from Tempe Thomas (Betty Jean, The Marvelous Wonderettes)

We start Tuesday!  I’m so excited! Going into a rehearsal process you always worry about making the best use of the time you have in that rehearsal room, since our job is to give a closing night performance on opening (Carol Channing said that in her autobiography– lady knew what she was talking about).  By that she means, it’s easy to get to know your character and how she feels about everything that happens after doing the play a thousand times; the trick is to figure out as much of that as possible during rehearsal.   To help myself, I’m re-reading the script and making notes, I’m working with my voice teacher Jen Loftus on my solo songs, and I’m watching some I Love Lucy.  That’s right.  My job is pretty awesome.

I will say the hardest thing about this show will be tackling these songs that everybody’s heard a thousand times and feeling them all over again.  My character sings “It’s My Party,” which I’ve heard so much it’s easy to forget what Lesley Gore is singing about.  And I get to decide how I want to sing it this time around, listening to the Lesley Gore recording, as well as The Marvelous Wonderettes original cast recording.  What is she saying?  When is she repeating what she’s already said?  Why?  Not that I have all the answers to these questions going in, but part of my job is figuring out what to ask in the first place.

And now I’m heading out the door to go over to Dina’s (Cindy Lou) to watch Beach Blanket Bingo and Love Me Tender with the girls.  Dina’s cooking up some 50s finger foods, and we’ll use the night to do important research… and by that I mean get to know each other and get excited about Tuesday.  Did I mention my job was awesome?