Yesterday’s rehearsal was amazing. In this process I’m having several manifested moments where a song or a line of dialogue sounds exactly like it did in my head when I wrote it. I’m taking them all as good omens, deja vu that bodes success.
This cast is made up of NJ-based actors from every era of my career in theatre and music: Rutgers, Kean, George Street Playhouse, Plays-in-the-Park, the children’s theatre tour I did (shoutout to my then-costar now-wife Mariella!), The Eleventh Hour, and NJ Community Theatre. We initially wanted to do this as an Equity contract, but circumstances wouldn’t allow it. Was I disappointed? Yeah for about eight seconds before I realized that meant I could cast from the fathoms-deep ocean of ultra talented non-union actors from New Jersey. A teeming mass of talented artists who- when they’re not rapping on New York’s door- put out truthful and powerful work all year round while working full-time in careers across every conceivable industry.
My first show was about basement bands, this show is about power dynamics between social classes- I guess I’m always writing from the perspective of people who operate outside the mainstream, tilling the deep soil. Only 200 people will see A Healthy Marriage this weekend until we find a way to produce it again. How underground is that? If you’re coming this weekend, tell the world!
Tonight’s rehearsal is all character work among the four principals. Director Dan Swern is currently peeling back the superficial layers of character to expose the beating (bleeding? BLEATING?) hearts of Frances and Edward with actors Crystal Huau and William Kennedy Carey. In a little while, Frank Andrews and Mariella Klinger-Seamon will arrive to add Eleanor and James to the mix. Tonight is all about tension. Think I’ll get an espresso.