Saturday, September 05, 2009

Tech Week


So, I know the blog updates have been slowing down a bit lately, but things have been a little hectic. Right now we're running the show for the first time. So far, things are going great. Tech is always a difficult and mind numbing process...but it has got to get done. When a show goes into "technical rehearsals" it means that we've got to set every technical aspect of the show. Sounds simple enough...but what this really means is that every bulb, every set piece, every cue, every quick change, every movement...etc, must be completely figured out and in place. Songs like, "Lot of Living," which is a huge production number, can take up to 5 hours to complete. So, it takes a lot of patience. It's very much like a film set, actually. There is a lot of waiting around. The difference is, on a set, most of the waiting around takes place in a trailer or dressing room. During Tech, if they need you to stand on stage for 5 hours, you will stand on stage for 5 hours.

Not that I'm complaining. Everyone knows what Tech is like and they prepare for the worst. Oddly enough, this is when a lot of chemistry in the cast grows. After all is said and done, and when we finally start to run the show, it's thrilling to see how things have started to come together.

And speaking of film sets, I will be spending a lot of time on the Gossip Girl set in a couple weeks. Turns out I will be returning this season after all!

I cannot believe our first preview is next Thursday. I think we are in great shape, but we've only been in the theatre for about a week. A lot of things are still very new to us. That being said, the production is great and I think people are going to be ecstatic to see our take on such a classic show. Allie Trimm is so sweet, young, and genuine as Kim, that the character becomes much more relatable. Bill Irwin has completely re-invented his role and will have audiences rolling. Nolan Funk is going to have girls screaming, the kids are stunning, and the design (set and costumes) is simply breathtaking at times.

If you want to know more about the production you should definitely read the Playbill article on the show that came out today. Bobby Longbottom talks about some of the things we've done with this revival.
Playbill Article

In case people were a little confused, the original stage production and the 1963 film were very, very different. Every scene seemed to be re-written in the film. Our revival is based off of the Original Broadway production's script with some minor changes here and there.

21 Comments:

At 8:32 PM, Blogger ATUgirl said...

I'm so glad that we get to hear you sing in the show!

 
At 8:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like Tech is pretty draining! But, it's good to know it's going well. I'm sure the show will be fantastic by the time September 10th rolls around. Also, it's so sweet how you always rave about your cast mates. They're lucky to be working with you!

I can't wait for the new season of Gossip Girl now. I hope Eric & Jonathan have a slightly larger storyline this time. They're some of the most interesting characters, in my opinion.

Break a leg next week!

 
At 8:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

AH so happy to hear you're gonna be on GG again. Love my Jonathon.
and i'm coming to Bye Bye Birdie next week im so excited!!!!

 
At 2:40 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

ahhh tech... gotta love it! hope it all continues to go well!

 
At 3:53 AM, Blogger Nordic Monsoon said...

Hi,Matt. I just want to drop a line and say a big "thank you". Your voice is exceptionally gripping and delightful. Hope for the best on your upcoming project.

 
At 5:43 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Will you have to miss BBB shows when you film GG?

 
At 12:18 PM, Blogger Alyce said...

I can't wait until your show opens! With my luck, I won't see it, but that's what Good Morning America is for.
Glad to hear you'll also be on Gossip Girl again this season! It always made my day whenever your face would appear on the screen.

 
At 2:40 PM, Anonymous John Seedapple said...

The show sounds like it will be a big hit. I can't wait for the first preview. I've got my tickets! =)

 
At 8:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So glad to hear you're getting a song! Not that I don't love your acting, but in a musical it would seem such a shame not to hear you sing. :)

Break a leg!

 
At 6:53 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

ohhh tech.. how tedious the can be.. but yet we all somehow seem to love it. You really do grow very close over tech (whether it be wet or dry).When you are stuck there for hours at a clip, you gain many inside jokes!

I just learned that tech for my show starts Nov 6th and I secretly cant wait =0P

Have fun in tech and have great Previews! Cant wait to come see it!

and im excited for your come back on Gossip Girl!

 
At 10:50 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

Break a leg in the invited guest/preview today!

-Sarah

 
At 10:55 AM, Anonymous Erle said...

Saw BBB yesterday evening and was really impressed with the way that Matt gave Hugo a lot of personality. The whole cast is excellent with the most interesting characters being Matt and Bill Irwin. Looked to be a full house with the audience very enthusiastic.

 
At 2:56 PM, Anonymous Erle said...

I arrived at 9:00 AM and still ended up standing fairly far from the Broadway on Broadway Times Square stage. The event started around 11:30 AM. It was nice to see that the powers that be decided to feature Matt Doyle and Allie Trimm singing "One Boy" from BBB. Matt must have gotten a kick out of singing in front of 10's of thousands and being projected on big screens displaying the event with an appreciative audience.

 
At 2:52 PM, Blogger N said...

i saw it last night- great job!

 
At 1:25 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's time for a new post, Matt. Now. We're hungry for more!

 
At 8:33 PM, Blogger Roni said...

I just saw your blog and wanted to say that it was great meeting you. Like I said before, thank you. Hope the show goes well! All the best, man.

 
At 1:20 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Last visited 3 wks ago. This blog seems to have been abandoned. It seems a shame to let all of this nice space go to waste. What shall we do with it? Food journals? Ok, I'll start - breakfast - banana & green tea, lunch - big salad. Join me! Maybe enough food journal entries will prompt a new post. ;) (sometimes ya gotta play hard ball, it isn't pretty)

 
At 2:07 PM, Anonymous Kaitlyn said...

Honestly, Matt, if I see the Bye Bye Birdie logo ONE MORE TIME when I open this page, I might punch someone, post something new!

 
At 2:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Give him a break. It's not like he doesn't do enough for his fans already.

 
At 2:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL chill out, guys. I'm sure he's a busy man.

 
At 5:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It was obviously a joke, not an admonishment, he'll laugh when he reads it. No worries. And I, for one, think it's worth a shot. Breakfast, eggs. Lunch, turkey sandwich.

 

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