An opening night blog - A Human Story

Another opening. I’m not exactly an “old” hand at directing shows yet but I feel slightly less fear at this opening than I did the one before it. It could be the exhaustion that I’ve been battling for weeks, not only because of the show but because of the other things I have pulling on me right now. It could be maturity and the knowledge that I’ve done absolutely everything I could as a director and the right thing to do is turn this show over to the actors and give them the freedom they deserve to run with it. It could be my ever constant battle to fight against my nature to achieve perfection. I actually have to spend energy telling myself that things don’t have to be perfect. That my best is good enough for everyone else, it ought to be good enough for me. Whatever “it” is the end result is this: I’m not afraid.

Letting go of that is hard. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in my life carefully crafting scenarios and working HARD to get things just so. I never wanted to feel like my efforts just weren’t good enough. Good enough for whom I cannot say. I don’t suffer from a lack of encouragement from those around me. I don’t have issues with self-esteem or confidence. I just worry about being “not good enough”. Like a litany repeating in my head when things are not just right: “not good enough, not good enough, not good enough.”

This is, of course, rather contradictory of my creative process. In which I try to create an atmosphere where something grows out of something else. The best metaphor I can use is one of a plant. To successfully grow a plant there are a few things you need to do: plant the seed, ensure that it has water, sunlight and nutrition. Beyond that, you cannot always control what the plant will do. How will the branches grow? Where will the flowers boom? You can only give the plant the required tools it needs to grow, not dictate the exact pattern of growth.

Directing is kind of like that. I cannot tell every actor what to feel, how to move, what to think. I can only plant seeds of ideas in their heads and nurture it. The growth of the actor is for them alone. So there is a lot I cannot control in my production. Decisions that actor’s make on how they look, what they emphasize where they take the emotion of the scene. And I’m okay with that. Because out of that the most beautiful, poignant moments grow.

That has been my experience with Jesus Christ Superstar. So many beautiful moments have grown out of what we have rehearsed. So many pictures have been created on stage that are burned into my head. This show has grown into a story. About people and the struggles they face without knowing the long reaching results of their lives. Some of them feel insignificant. Some of them feel profound. You will be able to see that in the actors in this show. Some have to make hard decisions, like us in real life. Some of them have things thrust upon them that they have to do something with, like it or not. Some are just along for the ride and when the moment, the event, passes they quietly move on in their lives.

Above all else this show is one of my favorite genres of stories. I call it a human story. One that looks at how people live their lives. One that makes us think about how we live our lives.  I’m very happy to bring you this story. I’m very excited to share these moments with an audience.

Blasphemy?

If you are following us and you read the newspaper article you know that our production of Jesus Christ Superstar is modern times. I decided to do this for a couple different reasons. First because I am very aware that this show was done in the Magic Valley in the summer of 1998 as I worked backstage for that wonderful production. It is very important to me as an artist that I do not imitate another director’s work. That I make my work distinct and different than other directors.  I also work very hard to be inspired by a project I'm working on from my own feelings and experiences avoiding watching other variations of the production. I decided very early on that I could not, would not, do the play in a Judeo-Christian setting. Partly because it's been done that way a great many times.

 Mostly because I feel like the true beauty in this story (the one in the bible and the interpretive dialogue in this musical) is the universal truths about human beings. Jesus, whether a deity or not, (I'm not preaching or indicating my own feelings about him), was a charismatic leader who preached love, forgiveness, loving God and loving one another. His ideas were radical at the time. His methods were very much against the tradition not only of the Jews but also the Romans who occupied Jerusalem at the time, who were mostly pagan at the time of Christ.

Fast forward to Martin Luther King Jr. in America 1960's. His message was one of equality and love and tolerance. Forgiveness and acceptance. A greater human race that is above killing, hating and hierarchy. He was killed. Not by the government, but martyred for his beliefs none the less.

Harvey Milk in America 1970’s. A forerunner in equal rights for the LGBT community. He talked about love, acceptance, tolerance and equality. He was also killed not only because he was gay, but also because he felt like he, and others like him, deserved to be treated equally.

These are just two examples with parallels to the story of Jesus. In the 2,015 years the message of humans loving others more than themselves, despite the differences between them, has not spread far enough to be a proponent of peace among our species. Men like Martin Luther King Jr. And Harvey Milk died for what they believed in. They paved the way for change that we have seen unfold in our lifetime. We HAVE made progress. We ARE getting better…but we are not there yet.

Am I an instrument of change? Am I an activist trying to change the world? I am not. I am just a woman. Living in America with a dream. A dream of a world for my children and grandchildren where equality is not a fight, but a gift, given because we are all human. Where race, nationality, gender, beliefs aren’t a measure for a person’s worth. I like to whimsically Imagine with John Lennon.

Jesus Christ Superstar is my opportunity to share this message with the community I live in, and love dearly. If this message disgusts you. If you are closed to this idea. If you feel that what I am doing with this show is disrespectful or blasphemous I can do nothing about that.

I send this message out with a final thought. Mahatma Gandhi said: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” The change I want to see is love, forgiveness, acceptance and tolerance.  If that means I stop honking my horn at the parents who don’t wait their turn at the 4 way stop and that’s the greatest thing I can do so be it. If that means I show my children the value in learning more about a person before deciding what kind of person they REALLY are than I will do it. I challenge anyone who reads this to do the same. Approach others with these four words: Love, Forgiveness, Tolerance, and Acceptance and I will try to do the same.  Thank you.

Thoughts and Ramblings on Gethsemane and Christ

Every character in every show has that "make or break" number they sing in musical theatre or opera: "Largo al Factotum" for Figaro, "Music of the Night" for the Phantom, and “Modern Major General" for MG Stanley. Each of these presents a unique challenge in every regard. Some are comic, some serious, some romantic. The interesting challenge with Gethsemane is that it is a piece that is so rooted in the stages of grief. It truly cycles through all of them, and obviously begrudgingly/triumphantly ends in the acceptance of fate.

Going through the process of identifying the character of Christ really has been about identifying the kind of MAN he is as he goes through the musical journey of Gethsemane. It is a great opportunity (and a rare one) when we see a character so completely stripped of all layers and baring the soul before the audience. We have the chance to see and explore what the MAN is truly made of. Of course, it isn't the only piece Jesus is in during the show, but this is the moment when we find him ALONE and most vulnerable. In my opinion, even more so than the moments leading to his death. It is Christ at his most human.

Demonstrating this is a challenge. It is the reason I accepted the role. Something to keep me working, but something of a different stripe. It is an emotionally taxing piece, even more so than vocally regardless that this is a far cry from "my style" of singing. How do I demonstrate the humanity of this character, this legendary god figure, this man who strives to be more than a man - not for HIS sake, but for others?

It is a beautiful piece filled with emotion. And even though I've been working through it for the short time I have been, I already feel more connected to the character, the legend, the mythos of Christ that I have ever before. But I feel the connection more because I see him in the context of Gethsemane: a man - fearful, alone, unsure, anxious, angry, sad... ultimately willing to take it upon himself to pay the ultimate price.

Now, my mission is to let the audience see what I have glimpsed at. Thought I go through this same process with every role I take upon myself, this one will mean something quite different.

I hope to show our audience something unexpected.

JMJ

Easing the Burden

Every show I, or one of my immediate family members participates takes a little bit from me. By that I mean, as artists, when you do a show, whether your part is big or small, direct or peripheral it takes something out of you. Time, money, sleep, and the company of your family and friends are just a few examples of things we give up to do a show. 

That sounds like a huge sacrifice so why do we do it? A couple of reasons. When a fire burns inside you to do a show because you feel so strongly about it anything you sacrifice is worth it. For me, the second reason, the bigger reason, is I get to collaborate with truly amazing and talented people. My directing experience is not very long yet and I'm still growing into the kind of director I hope to eventually be. I know, without a doubt, my limitations on talent. It is for this reason I put together a directing team for this show: to share the burden of work, and to enhance the production through other artistic eyes. 

I look at the work Susanna Terry and Autumn Robinson are doing and I'm filled with gratitude that they chose to sacrifice their time (and sleep!) for my project. I have the support of Shane Brown and Jud Harmon in making technical magic on the stage through sets, lights and special effects. I have Ryan Terry who has spent countless hours with the performance software adjusting it to fit our production and getting the best sound possible out of the pre-recorded tracks. (A live band simply would not fit on the stage so a recording was our only option). I have an assistant director, Tom Crozier, who all I have to do is give instructions on a big project like a slide show or programs and he will run with it and take so much of the work of this production off my back. I have a Mykell Walton, my costume lady, whose vision and creativity is lining up perfectly with my concept for this show. I have two sharp sound technicians, TJ Toynbee and Kevin Markkola, who come to every rehearsal so they can be as familiar as possible with the show. I have a large, dedicated cast who works tirelessly on choreography, music and character both in rehearsal and at home on their own time. All of these elements put together creates the show. 

It's like the old saying "it takes a village to raise a child."  It takes so much more than a director to put a show together. It takes a very special group of people, each working in their own area of talent and expertise to bring a production of this magnitude to the stage. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who is giving their precious time and talents to bring Jesus Christ Superstar to the Magic Valley. 

If you’re excited to see this show you can purchase your reserved seats right now online. The website is www.orpheum.ovationpac.com.  Online ticket sales do have a small convenience fee. We are very excited to present this show in a little over three weeks. We hope to see you at the theatre.

The Cast's Favorite Songs

The cast’s favorite songs from the show. Since I shared my favorite song and why with you all I thought you might enjoy hearing from some of my cast members. So I asked them what their favorite song was and why. Here are their responses:

Ashley White (Chorus/Leper) – Herod’s Song because the song and the dance are hella rad.

Bekah Merrick (Apostle/Chorus) – Blood Money because it’s constantly stuck in my head even though the only words I know in it are “I don’t want your blood money”.

Brandon Scott Tesch (Herod) – Herod’s Song. It’s just ever so lovely.

Quinn Fillmore (Simon Zealot) – Blood Money. It’s just too catchy and I love the feel of it.

Johanna Stagge (Mary Magdalene) – Gethsemane. Always. When I first heard Gethsemane I was a teenager and, at first, the lyrics seemed wrong. I always though Jesus was up to the task. Why would he beg to be spared? He’s pleading. Begging. With everything he is. Defeated. Because he’s human.

Jared Johnson (Jesus) – Gethsemane

Brianna Larson (Chorus/Reporter) – Can We Start Again Please, because of the interaction with Mary and all the children, and the music is pretty.

Kat Powell (Priestess/Chorus) – I agree with Johanna, and the song (Gethsemane) just brings me to tears. But then there is the pompus Herod who challenges Jesus in Herod’s Song. The tune is lighthearted and upbeat so juxtaposed to the situation at hand.

Todd Carpenter (Apostle) – I 100% have to say “Heaven on Their Minds.” I think the vocals in that song are amazing. Judas’ songs and Mary’s songs rock completely but the first song of the play
Rocks the hardest.

What’s YOUR favorite song from the show?

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Heaven on Their Minds

I may have mentioned before that what I love about musicals is the addition of an emotional connection through powerful music. In preparing for this musical I am constantly changing what my favorite song is. I vacillate pretty consistently between "Heaven on their Minds" and "Everything's All Right". I am also quite partial to "Pilate's Dream."

Heaven on their minds is one of my favorites because I think it vocalizes the real concern with the movement Jesus is leading into Jerusalem. The crowd is getting bigger and louder and the setting is not entirely open to change. While the bulk of the followers are on board to press forward there are a handful of them that have fear, doubts. Not fear of change, more fear of authority and consequences.

In this song Judas vocalizes his concerns. He's taken this journey with Jesus, been "his right hand man all the while" but he sees that the followers are "blind" and driving forward at a pace that is dangerous for the movement to survive. What exactly is that movement? We are developing that as we go. Solidifying what changes Jesus was advocating. The changes that Judas feared and the Priests and Priestesses are determined to destroy.

Unfortunately this situation is not unique to the story being told here. There have been many times in the history of man that a movement, a crying out for change, has scared authorities or people in power. Subsequently the leaders of such movements are eliminated as we see in this story. Not always does it come to a brutal death but certainly there is a strong resistance to the change. If there aren't enough voices and strength to survive opposition the movement either dies or suffers set backs. We can see this in civil rights movements, in countries trying to gain independence from a group holding power, and in class warfare between the haves and the have not's. It's documented over and over again in history.

I believe that human beings have the power to change that. I believe we hold within us the absolute power to achieve peace. I believe we, as a civilization, make a conscious choice to not accept others. I believe we can all do better.