3.04.2011

Dental Society Review - The Chicago Reader

"Acted by a tight six-member ensemble, the 85-minute show grabs on and doesn't let go..."
- Jack Helbig

Read the full review here.

photo credit: Anthony Aicardi

Let me see those Molars.

OPENING NIGHT.

Well not really...that was last week Saturday. My apologies for the late post.

After three weeks of rehearsal "Dental Society Midwinter Meeting" opened at 16th Street Theater. Because this is a remount and the original production was only about 6 months ago there is little press coverage of the show.

But so far the reader has seen the show and really enjoyed it. I'll post their review later today.

It's amazing for me to think about the last month from the beginning of the rehearsal process to the opening night performance. Normally there will be three weeks of rehearsal, maybe four, and one week of tech before dress rehearsal and previews.

Our show had two weeks of rehearsals, one day of tech, two "dress" rehearsals and two previews before opening. I can honestly say that this was the shortest/best/most interesting rehearsal process I've had the pleasure of being a part of.

My biggest issue is making the choices necessary for a great performance quickly and without fear. When you have time to make those decisions it's easy to rest on your laurels and let things come as the may. This rehearsal process was different, it was faster paced and required myself and the other actors to make bolder choices to see where we could take the scenes.

This rehearsal process, as all of them have turned out to be, has been an incredible learning experience for me. The actors that I've had the privilege to work with, the director, playwright, and technical team have made this a truly great experience.

The only hiccup was the drunk audience member on opening night, our 8pm performance, who had to be removed from the theater by the policy for being loud and obnoxious...oh well. That is to be expected. Glad we got it done with early.