July 23 - July 30 Moose Jaw / Caronport

Rehearsals continue with good progress being made. I'm excited for Michelle and the kids to see it - I'm sure it will be a very enjoyable show.

I put together an artistic statement yesterday and include it for your edification. "Disney's Beauty and Beast creates a fantasy world which in many ways mirrors our own. We come of age plugged into a media culture which worships outward appearance and surrounds us with endless distractions. This story reminds us that the world we've come to accept as normal is actually cursed and in need of an extraordinary remedy. Beauty and the Beast rings true because the first step to breaking the curse is Belle's self-sacrificial love for her father. She enters the world of the castle as a prisoner but soon becomes guest and then master of her own fate, all the while learning that deep affection is not based on looks, but on character and action. Belle's example soon teaches the Beast to take responsibility for his own failings and when he realizes that Belle owes him nothing, he sets her free, despite the pain it causes him. Love may conquer all but not all love is equal; that painted on love that peels at the first sign of stress conquers nothing; the love that blossoms between Beast and Belle reminds us: The love that pledges the self to another, no matter what may come, conquers all things - even death."

Nigel Lacey took some portrait photos for the production and managed to snap a couple of good ones of me - no small feat I assure you. He's a great photog and it's always a pleasure to see him again. I need to see if I can snag some of his photos.

We had our first on stage run-through yesterday. We had done a run-through the previous day in our rehearsal space and it helped get us in shape. Lots of new movement to rehearse with a variety of set pieces coming in; a rather intense time. It was very good to begin to synchronize the on and off stage elements.

It always looks great to see people on set with the different pieces coming in. It will look even better when the cast is fully costumed and the set is fully completed. Kudos to all for the skill and hard work they are bringing to the production.

Tonight I go over lighting with our designer/operator. Tomorrow is our tech run. Wednesday is our dress rehearsal. We open Thursday.