CHIP CHIP CHEROO!

It’s important to have rules and guidelines for yourself when diving into a creative project. Over the years I’ve established a lot of rules and guidelines for myself when directing shows and they’ve always done me well. The number one rule I try to abide by when directing a show is this: Always answer questions before they can be asked. Certainly every now and then someone will think of something I didn’t, but I try to provide the information people need when or even before they need it, or have a confident answer for them when they do ask a question. This can greatly help establish their trust in you as a leader. You can also never OVER communicate to your company enough. As chaotic as my thoughts and organization can sometimes be in life, I take great pride and care in my organizational skills when directing a show. My least favorite feeling when directing are the times I’ve had to say “I don’t know”. This is a very close second rule I always try to follow: avoid saying ...

As I mentioned a few posts back, by suggestion I re-watched Saving Mr. Banks again and planned to blog some thoughts on it. That of course got delayed, but NOW I plan to share my thoughts about that movie, and as a bonus I have also re-watched Mary Poppins Returns since that time, so why not talk about both? First, the original task at hand: Saving Mr. Banks. In case you didn’t know, this 2013 film covers the period of time in which Walt Disney himself was attempting to procure the film rights to Mary Poppins from the very difficult author of the books, P.L. Travers. Many of their meetings were recorded and these tapes were the inspiration for the film. Emma Thompson plays Travers and as Walt, it’s the critic-proof Tom Hanks! I remember hearing about Saving Mr Banks nearly a year before it was released, and when I heard the film’s premise and casting I thought “THAT’S going to be a thing?” It just seemed so niche, so specific, a story that only someone like me would care to ev...

I have shared this information elsewhere, but with auditions now a month away, thought I should share it here also! What are all the roles in the show? You can read that information below and I have provided additional thoughts and information on each of them. MARY POPPINS CASTING/CHARACTER INFORMATION (Ages and types are fairly open; those given are merely guidelines)  PRINCIPAL ROLES — Mary Poppins: She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, practically perfect in every way, you know. Mezzo soprano with strong top notes and dances well. Precision and diction are key. Age: Ageless! (Somewhere between early 20s to mid-30s seems ideal). Vocal range: C6 -- Gb3  Bert: The narrator of the story and friend to Mary Poppins. Bert has many occupations, and watches over the children and events happening on Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man nearly as mysterious as Mary Poppi...

Over the weekend was Jenny’s birthday, and it can certainly be a challenge to celebrate a birthday during a shelter in place order, but we made the most of it! On Sunday afternoon I felt compelled to do something I haven’t done in years…broke out the sidewalk chalk and went to town!  Many people (kids) have been doing this a lot lately, and it was making my FOMO act up so I was glad to get outside and scratch the itch. I don’t remember it making you sore as a kid like I am today; bending, twisting, crouching, squatting and such. And yes, of COURSE I was reminded of the classic scene from Mary Poppins! However, the chalk I had wasn’t going to create a country road, a circus, or anything worthy of jumping into…instead I settled mostly for some “Mary Blair inspired” designs.  If you don’t know Mary Blair, she is the artist responsible for the look and design of “It’s a Small World” but there’s more to her story. She was an artist that got into animation in the ear...

So one “upside” to sheltering at home is that all the creative types out there have proven they can hardly sit still. Many people have been sharing their talents online. Whether it’s singing, dancing, craft projects or whatever it might be, they are doing so simply for fun, entertainment, or to bring a smile to others. It’s nice to take some of our ample free time and share what we love. There are no stakes, no risk, and no judging; it feels a lot like an online talent show or old school show and tell, and I think it’s been great. I’ve learned of many talents that I didn’t know friends and acquaintances of mine had! People playing piano I didn’t know played, people who aren’t big singers going for it, and people picking up paintbrushes maybe for the first time, or at least for the first time in a long time! Since we’re all still home for a while yet, and since everyone has been singing more often…have people been thinking about audition songs? If not for Mary Poppins, then maybe f...