REHEARSAL JOURNAL

DEAR SARA JANE Thursday June 11th: We worked thru and staged Scene 4. (pages 29-43). Joey Parson’s is making  strong- physical choices as she discovers Lynnie’s character. We learn more information about Jerry, Sara Jane’s husband who is away at war. We also learn important information about Sara Jane’s brother Joe…who was in the military.

          “Are you war people? I come from war people. Military people, long line. From way back. Shake the President’s hand and everything, my grandfather did, oh yeah we got fucking heroes left and right-but not Joe, embarrassing everyone like that.

You see, war is my family’s metier. If you want to get French about it. Mother and me are very much at odds on the subject. Very much at odds. She won’t talk about it with me. Won’t talk about Joe.”

We will review and work thru Scene 4 today…and if there is time…we will begin to read thru Scene 5.

FIFTY WORDS: We accomplished a lot yesterday. We worked thru and staged Scene 1. This is such an important scene, because this is the beginning of the story and the first time the audience meets Adam and Jan. Tony Crane (Adam) and Joey Parsons (Jan) explored and discovered their rituals and marriage routines. Adam and Jan are a couple who have leaned and established “habits.” They are hyper-sensitive to each other. The play takes place in their kitchen. So we worked on developing “stage business” and behavior. Adam and Jan perform the “ritual” of preparing a meal…their nine year old son is away for the evening at his first sleep-over. They are alone…together…for the first time in nine years. Adam wants to create a romantic evening:

JAN: This feels very weird, Adam.

ADAM: Being alone together?

JAN: Talking about…like this, these things.

ADAM: Why?

JAN: How we’ve been lately. Since I started the business…and you got this project in the Midwest…I mean things were bad. We both know it. But now, when you’re home suddenly it’s all champagne, romantic dinner, and now sexy talk. Isn’t it strange that things improve like this when you’re not around so much. Have you noticed?

ADAM: We use to be like this all the time.

JAN: When?

ADAM: At the beginning.”

It is very important that the audience likes both characters. This is a story…a love story about marriage and relationships. Adam and Jan are two very passionate people who love each other. I am inspired by this Leonard Cohen lyric:

             “I’m aching for you baby. I can’t pretend I’m not. I’d love to see you naked in your body and your thought…I got you like a habit…ahh…I’ll never get enough.”

FARRAGUT NORTH: We worked thru and staged Act I-Scene 1. The first scene is set in the lounge/bar of the Hotel Fort Des Moines. We meet Stephen, Governor Morris’ Press Secretary; Paul, Campaign Manager for Governor Morris; Ida, a New York Times reporter and Ben, Deputy Press Secretary.

Tonight we will review Scene 1. and work on the pace…tempo and rhythm of the dialogue.

Ed Herendeen