March 5, 2007

• Is it wick?

  Dickon: Ay op. Hello there, Mary.
  Mary: Ay op. Hello there.
  Dickon: But why are you in such a bad temper, Mary? Are ye weary of lookin’ for the key?
  Mary: No, I found the key.
  Dickon: You did? So I see. You’re weary of lookin for the door.
  Mary: I’m not weary. I found the door too. The garden is dead.

  Dickon: A lot of things what looks dead is just biin’ their time. Now you tell me exactly what you saw.
  Mary: It’s cold and gray. The trees are gray, the earth is gray. And there’s this clingy kind of haze over everything.
  Dickon: Like a body were in a dream.

  Dickon: But did you take a look real close look at anything? Did you scrape away a bit of the bark and have a real look? Mary, the strongest roses will fair thrive on bein’ neglected, if the soil is rich enough. They’ll run all wild, and spread and spread til they’re a wonder.
  Mary: You mean it might be alive? But how can we tell?
  Dickon: Oh, I can tell if a thing is wick.

  (song)
  Dickon: When a thing is wick it has a life about it.
  Maybe not a life like you and me.
  But somewhere there’s a secret streak of green inside it,
  Now come and let me show you what I mean...

  You clear away the dead parts
  So the tender buds can form.
  Loosen up the earth and
  Let the roots get warm
  Let the roots get warm
  …
  

  Mary: When a thing is wick,
  and someone cares about it,
  And comes to work each day,
  like you and me,
  (spoken) Will it grow?

  Dickon: It will.
  Mary: Then have no doubt about it,
  We’ll have the grandest garden ever seen.

  (Copyright 1992, 93 Marsha Norman; from The Secret Garden musical)
  

  The Secret Garden

  I am so deeply privileged! Last night, Sunday night, we had our first meeting for the musical- a read through of the script and, as we were informed, perhaps the only time we will gather together in an almost whole group prior to a month before the play itself (in June, whilest the play is in July). I have heard, of course, the broadway soundtrack all through several times. But let me tell you, it was quite a thing to sit down in the theatre with most of the cast and add my voice to the spoken dialogue- even if I just had a few lines here and there. Already it is clear that the director and producers did such a meticulous job choosing just the right people for each part, and the two Marys and Collins (they’ll swap out, apparently, on differing nights) are each astounding. And that is before even having seen them do their dancing and singing!

  What a delight- hearing the actor playing the father do such a rich and well accented performance. I cannot wait to hear them sing their parts!

  My wonderful responsibility

  I am an understudy for the gardener, Ben Weatherstaff, and while it would be a true delight to get to stand in for him- my true delight is as a chorus member.

  I remember I used to be so eager to get a chance in choir, particularly in high school, to be part of the ensemble. Instead of a choir of four or so basses, there were only two bass singers- and two or so of each other part, a smaller group. I thought, similarly, the chorus of ‘dreamers’, or as the director wants to honestly call it- the ghosts/dead (less confusing that way, really- since each ghost represents an actual character you’ve met in the beginning). That I can see, the chorus is actually played primarily by only four characters! I am the only bass/baritone part- and how exciting that is! A bit challenging too, since it will be my first time singing without anyone else doing my part in a chorus.

  I really am delighted, since the part is definitely low- very powerful, and it carries the power and heart of the choral songs. Oh I am so delighted! I would much rather sing a strong bass part fitting my voice than strain through an awkward lead role and feel idiotic.

  After this, auditioning to ‘just act’ will be a sinch- hardly anything in comparison. Going on stage to talk out a part infront of a crowd? Yeash, that’s nothing compared to having to put your voice on display- you can easily recover a missed line or a misstep whilest acting, but one cracked note or off-key word? No hiding that.

  I’m so excited to be part of such a lovely, detailed, and well chosen production. They’re already almost halfway through raising the $10,000 needed for costumes alone- they are making, from scratch, period costumes for the late 19th century look each character will need. The director has done this musical at least once before- so she has a very good, solid idea of what she wants to do and what will be needed.

  Future growth

  I am the only adult actor there who seems to be brand new to working with either this community theatre or any of the others in Columbia. Fresh meat, I suppose one might say. It made it a little awkward being the only one not recognising familiar faces, however I am sure with time I shall get to know people here and there- it’s hard to ignore me.

  I am already feeling excited and, quite honestly, hooked. Many people acting in this are doing other productions at the same time! It makes me wonder about trying to get involved, myself, in more acting opportunities. Adding this to my resume of acting/singing credentials will surely help future pursuits, as well. For now, however, I will simply eagerly anticipate and prepare for this musical.

  I have a pretty decent job ahead of me. Memorising music has never been too hard, but I will need to learn the few lines and then the choral parts for Major Holmes. Secondly, and quite a task in and of itself since I never know IF I will actually use it- is learning the enterity of Ben Weatherstaff’s role, just incase I need to sub for him. Fortunately it isn’t a character with a lot of primary dialogue- and I want to do a good job so that if I do have to sub, I can impress them with pulling it off well.

  Road Runner Returns

  My Road Runner cable internet is back! So that’s why it has been a little bit. I missed you guys over the weekend! I hope to see more of you now!

  -Patrick

  • 10:41 am
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