It has been harder to update this blog than I planned on... thanks for your patience. The internet in my hotel has been on the fritz most of my stay here so I'm grabbing a few minutes in the opera office before tonight's orchestra rehearsal.
Here is my view from the pit - my last playing day was Monday night for the piano dress!
Ready for your backstage tour? Strap on your seatbelts!
Here is the "cockpit" of the production, where all the buck stops, where the big mama in charge calls the shots - otherwise known as the Production Stage Manager's desk. Mary has live camera feed of the conductor (on the left) and of the stage (on the right) to keep track of everything as it happens. The top computer monitors different lighting instruments - the electricians use it to make sure no circuits will be overloaded.
On the desk you can see her copy of the score, from which she calls all the technical cues for the show. Her job is literally lights, cameras AND action! Any time you see a light turn on or off, a curtain open or close, or a piece of scenery move, it's because SHE has said it's time now. Imagine how chaotic the theater would be if ONE person were not in charge of how and when things happen, or if we had to stop and "discuss" everything in the middle of rehearsal. Mary is the best in the business at keeping everything on time, on budget, and (most of all) SAFE for all the crew and performers.
There are two Assistant Stage Managers who are in charge of the performing personnel - in particular, making sure they make their entrances at exactly the right place in the music, that the chorus lines up in the correct order offstage, that everyone is in the correct costume and with the correct props, and QUIET in the wings.
And speaking of props, this is Ned, the props manager and ONE of his THREE heavy-laden props carts. Anything that is not fastened to the set, he is responsible for. The Philistines and Hebrews all have weapons - you can see the spears, swords, knives, etc. - which Ned measures to fit the height of each chorus member. In Act III during the Bacchanale, everyone has a drinking goblet, which he decorated with gold spray paint and jewels - HOURS of work going into that. You can also see the flowers the dancers carry during the Act I scene celebrating the victory of the Hebrews led by Samnson. On the middle shelf are urns placed in the temple scene in Act III and the oversized goblets used by Delilah and the High Priest in the final scene. Ned also spent hours getting just the right combination of pillows for Delilah to lounge on during Act II, which takes place inside her house. They must be tall enough to sit on, firm enough to support both Samson and Delilah, soft enough to be comfortable but not so soft that the singers sink down too far, arranged in just the right order... lots of shopping and sewing there... Ned also has two assistants for this show.I'll try to post again tomorrow the carpenter's cart and the flame thrower during the ballet. See you all soon!
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