This is Illyria

 

Hello, four loyal readers.  Sorry for the delay in the follow up blog, but I may have bit off a bit more than I can possibly chew or digest this summer.  Fortunately, I have an incredible team that is helping me tear all the meat off this bone and suck out the sweet marrow of this play.  Anyway, violent meat metaphors aside, I have a day off today and we start tech for Twelfth Night tomorrow, so I thought I'd check in and introduce you to Illyria.

The photo is from the load in day at Pt. Fermin Park, and captures the beautiful set designed and constructed by the amazing Chris Beryies.  It also features some of the citizens of this beautiful island.  From left to right (or stage right to stage left, if you are so inclined), there is Trevor who plays Orsino, and even sitting down I think he's taller than me. Peter who plays Feste the fool, and also just happened to write all of Feste's songs in his free time.  Brendan who inhabits Andrew Aguecheek in the most delightful way. Ranier who is the picture of a true friend as Antonio.  In the foreground is Cy, who is the ghost of Hamlet's father, clearly in the wrong country.  Not pictured are Barb who is the Viola of my dreams.  Tara who I begged to by Maria (and is definitely regretting her journey to this foreign land). Nneka who is the regal Olivia. Mateo (who is probably under one of those platforms fixing things) as the twin who looks exactly like Viola-- Sebastian. Jonathan who was born to play Malvolio. Melissa as Valentine, the only person who actually works in Illyria. And, of course, yours truly who thought it wouldn't be a problem to direct a show and play Toby in it, while playing Claudius in Hamlet and choreograph the fights for both shows.  (Spoiler alert: it's been a problem).

Also not pictured are Steph, who is the artistic director, and the best director I know.  She has been my artistic partner for over a decade, and I couldn't do this if not for her.  Cinthia, who is our brilliant sound designer.  Alexa or much beloved stage manager. Jeffrey who dresses everybody and makes us look as pretty as the set.  Suzanne who has been diligently working from afar to make the festival happen. Booey who came in to stage a dance for me in an hour that exceeded my wildest dreams of that moment.  The newly married Kira (woot!) our tour manager. Hannah who is our intern who has already been thrown into the fray painting legs. The SBTS board. All the volunteers who have been handing out flyers and getting the word out.  It definitely takes a village to build this island.  (Much like Animal Crossing, I guess).

The last piece missing from Illyria is an audience.  We tech this week, preview Thursday and Friday. We open Saturday.  I'm excited! Only partially terrified. I feel like we are in a good place. There's never enough time. The nature of theatre in the AB5 era.  Fewer rehearsal hours with the same product expectations.  We also add the layer of having to build a set every day.  So, that's been the main stress.  I'm very grateful to have these Illyrians who are so driven and dedicated.  They bring their all every day!  We really need better support for artists.  We have so many artists creating for the common good, who are struggling to make ends meet.  It makes me sad.  (Especially being one of them, and finding myself having to move, because my apartment just decided to jack our rent $250 a month).  So on top of opening two shows in the next two weeks, I will also be moving across Torrance to another place.  Pray for me.

I really can't say enough about all the people this summer.  It has been a lot of work, but everybody is so good.  Which puts the pressure squarely on me.  If the show isn't the best comedy we've done, it's definitely on me.  They are all crushing it (despite some of my directing choices)! I think they are all patiently waiting for me to actually start acting and be in the scenes with them onstage, instead of in director mode, onstage, but focused on the big picture and not my own actions.  If you come Saturday, I promise you will see a fully realized Sir Toby Belch.  It's just taking me some time to get there.  I have it on good authority that my Claudius is pretty stunning already, though.  (There's probably a lesson in there somewhere.  Will I learn from it?  Maybe).

Anyway, those are my missives from Illyria for now.  I do hope you'll join us on this adventure!