“A Hand of Bridge” (Samuel Barber)
“The Telephone” (Gian Carlo Menotti)
“The Old Maid and the Thief” (Gian Carlo Menotti)
I had gone there to cast the show in November, and then returned in late March for rehearsals, tech week, dress rehearsals, and performances. I performed all three of these from the keyboard for the performances, along with a gifted student percussionist adding some obbligato and sound effects.
There were a few things that I felt were incredibly successful about the project:
1). Clear, detailed direction. I am learning that some of the best teaching (which can also transition into performing or “directing” at the professional level) is rooted in this skill. My great friend and colleague of nearly a decade had invited me to music-direct his show, and we both took this approach. M.M. is very detail-oriented, so I was very happy to have my detail-oriented coaching or teaching style complement this. The students did very well with our approach, I felt.
2). Creativity. We had a lot of fun and “play” with this show. We borrowed a porpoise-skull (!) from the Art Department, for Ben to give to Lucy at the top of “The Telephone” (the score indicates that his gift is an abstract sculpture). We also had a great time with three “jingle girls” - a trio of singing sisters who sang commercials, composed by one of the composition faculty at UWSP. These were a hit and almost stole the show from the actually larger works! We had also set the entire production as a radio-broadcast, with audience watching.
3). Being human, being ourselves. I was out in Wisconsin immediately after taking my doctoral oral exam. And then I had to wait all day in O’Hare airport because of a poorly handled canceled flight and baggage detail. I made it to UWSP, just later than intended. My friend, my host and co-director, had offered his home very hospitably. That also meant late nights chatting, catching up, always with wine. I still don’t think I’ve recovered from this time, and my body certainly doesn’t want to go to bed when it should.
4). Native language of audience and cast. There is nothing like the immediacy of singing or hearing in your own language. I was also a fiend about clear text, and it paid off: M.M.’s parents visited from North Carolina for the performances, and they said they could understand everything.
I am so grateful for this project, for the opportunity to music-direct, and for the trip and the time spent in a new place.
Here is a link introducing the production. https://vimeo.com/90440940
PHOTO: Me with the “Jingle Girls.”
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