Show Commentary

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The show was a grand success all the way around.   We are so pleased with the show itself, and the support that was shown the Elkader Opera House these past several years.  The toast following the 100th anniversary was something very special to the hundreds of people who stuck around after the show on the Grand Re-Opening night.  Our special thanks to People's State Bank for making that possible.

For those of you who missed the link from the main page, you can click here for a pictoral page that covers both the opening, and the next two nights with just some of the people who showed up in 1900 costumes to help us celebrate the event.

A great show, wonderful audiences, and now, long long good memories of the event.  If you missed this one, once again, you missed the chance of being part of history.  Don't miss your next chance!

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While most of you were contemplating your birds, and hopefully enjoying friends and family as they traveled home, the brave souls at the Opera House were giving both the house itself and the show one more go over so that we are absolutely sure that we are ready for the crowd of people coming both to see this wonderfully renovated theater as well as find out what the fuss is all about for this hilarious musical by George M. Cohan, his first ever musical - The Governor's Son

I am happy to tell you, we've reached that point.  There is now only one thing that this show lacks, and that's you - the audience!

What better way to share joy and laughter with your family after a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.  Join us at the theater to celebrate 100 years of this classic structure.  If you have the ability and desire, join us in 1900 attire to help us transport you back to that opening night 100 years ago today.

There are tickets remaining as of this writing, so don't hesitate to stop by or call to have us set some seats aside for you and family.  Be there for this historic event.  You'll want to talk about it first hand!

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For those of you checking up on me to see if I've kept my word, I apologize.  Late night last night, and a busy day today, but the cast picture is now up on the main site.

Good rehearsal last night.   Lots of fun seeing some of the costumes for the first time.  We had about seven cast members missing, but we should be back in full force for our final rehearsals.   Things are falling together well now, and I think the rest of the cast is beginning to realize just how good of a show we'll have for you.  (Sometimes, those of them that don't have the "director's" vision take longer to see that.)

We have a big weekend planned getting the house cleaned and ready for you to see and sigh over next week.  Lots of final details to go yet, but I'm confident we'll get them all done.  Get your tickets while you still can!

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We had a good rehearsal last night.   Lots of progress on lines and pace of the show.  With this type of comedy, those things are very important.  We're finally approaching that part of rehearsals where we can begin to add those special touches that will give this show the standard OHP flair.  It may be that it's because I'm not directing this show, but while many of the same frustrations are there, they seem to be going much smoother for the size of this cast and the level of complexity of the show.   Of course, that could simply mean that I'm not focusing on it either, or... that our current director is simply much more organized and better than I usually am!

All that said, we *do* have a ways to go to reach the level of proficiency that we all expect from an OHP show.  We have time yet however.  Nine more days till the opening of The Governor's Son.   You *do* have your tickets don't you?  Lots of you do, and as we've mentioned before, many from quite a distance away.  Word has spread, and ticket sales have been going very well.  It's past time that you made sure you were part of this event, instead of hearing about it after the fact, and you will hear about it I assure you!

We hope to get some cast pictures taken tomorrow night.  When that occurs, I will try to get one or two online right away.

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Last night was our first full run though of the show.  It was good as a cast member to get the feel of the continuity and flow.  Of course, as usual, the flow does need a little work at this point, but that's what these rehearsals are all about.  Of course, I can say that, being a cast member this time and not the director.  This is usually about the time that the director is going crazy with the final details.

It's those details that will bring this show together and make it the success that it will be however.   I must once again emphasize some of the wonderful cast members we have in this show.  Lots and lots of great characters to bring this show alive, and every one of them are working very hard to make it happen.  The rehearsal not only happens on stage, but also back stage as people rehearse lines, songs, dances, and even block out some scenes.  The action is non-stop.  We have seven more rehearsals to have things ready for you.   Don't delay, get your tickets today!

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I thought it was time to bring you up to date on the progress of The Governor's Son.  Things are moving along very nicely.  We still find ourselves getting "caught up" in the show and dropping out of character.  We've got a double whammy here.  The show itself has so many funny characters and situations that we need to become immune to as a cast.  Add into that a cast full of very talented and fun people and it is a recipie for a director's nightmare.   Thank goodness I'm not directing this one! (sorry Kay!)

We are working very hard at getting this one done just right as it is so important to many of us to make the show as authentic to the period as we can.   It's hard for some of us to have those  "I'll see you anon" and "How is it?"  role off our tongues.

As I have said before, the truly amazing thing is exactly how well the show translates the century since it was written.  The laughter is pure 21st Century.

Ticket sales are going very very well.  While there are still plenty of reserved seats left, I do want to let people know that the main floor is pretty much sold out for opening night.  Balcony seats are still in good supply.  Friday and Saturday night still has choice seating available.  Don't wait too long however.  Laugher is a great way to start your holiday season.  Much better than the disappointment you'll have if you don't get to see this wonderful show.

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Last night was the first full cast night for a full rehearsal.  We put together all aspects of the first half of the show.   Lights even began the basic setup to get us lit up correctly.  It was the first time that many of the chorus people had seen the progress of the priniciple cast has made in recreating this show.  I can tell by their reactions that we're doing an pretty good job.  LOTS of laughter and reaction.

Thanks to Kim Becwar of the North Iowa Times, I have a few cast practice pictures to show you, one that I am actually in!  Tomorrow, we do the same rehearsal schedule to the last half of the show.  Just over two weeks left before opening, and ticket sales continue to be brisk. 

- The show continues to improve by leaps and bounds. Long way to go yet, as we work on mannerisms, accents, and dialect appropriate to the period. We did do quite a bit of set work over the past weekend, so I thought I'd snap a picture to let you see what is now our blank canvas for the detail work to begin. We'll keep the detail work going on the show as well. The phone continues to ring, from as far away as Pensylvania and Alabama they are coming home for Thanksgiving and coming to the show. Let us help you make your Thanksgiving celebration special.


The Blank Slate for the set of The Governor's Son

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It's been a rather frantic beginning to rehearsals.  In addition to having a role in this production, I'm also the musical director, which means that I've had to learn all the songs so that I could help teach the songs to others.    That part is now finished (the learning, not the teaching) so I can begin to keep you up on the progress of the show itself.

We've had several rehearsals.  Lots of conflicts this time of year, which has made it a touch more difficult to get everyone together.  The cast is doing well however, and we have a few hardy souls that have stepped in to play parts of people who could not be there for some reason or other. 

I did have a chance to snap a few pictures tonight.  We were missing Mrs. Dickson, Swift, Johnson, and Webster tonight.  But the rest of us braved on and made lots of progress on Act III.   The chorus joins us again on Monday, and we will do some more work on songs, and on Act I.   This is a fantastic show.  We've got 4 weeks to get it ready for you.   Ticket sales continue steadily.  Don't wait too long to make up your mind.  Be part of this historic event.

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Humble Beginnings of Set
The humble beginnings of The Governor's Son set.

Everything starts somewhere, and this is the beginning of the set for The Governor's Son.  We started building behind (as you can see in the picture) the risers for this weekend's upcoming barbershop show.  On Sunday, after their finish, we'll be able to work on the set from there forward and start adding color and detail.   We hope to duplicate the original set as much as we can from the one picture that we have that we think shows the set.   It is taking lots of guesswork, but we will do as well as we can in making this an authentic experience.

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The first read through of the show went very well, if you consider having to stop several times while the cast stopped laughing - a good read through, and we do!

The show is an amazing piece of work, and the songs are definitely George M. Cohan.  We're scheduling the beginning of our set work for this Saturday.  We don't have as much time for this show as we normally do, and because of the overlap of NUNCRACKERS with rehearsal time, we will need to move even faster.   Not that you'll notice any difference.  The cast and crew are set to go.  I'm guessing this show will come together rapidly.   Our hardest detail will be getting these lines down exactly as they are written (to perform it in true 1903 style!) and being able to say them without laughing.  

Ticket sales are continuing at a steady pace.  Remember, there are only three shows of this production.   Don't wait too long to get your tickets.  You don't want to be left out of this special event!

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The first read through has been set for The Governor's Son.   We will be meeting next Wednesday night (Oct. 15) at 7pm in the Elkader Opera House.   We're very excited to begin work on this historic show.  

As someone who has already begun to learn his lines (I am lucky enough to be playing the part of Algy - The Governor's Son in this production) I can tell you we are more than ready to start.  The show is a wonderfully funny production that trancends time, while at the same time brings us back to the beginning of the 20th century.   The audience will have no trouble appreciating the humor in this show.   And although I have yet to officially hear the music, I can not believe that George M. Cohan will give us anything but wonderful tunes to go along with his very witty dialogue.

It's a great show, and from the looks of it, a great cast.   This will be fun all the way around.  Both for us, and for you.  Make sure you set aside some time right now to help us celebrate the Elkader Opera House Centennial in true style this coming Thanksgiving weekend.  This is one that you won't want to miss!!!

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The cast members have all been notified, and as you can see, the cast list is up on the web.  Even while we're working on finishing touches for SNOOPY!!! we are taking some time out to do some additional planning for The Governor's Son.  Lots left to do of course, but there are several items in the works to make this a very special evening.  Several V.I.P.s have expressed an interest at helping us celebrate this historic event.  I'll try to keep things updated to let you know where we are in the planning stages.

As soon as we can schedule one that works, we'll get a read through setup with the cast, and then the real work begins.  Set, lights, and most important for this show, promotion of the event!  Plan to make it part of your Thanksgiving weekend.

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The Governor's Son was the first show performed in the Elkader Opera House on its opening night November 27, 1903.   The show was written in 1901 by George M. Cohan who toured with the show extensively following it's run on Broadway.  Not only did George M. Cohan himself star as Algy, The Governor's Son on the Elkader stage, but three of his brothers also starred in the show.  Click here for a synopsis of the show.

The Opera House Players, are pleased to be able to bring back this amazing production 100 years to the day from its original debut in the new Elkader Opera House.  Be sure to plan to join us for this historical event!

CHG