Corban is putting on "The Music Man" this fall, and I could not be more pleased to be a part of that! Musicals are a unique experience, even in the vein of theater itself. There's nothing quite like them.
Whether it's a silly show like this one, or something deeper and more poignant, like "Les Miserables", or even something just plain ridiculous, like "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", musicals all have one thing in common: They take a major amount of dedication and time to pull off. And occasionally, your brain will get frazzled. And I figure the characters in "Friends" spend a majority of their time brain-frazzled. Let's turn it over to them to explain.
1. Waiting for the cast list is nerve-wracking.
This isn't just any cast list to wait for. This is (wait for it) THE MUSICAL CAST LIST!
2. The result is one of two options...
You either rejoice, or...
... you weep. Like a wee baby.
3. Your first few rehearsals are a series of tentative attempts at acting.
Unless you're somehow a flawless performer.
4. CAST RETREAT!
Let us bond!
5. What's my character's backstory?
Is it tragic or just normal? Oh, the skeletons in the closets!!!
(Incidentally, my character is cheating on her husband - who is also cheating on her with half the town. Yeah. Those interpersonal relationships.)
6. You mean I have to sing, dance, AND act...?
All at the same TIME?
Yep. Hop to it, sweetheart.
7. Figure out a way to juggle your schoolwork.
And clubs. And family and friends and social life in general.
8. COSTUMES ARE HERE!
A play is basically an excuse to play dress-up with a whole bunch of your friends.
9. Your cast is your family.
No exceptions.
10. Take care of your voice!
Don't stay up all night screaming into the void. You can kill your voice in November.
11. Your body belongs to the show.
You are not allowed to break anything, bend anything, twist anything. No hair cuts or dyes. No NOTHING.
12. Tech week hits.
You are dead to the world.
13. Everything comes together beautifully in rehearsal!
Well done, my friends. You deserve ALL of the back pats.
14. Inside jokes.
Reginald the theater peacock. Aaaaagriculture. HOW DARE YOU?!?!?!
You're not supposed to understand them. They're inside jokes.
15. Time to perform!
Shine, you beautiful theater child. Shine.
16. The bittersweetness of finishing a show.
Plenty of people have cried at this point. We grow attached, what can we say?
17. Strike the set!
In layman's terms, this means to take it down. It finalizes the show's end.
18. And finally...
THE CAST PARTY!
Now you party. And you've earned it.
Corban theater peeps, I love you guys.