All Over but the Shoutin’

The reading went off on Thursday without a hitch, propelled by brilliant performers in the form of the pack we threw together over three days. Many audience members said they had come to the show planning to stay only for act one (the York gets a lot of patrons of the older persuasion), but they ALL stayed. And thanks to them, some of the material I was ready to ax after it didn’t get the desired response in South Carolina is now staying in the show. They laughed. They got it. Whew.

The new material put in since the workshop has unilaterally been met with positive response. This is good to know. Another discovery is that Miss St. Helen was actually a petite white woman rather than a busty black woman. When the pipes bust out on “Art is Your Rock”, we don’t expect it from the little 5 foot redhead. We were lucky enough to add Autumn Hurlbert (of Broadway’s Legally Blonde) to the cast at the last minute (after another cast member fell ill), and she blew the roof off. Thanks again, Autumn!

And thanks to the other 15 of you New York actors and director Chad Larabee. You made our week.

Here are a few pics:

Director Chad Larabee watches as Aaron (at piano) rehearses actors at Chelsea Studios in NY.

Monica Bell (Mother/Homeless Woman) and Scott Sowers (Father/Homeless Man) rehearse "Meltdown."

The ensemble and the trio work on "Blow-by-Blow."

Our last day of rehearsal, this time in the York Theatre.

Teachin’ and Makin’ Music

Haven’t downloaded the pics from the iPhone yet as physical proof that would hold up in a court of law, but we have a NYC cast. Monday was Aaron’s (MD) domain as he worked with Kitty, Toni-O, and Edward (everyone loves that “Without Us”). Then the Ensemble came in to run their many tunes. We’ve trucked a few of the CCU props up to New York (Picasso masks, Michelangelo fig leaves–didn’t seem to set anything off at the airport’s x-ray machine), and the ensemble will get a chance to work those bits.

Today, we get to meet our teachers and homeless man. I’m watching Erin Maguire (Ms. Hamm) ham it up as we speak.

A few new cast members to mention: Kevin Covert (Mr. Manne) coming to us from “Memphis” and “Spamalot”, Kit Williams (Miss St. Helen), and Brittany Proia replacing MK Lawson in the Ensemble.

Bring on the funny.

Oh, yeah, it’s ON!

Welcome to the party, director Chad Larabee, who will be our fearless leader during the York Theatre reading rehearsal process March 16 through 19. Chad has already helped us bring a number of talented cast members on board, adding to our existing core. So far:

Kitty: NATALIE NEWMAN

Toni-O: TOMMY LABANARIS

Edward: TAYLOR BUICE

Mother/Homeless Women: MONICA BELL

Father/Homeless Man: SCOTT SOWERS

Dr. Bore: JENNIFER SWIDERSKI

Ms. Hamm: ERIN MAGUIRE

ensemble and various roles:
MOLLY WALSH
MK LAWSON
AMANDA CONLON
JAMAAL WILSON
MICHAEL MORCH
RYAN DUNKIN

Still missing a Mr. Manne, a Miss St. Helen, and a comedic superstar to read stage directions. But we’ll get ‘em. Otherwise, the SOLD OUT house at the York on March 19 might be disappointed.

Stay tuned for pics and rehearsal stories from the NYC front.

We have a NYC reading date!

A staged reading of POPart: The Musical will be presented at the York Theatre in New York City on Thursday, March 19 at 3 pm.

Director and cast to be announced.

Tickets are free! (and can be reserved on the York Theatre website)

“Paint by the Numbers”

…is the name of the new song to end Act I, a melt-your-face-off ballad. The kids leave “Art is Your Rock”, inspired, minds set on success and somehow, in Kitty’s case, determination to be famous. And, of course, we realize she’s completely misguided.

EXCERPT, p. 40

KITTY stands in front of her bureau mirror, staring at herself and slowly replaying the choreography from “Art is Your Rock,” still holding the paintbrush. She gets more and more excited as she practices.

KITTY
Who knew I could actually look good? (beat) This place is a how-to for success. All I have to do is exactly what I’m told, and I’ll go to SHoHo. And I’ll be somebody! And nobody will ever have to know I’m a fraidy-kitty inside.

Her voice suddenly changes as she steps into a different light and begins to speak self-importantly into the paintbrush as though it’s a microphone.

Individual lights illuminate TONI-O, smoking a cigarette and leaning against a stoop, and EDWARD, reading a copy of AWE (Art World Enquirer). Both boys stare into space as they dream their own art world dreams.

Thank you all for coming to my gallery opening. These paintings are everything you asked for: they match your couch, they make your neighbors think you’re cultured, they don’t force you to confront your inner emptiness with uncomfortable symbolism, and they have a guaranteed 500% resale value after my tragically early death from an accidental asbestos overdose. I know there are so many other places you could have been tonight, but you chose me. You chose me.

Behind KITTY are projected media images and news headlines of her as famous artist—hand in the camera of the paparazzi, award ceremony acceptance speeches, guest appearances on Charlie Rose, plastic surgery rumors on the cover of the Art World Enquirer (AWE), a painting selling for $10 million at Sotheby’s, etc.

Lights down on TONI-O and EDWARD as KITTY starts to sing.

Song (#8)—“PAINT BY THE NUMBERS”
(singing to her imaginary gallery audience with genuine excitement)

YOU FOLLOWED MY WORK
TO THIS PLACE WHERE WE KNOW
I’M SPECIAL, IMPORTANT,
THE TOAST OF THE SHOW.
WHO CARES IF I PAINTED
FROM DEEP IN MY GUT?
THIS ART MAKES ME FODDER
FOR HEADLINES AND SMUT.

YOU CHOOSE THE COLORS,
THE BRUSH STROKES, THE SIZE.
I GIVE YOU THE PORTRAIT,
YOU GIVE ME THE PRIZE.
I FOLLOWED THE RULES
LIKE GOOD POP ICONS DO.
MY WORTH AS A PERSON’S
DETERMINED BY YOU.

I’LL PAINT BY THE NUMBERS,
NO TEARS, SWEAT, OR BLOOD.
I’LL PAINT BY THE NUMBERS,
NO RISK OF A DUD.
I’LL PAINT BY THE NUMBERS,
WEAR FAME LIKE A GLOVE.
I’LL PAINT BY  THE NUMBERS
TO EARN ALL YOUR LOVE.

ART IS MY WAY TO NEVER LOOK BACK,
TO FOCUS ON FORTUNE, DEVELOP A KNACK
FOR FENDING OFF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO I AM,
TO PAINT PRETTY PICTURES, BE POPULAR, GLAM.

I’LL PAINT BY THE NUMBERS,
NO TEARS, SWEAT, OR BLOOD.
I’LL PAINT BY THE NUMBERS,
NO RISK OF A DUD.
I’LL PAINT BY THE NUMBERS,
WEAR FAME LIKE A GLOVE.
I’LL PAINT BY  THE NUMBERS
TO EARN ALL YOUR LOVE.

KITTY raises her paintbrush in the air triumphantly.

I’LL PAINT BY THE NUMBERS
TO EARN ALL YOUR LOVE.

EDWARD crumples his copy of AWE and throws it in the trash. TONI-O puts out his cigarette.

Lights out.

End of Act I.

The End…

POPart, The Musical has officially concluded its first workshop production at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Audiences were sometimes quiet, sometimes raucous, sometimes small, sometimes big, but always in it. If laughter heals, the cast might have caused a few miracles.

And, though I’m not a mother, I felt like I was watching my 25 (26, if you count the script itself) children perform their faces off those seven nights and one matinee. That’s how proud I was.

Our lives all feel a little changed by this production (Monica Bell, you’re a born-director and were perfect for finding this show’s beating heart; cast, your devotion to this script and production was unwavering and moved me on a daily basis, and your growth as artists has been palpable). It’s hard to let go.

At the same time, though, I’m sitting at my laptop with the new draft of POPart percolating along (we have that staged reading in NYC tentatively scheduled for January–no rest for the weary). So I don’t really have to let go. In fact, I can’t. Inspired by all the magic moments in the show, I’m driven to make the close-but-no-cigar moments rise to that level. And I need to do so with the workshop fresh in my gourd.

Two new songs are planned to frame the intermission (which was added for this production). One of those songs will be an addition (Kitty sings to her reflection in the mirror as she accepts all her imaginary awards and does all her talk-show appearances after becoming famous; sure, you know what I mean; we’ve all practiced some sort of award speech in the mirror; I’m thinking Toni-O and Edward will join in from their individual spotlights); the other will replace “Critique Mystique”, a definite misfire in the show (we anticipate that the Homeless Man and Homeless Woman will sing this new one while Kitty melts down in the studio when inspiration fails to strike).

I’ve thanked the cast and director (and designers) a thousand times for helping me and Aaron “see” the piece. Consider this a thousand and one.

And remember. It’s not the end. Just the end of the beginning.

Moving Pictures

A small but attentive audience on Halloween night gave me space to do a little recording with my digital camera. Neither video does justice to the sound, but it’s a taste.

Video 1 is of “Be Free.” Video 2 is of “Crit This!”

Opening Night Was…

spec-tac-u-lar.

Opening Night

…is tonight. And the joy I get from watching the joy taking place onstage is not possible to express with words. POPart, The Musical at Coastal Carolina University is a workshop, which means it’s finding its legs, not taking its final bow. Are there things that Monica, Aaron, and I are already talking about changing in a rewrite? Absolutement. Does that alter the importance of the work done over the past few weeks by 25 talented kids? Nope, it makes it even more important.

Does that alter the fun preview audiences have already had watching the production? Nope, not one iota.

So thanks, performers. You ALL crack me up. You ALL give it 110. Keep sharin’ the love.

And Amanda? Just remember I was NOT the one who gave you all the running and climbing to do during “Blow-by-Blow”, the wordiest song on Earth. You’re handling it like a trooper.

Kitty sings of art changing her world during "I Blend In"

The Picasso Gang does not impress actor, Sly McCoy

Transition out of the gang introductions

Tech it away

Is it possible for a show to have MORE tech? It seems doubtful. The set and lights are really bringing the show the visual edge it needed–the colors are stunning and the whole stage picture has a retro vibe I really like. The projections aren’t in yet, but the levels are, as well as some of the Jasper Johns-esque set pieces. And that G.A.S. (Ghetto Art School) sign gives me goosebumps because it’s like someone’s inside my brain. Wait until you see it lit. The sign. Not my brain.

Light cues are being set for "Shine, Kitty, Shine"

The art school gangs introduce themselves...