This morning’s sun is bright and a match for all the excitement ahead for us! I sat in on part of Paramount’s day-long The Secret of My Success orchestra rehearsal yesterday and joined by Tim, our reaction to what we were hearing had us beaming and if you know me, whooping! Composers Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler huddle with Broadway orchestrator, Charlie Rosen next to Sound Designer Adam Rosenthal’s sound board. Adam’s team: Tiago Velho and Brianne Mahoney, have devised with Electronic Music Designer Ethan Deppe and Assistant Dustin Struhall the biggest, freshest Paramount sound we’ve heard yet with Music Supervisor Ian Weinberger (of Broadway’s Hamilton no less). The detailing in the work under Charlie’s guidance has everyone’s attention and compliance. The pit full of twelve musicians sounds twice that. It’s a marvel to realize the results of Tom Vendafreddo (Music Director & Conductor), Celia Villacres (Associate Music Director & Associate Conductor), Timothy Hanson (Music Preparation) and Sam Grossier (Music Assistant) all working together and that this wouldn’t be possible with anything less! This process is an enthralling part of development very few get to witness. All I can think is that audiences are going to lose their minds hearing the staggering results of this excellence in producing this original world premiere score. It’s bright with all the big, brassy Broadway tradition you could possibly want. Add to that the impact of an audience owning the discovery of something musically sophisticated and rich, thrilling and new! To listen it’s clear, Mahler and Schmuckler have been having the time of their lives creating and inventing and the whole team is poised cooperating on this fever dream of collaboration.
All I can think is that audiences are going to lose their minds hearing the staggering results of this excellence in producing this original world premiere score. It’s bright with all the big, brassy Broadway tradition you could possibly want.
In less than an hour from now, I’ll be sitting in the back row of the theater, watching the cast’s reactions responding to the full compliment of orchestra and sound they have all been working toward. It’s an emotional height I love to behold attending these artists at their wandelprobe. These are the rewards of their hard work. The secret of their success!
Previews begin tomorrow evening.
Hope I see ya there!
Love & thanks,
Jim