 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2008-01-30 16:08
I've played in shows for 30 years, mostly community theatre plus some equity gigs. Generally speaking, the musicians get the books two to three weeks before the show opens.
I always enjoy getting my book as soon as possible so I can find the hard parts and devote as much time as I can to learning them. I've found that sometimes there just isn't enough time to become comfortable with the whole book by opening night, and it's hit or miss on some of the sections by the time the curtain rises. And, given the fact that these shows are usually only two weekends, it's still not enough time, and by the end of the run I have to accept the fact that some of those difficult parts are going to have to go unmastered. (I've found that the most difficlut parts are often background thingamabobs that aren't really missed if you don't play them perfectly.)
My questions are, for full-time pros, how soon ahead of opening night do you get your parts? Do you usually have all the notes down by opening night? And if the answer is no, given that since your shows often run months if not years, does this extra time allow you to eventually master and feel comfortable with all your parts?
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2008-02-01 01:04
Not a full-time pro, but I'm thinking that those that make a living playing Broadway pits have the book nailed by opening night, if not long before. They are among the best musicians in the world and are expected to play like it.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2008-03-12 02:04
I'm playing a show this summer at the Stratford Festival, and haven't got the book yet. Rehearsals start mid-April. We have nine rehearsals before the previews start.
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Author: mikeW
Date: 2008-03-12 23:48
Wow. That seems like a lot of rehearsals. I've done a lot of community productions where there is one pit rehearsal (sometimes it's a double with a pit run through in the morning and a sitzprobe in the afternoon), then there are usually three tech rehearsals, a dress preview and opening. They usually get the books 3-4 weeks before opening -- I don't know if this is fairly standard or just one way to keep the rental costs down.
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2008-03-13 14:30
The nine rehearsals include sound check, two sitzprobes, tech dress, two dress rehearsals and media day.
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