The Rabbit Hole is Closed

I just finished washing the show out of my hair.  My head may be free of any heart-shaped red paint, but it is full of heartfelt memories that I will cherish for many years.  I am beyond proud of our players and crew - you all ran a perfect show tonight (and this afternoon too) that ended as I had expected, you finished STRONG!

The performances were the best of the three shows, the joy lifted the roof.  My favorite moment of all the shows has to be tonight's intermission when everyone was singing backstage to "We Are Young!"  I felt so very young hearing that song floating free from behind the curtain, the joy lifted the roof.

Congratulations on leaving Wonderland victorious!

What A Show!!

I can honestly say that I had the pleasure of sitting back and enjoying the show tonight - I had only one scramble to kill a projector that was expressing its pride of being a Windows computer.  ALL WHILE PROJECTING THE WINDOWS LOGO ON THE SET!!! D'oh!

I am thrilled and honored to have seen the performance you all presented.  It was superb: fun, on-cue, sung well, and loud.  We watched  joy unfurl on stage.

Now comes the hard part - 2 more shows.  Watch out for Performance Fatigue - the crash ofter pulling off a big show, then not quite binging it on the next show.  Keep up the energy and fun.

I can't wait to see you all again tomorrow!

BTW - As ALWAYS: I forgot to thank some incredibly critical volunteers who literally made the show: Rob Maphis and Johnny Ingram, you guys rule!  I'll get you on-stage tomorrow.  Sorry guys.

Thanks again and congratulations!

Wonderful Dress Rehearsal

OK, so it started out realllly weak and we needed to do a little poking and prodding to get the energy back...

OK, I'm restarting this email because it started out realllly lacking energy (sound familiar?) - I'll punch it up here: WOW!  We have a show people!  The songs have come together, the dance numbers are a blast to watch, and the sets are to die for!  I'm proud how you all restored the umph into the show and gave us more.  Tomorrow, let's see even more: more energy, more physical humor, more sound, more bigness.

Tomorrow's morning sneak-preview is always a tough show to run.  The little kids don't hold back if you are not grabbing their attention, but they are a hoot when they see something that cracks them up.  Let's crack them up the whole show - you can do it.  I know you can, and will.

See you all in the AM - It's show-day people!

Final Rehearsal Tonight & Schedule Reminders

Last night went much better - the confidence levels are up, the lines are almost nailed-down, and I could hear nearly all of you singing loudly.  It's really coming together!

Tonight is our last rehearsal - 6pm~8pm, EVERYONE tonight.

Tomorrow is the Tech-Rehearsal - CREW ONLY - 6pm~8pm

Thursday is Dress Rehearsal... it's not a rehearsal - it's the show for an invisible audience! CAST call at 5:30p, CREW at 6pm, show at 7pm - wrap at 9pm or so...

Friday - final instructions to be provided Thursday at Dress... listen well.

We're standing on the edge of the Rabbit Hole and it's not looking so dark any more - in fact, it look very welcoming, fun, and exciting!  Wonderland awaits.

Final Sunday Rehearsal and Important Message

We will be holding our last Sunday rehearsal from 1:30p~5p in the PLC.  Every player must attend.

Some of you may know that the Holy Family community lost a wonderful soul this week, as Eric Anderson passed away Thursday evening.  His departure has affected deeply many of our parent volunteers who knew him well or were best friends of this talented man.  The Funeral Mass will be held Monday, to be followed by a reception in the PLC that afternoon.

Since the reception will be in the PLC, we will have to disassemble our technology platforms in the theatre.  Any volunteers who can stay after the Sunday rehearsal to help do a careful strike would be greatly appreciated.  Also, please - no snacks that will leave ANY residue or crumbs will be allowed in the PLC during the rehearsal.  We must keep it as clean as we can.

Likewise, we will need a team of volunteers to reassemble the platforms Monday afternoon following the reception so we can have our 2nd-to-last rehearsal from 5p-7p.  Please reply to this message if you can help at either the Sunday night strike or Monday afternoon re-set.

Final Cast Schedule - Revised

The final schedule for the show has been posted to the Pages area at right.  You can download it here too.

Wednesday Scene-6 Reminder

Remember - If you are in Scene 6 (and basically, who isn't?!), please attend the rehearsal right after school 'til 5.  No crew are to attend the rehearsal - if you don't know what you are supposed to be doing, please chat with Miss. Nancy Sell-Dane for your assignments.

WHEN we nail this scene down, we'll have our show.  Sunday will be the big test - Full Run-Thru with final tweaks.  If you still feel like you'd like some personal line-coaching, do not hesitate to ask me - I will be happy to stay late tomorrow.  Like my old Speech Teacher used to tell me: "Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent!"

See'yall tomorrow!

An Even Better Rehearsal!

Wednesday you all looked even better!  I'd give you a grade like my Blood Type: B+.  We can only go on-stage with an "Grade A" show, so we have yet a few more glitches to overcome.  Keep pushing - lines, lines, lines!  Three cheers to Maryann Geagea for learning the Caucus Race song, and even more so for she bravery to stand up before all of you and prove she had done it.  THAT'S COMMITMENT!  ("Voldemort Hug" to her... look it up).

OK, so to get us to our "A-game" we need to have a contingency rehearsal Friday right after school 'til 4~5.  I am fairly certain we have access to the PLC stage Friday, so all players who are in Scene-6 should attend.  This is the final scene and really needs to knock the audience over.  Lines, lines, lines!  A lot of lines were missed, some by directoral error, some by crain-bramps.

Our time is rapidly coming to a close.  I've attached the final production schedule Mrs. Montz handed out - please look it over and contact me if you have any questions.

Finally: We need some help attaching some support to costumes - please let Mrs. Montz know if you can help with these critical last-minute wardrobe preparations.

Thank you all - I see an big "A" in your future.

TICKETS NOW ON-SALE

You may order your tickets for Alice In Wonderland on-line at the following link:

    Alice In Wonderland - 2012  = http://www.animill.com/_Projects/AIW-2012/aiw-tickets-buy.html

We'll see you at the show!

Wednesday Reminder - 2nd to Last Rehearsal

Just a quick reminder to anyone up this late: Wednesday is our 2nd to last rehearsal, so ALL CAST & ENSEMBLE must attend.  It begins right after school and goes 'til around 5pm.  The countdown clock is ticking away, unlike the White Rabbit's watch, our clock does not stop.  We will also be handing out the final schedule, so please attend.

As for Crew, if you signed up to attend this rehearsal instead of Sunday, we'll see you at the PLC.

Pretty Darn Good Rehearsal

OK, so we don't quite yet "Have a show," but it's reeallllly close.  I'm disappointed that some players had forgotten their lines or not learned their songs - they just aren't that difficult to learn.  I'm sure that by Wednesday's rehearsal EVERYONE will know their lines and songs - otherwise Mr. Sponsler's evil twin brother will take the stage again and exceed the OSHA prescribed decibel level for your young ears.

But I want you all to know that I see a grand success budding in Wonderland - it's inside you ready to blossom.  Your dance numbers are almost locked, the songs sound good - YOU JUST TO BE LOUDER!  This is not a Holy Family School classroom, it's a 500 seat theatre where sound dissipates into thin air after the first row.  You need to pretend that everyone there has a serious hearing impairment and you are trying to win tickets to the next Adele concert - OUTSIDE VOICES PLEASE!

Wednesday is another Full Run Thru right after school.  We hit the stage at 2:30p.  All CAST will be there... it's our turn.

Some notes:

ALL COSTUME MONEY DUE Wednesday.  You will be responsible for your own costume without payment.

ALL PROGRAM AD REQUESTS and PAYMENTS due Wednesday.

Just 2 more rehearsals - make Mr. Beu, Mrs. Montz, Miss. Sell-Dane, and me proud.  I know you can - and will.

Curtis (Dr. Jekyll, most of the time) Sponsler

And So It Begins...

Big rehearsals this week!  Sunday 4/15, Full Run-Through 1:30p-5:30p.  T-Shirts to be handed out AFTER rehearsal!

We are now in our last few days of preparation and desperately need your cooperation to ensure the success of the show.  Please show up on-time, put all cellphones in the storage basket for safety, seat yourselves in the theatre quickly and quietly.  We must complete a full run-through Sunday to stay on schedule.

These are both the most stressful and most gratifying times of the play - this is when it all comes together: the choreography, singing, blocking, props and set pieces.  By the end of rehearsal Sunday I hope to shout out to all of you: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a show!"

See you all with your Cheshire Cat smiles on.

Curtis ("T" minus 12 days and 12 hours to go) Sponsler

T-Shirts are IN!!

Put on your smiles - the shirts are done!  We will be handing them out Sunday 4/18 AFTER rehearsal.

Pretty cool, huh?!

Special thanks to: Brian and Kim deZavala, and ScreenWorks USA for their AMAZING work!

Last Rehearsals Update and Calls (CAST ONLY)

I'll try to keep these last few emails succinct: 

Cast & Crew, and parents - we are on our last 2 weeks 'til show nights.  We have a series of CRITICAL rehearsals coming up that require ALL CAST (main players & ensemble) to attend.  Just like any sports finals, this is our Play-Off weeks and expect everyone to participate.  Any no-shows (unexcused) will be dismissed - we cannot afford nor allow anyone to inhibit our production schedule.

We still have a lot to learn (but WITHOUT scripts or music with vocal reference), we need to be focused, attentive, and responsive to remember these last few directions.

THURSDAY 4/12 - optional, but fun :: (ALL CAST, not crew) We are having a less formal get together "Lunch-to-Learn-Your-Lines" in the school's cafeteria from 11a-3p.  We will practice lines, sing our songs, and snarffle pizza.  No scripts - but this is where you can forget lines and WE help you along.  Please reply if you can make it or not.

SUNDAY 4/15 - CRITICAL :: (ALL CAST, CREW To Be Announced) Full Run-Through 1:30p-5:30p.  T-Shirts to be handed out AFTER rehearsal!

-        ALL costume fees due on Sunday.  If you do not know what you owe – email Mrs. Montz at montzie@gmail.com

-        ALL ad requests for the program due Friday, April 20^th.  (see attached form)

-        NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS for these last few rehearsals (and others coming up).  Please reply if/when you can be available .  I will notify who we select to help.

Final Countdown - "Built-In Hold"

Thank you all Cast Members for attending the meeting yesterday and listening so well.  I'll only say this once more time: It's in your hands.  The path to success for the show resides in you - be serious, listen, know your lines & songs, and have a good time.  That's your recipe.

But all that said - it really is crunch-time.  The Beus and Montzes have given you all the lessons to some awesome dance numbers.  They've done their work, now it your turn.  Work with each other, lift each other up.  If you make a mistake, ask for help for us or your friends.

I know you'll all shine when you hit the stage - believe in yourselves, in your fellow cast members, your diligent crew, and the many volunteers there to see you succeed.

Happy Easter and have a great Spring Break (study, read, sing).

Critical Meeting Wednessay!

We will be holding a critical meeting for the CAST right as school lets out in the PLC.  Just run over to the theatre for a quick discussion and update.  This is VERY important - regarding final schedule, missed practices, and our last 2 weeks of rehearsals.

I know it's the start of Spring Break - but please, I'm only asking for 30 minutes MAX.  I'm not a demanding person - but this is the final cut meeting.  I'm going to decide what's in the play, and whom.

Please, ALL CAST, be there... then it's off to Spring Break (I'm headed to Typhoon Lagoon myself and I'm staying there 'til I look like a California Grape!)