Well, Mame rehearsals started this week. We're starting with the music first, as we don't actually get into the theater until June 16. With all the planning we've done, it seems like there are still a hundred things we've forgotten to plan for.

Well, that's theater. It's a really good cast, and a really good show.

We started with a read through, which for most folks, even the theater savvy among us, was the first time they ever heard the whole story, as underrated as it is.

One of the more fascinating things is learning the difference between how people read in audition and how they read the first time through. As a director you really have to set aside your expectations and see what you have to work with.

Delightfully the surprises were almost all good ones. Seeing and hearing people take to their characters and try to give them that first spark of life was a really uplifting experience.

One thing I have to work on is exuding a little more confidence, which I usually have in gobs, but which has been a little harder to find this week. Wish me luck as I guide this cast of 40+ and crew and musicians, etc., into hopefully one of the most memorable shows this town has seen.