I remember doing professional runs. We would do 8 shows a week. If it was a kids show, we would do 12 shows a week sometimes. We’d also have a week of previews before opening the show. That was when your friends who were too broke to buy a $30 ticket cold get in for $19. We tweaked the show alot during that week, and the cast usually found their grove in the preview week. Then we’d run for 5 weeks or so. That’s roughly 48 shows.

Here we do 7. Sometimes that is a good and merciful thing. With this show, I wish we could do more. I’m, of course, speaking for myself here, but I think this show is just now finding that grove. Don’t get me wrong, it was fabulous opening night, but it has gotten stronger. I think this show and cast really deserves to be seen by more people. In a city of 170000, plus surrounding areas, this just isn’t enough shows.

Sure the actors are doing it for free…and taking time away from their family…and jobs…but this is art people!

  Eugene Banks, Artist Director for Face 2 Face improv sent me this…

I must tell you that your show is one of the best examples of solid ensemble work I’ve seen TH produce. Not knowing me that well, Bill(playing Max Prince)  can vouch for me when I say I’m a pretty pointed critic. This afternoon, I could have sworn I was sitting in NY watching a great off Broadway show. For me, a pure joy to watch. My strongest congratulations, and nod. As I write this, I’m still viewing it again, and again. best, gene.

If you want to know what Chuck Puckett thought of the show, continue to read. If not…LOOK AWAY!!! He get’s pretty detailed. I have a ton of respect for what Chuck thinks about theatre and what he is doing for theatre in our area. Also, I don’t defend or approve anything in reviews…I just don’t post the bad ones here Check out his page at:

http://www.puckettpublishing.com/theatre_events/theatre_events.htm

What People Are Saying About “Laughter on the 23rd Floor”

Monday, 15 Sep, 2008. Chuck Puckett.

Carol and I went to opening night, and we thoroughly enjoyed the show. The cast was strong, and for the most part, very tight. Oh, there were a couple of slowdowns, but the opening night energy carried things right along. The strength of this cast cannot be over-emphasized. Bill Hubscher turned in his usual strong performance, capturing so much of the zaniness and astronomical mood swings that were Sid Caesar, upon whom his character was based. John Miller was rock solid, and his accent never wavered. Phil Parker could have been a tad sleazier (his character seemed to have sleaze written all over him), but his timing was impeccable, and his presence helped to keep the play moving briskly over its few calmer moments.

Sarah Brown Comer did a fine job with a character (the lone female writer in the group) that was not, imho, strongly written. Perhaps, as James Brown sang, comedy of the 50’s was a “man’s, man’s world” (unless you were Imogene Coca or Lucille Ball), but for whatever reason, Simon did not provide strong female characters in either of the lady’s roles. Kim Parker also did a nice job trying to infuse the secretary/writer wannabe with charm, but was thwarted, I think, by the lack of continuity the role provided. All of a sudden, in the  denoument, she is revealed as a closet (though not very funny) comedy writer, and the sudden revelation is not smooth.

It was great seeing Jim Zielinski moving handily around the stage sans cane, and his Irish accent and timing were always spot on. (Phil Parker is also to be commended for working through recent injuries in order to physically carry through on the play: starting to sound like an ESPN recap). Michael Wood was solid as the newbie writer/narrator, though one wonders why Simon thought he needed a narrator. Jake Barrow was thoroughly consistent as the head writer, although it seemed to me he might have been more “involved” with the zaniness expressed by the other writers. At times, he seemed more aloof than merely behaving as the responsible one.

No question that Jon Brown, playing the counterpart to the truly insane Mel Brooks, did not merely borrow, but flat out stole every scene he was in. Jon is a strikingly visual actor, as exemplified by his performance of the Peter Lorre character in RT’s recent production of “Maltese Falcon”. Ira “Mel Brooks” Stone provided an excellent vehicle for Jon’s talents, and he gave a tour-de-force performance in this manic role, brilliantly entertaining and completely “there” every moment he was on stage.

The set was, I think, a bit too large in scale. The viewer’s eye occasionally got lost in the vastness, instead of being focused into the intense cauldron where these comic geniuses were tightly weaving their quick wits and bon mots. Reducing the scale might have helped that focus (I am suddenly reminded of the writer’s room in The Dick Van Dyke show, though the TV camera will admittedly focus anything. Still.) It could have also benefited by perhaps a closer attention to period decor and set dressing. I grew up in this epoch, and we never saw anything but basic black, fifty pound telephones until quite a bit later. Hell, telephones used to be legitimate murder weapons.

But that’s a nit. The show works on so many levels, not the least (as mentioned before) the fundamentals of acting provided by this incredibly strong cast. These folks are, pound for pound, some of the best Huntsville has working. They are worth watching at whatever they do, and Simon, regardless of small flaws in the script, provides them with ample opportunities to display their talents. I heartily recommend “Laughter”.

I had been running around trying to get last minute details taken care of. The lobby display wasn’t finished. I had to strike the attempted city scape…it just wasn’t working. The pre show announcement had to get recorded. I had thank you notes and gifts to give out. It was just one of those opening nights.

Nina had worked 11 1/2 hours that day. She was exhausted. She finished the thank you notes. I’m sure she did other stuff, but we were never in the same place at the same time. Like Clark Kent and Obama.

So we here the “5 until lights up” call and go out to the house. It’s a decent crowd, especially considering the craziness that happened with gas that day.

The lights go to half and we find seats in the back row…and wait.

Our job, at that point, was done. It was out of our little directorial hands. we just have to wait.

Lights came up and Micheal (Lucas) starts his first monologue. and we wait.

What are we waiting for…a reaction. Something from the audience. Some shimmer of understanding. Some validation it what we have worked on.

Then it came…maybe a minute into his speech. In a place that I had really not expected a laugh. I melted. We both did. It was there. A tangible reaction from the audience.

And it continued. The pace was great. The actors were feeding off the audience. The audience ate it up.

Then, as the final lights dimmed, a standing ovation. And these guys deserved it.

Now, I’m not saying the show was without mistakes, but this cast handled it and continued. We had a couple tech glitches, but, again, the show went on.

I am so extremely proud of this cast and this production. If you haven’t had a chance to see it, please do. It’s a work that deserves an audience.

www.theatrehsv.org

We open tonight…how cool is that. As I was watching the run through last night, I thought “They are ready.” It has been a great journey…but now my job is done. I get to set back and watch…and wait to see audience reaction. I really don’t know how the audience will react. The show is very funny. Some of it is obviously funny, while other parts are alittle more esoteric.

I also have seen the show so many times now, that I look over alot of the humor. We had a couple people in the audience last night, and their reaction would remind me that there are parts I gloss over now, that are pretty damn witty.

Tech is ready. The set is…not 100%. There are some scenic elements that had to get cut, much to my chagrin. I think this was even tougher, being a Technical Director myself. It’s really easy to say…”Why didn’t you do this 3 weeks ago when I ask about it.” I feel like a parent in that…and the answer is never one that I find acceptable…just like a parent. I had to admit defeat today on our backdrop. I tried to pull something out of my ass while the TD finished other things. Stayed up way later and sweat alot, but had to give up. It looked so great in the plan but was never made a priority. If I had known in time, I would have rented something…but communication feel to the way side along with the time to get it down.

But it’s fine. The set looks better, as is, than most I’ve seen lately. It’s just not 100%.

Luckily, I feel every thing else is right on target.

Thanks everyone. What a fun journey this has been…break a leg cast.

We have 2 rehearsals under our belt in the theatre. The actors are getting more comfortable with the space and each other. It’s fun to watch.

I still take tons of notes, but the note session is as much fun as the show. I feel like 9 actors a perched on the edge of their seats, waiting to zing the director. It’s all in good spirits. It also fits the characters these actors are playing.

I love to watch actors taking ownership of a piece. Some have been doing it for a while, and the rest are getting their. I feel we are on a great pace to hit total ownership by opening night. Then my job is done. It’s all them and the crew at that point.

The set is coming…I’m curious to see the end result. Matt and I work differently, so I’m intrigued to see how he gets to the finished product. We are still missing a key “bit” in the show, but tonight is Tech Rehearsal, so hopefully we will get that worked out.Props are almost finished. We are finishing up the last of the hand props and starting to concentrate on set dressing. Anyone got any autographed black and whites from the 50’s?

The lights are great…and I’ll hear the sound tonight. Costume and hair is tomorrow and Thursday.

Then we open…

Yep…today we load in the set…and I am here…at work. I then have a football game at 2:30. So I won’t get to help much today. I feel alittle…I don’t know…like I need to be there or it won’t be right. I know…that’s silly. I have more than capable crew working with me. It’s just hard for me to let go. I’ll see it after the game…then I can judge rather ot not I should panic.

Oh…herbal cigarettes…even the “light” variety…stink like bad pot. We are trying a different approach tomorrow. A cigarette that “steams” the tabocco for almost no 2nd hand smoke from the smokey treat itself, and less tar to the smoker.

I’m so ready to get this baby on stage.

A bunch of stuff is happening now. The set is coming along. Sarah and Jim have done a radio interview. John Miller did a PSA for the looking NPR station. Props are starting to show up. Costumes have been borrowed. Hopefully I’ll hear some sound ideas tonight…or at-least talk about it. I’ve seen the proof for the program and it is lovely. Posters are being put up. I did an interview for the entertainment section of the local paper. I’vwe set up a time to do some pics for said paper. The photographer is in place to shoot shots of the show next week. The truck has been ordered. Food is being readied for load in. I bought herbal cigarettes…
Speaking of…I don’t smoke, and I would not ask an actor to put nicotine and tobacco in his body. So I went all over town, to tobacco shops and head shops to get some herbal cigarettes. I found some today. I thought I’d try them out. I’m the straight laced guy at work who doesn’t smoke or drink. So when I ask my associate for a light…ah good times. I do know now exactly how long a smoke break is.
So anyway, the show is going well, just dealing with last minute load in stuff. We have rehearsal tonight, looking forward to it. Can’t wait to put this puppy on stage.

 

Sorry for the lapse. It’s been hectic. The show is going well. We had first night off book Sunday night, and it wasn’t as painful as it could have been. We actually laughed alot….some of it from the script. This is the point in rehearsal that we   get away from being bound to a script and start playing with character. This cast is going to explode now. I have a dream cast. And, thus far, everyone is playing really well with everyone else.  It’s been a great atmosphere to work in.

Tech…well, I’m alittle nervous about the set. It’s not a hard set, but I wish it was farther along than it is. The TD is crazy busy with his real job…which makes me money…but I wish he could delegate the set to some folks so I could see progress. I am really trying to stay out of that world, but I’m getting anxious.

I’ve also learned that PR is not a strong suit of mine. I have asked for help from some of the cast and producer, but I still feel lost in this arena. Theatre Huntsville has a PR board member who has sent me info, but I’m like a deer in headlights.