I’ve been thinking a lot about this blog entry … so many things swimming around in my mind and wanting to be true to all of it. Eventually, I just decided to write and see what comes out … after all, isn’t that what blogging is all about?
The theme that keeps appearing for me is “What do I do?” (I know … it’s always good to start with easily digestible small chunks … how am I doing so far?) I’d like to start with my recent trip to Pittsburgh.
Tracking background vocals for SBW
I’m at the Beehive Coffeehouse, one block from City Theatre, obsessing about a potential cut in Act One. This convenient and friendly little eatery has become my default Pittsburgh “office” (since they have wireless internet access and the theatre doesn’t); the only downside is the staggering number of cranberry muffins I’ve polished off here while writing. Read More
Tonight is opening night! As promised, here is the final song of the show. After a relationship of more than fifty years, HOPE has become gravely ill, and CHARLES can’t bear the thought of losing her. Through the course of this duet, they both come to terms with the inevitable.
LONG STORY SHORT demo #15: “Letting Go”
Of course, there is much more to a piece of theater than only the songs…and even though this is the final song of the show, there is a plot twist that happens afterward that may still keep you guessing. If you like the music, we hope you will consider joining us at the show. (If you are nowhere near Pittsburgh or Palo Alto, then we hope eventually LONG STORY SHORT will come to you.)
Thanks so much for joining us on this little serialized musical journey. As of today, all 15 tracks are available as a downloadable collection for $10. Enjoy!
Happy 2-song Wednesday! Both of today’s new songs are FREE for download. (As of next week the whole 15-track collection will be available for $10.)
We catch up with HOPE and CHARLES in their seventies. Charles has just complained about various physical aspects of aging, and is having trouble believing that Hope still finds him attractive. In this song, Hope reassures him of her love.
LONG STORY SHORT demo #13: “Still Love”
I’m sitting in the darkened theater, marveling at the glory of the finished set and how glowingly beautiful it looks under the lights. (Our director Tracy has started to call it “the floating jewel box.”) We are into tech, which means very long days - today is 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM - and our actors are in full costume and mics for the first time. The purpose of tech is to rehearse with lights, sound, costumes and props, and to polish all the mechanics of the show…so we proceed from light cue to light cue very slowly, making sure all the transitions are working. It can take days to get through the whole piece.
The floating jewel box
Happy 2-song Wednesday! After a tumultuous quarter-century of marriage, children and an acrimonious breakup, we rejoin CHARLES and HOPE as they tentatively start dating each other again. Older and wiser, they resolve to do a better job this time.
LONG STORY SHORT demo #11: “Introductions, Fragile As Love Reprise” Read More
Brendan and Val joined KDKA’s “Pittsburgh Today Live” to talk about the show and sing “It Happens In A Moment.”
To see the video, click here.
We’ve settled into the vibrant South Side of Pittsburgh, where we are living and working all month until our opening night on October 29. We’re right in the heart of this extremely lively neighborhood; from the lovely new City Theatre loft apartments where we and our actors are staying, we can hear Steelers fans cheering on Monday nights at the bar outside our windows. Good yoga classes and good coffee are steps away, as are playgrounds and the Monongahela River. The weather is glorious and the leaves are starting to turn; it’s a beautiful time to be in western Pennsylvania. Read More
Moving along through Act II of our little love story: although they are legally separated, CHARLES has been surreptitiously coming in to HOPE’s apartment when she’s gone and watering the plants. He wants to be in their room, though he knows it’s probably a bad idea…and he finds himself irresistibly drawn back, time after time.
LONG STORY SHORT demo #10: “The Flash Point”
See you next Wednesday, October 15, for demos #11 & #12: “Introductions, Fragile As Love Reprise” & “What Was That?”
When we last left HOPE and CHARLES, their relationship had disintegrated into bitterness and rancor after more than two decades of marriage. We’re now at the top of Act II; more time has gone by, our heroes have been legally separated for a while, and HOPE feels ready once again to brave the dating world.
LONG STORY SHORT demo #9: “Empowered”
See you next Wednesday, October 8, for demo #10: “The Flash Point.” Meanwhile, Brendan and Val have arrived in Pittsburgh! The set is under construction, costumes are under the scissors…and in the midst of flying fabric swatches and swirling sawdust clouds, rehearsals for the world premiere of LONG STORY SHORT are underway. We’ll report back shortly.