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

Call-Back : Some Enchanted Evening – Pt. 2

Also enjoy some recent rehearsal pix!

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!!

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.

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