Thursday brought a nice Christmas gift... the chance to slither and slink in the Grinch costume and make-up! With full set and props, I was able to walk through the show as the Grinch in a put-in rehearsal. When I was told they'd be putting this together, I was so excited! It was a chance to gain comfort and learn this show in a new way- rehearse things I could only rehearse with all of the elements involved. Among some of Thursday's lessons, I found out that an Americano is a lovely drink before such a task. Four shots of espresso and I was ready to take a crack at it. I spent some time in make-up, getting "grinchified" step by step, and then it was time to - in the words of the great Barney Stinson - suit up! It didn't take long to gain even more respect for Stefan, running around stage, climbing down the proscenium, tossing all sorts of props as the Grinch steals Christmas. It felt like I had completed a triathlon or Iron Man challenge, and the sopped nature of every layer of clothing I peeled off at the end of the day suggested the same. It was exhausting, but such a rewarding day. I was so so thankful that the cast and crew set up four hours on a show day so that I could have a chance to feel the sensation of moving in the costume and using the numerous props. There is no way to accurately replicate throwing props with long, hairy, grinchy fingers! After having the opportunity to walk through and figure out those major logistical issues, I left feeling sweaty but ultimately relieved! It put me in such a positive state of being, knowing that I'd be that much more comfortable to go on stage in front of an audience. An audience can always tell when an actor is doing something for the first time on stage, and my fear was to be figuring things out in front of an audience and slow the show down. I can't explain how useful it is to now have touched every prop at least once and feel the flow of every scene at least once.
After a four hour put-in rehearsal, there was about a 2-hour gap in which I felt like I was in pure Spongebob absorption mode. I sat and let it all sink in, while resisting the urge to just sleep forever. Then it was straight back to the theatre, switching from Grinch back to Timey (though I'm sure there were patches of green in my ears). The show ran smoothly, the crowd was electric! Pretty amazing that the crowds have been so responsive, especially with Christmas being nearly two months away! It hasn't gotten stale in the least to receive their feedback on our storytelling. Sharing in that joy is not something that seems able to lose its flavor.
After a loooooooooooooooooooong day, it was time to see what the streets of Tulsa had in store for us! Out of all the things I may have expected to find in an Oklahoma town such as this, a retro pub was not something I would have guessed. I was pleasantly surprised when we found "The Max" downtown Tulsa. My childhood, but with a bar. Simpsons, NFL Blitz, Golden Axe, NBA JAM, and of COURSE... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It was everything wonderful, with a pizza place called "Joe Momma's" next door that delivered to The Max! In the words of a classic boy band... "Oh what a night". So so great to spend time with my new family, all of us indulging in what it means to be a kid! Sometimes, all you need is a little arcade action to re-awaken that inner child!
After having a good chunk of time off today, I was offered the opportunity to "Swing out", which means to watch the show from the house. This is another "first" I can cross off the list- a truly odd experience. I went to the dressing room to drop off some stuff and claim my ticket for the night. Then, I slowly and awkwardly walked out the stage door and around to the front of the theater. I walked around the lobby, checked out the merchandise booth and the levels of people waiting for the doors to open. It was a pretty cool thing to take in before the show even started, seeing and hearing the excitement of the audience for what they were about to see. I sat orchestra in the center and resisted the loud voice in my head telling me I should be getting ready to go on stage! As I took the show in as an audience member, I was so glad I took advantage of the opportunity. Seeing this show as a whole and being effected by it from the vantage point of an audience member was so informative and helpful. Especially to watch the Grinch move around the stage, seeing him respond to the audience, and being able to feel in real time the energy and focus he puts out for the audience to take in. Just another useful lesson to put in this ever-growing learning folder. The show really is quite beautiful, and yes, I realize I'm a bit bias. But I couldn't help but smile as I felt the audience react to the things they were seeing for the very first time! What a great reminder in itself- this is their first, even if it's our 14th (it's my job to keep track of the number of shows). It was actually pretty magical to be reminded of what's funny, what's touching, what's special in specific moments of our show. And the aesthetic aspect of the production as a whole was incredible to take in- the scenery, the costumes, the choreography, the storytelling, all of it done so seamlessly! It just made me that much more confident and proud of this show, and of the people who make this show what it is! Marching off to another "6 shows in 36 hours" weekend, and then it's off to New Mexico! Never a dull moment!
After a four hour put-in rehearsal, there was about a 2-hour gap in which I felt like I was in pure Spongebob absorption mode. I sat and let it all sink in, while resisting the urge to just sleep forever. Then it was straight back to the theatre, switching from Grinch back to Timey (though I'm sure there were patches of green in my ears). The show ran smoothly, the crowd was electric! Pretty amazing that the crowds have been so responsive, especially with Christmas being nearly two months away! It hasn't gotten stale in the least to receive their feedback on our storytelling. Sharing in that joy is not something that seems able to lose its flavor.
After a loooooooooooooooooooong day, it was time to see what the streets of Tulsa had in store for us! Out of all the things I may have expected to find in an Oklahoma town such as this, a retro pub was not something I would have guessed. I was pleasantly surprised when we found "The Max" downtown Tulsa. My childhood, but with a bar. Simpsons, NFL Blitz, Golden Axe, NBA JAM, and of COURSE... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It was everything wonderful, with a pizza place called "Joe Momma's" next door that delivered to The Max! In the words of a classic boy band... "Oh what a night". So so great to spend time with my new family, all of us indulging in what it means to be a kid! Sometimes, all you need is a little arcade action to re-awaken that inner child!
After having a good chunk of time off today, I was offered the opportunity to "Swing out", which means to watch the show from the house. This is another "first" I can cross off the list- a truly odd experience. I went to the dressing room to drop off some stuff and claim my ticket for the night. Then, I slowly and awkwardly walked out the stage door and around to the front of the theater. I walked around the lobby, checked out the merchandise booth and the levels of people waiting for the doors to open. It was a pretty cool thing to take in before the show even started, seeing and hearing the excitement of the audience for what they were about to see. I sat orchestra in the center and resisted the loud voice in my head telling me I should be getting ready to go on stage! As I took the show in as an audience member, I was so glad I took advantage of the opportunity. Seeing this show as a whole and being effected by it from the vantage point of an audience member was so informative and helpful. Especially to watch the Grinch move around the stage, seeing him respond to the audience, and being able to feel in real time the energy and focus he puts out for the audience to take in. Just another useful lesson to put in this ever-growing learning folder. The show really is quite beautiful, and yes, I realize I'm a bit bias. But I couldn't help but smile as I felt the audience react to the things they were seeing for the very first time! What a great reminder in itself- this is their first, even if it's our 14th (it's my job to keep track of the number of shows). It was actually pretty magical to be reminded of what's funny, what's touching, what's special in specific moments of our show. And the aesthetic aspect of the production as a whole was incredible to take in- the scenery, the costumes, the choreography, the storytelling, all of it done so seamlessly! It just made me that much more confident and proud of this show, and of the people who make this show what it is! Marching off to another "6 shows in 36 hours" weekend, and then it's off to New Mexico! Never a dull moment!