The Search for the Little Red Ball

Yesterday was our first evening in the space ... it was wonderful. We had a blast as we stumbled through the first act, blocking each scene and getting a general sense of how solid the performance will be. Faye is spectacular. She is recovering from a second degree sun burn -- which becomes her, magically -- and is working so hard to be off book all the while being completely present as Kate. Her expertise, professionalism and wonderful insight is an incredible addition to the show, I couldn't have asked for anyone better.

We're all at that very fascinating point where we're not struggling as often for lines and are able to make far more interesting discoveries about the characters. Our reactions are far more candid and our decisions far more deliberate. We also had a great discussion over the choice of having Sylvia on all fours throughout the production. Past shows, including the original with Sarah Jessica Parker had all performed the character standing as a woman -- creating a more up front view of her as the mistress -- and then finding times to have her simply as a dog. When I first worked as the character there was never a doubt in my mind that she was going to be on all fours and Jonathan took to that idea as well. There in lays the dilemma; we cannot make her so much of the dog -- behaving on all fours -- or else we risk losing the feminine mystique that is Sylvia. The discussion prompted a whole new outlook on the character that I can't wait to share with you on August 31.

James Fogel, our sound designer, was also present at rehearsal last night. The environment that he has created for us with music and other effects is brilliant. With the minimalist set -- Bob Peterson was also there too to discuss set design, thanks! -- the sound will step in to solidify the audience's imagination. He was also our only audience member to the hilarity that would ensue.

In one particular scene Greg tosses my little red ball off stage for me to fetch. The problem was when my cue to come back on with the little red ball came, I still had not found it. What would then occur was a whirlwind struggle to find the missing ball. Everyone, including Sean was now onstage searching high and low, pulling back curtains, and looking underneath rehearsal props to find the ball. We were left laughing at ourselves, proposing the possibility that something so ironic would happen during a performance, resolving ourselves to providing a stash of little red balls backstage, just in case this were to occur, and then Sean finally finding it stuck between a light. And so last night truly was the search for the little red ball.

I am due for rehearsal with Jim and Faye at 7pm and have many things to do prior to my meeting. Thus I must end here. Tootles.

Big Changes.

Wow. I realistically imagined me coming home each night to write a new blog to keep people on the up and ups but I really am exhausted. I promise to be more diligent about it since things are getting down to the wire and although busy, more time is permitting me to do other things like watch a movie. Today, I watched La Vie En Rose at the Los Feliz 3, mostly because I wanted to see it but also because I do have to impersonate the Little Sparrow towards the end of the play. The actress portraying Piaf did a spectacular job in telling her tragic story although the editing of the story left me frustrated. I promise to say no more since this isn't a movie review.

Here is as good a time as any to state that Amy had to leave the production last Sunday due to getting a really great job opportunity. We thank her for her tremendous efforts towards the production and are ultimately relieved that we were able to quickly find someone equally brilliant to take over the role. Thus I would like to introduce the lovely, Faye Jackson to the role of Kate. Tonight was our first rehearsal with her and she already has a deepened understanding of Kate and a dedication to this project. We're lucky to have her. Kenny, Jonathan, Sean and I have all worked with her via the MetaTheatre and luckily all work in the same vain. So it makes an easy transition.

Friday night will be our first time rehearsing in the space. I'm ecstatic. MetaTheatre has become such a hobnob for outside companies to rent that we can't wait to get the play on its feet in its proper home.

I've got about five more minutes of lucid brain time and will use it to spell check this post. Good night!

Sylvia, the play on Myspace!

For all show information and main publicity for the production I created a Myspace page a few days ago. Here is the link for you to enjoy as well as befriend Slvia if you have your own account!

http://www.myspace.com/sylviatheplay

Now I'm seriously going to bed.

We did it!

Our first week of rehearsals is officially completed -- with much progress I might add. It's amazing when you're able to gather four incredible actors into one show. The instincts of everyone are so on target it's bliss. Amy truly embodies the character of Kate as if it were written for her. Jim (James Howell in print) has the heart of Greg and Kenny is so spectacular at everything he touches that all three characters; Tom, Phyllis and Leslie are wildly different and hysterically funny. And luckily, I'm coming almost each night to rehearsal fresh out of a yoga class and ready to pounce like an overzealous potty mouthed pooch. The potty mouth comes naturally to me and if my father heard my sailor talk first hand he might faint.

The play is so brilliantly written by Gurney that we can't help but make consistent discoveries in both the actual words as well as the logical structure he uses in his writing. Laughter is a given as we make our way through the kinks and into the essence of these characters. I managed to have a moment of true canine clarity when I was given a "treat" in the form of a Welch's chewy snack (Jonathan and Jim have both freaked me out now with the corn syrup involved in creating the chemically produced fruity snacks -- I won't eat them and have resorted to the "no trans fats" animal cookies in the vending machine -- I've completely digressed. Probably due to the fact that I've been working for nearly seven hours on press kits, releases and publicity facets of the show that my eyes are about to cross. I've digressed more!) Basically, I was trying to say that after eating a Welch's snack my salivary glands went nuts and I managed to produce a glob of drool that dripped down my face and somehow missed making it onto Kenny's person. Next I'll work on drinking out water bowls and dripping all over the floor.

We continue this week with rehearsals everyday as we shoot for running the entire show from beginning to end on Thursday night. Our sound designer James Fogel will attend the first full run through for him to make the final adjustments to the incredible sounds he's already created.

It is now time for me to turn in. Tomorrow morning I will wake up in the hopes that Bank of America will grant me a small business loan (they don't check your credit for that do they?!) and then continue to pound the pavement in order to sell ad space.

I will howl at the moon as long as you read this from beginning to end!

Goodnight!

Sylvia, the play in Los Angeles!

Hello! Welcome to the first blog ever posted for the upcoming production of Sylvia by A.R. Gurney in Los Angeles. If you're taking a gander at this here post then I, Jennifer DeFilippo and otherwise known as Sylvia, are thoroughly excited. Why the excitement? Well, because it means that there's a good chance that you'll come and see the play! And seeing the play will absolutely be worth it for so many reasons. Here's three:

• Reason 1: You'll get to see me crawl around on all fours for an hour and fifteen minutes.
• Reason 2: You'll get to see Kenney Kelleher play three different roles -- he might be one of the funniest people I know -- and one of those characters is definitely in drag.
• Reason 3: It's classy to see a play and Los Angeles needs more class.
  

So, why did I create a blog for Sylvia? To get you interested in what will be one of the best shows in Los Angeles, of course! Also to keep you posted on upcoming events for the show and for some fun tid bits on the rapid growth of the production that opens on August 31. I also will give some profiling on the cast and others involved so that you can know them like they're family. I look forward to keeping you abreast on all things Sylvia and for now, I'm going to go play with some dogs for inspiration. Chow!!!