Invocate Thy Ghost

Richard (Ron Pyle), about to strike,
is haunted by the ghosts of those he murdered.

Last night was our SMART (Sharing Masterworks of Art) program for high schoolers. It was technically our final dress rehearsal. The run of the play was first-rate. I was pleased with every aspect of the production—from tech to acting to audience response. (Hey, if a bunch of high schoolers stay engaged with one of Shakespeare's histories, something's going well.)

I was perhaps most happy with the six "goons" (the guys who move the furniture/props and act as extras). As my wife so aptly put it, "Those goons totally rocked the doors." Which, being interpreted, means that they hit their marks and performed the intricate opening/closing door movements (you'd have to see it to fully appreciate the complexity) with near-perfect precision . . . no small feat, I assure you.

Opening night is now only a day and a half away. Bring it on.

Due of Birth

I stand in for Richmond in the final death scene.

Last night was the last rehearsal (aside from Monday night's SMART performance, which is technically the final dress). We had a fine rehearsal despite several epic challenges earlier in the day and into the rehearsal itself. God is always good.

One exciting moment came when Philip Eoute (Richmond) got the call that his wife was headed to the hospital for the birth of their second child. Protesting that they still hadn't decided on a name (may we suggest several Shakespearean possibilities—Eglamour Eoute? Arviragus Eoute? Dogberry Eoute?), he had to be dragged from the battlement and put into a car to head home. The video above was taken backstage just before he was sent packing.

That left me to wrap up the play book-in-hand. Not quite the heroic conqueror I'd imagined. . . .

Update: No baby as of this posting. This little Eoute  must possess a real sense of the dramatic entrance.

Ready or not, here we go! (We're ready.)