Forbidden Phoenix - End of First Week
Phew! What an insane week. The actors had a crash course in Peking Opera acting and make up. Plus, they had to learn fight scenes and songs as well as learn the lines for the script. Everyone's holding up fairly well. It's a bit chaotic as there is just so little time and so much to do. Actors are really stepping up to plate. The chorus members are a bit rangy, as they just want to get into the fights, but I'm sure once they get into the choreography, they'll be more focussed.
I had a few script changes and cuts. Put my foot down on one major one, and then back off on some other ones. The problem right now for me is the director keeps wanting to go back to an older version of the script, but the story has evolved since then. Let's just say we've had some spirited discussions. I've moved the script partway back to what it used to be, but not all the way back because the huge challenge is one of plausibility. I can't believe that a father would leave his son in the east to go to the west if there's no danger in the west (which is what the script used to be way back in 2007). So, there has to be some kind of danger, which is what I put into the script. I'm still not sure why there's such resistance to the evolution of the script. Maybe it's a fear of change or maybe there's something I'm just not seeing.
Anyway, it's a continuing conversation that will be resolved one way or the other by the time the show opens.
Anyway, other than that, I'm pretty happy with how the production is moving forward. Sadly, our Peking Opera consultant leaves us Sunday when his contract ends. William is a great asset to the team, and I'm really going to miss his positive energy.