Tuesday June 16th: So after a day-off spent swimming in Sleepy Creek, eating a delicious cook-out… sitting around a late night bonfire, listening to live music performed by the amazing Billy Thompson at the cliffside home of Kirsten Trump…the company returned for a second week of rehearsal.

We staged Scene 3. of FIFTY WORDS…we roughed-in the love making/sex scene which takes place in the kitchen. Aaron Anderson, Fight Director will join us today to help me choreograph the sex scene. If you have been reading the blog…you know that FIFTY WORDS is a “passionate” love story…and we want to get the sex right…it has to be “wild, bone-crushing passion!” I worked with Aaron on the fights and sex scenes in PIG FARM last season. He is a gifted Fight Director. I am looking forward to working with him again on FIFTY WORDS. The cast: Tony Crane and Joey Parsons are taking big risks in rehearsal and they are both so easy and willing to collaborate. We have created a “safe” room where risk-taking is encouraged. We trust one another and the collaboration is intense:

     Jan:         Then make me.

     ADAM:   What, force myself on you?

     JAN:        If that’s what it takes. 

    ADAM:     You want me to ravage you?

    JAN:          I want to know that you want me more than anything in the world. I want you to stop being complicated, make your demands known, and let me say a simple yes or no.

    ADAM:      You hate it when I impose myself-

    JAN:           I hate how you approach half way, then linger on the sidelines all patient and kind, watching out for my needs. Being sensitive to me. All that touchy-feely awareness, I hate how much you notice me, how you wait for me to make the first move, why can’t you just–like that night in the taxi, come after me, you know, yes, ravage me, give me no choice for Christ sake-

This is going to be a very physical and intense scene.

FARRAGUT NORTH: We worked on the Bar Scene for pacing and the Hotel Room Scene with Molly and Stephen, and the Airport Scene with Paul and Stephen. Then we did a run-thru of Act I. Today we will work on Act II Scene 1. and Scene 2.

Ed Herendeen

DEAR SARA JANE: We reviewed pages 1 thru 51. Joey Parsons is bringing the role to life after only two weeks of rehearsals. We have two more scenes to stage…I hope to have a Run-Thru later next week. I have such a better understanding of the script. I realize how important the audience is. Sara Jane has a story to tell and she needs the audience to tell it. The audience is her scene partner in this “solo” performance. Sara Jane speaks to the audience…she reveals “secrets.”

          ” I just feel I need to understand this right now.

             I mean, you have secrets, right? You have your own…chaos or whatever.”

FIFTY WORDS: We worked Scenes 1 and 2. We continued to find the “tender” moments where Adam and Jan show their love for each other. The kitchen “business” is helping us to find the routines and habits that this couple have established in their marriage. I am enjoying working with Tony Crane and Joey Parsons. We have created a “safe” rehearsal room and the actors are taking “risks” and making strong choices.

FARRAGUT NORTH: We ran Act I tonight. On Tuesday we we do scene work on Act I. It is a strong cast and they have a good understanding of the script. We need to work on the pace, tempo and rhythm. We will begin our work on Act II on Wednesday.

Monday is the Equity day-off. This was a very productive first week of rehearsal. YANKEE TAVERN and THE HISTORY OF LIGHT are both making progress. I am very impressed with our 2009 Company. The design teams and tech staff are building all five shows…there is a buzz of energy and activity in the rehearsal halls, scene and prop and costume shops.

Ed Herendeen