Mark's staged reading went very well last night. Not too many people, around 20, but some of them were people I'd never seen before which was very exciting. I'm wondering how they got the word, just so I know what works. Parts of the show that had never really been a problem were slow last night. They didn't drag, per se, they just took a lot longer than usual. Mark's talking about doing some re-writes. Parts that have always been funny weren't, all of what he added got laughs and he's facing the fact he has to take out a part specifically written for a particular actor. A couple people talked to him after the show about producing it. Yay!

We did hit a snafu or too. scooterpbakes built a door for the show and we spent a fun night getting it all painted to look as though it was set in a brick wall - it's a lovely door. We didn't think much about the bench also needed for the set. Oh, we knew ATY had some, including a nice big green one, but it wasn't really on the list of things to worry about. Monday night we went to pick up the bench and Mark realized that the green was was too long. It probably wouldn't fit in the car and he was concerned about it taking focus from the door. So he picked out another bench.

A.
Bright.
Pink.
Bench.

This is the pinkest bench ever seen by man. This is a bench that could launch 1000 triangles. This is a bench that could live happily ever after and write its memoirs in San Francisco.

But it was the bench of the right size, so it came to the show.

Mark had already decided not to use the bench, but brought it in anyway, just to show off the sheer pinkatude of the bench.

scooterpbakes took one look at the bench sitting on the set next to his wonderful door and began to howl. I can't remember the exact words exchanged, but I finally called to Mark something to the effect of "Your set designer is requesting the pink bench be removed from the building, dear."


In other news - I was setting up dates and locations for the Mid-Summer tour and one of the arts council presidents actually uttered the words. "And I bought a barn just so we can do theatre in it!" I am very proud of the fact that I did NOT snort-laugh into the phone right then and there, but it was damn close. That just made my week.