Your orchestra pit reporter:
Deb Walz
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Orchestration misprint/correction knowledge repository
Musicians who are interested in playing in Actorsingers orchestras
Back issues
Winter 1998-99
Spring 1999
Hi and welcome to The Pit.
I envision this little niche of the web site as a place to communicate with the Actorsingers' musicians, a store of misprints (with corrections), and a running commentary of the various musicals from the view of the pit. Please drop me a line if you actually make use of the misprints, if you have misprints and corrections to add to our list, if you're an area musician interested in participating, or if you just want to let me know what you'd like to see here.
And now for a "pit view" of The King & I:
Once again we had a single marathon rehearsal before production week. Some of my impressions:
* Barbara Lawler, dressed in a windsuit and sneakers. I had the impression that she'd grabbed a ponytail holder and hurriedly stuffed her hair in as she ran out the door. And the effect? Strikingly beautiful. Lovely voice. Warm stage presence.
* Chris Snell -- What a voice! I wanted to close my eyes and listen to him the way I used to study for Music 100 in college -- in a beanbag chair in a candlelit room with glass of wine in hand. (And yes, I passed :-)
Rehearsals at the auditorium: What was that wig on Bob Frasca as Captain Orton?? Looked like a cross between Sam Clemens and Albert Einstein. Not sure which it resembled more... Thank goodness his costume eventually included a hat!
Favorite moments during the performances:
* the interplay between Miss Anna and the King
* in the schoolroom discretely demonstrating how snow falls so the king can appear to know everything.
* the planning session after Anna promises to keep her head lower than his
* Kerry Schneider as Lady Thiang singing "Something Wonderful". In my side of the pit, we just looked at each other with wide eyes and jaws dropped, our expressions saying "Wow"...
* Krystal Muccioli as Princess Ying Yaowlak with her absolutely consistent performance -- precise diction, clear delivery -- I wonder if she could do "Annie"????
As I continue my participation in the group, I've become more aware of its nurturing quality. I suspect that anyone - regardless of talent - could find a place if they came in with the right attitude. It might not be on stage, but there are such a variety of skills that are needed to create a production that someone who's willing to learn and work would be warmly welcomed for their contribution.
Another amazing aspect of this group is that I've yet to see a lead repeat. My prior experience with community theater left me with the impression that the same people are cast as the leads for years on end -- or at least until I moved out of town. It's refreshing to see new (to me) talent at every production.
From the grapevine, I heard that Kevin Koo was superb, but here is where the view from the pit is a skewed one. Everytime he was demonstrating his talent for dance, I was focused on playing the music. But even if I miss some of the magical moments, I wouldn't give up my seat for one in the audience.
See you at Pirates!!