Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Goodbye for Now
For now, this blog must come to an end...and the simple reason: too little time to keep it up as I would like to...so, thanks to all who have read it and sent me wonderfully loving comments....apologies to all I may have offended.
I send love to all..peace and contentment.
Blessings on this world we live in......
Bye for now.....
evalyn
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Time Flies When You're Having....
...what? Sheer exhaustion? And fun...let's not forget fun....because despite the most backbreaking schedule I probably have ever had, I am having glints of deep fun directing EVITA (working with this company of talented actors makes it an amazing experience, not to mention the astonishing theatricality of the show itself!)....and working on THE CURE FOR LOVE at the same time (my split days usually have no breaks, despite the very best efforts of one of the best stage managers I've ever worked with: Cindi Raeble), has been a true test of my limits....and since I'm now 60 years old (and proud of it), my limits are more visible than they used to be.
My limits, physical and mental, are also more emotionally palpable than ever: i vibrate to the daily tunes of tension, fatigue, and fear ....tension created by no time to breathe, fatigue, because I wake up nightly at 3:00 am and have too much on mind to get back to sleep, and fear, that it might not all get done! Because I am happily responsible for all my Outreach projects at the same time all these rehearsals are going on, and June Barter acting classes start in June!!! Individually, each of these demands on me is connected to a project I love...but shouldering them all at the same time is at times making me fall apart....and I thank Gd my best pals here, understand what's going on, because they too are under the same sorts of pressures....it's just how it is at Barter, at its busiest times...and no one works harder than Rick Rose, who, as days go by, I admire more than ever: his grueling determined focus on making this theater great has resulted in the sort of schedule I described above ...but he's been on that schedule for 16 years...ever since he arrived here with his amazing wife Amanda Aldridge , to pick this theater up out of its obscurity and make it matter to the larger community again!! Amanda is EVITA's choreographer and costume designer...without her, I would be dead on the floor, and sad! She is an amazing collaborator! But I knew that from working with her on OKLAHOMA here several years ago....i love her so much...and she understands how delicate I've been feeling lately, and she knows, from sheer experience, that good rest and abundant sleep are the best cures! SO I am doing my best on that score.
Without this entirely understanding team (Amanda, Cindi, the wonder-stage-manager, and Rick, who cares so much), the show would not be in the great shape it's in at this early point before tech week....we really complete staging it tomorrow....(the kids' chorus is finally coming into the mix)...and have several days to do fixes and run-throughs before we even get to the Main Stage....this is a good thing, considering the busy schedule Barter gears into for its Summer Rep.....while we are rehearsing, so is CURE FOR LOVE and TOMMY.....the 4th play in the rep, DON'T CRY FOR ME MARGARET MITCHELL, (a new play by a local playwright), is already in previews.....
Our back terrace is an utter paradise and we've even managed to have Rick and Amanda over for a pizza dinner on it, by candlelight, no less,,,,and it is flowery and fragrant and and bird-song-filled and relaxing...WHEN i have tie to be on it!!!
Because, with all this going on, I also have a stack of some dozen new plays to read for the Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights, out of which (combined with the dozens and dozens being read by others on this committee) 6 will be chosen to be read in at Stage II, in the month of August....
So, as you see, dear readers, there's been no time to write...so, do understand and forgive....
AND - despite my fatigue I have so much to write about...but I gotta get to an early meeting before rehearsals start....ALL I CAN LEAVE YOU WITH THIS MORNING IS: COME SEE EVITA and THE CURE FOR LOVE......!!! Come on down to The Barter Theatre!!!! Summmertie is a great time here!
