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| View from the back of the MUNY |
I'm actually down in Sarasota, Florida at the moment working on my tan....and Bonnie & Clyde :) But I realized I forgot to write about a couple things that happened this summer after PRAIRIE ended. So...let's be kind and rewind (a reference that is lost on the generation that only knows DVDs and missed the wide wobbly world of VHS).
Lights up. 100 degrees and 100 cast members. 1.5 weeks of rehearsal and 7 night shows. 11,000 audience members fanning themselves and eating popcorn.....Will the show be ready? Are we going to pass out form the heat? Most importantly...can I make them laugh?
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| Willard's "goin' out" look. Don't espect him ta dance!!! |
That was my biggest worry about playing Willard in FOOTLOOSE. It turns out, everybody loves an honest goofball. Most importantly, we all had a blast. The MUNY stage is probably the largest stage I have performed on to date. Of course, it has to be that big in order to put on a show for 11,000 people! They actually have airplane propellers in the audience before the show to cool everyone down. I'm not kidding!!!
Another great MUNY perk is that 50 or more high school students get a chance to be a part of the productions. Some of these kids have done more shows than I have! They brought so much energy that it made the rest of us "outsiders" have to kick it up a notch. It's great when you can feed off each other's energy...especially when it's still around 100 when the sun goes down. Luckily we had lots of water and gatorade in the wings to keep us going.
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| Willard's attempt at being sexy... |
If you are ever passing through St. Louis during the summer, you really should try to catch a show at the MUNY. You can even get one of the 1500 free tickets they give away each night. They cast some amazing talent in each of these shows. I got to work with actors that have won or been nominated for multiple TONY awards like Dee Hoty and Jeff McCarthy. The MUNY has a rich history of talent...believe me...I looked at the list..wow!!! Don't miss it if you're near it.
I wish I had some pictures of the show from the audience's perspective, but I can't seem to find them. Sorry they're just me bein' goofy backstage!
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| Gym class...don't we all miss it?... |
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| The night of the DANCE Y'ALL! And no, that's not a real flower. |
