THE ROAD TO APRIL YULE'S DAY

JANUARY 17
The actual process begins with the cast getting their roles assigned and attempting those parts for the first time. Ideas were tossed around,lots of things were figured out and many laughs were had. We have no new cast members this year after several people expressed interest,some even saying they would attend,then not showing up. Happens all the time. But this is the group that did the comedic heavy lifting last year and they're all back and battle tested. And next week, everybody dance!


JANUARY 24- 11 MONTHS TO CHRISTMAS EVE AND A 4 STAR REHEARSAL

The show starts to take shape early. Choreographer Kim wows us with her dance instruction and the work she put in developing steps for a clumsy cast. Tech Director Chris Davis shows up with ideas for Christmas surprises to take place at the performances. And, the first new Harlem Nights Player in two years arrives and throws himself into the show like a veteran. It's ZACH and you'll see him at the shows in April.
It was a lengthy rehearsal but we got plenty done and our little comedy family was all together at once with Kim,Chris and Zach at the table!

JANUARY 31
Two castmembers on the sick list but a wonderful and productive rehearsal as we determine the final running order of the show and then turn in a first rate run through.The production is rigt where it should be as January closes.8 more rehearsals to get it the rest of the way home.

FEBRUARY 7
An early rehearsal and a Super Bowl Party. Nuff said.

FEBRUARY 14
Its Valentines Day and we had billed it as a VDay pre rehearsal gathering but it was a surprise for cast member Kate as we celebrated the March birth of her daughter Ethel. Cake,cookies and gifts were featured before we got to the business of rehearsal where Rick ,the master of disguise,unveiled his Joey Greco and Frank Sinatra outfits. Mike had a Santa suit to model as well. Mike had a strong outing,nailing all the bits in which he appeared in a generally strong rehearsal all around,despite a backstage flood.

FEBRUARY 21
A different kind of rehearsal yields some wonderful results and the show has moved intoa new phase. Choreographer Kim worked some magic and took the cast through all the production numbers and they were surprisingly sufficient. Jimmy Fergus was another special guest,drawing up sketches and taking ideas on art work for the show. Kim and Jim's talentsare going to make a big difference this year.
And,Zach tries out a comedy routine for the cast that earned him the stand up spot at this year's "Raising The Roof". The material he can't do is pretty funny too but you'll have to catch that at one of his appearances around town.
As a mini snowstorm moved in, we worked til 9 PM and then went for coffee to wind down after a hectic rehearsal that sucked the life out of us. (Not really)
Next week, the last rehearsal with scripts.
february 28
February closes and the month before RTR beckons as we stage the show top to bottom and find our catch phrase in the process. Chris Davis our tech director observed and Jim Fergus presented his sketches and watched a portion of the show. We're still a littloe clunky and bumpy but are about where we should be. Some cast members worked minus scripts in advance of next week's first scriptless rehearsal.Without Kim the choreographer,the cast remembered the steps pretty well. Our new guy Zach continues to shine.Next week,the next phase begins.

March 7
We go without scripts which always brings highs and lows. Most of the cast knew their stuff,with Jake impressing with his knowledge of the many lines as a lawyer. It was bumpy but far from a train wreck and promises the next rehearsal will be smooth. Kim the choreographer would be proud of the care the cast took to do the dance steps a certain way. They turned it up a notch realizing that we have pulled to within a month of "Raising The Roof". Next week, the first ever morning rehearsal!
MARCH 14
GOOD MORNING!
With Coffee and Sweets Sunday in full swing we took two chances to run over to the hall and brush up on a bit or two while services were on. Things were disjointed and done without music or any props. It was okay though as we accomplished our ticket selling goal and made certain several seats will be occupied when we do the show. Next week,Kim the choreographer is back for our last Sunday @ 6 rehearsal of the year.
MARCH 21
This one started at 5 as we had plenty to discuss as far as props,costumes and next week's celebratory Last Sunday Lunch. Kate was present and as pregnant as ever....And for the first time,we went through two complete run throughs and in between,Kim the choreographer paid her final visit to give us a dance tune up. Props and costumes were everywhere,the backstage was cleaned out and it had all the signs that RTR was drawing very close. There were some notable performances and some rough spots...and our artist Jimmy Fergus paid a visit with some completed art work.We worked til almost ten,mindful that just one more Sunday remains before weekly rehearsals end for the year. And that last number -the one that closes the show....thats gonna be something.

THE FINAL SUNDAY MARCH 28
A wild and wacky finish to the rehearsal season as we gather to eat ,drink and be Merry Christmas. The cast carted in their props and costumes and met their new caps and shirts in Christmas colors .We sat down to our traditional last Sunday lunch with plenty of great food and drink and a celebration of Donna's birthday. It was a great rehearsal to take pictures and certainly one of the highlights was the arrival of new mother Kate along with the youngest person EVER to attend a rehearsal....4 day old Ethel! And she knew more about the show than Joey! Okay,not really. The first dress rehearsal run through was predictably bumpy and adjustments were made to make the second go around more smooth. So many wonderful costumes and production numbers...and a long day. We closed the book on another prep season and now its on to Raising The Roof. Nice job,everyone!