DeBaun

[ceebeegee]

So I've been rehearsing at DeBaun lately for their upcoming adaptation of A Christmas Carol. They cast me along with 6-7 other women to be a group of carolers--we are not characters in the show and I think our blocking will be pretty limited, but we'll be singing before the show and doing promotional appearances. We've had two rehearsals so far and they've been really good. I wanted to do something easy but fulfilling, and working with Dave and other good musicians is just what I need. I could tell I was oversinging at the first rehearsal--we were stuck in some tiny room with bad acoustics--so I pulled back last night and listened to how it felt rather than how it sounded, and it went much better. One thing I especially love about this is not being stuck on boring soprano melody all the time--I've been volunteering for the alto lines many times, so I can brush up on my reading skills. I love sightsinging--it's like reading in another language, and it's something I do well and a skill I want to maintain.

I'd like to audition for their upcoming production of Anything Goes but they're doing the 1987 (Lincoln Center revival with Patti Lupone) version with Erma instead of Bonnie, and Erma only has one song, "Buddie Beware." (There are three different versions of Anything Goes--the original, back in 1934, is considered too dated to be revivable, so they've revamped the script twice. In the '62 version, the soubrette is named Bonnie and she has two songs, one of which is an AWESOME song called "Heaven Hop," this adorable ditty about the rockin' parties they have in Heaven. "Wag your ankles to that meter/Let your shoulders gently teeter/If you want to please St. Peter, take up the Heaven Hop!" In the '87 version, Bonnie is renamed Erma and gets one less song. So anyway, I'm not sure which role for which to audition--Hope is obviously ideal but I've played her already. Reno would be great but they may not see me as Reno--she's usually some heavyset older woman with brass balls, a la Ethel Merman (who originated the role) and they're asking for tappers for Erma. I can tap some, but I would not call myself a tapper.

Comments

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

What is the matter with you? Why are you acting this way?

[son-of-ottie.livejournal.com]

I think my brain's in backwards. That and I HATEHATEHATE those people at Debaun. I think the bile they increase in me may have spilled on you when you used the word "patronize". That and it's the second time you've told me to mind my own business when I've urged caution.

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

Baby--I know you hate Aaron and he treated you badly (and yes, I have consoled you about that, when you first told me). But right now something low-key, singing Xmas carols, is just what I need and anyway he has nothing to do with this show. I've had a difficult past month or so, and I just need an easy, sweet, fun show, and I really enjoy working with Dave.

Re: the patronizing--it has to do with the tone. When you said I would end up "friendless" and suggested what I should do "professionally" it hit me the wrong way. As a woman, I'm fairly sensitive to unsolicited advice, especially from men--we small women seem to get more than our share of it, because apparently we look so helpless (!), and it's a tricky thing with me. Believe me, I know it's not going to advance my career, and I know it's just community theater, but I just don't care right now. I need something easy.

When have I ever told you to mind your own business?

I am your friend--you really upset me talking like that.

[son-of-ottie.livejournal.com]

It happened when you posted about the drunk fat-arsed guy at Marie's. But let's just forget all this.
I'm HONESTLY not angry with you. And I actually am GLAD for YOU that you can have some Christmas cheer and enjoy yourself. No matter WHERE you do it.
Anyway, we were both just lucky enough to smack right square in the middle of each other's tender spots.
But know this, I NEVER think of you as a small woman. Physical stature means nothing to me. If you had one leg I'd still tell you to run faster and not expect you to get mad at me.
We ARE friends and we should both expect better from each other.
I know I'll expect better from myself from now especially as regards my reactions to Debaun.
But for the benefit of all our friends out there watching this train wreck I must say this, I'm not ever stepping foot inside that place again. And I won't see anything there.
Don't take it personally. Like I do.

In addition, I never meant to permanently de-Friend you Clara, I just didn't want to keep fighting and I thought I'd calm down if I didn't get any more emails.