Good morning, everyone!
Hope you all get some rest before our long day. Great show last night--the audience was with you the whole way--so fun!
For this afternoon, please plan to stay at Berry between shows. We will be providing some food, and we also will be taking CAST PICTURES between shows. There is only an hour and a half anyway, so we'd like everyone to stick around.
Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you all in a bit...
Love,
Amy
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Updates from Amy--important, please read carefully
Happy second weekend of shows!
Great job last night! Some friends of ours came to last night's performance, and I realized as I was talking to them afterward how very proud I am to be part of this show. To anyone who asks me about it, I brag and brag about you guys, and tell them they have to come see it and would have a fantastically fun evening. You guys rock!
Has anyone seen the two missing hunters' hats? We'd like to find them before tonight!
For tonight, tomorrow, and next weekend, we will have to do quite a bit of tear down and set up. I am planning to make an assignment sheet for everyone, so we can all do our part with all this work. I plan to include some job for everyone over the next two weeks--it's fine for family members to do your assignment in your place, but I would like to ask that each of you carry out your assigned responsibility. In particular, I will need folks to set up at 12:30 tomorrow--if you are available for that, please text me at 832-248-8053 or email me jcookfamily@sbcglobal.net or tell me tonight. Thanks!
Amy
(PS If you are still reading the blog, here is a treat for you--today is Dale Pollack's birthday--he is running rails for us. If you go tell him Happy Birthday this evening, he will have a birthday cookie for you (Don't worry, Dale, I'm bringing them for you to share.)--See you all tonight!)
Great job last night! Some friends of ours came to last night's performance, and I realized as I was talking to them afterward how very proud I am to be part of this show. To anyone who asks me about it, I brag and brag about you guys, and tell them they have to come see it and would have a fantastically fun evening. You guys rock!
Has anyone seen the two missing hunters' hats? We'd like to find them before tonight!
For tonight, tomorrow, and next weekend, we will have to do quite a bit of tear down and set up. I am planning to make an assignment sheet for everyone, so we can all do our part with all this work. I plan to include some job for everyone over the next two weeks--it's fine for family members to do your assignment in your place, but I would like to ask that each of you carry out your assigned responsibility. In particular, I will need folks to set up at 12:30 tomorrow--if you are available for that, please text me at 832-248-8053 or email me jcookfamily@sbcglobal.net or tell me tonight. Thanks!
Amy
(PS If you are still reading the blog, here is a treat for you--today is Dale Pollack's birthday--he is running rails for us. If you go tell him Happy Birthday this evening, he will have a birthday cookie for you (Don't worry, Dale, I'm bringing them for you to share.)--See you all tonight!)
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday night's rehearsal cancelled and Cast Appearance Possibilities
Hey everybody,
Josh wanted me to let you know of a couple of opportunities for cast members to dress in costume and interact with people while in character to publicize our marvelous show--
This Friday morning, March 2nd, Willowbrook Mall--obviously this only works for those who are home-schooled, not in school yet, or adults who aren't working Friday
This Saturday afternoon, March 3rd--Josh will be doing balloons and would like a some cast members to be there with him, having fun, interacting, and passing out balloons.
Please call Josh and let him know if you are available. If you can come Friday, we will need to work on getting your costume for you.
Also, Josh has cancelled tomorrow evening's (Thursday) pickup rehearsal. We will see everyone at Berry Center Friday at 5pm. Thanks!
Amy
Josh wanted me to let you know of a couple of opportunities for cast members to dress in costume and interact with people while in character to publicize our marvelous show--
This Friday morning, March 2nd, Willowbrook Mall--obviously this only works for those who are home-schooled, not in school yet, or adults who aren't working Friday
This Saturday afternoon, March 3rd--Josh will be doing balloons and would like a some cast members to be there with him, having fun, interacting, and passing out balloons.
Please call Josh and let him know if you are available. If you can come Friday, we will need to work on getting your costume for you.
Also, Josh has cancelled tomorrow evening's (Thursday) pickup rehearsal. We will see everyone at Berry Center Friday at 5pm. Thanks!
Amy
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Updates from Amy (Also t-shirt list)
Hey everyone!
After all the time we've spent together the last few weeks, it seems weird not to see you guys! I miss seeing your bright faces, and look forward to seeing you Friday night. (Or tomorrow at Chick fil A!) Please be sure to check out Mrs. Debbie's notes below and work on your music and lines this week.
These are the people I have listed as having paid for t-shirts. If anyone else would like one, including parents, I need to know right away and will need payment on Friday. They are $10. Email me at jcookfamily@sbcglobal.net
Emma Allbright
Laura Barbe
Wyatt Clayton
Alexandra Cochran
Anna Conover
Deborah and Hannah Cook
Cossette Czarnopis
Natalie Davidson
Evan and Olivia Delaune
Lauren Dodds
Ally, Bryn, Kyla Fleischhauer
Zoe Forde
Shaun Furter
Kelsey Giallanza
Sam Hackett
Taylor Hall
Caroline Harper
Jessica Heintjes
Kyle and Shayne Holava
Jordan Jones
Laura Knipp
Leslie Lenert
Alejandro Martinez
Noah and Gracie McDaniel
Emily Menking
Will Metivier
Erik Mills
Morgan Montgomery
Shamus and Peyton O'Brien
Gia Ochsenbein
Raegan Roberts
Courtney Robertson
Rebekah Stanley
Dana, Desi, Estus Stephens
Bryan and Rylee Sutton
Abby Weeks
Peyton Wilkinson
Call time on Friday is 5:00pm at the Berry Center. See you then!
Amy
After all the time we've spent together the last few weeks, it seems weird not to see you guys! I miss seeing your bright faces, and look forward to seeing you Friday night. (Or tomorrow at Chick fil A!) Please be sure to check out Mrs. Debbie's notes below and work on your music and lines this week.
These are the people I have listed as having paid for t-shirts. If anyone else would like one, including parents, I need to know right away and will need payment on Friday. They are $10. Email me at jcookfamily@sbcglobal.net
Emma Allbright
Laura Barbe
Wyatt Clayton
Alexandra Cochran
Anna Conover
Deborah and Hannah Cook
Cossette Czarnopis
Natalie Davidson
Evan and Olivia Delaune
Lauren Dodds
Ally, Bryn, Kyla Fleischhauer
Zoe Forde
Shaun Furter
Kelsey Giallanza
Sam Hackett
Taylor Hall
Caroline Harper
Jessica Heintjes
Kyle and Shayne Holava
Jordan Jones
Laura Knipp
Leslie Lenert
Alejandro Martinez
Noah and Gracie McDaniel
Emily Menking
Will Metivier
Erik Mills
Morgan Montgomery
Shamus and Peyton O'Brien
Gia Ochsenbein
Raegan Roberts
Courtney Robertson
Rebekah Stanley
Dana, Desi, Estus Stephens
Bryan and Rylee Sutton
Abby Weeks
Peyton Wilkinson
Call time on Friday is 5:00pm at the Berry Center. See you then!
Amy
Music Notes from Opening Weekend
CAST MUSIC NOTES
Oh, my, people!!! What a great opening weekend! Thank you for all you've done to prepare. As we go through this week, please keep reviewing notes, lines, entrances, cut-offs, etc. Each week should be a little sharper. Although I'm unable to be with you this week, I KNOW you'll be awesome! Make me even prouder, if that's possible!!! Love to you all!
Oh, the Thinks - Cat, remember to move through your lines a little quicker so you don't have to rush your first singing line. Everyone, Part 3 & 4 needs more parts! When you get to the "...and think...and think...and think", remember to listen carefully to the track so you can stay in rhythm with it. Ladies, remember to cut off quickly with a good, hard "k" on "Oh, the thinks you can think!" You've been holding it out, but it needs to stay short.
Biggest Blame Fool - Kangaroos, you ROCK!! Wickershams, remember not to rush on "HA! HA! HA! Laughed the Wickersham brothers!" When you start singing, let's really hear those parts. When you sing out on those, it's AWESOME! Cat, your spoken lines get mushy when you're the talk show host. Be sure you can always be understood, no matter what inflection, personality, or accent you adopt. Everyone, nice job on the playoff!
Here on Who - M/M Mayor, you're doing a fabulous job.....keep it up! Whos, remember that everyone sings every family line. Grinch, you're a scene stealer! Everyone, remember to let M/M Mayor only sing starting with "Our future's in your hands" and through "You're the only one who hears." Everyone sings again on "You must, sir!"
It's Possible - JoJo (both of you), you're wonderful! You hit a home run this weekend! Keep it up, kiddos! Everyone, we REALLY need to hear parts during Part 2 & 3. Please review them this week so they can be solid again.
The Military - General, the audience loved you! Great energy! Cadets, you started strong. You MUST review your entrance in Part 3 after the General sings "That's what makes a boy..." General sings "boy" on beat 1; beat 2 is a rest for you; beat 3 is when you start "That's what makes a boy..." Please review so we can get that really crisp.
Monkey Around - Wickershams, you're great! Please review parts toward the end and get those tight again.
Chasing the Whos - Exciting song, everyone! Wickershams, you're doing so much "ooo ooo aah aaah" that you're covering up Sour Kangaroo's solo. Please back off some on your noises so other solos can be heard. Cat, your spoken lines from the helicopter get covered up by music. Rather than asking the sound to be altered, if you'll project more and enunciate a little clearer, I think it will come through better. Men, I still need MUCH more "Cha- sing the Whos"!! M/M Mayor and Whos, you're getting lost in all the action. Please project more on "We're Whos here....." Everyone, MORE PARTS on "black-bottomed eagle was cruel as could be!"
Finale Act 1 - Bird Girls, review parts on "he kept the egg warm" and also separate "kept....the egg....warm". On "storm", as soon as you hit that chord, you fall off of those pitches simulating wind noise. Again on your "ooh...aah" a couple of measure later, you fall off of the pitches on your "aah". Also, altos and sopranos have moving notes there and I don't hear them moving. They're clashing with the orchestration, so please review those notes. When you get to "And then came the winter...", the following words are short: "sleet", "hung", "trunk". On "feet", that's only held for 2 beats, then cut off, rest for 2 beats, then back in on the same notes and fall off of the pitches again. Please review this section carefully. Cat, on "Lucky (Reprise)", the first two times you sing "Tell yourself...", please sing the bottom notes to bring out the harmony. Everyone, please bring out those bottom notes on "thank your lucky stars..." Excellent job remembering how many times to repeat!!!
Our Story Resumes...(Part 2) - Cat, your first spoken line is only 7 beats into the song. Horton, your first spoken line is 8 beats after Cat finishes. The underscore changes to play "Oh, the Thinks" just as you start. Bird Girls, nice entrance! Men, remember to really bring out "egg, nest, and tree" each time. We could sure use more PARTS on "Sold..Sold...Sold"!
Circus McGurkus - Everyone, careful on those "Oh, Oh" notes. Please review when they go down and when they go up. We're still unsure about those. When you start singing, "Come see the monstrosities...", it sounds forced. Remember to sing full voice for the excitement, but never in a forceful way so it turns to a constipated sound.
Alone in the Universe/Solla Sollew - Horton, you made me cry! Such tenderness and sensitivity! Keep it going! Everyone, MORE PARTS, just keep them tender to match Horton. Review your notes for "Solla Sollew......." that you sing underneath Horton's "If we can get there...." Nice parts to the end!
The Butter Battle/Saving Private JoJo - JoJo, please wait for music to play a note or two before you speak "And not only that, sir...." Also, take your time there. Those notes are nice and long. No need to rush. General, PLEASE wait until the music changes before your spoken line "It's a minefield out there!" This is a dramatic scene, guys. Ham it up.....milk it!
Whos Christmas Pageant/Roast Beast - Whos, please review your notes in these two songs. They're good. It's just a tough section, so don't let yourself forget the notes here.
Havin' a Hunch - Cat/JoJo, remember to work the timing just before Part 3 so that your lines fall between notes that the orchestration is playing. Everyone, MUCH MORE bottom note needed on Part 4. It was much better Saturday night, but still could use more. Everyone, please remember to come in AS SOON AS the orchestration cuts off at the end!
All for You - Bird Girls, ohhhhh, you're close! Keep reviewing these harmonies every chance you get. Find a corner on Thursday and work them, and find a corner every chance you get to work them. This song is tough, but you're really close to nailing it! When Gertrude sings, "...and I haven't gone through!" and you come in on your "Ah......", please put a slight pause before "I". It makes it more dramatic and easier to understand as well. We're losing harmonies on the end, so just keep working.
The Whos Return - Everyone, nice phrasing on "A person's a person, no matter how......"!!
The People vs. Horton the Elephant - Wickershams, when you sing, "You're gonna be...gonna be...gonna be...", please remember to cut off and let Kangaroo sing alone on "gonna be put..." You come back in on "...on trial!" Horton, review your words at "You can throw me in jail..." so we clearly understand "but I won't desert my egg and I will not abandon Who!" Way to go...taking your time on "These Whos here...." Nice job! Judge, GREAT timing on "Nool Asylum..." and so forth!! Everyone, remember Part 4 starts with men and women taking turns. We also could use more separation on "Boil......it". Think of both as staccato notes to make them crisper, cleaner.
Yopp!/Alone (Reprise) - Sour Kangaroo, your spoken lines at the beginning are getting a little covered up by the orchestration. I appreciate the incredible tenderness here, but please project a little more and use just a little better diction so those precious lines are heard. Horton/Gertrude, PLEASE review your spoken lines after "An Elephant Bird!" Friday night was awesome! Let's hear those every night! Such compassion and expression on your sung lines......NICE!!
Bows - Everyone, review your words and timing for Bows! Nice, nice, nice! The audience LOVES it!!!
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! BREAK A LEG!!!!!
Oh, my, people!!! What a great opening weekend! Thank you for all you've done to prepare. As we go through this week, please keep reviewing notes, lines, entrances, cut-offs, etc. Each week should be a little sharper. Although I'm unable to be with you this week, I KNOW you'll be awesome! Make me even prouder, if that's possible!!! Love to you all!
Oh, the Thinks - Cat, remember to move through your lines a little quicker so you don't have to rush your first singing line. Everyone, Part 3 & 4 needs more parts! When you get to the "...and think...and think...and think", remember to listen carefully to the track so you can stay in rhythm with it. Ladies, remember to cut off quickly with a good, hard "k" on "Oh, the thinks you can think!" You've been holding it out, but it needs to stay short.
Biggest Blame Fool - Kangaroos, you ROCK!! Wickershams, remember not to rush on "HA! HA! HA! Laughed the Wickersham brothers!" When you start singing, let's really hear those parts. When you sing out on those, it's AWESOME! Cat, your spoken lines get mushy when you're the talk show host. Be sure you can always be understood, no matter what inflection, personality, or accent you adopt. Everyone, nice job on the playoff!
Here on Who - M/M Mayor, you're doing a fabulous job.....keep it up! Whos, remember that everyone sings every family line. Grinch, you're a scene stealer! Everyone, remember to let M/M Mayor only sing starting with "Our future's in your hands" and through "You're the only one who hears." Everyone sings again on "You must, sir!"
It's Possible - JoJo (both of you), you're wonderful! You hit a home run this weekend! Keep it up, kiddos! Everyone, we REALLY need to hear parts during Part 2 & 3. Please review them this week so they can be solid again.
The Military - General, the audience loved you! Great energy! Cadets, you started strong. You MUST review your entrance in Part 3 after the General sings "That's what makes a boy..." General sings "boy" on beat 1; beat 2 is a rest for you; beat 3 is when you start "That's what makes a boy..." Please review so we can get that really crisp.
Monkey Around - Wickershams, you're great! Please review parts toward the end and get those tight again.
Chasing the Whos - Exciting song, everyone! Wickershams, you're doing so much "ooo ooo aah aaah" that you're covering up Sour Kangaroo's solo. Please back off some on your noises so other solos can be heard. Cat, your spoken lines from the helicopter get covered up by music. Rather than asking the sound to be altered, if you'll project more and enunciate a little clearer, I think it will come through better. Men, I still need MUCH more "Cha- sing the Whos"!! M/M Mayor and Whos, you're getting lost in all the action. Please project more on "We're Whos here....." Everyone, MORE PARTS on "black-bottomed eagle was cruel as could be!"
Finale Act 1 - Bird Girls, review parts on "he kept the egg warm" and also separate "kept....the egg....warm". On "storm", as soon as you hit that chord, you fall off of those pitches simulating wind noise. Again on your "ooh...aah" a couple of measure later, you fall off of the pitches on your "aah". Also, altos and sopranos have moving notes there and I don't hear them moving. They're clashing with the orchestration, so please review those notes. When you get to "And then came the winter...", the following words are short: "sleet", "hung", "trunk". On "feet", that's only held for 2 beats, then cut off, rest for 2 beats, then back in on the same notes and fall off of the pitches again. Please review this section carefully. Cat, on "Lucky (Reprise)", the first two times you sing "Tell yourself...", please sing the bottom notes to bring out the harmony. Everyone, please bring out those bottom notes on "thank your lucky stars..." Excellent job remembering how many times to repeat!!!
Our Story Resumes...(Part 2) - Cat, your first spoken line is only 7 beats into the song. Horton, your first spoken line is 8 beats after Cat finishes. The underscore changes to play "Oh, the Thinks" just as you start. Bird Girls, nice entrance! Men, remember to really bring out "egg, nest, and tree" each time. We could sure use more PARTS on "Sold..Sold...Sold"!
Circus McGurkus - Everyone, careful on those "Oh, Oh" notes. Please review when they go down and when they go up. We're still unsure about those. When you start singing, "Come see the monstrosities...", it sounds forced. Remember to sing full voice for the excitement, but never in a forceful way so it turns to a constipated sound.
Alone in the Universe/Solla Sollew - Horton, you made me cry! Such tenderness and sensitivity! Keep it going! Everyone, MORE PARTS, just keep them tender to match Horton. Review your notes for "Solla Sollew......." that you sing underneath Horton's "If we can get there...." Nice parts to the end!
The Butter Battle/Saving Private JoJo - JoJo, please wait for music to play a note or two before you speak "And not only that, sir...." Also, take your time there. Those notes are nice and long. No need to rush. General, PLEASE wait until the music changes before your spoken line "It's a minefield out there!" This is a dramatic scene, guys. Ham it up.....milk it!
Whos Christmas Pageant/Roast Beast - Whos, please review your notes in these two songs. They're good. It's just a tough section, so don't let yourself forget the notes here.
Havin' a Hunch - Cat/JoJo, remember to work the timing just before Part 3 so that your lines fall between notes that the orchestration is playing. Everyone, MUCH MORE bottom note needed on Part 4. It was much better Saturday night, but still could use more. Everyone, please remember to come in AS SOON AS the orchestration cuts off at the end!
All for You - Bird Girls, ohhhhh, you're close! Keep reviewing these harmonies every chance you get. Find a corner on Thursday and work them, and find a corner every chance you get to work them. This song is tough, but you're really close to nailing it! When Gertrude sings, "...and I haven't gone through!" and you come in on your "Ah......", please put a slight pause before "I". It makes it more dramatic and easier to understand as well. We're losing harmonies on the end, so just keep working.
The Whos Return - Everyone, nice phrasing on "A person's a person, no matter how......"!!
The People vs. Horton the Elephant - Wickershams, when you sing, "You're gonna be...gonna be...gonna be...", please remember to cut off and let Kangaroo sing alone on "gonna be put..." You come back in on "...on trial!" Horton, review your words at "You can throw me in jail..." so we clearly understand "but I won't desert my egg and I will not abandon Who!" Way to go...taking your time on "These Whos here...." Nice job! Judge, GREAT timing on "Nool Asylum..." and so forth!! Everyone, remember Part 4 starts with men and women taking turns. We also could use more separation on "Boil......it". Think of both as staccato notes to make them crisper, cleaner.
Yopp!/Alone (Reprise) - Sour Kangaroo, your spoken lines at the beginning are getting a little covered up by the orchestration. I appreciate the incredible tenderness here, but please project a little more and use just a little better diction so those precious lines are heard. Horton/Gertrude, PLEASE review your spoken lines after "An Elephant Bird!" Friday night was awesome! Let's hear those every night! Such compassion and expression on your sung lines......NICE!!
Bows - Everyone, review your words and timing for Bows! Nice, nice, nice! The audience LOVES it!!!
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! BREAK A LEG!!!!!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Link to Additional Photos
Here's a link to 569 photos that I took at the final dress rehearsal on 2-23-12 https://picasaweb.google.com/106763093111598925216/SeussicalDressRehearsal
Bob
Bob
Second Seussical Video
Please check out this video and share it with all of your friends http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=106804b63242c1a3f6e7ea0&skin_id=1010&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
Thanks.
Bob
Thanks.
Bob
Seussical Promo Video
Please post this link on your facebook page and email it to all of your family, friends, and co-workers http://video214.com/play/9nFDSBu4cu8JwN0pUaMLcA/s/dark
Bob
Bob
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