One of my favorite parts of working for a company that's looking ahead to what's next is the atmosphere when something special is on its way.
Don't get me wrong - different folks at the company are excited for different facets of every show we do. For instance, the cast on our current production is PHENOMENAL and hilarious. The amount of dance parties backstage alone...
However, there's something specific about the enthusiasm when talking about 'that show.' In years past, it's been Silent Night, or Peter and the Starcatcher, or The Shining (not all at the same company, of course). Whenever that show was mentioned, the energy would heighten, the intensity would sharpen, and you could feel everyone leaning in slightly in anticipation. And goodness gracious were the products good.
Currently, that show is Edward Tulane. Based on the children's book by Kate DiCamillo, the new opera tells the tale of a toy rabbit's journey to learn how to love. The story is beautiful, and heart breaking, and special. And wow are the folks in the production department excited about it. We are 2 productions out from starting rehearsals for Tulane, yet every day is filled with excited conversation with the Props Master about the prototype for the doll version of Edward, or with the Costume Director about amazing fabrics for jellyfish.
And even though we know the show is going to be huge, and hard, and an awful lot of work, it feels like we've been entrusted with something precious, and you'd better believe we're going to do our best to take care of it.
Don't get me wrong - different folks at the company are excited for different facets of every show we do. For instance, the cast on our current production is PHENOMENAL and hilarious. The amount of dance parties backstage alone...
However, there's something specific about the enthusiasm when talking about 'that show.' In years past, it's been Silent Night, or Peter and the Starcatcher, or The Shining (not all at the same company, of course). Whenever that show was mentioned, the energy would heighten, the intensity would sharpen, and you could feel everyone leaning in slightly in anticipation. And goodness gracious were the products good.
Currently, that show is Edward Tulane. Based on the children's book by Kate DiCamillo, the new opera tells the tale of a toy rabbit's journey to learn how to love. The story is beautiful, and heart breaking, and special. And wow are the folks in the production department excited about it. We are 2 productions out from starting rehearsals for Tulane, yet every day is filled with excited conversation with the Props Master about the prototype for the doll version of Edward, or with the Costume Director about amazing fabrics for jellyfish.
And even though we know the show is going to be huge, and hard, and an awful lot of work, it feels like we've been entrusted with something precious, and you'd better believe we're going to do our best to take care of it.