Notes from Tuesday Night...

Good morning!

Fabulous job last night, cast! I was so impressed with the improvements and putting the notes we've given you into action on stage. THANK YOU! Following are a few more opportunities to improve tonight! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

A couple of announcements:
1. You should have received an invite for our cast party via Evite. Please take a moment to review and RSVP. The link can be found HERE: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0849a4a92ea0f94-seussical

2. Lifetouch will be taking individual photos and a cast composite at dress rehearsal on THURSDAY night. I will be passing out order forms to your kiddos tonight at rehearsal. Please be on the lookout and see me with questions. The most popular order is (I believe) called the SPORTSMATE which is an individual photo of your child in costume and a photo of the entire cast together on one 8x10 print. It's a great way to remember this fun experience. :)

NOTES:

Ava and Vivian: Great job and improvements opening the show. THANK YOU!

Ava: I can tell you've worked hard to develop the innocence and excitement of JoJo. I believe in the wonderment you're sharing with the audience. Your face is telling the story, and the only thing I want you to work on is sustaining that energy throughout the show from start to finish. You have me in the palm of your hand on the vocals, don't forget to sing out and emote throughout the especially Alone in the Universe and during the FUN of It's Possible! Remember to react from an acting perspective even when you and the Cat are "watching" from the sidelines. This is the "first time" you're seeing all of this unfold. Keep it up! There are no mistakes!
Let's work on your blanket, too. We need a good spot for that.

Vivian: You're wowing me, girl. Just keep making it bigger. I see glimpses of brilliance when you're feeling confident in your character. There are no mistakes. Be silly! Be funny! Be that crazy imaginary friend who doesn't care what anyone thinks! You've got this!
See me tonight about how to get back to JoJo after interviews in BBF.
Add more play with Ava when Mr. and Mrs. are talking. Really annoy her!
Remember auction podium comes through the beach.

Gracen and Ella: Also great job. Keep slowing down and being deliberate. I loved your improv moments last night. You made me laugh. You can use the platform. Go up and over it with your props, including the camera, umbrellas, etc. Just remember don't ever RUN. There's no reason. You can get there in a hustle without running.

ALL: So much improvement last night! SO PROUD! Keep reaching HIGHER and adding more energy. YOU CAN DO IT!
Remember the entrance points. Do not split the curtains.
SMILE!!!!
DICTION!!!! I need to understand the words!!!! :)
SING OUT!!!!
Don't just go through the motions. Practice like you're going to perform!!!!
If the exits are backed up as you are leaving interact with your fellow performers. Exit in character! Don't break character until you are completely out of the backstage area!
Remember NO TALKING at all backstage. MICROPHONES should be considered ON!
YOU CAN DO IT! OWN YOUR AWESOME!

Whos: Great job! You all make me happy. You're nailing the emotions...just commit to them! Please remember your spots on the risers and do your best to stand still. Don't move around once you're on your mark. Also remember to stay in character. Don't look at what's going on in the Jungle. Either look UP or at each other! :) Don't mouth the words to the songs that are going on in the Jungle. Don't miss your entrances and move to your spots quickly. I can't wait to see all of you in costume!

Olivia and Aubree: Don't forget to move that clover patch on stage for me!

Sebastian: Great job on Horton Hears a Who. I believe you and what you're singing about!!!! Keep that same energy and attention to detail throughout the show. React to everything that's going on, especially when it effects you. It's a BIG job, but I know you can do it. React to the Mayor's "HELP"!, when you're stuck with the egg, when you realize you're in love with Gertie, too, etc. Slow down on the flying with wings, remember, you're soaring! Stop after "beyond the sky", Slow down in dialogue with Mayzie.

Becca: Great entrance and energy on BBF. You are settling into the groove as mama of the Jungle, Keep working your jam. I like the hand motions you're adding, continue to lean in to the role and don't be afraid to add sass. I see your character developing, and I like it!!!!

Terran: Lean into Sebastian for when you sing to use his mic. Continue to sing out, We can hear you. I may even ask Becca to lean in a bit at the end of the show to hear you even more. Keep doing your thing. I see you - and you're bringing the baby sass.

Bird Girls: You are the narrators. Use your faces and add emotion to let the audience in on what they should be feeling. Don't be afraid to emote. Your dancing is on point, your singing is fabulous! Add some touches and you will be next level. I'm proud!!!!

Shaelyn: Keep up the good work. Be confident! Don't question your choices, your instincts are right on. React to what's going on...use your arms and shoulders. You can do it! The audience will be looking at you to see your emotional reaction to what it happening. It helps set the tone. Watch your happy feet. See me tonight to go over "All for You" and "Notice Me" before we get started. ;)

Brooklyn: THANK YOU for being full out, you bring energy to the stage. I continue to love Amazing Mayzie, and last night you were doing your thing running away from that egg. Keep owning your diva showgirl fabulous and BE BIGGER. When you're being interviewed in BBF, be on the other side of Rogue - further towards stage right. Slow down in dialogue with Horton.

Sophie and Nathan: You're sounding great. Your acting is on point. I LOVE your family dynamic. I believe you guys! Remember: don't turn directly towards one another. Make a conscious choice to go further downstage, and once you're in your spot, STICK there. Don't move or have happy feet.
Nathan, let's work on that exit after How to Raise a Child, and let's figure out how we can make that brochure work...you need the audience to see it so they know what it is. :) Both of you - take your time after you sing "How to Raise" and before your lines. Don't rush!

FISH: SMILE!!!! Have fun!!!! I love this number! I just need you to remember that it is happening in an imaginary world of FUN!

CIRCUS PEFORMERS: Fabulous job taking direction last night. Thank you for being flexible and adaptable. I will stage you for Solla Sollew tonight before we get started.

YERTLE: Weave your way in with that podium you are the most important "official" in the Jungle. You're doing a great job - way to sing out!

WICKS: You guys are the "bullies" - the T-Birds of the Jungle. I'm seeing moments of just pure awesomeness. Keep striving for excellence! You are a TEAM! Work together and build on one another's energies. Use your faces, get down low, but remember to use LIGHT FEET and SING OUT! I need to see more emotion from you! What is your goal in the story? Think about it and act it out. You can do it!

VLAD: You've got this, Maverick! See me tonight and we'll work on it again! Don't be afraid to put yourself out there!!!!

NOTES FROM MISS SUSIE:

THING 1 and 2: In the opening, after you meet and do-si-do with each other, spread back out and be on the OUTSIDE of JoJo and Cat while the Cat is singing.

ELAINE: Remember in your pod with Horton- only Horton sings, "Something sinister and scary" and only Horton moves up on that part.  You and the rest of the pod come up and sing "That you never dared to think of before".

THING 1 and 2: When the cast is moving into its "Worlds" during "Oh the Thinks", they are trying to get up the center stairs and the two of you are in the way.  Please pull upstage R for a few counts and let them get onto the stage, then move back to center for Cat's dialogue.

LYDIA and STEPHEN: at the end of "Oh the Thinks", you need to exit Upstage L.  You keep crossing ALLLL the way across the stage in front of Mayzie.  Just exit Upstage L.  I will check in with you both on this tomorrow.

ALL CAST!!!!! When we do "Think and think and think and think" and move into our final big set of "Oh the Thinks"… PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help create paths for our little Who's who have to cross the entire stage in 16 counts. Poor Lydia got knocked over last night.  We all need to work together to allow the Who's to get to their spots.  Please help!!

KADENCE: When you enter for Horton Hears a Who,  don't cross in front of Horton.  Go upstage of him, please.

YOUNG KANGAROO: When you sing "And I think so as well", and "In the jungle of Nool"… lean right up into Horton's face.  His mic will pick you up and help amplify your voice.

GRINCH/ CINDY LOU: Make sure you finish singing your WHOLE line into the mic before stepping back to hug Cindy Lou.  She will wait for you!  Also, you and Cindy will return to your Who spots when you sing "Troubles on Who are the biggest that you've ever seen".

ALL WHOs: Stay tight in your family groups AT ALL TIMES!!! We will do the entire song in these families because they look adorable and we can see everyone better.  DON'T WANDER AWAY FROM YOUR SPOTS!!

CAT IN THE HAT: When you sneak out to annoy Jo Jo, be more stealthy.  Hunch over, tip toe with exaggeration.  Hide.  Be stealthy as you enter.

THING 1 and 2: When you roll JoJo all the way over to stage L, lie down on either side of the tub on your bellies and "swim" while Jo Jo finishes singing that phrase.  Then get up to roll JoJo center stage for the fish part.

FISH: You ladies need to review your choreography AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!  The clover patch will NOT be on stage, so you won't have that in your way tomorrow.  There are too many of you who still don't know what's going on.  Also, hold the fish with both hands and keep it above your head as much as possible.

MAYZIE: Don't forget to turn Gertrude around when you sing "One pathetic feather…". Also, when you walk behind Mayzie and sing " and there's certainly nothing show offish on you", make sure you LOOK AT HER.  With a critical face, like you are totally judging how she looks.

WICKERSHAMS: Please remember all of the spacing that we took the time to fix today.  BIGGER FACES, MORE ENERGY, MORE CRAZINESS IN YOUR EYES!!

MADDIE-WICK: When you enter with Adele, hop up onto the platform and jump off (LAND QUIETLY!) to get to your spot for the ripple turn.

HORTON: Please don't look happy when you puke on the hunters.  It's awkward.  ;)

ALL CAST!!!! This really is not my area, but I can't help emphasize it enough… we need better DICTION OF WORDS!!  Pay attention to every single consonant sound that comes out of your mouth, especially at the ends of words.

ALL CAST!!! This IS my area…. when you have "down time" off stage, you should not be playing around.  You should be going over every count of choreography.  You can also be going over lines, song lyrics, harmonies, entrances and exits.  Help each other.  Work every second to make this show the best it can be!

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!! See you tonight!
Susie