Well. I ended up not working yesterday because we decided that using me again later this week would be the most productive use of my time. I managed to work with everyone during the 3 days I was in town. But, I didn’t write a blog post yesterday because I was so exhausted. I cannot tell you how sore and tired I was! The first day was the worst as I was at rehearsal from 10 until 6, with the addition of 4 hours travel time – but the real cause of my tiredness was the 20 blocks I had to walk from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the rehearsal studio – 40 blocks total at the end of the day. My mistake, that first day, was to walk very quickly (I tend to do that.) I also had no idea how long it would take to reach the rehearsal studio and I didn’t want to be late. Having not done that kind of walking for quite a while, I wasn’t in shape for it and the addition of a large tote bag and my handbag didn’t help. By the end of the day, my back and leg muscles were aching. I was wearing the same shoes I wore in Paris, but they didn’t seem to be doing the trick, either. I got home around 9:30 pm, had a quick bite to eat, talked to Darko on the phone about my impressions of the actors and their needs, and went to bed. The next day my back and shins were very sore. So I changed out my handbag for a much lighter canvas bag, but the tote was now heavier with the addition of the script. I did the same walk the next day, only much less aggressively. But my muscles remained very sore for the next three days. I could have taken an Uber at any time, but I wanted to ‘get in city shape’ so I forced myself to walk. There was a time when that kind of walk was an everyday occurrence for me, but I was much younger and living in Philadelphia. Even in the days of filming, I never had to walk that distance from a subway stop to the filming location. Maybe 8 blocks at the most.
I’m not in shape. Clearly. I was very happy not to go in again on Saturday, just to give my body a rest. Much better today. It does make the whole ‘stay in shape’ thing very clear. Walking out in the country is also very different from walking on cement in the city. Sadly, there is no subway stop near the rehearsal studio, so walking all those blocks is a necessity. This is one of things I miss about living in the city – walking. I love nothing more than walking around a city and I did that routinely in Philadelphia, Boston, and Cambridge. And not just to get someplace, but also to explore on my days off. That’s the kind of walking I love. Frankly, walking around here gets a little boring.
All that being said, I like the musical, I like the cast, I love Darko. I have been reunited with Christy Altomare (Anastasia in Anastasia) and also with Sarah, Darko’s assistant. Sarah and I have worked together several times. It’s been very satisfying to coach one-on-one again. I always end up feeling very energized and satisfied. I think I’m going back next Thursday. This week was about my coaching sessions and choreography. Since Darko won’t start staging until Tuesday, he won’t have heard any results from the coaching sessions until then, so adding a couple of days in there for him to take it all in makes sense. (That was my suggestion.) Most likely, I’ll be there Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Okay. Too much information, I’m sure.
I am so grateful for the support of my husband, who drove me back and forth to the bus station, made a sandwich for me to take along on the trip, had a bite to eat waiting for me when I got home. It helped enormously.
I start back in with War and Peace today (I read ahead so I’m right on schedule for Chapter 15.) I’m also reading State of Terror, but I paused for a day or two when I realized that Madly, Deeply; the Diaries of Alan Rickman is due on Tuesday. So, I read a big chunk of it yesterday and will read more today. I thought I just wouldn’t get to it due to my schedule, but it’s so readable, so honest and charming and fascinating, that I’m flying through it. It’s a wonderful book written by an actor I greatly admired. The entries are on the short side, which I love. He gets to the point. There is introspection, to be sure, but again, he manages to convey it succinctly.
One passage I wrote down because it reminded me of what the Spoiler Alert movie premiere party was like. He wrote this after attending a wrap party at the end of filming:
“Hideous – loud (as in cannot hear a word anyone is saying) and no one’s dancing, so what’s the f**king point?”
EXACTLY what I thought about the premiere party. I felt like I was shouting all evening, I could barely hear what anyone was saying, it was exhausting. No one was dancing. So, WHY???? Someone with more power than I should have asked the DJ to turn it down. Actually, Don said it would have been much better to have a little combo of jazz musicians playing softly. Most of us who were there, aside from the dreaded ‘influencers,’ hadn’t seen each other since the film wrapped and we really wanted to talk to each other and catch up. I wrote Ben and Todd (Jim’s husband) after the party to apologize for not chatting with them longer and both of them responded with “Wasn’t it LOUD?” They felt the same way.
Anyway, I’m loving the book.
Well, I’m chatty today, aren’t I?
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
The far far (fairly recently built up) west side does have a ton of walking, and those particular avenue blocks are some of the longest in the city. Looking at your schedule, it is maybe possible that I could hand-deliver a sandwich or something similar of your choice to you at some point this Friday if you do end up back here. Feel free to email back (or text, even better) if you’d like.
Just give me at least one day of notice if possible :)
PS I am a huge walker, but I have it on good authority that Lyft is preferable to Uber, and more importantly, that they treat their drivers better. Important! Just my two cents…
Thanks, Naomi. I love walking but this particular walk involves several ‘avenue’ blocks. It’s easier if I take an earlier bus and don’t have to get to rehearsal quickly. But still, city walking is very different from country or suburbia walking!.
I’ll be fine re a sandwich, but thank you so much for offering!
Stay safe.
I live in a rural area in Mn. in the summer months and in a populated area of Miami Beach the rest of the year. I prefer walking in Miami Beach to the countryside of Mn, it should be the opposite, but I love the buildings, the parks, all of the people!
Yes, I like seeing people along the way!
Stay safe, Gayle.
Glad you made it. I started using a backpack for travel years ago when I was getting through airports flying to C or WA or Fl or England NYC etc. I always use it in NYC with a small purse inside…all of us in my family do this…it is so much more comfortable…I would never make it with a tote bag and purse and I walk 3-5 miles a day getting my steps. Despite this, your work sounds fantastic…I have convinced my grand to use a Uber when she flies…instead of subway…she listens to a nana about that but uses subway for everything else, of course…living there…when we go to NYC, we use uber to hotel and the. Subway everywhere else…once when we came out of museum,I looked at the girls and said…do your thing, I want a taxis…lol…this was before she moved there…this was my 70th celebration…as I said, I had hoped to go this year for my 75…but looks like a Indy will be my trip and maybe WV. I have flown four or five times a year to family, but since Covid….enjoy your time off…enjoy your books…enjoy your rest…Uber gets daughter and all to and from airport here…easier…missed you dear girl…
Backpacks are too hard on my shoulders and upper back,so that isn’t a possibility.
Thanks so much, Brenda!
Stay safe.
hope you’ve been able to get enough sleep and are feeling better after those long, busy days!
how great that your sweet don had food ready for you. :)
glad you have time off before going back to work … may they be restful, book-reading days for you.
great photo of nyc, by the way.
hopefully you didn’t have to walk in the rain when working. here, it feels like spring … breezy, very mild temperatures for mid-january. i appreciate the ease in getting around, but i want winter in wintertime, not two months from now.
happy sunday to everyone. stay safe!
kathy
It was drizzly on Friday, but it wasn’t bad. And I made it back to the bus station just before it started pouring!
Stay safe, Kathy.
No wonder you were exhausted! That’s a long way to walk after the long bus ride and early rising. I find the city to be exhausting, just on my day trips to the theater.
If walking in the country is boring, can you drive to a nearby town and walk there? Might also be safer to walk in a small town/suburb rather than on a country road. Enjoy your rest till you go back.
We drove to a neighboring town last week and walked around. But that’s not always possible.
Thanks so much, Barbara.
Stay safe!
Oh my! 20 blocks is quite a hike. I think I would need to take an Uber. I also agree that city walking is harder. It does sound like you were very productive and you certainly deserve a break.
I’m trying to read a book a week in 2023. I read somewhere that the person gives it 100 pages and if they can’t get into it by then they move on…maybe it was you? I haven’t seen Spoiler Alert yet. Not in any theaters near me. I’m wondering if it’s already gone? I know it’s streaming…but I want to read the book first. Next on my to-read list. I always think the book is better than the movie. Of course I want to see your appearance.
I’m glad Don is taking good care of you…I’ve said it before…He’s a keeper!
Take care
I think in this case, the book and the movie are on equal footing.
Thanks, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Gosh, Claudia, with all that walking and working so hard you will likely lose weight, an extra bonus. Enjoy your down time at home. We have wonderful bright sunshine today but it is very cold. Don’t forget to watch “All Creatures Great and Small” tonight. Hugs, Elaine
Oh, we won’t forget, Elaine!
Stay safe.
Wow — that IS intense. I know what you mean about being in shape and walking. I fear that, should we (please) get to England this fall. It’s not that I’m not trying but the body/pain isn’t helping. I’m very slow and I hate it. How you managed what you are doing — well, hats off!
I’m about half through the Rickman and loving it. I’ve marked a couple of passages as well. He’s a lovely writer in so few words. Sometimes I wish I had a glossary when he goes all-initials on us, but a quibble. It’s a diary, for heaven’s sake! Makes me want to go on the hunt for some of the Rickman films I haven’t seen!
Enjoy the rest of your day. You deserve it!
I really love this book and I’m nearing the end, fearing what I’ll read. I then have to go back and read some parts of the diaries that missed.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I am glad to hear all went well…except for the aching legs. It is always amazing to me how quickly we (older persons), experience muscle loss if we don’t continually use them. And, you are right…city walking is much different than country walking. Dirt seems to be more forgiving than concrete.
At least you have a few days to rest up, and catch up on your reading. Enjoy your evening! ;)
I know – I have to use those muscles more!
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.