Ok I know some of you guys played this. So give up the some stories.
My first one was at the Walnut st. Theatre in Philly I auditioned on the phone for the music dircetor who was in NY. 1st class show. Actors from Broadway and the National tour were in it. I had this one part at the end of "The Boys" "Injun Joes Cave' that we all fell down. I always carried an extra harp cause when your on stage and it doesn't play you gotta have a back up. Well it was in the jacket pocket and when I fell down it hit my ribbs. They were sore for two weeks I got more stories but I'll wait for you guys to post some. Oh yeah the money was great. One week I made for 9 shows about $950. This was around 1989. ---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
Did a 2 week run of this show in Dearborn, MI, back in 1995 or so. Convinced director to let me open the show w/solo harmonica. Dressed w/straw hat, etc, curtain went up, spotlight hit me as I entered from back stage left, started strolling and improvising on the opening theme, hit center stage...paused, then started the overture as lights come up, other musicians joined me, dancers came down aisles and up on stage, etc. big fun. also had bit part as one of Huck's boys in the play.
I enjoyed doing a month of Big River in Phoenix... but was down in the orchestra pit. Could see the MD but never saw the stage! Hung out w cast before the shows. They had heard the harp, and wondered who I was. Even found a spot for Jaw harp. Fun show! Good memories. ---------- Stay Well Play Well
Robert Hale robert@dukeofwail.com http://www.youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL Gilbert AZ (Phoenix)
From what I remember from the original score. 10 hole harmonica, Bass Harmonica, Jaw Harp, Tambourine. I did everything but the Tambourine.
In costume. One line for all three stage musicians. NONESUCH
Harmonica, Fiddle and Guitar will perform in the pit and on stage.
Guitar doubles on banjo and mandolin. The Walnut St. Theater did it this way. An Actor's Equity cast. 5 weeks ---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
Last Edited by on Jun 23, 2011 5:22 PM
Maine State Theater One week rehearsals 3 week run actors equity production. This was summer stock lots interns. Same set and a lot of people from Walnut st. Theater. Just me and the Fiddle for this production. They left the guitar part did it on synth. This was at Bowdien college. I can remember no air conditioning baby it was hot. The sound guy was an intern and I had to tell him how to get the Entracte music sound right. They gave me and the Fiddle player our house. We rehearsed in a warehouse over looking a river. The second time they did it I got the call but I couldn't make it. I told them to get William Gallison and they did.
---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
Ok now I'm working my way down. The Dutch Apple Dinner Theater. Lancaster PA I was there for 8 weeks. I had a room in a finished basement. Small pit so the stage musicians were on the floor. I could reach out and touch the customers. I got one free meal a day that was the buffet which wasn't too bad. Packed houses every night. One time we did 9:30 am performance for school kids. Part of the music was Midi. I screwed up during the Entracte and got the key changes all messed up. Total train wreck LOL
I think it was part of a tour bus package. Some times you would get church group that would talk back to the stage. "Amen Huck" I retired from Big River after that.
---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
