CYRANO WEEK 4: OPENING!

Last week was certainly full of perpetual anticipation. Last Tuesday was a full orchestra rehearsal onstage which gave us a glimpse of Mr. Domingo's portrayal of Cyrano. I thought we would have rehearsal the following day but it was a day off for us. I come from the theatre where on opening week we rehearse until we die. Thursday was our final dress rehearsal where many lucky high school students from all over California got to see the entire production without a hitch. I had some friends in the audience which made me very happy. I was running on pure adrenaline that night and don't remember much about that evening. I cannot forget the wonderful response we got from these students. They were so appreciative of what they had seen. When Mr. Domingo came to take his bow, it was like Elvis had walked in the room. I will never forget that moment for as long as I live. I couldn't believe I had the privilege of being a part of that moment not as an audience member (as I usually am) but actually on stage with the rest of the principals. Surreal beyond belief.

After the rush of curtain call, my best friends Maryann & Natali came backstage to meet me, as we were leaving we saw a number of people waiting for Mr. Domingo to come out. My friends really wanted to meet him so we stayed to wait for him. He was so gracious and signed autographs and posed for pictures. They were so happy. We had two days off before our big opening night and I was filled with nervous excitement. I wasn't scared about performing, I just had all this excitement bottled inside and I couldn't wait for Sunday and the festivities that were to follow.

Opening performance was filled with a lot emotion but I was not prepared at all for what happened. We started and everything was going well. After I'm done with my scene I usually head up to my dressing room where I take off my wig and most of my costume, put on my robe and head downstairs to the canteen where I chill until intermission (when the munchies come out) and then I usually head back upstairs until It's time to put on my costume back on, get a make-up touch up and curtain call time. As I was walking downstairs I noticed some commotion and overheard that they were supposed to get Mr. Domingo's cover dressed. I couldn't believe what was happening. I went downstairs and saw that everything on stage was fine until one of the acts ended and I did notice that the transition was taking a little longer than usual. It was then that David Gockley came out and announced that since the beginning of the opera, Mr. Domingo was indisposed but would like to finish the performance with the audience's indulgence. The audience must have felt the same relief I was, as I was watching this announcement. Mr. Domingo continued with the performance and was brilliant. The curtain call at the end of the performance went on forever. It was so clear how much this man was loved.

With the show done, I put on my dress clothes and headed with a friend from the show next door to the fabulous opening night party. Mr. Domingo did make an appearance but had to leave shortly after. Mr. Gockley introduced all of the principal cast (including me) and the artistic staff. The view from that balcony overlooking city hall was just beautiful and at the party I was able to thank my amazing director Petrika Ionesco for giving me this amazing opportunity.

I really wanted to sleep all day Monday but it was the last chance I had to attend rehearsals for Fiddler on the Roof at Hillsdale which opened last night. Because of my performance schedule and rehearsal schedule at San Jose Stage I am not able to catch any of their performances. I will try making the end of Act 2 this weekend, in between rehearsal in San Jose and heading over to SF for the opera. Rehearsals for Every Christmas Story Ever Told began on Tuesday, with 2 performances of Cyrano this week: Wednesday and Saturday. I need to make it to Monday November 1 where nothing is marked on the calendar. I can't complain for one second because I am working and I have never been happier.

Happy Halloween y'all!

Cheers,

Martin

CYRANO WEEK 3: MEETING THE MAN

This has been quite a week filled with excitement and awe. On Monday I received my schedule for Tuesday and on the call sheet it said: Domingo. I could hardly sleep that night fearing I would make an ass of myself and get myself fired as a result. When I arrived at Zellerbach Hall on Tuesday, you could feel the excitement in the air. All of the principals (including some I had never met before) were present. Many staff members of the opera house were also in attendance. Go time was 2 PM and Mr. Domingo was still finishing his costume fitting. Our director wanted us to start with the prologue. I thought, "shoot! I wanted him to see me DO the prologue!" But halfway through it, I saw him walk up the stairs that leads to the rehearsal space. My heart started beating so fast I had to take a deep breath and concentrate on doing my work. Mr. Domingo's cover (the wonderful Antonio Barasorda) was doing Cyrano's part. When we reached a certain point our director noticed Mr. Domingo had arrived and he introduced him to everyone who applauded with great pride and joy. Mr. Domingo's opening remarks to us was one I will never forget: "You are all doing a great job, now I am here to spoil it." The room filled with laughter and I immediately knew that this man I have idolized since I was a child, was a great guy.




We began again and eventually Mr. Domingo stepped into the role. He was a few feet from me and smiled so I got off my chair and introduced myself in Spanish. He was very nice and his warm smile truly touched my heart as we continued the rehearsal. There was so much thrown at him: the staging, sword fighting, text, music. After a while, I had this amazing revelation that this man is just like me: a performer. This very human connection gave me so much more respect for the man. Every now and then he would sing full out and chills went through my arms as I listened to him sing.

Wednesday was out first tech on stage. I have never stepped foot in that house before and the moment I looked out at those 3400 seats, I realized how blessed I was to be there and how I must continue to believe that dreams can and do come true. Tech rehearsal was rough. There were so many people there: principals, chorus, supernumeraries, dancers, fencers, staff and the very large crew (including lots of gorgeous crew members - yay for eye candy at the opera house!! =+) General Director David Gockley introduced each of the principals and when he mentioned my name, I could hear the cheers from my friends and from the chorus members who have been so supportive of me and my work. Yet another beautiful memory to add to the list. Acclaimed conductor Patrick Fournillier joined us for the first time that evening and we began our rehearsal. It was a rough one. For me, it was mostly because the chariot was not working properly. When it began to rise, it began to go sideways and I immediately knew something was wrong. This didn't feel anything like the time we rehearsed it. Our wonderful stage manager Jen Good (one of the best EVER) didn't want to use the chariot until they figured out what the problem was. I couldn't have been happier by her decision. After all, this thing goes up 20 feet over the opera house. I went home feeling restless, hoping that the problem would be fixed. I didn't want to worry about falling 20 feet from the air.

The next night was our first piano dress where I finally got to see my completed costume. It is the most delicious thing EVER. This is also when I got to see my dressing room which I share with 2 other principals. The dressing room is big enough for at least 4 people and has its own bathroom and shower. The window opens to the garden next to the opera house. I met the amazing Richard Battle who would be doing my make-up. Richard has been at the opera house for over 30 years (It's amazing to meet all these amazing people who have been there for more than 2 decades.) We immediately hit it off and I am very fond of him. His work is truly divine and he made me feel beautiful. This is a picture of Montfleury in make-up and costume:

At this piano dress the chariot got up in the air but started to swing a little bit once it was up so they brought it down for safety. I was bummed that the problem wasn't resolved but I continued my work. Thank goodness everyone was there concerned for my safety and tried to assure me that everything would be okay. On Friday morning, I was called in for out first sitzprobe. There were chairs lined up for all the principals onstage. The beautiful Ainhoa Arteta who plays Roxane sat next to me and it was such a thrill to listen to her so close up. Her instrument is truly sublime. Her control of her voice is pretty inspiring. The orchestra is sublime and Alfano's music finally came to life to ears. (I've only heard what it sounds like with a piano but this was exquisite.) Some people say that this is not a very good opera. I tend to disagree. It's not as melodic like a Puccini opera but there are still some wonderful melodies and soaring musical moments that really get to me. The next day was another sitzprobe, this time with our rehearsal conductor Jordi Bernacer at the baton. Maestro Fournillier had to fly to New York to conduct a performance at The Met and Mr. Domingo flew to Los Angeles to finish Il Postino which he performed with LA Opera.

Today's rehearsal was wonderful. The chariot problems were solved and I flew across the stage with dry ice shooting from the front of the gondola. I also got to see some of the opera (which I hadn't really seen before.) The sets for this production are out of this world. The sets for my scene are spectacular but then the other acts have glorious sets as well. I was especially moved by the balcony scene in Act II. I was so moved by how Cyrano shares his love to Roxane, with her not knowing it is really him. I was dismissed shortly before Act III began and I was able to catch a special benefit performance for Broadway By The Bay which featured the great Ken Page. He has been an idol of mine for years. There's not a lot of "big boy" performers out there that made it BIG =+) and he was such a delight. His program was wonderful and the highlight for me was listening to his beautiful rendition of Memory. It is such an overdone song but Mr. Page's rendition was refreshing and heartbreaking at the same time.

This has been quite a week indeed, I can't believe that we only have three more rehearsals before we open. I don't want this experience to end and I know I will be a mess when the curtain rings down on Cyrano on November 12, but I am thrilled that Cyrano will be filmed and shown on public television and at local movie theatres at a later time. The remaining few tickets available for the production are now on sale to the general public but they are in the $150-395 price range. Visit www.sfopera.com

Life is good and I am grateful for each new day.

Have a great week y'all!

Cheers,

Martin

　
　

CYRANO WEEK 2: I CAN FLY!

You know...I've been knockin' around this business we call show for over a decade now and have had a number of wonderful performing opportunities but I think this current endeavor takes the cake. It's what Patti LuPone calls "the perfect theatrical experience." This last week I did not have a lot of rehearsal (normally this would be a gift from heaven) which made me miss being there! On Wednesday I got a first glance at my costume in progress. It was thrilling. Lili Kendaka's design for Montfleury is divine. It's a tunic with an armor and for the first scene a divinely decadent burgundy robe that I am in love with. Not to mention the fabulous 17th century wig that goes with it! Oh, I'd love to dish a catty story here regarding costume requirements (I've been reading Patti LuPone's memoirs and the thought is tempting....=+) but I won't. Though ask me if you see me. I LOVE this story!! I think the last time I wore a costume that was tailored to my... slim figure (ha ha) was when I played Cinderella's Father in Into The Woods at TheatreWorks. I only had 4 lines but I had a fabulous costume!

On Friday we had a flying technical rehearsal where I got to meet my chariot. I was very nervous about this, but once I got onto the chariot (there is a seat belt for protection) I felt fine. At first they took me up about 6 feet and made sure I was comfortable. The surprising thing was...I was! Then they took me up to show level and It was pretty exhilarating. The Madama Butterfly set was loaded on stage so I couldn't actually fly across the stage but I did get to go up in the air a few times. I was so glad this happened before technical rehearsals start. This weekend's rehearsals went great and my wonderful director was so happy with my work he told me he wished I was in the entire opera. (Did I mention this is the perfect theatrical experience EVER?!! =+)

This week I was able to see a couple of wonderful performances: Symphony Silicon Valley's fabulous concert production of HELLO DOLLY! starring Leslie Uggams and featuring some wonderful theatre friends that included Ric Iverson, Diana Torres Koss and Heather Orth. I LOVED it! Billy Liberatore led that symphony so beautifully (and was hilarious as the judge!). That score is just delicious. I was especially taken with a song I don't think I have heard before. It was called Love Look In My Window. Just gorgeous. Leslie Uggams was a terrific Dolly. Man, did she impress the hell out of me! Equally wonderful were Walter Charles as Horace and Sarah Uriarte Berry as Irene. Her Ribbons Down My Back was especially beautiful.

Yesterday I was out of rehearsal early and was able to catch my dear friend Madame Jo's CD release party (her new CD titled La Vie En Rose is terrific) & performance at Martuni's. Madame Jo is (in my opinion) one of the best musicians in the Bay Area. Together with Ralph Patterson on drums and her husband Michael Sommers on bass - they created beautiful music together. It was a total delight.

Well, that was week 2. My first rehearsal with Plácido Domingo is tomorrow. Hope I can sleep tonight. =+)

Have a great week y'all!

M.

CYRANO WEEK 1: A WHOLE NEW WORLD

My friend Marc Jacobs suggested keeping a journal of this experience and I think it's a great idea. I haven't done one of these in a long time so here goes nothin'. After the joy of winning the role (which lingers still), I began rehearsals on Saturday, September 25th at Zellerbach Hall in San Francisco. I have never rehearsed at such a huge space. You can fit the opera stage on the main room which also has a giant orchestra pit and enough chairs for the opera chorus, dancers, fencers and supernumeraries involved in the production. Just like theatre, there is a stage manager but there are also 4 assistant stage managers and numerous stage hands at all times.

On Saturday we began with staging of the prologue which director Petrika Ionesco has added to the piece to give my character a little more stage time. The supernumeraries are super nice and I have already made some friends filling me in on how this new world operates. Seeing the designs for the show was thrilling, especially because my character, Montfleury (who was a larger-than-life actor and personality) is getting ready to perform a play at a theatre. Playing him is probably the most fun I have ever had onstage (next to King Herod in Superstar). I think the fact that I get to fly on a chariot gives him the edge over Herod. =+) The principals arrived on Tuesday and were added to the prologue where Roxane (played by Spanish soprano Ainhoa Arteta) meets Montfleury and also meets Christian (played by Brazilian tenor Thiago Arancam).

This week I also met with the wig and make-up department to discuss Montlfeury's look which will be very 17th century France. The sets and costumes and some of the production staff come from Theatre du Chatelet which produced this opera last year with Mr. Domingo playing the title role.

Yesterday was our first attempt to do the first scene with everyone involved and it was very exciting to hear the principals sing (Antonio Barasorda is filling in for Mr. Domingo who arrives in two weeks) as well as the opera chorus who sound magnificent. Everyone has been so supportive and wonderful to work with. I am enjoying every minute of this experience and as I drive to San Francisco I can't help but give thanks for this amazing opportunity that I know is once-in-a-lifetime.

This week I was also able to see some wonderful theatre: I caught C. Kelly Wright's brave portrayal of Klytemnestra in Brava Theatre/African-American Shakes production of IPH. I also saw Rabbit Hole at Coastal Rep featuring wonderful performances from Michael Lederman and Gail Irwin and last night I caught the opening night of Reasons to be Pretty at the Stage Company directed by the brilliant Kimberly Monhe Hill and starring my friends Robbie Brewer and Will Springhorn Jr. This 4 person ensemble piece was riveting theatre and also stars Halsey Varady and Allison Rich.

Well I think that's it for now. Off to a French coaching!

Have a great week y'all

M.