Notes From April 12 Rehearsal

I thought I wouldn’t post anything because we covered so much in our discussion after practice.  But after viewing Mrs. Green’s video, I noticed some trouble spots that need to be addressed.

A couple general notes –

I think for Act One, we’ll move the bandstand forward a couple of feet and move the tables and chairs in toward the center a few feet (especially the 3 chairs on the left).  For Act Two, when we’ll be using the radio booth more and we have more scenes with lots of people, we’ll move the bandstand back and the tables and chairs back to their current positions.

I was struck by how often our hostesses are clumped into one large group and how stiff you are.  I’ll work on improving the blocking, you work on improving your interacting.

Scene 5:  Girls, be on the bandstand before you are introduced.  At the end of the song, walk over to the stairs area – Hazel, Judy, Eve, Rose and Mabel to the right, Barbara, Carol, Sharon, Josephine and Georgi’s character to the left.  Climb onto the stairs and get into position as Ruth and Rebekah are speaking.  Spread out to take up the entire bandstand.  Step up as you are introduced (if your character is more shy or coy, you can be sheepish; if your character is more outgoing you can have a bolder response)

I’d like to move Edith, James & Israel to the left front chair area so we can see you better and the Taylor Sisters aren’t out on their own so much.  Angie & Lucy, let’s move you two up a little as well, more in front of the radio booth.  Be sure everyone reacts to the Taylor Sisters as they’re talking and to the hostesses as they’re being introduced.

Hostesses – after you’ve all been introduced, leave the bandstand and fan out more.  The half of you that are on the right side of the stage, move off in that direction.  Rose and Judy, go and stand by the boys, the rest you go into your own cluster.  The same with the girls on the left side of the stage – Mabel and Carol, go by where the boys and Edith are sitting on the chairs, the other ones stay more by the radio booth and interact with each other.  Be sure to mime talking with whomever you’re next to.

Tallulah – wait until after Kitty is introduced and the guys respond until you say, “Wait”

Hugo – try emphasizing the word ‘my’ instead of ‘boys’.  I want you to be contrasting your brood with Tallulah's.

Scene 7 – Mrs. Wilcox – be sure to face the audience when you say your lines.  Taylor Sisters, move up so she doesn’t feel like she needs to turn to you.

Scene 8 – Government Agents – move closer to Taylor Sisters.  Mrs. Wilcox, don’t move so far to the right.

Scene 13 – Kilroy – after you enter move more forward on the stage.

Scene 14- Hypnotism scene – The chair placement is fine.  We don’t need to change it.  We have too many people in the back.  We need to move you up so you can see the action and the audience can see your reaction better.

Carl, Leo & Floyd – after the other guys are in their position, you move up so you can see the show.  You definitely don’t want to miss it.  We’ll place you further down from the front table, but more to the right. 

Eve, Barbara, Carol & Mabel – move to the table that the boys vacate.  Eve & Barbara sit down, Carol & Mabel stand behind and between them.  Keep watching and enjoying the show and gesturing to each other about what’s going on.

Angie – move between and slightly behind the 2 tables, discretely taking notes during the performance.

Mrs. King & Ruth move forward and in more to watch the show.

Rose, Hazel,  Josephine & Georgi – you stay behind the chairs, kind of between the radio booth and the chairs.  All of you move more toward the center so you can see the action, with Rose closest to the center.

Scene 20:  This is another scene where we have too many hostesses standing stiffly in one area.  I’m sorry to be changing this again, but I think I’ve got it this time.

When the scene starts, we’ll keep the guys on stage as they have been. 

Rose and Mabel will also be on stage.  You’ll be sitting on the left center end of the bandstand with your legs dangling (but not messing up the bunting J), looking over at the guys but also talking to each other. 

Judy and Hazel – You’ll be standing and talking to each other just to the left of the back left table.  When Gladys brings the donuts in, you’ll move closer in to the table (not that you want the donuts so much, but you don’t want Gladys being the only one getting attention from the fellas!)  We won’t have any other hostesses on stage until after Mrs. King calls for them.  Be sure to say your lines loud and clearly!

When Mrs. King, Vida and Pamela enter, Rose, Mabel, Judy & Hazel will all move in closer. 

Mrs. King – Move toward left side to call the people in.  (Vida and Pamela, back off slightly to the left when she does that)

When she calls you in, Lucy and Rebekah, move to the center in front of the bandstand.  Female agents, enter from the left and stay in the back left, between the radio table and the bandstand. 

Everyone needs to gather in closer to Mrs. King as Hazel, Judy, Rose and Mabel are saying their lines (ending with ‘take my picture’).  Valerie, Melba, Kitty and Professor – instead of moving over to the chairs when you enter, stay closer to the center – between Mrs. King and the chairs. 

Edith and Edna – lean in in anticipation of what she’s going to tell you.

Lucy and Rebekah come forward more.  Female agents move in slightly.  Everyone on the right side tilt your bodies in as well for the announcement.  This is a big deal and you want to find out what the big news is!

Everyone - have an exaggerated tilt toward the center as you say ‘AAAA’

We need more excitement from everyone about the jukebox, and as you’re getting into your spots for the dance. 

Start moving the jukebox on sooner – as Edna says ‘Hey baba rebop’

If you have time to take a quick look or touch at the jukebox before the dance starts, do it.

The exiting after Slap That Jukebox was sloppy and dull.  Remember, you were so excited about that jukebox you did a whole song and dance about it! 

After the dance, have a spring in your step as you leave.  Mime talking excitedly to the people next to you as you go.  A couple of you can give the jukebox a quick pat as you go.  Exit enthusiastically and purposefully – assume that they’re serving ice cream in the other room and you don’t want to be the last in line.  Taylor Sisters – you can be the last ones to leave -  you can be herding everyone else into the other room.  Female agents - linger by the jukebox until almost everyone has gone, then you can step forward.