Thank you for your patience in waiting for some scheduling. Only yesterday did all conflicts and availability come in (and some things are still in flux). And we now have a wonderful new Musical Director / Pianist: Tim Ribner.
We also have a HUGE challenge I did not foresee. Currently, if I were to honor every conflict request, there would not be a single day when the entire cast can be on stage together until we hit tech rehearsals. Some individuals have listed up to three major conflicts each week - many are missing almost an entire week. And the hope of adding some flexibility with Fridays and Sundays has basically not panned out at all.
It never occurred to me that with this show - and given how much we emphasized its difficulty and the importance of few (if any) conflicts - that I'd be dealing with more conflict requests than for any show in Teen West Project history. Obviously, if I honor all these requests, the show will not go on.
(To the few who listed no conflicts, you are our cast heroes at the moment!!!)
My hope is that this ensemble wishes to remain in tact - and that we, as a show company, do not want to cancel the production. That said, in talking with Mr. Miller, we must face the fact that we can't mount a premiere musical if the cast cannot work together on stage at the same time.
So what is the plan?
I have penned a schedule for this coming week. See below. Please note that all conflicts for first rehearsal on Monday 3/6 were listed as "Flexible". I will not honor any requests for Monday 3/6. You all must attend. If you do not, you will no longer be in the production. (Obviously, in the case of severe illness or a family emergency, we'd negotiate this. Otherwise...no.)
At this first rehearsal, we will do a read through (no singing) of the book. And then we will have a discussion about how to move forward, given the conflicts. In preparation for this meeting, I ask that you each look again at your requests and see what can be cleared - especially for M-TH (4:00p - 7:30p) which was the original schedule you all signed off on last fall at auditions.
I regret that the tone of this post is so dire and somewhat negative. I absolutely LOVE this cast and have been looking forward to collaborating with you all year. But Playwrights West and SouthWest StageWorks will not put forth a poor product - and enter into a process knowing that it can't work. It dishonors your talent, the department, our two theatre companies, Nico Vilches, and the audience.
My hope is that we will problem solve this together on Monday - and then move forward with joy - and bring this exciting project to life!
Here is the schedule for next week:
M 3/6
4:00p - 7:30p
Called: Full Cast
Agenda: First Read, Schedule Solving, Script Discussion
T 3/7
4:00p - 5:15p
Called: KIRK / EMMA
Agenda: Scene / Character Work
W 3/8
4:00p - 7:00p
Called: Full Cast
Agenda: Music Rehearsal
TH 3/9
4:00p - 5:15p
Called: KIRK / GRANT
Agenda: Scene / Character Work
F 3/10
4:00p - 5:00p
Called: GRANT
Agenda: Music - "I Don't Know"
5:00p - 6:30p
Called: MADISON
Agenda: Music - "Egregious Agreement" / "Call Me How You Feel About Me"
