Friday, January 22, 2010

From the East to the West

A quick one. Gentle Readers will notice the new poster to the right (that's stage left for the actors reading this). All came about rather suddenly, actually. The Artistic Director of NoHo, James Mellon, and I decided to go with a benefit performance of the new piece, a "tweeking production" as it were, before the play moves to a larger venue. When it does move, John Schuck, the amazing actor you may have seen about a thousand times on television and in movies (for you older folks, he played Sgt. Enright on the old McMillan and Wife series - for you younger tots, he's constantly on Law and Order) is attached to the play in the lead role. Also my buddy and wonderful actor, John Bader, is attached in a supporting role.

This is gonna be really fun and really hard. We have 23 days to mount this thing. First readthru tomorrow at 10 AM. Everything cast except one role. Excellent young actors. And (I'm having nightmares about this) I'm stepping in as not only the director but also in the role that Mr. Schuck will eventually play. It's another huge role. As soon as we close I go into rehearsal for Praying Small. Why do I do this to myself?

Truth is, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Incidentally, the incredible poster design is courtesy of Chad Coe.

See you tomorrow.