David and I returned safely to New York this afternoon. It's good to be back at home, although it's strange to not see mango and breadfruit trees everywhere we look all of a sudden.
We shall post some pic soon. xoxo
7.31.2009
7.26.2009
Lovin' Life and Livin' Large in Grenada
A very quick post --
David and I have spent 7 days in Grenada already -- and we LOVE the island and have had an incredible time. Our villa is simply perfect for us, we already want to come back! We have done 2 of our 4 open water dives here -- we will do 2 more tomorrow, after which, crossing fingers, we shall be CERTIFIED DIVERS! The 2 dives we did were beautiful and amazingly fun; we had a lovely, chilled out instructor with whom we finished our final confined water dive as well as our 2 open water dives. Beautiful good times. We saw a fabulous array of fish, from massive lobsters to scorpion fish to very rare pipe fish (kind of like sea horses, but in pipe form). Grenada is a gorgeous, lush island with incredible vegetation. Although the locals all emphasize that the island is still very much recovering from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the island does not lack in beauty or greenery. Currently it is mango season, which means we eat mangoes everyday and all the time, fresh and freshly juiced into cocktails with local organic rum. A big bag of mangoes costs $10 EC, which is less than $4 US. Amazing. And they are all organic. We have eaten some amazing local cuisine, richly derived from local fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, seasoned with local spices (Grenada is called Spice Isle); we have snorkeled, dove and sat on the beach (or rather, I sat on the beach and read while David snorkeled in search of ocean creatures), as well as hiked the rain forests. We have interacted with the local community: we have been to a hidden local bar off the beach; we get chicken from the Jamaican jerk chicken grillin' guy on the roadside; we buy fruit from the lady at our favorite local fruit stand by the road; we went to Fish Friday alongside the locals, etc. etc. We have 4 more days left, which seems so soon... but we intend to make the most of our stay.
We shall post photos and blog more when we get home. For now, MORE RUM!
David and I have spent 7 days in Grenada already -- and we LOVE the island and have had an incredible time. Our villa is simply perfect for us, we already want to come back! We have done 2 of our 4 open water dives here -- we will do 2 more tomorrow, after which, crossing fingers, we shall be CERTIFIED DIVERS! The 2 dives we did were beautiful and amazingly fun; we had a lovely, chilled out instructor with whom we finished our final confined water dive as well as our 2 open water dives. Beautiful good times. We saw a fabulous array of fish, from massive lobsters to scorpion fish to very rare pipe fish (kind of like sea horses, but in pipe form). Grenada is a gorgeous, lush island with incredible vegetation. Although the locals all emphasize that the island is still very much recovering from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the island does not lack in beauty or greenery. Currently it is mango season, which means we eat mangoes everyday and all the time, fresh and freshly juiced into cocktails with local organic rum. A big bag of mangoes costs $10 EC, which is less than $4 US. Amazing. And they are all organic. We have eaten some amazing local cuisine, richly derived from local fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, seasoned with local spices (Grenada is called Spice Isle); we have snorkeled, dove and sat on the beach (or rather, I sat on the beach and read while David snorkeled in search of ocean creatures), as well as hiked the rain forests. We have interacted with the local community: we have been to a hidden local bar off the beach; we get chicken from the Jamaican jerk chicken grillin' guy on the roadside; we buy fruit from the lady at our favorite local fruit stand by the road; we went to Fish Friday alongside the locals, etc. etc. We have 4 more days left, which seems so soon... but we intend to make the most of our stay.
We shall post photos and blog more when we get home. For now, MORE RUM!
7.13.2009
since we've been in NYC...
Life has been full and hectic since we returned to NYC.
For one, I turned 30. I had a terrific, terrific birthday, which made the transition into the new decade smooth and wonderful. Although busy with A Wonderland, David went all out to make my 30th birthday memorable -- gorgeous flowers delivered first thing in the morning, an incredible gift, amazing card, and a fabulous dinner at a Japanese restaurant we'd never been to before in the city. Fantastic day. Truly.
And then David worked non-stop on A Wonderland. While there were some obstacles (such as losing a dancer 2 days before show opening), the show opened and was over-sold for all 4 nights of the run. On the last night, a whole row had to be added, it was standing-room only. David's choreography was very well received, and his dancing, too -- yes, he danced in one of the numbers himself! Having had to replace one of the dancers unexpectedly at the last minute, he found that the new, replacement dancer could not learn everything in time, confidently. One of the numbers was quite complicated and fast, and so David decided to dance that section himself. EVERYONE raved about David's dancing. I think it was perhaps the most surprising and best part of the show for our friends, who have never seen David dance live.
Despite the packed and all-too-short rehearsal period, with no budget to speak of, the show was a great experience for David. It presented challenges different than those he's faced in DD. I for one love the show, I am so proud of David for having been part of the project. It was exciting, if at times harrowing. One of the reviews said this about David's choreography:
"...sharply choreographed by David Scotchford... watch for the dancers, they manage to live large within their tight muscled choreography" -- Michael Bettencourt (Scene4Magazine QReviews)
Good times.
Next up for us? -- A VACATION! We're off to Grenada a week from today. Today we signed up to take intensive scuba dive classes this weekend. David is very excited about diving, and I am, too, although quite nervous, too. Simply, I am looking forward to relaxing on the beach and by the pool.
For one, I turned 30. I had a terrific, terrific birthday, which made the transition into the new decade smooth and wonderful. Although busy with A Wonderland, David went all out to make my 30th birthday memorable -- gorgeous flowers delivered first thing in the morning, an incredible gift, amazing card, and a fabulous dinner at a Japanese restaurant we'd never been to before in the city. Fantastic day. Truly.
And then David worked non-stop on A Wonderland. While there were some obstacles (such as losing a dancer 2 days before show opening), the show opened and was over-sold for all 4 nights of the run. On the last night, a whole row had to be added, it was standing-room only. David's choreography was very well received, and his dancing, too -- yes, he danced in one of the numbers himself! Having had to replace one of the dancers unexpectedly at the last minute, he found that the new, replacement dancer could not learn everything in time, confidently. One of the numbers was quite complicated and fast, and so David decided to dance that section himself. EVERYONE raved about David's dancing. I think it was perhaps the most surprising and best part of the show for our friends, who have never seen David dance live.
Despite the packed and all-too-short rehearsal period, with no budget to speak of, the show was a great experience for David. It presented challenges different than those he's faced in DD. I for one love the show, I am so proud of David for having been part of the project. It was exciting, if at times harrowing. One of the reviews said this about David's choreography:
"...sharply choreographed by David Scotchford... watch for the dancers, they manage to live large within their tight muscled choreography" -- Michael Bettencourt (Scene4Magazine QReviews)
Good times.
Next up for us? -- A VACATION! We're off to Grenada a week from today. Today we signed up to take intensive scuba dive classes this weekend. David is very excited about diving, and I am, too, although quite nervous, too. Simply, I am looking forward to relaxing on the beach and by the pool.
7.01.2009
back in NYC, onto summer
Back in NYC after a fantastic weekend in Edinburgh, followed by a drive through the Lake District, a stop in Yorkshire Dales, more driving and a flight out of Heathrow. Although battling a bit of jet-lag, we hit the ground running NYC-style -- David is rehearsing A Wonderland, I'm back in the office. But there's a distinct "summer-ness" in Manhattan, perhaps inspired by the 4th of July weekend.
6.28.2009
Congratulations Katie & Magnus!
(Just outside of The Hub, where Katie and Magnus were married, before we traveled by old fashioned double-decker bus to Prestonfield for the reception)
Congratulations to the happy, beautiful couple. xoxo
6.20.2009
Once more, to the airport!
It's 4:50AM here on Saturday in NYC - I am all packed up and about to go downstairs for my car pick-up to the airport. I'm on my way to London!
Yay!
Yay!
6.14.2009
David in London, Tomoko in NYC
David departed early this morning for London -- he has arrived safe and sound, and is now across "the pond" from me, still in New York. It's that time of the year again, the London new cast rehearsals, and so David will begin rehearsing the new members tomorrow. I will join him this Saturday -- not for business this time, thank goodness for our frequent flier miles! We will remain in London until Friday, June 26th, when we fly up to Edinburgh for our friends' wedding.
We've decided to explore the UK countryside on our way back to Heathrow Airport, from where we return to New York on Tuesday, June 30. We shall hire a car and drive back down from Edinburgh, stopping along the way to stay in Yorkshire Dales. We found a quirky inn called the Wensleydale Heifer -- should be interesting! We are really looking forward to the wedding - it is the wedding of our dear friends Katie and Magnus. Katie and I met 10 years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. David and I met Magnus when we lived in London leading up to the premiere of the West End DD -- they were dating then. They are a lovely couple, and we stayed with Katie's parents with Katie, our friend Val (whom I also met 10 years ago at the EdFest), and Magnus during the festival that summer and had a fantastic time. David and I have seen Val, Katie and Magnus whenever we could when we pass through London, and Val has come to visit us in Chicago recently (and Utrecht before that). So the wedding promises to be GOOD TIMES with our favorite UK folks -- it will be a wonderful occasion and our very first Scottish wedding!
Now I will just have to get through this week solo in New York as I prepare to leave very early Saturday! x
We've decided to explore the UK countryside on our way back to Heathrow Airport, from where we return to New York on Tuesday, June 30. We shall hire a car and drive back down from Edinburgh, stopping along the way to stay in Yorkshire Dales. We found a quirky inn called the Wensleydale Heifer -- should be interesting! We are really looking forward to the wedding - it is the wedding of our dear friends Katie and Magnus. Katie and I met 10 years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. David and I met Magnus when we lived in London leading up to the premiere of the West End DD -- they were dating then. They are a lovely couple, and we stayed with Katie's parents with Katie, our friend Val (whom I also met 10 years ago at the EdFest), and Magnus during the festival that summer and had a fantastic time. David and I have seen Val, Katie and Magnus whenever we could when we pass through London, and Val has come to visit us in Chicago recently (and Utrecht before that). So the wedding promises to be GOOD TIMES with our favorite UK folks -- it will be a wonderful occasion and our very first Scottish wedding!
Now I will just have to get through this week solo in New York as I prepare to leave very early Saturday! x
6.05.2009
June and Onwards
Time at home has passed very quickly. We're now into JUNE, and rainy season is in full effect.
A couple of updates since the last blog --
Last weekend, David and I impulsively decided to go down to Princeton for Reunions weekend. Or rather, I impulsively decided I wanted to go, and David, like the loving, generous husband that he is, graciously obliged. It was the 10th Reunion for the Class of 1999, a class in which I have many friends. It was great to be there. Princeton Reunions are often overwhelming as a concept, but once there, it is a whole lot of GOOD TIMES. David and I are now experienced Reunion attendees, and have matured since my 5th Reunion 3 years ago... which meant we were very sensible in our partying and survived without hangovers.
One of my friends from the Princeton Class of '99 is Jessica Del Vecchio. She and I performed together in the play Uncommon Women and Others . Since graduating, she has worked in the music industry while fronting a band. Nowadays, she performs in a awesome band called Menage A Twang, and attends grad school. We spent a lot of time with her and her partner, Eamonn. Like David, he is a spouse/partner of a Princeton graduate -- he did not attend Princeton himself, so the two boys bonded over their initiation into Princeton alumni world. Eamonn is also a theater director in New York and is the founder of the Anonymous Ensemble. He has a new upcoming project for which he needs a choreographer... What a coincidence! David and Eamonn hit off very well indeed and they shall now work together on the pieace. It's very exciting. It's a new work, very experimental -- a rock performance piece loosely based on Alice in Wonderland. The piece is called Wonderland, and in it there will be a live band, video projections, an aerialist as well as dancers, and a drag queen Bunny. It will be showcased at the Ohio Theater in SoHo for 3 nights in July. I love the Ohio Theater (my favorite theater company, The Wooster Group, has done a lot of productions there), and I am excited for David's foray into experimental theater in New York. While it is not a big or paying job, it is great chance to meet interesting artists and put on a show. There is a great collaborative spirit about the piece, and David seems pleased about the opportunity to experiment quite freely.
Before he sinks his teeth into Wonderland, David is off to London for two weeks mid-June, to rehearse the new cast for DD London. I will join him for the second week. We also happen to have a wedding to attend in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the end of June, so we will take a long weekend Scottish-style before heading back to New York..... busy again!
And then I turn 30. The big 3-0 happens come July. Not sure how we shall celebrate just yet...
A couple of updates since the last blog --
Last weekend, David and I impulsively decided to go down to Princeton for Reunions weekend. Or rather, I impulsively decided I wanted to go, and David, like the loving, generous husband that he is, graciously obliged. It was the 10th Reunion for the Class of 1999, a class in which I have many friends. It was great to be there. Princeton Reunions are often overwhelming as a concept, but once there, it is a whole lot of GOOD TIMES. David and I are now experienced Reunion attendees, and have matured since my 5th Reunion 3 years ago... which meant we were very sensible in our partying and survived without hangovers.
One of my friends from the Princeton Class of '99 is Jessica Del Vecchio. She and I performed together in the play Uncommon Women and Others . Since graduating, she has worked in the music industry while fronting a band. Nowadays, she performs in a awesome band called Menage A Twang, and attends grad school. We spent a lot of time with her and her partner, Eamonn. Like David, he is a spouse/partner of a Princeton graduate -- he did not attend Princeton himself, so the two boys bonded over their initiation into Princeton alumni world. Eamonn is also a theater director in New York and is the founder of the Anonymous Ensemble. He has a new upcoming project for which he needs a choreographer... What a coincidence! David and Eamonn hit off very well indeed and they shall now work together on the pieace. It's very exciting. It's a new work, very experimental -- a rock performance piece loosely based on Alice in Wonderland. The piece is called Wonderland, and in it there will be a live band, video projections, an aerialist as well as dancers, and a drag queen Bunny. It will be showcased at the Ohio Theater in SoHo for 3 nights in July. I love the Ohio Theater (my favorite theater company, The Wooster Group, has done a lot of productions there), and I am excited for David's foray into experimental theater in New York. While it is not a big or paying job, it is great chance to meet interesting artists and put on a show. There is a great collaborative spirit about the piece, and David seems pleased about the opportunity to experiment quite freely.
Before he sinks his teeth into Wonderland, David is off to London for two weeks mid-June, to rehearse the new cast for DD London. I will join him for the second week. We also happen to have a wedding to attend in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the end of June, so we will take a long weekend Scottish-style before heading back to New York..... busy again!
And then I turn 30. The big 3-0 happens come July. Not sure how we shall celebrate just yet...
5.18.2009
HOORAY!!!
We just received news from our immigration lawyer that David has been approved for a permanent PERMANENT RESIDENCY (green card) !!!xoxo
5.15.2009
Behold, our new hobby!
During the gray, wintry days of Berlin, David decided that we would buy mountain bikes when we returned to New York and the weather turned spring. David has researched mountain bikes voraciously -- if not impressively and obsessively -- for the last few months. And voila! Earlier this week, all his detailed and thorough research paid off and he bought us bikes! I am still a novice mountain biker, but I have aspirations. Apparently there are mountain bike trails around Manhattan and the outer boroughs. We have already ridden up and down the Westside Highway bike/roller-blade path, and, I must say, the bikes are super duper awesome.
With any luck I could be a hard-bodied mountain biker... real tough-like, but hopefully not butch. First, I will need to get outfits to fit the part, of course.
5.06.2009
WE (heart) NEW YORK CITY
David and I are FINALLY back home in New York!
This has been the longest stretch of time that we have been away from home. David is thrilled to be in NYC, in our apartment, as I am, too -- although I think I am also a little shell-shocked. It's odd to be home after being away for so long, after having made temporary homes in not one but TWO different apartments (one in Berlin, the other in London). I feel a bit like a stranger with a severe case of de ja vu being back in our apartment. A whole series of, "Where is the...?" and "Where did I use to...?" and "Where did this go again??" Strange. New York changes quickly and often. Our gym closed on the day we returned! We received an email about it -- it felt like being broken up with by text message. Luckily there is another gym/health club just down the block, so today we promptly marched over there and became members.
We're still getting organized back home - I expect this process will take some time. Unpacking, organizing, cleaning, reacclimatizing... it's a little daunting for me, but David is so happy and energized about being home, looking forward to what we'd do now we're here (he has big plans on buying us mountain bikes), I hope to get back on the New York City track soon. Despite my sense of having SO MUCH TO DO, I am, indeed, happy to be back in our own bed, to have access to my whole wardrobe, to have our NYC friends close, and to be in NYC.
This has been the longest stretch of time that we have been away from home. David is thrilled to be in NYC, in our apartment, as I am, too -- although I think I am also a little shell-shocked. It's odd to be home after being away for so long, after having made temporary homes in not one but TWO different apartments (one in Berlin, the other in London). I feel a bit like a stranger with a severe case of de ja vu being back in our apartment. A whole series of, "Where is the...?" and "Where did I use to...?" and "Where did this go again??" Strange. New York changes quickly and often. Our gym closed on the day we returned! We received an email about it -- it felt like being broken up with by text message. Luckily there is another gym/health club just down the block, so today we promptly marched over there and became members.
We're still getting organized back home - I expect this process will take some time. Unpacking, organizing, cleaning, reacclimatizing... it's a little daunting for me, but David is so happy and energized about being home, looking forward to what we'd do now we're here (he has big plans on buying us mountain bikes), I hope to get back on the New York City track soon. Despite my sense of having SO MUCH TO DO, I am, indeed, happy to be back in our own bed, to have access to my whole wardrobe, to have our NYC friends close, and to be in NYC.
4.17.2009
snapshots of Berlin
Few photos from the last days of our time in Berlin...
David near Alexander Platz
Dinner with the gang at one of our favorite restaurants in Berlin (Bocca di Bacco)
David with a massive schnitzel at Borscht Restaurant...supposedly the best schnitzel in Berlin! (And we believe it)
At Alexey's birthday party... with lots of fabulous Russian food and vodka in a cool funky Berlin basement bar/club...
And here are a few photos from Opening Night Berlin --
With Daniel ("Johnny") and Charlotte ("Penny") in the middle...
We had an excellent Premiere in Berlin... the cast is fantastic and we hope the show is a big success!
David near Alexander Platz
Dinner with the gang at one of our favorite restaurants in Berlin (Bocca di Bacco)
David with a massive schnitzel at Borscht Restaurant...supposedly the best schnitzel in Berlin! (And we believe it)
At Alexey's birthday party... with lots of fabulous Russian food and vodka in a cool funky Berlin basement bar/club...
With Daniel ("Johnny") and Charlotte ("Penny") in the middle...
We had an excellent Premiere in Berlin... the cast is fantastic and we hope the show is a big success!4.13.2009
In London
David and I arrived in London Thursday, just in time for the Easter weekend. We don't begin auditions until Tuesday - so we have our first long weekend together in a long long time, which is much needed. Because we are in London for nearly a month, we are in an apartment -- different from the one last year, but in the same neighborhood, which is fantastic as we love Bloomsbury. We're in a modern flat on one of our favorite streets in the area. The flat itself took a little getting used to, as it is more like a hotel/flat and we felt for a couple of days as if we lived in doll's house... but now we have grown to like it just fine. So far it has been gray and rainy (no surprise, it is London after all), but we have hopes for a sunny and springlike London whilst we're here. Fingers crossed!
Over the last few days we achieved various setting-up-To-Do's. We went to Whole Foods and the local supermarket to set up the kitchen; we joined a gym (David's been dying to go to the gym as we didn't have gym access in Berlin - I scraped by doing yoga by DVD, which actually worked quite well); we re-arranged some furniture in the flat to make it more suited to our needs. And we've had a rather full social life -- We saw DD with Al Sapienza (he played "Jake" in Toronto) and his wife on Friday, which was a fun night; went to see "Saturday Night" with Val on Saturday, which was a disastrously AWFUL show (totally amateurish production, not at all a West End calibre show), but we had a good dinner at a new Mexican restaurant and had a few drinks, which is always a good time. Yesterday David and I went to see not one but TWO movies, which was a great treat. We saw "The Young Victoria," which we loved and highly recommend. We then saw "Dragonball Revolution," on a totally other spectrum -- it was good fun, though.
The best part is that we have just spent time together and not worrying about work. We've slept in everyday, which is amazing. We have today to hang about before we kick off auditions tomorrow...
Over the last few days we achieved various setting-up-To-Do's. We went to Whole Foods and the local supermarket to set up the kitchen; we joined a gym (David's been dying to go to the gym as we didn't have gym access in Berlin - I scraped by doing yoga by DVD, which actually worked quite well); we re-arranged some furniture in the flat to make it more suited to our needs. And we've had a rather full social life -- We saw DD with Al Sapienza (he played "Jake" in Toronto) and his wife on Friday, which was a fun night; went to see "Saturday Night" with Val on Saturday, which was a disastrously AWFUL show (totally amateurish production, not at all a West End calibre show), but we had a good dinner at a new Mexican restaurant and had a few drinks, which is always a good time. Yesterday David and I went to see not one but TWO movies, which was a great treat. We saw "The Young Victoria," which we loved and highly recommend. We then saw "Dragonball Revolution," on a totally other spectrum -- it was good fun, though.
The best part is that we have just spent time together and not worrying about work. We've slept in everyday, which is amazing. We have today to hang about before we kick off auditions tomorrow...
4.09.2009
and on to LONDON!
David and I are in the last hour of packing before the car arrives to take us to the airport. We're off to London for 3 weeks starting today!
Photos from the Berlin premiere to come...
Photos from the Berlin premiere to come...
4.04.2009
late night lifts at home?!
Tonight was the last preview before Media Night, followed by Opening Night. We've had the least amount of previews here in Berlin - but the show is in great shape and the audiences have been fantastically responsive.
Tomorrow is our last day off before Opening Night. David and I will spend the day writing cards for the cast and beginning to gather our things to leave Berlin... it's come so quickly!!!
Tonight we had drinks with James (director), Amber (producer) and other people in various departments (video, sound, lighting, etc.) at the 100 Beer Bar near the theater. It was all good times - David had Strongbow cider (as he doesn't like beer) and I had some Chimay Bleu (high alcohol content Trappist beer - fantastic). It was great to all sit outside and chill out as we approach opening.
David and I then came home, had some eats, and DID THE LIFT!!! Yes, indeedy. David wanted to lift some weights and there I was, free and weighty. We did the DD lift in our own home - and I was able to stay up there! If only someone could take a photo of us doing the lift as proof...! We have done the lift with David lying down on the floor, we have done the lift in the ocean, but we had never done the lift standing upright. And in a strange way it was easier to do the lift for real than in other ways! We shall perfect it and get a photo...
Tomorrow is our last day off before Opening Night. David and I will spend the day writing cards for the cast and beginning to gather our things to leave Berlin... it's come so quickly!!!
Tonight we had drinks with James (director), Amber (producer) and other people in various departments (video, sound, lighting, etc.) at the 100 Beer Bar near the theater. It was all good times - David had Strongbow cider (as he doesn't like beer) and I had some Chimay Bleu (high alcohol content Trappist beer - fantastic). It was great to all sit outside and chill out as we approach opening.
David and I then came home, had some eats, and DID THE LIFT!!! Yes, indeedy. David wanted to lift some weights and there I was, free and weighty. We did the DD lift in our own home - and I was able to stay up there! If only someone could take a photo of us doing the lift as proof...! We have done the lift with David lying down on the floor, we have done the lift in the ocean, but we had never done the lift standing upright. And in a strange way it was easier to do the lift for real than in other ways! We shall perfect it and get a photo...
3.29.2009
PREVIEWS!!!
I arrived back in Berlin yesterday, in time for the first preview. Fantastic to see the show on its feet 2 weeks later - I am mesmerized seeing each cast member in his/her costumes and killing it on stage. The ensemble dancing is HOT HOT HOT. David has done a brilliant job, as usual.
Today we had the 2nd preview and the pacing was much improved from last night, the first preview, which was good but had a nervous energy quality to it. I think the show will just get better with previews.
Tomorrow there is no preview - we have the EPK and press tapings. And then a day off. Can't wait for a day off!!!
It's good to be back together with David. x
Today we had the 2nd preview and the pacing was much improved from last night, the first preview, which was good but had a nervous energy quality to it. I think the show will just get better with previews.
Tomorrow there is no preview - we have the EPK and press tapings. And then a day off. Can't wait for a day off!!!
It's good to be back together with David. x
3.24.2009
How March flies
2009 seems to be moving along quickly!
I have been in London for a week now, beginning the re-cast process, while David remains in Berlin and continues the tech-ing process. I have 4 more days of casting in London, and then will fly back to Berlin on Saturday in time for the first preview. Then we will have a week of previews until DD Berlin opens on April 7th! It's all happening, and quickly.
After Berlin, David and I will make our way back to London, where we will stay for 3 weeks. We can ALMOST feel our home in New York... but we're not quite there yet!
London casting is going apace. It's a big cast change this year, bigger than we expected. But I have seen some interesting actors and dancers, so crossing fingers... being in London solo is a strange feeling, especially since everyone else in the creative team is in Berlin putting the finishing touches to our newest production. Fortunately, there are a lot of brilliant plays on in London at the moment, so I have kept myself busy with outings to the theater. I have seen 1 comedy show and 3 plays already, have seen DD twice; I have a ticket to see Madame de Sade with Judi Dench on Thursday (didn't get great reviews, but still good to see it). Not bad. I have been a social butterfly, went to an engagement party, went to dinner at Val's in Fulham, and have been keeping myself occupied. It's a good change to be in an English speaking country.
But I miss David of course and I miss watching the Berlin cast go into its last stages of preparation before opening, so it will be good to go back to Berlin on Saturday.
More soon.
I have been in London for a week now, beginning the re-cast process, while David remains in Berlin and continues the tech-ing process. I have 4 more days of casting in London, and then will fly back to Berlin on Saturday in time for the first preview. Then we will have a week of previews until DD Berlin opens on April 7th! It's all happening, and quickly.
After Berlin, David and I will make our way back to London, where we will stay for 3 weeks. We can ALMOST feel our home in New York... but we're not quite there yet!
London casting is going apace. It's a big cast change this year, bigger than we expected. But I have seen some interesting actors and dancers, so crossing fingers... being in London solo is a strange feeling, especially since everyone else in the creative team is in Berlin putting the finishing touches to our newest production. Fortunately, there are a lot of brilliant plays on in London at the moment, so I have kept myself busy with outings to the theater. I have seen 1 comedy show and 3 plays already, have seen DD twice; I have a ticket to see Madame de Sade with Judi Dench on Thursday (didn't get great reviews, but still good to see it). Not bad. I have been a social butterfly, went to an engagement party, went to dinner at Val's in Fulham, and have been keeping myself occupied. It's a good change to be in an English speaking country.
But I miss David of course and I miss watching the Berlin cast go into its last stages of preparation before opening, so it will be good to go back to Berlin on Saturday.
More soon.
3.12.2009
time goes quickly when in production... (sometimes)
(The facade of the Theater Am Potsdamer Platz, where Dirty Dancing Berlin will open is a few weeks' time)February came and went, and now we're in March and in tech! The cast went on stage the end of last week and so began tech. It's great to be in the theater finally, working days and evenings, and being able to walk to work. It makes all the difference in our sleep quantity and quality.
Tech has gone fairly well, the theater is great and the cast looks wonderful. David is excited to be working with the dancers on stage, he truly thrives on this process and it is beautiful to see. We've had a quiet time mostly - unlike Chicago, which was full of parties and from where we barely survived with our livers in tact. We have had a couple of cast parties sponsored by the production, which have been great fun. Last weekend there was a big welcome party at the theater, and that was excellent good times - the older actors got onto the dance floor along with the dancers and dirty danced the night away, quite literally. We even witnessed Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher (the old characters) gyrating away, killing it on the dance floor. Incredible. All in all, though, David and I have remained sensible in our partying. We've opted for time lounging at home when we can, or going to the movies (we live near the Sony Center, which has a beautiful cinema that shows films in English, not dubbed or subtitled), or watching DVDs. "Normal" things we don't often get to do. We love our Berlin apartment, so our apartment has been an oasis for us away from the occasional chaos and stresss of work.
On Sunday I leave for London for 2 weeks of prelimiary casting. THIS, will surely be chaos, as we will do two days of open dance auditions, which expect 600 girls and 400 boys. A zoo. And then I will see a series of actors, singers, the usual. David and I haven't been apart in a while so 2 weeks seems like a extraordinarily long time in the middle of tech - but I shall be back in Berlin in time for previews.
For now, here are some recent snapshots from Berlin:
(Close up of the fancy Opening Night invitations - and there we are! Me and David on the invites - we have come a long way since we last did the show in Germany...)
(Dirty Dancing seems all over Berlin... even on back of taxi receipts!)
[At the welcome party at the theater... FROM LEFT: David, me, James (director), Claudia (who plays "Lisa") and Michael C. (our production stage manager)]
(John O'Connell - aka Cha Cha - came through Berlin and we had drinks with him - we had not seen him since the Sydney DD opening, so that was a nice catch up, especially for David)2.20.2009
snow, snow and more snow!
(View from our window a couple of days ago... the snow looked gorgeous in the sunshine... but now it is just gray and overcast as it continues to snow...)It has snowed non-stop for the past 3 days in Berlin, and continues today. The snow hasn't "dumped" on Berlin, as it might in a snow storm, but it has fallen steadily and has piled up. Initially it was all quite beautiful, the snow softly blanketing the city. But as it continued and occasionally mixed with rain, the city has become more treacherous to walk around, wet, cold, icy, and squishy.
David has made a smooth recovery health-wise, although the heavy, creamy-sauce-driven German lunches at work have taken their toll and his stomach hasn't been at its finest. He has began bringing food from home. I, in turn, have succumbed to the illness going around, and have spent yesterday and today cooped up in our apartment, watching the snow fall, emailing and working from home while trying to rest. Resting is the hard part, when one's mind is racing with all that one might do.
(Prepping for the press event...)Rehearsals continue well here in Berlin. The cast is gorgeous and getting along very well. We had a big press event on Wednesday, in which 3 dance sections were presented: Magic Moment, Mambo, and Do You Love Me. The dancers looked spectacular -- David has done a fabulous job, as always, preparing them. They were the highlights of the press event... although David and I did both give a brief speech in an interview to the press, which was a first for us and nerve-wracking for me, but we were told we did a great job.
(Me and David after the press event, in front of the DD bus that is all over Berlin)I am now beginning to set up the London re-cast auditions -- one show cast, another show to look after! I will be heading to London for 2 weeks in March, then David and I will be there for 3 weeks after the Berlin opening.
It will be full spring by the time we return to New York!
2.15.2009
Snowy in Berlin
(Snow beginning to blanket the streets of Berlin...)Today is the first Sunday we have spent all day at home, sleeping in and chilling out, since we arrived in Berlin. Our last Sundays - our day off for the week - have been spent doing more auditions, so we've not had the chance to sleep in. It's so great to spend a free day doing nothing. David has been under the weather, too, so he very much needed the day off. A cold had passed on from Kimberly (the dance department assistant) to Craig (the ballroom choreographer), and finally onto David. He's feeling much better now, but we both have to watch being over tired.
It's snowing in Berlin today since the afternoon, so it's been nice to just stay indoors. A mellow day in Berlin.
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