I’m very excited and a little nervous. Why am I nervous? After all, I’ve been doing this a rather long time. Here’s why:
I’ve got a spectacular cast. Tony-winner, Karen Ziemba, veteran actor, Bill Tatum, and future star, Remy Germinario — I won the casting lottery. The director, Roy Steinberg has enhanced and elevated the material to heights I had not imagined. The tech crew is dedicated and outstanding. One of them drove nine hours from Ohio to participate. (Do people want to get out of Ohio that badly?) The set is beautiful and thanks to light cues you can see it! And the theatre itself is lovely. Comfortable, great sight-lines and acoustics, and the air conditioner works.
All of this is to say if it doesn’t work or get laughs it’s all on me. I have no one to blame.
I’m struck by the contrast between this and writing for sitcoms. For a sitcom, the length is 22 minutes (or shorter today in some cases). I’m surrounded by a team of super talented writers to solve any problems or add that killer joke. If the show is a hit I have a studio audience that already knows and loves these characters. Plus, I have post production where I can fix things in editing and add features like music and effects to cover any sins.
For this play there’s no writing staff, no post production. Every word in this ninety minute piece is mine. So you can understand why it’s a little nerve-wracking.
But it’s also why I love it. There’s a real sense of pride and authorship. And the challenge. I’m always looking to stretch myself as a writer. And if it works there’s no greater feeling in the world (other than winning awards for it).
Everything is in place and it should work. I’m super proud of this play. I flew 3,000 miles and had to negotiate the Philadelphia airport to see it. My supreme thanks to everyone involved (the cast, crew, and lady at Hertz who finally found a car that had Car Play that worked).
I can’t wait for tonight. And hey, if things don’t work out — there’s a big liquor store really close to the theatre.
I’ll be at performances all this week. Cape May is beautiful. Come join us.
Karen Ziemba! I saw this 30 years ago and I'm still thinking about it
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4yYval1cKA
Have you the Neil Simon bug?
ReplyDeleteIf so, warn the cast they'll have to learn heaps of new lines tomorrow after tonight's all night "tweak" rewrite.
Seriously, hope everything exceeds expectations.
And if you want a place to relax afterwards, Chris Christie may close a beach for you
(Or a bridge if you're running late to the theater)
Always interesting how USA Sitcom writing seams.. kinda easier then UK (atleast, UK between the 70s to early 90s) where they wasn't a team of writers or backup script editors etc.. Some classic UK comedies had a team of writers which were only 2 people, or often only 1 person wrote the whole thing.. always interesting to see how things differ quite a lot like that.. much like with Comic book art.. a UK artist was expected to do pencil, inks and colours for the most part. US had a penciler, a inker, and a colourist..
ReplyDeleteAw man, I'll be in Wildwood next week... glad you're in the area! Is "Break a Leg" still appropriate?
ReplyDeleteBreak a leg! The liquor store could be handy for success too. I spent two months in Cape May in 1992 for US Coast Guard basic training. I suspect you will have more fun then I did. Way too many push ups on my end. Enjoy your time there!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck old friend. You're too far away for us this time but if it's as good as the productions we've seen in the Los Angeles area I'm sure it will be another great success.
ReplyDeleteThe soap fan in me got all excited when he saw the name "Roy Steinberg."
ReplyDeleteWe saw Karen Ziemba in her Tony-winning performance in Contact. You did indeed hit the jackpot. Break a leg!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Ken! I hope your play is a huge success. Would love to read it. I'll miss you this Sunday at Cafe Plays. Aaron
ReplyDeleteBreak legs. I expect reports.
ReplyDeleteDon't just "break a leg," but dislocated a shoulder and shatter a pelvis!
ReplyDeleteM.B.
To answer your ?: Do people want to get out of Ohio that bad? The answer is YES! [As of the years 2020-21, more than 10,000 people fled the state.]
ReplyDeleteBreak a leg Ken!
ReplyDeleteIf you get a chance, drive over to the White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City. The best submarine sandwiches anywhere!
No doubt you and your audiences will have a damn fine time. Break everything except wind.
ReplyDelete"Neil Simon bug"
ReplyDeleteThanks to your interview of the recent Mike Niichols bio, I'd thought that your week of plays is reminiscent of the Simon/Nichols collaborations.
Have Fun
@Bob Waldman
ReplyDeleteWhite House Subs is not worth the 45 minute drive from Cape May to Atlantic City.
My sympathies with your experience at Philly International. It consistently earns its rank as 2nd worst airport in the country (behind only Newark). Airport staff is rude or indifferent. The bathrooms are dirty. Food is overpriced (not unique for an airport) and bad. The chances of getting your luggage in a timely manner are 50-50. You need to reserve parking months in advance. Other than that, it's a gem.
ReplyDelete