Lazy days and day jobs

All right, so the days aren't exactly lazy for most people. I don't do much for the Benefit, myself. They don't really need my stage manager skills for the rehearsals - I would end up sitting there Most of the time. I usually come in around the end to help pull dress rehearsals together, otherwise everyone's happy for me to keep away, and I like to stay away so that I can enjoy the show almost like a real performance, and have some surprises.
I'm sure everyone will be glad to know that Josh (my actor in a neck brace last week) has made a full recovery, and while we had to alter some blocking and calm down Huck for the last 'River' performance, no one was any the wiser. Speaking of River...
In one of the numbers in act Two, "Waitin' for the Light to Shine" the original plan was to have most of the company onstage behind Huck while he sang, up stage of the scrim. But the choreography wasn't coming off as sharp and clean as the choreographer wanted and finally we cut the people from upstage and had them sing offstage. THe costume designer was angry and devasted because three of the women's dresses had been built especially for that number. After three performances, we've all finally agreed that, rather than being interesting, offstage choir sounds, it just looks more like Huck can't remember all the lyrics. So last night we called an early rehearsal, brushed the choreography and threw everyone back onstage. I think the director will be pleased to find that out, as well as the costume designer and the others who helped build the lvoely dresses. It just goes to show was a fluid artform this is...something isn't working, and is easily fixed.
We have had the issue of changing things constantly this season, mostly to do with scenery. Things were designed and built too large and ungainly (quite frankly) , and while it is unethical and unprofessional, cuts were made for the good of the company and the shows. Maybe it's not right, but the shows are better off for it, and that's really the bottom line.

All in all the season is going well. Audiences are enjoying the shows - we do get the token person now and then who might walk out at intermission because they "don't like it," for whatever reason, but based on the other 300 to 400 people in the audience who stay and clap, we don't worry too much about those.
Ciao for now...we'll see how the Revue goes in a few days!