1.3 and 1.6

Today's rehearsal was interesting - as about twenty seconds before I walked in the door - I got a call from the boy playing Motel saying he had suddenly fallen ill and wouldn't be coming in. This was going to make my job for the a wee bit more difficult - as we were supposed to block all of our scenes together - including what is supposed to be my penultimate emotional moment where I beg my father to let me marry Motel instead of Lazar Wolf. I walk in and tell the stage manager Motel won't be coming (and we are both confused as to why he called me and not her), and look over my script. During which time I realize - Tevye isn't there either. So - essentially we didn't block the doozy of a scene - because it would be me with two imaginary actors.

We did block a scene and a half though - and I think they went very well. The director wants me to mimick Golde more - which is daunting. Golde is not a Disney Princess. I have perfected the Disney princess - old poor Russian Jewish mother of the lat late 19th early 20th century...not so much. I think I made some progress though - which made me happy. Apparently I did a good job of look as though I were about to burst into tears as well - which is good. Crying on cue is another obstacle of mine. I'm sure I can do it - I just get so afraid and heady that I tense up and end up phoning in an untruthful performance. We want to relax - and let - (as Stephane Lambiel so eloquently said) - my true sprit shine through. (I credit Stephane with that - but really Mary tells it to me in every lesson as well - in those exact words.)

So over all pretty productive rehearsal. Everyone is nice, kind, giving, supportive, and the environment feels safe and comfortable. Which is exactly what you want.