Baby, You're da Bomb

Today's plan was to rehearse the entire play, "Firstborn," from noon to 5, and writer/director Tiffany Golden, who had sent some notes ahead of time, would be doing some pruning along the way, helped by Thandiwe de Shazor, the AD/Set Designer. We were in the fancy party room at Dee Dee Hilgesen's apartment, and had done partner quick line rehearsals, and were going strong when we found out that the room was actually booked for a real party and we had to disperse, and pronto! So, we cleaned up the room and moved ourselves, pizzas, water bottles, costumes, props, and Karen, the videographer, who was taping the rehearsal, outside to this lovely terrace with gray weathered wooden outdoor furniture. Rain threatened, planes flew low, and at least one of the cast had no coat. But we kept going. Then it started to rain lightly and the decision was made to move into the conference room off the main lobby. So, off we went, with our stuff. Now our stage became a few feet between the conference table and a wall, and some of the actors got the sillies, some of us had chats during breaks, and we kept on going. The entire time, I was thinking how amazing Tiffany is, how she lets nothing ruffle her feathers, how her positivism is quite infectious.

Clarence Johnson who plays the dad, Eli,was telling me about his actor's training of at least a decade, about his role in an upcoming feature, where he's the set-up for the story - a bad boy who gets killed early on, and that he's up for a couple more roles like in the same genre. Then I was telling him about Trainer Terry in "In-World War," also a set-up role for the story. At some point, we were talking about my roles today and he blurted, "Baby, you're da bomb!" Loving the language, loving the compliment, and passing it forward - Clarence, you're da bomb. We wished each other success...I have a good feeling about Clarence's future.

Well, I guess we're all feeling a bit shaky about blocking, still, having to move around so much and knowing we don't get onstage again before Tuesday, or was it Monday? Dress rehearsals begin Monday. My second wig has been approved. I am agonizing a bit about the details of costume changes in tight, possibly dark quarters and the timing of it all, but, Tiffany assures it will all work out.