I can’t believe I’m saying this…but, the show is open! Fortunately a lot of the process has been documented in the Call-Back video episodes, so I haven’t written much, but I’m thrilled to say the show seems to be a hit! The opening night crowd raved last night and I really have to say it’s all becasue of the incredible cast. These five are so professional and talented and attractive that audiences so far really seem to fall in love with them. I thnk they could sing the phone book and crowds would cheer. But the fact that they are singing some of the most beloved music of the musical theatre just makes the evening even more – enchanted! Huntington Playhouse Managing Director Tom Meyrose told me at intermission that he was stopped many times by people raving about the show. He said another indicator of a please audience was how long they stayed at the opening night reception after the show. Well, they did stay. And I talked with many of them about what a fantastic cast was on that stage.

This show was a challenge. I had never directed a revue before and I’ve said before the lack of a firm structure is a blessing and a curse. I second guessed myself many times in this project, but in the end I think I just had faith in the talent of the cast and the magic of the music. And it seems like that was they way to go.

I have to say thank you to many people for making the show possible: Tom Meyrose and everyone at Huntington Playhouse especially our Stage Manager Mark Williamson, Dale Hruska and Keith. Our band Bryan Bird on Keys and Joe on drums. The amazing duo of Choreographer Jennifer Glowe and Costumer David Glowe and of course my partner in this whole project from the very beginning Musical Director John Franks.

But most of all my heart and thanks goes out to the five amazing singers on that stage – Liz Baumgartner, Colleen Zettler, Bob Stoesser, Maureen Clark and Ben Czarnota. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with all of you and I can’t wait to do it again. And to any other directors, producers, casting agents, etc. …if any one of these five ever graces your door, do not hesitate…..grab them, embrace them and thank your lucky stars they gave you the time of day. I know I do.

I said at the very beginning of this blog that the start of the process of outting together a show is sort of lonely for a director. You’re the one thinking about the show in vivid detail – living in it in your imagination – long before anyhone else even knows it’s going to happen. The end of the process – at least the end for the director – which is always the very beginning of the run for the cast – is the same. All of a sudden you’re not an intrigal part of the group. No one looks to you anymore for advice on a scene or a song. The show is theirs now. A very happy weirdness. But in the hands of these five, there is no other place I would like my show to be.

Much Love – Geoff

Going along with the concept of setting this Rodgers and Hammerstein revue in an urban street setting (see the “Call-Back: Some Enchanted Evening – Pt. 3″ video episode below), here are some cool cast photos in that theme.

Can’t believe we open this week! But this cast is amazing! Here are some images from the last few days.

Check out the latest Call-Back Episode featuring Some Enchanted Evening!

Check out the latest Call-Back Episode featuring a behind the scenes look as our rehearsals ramp up!

Call-Back : Some Enchanted Evening – Pt. 2

Also enjoy some recent rehearsal pix!

Well…our first few rehearsals obviously were music rehearsals with John Franks, our Music Director. It stands to reason that in a musical revue, the most important aspect of the show is the music…duh!!! And what musicians these artists are! I know I sound gushy but these singers rock!!! And on top of everything they’re really sweet. As usual I’m feeling behind the eight ball and yet in actuality we’re already over halfway done blocking the show! So many of the numbers are ballad solos that won’t require blocking and choreography, so we’re doing fine as far as pace goes. It seems like the cast likes my concept of reworking the setting of the show from a backstage then onstage concept to a setting on an urban street where an “enchanted radio” seemingly abandoned in a homeless person’s shopping cart helps a group of street musicians discover that the power of beautiful music like Rodgers and Hammerstein really can change the world.

But there are challenges looming….our beautiful Baritone Ben Czarnota is so awesome that he has been noticed by casting directors for a national tour and has a call-back today in New York!!! Obviously that would be awesome for Ben but would take him out of the show….so….we’re holding our breath!!!! Of course all my good wishes go to Ben…but not really, if you know what I mean!!

Last night marked the beginning of the rehearsal process for Some Enchanted Evening.  This is such a great cast…they sounded fantastic already – even with that nervous, tentative feeling all of us have felt singing in front of brand new cast mates for the very first time.  But like anything else, all it takes is the first few notes before the singers felt the support and understanding of actually singing something for the first time outside of your car and in front of someone more than a housecat.  These people are truly professionals and they sound like it.  And they’re really nice people as well, which is ever so sweet icing on the cake.

I took a lot of time to explain my concept of the show.  I think the cast was relieved that I essentially rewrote the very opening of the show.  We all felt that the written opening was corny and not very effective.  I really wanted to use the urban street scene setting for this review that I talked about in the introductory video…but how to establish a group of people suddenly singing the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein on a city street?  Well I think the concept I came up with will work well and the cast really seemed to like it a lot better.  We’re off to a great start and I’m already excited for this show.  We start with music rehearsals, learning the group numbers and moving onto solos and then putting the show on its feet with blocking.  These people are amazing and I can’t wait to see how the arrangements organically grow with their increasing confidence which will give them the freedom to explore these most popular of musical theatre songs.  I already heard- yes, in day one – the glimmers of unique and fresh approaches to these songs which will be ever so important to my concept of this revue.  The balance comes in staying faithful to the songs – trusting this wonderful music – while still breathing new life into them and presenting them out of context of their original shows, as stand-alone songs.  I think they will be fantastic at that.

Well, if I didn’t feel blessed enough to have the cast I had before – and I did – I feel even more so now having our final piece of the puzzle join the show. He’s Benjamin Czarnota, a young member of the Baldwin-Wallace college voice faculty with an incredible baritone instrument. He’s going to sound great singing this music and we’re lucky to have him! Welcome to the family Benjamin!

Click here to see a little of Benjamin doing his thang!