Previews and Mr. Potatohead
Posted by Polly Noonan on 4/02/2008
I’m still sleeping blissfully on the new mattress, but only when I have the time, as we started previews last week. When we are finally in front of an audience, we actors learn so much more about the play. Lines that we forgot were funny are now funny again. We rehearse all day and then perform at night.
Today was the last day to work with our design team. We spent much of the day going over transitions, tightening, making small changes and honing scenes with lights and sound. You don’t often get an extra day like this one. Then we saluted our designers with champagne before they headed back to various parts of the country!
We are working on a raked stage, so in the dark, a person can get off balance. I once fell from a stage on opening night! I was wearing a Mr. Potatohead costume and carrying a rotary phone, which made quite a clatter as I landed. I wasn’t hurt, but the experience was memorable! I told the Steppenwolf production team that I can get a bit wobbly, so they ordered tiny red lights for the edge of the stage. I don’t think you audience members will be able to see the lights from your seats, but they should help keep me on the stage instead of in your lap!
We have a few more days to wrestle with the ideas of the play before we officially open. I look forward to meeting you at some of the post show conversations and hearing what you thought of the play.
See you from the stage, signing off!
April 4th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I came to Dead Man’s Cellphone, last Saturday afternoon. I guess that means the play was still in previews? I know Ms. Lavey was sitting further up than I was, and had a yellow writing pad in her hand. I saw Ms. Noonan in Passion Play. The character she portrays in DMC, seemed very similar - especially vocal intonation or, maybe that’s just how Ms. Noonan talks? I’m glad it was a short play. The absurdities got to be a little much. All in all, I’ve seen better and I’ve seen worse.
Boy! Falling can turn you into a dead girl offstage! Ann Margaret smashed her face in, remember? And some other actor, whose name escapes me actually died! That could be an entirely different play. Maybe horror genre or something. I’m glad you have the red lights now. Break a leg! But not literally.