A(nother) Year at the Academy

So, I haven’t posted in some time. Let me try and do a very quick update:

Dancing in the Dark had its world premiere back in December of 2006. I felt the show was a success, and there’s not a moment where the show wasn’t fun. I can’t wait to see if the future holds anything for the show. I really think Jonathan should, at the very least, pursue publication… but I guess it doesn’t matter what I think.

I’ve been cast as Eddie in Hurlyburly, which is probably the biggest role I’ve had to tackle to date. My attempts to memorize over the past two weeks have been unsuccessful, and I’d better get it down in the next two if I want a chance at turning in a good performance. This one should be fun.

I think I’m about 51 days from the end of my studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. It’s crazy, when I think about it — it seems like only yesterday when I moved into the New Yorker, assisted by my uncle and my father. That was October of 2004 — and now, in February of 2007, it will all end. I’m actually getting sad just typing this.

As a result, I’ll try posting more frequently, as I document Hurlyburly and the impending Showcase… leading this blog to a close.

Tomorrow’s Hurlyburly rehearsal will be at the Producer’s Club (Women of Lockerbie flashbacks ensue), where we block Act One, Scene One. I’ll see you on here tomorrow.

Although I haven’t blogged about my experience over the past five and a half weeks (and certainly should have), I feel the need to put a plug for my next show on here.

Starting tomorrow, the World Premiere Engagement of Dancing in the Dark by Jonathan Bolt will play in the MM Theatre at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Words cannot express the joy I feel to be part of this production. To date, it’s probably the largest role I’ve ever tackled… and certainly one of the most fun.

Here’s to the show!

19 hours to go.

It was strange — walking into the LM Theatre today — to see that Yalta has practically ceased to be. All the flowers, columns, furniture — gone. It’s almost enough to make one cry.

Almost.

Anyway, being the only show to go up in the LM this series, my show is fortunate enough to have the use of our performance space for rehearsals every day until the show goes up. On days like today, however, that’s kind of a waste — as all we can do at this point is a table read of the script.

The read went particularly well. I think the show’s pretty well cast. Agree with me? For those who are familiar with the show (and the players):

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS
CAST

Eugene - Randy Blair

Stanley - Tommy Buck

Kate - Kiki Bertocci

Blanche - Krystal Blackman

Nora - Natalie Johnson

Laurie - Katherine Procko

Jack - Ricky Johnston

Who’s that last asshole?

Anyway. The read went very well… it’s a hysterical play. I’ve been blessed (for the past three shows) with scripts that are good enough they take care of themselves… so I’m not worried in the slightest.

The director, Lester Shane, is pretty hardcore. He’s already got a lot of work done for us. I can’t wait until we get to see the man in action, full swing.

Well, that’s all that’s really to report for today. Hopefully, I’ll check in again soon.

I can’t believe Chekhov in Yalta has come to an end.

I came into the theatre in High School… completely unaware of what I was walking into. Over the course of the next two years, I was met with (and protected by) a completely positive experience. Every person in our High School shows made an attempt to, at the very least, be friends with one another. It seemed as if our mutual work was going towards the creation of an amazing show. When one of us did well, we all did well.

I couldn’t help but think to myself — I loved that dynamic, but if only all the people involved wanted to be there… wanted that to be their profession.

I first found this dynamic in first year, working towards the creation of Tom Stoppard’s The Real Inspector Hound. Was it the greatest piece of theatre? No… but it was fun as hell. I came close to the feeling again with The Women of Lockerbie, but the wholly depressing subject matter detracted from the “fun” aspect.

Chekhov in Yalta was fun. Not only did our company get along relatively well, we all worked extremely well together — covering each other’s asses when things went wrong in performance (especially the first day, which turned out to be one of our best shows) and trully driving the show.

We nailed it.

Unfortunately, art imitates life, and Yalta was but a single moment in a string of moments that fly by all too quickly.

It’s time to leave Yalta behind, and look towards Brooklyn.

Tomorrow marks the first rehearsal for Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs. Hopefully I’ll be able to blog with a bit more frequency this time. My memories of Yalta may be lost some time in the future — I’ve done a crap job at documenting them — and I don’t want the same to happen to this play.

I may do some follow-up posts on Yalta, including links to pictures (when they’re posted by Mark Wyville) — but I’d expect nothing but Brighton for the next five weeks.

**If you plan to attend, Brighton Beach Memoirs will perform in the LM Theatre @ The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (120 Madison Ave. & 30th St.), October 17 & 19 - 7PM; October 18 & 20 - 2PM**

Well, the rehearsal process is almost officially over on my first Company show, “Chekhov in Yalta.”

We’ve got tech rehearsal today, followed by a dress tomorrow morning before our show tomorrow.

If you’re in the area — check it out this week — Tuesday & Thursday @ 7, Wednesday & Friday @ 2. (Head to the “Company Plays” section on the AADA webpage for reservations).

We had a tremendous rehearsal on Saturday (less of a rehearsal, more of a ‘haning out’ session…) and I’m really excited.

Hopefully, I’ll post again before showtime to document my thoughts… but I find I’m having problems putting them in writing.