Revolving, evolving, and hope-ening night

We had dress rehearsal for "Marius" tonight. The rock 'n roll students rehearsing downstairs were not as loud or distasteful as last night's, and the set is about 90 percent constructed. The paint for first coat is almost dry. David, our director, has been quite kind. This shows amazing strength of character, given all that's on his plate (not only is he our director, he translated the play, sold all the ads for the playbill, got it produced, runs the company, and supervises all the volunteers. He oversaw the set design and construction, and is master of props, audio, and so much more).

Tonight, as I was standing in the wings, preparing for my third scene, he told me I looked great. Wished me luck. That was all I needed to go forward for the rest of the evening, well handled, with still a few flaws.

I am developing the ability to "be" Fanny's mother, Honorine. This includes looking like a fishmonger who aspires to much more.

For the first time in years, I arrived at the theater with a perfectly frizzy/curly coif, circa 1930s. That took three hours at my fab hairdresser's, and I kept pushing for being done by three in the afternoon, which was impossible, given the facts: at one in the afternoon, I, a curly-haired woman who needed a color job, got her hairdresser to take two years worth of flat-ironed curly hair and turn it into a frizzy Marseille mop! Well, we did it, and it involved using some product and hairspray, and, how long will it last?

I got to Fort Mason early enough to take a brisk walk on the Marina green, circling the America's Cup extravaganza, and surrounded by French tourists on bicycles (wouldn't it be cool to have a "Marius" sandwich board to interest these French families in the play?). Then, it was a quick stop at Starbuck's for Greek yogurt and a latte, and a bottle of water to have in the dressing room. All this fueled me through tonight after last night's long night without enough sleep, but plenty of worries.

Today I worked out some new ideas for my wardrobe, including a change of shoes (mostly to protect my aching right knee), and two changes of earrings (thanks Tracy, for the handmade green drop earrings!). Yesterday's coup was arriving on scene in the fab 30s hat with feathers and knowing it would be just right. Last night, I also added a basket to carry to my fish stand. In it, my apron and a random old crochet square from David's costume collection. I'm still working on business to do during my last fishmonger-yells-at-daughter scene. This is where the set revolves, so far, unpredictably. Directions as to when to start have changed a couple of times. (Go with the flow really means something in this play.) Tonight, for the first time, there was overhead lighting and this corner of the set illuminates my bright yellow dress. Wish I could see how it looks from the audience's perspective. Actor Al said it looked splendid, that the colors really popped.

Bad rehearsal, great performance, they say. Tomorrow we'll know how well this axiom holds.