'The Wedding Singer': More Details of the Week

As you can tell by my lack of blogging, life is very busy. Monday and Tuesday, we ran acts 1 and 2 respectively. Wednesday and Thursday we ran the whole show, each night with more props and set pieces.

Logistics of having the set pieces and props present new challenges. In one scene, Robbie gets thrown into a dumpster. We have yet to figure out how to physically lift him up and safely drop him into the set piece. It’s not really a dumpster, but the paint job on it is great and it looks quite real. The box is about half filled with bags of bedding to soften the blow. We have a podium that is used in several scenes. It changes from Caesars Palace to a TWA counter to the podium for President Reagan by switching the sign in front that is held on with Velcro. 

I actually wore a few costumes during the rehearsal to see if I could move in them and if I had enough time for costume changes between scenes. Some of them are pretty quick and I’m still trying to figure out how to do my last one. I’m in my “fake Nancy Reagan” costume in one scene, and the finally is the next. I really want to be in the finale as Julia’s mother Angie, but I’ve gotta figure out how to make that change quickly. I think some of the other actors are going to be surprised when they start using costumes and realize how quick the changes will be.

After rehearsal on Thursday, many of the “kids” went to Banfield’s Westside Grill, while director Ron, cast member Darryl and I stopped for a drink and some conversation at .  

The last few days have been busy with crews hanging and aiming lights. The crew members are now in attendance at rehearsal to choreograph who moves on and off the set pieces.  

My son Kyle has been recruited to work the fly rails. He realized that even though he’s been involved in theatre for many years, he’s never worked crew backstage. He’s either been in the sound/lights booth or on the stage. I’m pleased to have him along with Tally and I for the production.  

Many curtains have been rented and they will be hung on Saturday. This takes hours, since each curtain is hung on a rod that is lowered from the top of the stage and tied on with rope. It is lots of little slip knots. There is a window and a wall that also needs to be hung using special hardware. There are also a few set pieces that need to have final touches of paint and hardware. Everything is hung from the fly rail and raised and lowered during the show with a counterweight system on the side of the stage.

Today I was finally able to finish the program. Once everything is in, including photos, bios and ads, I get to play around with the font size and ad locations to make everything fit nicely. I added some Top 10 lists from 1985 for interest. I will be sending it to Valuecopy on Jackson Road for printing. Because we were unable to sell the back cover, we’ve decided to not print the cover in color. It almost doubles the price of the program. Instead, the cover will be in bright colors and the inside just black and white. It’s still a nice souvenir of the show. Please, whatever you do, don’t point out the mistakes to me if you find them. What’s done is done.

Sunday will be a big day. We will be performing at the from noon to 12:45 p.m. It’s what I call a teaser. We will be performing a few songs from the show to give the crowds a taste of what the show is about but without all the sets, choreography or costumes. It’s a good publicity activity to help get the word out and draw some interest for the show.

Some cast members will be passing out flyers, too. I’m glad I just told you about that, because it reminded me to put a thank you to St. Joseph's in the program.

At 2:30 p.m. the entire cast will assemble in the Dexter High School Band Room with the full orchestra for the “sitzprobe." Roughly translated from German, sitzprobe means “sitting rehearsal," but is really just a fancy term for the first sing-through with the orchestra.

For weeks, we have been rehearsing with the soundtrack from the CD, a Rehearscore CD purchased from Music Theatre International, and most recently with a rehearsal pianist. It will be a whole new ballgame with a 10-piece band that includes two guitars, two electric pianos, synthesizers, brass, woodwinds and percussion.

While that is going on, the crews will continue to ready the set, hanging and aiming lights, and wiring the sound equipment.

At 6 p.m., several of the cast members and I will go to the WAAM studios in Ann Arbor and join Ed Hoffman for the "Speaking With Art" show. Director Ron won’t be with us, so the important information is left to me. Several cast members will be in the studio and will sing several songs.  

Advanced ticket sales are improving, but we still expect big lines at the door.  If you are planning on coming, save yourself $3 and buy a ticket in advance.

Tickets are available at the Dexter Pharmacy on Baker Road and from our website www.DexterCommunityPlayers.com with Paypal. Advanced tickets are $12 each.  At the door tickets are $15. Even more fun, grab a group of 10 people or more and buy your tickets in advance for $10 each.

Next up: Surviving Sunday and getting ready for dress rehearsals.