Act 1
Beth’s monologues—general note
Slow down. The actions all look great.
First Bradley kitchen scene
–LX “Does that mean I have to go?”—Immediate blackout, no dimming. This should be the case with all black outs following Mr. Bradley commenting on “having to go” or “have to be there”
Bradley kitchen with Mrs. Armstrong talking
—Porter and Tristan enter, pause. Kellie motion to table. Porter and Tristan cross and sit at the table.
–Tristan louder, please.
–SX Doorbell—wait the first ring for Atlee to get “outside”
Three rings total
–Family freeze when the stage lights go out
Leroy and Charlie lunch scene
–Tristan remember we need the look as Charlie realizes the Herdmans will be at church
–LX cue—don’t turn out lights on Leroy’s exit, need to allow time for Charlie’s reaction
Imogene and Alice scene
–Lillie cheat out—keep in mind you are talking to the audience
–LX cue—don’t go to lights out with Lillie’s exit, we need to see Alex’s reaction, lights out as she exits.
First pageant meeting—assigning roles
–Caroline remember to land stage left of Alex, keep behind the line of the bench.
–Lillie remember that Imogene has just threatened you. You want to be Mary, but can’t because of Imogene.
Grocery shopping
–Atlee, Kellie—remember your coats
Second pageant meeting—the reading of the story
–Josiah louder, please
–Waker, please work on your lines
–Blocking—Kellie walk downstage to Caroline when she jumps up and starts talking
–Actors carry off the seats to help scene change
Dress rehearsal
–After Mother’s line about the entrances, ends “We’ll start with the shepherds” Everyone needs to get to their positions—shepherds and sheep into left vom, wisemen exit upstage right, Mary and Joseph cross to sit by manger, baby angels exit into left vom also.
–Shepherds stop center stage in two lines, two sheep in front center with shepherds on either side, other four shepherds in line behind.
–Sheep and shepherds—scatter and cross to stable when Caroline approaches—perfect last night
–Kellie excellent job with the cross to get Caroline out of the way.
–Lillie perfect delivery of your “Wonderful, Counsellor…”
–Angels, shepherds, sheep—remember your exit lines:
“Why did you have to say all that.”
“We’ll never get out of here.”
“Nobody asked you, Alice.”
“I have to go the bathroom.”
“Me, too.” “Me, too.”
“I’m gonna get a drink of water.”
“Be back in a few minutes.”