Had our first #preview tonight of Here We Are at The National here in #London. Pictured here are our theatre, the #Lyttleton and our Musical Director and my personal guru,
@nigelilley
I haven’t posted much here lately because it’s been weeks of truly all-consuming work. This isn’t an easy piece, as anyone who saw it in New York knows. I want to clarify what I posted earlier, because my original phrasing made it seem like I was being negative: The process has been at times uncomfortable, totally unfamiliar, and exhausting. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever worked on, and David Ives’ book is as much an impeccable piece of music as Sondheim’s score. Joe and Sam are leading us through it with as much grace and patience as any actor could hope for. The company is absolutely incredible, and we’ve bonded amazingly and completely, and we have each other, and a real love of working together. It’s been one of the most nourishing and joyful experiences of my working life.
To premiere, in London, Sondheim’s final work, is really something. The audience tonight was incredible. It’s a ridiculous privilege, as well, to be at the National. It’s easily the greatest place I’ve ever worked in the theater. I cannot say enough about the place.
Anyway, there’s so many things…art, fun, music, laughs, make-em-ups, wigs, orchestras, ugly dressing rooms, beauty, false eyelashes, weird bruises that appear out of nowhere, sopranos, strangers in the dark laughing, discordant phrases, clever rhymes, experiments of geniuses to live and fight for. Keep up the fight. For the sake of all of it. To create a life worth living.
@nationaltheatre @jessetyler @chumisa.dmay @ohdenis @snozzles @traciebennett001 @pamstinkleton @harry_hadden_paton @herewearemusical @joe_mantello @rfleeshman @misterdavidzinn @robpickens @billybcreative @butterworthjack @amiramatthews #artheals #theatertheatrelife #musicaltheatre
