Thursday 7/21 – 11:06 pm End of Rehearsal Temp: 89 What an amazingly generous, smart and even-tempered bunch of people. From the designers who have one night to realize their vision to the players and singers who gave their all … Continue reading →

Thursday 7/21 – 8:15 pm Top of Rehearsal Temp: 95 The only moment of recorded sound comes at the top of the show, with a jaw-dropping rendition of the Sweeney organ solo, performed by Thierry Escaïch and recorded for the … Continue reading →

Thursday 7/21 – 7:12 pm Wigs & Makeup Temp: 96 Meet the ladies of Mrs. Lovett’s Pie Shop, “fresh” from their wig & makeup calls.

Thursday 7/21 – 6:55 pm Dinner break! Temp: 98 Box lunches in the stage right lounge. Feels like summer camp.

Thursday 7/21 – 6:10 pm We hit the New York Times Temp: 98 (it has to drop soon, right?) I had the pleasure this morning of speaking with Daniel Wakin of The New York Times, and he just filed a … Continue reading →

Thursday 7/21 – 5:24 pm Rolling out the Gatorade Temp: 98 (still… really?!?) We bought all of the lemon-lime Gatorade in northern Virginia. It is currently deployed in all dressing rooms and under every NSO player’s chair. (Product placement, anyone? … Continue reading →

Thursday 7/21 – 4:14 pm Walk the Stage! Temp: 98 (still…) Opera in a multi-use venue has both assets and liabilities. Biggest challenge? One rehearsal. One dress rehearsal? One technical rehearsal? One onstage orchestra rehearsal? Yes. All at the same … Continue reading →

I’m taking a moment to step away from my riveting blow-by-blow of Hot Opera, and I welcome you to spend two minutes with some rehearsal audio and video, interspersed with images from our video projection design. Featuring the rock star … Continue reading →

Thursday 7/21 – 2:45 pm Load-in: Props, Costumes, Wigs (& Screens) Temp: 98 Hanging the conductor monitor on the balcony rail. There’s this pesky problem with the conductor upstage of the singers. They’ll be able to catch his cues in … Continue reading →

Thursday 7/21 – 1:50 pm Lunch Break Temp: 97 View from backstage right, my satellite office for the next 36 hours. Grabbing a few minutes for a sandwich, some Tales of Hoffmann schedule negotiations, prep for next week’s Instant Opera … Continue reading →