We are so excited for our upcoming production of “Mr.A’s Amazing Maze Plays.” Some people may not totally know what this show is all about, and we can fix that! But in the meantime, let’s get you in the mood with…Maze of the Day! Starting today! Maze of the Day: Day One!
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No matter how many shows I do in a calendar year, and no matter when during that calendar year I start a show, the first day of rehearsing a show always feels like the first day of school, for good and for bad.
For bad, there’s the sickening, sinking fear you’re not going to be good enough. There’s the ache of not spending enough time with your spouse/kids/pets for the next six weeks. There’s that worry about how much good TV you’re going to miss. OK, the networks are making that last one much easier. Thank you.
For the good, there’s the excitement of meeting new friends and seeing old ones. There’s the thrill of picking out an outfit for your first day. (Yes, I do this. Don’t you?) Ultimately, there’s the prospect of building and creating something brand new, vibrant, delightful. And there’s the belief that you’re going to learn something, grow, achieve.
After a busy, anxious week of preparations and auditions, we’re starting rehearsal for “Miracle on 34th Street” tomorrow at Lyric Arts. I’m overcome by all the talented people who have assembled. Thank you to all who auditioned, who contributed to my anxiety this week. I’m thrilled to work with thirty-three actors from the ages of five to seventy-something. I’m eager for everyone to see this show.
And I’m curious. Does anyone else feel this way at the beginning of a rehearsal process?
Cristopher Tibbetts is directing Miracle on 34th Street at Lyric Arts this winter.
As we begin week 2 of our rehearsals for MR. A’s AMAZING MAZE PLAYS, I wanted to check in here at Lyric Arts Blog Central and give everyone a quick update about what’s going on in the process of bringing this show to the Lyric Arts stage for the very first time.
But first, a word about this amazing (pun intended) play and playwright. Alan Ayckbourn, is a prolific and widely celebrated artist of the British stage. His works have been produced all over the world and won countless awards. After experiencing what he felt like were some rather awful representations of children’s theatre in the 1980′s, he set out to write a play for young audiences that would be enlightening, engaging, exciting and enjoyable – not only for the younger members of the audience, but for the adults who were there with them. The result: MR. A’s AMAZING MAZE PLAYS. In a nutshell, young Suzy and her trusty companion and best friend – an Old English Wolf Boxer named Neville, must wind their away through many rooms in a dark and sometimes scary mansion in order to find the mysterious cabinet of lost sounds. The catch: the audience is in charge of their journey as they move from room to room. Only by way of a vote from the audience do we find out where Suzy and Neville will go next! Sound crazy?! It is!! Sound Exciting?! It is!! Are you on the edge of your seat?! I know I am!!
So, an update on the production process:
Needless to say, a play like this requires a multi-dimensional, intricate set that will allow the audience to feel the same way that Suzy does as she makes her way through the house. And the brother and sister-in-law set design team of Brian and Deborah Proball have delivered! In our production meeting yesterday, we got to see a scale model of the set and it is going to be…yes, I have to say it…AMAZING! And we know we are in good hands as Technical Director, Patrick Vital-Schwartz begins construction. We will be posting some pics of the set model and the building process so check back often!! The rest of the design elements are equally exciting from sound to costumes to props to lights, and I promise I will muse more about those in later postings.
As for rehearsals, I can’t say anything without first mentioning my – yes, I’m gonna say it…AMAZING cast. From seasoned Lyric Arts veterans to newcomers, this is a truly wonderful bunch of artists. We have the spent the last few days laughing a lot as we worked our way through the ‘blocking’ process of Act I. For those that don’t know the term, blocking is where we work, very tediously, page by page to figure out every move that the actor will make on stage. Sometimes it can be very taxing, but this has been anything but…it has been a joy to watch the actors’ creativity as they get to know their characters. Tonight, we start ‘blocking’ Act II. Wish us luck as we wander deeper into the maze! 
Finally, I must say, as a first-time director here at Lyric Arts, that I am constantly impressed by the production staff of this organization. I would call them AMAZING but you might throw something at your computer screen. Suffice it to say, I feel very fortunate that they have invited me to be a part of the team. And if you are reading this, as a community member who attends shows, or someone who has worked at Lyric Arts – you should feel very proud of what you have helped build.
IF you are reading this and you haven’t ever SEEN a show at Lyric Arts…what are you waiting for?! MR. A’s AMAZING MAZE PLAYS opens on October 15! Get your tickets now!!
Check back often for more musings from the mind of a director. I promise to limit my use of the word AMAZING…maybe.
Check out the Cat on a Hot Tin Roof reviews from John Hage and Mindy Mateuszczyk. Click here for the reviews.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Day Fourteen
Evolution of a Set: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Day Fourteen: Final Dress Rehearsal! This is the cast, crew, and director’s last chance to get any last minute kinks out! Looking back through the series, and even to the Set Renderings, what are the biggest similarities and differences? What do you like best?
Lyric Arts got a chance to ask the actor a few questions about his involvement in Lyric Arts’ season opener, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Day Thirteen
Evolution of a Set: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Day Thirteen: Lighting Director Dan Thorson is working hard to get the room lighting all hooked up so you can see all of the beautiful work that’s been completed on the set! Only two more rehearsals until opening night! Can you believe it?
Lyric Arts is thrilled to have another new face on the Main Street Stage. Billie Jo Konze will be portraying the role of “Margaret” in the production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opening Friday. Click here to read the whole interview!
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Day Twelve
Evolution of a Set: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Day Twelve: Details, details, details! The wallpaper is up, courtesy of volunteer Bob Ceminsky, and the other volunteers are working diligently on “drawing” in the floor, adding trim, adding doors, and more! What job would you have loved to have done, or, better yet, what job would you have hated to have done on this set?
Check out this video of director, Scott Ford, talking about Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. For more Behind the Scenes information from the cast and crew from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof , click here.
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