The First Read-thru of Wild Space A Go Go

I must say that I went in to this first rehearsal with a bit of anxiety. Not so much for the cast - as they are all fantastic! I knew going in that they would be both professional, prepared and up to the task. The anxiety was totally all mine. I mean, why not? I was the one who wrote the libretto for Christ’s sake. I am not sure if I am the typical insecure writer or not but I really went in expecting hundreds of winces as actors got to particular jokes/lines or maybe, even worse, a throw-down of their scripts in total disgust and a collective walkout.

Luckily that was not the case! If there were winces, they were well masked by their professional faces. What’s more, their timing was impeccable and the reading astounded, not only myself, but the director and composer as well. Here were actors who instinctively got all character beats in the script and got my timing for the way a broad comedy script like this has to go. I believe that each writer delivers a script but a timing of how that script will play. It’s all part of that inner voice that manifests itself when we are writing. It is just a matter of trusting that voice and believing that it will carry over.

I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was forced to trim in order to meet time restraints of the venue but also jokes that somehow repeated too many times. What ended up happening, in one case, was putting a joke back in – just based on how the actor delivered the line. With his unique reading, it was not overkill at all but a wonderful set-up for the next gag. Bravo, actor. Well done!

Insecurity comes with the creative territory. But all of the pundits agree in terms of comedy. If it makes you laugh, it will cross over from the page to the performance. I guess the real test comes with the actor that breathes life into the lines and their experience. If they have the chops, the laugh will come.

We are blessed with a immensely talented cast. Whatever happens, I will be grateful to work with all of them. In all future projects, I hope that I work with actors of this caliber.

Indian Poker

Creatively, the more cards you have in your hand, the better your chances of getting something produced. Writers, no matter how well intentioned, with only one project making the rounds are playing nothing more than a feeble game of Indian poker.

If you play any cards at all, you know damn well that Indian Poker is a card game for drunken frat boys and not professionals. There is only one round of bets and at best only a few laughs.

The more projects you have in circulation, the better your chances of actually getting a phone call informing you that you have piqued someone’s interest. I don’t care what the cards, eh, I mean projects are, novels plays, or screenplays, your luck will improve greatly with the number of polished projects you have on hand.

Notice I said polished. That means finished, proofed and edited. No card should be exposed until you have done all the work. You are lucky enough not to be dealt the cards. You created them. Make sure they are the best you have.

From first draft to last, some projects take months. Others, like musical plays for example, can literally take years. Work on “Wild Space A Go Go” stated four years ago. Rehearsals start next week. Not everything takes that long. Some things take even longer. Novels take years. Screenplays take at least six months and most times more.

It has been hinted at before, but often times you don’t realize that one of the cards you’re holding is shit. Relax. This may not be your fault. It maybe a rewrite that you don’t believe in, or the time may not be right to play it. That still leaves you other projects that are circulating. Do not fold your hand and walk away from the table. Simply work on your next card.

You should always be working. “A writer writes…always.” There should always be a story that is in the back of your mind and can’t be ignored. Don’t just talk about it. There isn’t time. There are plenty of people talking about their stories. Your odds improve greatly if you actually do something about it. Write it, damn it!

Okay, with that said, you are all adjourned to create more cards. I wish you the best of luck. May they all be Aces.

“Wild Space A Go Go” News:

First read-thru this Sunday. Yikes. Nothing can prepare you for the sound of professionals trying to make sense of your work. I do not say this because of any prejudice I may have for actors, but for my own contribution as the librettist. To me, nothing makes me cringe more than the sound of badly written dialogue. The actors are the best and I believe they will do their best. I, for one, will be sitting in the back, pretending to pay attention while wearing headphones and secretly listening to The Pogues. Occasionally, I may have to nod knowingly. We’ll just have to see. Hopefully, no one will notice.

On another note: Even though the show does not open until April 23^rd, we have ticket sales. Let me just say this. It’s more than two and less than fifty. Even so, this must make the investors happy. I wouldn’t know, I’m not an investor.