In 1970-71 I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Dr. William Zucchero and Dr. Louis Erdmann during the first two years after the opening of the Porthouse Theatre on the ground of the Blossom Music Center. I was part of the music staff and performed in the orchestra for all the musical shows during both seasons. From the first reading of each new show through the hours of repetitious rehearsal we would all find ourselves wondering if we could ever be ready for opening night!?! The last week before opening would seem to arrive way to soon! Dr. Erdmann would simply stand before us, at the opening of the last 4 rehearsals, take the ever-present cigarette out of his mouth and say, “Welcome to Hell Week, now let’s make a show out of it!” I don’t have to tell you that every minute of every rehearsal is planned and important. We need every member present and excited to do their best at each of the next four evening rehearsals. Here is the schedule which will intentionally grow us into a SUPER PERFORMANCE. Each minute is planned and if not experienced becomes impossible to replace. WE CAN DO THIS! IT’S SIMPLY A DESISION! It’s an 84-member team. Together WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!!
SHOW ORDER
1st half : LET FREEDOM RING; MY COUNTRY T’IS..STAR SPANGLED; HANDS ACROSS; BEST OF THE BEATLES; QUEEN (both tunes); 1ST SUITE IN Eb (March, Chaconne). Intermission 2nd Half : Strike Up the Band; Feeling Good; Can’t Buy Me Love; Fascinating Rhythm; Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; Ella Fitzgerald Tribute; Evergreen; Too Darn Hot; OUTRO Stars and Stripes from measure 46 to end. Same arrangement we always play. [IS YOUR BOOK IN ORDER?]
Jim
Monday August 19th – 5:00, arrive and enter stage door on north side of Royal Docks Brewhouse building 5646 Wales Ave NW Massillon 44646. Leave your instrument in it’s case on the floor in the house away from the stage. Bring you stand only to the chairs behind the stage and find the seat with your name on it. (Please do not move any chair). Set up your stand and lights. Carefully excite the row without moving chairs and return to your instrument case. If necessary, use the rest rooms on the south wall before carefully returning to your assigned seat and stand (don’t forget your instrument and MUSIC no cases. Please remember that because of the very limited space leaving and reentering is very difficult. Warm up softly. stay put!!!! Rehearsal downbeat is at 6:00 and will not be in performance order). Please take your instrument, music, stand, lights etc. home. Leave nothing in set or house. 8:00 Bye!
Tuesday August 20th We will begin the second half first with tunes in order working on sections. Stage Doors open at 5:30. Downbeat at 6:00. Bye hopefully at 8:00!
Wednesday August 21st First rehearsals with Pros. Stage doors open at 5:30 Downbeat at 6:00. Run Show in order. Bye hopefully at 8:00!
Thursday August 22nd RUN SHOW WITH SOUND and LIGHTS, MC, HELEN AND TRIO Stage doors open at 5:30, Downbeat at 6:00 (May run late).
I’m EXSITED!!!!!!!!
Now you know why it’s called HELL WEEK!!!!!!