let the drinks pour, let the crowds roar

Show #1, done and down. The Shetacular closed, and it was a Rave un2 the joy fantastic on the final night. That decision to say "fuck it" is always important.

I think what I can take away most from the extremely tense yet hilarious working experience that the whole thing was...is an altogether better method of delegation. One of the key things I have to remind myself when working in any kind of authority or (ahem) directorial position is I MUST DELEGATE. I'm the type that would rather take on the universe before asking for help. But when you are blessed with a capable team, you must learn to rely on them. By some incredible luck, when I decided to take on the task of costuming 26 people more than twice over (for two polar opposite musical theatre pieces), I was assigned a team of 7 volunteers who were willing...and kind...and excited...and GOOD at it. These are actresses, man, not seamstresses. But they were terrific. And once I learned I could depend on them, I stuck Judy (Cali's first year girlfriend, and an all-around awesome chick) at the helm, and actually became designer/actress...sweeping in with sequin suggestions, chopping up skirts, and pinning vests...and then leaving the team to execute with glorious precision.

So teamwork, right?

We had our first real Hair rehearsal. And Swank made it. With Sessoms, Metro, Boss, Daisy and several newcomers present. My mother, el choreographer, threw a bunch of very peculiar sixties movement exercises their way. It went...

GLORIOUSLY.

I have never been more thrilled with a first rehearsal. Something about this group INSTANTLY gelled, and there wasn't any fear in the room whatsoever. Everyone dove in.

Which reinforces that feeling of this being some kind of heaven-sent production. Truly, truly I think this one is going to be special, in ways I can't even imagine yet.

I miss Man. It doesn't hurt, exactly. But it's there. A little hum in my heart.