Sometimes jokes do come true

This morning at 9 – I had a photo shoot for Velocity – and they thought it would be fun to have me sticking out of the Tiki god (half of him is pictured here), and as I was standing there, I said “it would be really funny if I had a fruity drink in my hand”, and Doc got up and quietly wandered off – only to return with 3 options of tropical drink cups. That my friend is the quickest comedy I’ve seen in some time.

Later at rehearsal – it was mostly shadow work followed by a run-thru (more on that later). Some pics from the shadow puppet rehearsals (including the tiki sign and half of the tiki god) – it made us all giggle, and then be impressed, and then giggle again.

some pics from play practice (as my mother still calls it)

End of Week One

So, it is the end of our first full week and our day off – Day Off if you’re an institutional director is code for “answer emails from home” days – since Monday is a workday for everyone else in the office.

The first week was great – though David our Hedwig has a sore throat and Angela our Yitzak has a cold – so we’re a little nicked up going into week two. In fact, on Sunday we ended up canceling rehearsal since David was the only actor we had called in that day, and he woke up finding it painful to swallow. A big red-flag for a show that is essentially a one man (?) show with a band.

I’m a little beat after the week, as before and after rehearsals we’ve been having hours of auditions for Christmas Carol and our Santaland pre-show idea (more on that later). So, it was a few 12-14 hour days in there – but I’m hoping that was only the first week. More on casting later….

Something fun from the actual show
So, as you know the script basically says “this is what we did on one night – do whatever you want to make the show work for you”. So, one of the things we’re working with is how do we justify the shadow puppeteers in the show – also how do they appear on the title page (not so funny story about that: I actually think there are 6-7 people in the building, myself included who have spent at least one full day talking about the title page – sometimes regional theaters – not the most efficient model – or perhaps experts at cc’ing emails to ask other people’s opinions – dunno).

Anyway, back to the fun - so, we cast two apprentices to be our shadow puppeteers and are lucky to get two of the most charming and game kids you could ask for – Bing Putney and Jessica Howell. Oh, they make us all kick our feet in the air we love them so.

So, we originally were just going to give them names and send them on their way – but they were so much fun – that now there is a small section of the show dedicated to their back-story – which essentially has them being Romanian children who are on the road, and the band is feeding them for pennies a day – they’re literally feeding them pennies. I don’t know if anyone will notice this, but every time Hedwig tells the story – our drummer acts like he’s crying – as if he’s so deeply touched by their story. Their names: Nadia and Comaneci – and as Hedwig explains their sad story, our piano player – Spurney plays “Nadia’s Theme” on the piano – which is also the theme for Young and The Restless. Who knows if all these jokes will last two weeks, but for now, it makes all of us laugh till we cry every time it comes up.

The mugshots from our show - one of Hedvig, one of Tommy - shot by our esteemed lighting designer Brian J Lillienthal.

So, what do you like?

I had to answer a series of questions for Velocity - below are my answers, we'll see what makes it. I also have to give a shout out to my professional dramaturg, Julie Dubiner - she gets the calls "is this too much" "is this not enough" " does this make any sense", and calmly walks me thru what is actually funny, and what is just me being a 14 year old boy - and when can both things be true.


What are your duties as associate artistic director?
I’m here to direct a good bit, but also to aid in the theaters continuous desire to reach new audiences. At my last two theaters, I was able to create very successful programs that got new people into the theater – so the hope is help with that same effort here. Though first thing up - this fall, I’m directing 3 shows in a row – so really my fall is directing and napping – constantly.

Describe Hedwig and the Angry Inch in one sentence.
The almost true story of your worst break-up underscored by a kick-ass rock and roll soundtrack and illustrated with shadow puppets – while wearing a lot of glitter and a Farrah wig and sharing with strangers and people who know you too well.
OR
It’s about how rock and roll can save you.

Tell me a little bit about the process of directing this play. Was it your idea to transform Victor Jory into a nightclub for the performances?
I love shows that when they start out you think they have nothing to do with you, and by the time they’re over you’re like “oh my god, this show was written about me”. I think Hedwig is that for a lot of us – probably only a few of us have had sex changes to escape east germany – but we’ve all been dumped, we’ve all become obsessed, and we’ve all woken up one day and gone on with our lives.

That and it has to be a kick-ass rock and roll show – so while directing it, I always keep that in the front of my brain.

Yes, we turned the VJ into a run-down tiki bar (complete with giant tiki god), as Hedwig only picks purposely tragic places to perform. Also, setting the show in a tiki allows me to write off my trip to Hawaii on my taxes.

What sort of new programming would you like to push at Actors?
I’m a big fan of the funny – and so few playwrights today write straight out comedy – all the comedy writers have gone to tv, and all the contemplative writers have come to theater. I’m looking to work with more playwrights to find their comedic theatrical voice.

How long have you been in Louisville?
Since late May – before the Al Gore induced heat-wave hit and drove all of us inside – into tiki bars.

What do you think of the place?
I totally dig it – I came from the Bay Area, where no one does anything funny and no one make good barbecue. Actually it reminds me a lot of Atlanta (where I lived for 10 years), but without the whole “wish Sherman hadn’t burned us to the ground” thing. Oh, and toss in the ponies and I’m totally sold.

Are there any bars or lounges around town that you like?
Outlook Inn, the Magbar, Freddies, Monkey Wrench – clearly you can see that I only enjoy 5 star bars.

What type of music do you normally listen to?
Afghan Whigs, Dandy Warhols, Spoon, Ben Folds – but I also love me some Rat Pack on vinyl. It’s a sound that makes you want to have that second martini.

Any favorite musicians? What do you like about them?
Neil Diamond – the man is so moved he can’t even sing to the chair – someday I’ll understand that lyric, until then I just listen in awe.

What types of books do you like to read?
I’m always reading – recently there was: Middlesex, The Golden Compass Series, some Murakami - oh, and before that I was a total cliché and inhaled the last Harry Potter book.

Are you reading anything now?
Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart – one of the few writers that makes me laugh out loud while I’m reading him.

Do you have any favorite magazines or websites?
Mental_Floss and Found are staples for me.

Any favorite TV shows?
Freaks and Geeks (R.I.P.) Battlestar Gallactica, Lost, Project Runway, Deadwood (R.I.P.), Daily Show (our Hedwig music director is the guy behind the music – any my college roommate is one of the correspondents – so I’m not allowed to miss it) and The Wire is currently blowing my mind. I also have a soft spot for 90210. Damn I miss those kids.
I used to be a giant Monty Python fan, and then I was lucky enough to get work with John Cleese and Michael Palin on a show – so now I’m even more of a fan, if that’s too possible. (too name droppy?)

What types of movies do you enjoy?
I think Wes Anderson (Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore) is a genius as is Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love) – and old Woody Allen is truly transcendent comedy.

Do you have a favorite?
Cinema Paradiso gets me every time.

What’s the last movie you saw at the cinema?
I saw Spiderman 3 in Buenos Ares – with subtitles – even the Spanish though the guy from Wings was a let down.

Do you have any hobbies like sports, art, etc.? What do you generally like to do with your free time?
Grew up as a Redskins Fans (in my family it wasn’t an option not to be), and actually spent a season as a “towel boy” for the Phoenix Suns. But generally when you work for a theater, free time is a bit like the Loch ness Monster – someone claims they saw it once, but you’re pretty sure it doesn’t exist.

This is the big time folks

Today was Hedwig’s first time in Make-up, some publicity shots and shooting the “mug shots” for the faux New York Post. I thought David looked pretty amazing in his drag – especially for the first time.

We realized that her hair should be blowing back in all the pictures – but we couldn’t find a fan, so our stage manager and press lady stood on the side with pieces of cardboard to create the “wind-blown” look. Ah, yes, low-tech solutions to high-tech problems – my kind of theater.

1st day of rehearsal

A couple of months ago, I thought I wrote down a quote from Joyce – Mistakes are the portals of discovery – instead, I seem to have been thinking about our mustache competition, and wrote down “mustaches are the portals of discovery” – I took that as a sign and announced it today at our 1st rehearsal.

Some thoughts from first rehearsal:

1) David Hanbury is in fact a rockstar – he ran and jumped and dove and rocked out for a full 6 hours. Imagine if David Lee Roth liked boys - well, maybe just imagine David Lee Roth - that's our boy.
2) Spurney did the original NY run – and he apparently he still remembers how to do it – it was impressive to here him (and really everyone) sit down and for the most part play the music with great style.
3) Our idea of carts that will hold the projectors won’t work – so we’ll need to come up with a brilliant way to get our projectors on and off stage – but that’s more of what I like to call a “week two” answer.

All in all - rather impressive - well, after a day like this, what could possible go wrong?

Three thoughts

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1. The best on-line marketing is free.
2. I couldn't be prouder.
3. You can't really see it, but in the background there is a gold etched drawing of my face, and it's engraved "Sean Daniels Memorial Bar, Artistic Director, 1996-2004 - Dead To Us" Makes me laugh everytime.

30 Years Ago Today He Left The Building - RIP

Preliminary Shadow Puppet Designs are Coming in and I wanted to get them up - they make me giddy.

ready for anything.....

So – this weekend I went shopping to prepare for 3 months of rehearsal, and found myself buying like I was going to war, or summer camp, or a summer camp where we feared there might be a war (which I think was every summer camp in 1983 where we all asked each other if we’d seen THE DAY AFTER - really Steve Gutenburg's best work) – toothpaste, razors, canned goods – the kind of things that will do me well after the bomb goes off – or at least a glitter bomb going off. I’m stocked and ready.

Also, g3 is doing a profile of the show – so I had to turn in some especially sassy answers to their questions – it’s below.

-So, Sean, after living and working in Berkeley, what drew you to hot, sticky Louisville? Bourbon and the ponies, right?

Well, out in the Bay Area, no one does anything funny and no one makes good barbecue – so, after discovering those two things, I had to quickly flee . Toss in the fact that Actors Theater is a theater I have long admired and I was already half-way here. And, um, sure – the bourbon and ponies were a selling point also.

-Your directorial debut at Actors is "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." Why were you chosen for this particular show? And why should we come see it?

I love theater that is an event – from the way you come into the space, to how the staff treats you to the show, to getting some of the show on you. I’m interested in experiences you can’t get from your tv or from movie. Which usually means immersing yourself in the show AND the world of the play. And that’s what this show is – even in the script they essentially say “please make it your own – as long as it rocks, we’re fine with it”.

And why this show in particular? Well, it’s the one show that will melt your heart, and then your face – who doesn’t want to work on that?

-Many people are familiar with the movie version of "Hedwig." Is the theatrical production interactive, like a concert? Just what exactly can we expect?

It’s clearly the same story as the movie (boy gets boy, boy trys to be become woman to escape eastern germany, boy loses boy, boy starts glam band and follows other boy around the country – ah, the old tale we all know so well) but it’s a much more interactive experience – not only do you hear Hedwig sing the songs live and perhaps give YOU the “car wash”, but she may even share some glitter/make-up tips at the end of the show. At its heart it’s a rock n roll show – and we all know that there’s nothing like seeing music live.

-Oooo, the Victor Jory as a club! Sexy! Tell us how that's going to happen...will there really be a bar in the theatre?

Yep. We’re turning it into a rather fabulous kitschy tiki bar – the kind of purposely tragic place that only Ms. Hedwig would pick. We’re putting in cabaret seating so you can be right up front. You will have never seen as many drinks in the space, or as much denim on stage.

-"Hedwig" asks some interesting questions regarding gender issues, labeling, prejudice. What sort of dialogue do you hope this production will provoke amongst Louisville audiences?

On one level, it’s a simple story about what happens when each of us gets our heart-broken. We’ve all been dumped, and we’ve all wanted to search for our other half, we’ve all felt alone and used our hair as our refuge – and then on another level, it’s about the fluidity of sexuality and questions the “labels” we so quickly place on things. Hedwig is a man becoming a woman, Yitzak is a woman becoming a man – does that mean their relationship is in fact a heterosexual one? A progessive one? One that defies naming it? It asks some nice big open-ended questions – and then it covers them with make-up.

-The character "Hedwig" is a dreamy role. Can you tell us a little about the actor playing her?

I first met David Hanbury when he was playing Hamlet in a punk-rock Patty Smythe-esque version of Hamlet. He’s always struck me as a performer with amazing depth, complexity and humor – that and he walk in some big-ass heels – that’s impressive.

This afternoon they put it together

Wonder Wall

One of our big thiings with the set is creating a "mirrored back wall" - sounds easy enough right? Well, then as the show goes on - it needs to start to change color (not as easy), then allow us to see thru it (oh no) and then at the end of the show, drop and surround send us to a giant rock and roll stadium (or in our case, a fake Churchill Downs). The tech staff has dubbed it "the wonder all" - as it's a bit of a wonder to behold.

I know, now it sounds almost impossible. Not if your Mike Bowen - that guy eats problems like this for breakfast.

Next up - the mustache competition.

That's right folks - bikins and greek gods. That's what today is all about.

The kind of emails you get while directing Hedwig:

from our shadow puppet designer:

Sean,

Have a funny continuity question: In Origin of Love the sky is red and the clouds are made of fire. But right now I happen to be painting shots of the gods up in "heaven." I am inclined to make the skies blue and clouds white/gray. Do you like the idea of the sky looking different when we're looking up at the gods? It would still be fiery red down near the surface of Earth.

Also, Dan had an interesting idea that the stills of gods be painted and fixed, but that the children down on earth always be silhouette. I like the idea very much if you do :)

Bernie

and from our costume designer:

just spoke with Angela about the guitar strap and a dress. She hasn’t worn one in years and doesn’t know her size , but would do it if it were FaBuLoUs.
The last time she did Hedwig, the Costume Designer asked her what the ideal change for her would be and she chose the bikini because she is a body builder and she wanted to show off her physique.
L

preliminary drawings coming in my brilliant chicago shadow puppet guys

And there were three sexes then

One that looked like two men
Glued up back to back
Called the children of the sun

And similar in shape and girth
Were the children of the earth
They looked like
Two girls rolled up in one

And the children of the moon
Was like a fork shoved on a spoon
They were part sun, part earth
Part daughter, part son

An article the AJC ran recently on my landing here - I paid $3 for the shirt in that pic, such a thrift store find

ATL talking about the ATL