Jungle Fever (1991)

Spike Lee made Jungle Fever in 1991, but I never saw it until a couple of weeks ago. I can't say why I never got around to seeing this movie--it was partly accidental, I'm sure, because I have been a fan of Lee's other movies, especially Do the Right Thing.

Lee has a keen eye and ear for a day in the life of New York City, and his finger firmly on the pulse of the city's racial maelstrom. Jungle Fever painfully explodes the notion that black-white relations have improved all that much since the Civil Rights movement. The large and thoroughly accomplished cast is headed by Wesley Snipes as the upwardly mobile architect Flipper Purify, an apparently happy family man in Harlem, whose white bosses (the smarmy Tim Robbins and Brad Dourif) hire the young Italian-American Angie Tucci (Anabella Sciorra) from Bensonhurst as his assistant, against Flipper's protestations. I have never seen Snipes as effective (bright, dignified, and deeply conflicted). The torrid affair that ensues between the co-workers sets off a series of aftershocks among people on both sides of midtown, among them Flipper's father--the self-righteous Reverend Doctor Purify (the late Ossie Davis), who is addressed and referred to as the "Good Reverend Doctor"--and his heartbreakingly enabling mother, Lucinda Purify (Ruby Dee); Samuel L. Jackson (Gator Purify) as his tragic, crack-addicted brother; Halle Berry, a powerhouse as Gator's addict girlfriend, Vivian; Lonette McKee as Flipper's cuckolded wife, Drew (who brings a proper rage to the role); and Lee as his trusted friend, Cyrus, whose careless pillow talk ignites the conflagration. Angie's family seethes with racism and resentment--Frank Vincent as Mike, her father, and Michael Imperioli and David Dundara as her protective older brothers, James and Charley. Filling out the magnificent ensemble are John Turturro (the sole voice of reason among the vituperating Bensonhurst gang), Nicholas Turturro, Michael Badalucco, Queen Latifah, and the incomparable late Anthony Quinn (as John Turturro's bitter, widowed father).

I can't name another American movie with such a star-studded marquee, and certainly very few in which the characters have all been given such real and moving dialogue. The context and trappings may seem a touch dated to some current viewers, and some may complain that the movie is populated with stereotypes. Handled by a less skillful writer and filmmaker, Jungle Fever might have fallen on the sword of cliche. But cliche or not, the lesson of the movie is timeless: You've got to be taught to hate and fear, and also not to.

The melody lingers on

Annie Get Your Gun closed on Sunday, amidst a swirl of laughter, tears, and celebration. A more closely bonded company I have never experienced, and it was hard to let go. However, when I asked the company if they would rather not have had this adventure so that they wouldn't have to be sad when it ended, it was a unanimous "of course not." The chance to work with such a diverse group of citizens on a common cause for the benefit of our community was a gift that promises to deliver dividends for years to come. I take immense satisfaction in the work we have done, and I am already cherishing my memories and friendships, which will far exceed the limits of our run. As with all productions I've helped to happen, the neat brick path to opening night was strewn with hurdles and mysteries, and the trip was an unalloyed joy.

Birthday party!

Our added show went well last night. It was too warm in the theatre, but our audience was most responsive and demonstrative anyway. Rick O and Rick R both took their final bows as running crew members, and it was Ria's first night on the sound and Sophia's as Laura's understudy. Afterwards, it was birthday party time for Lizz (18) (Tuesday) and Ramon (22) and Adrian (8) (both on Wednesday). They shared a really cool cowboy cake, and I have a feeling their wishes are going to come true.

Bittersweet Sunday

Four weekends down, and the show has grown really well. Understudy Jena gave her second and final performance as Annie this afternoon, and her first-act finale made me weepy. Lacey and Jena have earned every word of every accolade they have received for their work in the role.

The show was terrific this afternoon, as tight and energetic as our best. Our audiences have been consistently appreciative, and we’ve played to full houses since the first weekend. Today’s matinee was Laura’s last performance before she heads off with her high school choir on a European tour. That was very bittersweet for just about all of us.

We have built a strong and tight-knit community while building our show, and although we're all no doubt looking forward to the next thing in our lives, it will be with heavy hearts that we bid it good-bye. I'm grateful for the extra performance on Thursday, for one extra chance to be together.

Another Friday night

Tonight we had our most vocal and engaged audience (another sellout crowd) yet. They belly-laughed over and over again, and really seemed to appreciate many of the nuances now present as the show has grown. Maybe their response had something to do with the cast's enthusiastic warmup ("I've Got the Sun in the Morning," shown here), after five days off, and the knowledge that our success has made it necessary for us to add a performance. We are a cohesive group, and, more and more, we all seem to realize that the life of our family is short lived. The one downside of doing shows is that all good things must come to an end. We all are beginning to dread the end of this exciting adventure. So the more records of our fun we can accumulate, the better. I am hopeful that we'll all stay in touch. That would be the most I can hope for, short of developing a hard shell that sentiment cannot permeate.

It's a hit!

What a troupe! They have impressed me with their professionalism and dedication over and over again, and now, for more evidence, they have agreed to add a performance, on Thursday, June 21, to satisfy our avid public. Making this work involved sacrifices and adjustments by many of our members. It's the sure sign of a hit when performances must be added to try to accommodate everyone who wants to see a show.

In a groove

Our first seven performances have played to solid and nearly sold out houses, and we have been told that this afternoon's (Sunday) matinee is a sellout, too. Our audiences have watched intently and with great appreciation for the humor and quality of our company. At this point, I can no longer be objective, as one's own child always eludes impartial eyes. However, compliments from several people whose opinions I respect have indicated that we "Annie" family members are not the only ones who love our show. The reviewer from the San Luis Obispo Tribune, for one, waxed enthusiastic.

Opening weekend

We had a very successful opening weekend, and are expecting a positive writeup from the Tribune writer who attended Saturday afternoon's performance. The show gelled almost magically, the way well prepared shows do, on opening night, and we were greeted with great enthusiasm and applause. I could not have been more delighted; it was a huge high for all of us. Music director (and busy cast member) John and I are shown toasting our cast (picture) above at the after party.

Preview

I couldn't have been happier with our preview performance. Everybody focused and gave full energy, the transitions were smooth, and our audience smiled and laughed and watched with great attention throughout. I'm proud of this show and my company, and feel as if I've given and gotten back in equal measure. The rehearsal process is now behind us, and the performance process begins officially with our opening tonight. I know the show will grow and evolve as the run proceeds, and that is wonderful to watch, also, but my job is essentially done. Now I get to sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Final rehearsal

Though arduous and sometimes trying, we went from the beginning to the end of the show tonight, trying to iron out all the wrinkles that arose in the past two dress rehearsals, and before then. The actors and crew demonstrated great patience, all things considered. So, to reward them, I presented them with my director's gift of Annie Get Your Gun tee shirts, which they received with delight and model here (Adrian--Little Jake--above, and a whole bunch of us--with my leading man, Jeff, planting one on me--below). Everyone went home feeling excited and ready for tomorrow. I am, too!

Photo opportunity

Before last night's second full dress rehearsal we had our official photo shoot. This pose, which includes me, was taken at the behest of the cast, both by the professional photog and various visitors on the scene (one such shot shown here). Our runthrough was full of holes and very sloppy, after Monday's really good rehearsal, so tonight, instead of having another full dress rehearsal we'll work on some loose spots and try to nail down most of the threads that continue to fly in the breeze. I am hopeful that finally having new eyes on the show (i.e., audiences) will pump up the adrenaline and take care of a lot of the flaws I saw in last night's performance. In any case, we'll find out plenty soon enough!

First full dress rehearsal

Our first full dress rehearsal last night went extremely smoothly, considering all the elements that had to come into place simultaneously. Sure, there were some mishaps, but since we struck the hazardous platform the day before, at least we didn't have that to concern ourselves with (four actors tripped over it before I got smart and yanked it). "The costumes, the scen'ry, the makeup, the props" . . . Now all we lack is "the audience that lifts you when you're down," and we'll have that, for our preview, on Thursday. We're on the train now, and there's no disembarking until June 24--whoo-hoooooo!

And then there were three

After finishing rehearsal an hour early on Saturday, we needed an extra hour to do everything scheduled for Sunday, which included our final runthrough without costumes and tech. After the runthrough I stayed an extra two and a half hours at the theatre, painting various flat braces, troubleshooting certain props, and trying to get a good assessment of what remains to do, technically, for Thursday's preview. Then I came home and spent two and a half hours writing up the notes from the runthrough. So many details (Ron and Lynn are shown above attending to some of them)--the more we nail down, the more there seem to be! However, I am accustomed to this pattern in the final days before an opening, so I am not discouraged, merely slightly more animated (even) than usual. Tonight we'll have our first full dress rehearsal; Rene reported yesterday that all the costumes are now complete, so it should be exciting to see them paraded on stage. The set is done, and we've cleaned up the scene changes with the deletion of a couple of superfluous (and potentially hazardous) set pieces. All told, we sit on the very edge of readiness for opening, and everyone is fully invested. I couldn't ask for more at this juncture.

From cue to cue

Thanks to being well organized and having a proactive and well organized lighting designer, today's cue-to-cue rehearsal was finished in record time--seriously, the quickest such rehearsal I've ever experienced. We got the lighting and sound cues programmed for the entire show in just over four hours, and then had time to rehearse three dance numbers. What a huge hurdle that was! And now we'll have six hours tomorrow to rehearse the scene changes, a couple of spots, and also do a complete runthrough--a total bonus day!

John returned from his long planned business week away, and we will all be delighted to welcome him back into the fold tomorrow, not only as music director but in his various roles in the ensemble.

Whoever is assigned to today's "Name That Moment" will have a chance to report on a classic director-as-clutz moment, when, during our break, I went out to the patio to join several people taking a little rest. The only problem was that I tried to walk through the plate glass window to get there. Oops. The janitors cleaned the theatre the night before last, including (apparently) the sliding doors. We all had a wonderful belly laugh over this, including me; I was unhurt and only slightly embarrassed, because I was laughing too hard to mind. I also stood in for the occasional missing actor in a scene or dance, which I always enjoy doing, to the great amusement of both cast and me. If I wasn't assured of their affection I might think they were laughing at me, but I know better. What a blast!

Hitting the punch lines

After last night's full runthrough (the last before we load in all the tech), I emerged with a double armload of notes--my own and the ones that Suzy provided while watching the entire show for the first time. In general, she felt the show was exactly where we want it to be with one week to go, and that we will reach a new peak on opening night, if the cast will tweak a few pacing moments, tie some loose threads here and there, tighten certain bits of the choreography, and just really own what they are doing. Honestly, I was nervous having Suzy watch the show, since at this point I am somewhat blinded by love and exhaustion. Her input was dead on, and extremely helpful! We do have very similar sensibilities, so incorporating the comments she made will flow naturally with the work I've already been doing. Tonight will give us our last chance to work on little bits and pieces. We're forced offsite again because of a performance in the theatre, and I will use the opportunity to maximum effect--I hope--by rehearsing a lot of very small moments. Then tomorrow it's on to the dry cue-to-cue rehearsal, followed by a wet one on Sunday (with any luck). Yvonne in the box office has reported that the show is already 58 percent sold, with a week to go before we open, so wa-hooo, and tick tock tick tock!

Close but no cigar

As our opening sneaks up on us--with eight days to go before the preview--more and more details seem to elude us. Tonight's runthrough of Act II made me laugh really hard in a few places and cringe with worry at several others. I am more and more imagining a house full of total newcomers to our show, responding and reacting to our work. It is so impossible to be objective about one's own work, but I am trying very hard to remain so as we go into our final rehearsals. One thing I can carry with me, which our whole company is holding on to, is just how dang much fun we're having, and how our collaboration on this show has brought a bunch of disparate people into a cohesive community. And that is a gift that will keep on giving, no matter what else happens.

The light at the end of the tunnel

Not that this has been a dark and scary tunnel--far from it--but we added some lights to last night's runthrough of Act I (Rebekah was just experimenting and presetting some cues), and oh, how a little light on the subject can turn it into a show! We're now on the final leg of our journey toward opening night, the curvy occasionally bumpy often exhilarating ride down a big hill that ends with what we hope will be the blessings by the theatre fairies on opening-night magic.

Everyone is pumped up and jiving and everyone has an opinion and a suggestion, as we effect so many of the technical details that until now have been only imagined. Last night I had to ask people to raise their hands and talk in order so I could process everything they had to offer. Little Adrian (age 7) raised his hand at the same time as a bunch of other (older) actors, so they were made to wait while Adrian talked. "Rachel, me and Kirsten [age 10] can do the double-time pattycake part now, so do you want us to do it tonight?" I said, "Excellent" and the entire company applauded. You should have seen the grins on Adrian and Kirsten's faces. Awwww! You could eat them up with a spoon!

The splinter brigade

Why is Lisa giving me the evil eye, you may ask. At yesterday's set work fest, we distressed the braces on the flats by dipping our hands in mud and rubbing them all over the wood. This was to make the flats look as if they've been "on the road" for a long time. Once four of our helpers caught splinters doing it this way, we graduated to brushing muddy brown paint (as Lisa is using in this picture) and then to dampened coffee grounds that we got by the bagful for free from Starbucks down the street. We also distressed the muslin for our tent flaps this way, and they are looking very well used at this point. Luckily, Mama Director was on hand to remove the splinters from the four afflicted workers--Kirsten (Jessie, age 10), Clancy (her sister, age 8, who would like to understudy every part in the show), Ramon (Tommy, age 21), and Sophia (ensemble, age 22). Everyone was very brave for the surgery, especially little Clancy, who was promised an extra special prize at the cast party for submitting to the needle, which she did and for which she was extremely pleased with herself!

Another banner day

Everyone in the cast (and then some) contributed to our work fest this weekend, and, as a result, we have more than 90 percent of the set built, all the lights hung and ready for the cue-to-cue rehearsals next weekend, and several rehearsals left during which to polish the scene changes and all the other details (in songs and scenes) that need it. Not to goose the gods, but I think we will be ready for opening night. I am pleased and satisfied going into our last week of regular rehearsals before tech week begins next Saturday. Pictured above is the banner that will be unfurled in the show-stopping opener and hang throughout the show.

Many hands make light work

Today we had a terrifically productive work fest at the theatre--building, painting, adding details, hanging lights, and generally making enormous progress in our technical production. In fact, we got so much done with so many helpers from the cast (and their families, in some cases) that tomorrow's agenda has shrunk considerably, and we should be in excellent shape to begin full runthroughs using the set by Tuesday or Wednesday. Since we don't open for another week and a day after that, we all consider this quite a gift. In these pictures (from top) we see Captain Ron (as we call Ron/Pawnee Bill, our construction chief) getting ready to cut some more wood for some platform or flat or other (that's our 7-year-old Adrian's grandpa Pat in the background); Laura and Jena mugging for the camera as they take a break from painting the bunks for the train scene (with Betsy, who is not in the show but who generously volunteered to help, in the background); Lacey (Annie) and me (whose pants were painted courtesy of the cast--those devils--today); Ramon (Tommy) as a monkey hanging lights; and Jessica (Winnie) taking a bite of stage manager Sharon's scrumptious coffee cake (Sharon brings fresh-baked cookies to every rehearsal--oh no, our waistlines!) as she gets ready to move some panels out from in front of the train scene. The way our cast and crew have bonded and get along is just beautiful. Even painting, hoisting, lugging, bending, kneeling, stretching, and bolting are part of the fun (and the three pizzas to which I treated everyone today didn't hurt either).