I would have to say that more than half of the roles I have played in the past 6 years I never auditioned for and this one is the same. A theatre friend of mine had already cast the show but the guy playing Pompey had a conflict for one of the dates and never said anything until after he was cast. I was asked to fill in and I agreed. The director then told the other guy he would have to share the role with me and the other guy quit. Yes, local theatre is chock full of divas.
The problem with doing Shakespeare is, well, that it's Shakespeare. The dialect can be very hard to follow and, don't hate me for saying this, it can be quit boring. Even with top notch performances, it is hard to get people to come to a Shakespeare show. But I am excited about this one.
We are doing the show with a 1930's/40's gangster theme. My character is being played like a gangster to the hilt. He also talks with a gangster, new york/bronx voice, sort of like Joe Pesce in My Brother Vinnie. It's a voice I can do fairly well but it's kind of hard using that voice with Shakespeare's words. But it's very funny.
I promise not to let my blog suffer but I will have to devote some time to learning my lines and attending rehearsals. The show opens the weekend of Valentine's Day so we only have two months to get the show together. And I am going to Orlando on business right before our tech week in February. That means I will be a crazy man in early February. And hopefully, I'll have some fun posts to write about my rehearsals and preparing for the show. And pictures, too.
Good luck! I am sure you will have a blast. Can't wait to hear more about it.
ReplyDeleteHeathersister - Thank you so much. I know I am going to have a blast. And don't worry, I'll be posting about it!
ReplyDeleteHi! I came over from SITS, and have to say that I LOVE going to Shakespeare plays!! Here's hoping that all goes well for you with rehearsals (and all of the divas get a reality check :)!! Sounds like it'll be a great performance!
ReplyDeleteStacey - SITS members are always welcome. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I think it's going to be a fun show!
ReplyDeleteHave fun! You will be GREAT! : )
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Preston! I love Shakespeare. I've never heard of this one either though there are a few "lost" plays like Titus Andronicus. I did a bit out of that one for a Shakespeare competition.
ReplyDeleteWish I could go see it because it sounds neat.
Erin, Nick and Merrick - Thanks for the vote of confidence.
ReplyDeleteJewelstreet - Thanks! I've never heard of Titus Andronicus. I'm so out of it. LOL But this should be fun with the gangster theme.
Pompey! I looooove that character. And kind of feel sorry for him sometimes having to put up with Mistress Overdone.
ReplyDeleteHave fun Preston! Sounds like a blast!
Sounds like a wondeful time, congrats! I came by way of SITS, thought I had left a comment earlier, but evidently, I didn't...oops.
ReplyDeleteI love the early morning laughs from reading your blog (and your boss standing over you as you type...uh-oh, mine too - gotta go!)
Mongoliangirl - Wow, you really know the show. He's being played as comic relief. It really should be a blast.
ReplyDeleteSticky - Welcome from SITS and I am glad to give you some early morning laughs. Fortunately, no one is hovering over me at the moment...
That sounds fabulous and a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to hearing more about it. And I agree, even though (or because) I've read just about all of Shakespeare, a lot of his plays are pretty boring, yes indeed. He wrote some pretty good stuff too, of course! :)
ReplyDeleteLidian - Yea, I think it's going to be a lot of fun too. And yes, not ALL Shakespeare is boring. :)
ReplyDeleteHA! Joe Pesci does Shakesepeare. I demand a YouTube video journal of your rehearsals.
ReplyDeleteJD at I Do Things
Demand eh? Well I'll have to see what I can do. I've taped other show rehearsals so who knows?
ReplyDeleteI agree! That would be great to see a video of you doing Shakespeare with a Bronx accent. I am laughing already just thinking about it.
ReplyDeletenow that is a Shakespeare show that I would love to see.
ReplyDeleteKen & Jen - Yes. It's gonna be pretty funny. Maybe you should come to NJ to see it? LOL jk
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun.. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! That sounds like such fun. I did drama in school but nothing since. I'd love to get invovled with a local production b/c it just sounds like such a good time. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteGidget and Andrealeigh - It sure is going to be fun. Being in local theatre can be very rewarding!
ReplyDeleteCrazy man in early February? lol Aren't you already crazy? lol j/k
ReplyDeletejust had to give you a hard time, dude. Seriosuly, good luck with all that. sounds like you're gonan be hella busy!
Never heard of that play as well before. Wish I could see more plays in my city. Have seen one recently. It was awful.
ReplyDeleteWell, bonne chance, Preston!
Sounds pretty cool - good luck! Thanks for the tip on the John Varvatos cologne, too.
ReplyDeleteMystery Man - You've only seen the tip of the crazy man ice burg. Just wait till February. You'll be sorry. LOL
ReplyDeleteHammed - I've seen plenty of awful local theatre but I've also seen some very very good local theatre too. It's the nature of the beast, I guess.
Trent - Thanks for stopping by. I absolutely love John Varvatos cologne--I just wish I could afford it.
Good luck! Sounds like a lot of fun and no doubt you will be great!
ReplyDeleteChristine - Thank you so much and it will be lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here drinking peppermint hot chocolate from a Shakespeare mug! I love Shakespeare--Richard III is my absolute favorite! NOW is the winter of my discontent...
ReplyDeleteAli - Are you going to share some of that hot chocolate? Sounds yummy. With beverages like that, it should be the winter of your contentment. (Yea, that's a really poor joke, I know.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. And you right, I didn't really expect a guy to read this. But seriously, leg hair is very different than leg FUR. Just ask the Missing Link or as he likes to be called Big Footies.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. And yes, while I have leg hair, I don't have leg fur--thank you lord for that! LOL
ReplyDelete