July 16-August 4, 2019: The Underpants Previews and Opening Weekend

Blown Away

While it is true that I had been very busy these past few weeks (but not as crazy rigorous busy as when I was still at Juilliard) - I did have a pocket of time to explore a few magical places in San Diego. I didn't take many pictures because sometimes I think that the act of documenting an experience can take away from the actual experience. I did manage to get some videos, but I don't know how to post them here! These 'magical' experiences involved a cliff overlooking the sea, three pelicans, a sunset, a rainbow (while the sun was setting!), several scoops of gelato and sea lions.

Tech and Previews: The Underpants

With Joanna Glushak (Gertrude) and Walter Bobbie (Director) for The San Diego Union-Tribune. Photo by Howard Lipin

One of the things that made me truly want to do this project was the potential artistic growth that I can derive from exploring and playing Louise Maske in this play. I was drawn to her journey of her coming into her own as a woman which was triggered by a wardrobe malfunction. New characters come into her life as a result of this wardrobe malfunction and she gets to have new experiences because of these people. In contrast to Mother Courage, who makes things happen in order to survive - life happens to Louise Maske (although I am still doing a ton in this play). I was interested in a journey of listening, allowing and responding - something that was different from many characters I have played in the past, and very different from how I am used to operate in the world as myself. I was also very excited about playing a woman who discovers that she is a sexual being - an aspect of the human experience that wasn't as present in the roles offered to me within the last five years.

With Luis Vega (Frank Versati) during rehearsals for The Underpants. Photo by Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune.

With Michael Bradley Cohen (Benjamin Cohen) during rehearsals for The Underpants. Photo by Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune.

There are some excellent articles that came out in the past week relating to The Underpants. Here are links to some of them:
1) Manila's Regina De Vera 'loses' underpants in Steve Martin farce, Inquirer.net
2) Revival of comedy 'The Underpants' brings Steve Martin's comic voice back to the Old Globe, San Diego Union-Tribune

With Eddie Kaye Thomas during rehearsals for The Underpants. Photo by Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Previews and Opening!

We've finally opened the play after four previews and it feels like a somewhat "magical" time - despite the occasional feelings of self-doubt. I'm going to ride this wave and see where it takes me.