Oh Torvald, I've Stopped Believing In Miracles

I'm all anxious and on edge. My show opens tomorrow night. And we've never even had a proper run-through. Not even an improper, unseemly one. Last night was all about hammering out tech cues. It promises to be a late night tonight. I did finally get to practice with my gun, synching the sound of the 1858 revolver to my cue, which was kind of fun. But our director announced that he'd like all the women to come out on stage in our underwear and get dressed in period costume while acting our scenes, which occasioned a bit of resistance, to say the least. See what you're missing by not reading my secret theater blog? :) There was also a cute moment when I came on stage as Hedda and did a little boogie to Bill Withers "Use Me," and someone from the audience (I couldn't really see in the glare of the spotlight, dontcha know) whined "Why does she get all that time to dance around?" and about four people shouted in unison "Because she's Sam!" Whether or not they meant that disparagingly, must remain a mystery. :)

Today, in addition to everything else I usually do, I will be:

a) re-reading A Doll's House. I want to understand Nora better. Back to the text.
b) trying to memorize that *&^%$#$ opening speech. Last night I sounded like I was delivering it after a handful of sleeping pills, which is perhaps appropriate.
c) singing along with our finale song on iTunes, "49 Bye-Byes." Why? Because I STILL don't know the words.
d) muttering my major speeches to myself, to make sure I haven't forgotten them.
e) ironing my thrift-store costumes, as I had to wash them to get that granny's attic smell out.

Anyway, in the few hours allotted for sleep these days, I am not doing enough of that. Any tips? Don't say drugs. You know what a crunchy, organic, pure kind of girl I am. (This reminds me that one of my students back at UMass described herself in an essay as "I'm sort of an Oh! Natural! kind of girl." Hee.)

If you plan to be in town Wednesday or Thursday night and are jonesin' for a fix of 19th century realist theater and some, ahem, unpredictable flourishes, I can hook you up.