Open Rehearsal: The Court Theatre Blog
November 12, 2009
First Preview Tonight
I’m not an official production dramaturg on The Mystery of Irma Vep, so when I saw the show’s final dress rehearsal last night, it was really the first time I’d seen the show in any fully realized form. I have to say that this show is going to be a blast to watch during previews. Our director Sean Graney has tricked out the production with a number of special effects and derring-do costume changes that even Charles Ludlam never attempted, and while it’s going to take a few performances to smooth out the technical bumps, Erik and Chris are completely owning their performances and they’re a joy to watch. You know you’ve got the right actors when you actually look forward to the technical snafus, as Erik and Chris have been accepting them not as mistakes but as playful proposals of further comic business.
I should also mention that every performance of The Mystery of Irma Vep begins with a mini-concert on guitar and banjo by Erik Hellman and Chris Sullivan, where they cover their repertoire of “spooky hits.” Come out and play with us!
The Mystery of Irma Vep begins previews tonight, November 12.
(Photo by Michael Brosilow)
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