I thought it was my night for rehearsal. I was sweating a little because I hadn't really even looked at my script. I play two speaking roles and am in one scene as Ensemble.
Roles:
Oba San--old, crotchety, mostly deaf Japanese grandmother
Lady Chattway--English society matron, presumably a widow, middle-aged, flighty and giggly
Ensemble in the Highlight Club scene--a speakeasy-type joint. I am a--what? Still figuring that one out.
So I walk into the backyard we rehearse in on Tuesday nights, smile on face, script on clipboard in hand.
Cami (director): What are you doing here, Jennifer?
Me (chump): I thought we were doing the Japanese scene.
Other actress in show: That's next week.
Anna (mentor, costumer, Cami's mother and owner of backyard): It's okay. We'll get you costumed.
Me (relieved): Well then, I'm here spreading love! (a little arm sweeping and curtsy)
Anna (kindly, as is her wont): We can always use more love!
I was then ushered to Anna's World of Wonder costume shed. Oh my goodness! Rack upon rack of clothes, necklaces on hooks, hats and bags on shelves, bins of glasses. I'm not even much of a girly girl, but hey, this was heaven.
Anna started holding dresses up in front of me: Oh, this will be darling for the Highlight Club scene. Isn't this cute?
I climb into peach dress and cape. It is adorable. She hands me a brightly flowered little bag and puts a little hat on my head--straw with ribbon and flowers, and we traipse out to Cami, who smiles, nods (meaning yes, that costume will work) and goes back to directing. I sweep back to the shed. One must always sweepingly walk when one wears a floor-length cape.
Anna: We have decided to go all out with the costumes--color and fun.
Me (thinking): No kidding! I am adorable! (cartwheeling in my head)
The next few outfits were either too small or not right. Anna told me not to get discouraged. I was far from that. I was playing dress up. This outfit doesn't work? Well, I'll try another. There are hundreds to choose from.
I went home to get a very cute, authentic velvet jacket that belonged to my mother. It will be Lady Chattaway's jacket. Anna found me a perfect blouse, checking to make sure it was just the right shade of beige, and we found a skirt that was okay. (Later, I found a better skirt in my own closet. Anna told me as long as it had flowers on it, it'd be great. The skirt is flowered, black, red, and yes, the right shade of beige, with a flouncy hem. As Anna would say: Darling!)
To go with the skirt, jacket, and blouse, Anna dug around and found me The Cutest Hat in the World. I can't describe it (it's black and cloth, but that says little about the cuteness factor) but pictures will come during the run of the show. I have some earrings that will go with the whole outfit. I am going to be the most delightful English Society Matron ever!
Then, Oba San's outfit. I had pictured some frumpy black or gray bathrobe. No! I have a multi-colored poncho to the floor that will look amazing with one of those Japanese black cumberbun belt thingies (still to be procured.) I will wear a Chinese pointy-on-the-top straw hat (still being found and yeah, it isn't authentic--what-ev-uh). I have decided to wear a purple, red, or green (if I can find it) scarf over my hair under the hat so my blonde hair won't give me away as me. (Old deaf grandmas aren't platinum blondes.) Anna found me some silky black pants to go under the silky dress thingie. It is really, really colorful. Rock on, Oba San!
I am 90% set. I am 100% excited.
Playing dress up with Anna is the most fun I've had in a long time!
Keep playing! And if possible, do it in style!
No comments:
Post a Comment