 G'day Portland! Well friends and neighbors, we are quickly approach opening night here in Sydney (last Saturday night)! We moved from the rehearsal room to the theater itself recently, and had technical rehearsals for the set, sound and lights through the weekend, which was also further rehearsal for us. We have now had two packed-house preview audiences, and the show is growing and improving by leaps and bounds every night. As some of you know, our director, Andrew Upton, is married to Cate Blanchett, and they are co-artistic directors of Sydney Theatre Company. Cate has been giving some fantastic input to the show, and I gotta tell you, aside from being the brilliant actress that she is, she is truly a warm, down-to-earth, incredibly intelligent person. What a privilege to get to work with her and Andrew! The preview we had tonight was a magnificent step forward in our process, and the cast all left the stage this evening feeling invigorated and eager to come back for two more preview audiences before we open. For the many of you out there who are not privy to what goes on behind the scenes of building a play for the audience, the journey from first rehearsal to opening night is filled with creative ups and downs, highs and lows, thrills and spills. It is true of any artistic endeavor, and I dare say can apply to any walk of life, be it shaping a relationship or starting a business. We all work so hard to give others and ourselves the best experience possible, an experience filled with meaning and life, and in the forge of that creation we will feel at times uncertain and at others exhilarated. This production is no exception. We have had those hits and misses as we work through, but we learn from them each time and make a better show as a result. Tonight's rousing ovation from the audience told us we are on the right path. And I can't wait for opening.  Stephanie Mulligan, Allen Nause and Todd Van Voris on a ferry to Cockatoo Island.
In other Australian news, Allen Nause (artistic director of Artists Rep) flew Down Under and joined us this week, and it has been a pleasure having him here. Not only for his input on the show, which has been wonderful, but for the chance to get to see my friend. It makes me even more homesick for you guys! Allen, Stephanie Mulligan, and I went out to Cockatoo Island this past Sunday. It is spectacular! At one time a prison, then a shipyard, it is now an enormous arts installation housed in the historic jail cells, factory buildings, tunnels and warehouses that comprise the island in Sydney Harbour. We spent hours exploring amazing works of art and barely saw a quarter of what is there. I can't wait to go back! |
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