StoryBook Players (STM)
7/31
Let's work on the scene changes happening while a scene is going on. There are places where that can't happen, then we need to be on our toes, ready to start the scene without delay.
curtain to 221B needs to be opening while applause is happening
watson and sherlock talk about brother while desk is being brought on. I'll fix that light so that it's only on yall
watson and sherlock talk about money while homeless are coming on. Even if you're putting on your coat while talking -so that the homeless can just take it off of you again. it's ok.
Watson mistake they think? page 9, look over
Watson needs overcoat
Watson, when you slide to fall, make sure that you grab your head.. like you would after hitting it on a rock hard. The fall looks great.
Sherlock and Watson: after Tom begins to speak, move center stage so the 3 of yall can converse. Don't worry about the backgound people, they're doing a great job being seen even if you stood in front of them
Sherlock pg 88 "underestimate thats a move... We didn't hear you.
Sherlock after moriarty leaves library scene, stay center stage. Move backwards, you're losing confidence, so stepping back shows weakness and that's where we're going here. (plus it keeps you in the light)
Thank you Garrison for making changes from notes! pg 15
Garrision needs a coat for train scene
Garrison take lamppost off with you after replay scene
Maddie I'm bringing some shaws for ladies outside scenes
Maddie: put your hat (as toby) over your chest while you sleep and rest your hands on top to hold it there on your chest
Maddie needs more homelessness.. .. she's doesn't quite look homeless.
Henry: I forgot, I spray painted a cane for you, it's on the fence out front of school.
Lastrade needs a rain coat
Mrs Hudson, we can't hear you as you come in the door, either get louder, or wait until you come all the way to the guys to being speaking.
Mrs Hudson, anticipate your entrances. especially "crumpets" that needs to cut Sherlock off.
Great job on bringing on train! everyone!
Everyone: look over note for "best thing in two" the word two is a little off
Going from TRAIN to Police Station: leave SR bench out, just move over. Alice can sit on step. Alice can bring in her desk. Someone needs to bring in coat rack. It might be easier to get coat rack over there before train scene?
well done everyone. I'm planning something a little fun for post show Sunday. you've worked hard and you deserve to have some more fun after the show ! I'll know more soon.
7/30
Thank you all for working so hard, it shows!! Congratulations guys, your hard work on Monday, showed! I'm so proud of each of you. It's rough, but it's a show and I believe it's going to be one our audiences will remember. ok, but ... Good, better, best, right?
So, right off the bat the singing was too soft. I'll keep the monitor lower so it's not so overpowering. I can't turn the house speakers down because that will turn the mics down. I'm looking for a new stereo chord and I hope that will me control the music volume better and we can mix a little better, BUT you still have to project. I'll tell you if you're being too loud. no one got too loud or even close.
Good volume maddie on your first "mr Holmes" solo, but then your trailed off after that.
Didn't hear Alli on first solo
You don't have to say your lines right away as long as you're doing something. A dark stage = a bored audience, or an audience who's thinking about what is next on their agenda. Keep it moving. OPEN those curtians right away at 221B and then fix what needs fixing. Like Both chairs need to be as close to the fp as possible. Alli, let's make sure you can get by.. if not we will need to adjust something. Chairs any further back than the fp get lost in the windows or the curtains if they didn't get opened all the way.
Coat with diamond
Garrison, when you come in as Husband, get closer to the edge of the window closest to center stage. You're in the dark
Maddie, pg 16, couldn' hear you.
Watson, do you feel you want to step down to Sherlock? Go ahead if so, but if not, that's fine too.
Great set change on Train, but I'm wondering if we can do even better. What if we had passerby people moving across the stage, DS front? While the Train is pulling into the station - or while garrison and maddie are pushing it into the station. Henry, you can be the conductor answering questions... or what if you went in to the audience and told people the train to great brittian is about to board .. distract and entertain!! Just some thoughts, we'll get something figured out.
Garrison and Maddie, While in the train, you can be bouncing slightly and mimic talking to each other.
Watson, Grunt after you hear "believe the rumors"? Then Sherlock has a reason to tell you to be quiet.
Sherlock: I didn't see if you rolled the paper up to make a listening device
Elementary dance, yall worked on it this afternoon, thank you.
Elementary singers, sing the last two chorus' please, we just need some more voices.
Who is off stage that can bring in the coat rack while elementary is giong on ? We need to make the shift to police station a little bit more seamless
Henry, a tad more mysterious, and wait until Mycroft looks the other way to dissapear
Bench US was left out, that will get in the way of 221B Does Mycroft need a chair? He should have a chair while S & W sit on the bench
Do some vocal warm ups tonight and in the morning. Just hum your songs, that's the safest way to sing. Be careful singing lightly, that can actually push too much air through causing a rub on the vocal chords, like wearing shoes that are too big.
Henry, can you add learning Read All About It to your plate? :) If it's too much, no worries, you've jumped in and learned so much so fast!
Jamie, let's try and remember to tape the cabinet shut. I don't think I want to paint those tables, I think they have a nice old look.. but I will if you think it would look better.. maybe spray them both brown?
again, louder. But if your voice is weak, like mine is right now, save it for Friday. Lots of tea with lots of honey yall
Be careful putting that "H" in front of vowels while singing, you're throwing all your air away.
Good job guys on greatest mind! , just stay in the light and watch those "H"'s
Alli, come all the way out to the FP when sherlock calls out to you. Someone didn't open that curtain all the way, and you were totally lost from view.
Sherry, 221B on door.
Waterfall scene looked GREAT! good job yall!
pg 99 ? I dunno... look it over?
Sherry Switch par can and LED DSR
Remove Street Lamp before waterfall scene
talk about mics: ok, here's the deal. We have wireless mics, but they interfere with our wireless lights and each other because our space is soooooooo small. :( Because our space is sooooooo small, we really shouldn't need mics. Please, project. You should feel like you did sit ups after the show. Use your diaphram, focus your voice in the "mask"of face(across cheeks, specifically top lip area) If you need help, let me know. Belting is not a volume, it's a placement and can be used in speaking as well as singing and cheer.
Curtain Call: first out Milly, Libby, Maddie Bow (when they are bent over, Mycroft and Moriarty get ready)
Mycroft and Moriarty (when they are bent over, Lastrade and Hudson get ready)
Lastrade and Hudson
Sherlock and Watson (when they are bent over, everyone move to front of stage, all bow)
point to lights, applaud, point backstage, Applaud, Bow one more time and then head outside.
Please keep in mind that you have costumes on; no eating in costumes please, watch out hugging people with food in their hands pretty please :) It's happened.
Henry, I put a burlap vest and beat up top hat on a chair for your homeless dude. I'd love to have some old fingerless gloves too.. I'll keep my eyes peeled for some.
Anytime you come across stage and you're NOT inside a room, you should grab a coat. I hung several backstage, just grab a coat guys and shaw girls. If you are wealthy, you'll have a nice coat ladies.
Thank you again!!!! I will have my lights solid tomorrow so that I can just focus on "everything the audience will see".
oh, very important, our photographer will be there tomorrow, so full dress tech.
And remember to bring Tee Shirt money. The tee shirt says "The game is on" and has the city scape of london and big ben on it. They look really great too! Unfortunately I don't believe they will be ready in time for the show. They had to make several adjustments to get that city scape on it.
Nice job yall! rest well! Tomorrow we will use the audience again for back stage. I did purchase a desk top airconditioner and it should be there tomorrow. That will help this weekend keep the backstage cooler. Stage Right anyway.. SL has the door.
7/29
The show will go on.
EVERYONE: Let's sit with this for today : "You can discover a world hiding underneath, but they only see what's on the surface."
My faux paux yesterday,for me, it's a time to reflect, what do I think of homeless? What do
I think of those different than me? What am I only seeing on the surface? How can I be more intentional with
meeting people where they are, more openly and acceptingly (is that word?), with more acceptance.
ok: Tomorrow is on. If I'm still positive or with symptoms even, I'll wear my mask, but I'll be there. Yall just stay away. My symptoms are minimal right now.
SHERLOCK AND WATSON "THE GAME IS ON"
Should start with both in 221B upstage (UP)
Sherlock: "time" is when you step down to the step and sing there.
Watson: "When he built his bomb" is when you meet sherlock on the step
Both: step down to main floor on "The game is on". Then hang there with Sherlock SL and Watson SR when Ms Hudson will enter. (ALLISON)
HUDSON: rushes in with paper (which I didn't order, but we will make one.. I will... since I'm here... waiting... ) Alli go behind sherlock when he opens it, then take it from sherlock move between him and watson, begin to fold it back and watson tries to look as you cross in front of him and exit out SR (I know that doesn't go anywhere, but it works with the figure S I'm going for. Humor me:)
on Pride, sherlock and watson move DS at a diagonal crossing past each other. Now Sherlock is SR and Watson SL
on "MIND" both move back to center and somewhat do si do (no linking arms) faceing forward move around one another until you are center stage, facing the audience, shoulder to shoulder on "didn't know that" then sherlock "The game is on" run get coat.
MORIARTY AND SHERLOCK
GREATEST MIND It's important that both of you are more center stage when song starts. Once center stage, sherlock freeze.
MORIARTY: it's really important that you take the first actual choreographed step. "you still believe" moving toward him "I hear it in your voice "circling him"
SHERLOCK; freeze. Let Moriarty circle you like a lion to it's prey. UNTIL
"I am the greatest mind" I want you both to step forward. one step.
MORIARTY: "Falls" step away and walk upstage, to stand behind Sherlock.
SHERLOCK: "step away DS to sing your thoughts
MORIARTY: "Carefully think it over" you can start moving back DS toward Sherlock
as you're both singing "greatest mind" facing each other quasi and very very slowly turning. Yes, it's ok you're back will sometimes hit the audience, this is a battle of the minds, I hope it puts the audience on edge.
"Bring you down" stop moving, Sherlock facing away, Moriarty facing sherlock - quite proud and arrogant (isn't it funny that he's calling sherlock out for the very behavior he's displaying?)
This time on "Falls", Sherlock Turns in (in one movement) toward moriarty, quasi. Moriarty moves in, but around the back of Sherlock (bc that's what creeps do) Look over his shoulder, then put your hand on his shoulder for "I was better". Morioarty walk behind sherlock, and stop center stage for "Pride goeth before the fall"
Sherlock, frozen still quasi, sing this next part. Don't move. It should be very power to see. UNTIL "falls", take just one step back (each foot,- think catch step)
I cannot wait to see what yall do with this!!! I"m stoked
7/27
Hi everyone,
I hope you’re all doing well and are heatlhy. I wanted to let you know that we are canceling Sunday’s in-person rehearsal to protect the health of our entire cast. While we need the practice, I believe meeting in person could further spread the illness. Instead, we will hold an online rehearsal on Sunday to run through the show. I’d love for everyone to attend.
Join the online rehearsal here: 4:30pm
Streamyard Link
(Note: No app download is required, and the lag time is shorter than on Zoom.)
We will incorporate the music, with everyone muted. Dancers, please practice your routines in your space. It’s crucial we stay in sync and maintain our progress. All the pieces are there for an excellent show, we just need to put them together and practice it.
Rehearsal Schedule for Next Week:
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Tuesday: Rehearse without costumes. We will quickly run through the show and focus on getting everyone back in the right frame of mind. Use the audience area as backstage to avoid crowding. We may also open the backstage door for better circulation.
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Wednesday: Rehearsal from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Doors open at 3:30 PM for costume preparation. We need to run through the show twice, so please use the audience as the backstage area.
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Thursday: Arrive at 4:00 PM. Run through from 4:45 PM to 6:00 PM, then put costumes away and finish by 6:30 PM.
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Friday & Saturday: Call time at 5:45 PM. Set props, warm up, get into costume, and be in place by 6:45 PM. Show starts at 7:00 PM.
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Sunday: Call time at 2:00 PM. Set props, warm up, get into costume, and be in place by 2:45 PM.
Tickets: Purchase here. We can only sell 60 tickets, so please encourage your friends to buy in advance.
If you have friends who want to attend but can’t afford a ticket, they can sign up to usher. We still need ushers for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Have them email [email protected] to sign up.
I will be wearing a mask at rehearsals to make everyone feel comfortable, and because I still have some drainage.
Illness Protocol: If you have symptoms but are fever-free, please:
- Stay home OR
- Wear a mask.
- coughing and sneezing = spreading.
To keep everyone healthy and ensure we can perform, it’s better to miss a rehearsal than to miss the show or risk getting the cast sick. Let’s avoid the disappointment of having to cancel the show due to illness.
Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. Let’s make this a fantastic performance!
The Game is On, and this is just a little hurdle,
7/24
we have 3 ill in the cast today. Let's take a break and let this pass. We are not opposed to masks at the school, so if you feel like you're going to spread illness, please feel free to wear a mask. I even have inserts so you can sing in them. We do not require masks though. I also have air purifiers, I apologize, I turned them off over the weekend and never plugged them back in, but I will! I loathe any kind of illness, I don't like sneezing and coughing and being around those that are... ewwweeee.... Yall know I love doing all the things and have no time or patience for being sick. So, keep your droplets to yourself please lol.
That being said: What you can do to prepare for a long rehearsal Sunday.
1. if you take vitamins, this is a good time to add zinc and up your vitamin C and D (not exceeding unsafe levels and always increase the amounts slowly)
2. don't plan a bunch of outings right now. Rest when you are not rehearsing or working. (that old saying "I can't I have rehearsals" can also be said "I can't I'm in a show and want to feel my best while performing")
3. rest
4. review the vocal parts I just added to the website: www.buildingblockarts.com
5. read through your script
6. read through all the notes on this page (yea, the whole thing should take 15 minutes or less)
7. watch Sherlock the Musical online -(you can click the blue link and get straight to it) I'm going to watch it again to help me see the flow and anything I might have missed
8. listen to the track in your car or while doing chores. (yes, I know you have a favorite playlist, but right now, we need to press in and do all the things to prepare for tech week)
9. Rest
see you all Sunday 4:30-7:30. Let's add costumes and make sure we have all we need. Please tell me via email or text (931) 442-5007 if you are available for rehearsals Monday 4:30-6pm Link for JR stage combat video
Wednesday July 24 : UPDATE - parts have been added to www.buildingblockarts.com (this is also where your family/friends can get tickets) use the password me4theatre (no caps)
I think the timing on the opening goes like this: Moriarty, wait 4 counts of 8, then come out. slowly pull letter from briefcase with bomb. Then lift it up to light then put back in briefcase and leave.you have 5 counts of 8 to do this
next is light post Mycroft. two counts of 8 paper boy 2 counts of 8
paper boy 2 counts of 8
watson comes out slowly, down stage right
RACHE stays on the step as if it was carved into the stage. So you'll need to be looking in that direction. Maybe look back when lastrade yells to his officers
Try not to stand behind the lamp, most of our audience will be on the opposite side from the lamp and we can't see you.
Whoever is opening the curtains upstage for 221B, let's not delay, we want scenes to flow and to move seamlessly and quickly as possible.
We need to put that diamond in the jacket and start practicing with it. The jacket is hanging up downstairs on the rolling rack.
I need help remembering to hook up monitors.
Garrison ... something about living in country too far over, stay in the light.
Come down sherlock on "how do I say this"
newspapers should be here Tuesday- please be super careful.
Pg 20 Watson. look over
in train scene, the red side of the door needs to be on Jamie's side. facing StL
pg 22 sherlock and watson look over.
sherlock, roll the paper and use it to help you listen - really its just to show the audience you're listening.. and a little funny. Also, anytime you see the conductor, sit. I thought it was funny you sat on DJ's back
Maddie react to hearing those voices. They would be muffled likely in real life, you may not be able to understand exactly what they're saying, but you should react to hearing something.
Elementry dance needs a little help. Sherlock and Watson, just run through it and get on the same page with movement.
page 25 lines were messed up.
Unto Ceasar should be a little umbrella and cane fight. maybe just a one, two and move on
Sherry fix curtain SL
Everyone who enters the police station, enter like you just came in from a monsoon. You're soaking wet. it's in your eyes and face
Visitor book is downstairs by back door I think..
Lastrade, after you say "come on now tell us the truth" the first time, get frustrated and walk away for the next 2, then come back, maybe you push someone out of your way. Let's get a little more movement on that song.
Props should be kept on the prop table and then each night prior to show, you move them to their correct spot. This way Ms Jamie can make sure we have all the props each night.
Sherlock, page 46 got a little out of whack
He's in Danger! Mycroft, the head of intellegence. I think Mycroft is the head of intellegence.
Henry come out down stage right into the light, looking forward, glance stage L and then leave.
Sherlock page 48 "you need to remove unknown threat"
Props.. we need to start using them. Bomb will be here tomorrow. what else are we missing? letters?
Sherlock and watson go over page 50
sherlock "if the assasins..." page 50
Watson "no Mrs Hudson" came out one line too soon
watson "if not a gun.."
S & L look over 50-53
#6 song, give a listen "The Game is On" Let's also go over this either before we start, or after.
Sunday we will block "game is on" and scene prior.
Burn barrel
Don't stop after that song is over, just move DSR and I'll bring a light up there while homeless enter behind you
page 58.59. 61 review
Henry, did we give you homeless attire?
homeless girls, grab a shaw and someone upstage, bring out the blanket to wrap up in.
Sherlock and Watson discuss what the homeless are saying, or more clues, if Milly doesn't pull you upstage with the others, take it upon yourself to go back there and question them.
Everyone sing the "chorus" and "All" parts "we've got dreams"
Bella remember you can't see through the thick fog, that should make you a bit nervous.. even as a cop...
watson page 68
Read all about it - everyone sing, even if you're backstage.
watson "yes" page 79 Wait, What is it" page 80
Mycroft: "it's as I feared"
Watson "why will you never trust me" page 82,83
Moriarty, when you sit in the library, sit with both feet on floor, or cross legs. Let's have you sit just before Sherlock Stands. Look over the lines and see where it feels right. plan some smug, creepy things if you can. maybe sit on desk, or walk behind sherlock, going all the way around. mysterious and creepy
That's all. :) Good, Better, Best, Never let it rest, till your good gets better and your better gets best. -Ella Fitzgerald it's not about perfection, it just about making each rehearsal or performance, better than the last.
OLD NOTES:
Tuesday July 23 notes: Great rehearsal!!! I loved what JR did with you all too! I think that scene feels really good. Thank you Henry for stepping in!
Weeeelllll, I left my notes at the school. Sooo, What I can remember is that it felt pretty good. We went from rolling along and being in a good place, to not quite being ready for tech week. We're behind a little. We need to get costumes done too. If you all can come at 4pm tomorrow, we will start fitting you with costumes. I'll be ready to run the show at 4:40pm. We will run from the 221B scene "crumpets". :)
I'll update with specifics at 2:30 tomorrow.
for TUESDAY July 23: We need to start right at 4:00. JR will be with us at 5:00. Please give him your attention, I believe we can learn a lot from guests artists especially those in stage combat. See you tomorrow!
****Please make notes in your script per changes below. Always, keep notes in your script - it helps you memorize them better too.
7/18: TEESHIRTS!! $14 each. Please let me know if you want one by Wednesday this week. Email me [email protected] for teeshirt- so far I have 6 people down. If you haven’t told me you want one, I won’t be able to order it. I’ve attached the image.
Bella: remember to screech backstage in the Mycroft scene
Sherlock remember to pull chair to fireplace after you put violin away.
Mycroft scene pg 41-50 please everyone look over lines- Mycroft you did well, but towards the end trickled off.
Dig in and get your lines. Next week, Tuesday 4-6 act one as much as we can by 5pm when JR arrives. Please listen to JR. I’m giving him full control over that scene, so just listen. Wednesday 4:30-6 act two Thursday 4-6 can we run the whole show?
Please don’t miss anymore rehearsals. Thank you.
Sherlock, have you heard of the word outdone? What can you do? Coffee grinder? Turns? Not pique though.
It’s crunch time y’all
Mrs Hudson when Sherlock realizes you’re talking to him about dessert, he will escort you out the door- you say “but I” bc you live there, you don’t want to go outside. But then later you come back with a paper, so you made the best of it.
MRS Hudson, after Sherlock says “attention Mrs Hudson you’ve done it, and he shakes you or kisses your forehead, then you flushed, go upstage back to kitchen.
The game is on needs a little more work.
Pg 59
Need: Folded paper and money plus burn bin
Homeless- play a little more esp. when you start singing “yeah we have dreams”
Everyone sings “on the surface” chorus and nanana
Open curtains upstage as music fades in on the surface
Maddie, good job on Toby.
Dancers, good job! Y’all were together and it looks good.
Different story: song needs some work
After song, applause happens and be ready to jump in loudly with your line Maddie. Make a movement first then speak.
Please look over train scene page 40
7.13
notes from Thursday: Please don’t miss anymore rehearsals, it’s time to dig in and put these pieces together, we can’t do that if we keep missing people. We’re usually done by 5:30, so if you need to leave early next week, please do as soon as we’re done. remember, if you leave early, come back here for notes.
I’m trying to get the music on the website. Looks like maybe sunday.
Let’s move coat rack down to door area
Sherlock, throw coat over chair, maybe scarf over desk or watsons chair - you need to rush to a few places to gather your things
Watson, be sure to react to sherlock freely handing out your money to the homeless
I’m changing the train. Charlie is working on a vent to go over the door. Mason will remove that portion.. might be real, might be cardboard.
mysterious lady: Al Veta ZEN
Watson: Al Veta ZAN don’t stress it too much, you don’t know yet that sherlock is going to expose the difference
Practice Elementary Dance -
Practice "on the surface"
small desks will be joined together for down stage area
Cue Word "Suddenly" for bella to scream back stage" Garrison did good waiting for it, but he can’t wait forever
HOMEWORK: Really think about your characters in these cases. How do they stand? why? How do they walk, fast, slow, with a limp, with a skip, on their toes, flat footed, heavy foot, light foot, clumsy ??? So many different ways to walk and hold your posture. How does a porpose walk? (be sure to tell me) Women of this time would have worn corset’s that would keep them up tall and so their sitting and standing would look different than the poor women or homeless who wouldn’t have a corset.
Sherlock... fidgets? pacing? how does he show his mind at work?
Watson, body language on how you feel about sherlock... when do you get aggitated with him?
One actor told me to "watch their hands" referring to great actors do something with their hands and it’s intentional to their character.
CABBY scene, lost the choreography - there was a V that never happend and you cross with each other. Not sure if this one got recorded and put on videos... There is a VIDEO section of the app where sherlock video’s have been loaded.
lucky you, the rest of my notes blew away! Dig in! this is going to be fun! The game is ON!
****auditions for Meangirls jr is august 7th 4-6 pm. Please prepare 32 bars of a song (bring music- no accapella) and approx. 1 min monologue- dramatic or comedic. ***** no video auditions this round please.
7/10
Thursday we run act 1. Please don’t miss anymore rehearsals. Take care of yourself. We will start at 4:15. It’s time to get off book so we can clean up the show. Thank you all!
7/9/24
Tomorrow, Wednesday, Scott will be around to help with solo’s. Willow is working on dances.
DJ figure out if you want to go down hands first or roll.
Krista and Mason figure out pacing on the lines and when you counter.
Everyone work on learning your lines- we need to be off book Thursday as best as we can. I’d like to run act one.
7/8.24
We will block the waterfall scene with Sherlock, Watson, and Moriarty first thing. Scott will work with everyone else on music and then 4:30, he will have everyone. Please be on time tomorrow, we have a lot to cover. ;)
7/2/24
Alrighty, the show is blocked except for the last scene. We have Sherlock and Watson in the house. It is time to kick this into high gear. The purple shoe wins the race.
Let’s all make an extreme effort to not miss anymore rehearsals. We have a few more songs to hammer out and one and a half more dances to choreograph.
I’ve not heard from Willow or Scott, so we are canceling Wednesday night rehearsal. I don’t have anything specific we need to clean up.
See you all Tuesday where we will block the waterfall scene and run the show from there to the end.
Remember, no rehearsal July 4th either. See you all Tuesday, Wednesday and thursday next week.
6/26
Dance rehearsals today!
We’ve blocked all scenes except the final scene. If you missed something, please get with a cast member who is in your scene and catch up. Dance videos are on the app video section.
IMPORTANT: due to Mermaid and Chintz Cottage shows, we will not have rehearsal Thursday 6/27
NO REHEARSALS Thursday!!!
Let me know if you want to volunteer to serve at the dinner theatre. We always have a great time!!
6/19
Thank you all for being so patient and for doing such a great job writing down all the things. Here is where we will post all your notes from here on out.
Today we cleaned up Streets of London (which really sounds great) and the Cabby Scene as well as the Cabby song, we added some ensemble to the Train (It’s Elementary)
Tomorrow we will work on page 41 and Scene 5 as well as "One Step Ahead" Please be familiar with those scenes.
More photos: