Bristol Riverside Theatre

Not all rehearsals focus on dialog and acting. For a few days, technical work takes center stage. In the week leading up to opening night, lighting and sound design is worked out in collaboration between lighting designer Ryan O’Gara, sound designer Amy Altadonna and stage manager Angi Adams. One of the rows in the theater is covered with equipment as the technical details are tested, refined and stored for playback during the show. Director Susan Atkinson moves back in the row immediately behind the stations giving input and guidance.

On Saturday May 4th, I arrive at the rehearsal studio after the lunch break. I’m early for a scheduled meeting with the costume department, but just in time to catch a hymnal recital. This time, the cast is practicing Rock of Ages and Walking to Zion and they are on their game as Keith Baker plays piano and coaches the chorus. I feel like I’m walking into an old time tent revival. The last time I heard these tunes was at the Gospel Tent at the 2003 JazzFest is New Orleans. When the cast starts clapping their hands and sings Old Time Religion a cappella, I’m tempted to join in.

The day after the script read-through, rehearsals of Inherit the Wind begin at the Bristol Riverside Theatre. The cast is practicing rousing hymnals as Keith Baker plays an upright piano including Rock of Ages and Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. While the script calls for a few verses of Old Time Religion and Walking to Zion, the other hymnals give the production team options for scene transitions or a preamble to the first scene. The script provides dialog and action, but there are plenty of details left to fill in.

A few weeks ago Sanj and I completed an acting class in effort to improve our directorial skills. It involved learning and delivering a monologue under the guidance of an experienced instructor. We paid as much attention to the direction of other students as we did to the instructor’s direction of us. Soon after the class finished, another opportunity presented itself.

RENT runs now through June 3!

Featuring the BRT Staff.  (And don't worry, we won't be starring in any musicals.)

Featuring Keith Baker, Madi Distefano, Jack Koenig and Anette Michelle Sanders

Gypsy starring Tovah Feldshuh with Robert Newman runs now - January 15 at Bristol Riverside Theatre.