Rehearsing Emily

Linda got in around 3:30 and we were rehearsing by four, completed the first run-through by five. The music is kind of strange and quite wonderful. Linda, TR and I were sitting in the second row, and Linda read the text from there, so that we all could get a feel for the music. Zack is excellent AND another redhead. We'll start blocking it tomorrow morning. We're all still a little incredulous that we're doing this. The script is mostly Emily poems with a few letters serving as bridges, and it's quite tight. We could all tell that by the end of the day Sunday we'd have a good flow to the whole thing. Afterwards we went to the pub for a drink and to compare notes, some interesting ideas, a few things that need adjusting in the music. Also, by the end of the rehearsal, Linda could read the arcane musical notation. We just stayed on at the pub for dinner and talked, the owner was politely courteous with us and the service was impeccable. Linda had the idea that she might turn upstage at some point and touch one of the instruments Zack had arrayed before him. On the way home I had the thought that I'd like for her to strike a single note from the score, at a nod from Zack, because it would help drive home the point that this music was in her head. Writing is such a solitary passion, I forget what it's like working with other people on a purely creative project. I thought Linda would key off Zack, but Zack actually keys off Linda. At one point we're actually talking about rubbing dried legumes on sandpaper. A pretty large leap for most people, but we're talking about it technically, as if it was a given that people did this. How do you make that sound? I defer to anyone who knows. Linda brought me a postcard from the Tate, Velazquez, the Rothky Venus, I mean, come on, it's one of the greatest paintings ever.