Tuesday.
Last nights show was awesome! Awesome audience! We added the other side of one of Emily's phone calls to Roger. It was great! Cody is a wonder at memorizing lines . It worked perfect. At the curtain call, out student crew ran on to the stage with bouquets for everyone. A wonderful moment.
After the show CeCe and JingJing took the cast and crew out for Szechuan. It took three cabs. Our driver seemed to take it as a personal challenge to get to the destination first. CeCe took issue with the quality of service. Never get on the bad side of CeCe. This time we had a big bowl of very hot soup with a cat fish in it. Ira named it Chet. Moo shoo pork was served with veg and Chinese pancakes. JingJing carefully showed us how to put it together to eat it. It was like street tacos. Really good! And mango sorbet kind of stuff. Then we set out to walk about home about 11:30 pm. Shanghai never really closes down. Alan and Hayley and I caught a taxi half way back. I understand that the others stopped for street bar-b-q of cow stomach. No one is sick.... Yet.
The last show has begun. There was another change made to the show today. Nothing like a "new show" everyday. Some where the "Now I now pronounce man and wife" had been dropped. So now it is added back with a new music que. Today's audience is full of directors and writers. We have been informed that there is an extra row of audience seated on the floor in front of the front row. And after the show we are scheduled for a Q&A.
After that, several of us are going for massage before the banquet provided by Cheyenne's sister.
Tomorrow, JingJing has a tour of the production shop arranged for me and then I want more shopping. I walked around town after breakfast for hours this morning. I found an antique store where everything was expensive and I didn't have CeCe with me. I have learned to never purchase anything without CeCe.
The audience was terrific and there were LOTS of them. There were no Q's for the Q&A so Jeff and Shane and Kara and I took off for the massage place. One hour foot massage, followed by one hour body massage. It was incredible . The spa was all soothing music and candles and quiet fountains. All for 120 yune (Chinese currency) ( about $20 us).
Then we sprang over to the banquet, which was wonderful and fun and laughter and singing. Then on to bed after a long day. I named the fish in the soup Phil. I watched JingJing eat the tail.
After an early breakfast, Shane, Deb, Kara and I went to the Buddhist Temple not far from the hotel. It has been there since 300ad. Incredible. Deb and I have great photos that don't that begin to do the place justice. Then we jet back to the hotel to meet JingJing and Alan and Hayley for the more shopping that needed to be done. We would have loved to go back to water town, but it is just too far. So we returned to the the first place we went shopping on our tour day. I still didn't get the name of the place. I had lunch with Shane at a " pub" and ate real French fries and other non-Chinese food. Shopping complete, Shane , Kara, and I met up with Jeff and returned to the academy for " A good Man of Beijing" in Chinese w/o subtitles, but Kara had done a production of it so she kept us up in the story. It is a "Brechtian Theater" piece ( see wiki for Bertolt Brecht), and is my new favorite thing. The production was innovative and really captivating. Their use of live projection of video of puppet models, shadow , lighting, music.. Captivating is a good word for it. When Kara did a production of it, they had a cast of 25. This cast was 7 actors, 1musician, and 4 "techs" who did the video and foley work on stage in view of the audience. They used masks and costume to become the different characters and never left the stage.
By the time the show was over, we were all pretty tired , so Kara and I went back for a rest until dinner and the much anticipated show by the Koreans.
Jack, Hayley and Allan went to a local commercial theater companies tech rehearsal with Cheyenne. Kara, Shane, Jeff, Ira, Cody and I met up out side the theater for the Korean show. I was kind of confused when the half hour pre show usual " let in the audience" time came and went and we were still out side. At curtain time the doors opened and the audience was direct to sit on the stage on small , floor hight , rolling stools. This was going to be "different".
The Korean show was like nothing I have ever seen. It was more of an "experience" than a play. I think I will describe it in deep detail in a separate entry.
Friday, September 30, 2011
CHINA BLOG II
Sunday
Today is hard to describe. This was our tour day. We got up early and left on our trip at 10:am in a lovely van. Our translator and tour guide was suppose to be Jing Jing our stage manager, but we had tossed some last minutes at were so we were accompanied by Ce Ce and her mom. Ce Ce speaks very good English. We were first taken to a spot here in Shanghai for shopping. It has a nifty name and was really nifty ( I'll get you the name later ). It was old buildings that have been residences for hundreds of years and has been turned into an artist colony of sorts. It was full of wonderful shops and wine bars and old buildings. Later we grouped together again and went to lunch in Water Town, an hour out side of Shanghai. Down a back alley between two dragon statues, we entered the restaurant and were taken to the second floor and a private room. The smiling non-English speaking waiter came in and delivered a new dish every 15 minutes or so. We ordered beer and coke, Branis lead us in songs, Cody and I drummed with our chopsticks. A good time was had by all. We had to call for CeCe to explain what the dished were. Many were a mystery, until the final dish. In a large tureen, swimming in a wonderful broth was a whole chicken. When I say whole, I mean whole. Ira named him Henry. Kara did an artful job of getting all the meat off the bones and feet and face. Henry was a good lunch.
We went on to explore Water Town with it's rivers, 300 years old bridges, boats like in Venise, shops and restaurants. This is another indescribable place, so ancient. It is crowded and smells of foods and inscents, animals, river, and time. We were treated to a boat ride along the river that bisects the shops full of traditional Chinese wares, clothes, handmade goods, cashmere, unimaginable things. We learned quickly that we should not make any purchases without the aid of CeCe. She is a wonderful translator and a kick-ass bargainer . She shouted down several merchants and saved us all a bunch of money.
After an hour ride back to Shanghai and dinner on campus, we started out tech rehearsal at 6:pm. We started from the beginning with hanging more lights. Then focusing them. The only problem with focusing was that the lights would later move off their mark, sometimes by 90*. Shane worked tirelessly into the night while the Chinese techs argued with each other. This academy is incredible, but quite old. We watched them switch out lamps and cables for hours. Finally us "actors" were released to go back to the hotel and sleep. But we had a 9:00 call for the morning.
So we were up early Monday morning for our first tech rehearsal followed by our second teach rehearsal followed by our first performance at 2:pm. At this moment we are about 10 minutes from the final curtain. Out second performance is this evening, our last performance tomorrow afternoon and all performances are sold out. WOW. Oh curtain call coming up........
Great show. Now 3 1/2 hours till call for evening show.
So tired of Chinese food, Hayley, Alan and I had pizza and shots of ginger tea at the Stage Deli. We met some other actors from another show; a show we would all like to see but it is playing opposite us for every performance. I have asked if I can get a tour of their shop here on Wednesday . We will be finished with our shows and getting ready to leave on Thursday. So the day is mostly free. Half hour to curtain.
Sunday
Today is hard to describe. This was our tour day. We got up early and left on our trip at 10:am in a lovely van. Our translator and tour guide was suppose to be Jing Jing our stage manager, but we had tossed some last minutes at were so we were accompanied by Ce Ce and her mom. Ce Ce speaks very good English. We were first taken to a spot here in Shanghai for shopping. It has a nifty name and was really nifty ( I'll get you the name later ). It was old buildings that have been residences for hundreds of years and has been turned into an artist colony of sorts. It was full of wonderful shops and wine bars and old buildings. Later we grouped together again and went to lunch in Water Town, an hour out side of Shanghai. Down a back alley between two dragon statues, we entered the restaurant and were taken to the second floor and a private room. The smiling non-English speaking waiter came in and delivered a new dish every 15 minutes or so. We ordered beer and coke, Branis lead us in songs, Cody and I drummed with our chopsticks. A good time was had by all. We had to call for CeCe to explain what the dished were. Many were a mystery, until the final dish. In a large tureen, swimming in a wonderful broth was a whole chicken. When I say whole, I mean whole. Ira named him Henry. Kara did an artful job of getting all the meat off the bones and feet and face. Henry was a good lunch.
We went on to explore Water Town with it's rivers, 300 years old bridges, boats like in Venise, shops and restaurants. This is another indescribable place, so ancient. It is crowded and smells of foods and inscents, animals, river, and time. We were treated to a boat ride along the river that bisects the shops full of traditional Chinese wares, clothes, handmade goods, cashmere, unimaginable things. We learned quickly that we should not make any purchases without the aid of CeCe. She is a wonderful translator and a kick-ass bargainer . She shouted down several merchants and saved us all a bunch of money.
After an hour ride back to Shanghai and dinner on campus, we started out tech rehearsal at 6:pm. We started from the beginning with hanging more lights. Then focusing them. The only problem with focusing was that the lights would later move off their mark, sometimes by 90*. Shane worked tirelessly into the night while the Chinese techs argued with each other. This academy is incredible, but quite old. We watched them switch out lamps and cables for hours. Finally us "actors" were released to go back to the hotel and sleep. But we had a 9:00 call for the morning.
So we were up early Monday morning for our first tech rehearsal followed by our second teach rehearsal followed by our first performance at 2:pm. At this moment we are about 10 minutes from the final curtain. Out second performance is this evening, our last performance tomorrow afternoon and all performances are sold out. WOW. Oh curtain call coming up........
Great show. Now 3 1/2 hours till call for evening show.
So tired of Chinese food, Hayley, Alan and I had pizza and shots of ginger tea at the Stage Deli. We met some other actors from another show; a show we would all like to see but it is playing opposite us for every performance. I have asked if I can get a tour of their shop here on Wednesday . We will be finished with our shows and getting ready to leave on Thursday. So the day is mostly free. Half hour to curtain.
Blog I
Beginning Blog on plane. No I cant post from here, but I'll copy and paste it on line later. we are currently somewhere over the ocean at 33,000 feet. 9 hours and 45 minutes to destination. So far, not much has happens except Jacks run for the gate, but that is his story to tell. We have finished watching Pirates of the Caribbean 4, we ate a meal, lunch I guess. Now everyone is napping. I find it hard to nap in this my middle seat between two strangers.
All the way over here and while waiting in the airport, we all kept saying to each other, "Is this really happening? Are we really going to China". It's all so unbelievable. When we arrive I think it will be all work for a while, but still, IN CHINA.
Time left in flight: 7 hours, 40 minutes. Ignored second movie. Started reading. Took a walk to visit Shane and Jeff on the other side of the plane. Drink service has begun, but only if you ask. They now seem to be playing episodes of The Office. I'm thinking of moving to the seat next to Jack; I have no one to talk to back here.
Now it is night there, back home, but it is the afternoon where we are going. Now over Japan, 2hours 15 to landing, which is 7:(something local time). We can actually look down and see Japan! Awesome .
Landed, cleared airport to be greeted by screaming fans. Cheyenne and the girls from the theater came to meet us and gave a real celebrity welcome with cameras flashing and calling out our names. Wild!
We were driven to the hotel and got checked in and settled. Then we were shown where to get breakfast in the morning and had an after dark stroll around the school. We ended up at Stage Deli ( really, it is the " coffee shop on campus. It looks like it belongs in Berkley), and shared some drinks and snacks and talked of things come.
Finally got back to the hotel and a bed. I've given up on trying to understand the time. I don't know what time I went to bed, and I think it is now after 4:am, but I can't get back to sleep. Attempts to reach home either by phone or on line have met with disappointment. There is NOT wifi here and though I especially got internationally calling for the month, there is no coverage from my carrier here in Shanghai. So until I can get more awake, English speaking people, I cannot get in touch with my husband who no doubt is freaking out. Sorry honey.
First morning in China. Many of our group got up early to have breakfast and explore the city by foot. I didn't. Actually I woke up at 3:am and went back to sleep. Got up again about 9am and went to a terrific Buffett breakfast at the hotel. After trying one more time to get my phone to work, I asked Jack to text a message to face book to let Brian know we got here safe. Then I went exploring with Hayley and Allen. We found a bank so as to change some money, but it took a very long time. Many forms involved in money exchanging.
We met up with the gang from the theater for lunch at the campus canteen. Then Cheynne took us for coffee drinks at The Stage Deli to keep us fortified through the rest of the day. We attended our first play. A terrific version of a traditional Chinese tale done in the style of the Peking Opera. No singing, but it was in Chinese with no subtitles. So I didn't really know what was going on, but it was beautiful with terrific production values. I see where Asia gets its interest in anima. The styles of traditional Chinese theater remind me a lot of the sounds and postures of contemporary Asian animation. Off now to "Opening Ceremonies" for the festival followed by dinner and another show, hopefully in English or with subtitles.
Well tonight's show was from Norway, in Norwegian with Chinese subtitles. Really interesting, lots of arguing, but I don't know exactly what they argued about. But terrific use of really tall lamps. After the show, Cheyenne arranged for some taxies to take everyone to "The Bomb" (?). It's where all the pretty lighted buildings are near the river. But I had to call it quits for the day. I'm just exhausted. I cannot believe that we have only had one true "night" (period for sleep), since we left home. So I'll have to hear tonight's outing tomorrow. And the shows we've seen today have me preoccupied with our show and how our scene transitions will work. Hopefully we will get to see the space tomorrow. We have a space to rehearse, but another group is still performing in " the black box ". We will get to set our show in there in a few days. I hope to find a wifi spot tomorrow so I can get in touch with Brian and up load this fascinating blog.
All the way over here and while waiting in the airport, we all kept saying to each other, "Is this really happening? Are we really going to China". It's all so unbelievable. When we arrive I think it will be all work for a while, but still, IN CHINA.
Time left in flight: 7 hours, 40 minutes. Ignored second movie. Started reading. Took a walk to visit Shane and Jeff on the other side of the plane. Drink service has begun, but only if you ask. They now seem to be playing episodes of The Office. I'm thinking of moving to the seat next to Jack; I have no one to talk to back here.
Now it is night there, back home, but it is the afternoon where we are going. Now over Japan, 2hours 15 to landing, which is 7:(something local time). We can actually look down and see Japan! Awesome .
Landed, cleared airport to be greeted by screaming fans. Cheyenne and the girls from the theater came to meet us and gave a real celebrity welcome with cameras flashing and calling out our names. Wild!
We were driven to the hotel and got checked in and settled. Then we were shown where to get breakfast in the morning and had an after dark stroll around the school. We ended up at Stage Deli ( really, it is the " coffee shop on campus. It looks like it belongs in Berkley), and shared some drinks and snacks and talked of things come.
Finally got back to the hotel and a bed. I've given up on trying to understand the time. I don't know what time I went to bed, and I think it is now after 4:am, but I can't get back to sleep. Attempts to reach home either by phone or on line have met with disappointment. There is NOT wifi here and though I especially got internationally calling for the month, there is no coverage from my carrier here in Shanghai. So until I can get more awake, English speaking people, I cannot get in touch with my husband who no doubt is freaking out. Sorry honey.
First morning in China. Many of our group got up early to have breakfast and explore the city by foot. I didn't. Actually I woke up at 3:am and went back to sleep. Got up again about 9am and went to a terrific Buffett breakfast at the hotel. After trying one more time to get my phone to work, I asked Jack to text a message to face book to let Brian know we got here safe. Then I went exploring with Hayley and Allen. We found a bank so as to change some money, but it took a very long time. Many forms involved in money exchanging.
We met up with the gang from the theater for lunch at the campus canteen. Then Cheynne took us for coffee drinks at The Stage Deli to keep us fortified through the rest of the day. We attended our first play. A terrific version of a traditional Chinese tale done in the style of the Peking Opera. No singing, but it was in Chinese with no subtitles. So I didn't really know what was going on, but it was beautiful with terrific production values. I see where Asia gets its interest in anima. The styles of traditional Chinese theater remind me a lot of the sounds and postures of contemporary Asian animation. Off now to "Opening Ceremonies" for the festival followed by dinner and another show, hopefully in English or with subtitles.
Well tonight's show was from Norway, in Norwegian with Chinese subtitles. Really interesting, lots of arguing, but I don't know exactly what they argued about. But terrific use of really tall lamps. After the show, Cheyenne arranged for some taxies to take everyone to "The Bomb" (?). It's where all the pretty lighted buildings are near the river. But I had to call it quits for the day. I'm just exhausted. I cannot believe that we have only had one true "night" (period for sleep), since we left home. So I'll have to hear tonight's outing tomorrow. And the shows we've seen today have me preoccupied with our show and how our scene transitions will work. Hopefully we will get to see the space tomorrow. We have a space to rehearse, but another group is still performing in " the black box ". We will get to set our show in there in a few days. I hope to find a wifi spot tomorrow so I can get in touch with Brian and up load this fascinating blog.
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