So, here we go.

This is the first time a director of the show has actually been the one to do the blogging. Interesting that I decided to volunteer myself. While currently working on three shows, this one included, I was thinking, “hey, let me be a real trooper and take on one other task.” So, here we are, at the beginning where the phrase Hakuna Matata is slowly becoming my personal mantra.

We are about to start the third week of rehearsals, the set build, the choreography and are halfway through blocking the show. This, for any director, is a crazy time when time management and multi tasking is of the utmost importance. I think, by the end of this week, if I still have what little hair is on my head I will be doing good. I still wonder if I was crazy to go after this show. I mean, it’s Huge! So far, within the exception of a few hiccups here and there we seem to be on the right track! I have high hopes and huge goals set for myself and everyone involved in this show and am not one to let myself or anyone else down!

I hope you enjoy reading and will continue to follow my rantings and ravings is they become more frantic and crazed.

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So IDR is over…

Of course I didn’t post last night like I said I would! That would have been too predictable! I have to keep you on your toes…

We had our first invitational dress rehearsal this evening which means the first non crew/cast related eyeballs were on all of the hard work that has been poured into this show. The cast looks amazing, the orchestra is all tuned up and the crew is all in black and ready to not be seen but truly appreciated. They are all ready…all we need now is you! Then show runs July 15-August 9. Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 2:30. Call 757-428-9233 to make your reservations!

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Just a Bunch of Crazy Guys and Dolls…!

Never ask a person with two jobs to write your blog for you! It ends up being put on the back-burner of said person…whoops! So, this is my confession folks! I had big plans to update this blog every week during the rehearsal process and well..here we are…three days out…SO! These three days are going to be chocked so full of content that you won’t know what hit ya! Okay-maybe not-but I do plan on posting every night through opening night! You have the illustrious titled Assistant Director here, Shawna Lawhorn. These blogs are usually written by someone in the cast but we decided to change things up. Since when do we have to keep things the same old? (Except maybe a cast member would have been better at keeping the blog updated-we’ll never know now!) Ever since auditions our cast has been hard at work getting a show ready to present to you that they can be proud of. They just started the run for tonight so I need to go-but keep coming back here for more posts from your procrastinating AD!

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Show’s Over, Folks!

Thanks to all the cast and the crew and the board and the audience and the universe for making this such a wonderful experience!

That’s it!  Go home!  Collapse!

-Matt Cole (Georges Feydeau)-

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Hotel Karaokiso

The cast decided to let loose at the local karaoke bar after a very successful weekend of making laughter happen.  Much thanks to Vincent for reserving us the party room!  Thanks to Lisa Bolen for snapping these fotos that I just stole.   :)

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OPENING WEEKEND…

has come and almost gone!  It has been an amazing experience.  We haven’t missed a single line or cue or expression yet!  Knock on flea powdered wood.

A few highlights:

Applebee’s karaoke – PUSH IT REAL GOOD

Matt Cole chugged queso cheese dip at Applebee’s

Cinnamon apple pie moonshine

Matt Lebarge stabbed with hatpin in the kidney

Audience laughed at our funny

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Dave Hobbs

NAME: Dave Hobbs

ROLE IN HOTEL PARADISO: Porter/Tabu the Turk/Policeman

MOST MEMORABLE ACTING EXPERIENCE: There are many. Col. Jessep in “A Few Good Men” was probably my most challenging role, but I’d have to say my roles in “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” were most memorable because that is when I decided to become a professional actor.

OCCUPATION: Retired from US Navy, now Actor

FAVORITE PLACE TO SIT: On the dock of the bay

LEAST FAVORITE WORD: Guacamole

SOMETHING THAT REALLY BUGS YOU RIGHT NOW: There are no docks closes to me

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN: sit on the dock of the bay.

YOUR KARAOKE SONG(s): Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay

MOST EMBARRASSING STAGE MOMENT: Missing a cue in my first Equity show.

FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING: Super Hero shirts

YOU JUST INHERITED A HOTEL. WHAT DO YOU NAME IT? the Dock of the Bay

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Ann E. Flandermeyer

NAME:  Ann E. Flandermeyer

ROLE IN HOTEL PARADISO:  Marcelle Cot

MOST MEMORABLE ACTING EXPERIENCE:  playing Mrs. Antrobus in Skin of Our Teeth – quite the send-off for my senior year in college

OCCUPATION:  Government relations/business development consultant

FAVORITE PLACE TO SIT:  my SUV

LEAST FAVORITE WORD:  trying to choose between packet and commode…

SOMETHING THAT REALLY BUGS YOU RIGHT NOW:  that I can’t predict the future – how can one possibly plan??

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN:  when I have time to figure that out, I’ll let you know!

YOUR KARAOKE SONG(s):  anything by Ella Fitzgerald…although BK likes when I sing “Kiss Me” by Sixpence the best

MOST EMBARRASSING STAGE MOMENT:  performing in a farce whose 3rd act revolved around a telephone ringing off the hook – no ringing.  I had to totally make up the last 20 minutes of the show

FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING:  a comfy sweater and jeans

YOU JUST INHERITED A HOTEL.  WHAT DO YOU NAME IT?  Le Escape

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Mia Byrd

NAME: Mia Byrd

ROLE IN HOTEL PARADISO: Mysterious Woman (Antoinette)

MOST MEMORABLE ACTING EXPERIENCE: Cabaret…just being cast…

OCCUPATION: Special Events Director (Chrysler Museum of Art)

FAVORITE PLACE TO SIT: surfboard

LEAST FAVORITE WORD: besmirch(misused)

SOMETHING THAT REALLY BUGS YOU RIGHT NOW: Overly loud talkers (not on stage).

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN: surf, paddle board…anything involving water sports

YOUR KARAOKE SONG(s): Gunpowder and Lead.

MOST EMBARRASSING STAGE MOMENT: Spinach pizza in teeth during musical.

FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING: shoes…oh gah! Shoes…

YOU JUST INHERITED A HOTEL.  WHAT DO YOU NAME IT? The Dahlia.

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James Bryan

Here you go!

NAME: James

ROLE IN HOTEL PARADISO: Dictator…I mean director…yes..director

MOST MEMORABLE ACTING EXPERIENCE:  When I appeared as a guest on
Maury…and it wasn’t for a paternity test…

OCCUPATION: I shape young minds everyday…and them force them to make
leather wallets..

FAVORITE PLACE TO SIT:  On a large pile of cash

LEAST FAVORITE WORD: Smörgåsbord – sounds like an STD, not a buffet

SOMETHING THAT REALLY BUGS YOU RIGHT NOW: Shake Weights for Men

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN: brew, keg, drink, rinse and repeat…

YOUR KARAOKE SONG(s): My Ding A Ling by Chuck Berry

MOST EMBARRASSING STAGE MOMENT:  Turning down a role on Jersey Shore…

FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING: A fedora and nothing else..

YOU JUST INHERITED A HOTEL.  WHAT DO YOU NAME IT?  Tig ‘Ol Bitties

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