Multi-tasking or Why I Really, Really Want a Clone

September 18, 2007 - Okay kids, this is going to have to be a quick one, because as you can probably tell from the title, I'M SWAMPED! But hopefully a quickie will be sufficient to let all you wonderful people out there in the blogosphere know that we are, in fact, not moribund. Indeed, I was recently told by an avid blogger that, while she found the content of my posts quite interesting, they were a little on the long side for blogs. So. . .here goes! A brief synopsis of the several balls that I'm currently keeping in the air.

Ball #1 - Orpheus translation. All musical numbers are now translated and transcribed into the PV (that's short for Piano/Vocal) scores. I have also complete all the Act I dialogue translation. Goal: Have this all done and to the printer by the end of this week.

Ball #2 - Ongoing managing of the production crew for Alcina. This seems to be going well for the most part, although the set designer has gone a bit incommunicado. I think she may have had a baby, since the last time I saw her, she was literally "great with child". Hmmm, should I be good or bad impresario? Anyway, construction has begun on the set, fabric for costumes is being shopped for, lighting plots have been drawn, and I'm working on my list of props to acquire, so I guess I can let the set designer be for a while. 'Cuz that's just the sort of guy I am.

Ball #3 - Planning a trip to New Hampshire to visit the venues of Granite State Opera, where I will be directing Così fan tutte in May 2008. I'll also be meeting the production staff there for the first time. Good thing for me, my partner works in the travel industry.

Ball #4 - Performing I puritani with Washington Concert Opera. As some of you know, I occasionally get on the other side of the footlights (though in truth it's becoming evermore infrequent with every passing year). So some of the abovementioned balls have been in the air on I95 South this week.

Ball #5 - Discussing/crystallizing design ideas for my January production of Pirates of Penzance at Opera AACC. I'm thinking of going with a "theme park ride" idea. Pirate King as the seasoned, "seen-it-all" theme park entertainer, Frederick as the naive, fresh-faced, "I'm gonna be a star someday" kid, well you get the idea.

Ball #6 - Making housing and travel arrangements for some of the artists involved with Tobias and the Angel. I've secured a beautiful room at the 4 East Madison Inn for David Walker. I think it's a fitting accomodation for an artist of his high-caliber. Thanks Sandy!

Ball #7 - Getting the final bits of information to the graphic designer for our program book. This is much like moving. You never realize how much stuff you have until you try to give it to someone else.

Okay, so let's see. I think that accounts for all my balls. Must dash! Love you all and see you at the opera!

John Bowen