Honeymoon Phase of Rehearsals

I am utterly, totally, and completely infatuated with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

I was terrified at the beginning. I usually hate the first couple of rehearsals, 'cause I am always so nervous around strangers, and I don't like starting out not knowing everything -- choreography and stuff. I want to be good, and I want to be comfortable right away! With this show, I came into it not knowing a single person in the production team or the cast. It's been three years since I did that, and this time I was coming in as the lead.

I sat in the back at the first rehearsal, and was embarrassed to admit I was Milly, because I was afraid someone would think, "She's playing Milly? Really? We're in trouble!" The music director, Harli, played some of the music, and when she got to "Wonderful Day" I had a hard time not crying with disbelief and delight -- I still can't believe I get to sing that song! And all of the rest of them!

Then came my next rehearsal and I was terrified again. I was going to be working with the brothers on "Goin' Courtin'." What if I didn't get along with the boys? What if they weren't any good? Well, that fear was abolished right away. Those men are hilarious and crazy! They laugh and play and tease -- it was their second rehearsal and they already had such great chemistry with each other. They were really nice to me, but I didn't quite feel like part of the club. I'll have to relax and weasel my way in there somehow!

We spent two rehearsals on "Goin' Courtin'" and during the second rehearsal, I was singing the song and looked to my right, and suddenly realized that three of the boys were staring at me. The three on the other side were too, of course. And I felt so intimidated as I realized I was singing this song and they were looking at me! That's when it hit me: I'm the lead!! (I wondered when that would happen). They are looking to me to help make this show great, and they are doing everything they can, too. Boy, are those guys talented! And they work so hard and are so patient. I stressed myself out with one of the lifts and was horrified when I started to cry but they were so cute about it. We're in this together, and they made me promise to let them know when I'm overwhelmed. We learned all but the last thirty seconds of the song, dance, and preceding scene. The only reason we couldn't finish was that I had to leave early. I can't wait to see what they did while I was gone.

My next rehearsal was just for me. I met the Harli, director Denise, and the accompanist at Harli's house, and we went through all of my songs. I have two that are just me, three more where I am the principal singer, and three that I sing with Adam, my husband. I must say, that rehearsal was such a huge boost for my ego! I thanked them all for taking a chance on someone they didn't know, and Denise said that I just kept doing "Milly" things during the callback -- of course she had to give me the part! As I sang the songs, I thought, "People ask me if I sing, and I usually say something shy like 'A little.'" Guess it's silly to say that. I do sing. I love to sing, and I do it pretty well. With every song that comes up I think something like "Oh no! It's too low. I can't sing that." But then I just open my mouth and do just fine. Milly's songs are so gorgeous and so different; I can't pick a favorite! I am honored to sing them and hope I do them justice.

And then came the rehearsal with all of the other brides as we learned "Wonderful Day." Then I was worried because girls are sooo much cattier than boys. But we all hit it off right away. If I'm not a part of the boys' club, I am definitely part of the girls'. They are just darling, and, again, so talented! We are driving choreographer Dani crazy 'cause we're even more chatty and out-there than the boys! While at Disneyland, I started thinking about the girls doing some of the initial choreography and I started laughing uncontrollably... how I love my stage-sisters! We got to try on some costumes on Saturday and we loved helping each other get dressed and admiring each other. I am relieved I get to wear blue, instead of yellow or orange. Why do so many directors want to put me in yellow or orange? I look good in blue!

Saturday morning was my last "honeymoon" rehearsal: the first time working one-on-one with my stage husband. Denise asked if we had any questions or concerns, and I said I was nervous. Brett joked, "Why? Because we're about to suck face?" I must have blushed totally crimson, because that's what I do. But for some reason I felt better! I reassured them I'd be fine, just first rehearsals make me nervous. We got to know each other and worked through all of our scenes. He is such a nice guy. Brett is going to be fun to work with. Easy-going and he's put a lot of thought into his own character and the relationship with mine. We have a nice chemistry, too. His girlfriend came by a bit later and now she knows I'm not a threat. Hooray!

Now I have nothing to worry about... except memorizing my lines, and learning the rest of the songs, blocking, and choreography, and remembering to put the right character's name with the right actor (I'm already calling Frank "Caleb" -- Ack!).

No problem at all! ;)

Next week I don't have any rehearsals, and I am worried I may go into withdrawls or something. Denise invited me to just come and hang out if I want to. For the sake of my sanity, it may be necessary.

I love this play! Love! Love! Love!