to open tomorrow.

After an intense but productive meeting before rehearsal last night, seventeen young adults reminded me of why I do this. And while we have miles to go before we sleep, it always helps to know we might get there with the wheels still on.

The coffee tastes good for the first time in weeks. And dig this — I turned off my reading light at 11 p.m., and wasn’t conscious again until 4:50. How ’bout them road apples, fiends? Almost six uninterrupted hours of sleep? Sheesh. Dozin’ the day away…

Happy Thursday, and feel free to wish my girl Bando a fractured femur. Her show opens tonight! (Alas for You, dearie…heh)

Nuclear fission

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Yep. Last night, I experienced it. Or rather, my students did.

Not pretty.

I hate doing that. I really do. And I feel it coming, too. It’s like a slow, nauseating build-up, as the TNT gradually inches its way closer to the plutonium cell. Then, kachinky. Fission. Bodies everywhere. I go completely blind with rage and forget to be the lady my mama raised me to be. I turn into something ugly and horrible. A hag with horns and fangs.

And the thing is — and I have to hand it to my cast, no lie — they stood there patiently, waiting for the cloud to dissipate. (With abject hatred in their hearts, I’m sure, but they stood there like soldiers nonetheless.)

So why do they put up with the likes of me? I have no idea. But I’m glad they do, because they are truly good at this musical theater thing. I know, all directors yell. I’ve been at this game long enough to know that. But somehow, I like to pride myself on retaining some modicum of self-control, so as not to come off looking like a complete lunatic.

[At this point, Mathew and Kody are laughing. Godspell 2004, anyone?]

Anyway, the self-control thing didn’t happen last night. And the meltdown occurred, oh, three minutes into the first number. Some of them, I’m sure, are still seething about it. I’m developing a nasty cold sore for my efforts. Serves me right. And I don’t even have the slightest recollection of what all I said to them. It’s a blur…but at least it’s Friday.

Fink out (to the pharmacy for some Abreva).

Rockin' the Bourgeoisie

Your friend Rat Fink fires the neurons at random