"The King and I" Opens Tonight

It's time. Tonight is the open performance for "The King and I" at the Oak Ridge Playhouse. We run for three weekends - come out and enjoy a night at the theatre.

Cultures clash in exotic Bangkok when an English school teacher is hired to instruct he many children of the King of Siam. A classic Broadway musical featuring one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beautiful musical scores.

Pictured above are Robert Tenyson as The King and my good friend Laurie Bowles as Anna. Laurie was the lead in the first production I ever did at Oak Ridge, another Rodgers and Hammerstein, "Oklahoma!" back in 1997. We've crossed creative paths here and there since then but it's been several years since I've worked with her and she's a pleasure to know and a wonderful talent.

As always, if you come to see the show I'm the guy waving his arms at the orchestra and playing the electonic keyboard. My buddy Michael V. is once again churning out the bass and I'm glad to have him with us again. In fact three of the other four members of the orchestra (Michael, Carey and Patti) were with me last year in "Annie" and I hope to keep the team together with my new pianist Emily for future productions. It's hard to believe I've gone from begging for help to having a regular "troupe"!

I promise I'll have a photo of Tink in her Siamese garb soon. Keep watching!

Update

I haven't posted much lately because I've been completely consumed with Music Directing "The King & I" at the Oak Ridge Playhouse. Last year I chronicled my experiences as MD of "Annie" here with my Diary of a Musical Director series and wanted to continue this time but there just hasn't been nearly as much of interest to comment on.

That, the funeral, and the fact the elections last week dominated the blogosphere so completely has lessened my enthusiasm and energy somewhat for a lot of things.

My interest has also waned on writing my NaNoWriMo story, "Secret Identity". I've posted six chapters so far online and invited commentary, criticism, etc. but have yet to hear from anyone. I have no burning need to write to exorcise my own personal demons so I thought I could rely on some external support and feedback but since there hasn't been any I can't get a real need to continue. If any of you are reading and interested in where the story goes I will try and keep going but please let me know.

I know that's no reason to write, just like it's no reason to blog - to expect feedback. Well, at least I hear people say that. I have to have the commentary back and forth to keep the creative posting going. I can't simply pour my life out in individual posts throughout the day, attempting to make sense of it all in my head - nobody cares that I ate a half a bag of chips and some crackers last night for supper, nor that I couldn't get to sleep until about 3am because of all my personal mental gremlins that won't release me when I go to bed. Does that interest anyone? No, probably not.

Ok, enough running off at the blog. That's where I stand at the moment. Good picture of Tink coming up later this week as she starts her theatrical career as a Royal Child to the King.

Diary of a Music Director 2006 - Part 1: "The King & I"

Another 7 weeks of pain and pleasure has begun. Last night was the first evening of rehearsals for the new show I am Music Directing, "The King & I" at the Oak Ridge Playhouse.

I'm going to try and chronicle my experiences as I did last year with "Annie" (here, here--oh, just browse October and November if you're interested. It's fascinating and insightful reading, I promise you..).

A couple of beginning observations. I'm a vocal director first off, and my strength is teaching and coaching vocalists to sing the various parts in a musical, both principal soloists and choruses. Interestingly, in this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic the choral work is very minimal - especially compared with their other shows such as "Oklahoma!" and "South Pacific" - and my vocal work won't take long. I have last night and tonight to work with the soloists, then three days next week to go over the choral parts. From then on until about a week before the show starts I'm the rehearsal pianist.

When the show starts into dress rehearsals I'm the orchestra leader - now, orchestra is a relative term in this level of amateur community theatre, because it usually just encompasses a piano, electronic keyboard, drums, bass and maybe a wind instrument or two. That's the plan for this show, but the challenge will be taking those instrumentalists and producing a musical sound that's compatible in emotion and scope with what a full orchestra can give to a production of this size.

It's a challenge, to be sure, but one I'm looking forward to because the music of this show is so rich and exotic. I can't wait to dig into the score!

One final note - Tink is in the show as one of the Royal Children. This is her first stage production, and I'll be there each night to watch over her. It should be quite interesting!

"The King & I" will be presented at the Oak Ridge Playhouse November 17-19, 23-26 and December 1-3, 2006.