"It's like the first day of school!" remarked actress Jill Melanie Wirth as we gathered this afternoon for our first read-through of The Inn at Lake Devine.
I know exactly what she means -- all the nerves, excitement, new people, and work lies ahead to put a play on its feet in 5 short weeks. We even get new clothes (costumes) and books (script) and an incoming class (cast and crew).
Tongue in Cheek's world premiere of the play with music, based on the novel by Elinor Lipman, features 15 actors, directed by Kimberly Faith Hickman and assisted by Molly Ballerstein. Philip Rothman is the music director and sound designer, Lisa Renee Jordan is the costume designer, Tyler M. Perry is our scenic designer, and Richard T. Chamblin III will light the show.
At 1 pm, the singers in the production arrived and went through songs with Philip. By 2 pm, the room was filled with everyone else, and by 2:10, we started reading the play. Then there were bits of business -- design presentations, photos for Lisa Renee, paperwork -- and, most importantly, people seemed genuinely delighted to be in the room together.
I can't wait for it to be running -- and yet, I want to relish every minute we have until that day -- to enjoy rehearsal, get to know everyone involved, refine our work, and put forth our best possible production.
Join us at Theatre 54 @ Shetler Studios, October 7-24, 2015. Tickets are $18 at www.tictheater.com and at 212-868-4444.
