AIDA Is Finally Open!

Opening went very well last night. We had even more additions to our costumes and they want more makeup on the body. The whole night seemed to go by really fast. This was the last night for all the supers to stay for curtain call. Now we are able to leave right after we finish our scene. So we'll be out by intermission.

I don't see how other guys get out so quick. I guess that they don't mind going out with heavy Egyptian makeup, but I'd rather get it off before I leave the theatre. Also, last night, one of the super guys, didn't make the curtain call last night. Very weird. He took off his costume after our scene in Act 2 (as most of us do) and we thought he was just going to either watch the show from backstage or just socialize around the dressing rooms. Nope, he didn't come back at all. Ah well, guess we'll find out tomorrow afternoon when we do our matinée.

AIDA Preview

Last night, I waited in the lobby before the show to give tickets to my sister and brother. When I got backstage, we got makeup notes to make their eye makeup bolder and thicker. The show went well last night. I talked to my brother this morning and he liked everything but the sets. He said they were ok.

Tonight is a night off and we open tomorrow! Pictures coming soon!

AIDA Almost Open

Well, I just got out of rehearsal for AIDA. The supers were let go early because they were going to run Act 3 & 4 and most of us are not in those. We just ran through the Triumpful March again, but without costumes this time. The supers got some notes before and afterwards. Pretty simple!

Tomorrow is our first rehearsal in front of an audience. We get 2 tickets and so I invited my brother and sister. My sister finally called back to confirm that she was coming. Also, I saw my friend, James, who I did 'Whorehouse' with at COM years ago. He played the Governor. I've seen him from afar, but hadn't had the chance to say hi yet, but we happen to see each other in passing.

AIDA - First Piano Dress

Well, we survived! My costume wasn't ready until right before I went onstage. Then there was a piece missing. But some costumes weren't ready - so I knew it would get done soon. Then after our Montu/Anubus apart, some of us changed into Ethiopians. And wait till you see the wig. But the wig to top it all was the guy who plays Amonostros. A bit un-politically correct, especially that most of the Ethiopians are white men and women.

The costumes of the chorus are very....unique. I'm guessing that it looks better from the audience. Mostly everyone was having trouble walking with the sandals they gave us. I almost wiped out while making a turn onstage. Luckily, I remained upright. Wigs were falling off of the gymnasts. Ah well, live theatre. There are a lot of people in this opera - so some quality has lessened. We hear there are going to be many changes. Can't wait to see what that will be.

Onstage Rehearsal at the Brown

I've never been backstage at the Brown Theatre. It, of course, is huge and a big maze. When I got there, some of the supers were huddled by the callboard. Finally, after a while, another super and I followed one of the chorus guys in to find some of the cast sitting in the house. Ok, this is what I was used to.

We just ran over the 'Triumphal' scene last night. We rehearsed until 11:30pm! It was fine until the very end. Just a lot of re-spacing of everyone on stage and finding all the things going wrong like chorus people not moving fast enough.

Our facial hair needs to be removed by this Saturday night when we have our first piano dress rehearsal. I have mine down to a mustache. It's funny, for some of the other supers removing their facial hair is a big deal. I'm looking forward to seeing what are costumes are gonna look like now. I heard that we may be wearing a loincloth for the Ethiopian slave costume and wearing a body suit underneath. I guess that saves on the makeup. We will see!

I have to say that the other supers are great people. Very friendly and funny too. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone more as the show runs. We'll have a lot of time to find out more about each other in the coming days.

Ok, funny moment from last night. As the rehearsal was stopped for a moment, the supers were center stage with the woman playing Ameneris downstage of us. Well, one of the guys turns to her and decides to strike up a conversation (imagine this with a thick Texas accent), "Do you sing in the play?" A couple of the experienced supers turned upstage and laughed their heads off. However, she was very gracious.

Two Days Off!

I got a nice suprise on Tuesday afternoon. Cindy from HGO called and told me that I had Tuesday and Wednesday off and so I was called for rehearsal tonight. First time on the big Wortham Stage! Should be fun.

I got my hair trimmed last night. My usual barber was busy, so I got this other guy named Jeff. He told me that he does long hair better than Doug (my regular barber). I was on the fence about cutting it all off or just trimming. So when he told me that I decided on the trim. I'm gonna see how much I can bear this long hair. I was also thinking of just going bald later. Hmmmm...

Costume Fitting

Just got done with my costume fitting. It was pretty quick for the basic costume. The costume is basically a gold lame' halter top and mini-skirt that will be painted on later, we heard. That was for the marching Nubus. They have not made the Ethopian slave costumes yet.

I finally got to see where we are getting dressed. I've done a show there years ago, but don't quite remember where we were last time. The place is massive, as you can guess. So, tonight I got out early and called my sister so I could finally do laundry!

Last Rehearsal Room Staging Rehearsal

Well, we had another day of waiting around for our part in the opera. I got to talk to a couple of other supers that I had not gotten a chance to know yet. After our 'Triumpful(?) March', we were called into the other rehearsal room to get notes and an announcement that we are having costume fittings Monday night. Great, I can ask about my hair. I'm ready to cut it all off now. Maybe even maybe shave it all off. Who knows?