So basically I just graduated from University of Miami with a B.F.A in Acting and this is my first job in the "Real World". I decided that I would document this wild adventure and share with everyone the fear, the rewards and the reality of doing a 12 month Children's Theatre National Tour. My job is to arrive into town Sunday, audition 25-350 kids Monday and by Saturday pull off a full musical production of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" starring yours truly, Christopher Nelson Harbur.

1/19/2007

O.K. I don't see the Piano Player...

These were the very words that came out of the Queen's mouth 10 minutes after the show was supposed to start...
Let me set the scene real quick:
650 screaming children ages 4-10 who had already been sitting for 45 minutes and various cast members frantically pacing backstage tugging at my shirt saying things like:
"Are my friends out there?"
"I can't remember my first line"
"Ummm, Mr. Chris, Daniella just went pee-pee in her pants."
Now, combine all that with a woman who demanded that we start the show immediately, and you start to get the feel of the show this morning.
"Ma'am I realize these kids need to catch buses after the show," I pleaded, "but doing the show without a pianist will create a small catastrophe seeing as how the kids won't know when to start singing and all their entrances and exits happen when the music starts."
She promptly shrugged with a "sucks for you" kind of expression, walked out on stage, and announced the show.
I was pretty sure I had just met the most horrible woman alive and that she was kidding until I heard her say, "And now we present, The Little Mermaid!"
I pulled out my cell phone as fast as I could and called our emergency contact number…
"Hey Ellen, Cody isn't here and the show just started so if you could call him and just let him now that we are about to do the show acapella that would be great. Thanks!"

About halfway through the second number, the piano magically swooped in playing against a group of Sea Scouts who soon discovered they were singing about 10x to high.
Well, the kids didn't seem to notice or care as they clapped, cheered and giggled all the way through the show and yet again, someone was looking out for us in small town Tennessee

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds pretty crazy!!! I guess your life is never boring!
(Brianna)

7:28 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ok, first I have to tell you- well done on being a computer geek and making a LOVELY blog. I think I know how to write an email- I am surprised I figured out how to comment. Now second- OH Athens TN... That sucks. Some people are just don't know what theatre is. Your kids sound CRAZY- did they remember me and kelley? I hope your piano player gets there on time tomorrow... what happened to him anyway, for being so late? OK, I have to practice my monologue now.

7:53 PM

 

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