jgoforth.com | we(b log)

A note on theatre

I had a long-ish post mostly written about how I hardly ever get cast in parts I really want, which is entirely different from getting parts which I enjoy. It also said something about how, regardless of how disappointing it is for me personally, it has been my observation that the director almost always chooses someone that is better for the part in the long run. But then I deleted the whole thing and saved you from reading 3 paragraphs of my quasi-whining, while still getting the same point across. You can thank me later. On a side note, if any directors out there in Central Florida are looking for a very old Artful Dodger for Oliver, or Jack from Into the Woods, or any speaking part from Jekyll & Hyde, give me a call.

The observant will have noticed that I sort of just mentioned that I did not end up getting any speaking part in CVP’s current production of Jekyll & Hyde. I did however end up with a collection of solos and trios throughout the chorus numbers. Last night we had the first run through, and I can tell you this is going to be a crazy show. I was sitting on the floor, in a rehearsal room (not the actual stage) with a piano in the way, with no costumes, props or lights, and the death of Lucy still creeped me out a little. We open in two weeks, and run for at least 3 (maybe more) and if you can, you should definitely see me about getting tickets.

The last thing I wanted to mention concerned the audition for this show. I was called back along with 10 or so guys  to audition specifically for Jekyll/Hyde. It was, by far, the longest, most intense audition I have ever been a part of. Each one of us did the second half of This is the Moment, and the entirety of Confrontation. The Confrontation, in particular, was just crazy. I know the song forwards and backwards so I did it completely off book, and have very little idea of what I actually did. It was completely adrenelin. I do know at one point I realized I was up on my toes, and one of my legs was jumping uncontrollably. Afterwards, the director made a comment about how getting a taste of the part would make it harder to not get the part. Most of the time, I would completley agree. Most parts, once I want them, getting to do a little bit of it would just make me want to do it all the more. In this case, I am not sure that is the case. It might have only been like 15 people watching, and it certainly wasn’t anywhere near perfect, but as an actor I think it was one of the most “real” moments I have ever experiened on stage. I was Jekyll/Hyde. The only time I have had that kind of rush, that kind of natural high while on stage was the final megamix of my final performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat at the Greenwood Community Theatre. It was our last show. It was the final show of our director of 10 years. When that happens it’s greater than a single show. It’s for more than the audience. It’s the reason I do theatre. So, yeah, it was a good audition.