Monday, September 29, 2008

Ragtime Rehearsal Up-Date

All day yesterday, I listened to one of the greatest musical scores ever written played and sung by a full orchestra and a choir of over 40 incredible voices. Needless to say, I was thrilled. We spent the afternoon rehearsing a 16 piece orchestra - And boy were they incredible. Very rarely does Richmond get the opportunity to hear a full orchestra - 2 Trombones, 2 Trumpets, 2 French Horns, 3 Reeds, 2 Keyboard, 2 Percussionists, a Violin and a Cello and Bass. The nature of this ONE-NIGHT-ONLY event gives us the unique opportunity to gather together some of the best Instrumentalists the Richmond area has to offer. I left that rehearsal confident that hearing that instrumentation the way it was meant to be played was worth the $50 ticket price alone.

The evening hours brought even more excitement. Our ensemble began showing up ready to work. We only had three hours to sing through all of the numerous ensemble numbers in the show. It was more or less Ragtime Boot Camp as we quickly moved from number to number. The intricate music of Ragtime is challenging, but out principal cast and ensemble tackled it with no problem. Hearing this score performed by this number of talented individuals just singing their brains out promised to be an absolutely stunning evening.

See for yourself by playing the brief rehearsal video below. If these guys sound this good at their first rehearsal together, imagine what to expect next week.



See what I mean? If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, please do so now. I spent the entire day yesterday thinking about how important it was for every theatergoer in Richmond to be part of this event.


Click here to purchase you tickets today.



We find it critical to present high-quality productions of socially relevant works. I can't imagine a more relevant show than Ragtime. Three distinctly different families at odds with each other, who come together to be completely accepting and understanding of each other. I think great theatre has the power to entertain and elighten humans, and this show is the more that great art - It is perfect!

I am confident that Stage 1 has the potential to become a leading theatrical force in the Richmond area, bringing high-quality productions of the newest and most original American Plays and Musicals that anyone has to offer. It is with your support at events like
Ragtime that will get us there.



See you at Stage 1.



--Chase K.

1 comment:

Annie's Blogs said...

The Steingolds are only coming if we get to see a video of "Journey On" beforehand.

...just kidding (sort of). Mother will most likely be there, not sure yet about the rest of us.

Hope it's going well, we're sure it's going to be awesome! How are the desserts coming along?