Showcase

MONDAY - Tonight was the first of our three In Demand showcase performances at The Matrix Theatre in West Hollywood. Earlier in the day, there was some concern on the part of the producers that we didn't have enough reservations. I spent the morning emailing my LA contacts reminders about the show. My wife and I arrived at the theater by 6:30pm to help out with preparations. She graciously volunteered to assist with checking people in and whatever other front of house duties needed doing. That's the deal when you're related/married to, or really good friends with a performer. She did that so many times for JaCKPie shows. The theater looked great.

Will, my scene partner, and I ran lines a couple times and walked over the set changes we had to perform after our scene. We had a great energy going, total confidence in the work we've done, ready to just listen, play and have a blast. By the time the house opened, most of the performers were in the holding rooms, which were a little too hot and chaotic for me. Besides, my favorite place to be when the house opens is standing just backstage, or behind the curtain if there is one, to hear the audience come in. I don't care about seeing who's who. I just like to hear it. The room begins empty and silent but for the preshow music. Then, the first few people enter talking quietly to each other. That builds to the dull roar of the full house. We had a full one - people standing in the back of the 99-seat house and sitting wherever they could. The adrenaline started kicking in. I had a few last minute jokes and hand shakes with Will and we got set. We were the second scene up, and we killed it. It was better than any rehearsal we'd done. We listened, found new moments, got every single laugh we wanted and more. There's no substitute for meeting your final scene partner, the only one you haven't rehearsed with, the audience. They give you so much. Then, in no time, we were backstage again, applause, and the adrenaline coursing. Everyone's scenes were good. Some had nerves going full speed, but I think it was a really good show as a whole, which is important for all of us.

After the show, we had a small reception set up in the lobby. Will and I talked to Kari Kurto, the casting associate from "My Name is Earl", who said some very nice things about our performance. In fact, a lot of people came up to me and told me how much they enjoyed the scene and many went on to point out details that made it work for them. We were also asked if we had worked together before. That's a huge compliment. There was a point at which I seriously debated whether or not to do this showcase, but now I'm so glad I did. I ended up with a great scene partner, scene, director and overall production - and fun. I'm looking forward to the next two shows, which I'll update (perhaps more briefly) below.

TUESDAY - The thing about live shows is that a different night has a different audience and it's a different vibe. Tuesday's show was packed like the night before, but this time, there were quite a few more industry guests. Industry guests can be a bit more reserved as a crowd. First, they're looking through the packets, pulling out headshots and taking notes. Second, they're basically working. So, it's a little different. We still got great laughs, big applause at the end of the scene and great comments from people afterward. I sing a couple of lines from Air Supply's "All Out of Love" to my ex-girlfriend's t-shirt in a terrible falsetto at the top of the scene. It has been a great scene starter. One more show to go.

WEDNESDAY - And again, a different vibe...even more industry guests. There's such a different feeling in the room with an audience like that. We got great feedback, some good laughs and the applause. It was only mildly startling that my first few bars of "All Out of Love" didn't generate the kind of laughs I'd had previously. You can't get in your head about it though or the scene will tank. I just cut up. It was our last Hoorah, and I wanted to play. Alicia and Don from KSA were there, which was very nice of them. Several friends of ours were there, many of whom had never seen me act before. On the whole, this was a great experience. I'll follow up with the CD's, agents and managers who made it, and we'll see where it goes.