DAY 8 - the FABULOUS Nova Payton

So today was my first day back to rehearsal since last Thursday and it was my lucky day to do the blog! Yay me!


I tell you this day was full of surprises! It was a great day to be back for so many reasons. 


WETA (our local public broadcasting station) came in to videotape some of our rehearsal today. That was fun and interesting! I also had a fitting today...tried on one of my costumes & some shoes. I love that part of getting ready for shows. I mean who wouldn't...it's like shopping but instead you're having wardrobe made especially for you. ;-) Not only that but today was the first day that we had our FULL cast here. Finally we ended the day by showing a little glimpse of our show to the donors!


So as you can see, we had a very productive day and got a lot done! We are working really hard for you guys!


Can't wait to welcome you to the 60's!

Don't know Nova? Check her out on Youtube in her Three Mo' Divas act. Boy, can that girl saaaaaang. (She's singing first in this clip) 

Costumes, Costumes and More Costumes

"What is that?" You ask? That would be the back of our fabulous, Robert Aubry Davis, in his even more fabulous garbs designed by our costume designer Kathleen Geldard. No, it's not finished, these are just the beginnings of what will be transformed into his final costume

As our costume department prepares for our first preview in 17 days (did you see our new countdown ticker on the right? We're very proud of it. It's quite the challenge to find a sensible countdown clock these days...) they've got fittings galore. Every single member of the cast must try on their costumes, getting adjustments and alternating between options until everything is juuuuust right. Of course, even with all of their preparations, it's a whole different ballgame once they get them under the lights and on stage. We know you're probably dying to see a little more of what our Edna will be wearing but we don't want to spoil too much! Now as we get closer, you never know what might pop up on these pages, so check back soon!

DAY SEVEN - A day with our star

Let me start by saying I could not be more excited to play Tracy Turnblad in this production of Hairspray! This whole process has been so surreal. I've only lived in DC for a few weeks and I have never felt so welcome in any other place as I do here. The theatre scene out here is astonishing, and Signature is certainly no exception. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have been given this opportunity to work with such incredible people. Everyone who gets the chance to see this show is definitely in for a real treat. Things are coming along so great, I think we actors even surprise ourselves sometimes! Today was another jam-packed day of rehearsal; ponying, mashed potato-ing, and singing our faces off. I wouldn't have it any other way! So grab your saddle shoes, tease your hair, practice your 'Potato Chip' and Welcome to the 60's!

-Carolyn

DAY 6 1/2 - That blue set we were talking about...

Well, it's not quite blue and not quite built but in just 19 days the now nearly empty MAX stage will be transformed into Dan Conway's positively dynamite set for Hairspray. Stay tuned and maybe you'll get a sneak peak at the progress...

DAY 6 - Brought to you by Matt Conner

Today is November 1, 2011 or 11.1.11 and of course All Saints Day and the Saint of  our day today would be the one and only John Waters.  He is ground breaking, controversial and historic, which is a perfect combination for anything theatrical.  The one thing I absolutely love about being a part of Hairspray is all of the History. There’s so much history in this show.  It’s based on an actual incident that happened in Baltimore. There’s history in the music with sounds that take you back to the 60’s.  There’s history in the costumes and hair-do’s.  And nothing is more exciting than working on a show that evokes so much conversation about all of these things. And let’s not forget the historic “Madison” dance that actually started in Baltimore.  Today was my first glance at the “Madison” as we started rehearsal at 10 A.M.  for the Detention Scene.  In this scene I play the Principal of Patterson Park High and catch the kids dancing in detention hall.  Besides the Principal in the show, I also am Spritzer, the main sponsor for the Corny Collins Show and I of course am very excited about my character at the top of the show in the song “Good Morning Baltimore” , where I get to play the ”flasher”.  I don’t have to go back to rehearsal today because they are rehearsing things I’m not in, so I am going to spend the afternoon practicing my flashing, sponsoring and principal-ing.  Can’t wait for everyone to see this show!  Oh, and did I mention that the amazing Kirstin Riegler is playing Brenda?  Kirstin and I had an on again, off again sort of relationship in Sunset Blvd and I’m hoping Brenda and Spritzer might get to have a little reprise of the same. 

See you in Baltimore!

Matt Conner (Male Authority Figure)

DAY FIVE - A NEW CHAPTER

There are only so many times we can tell you how amazing rehearsals are going. So that's why we've stirring things up! Beginning today, each post will be hosted by a different member of the Hairspray cast.  The insider's guide to the Hairspray rehearsal just went a little deeper.

First up, a Signature perennial! You loved him in Boy Detective and he's back for some "Corny" action in Hairspray: Stephen Gregory Smith!

Hairspray. We are really doing Hairspray. What do I mean by this? A brief history...
John Waters is one of my personal role models and heroes, and Hairspray was a favorite film of mine since childhood. I bought the soundtrack on Vinyl, then later on cassette tape (remember those things? We used to buy them in stores). I developed a great affinity for John Waters' portrayal of rebellious Baltimore youth, ratting their hair, wearing Cha Cha heels, and scowling through their school day, waiting for the bell before they could run home and watch The Corny Collins Show.
Fast forward to 2002, and the broadway musical of Hairspray comes out on CD (remember those things? We used to buy those in stores). Eleasha Gamble and I quickly became obsessed with the cd, and sang it all over my townhouse that year.  I would always sing Corny Collins, and say to her, "God! I would love to be Corny Collins one day!" We always would talk about which regional theatre might take on this show, if ever. We thought then, in 2002, wouldn't it be amazing if Signature ever did Hairspray?
Wouldn't it be amazing.
Fast forward to now, where yours truly gets the opportunity and privilege of playing Mr. Corny Collins, alongside a brilliant cast of phenomenal talent. Yes, everyone, sometimes dreams do come true. We are one week into rehearsals, and if anything that I have seen thus far is any indication (and I know it is), you guys are in for a treat this winter. Carolyn Cole is the absolute perfect Tracy Turnblad. Erin Gardiner is the absolute perfect Amber Von Tussle. Sherri Lynn Edelen Simpson is the absolut perfect Velma Von Tussle. I can go on and on, but I think you get the idea. The casting of this show is absolutely perfect, and every rehearsal is a delight to attend.
I also don't think that we have seen this level of dancing on a Signature stage in quite awhile. It is a cast of young and very talented performers, who fling and twist their bodies into amazing formations and positions, and Karma Camp is working some serious overtime here, alongside her daughter, Brianne Camp, who is assisting. I am so excited by the choreography so far, that it is all I can talk about when I leave.
Then there was the sing/read through the other day...dear god. The power of these 25 voices singing together is really phenomenal. I know we say that often, but when we finished several songs, Sherri, seated to my left actually screamed when a song ended.  It was a primal scream of excitement and genuine appreciation. I guess the feeling that we are all feeling in the room is a feeling of electricity. The feeling of something amazing that is about to be unleashed.
Eric's vision of this show will get back to the John Waters roots of the original film. As I have stated earlier, dreams do come true.
So week one is complete, and the hair hoppers are doing the monkey, and "race music" is floating through the rehearsal hall, exciting everyone with it's infectious rhythms and catchy tunes. Young and I mean YOUNG performers are learning of the history of segregation and shaking their heads at the ridiculousness of how that happened here not that very long ago, and THAT, friends...that is why we tell this story. For every Tracy Turnblad who feels like they don't fit in, for every Penny Pingleton who finds a love whom others might not approve of, for every minority that seeks acceptance into this wild and crazy dance party that we call life...this is why we tell this story. So get ready, DC...because you CAN'T stop the beat.

xoxo Corny Collins.
Stephen Gregory Smith

DAY FOUR

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO....
Robert Aubry! Today we got to hear Robert's personal accounts of living through the riots and separation in Baltimore and Washington. Robert gave the whole company his personal experience of seeing it first hand and everyone had the chance to ask questions. It was a great way to get a real sense of what the country was going through at the time. Then we got up and on our feet for some THE NICEST KIDS IN TOWN. Not only are these kids nice but they can dance too! The energy is terrific and we're having an absolute blast in rehearsals. Can't wait for everyone too see the show in only a few short week!