A thunder storm is pouring down on us here on the Fox, but this is nothing, thinking of the people of The Bahamas and Dorian’s impending landfall later today on the southeast coast. May God be with them.
There’s a tempest in my phone this morning as congratulations pour in. This year’s Jeff Award nominations were just announced with Paramount tallying an impressive list of nods to production, direction and choreography, design and performance! It’s so great to have so many of our supremely talented contributors, artists and technicians, acknowledged for our collaborations onstage last season! Our audience shares in the excitement every year and indeed we have much to take pride in and be thankful for; thank you, Jeff Committee, and to our patrons for your support!
I am running to our Newsies “wandelprobe:” the first time the cast and orchestra play and sing together while moving about the stage as Sound Designer Adam Rosenthal and his team calibrate the sound mix of the actors’ vocals on mics with the musicians’ instruments in the pit. It is a very nuanced technical feat. When done well, one would never notice the elaborate and complex balancing act. Thankfully, Adam has perfected his technique since our first season, and we are in good hands as he brings us into Season Nine with maestro Tom Vendafreddo music directing and conducting!
I can’t wait to see the faces of those in our cast once Tommy lifts his baton and Alan Menken’s remarkable and beloved score comes to life! Singers and musicians together at last!
This first hearing of the orchestra is always a very pumped-up and even emotional event! We realize how blessed we are to have full orchestrations complimented by the playing of A-list musicians and supremely gifted singing actors. It is a rare sound and experience. To hear it, one realizes how uncommon it has become. There is something about it. How we are wired as humans to have music in our lives. I can’t wait to see the faces of those in our cast once Tommy lifts his baton and Alan Menken’s remarkable and beloved score comes to life! Singers and musicians together at last!
Love and thanks,
Jim