A Season Is Lost (July 15)
i don't really know how to start this blog tonight. in a way, i am lost for words yet i have so much to say that i feel i might not be able to type fast enough.
today was an intensely sad day.
today Michael Ingersoll played his last performance with our cast as Nick Massi. we all knew this day was coming and i think we all had prepared ourselves for it. yet it hit us like a ton of bricks that after these two performances, there will be someone new in his dressing room, saying his lines, making his way across the stage.
my history with Michael: i vividly remember Michael at the final callback in New York. simply because once the dance calls were done and they asked a few of us to stay and read and sing for the creative staff, we all started getting changed in the men's dressing area at Chelsea Studios and there was this quiet guy very much to himself...meticulously putting his suit on and deep in concentration. that is Michael; always concentrated. always dedicated to his craft.
once he and i were cast, a common friend in Chicago got us in touch together and he and i talked on the phone for about an hour before NY rehearsals started. it was a fantastic conversation in that here was a guy my age who also just got cast in the biggest thing of his professional life and his enthusiasm was contagious. we talked about our fears about the show and our excitement for the opportunity and we bonded immediately over both being married (well at the time, Sarah and I already had the date set and were on our way), both being from the Midwest and both being avid euchre players.
and obviously the bond - the friendship - has deepened the past seven months as we have played to countless full houses and tens of thousands of people. as "Mika", i have had the opportunity to helping him onstage with changes and making his show run smoothly and it has been a pleasure every time simply because it was obvious that he appreciated it. he is an intensely dedicated actor and i can say that watching him work had made me strive to be a better actor.
it amazed me as well to see how my friend had such an impact on me. as i watching the show this afternoon (more on that later), it was such a great opportunity to see the show from the audience's perspective again. to feel that energy that 2,100 patrons give off during the "big 3" songs and more importantly, to hear the reactions as the show's ups and downs effect each character...
...and though i have done the show over 200 times, i found myself crying again. crying when Frankie gets the phone call in Act Two. crying during the curtain call when Chris turned to Michael and simply pointed indicating their final bow together. and crying when Nick Massi plainly says "i want to go home." art truly imitated life today at the Ahmanson Theatre and i know i speak on behalf of all the cast, crew and musicians when i say get home safely dear friend.
and as he heads to the San Francisco company, in the event any of them read this blog, i want you to know that you are all extremely lucky to be getting probably one of the nicest people and most gifted actors i have ever worked with. and if you don't treat him with the respect and love he deserves...it won't be pretty.
Michael, my friend, thank you for an amazing and inspiring run.
......................................................................................................
as the week rolls on, it's a long and very eventful one coming up. send me good thoughts and lots of Vitamin C!
tuesday afternoon - do "Four Seaons" work with Steve (filling in for Erich Bergen while he is away).
tuesday evening - i go on as Bob Gaudio.
wednesday - Steve's put in as our new Nick Massi.
thursday afternooon - understudy rehearsal for some of the creative staff as Tommy.
friday afternoon - understudy rehearsal for some of the creative staff as Bob.
friday evening - i go on again as Bob Gaudio!
saturday - 2 shows
sunday - 2 shows
monday - sleep for 20 hours.
well everyone. that's it for now. time to get some sleep as we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow as Dad and Karen are in town and we are trying to plan a full day with them.
one last thing...pretty exciting...i am now officially understudying Bob Crewe!
good night. safe travels for Michael.
today was an intensely sad day.
today Michael Ingersoll played his last performance with our cast as Nick Massi. we all knew this day was coming and i think we all had prepared ourselves for it. yet it hit us like a ton of bricks that after these two performances, there will be someone new in his dressing room, saying his lines, making his way across the stage.
my history with Michael: i vividly remember Michael at the final callback in New York. simply because once the dance calls were done and they asked a few of us to stay and read and sing for the creative staff, we all started getting changed in the men's dressing area at Chelsea Studios and there was this quiet guy very much to himself...meticulously putting his suit on and deep in concentration. that is Michael; always concentrated. always dedicated to his craft.
once he and i were cast, a common friend in Chicago got us in touch together and he and i talked on the phone for about an hour before NY rehearsals started. it was a fantastic conversation in that here was a guy my age who also just got cast in the biggest thing of his professional life and his enthusiasm was contagious. we talked about our fears about the show and our excitement for the opportunity and we bonded immediately over both being married (well at the time, Sarah and I already had the date set and were on our way), both being from the Midwest and both being avid euchre players.
and obviously the bond - the friendship - has deepened the past seven months as we have played to countless full houses and tens of thousands of people. as "Mika", i have had the opportunity to helping him onstage with changes and making his show run smoothly and it has been a pleasure every time simply because it was obvious that he appreciated it. he is an intensely dedicated actor and i can say that watching him work had made me strive to be a better actor.
it amazed me as well to see how my friend had such an impact on me. as i watching the show this afternoon (more on that later), it was such a great opportunity to see the show from the audience's perspective again. to feel that energy that 2,100 patrons give off during the "big 3" songs and more importantly, to hear the reactions as the show's ups and downs effect each character...
...and though i have done the show over 200 times, i found myself crying again. crying when Frankie gets the phone call in Act Two. crying during the curtain call when Chris turned to Michael and simply pointed indicating their final bow together. and crying when Nick Massi plainly says "i want to go home." art truly imitated life today at the Ahmanson Theatre and i know i speak on behalf of all the cast, crew and musicians when i say get home safely dear friend.
and as he heads to the San Francisco company, in the event any of them read this blog, i want you to know that you are all extremely lucky to be getting probably one of the nicest people and most gifted actors i have ever worked with. and if you don't treat him with the respect and love he deserves...it won't be pretty.
Michael, my friend, thank you for an amazing and inspiring run.
......................................................................................................
as the week rolls on, it's a long and very eventful one coming up. send me good thoughts and lots of Vitamin C!
tuesday afternoon - do "Four Seaons" work with Steve (filling in for Erich Bergen while he is away).
tuesday evening - i go on as Bob Gaudio.
wednesday - Steve's put in as our new Nick Massi.
thursday afternooon - understudy rehearsal for some of the creative staff as Tommy.
friday afternoon - understudy rehearsal for some of the creative staff as Bob.
friday evening - i go on again as Bob Gaudio!
saturday - 2 shows
sunday - 2 shows
monday - sleep for 20 hours.
well everyone. that's it for now. time to get some sleep as we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow as Dad and Karen are in town and we are trying to plan a full day with them.
one last thing...pretty exciting...i am now officially understudying Bob Crewe!
good night. safe travels for Michael.
posted by The Guter at 7/16/2007 12:33:00 AM
12 Comments:
Your feelings about Michael are touching beyond words, Eric. But to every end there's a new beginning and, in this case, your loss is definitely our gain. I'll be among those at The Curran on Tuesday night to welcome Michael back to SF. Don't worry...he'll be loved here once again and will be in very good hands until he returns home to Chicago.
Much love,
Andrea Kim
It's great to get Michael back in SF. He'll feel right at home. Plus, how wonderful for him to be able to go to Chicago, so he can finally be with his wife again. He might have missed her! ; )
Hey, Eric! My husband and I are friends of Chris's and will having lunch with him and seeing the show Friday. Looking forward to seeing you on as Gaudio and hopefully meeting you afterward!
Break a leg as "Bob Gaudio" Guter! Congrats on understudying both Gaudio and Crewe! Hope married life is wonderful for you and the lovely Sarah G. Break a leg to Steve Gouveia as he joins the Sherry Company and to Michael Ingersoll as he goes home to the Chicago Company (and most importantly, to the lovely Angela!)
Great entry Eric and a touching tribute to Michael. I know the fans in SF are dissapointed in losing Steve but will welcome Michael back with open arms. Break a leg Tuesday and Friday when you go on as Bob and congrats on becoming Crewe's understudy. I know you'll do great the first time you go on.
Thank you for the most wonderful blog and tribute to Michael. Don't worry about Michael..SF is waiting for his return. I know you'll miss him, but he 'wants to go home'...can't wait to hear his voice again...I miss him saying 'Tommmmmyyy'. Will be there the next two nights...hopefully he'll be in the show.
Again...thank you, thank you, thank you...can't wait until Sacramento...see you then.
Just got back from the show--I got goosebumps from your rendition of "Cry for Me." Great job to you and the entire cast! Also, I think I saw you at Kendall's Brasserie. Me and my friend got seated right before you and your party. I was thinking about bugging you for an autograph but decided that you should eat in peace. In any case, you did an awesome job!
Eric,
Your comments about Michael are heartbreaking. You definitely have a way with words.
P.S. What address do you email Eric at?
Update...Michael's transition back to SF was seamless on Tuesday night! His inimitably cool portrayal of Nicky was completely intact and he was greeted after the show with enthusiastic applause by the many fans who waited specifically for him in The Curran's stage door alley. You don't need to worry about Michael, Eric...he's much loved here in the Bay Area and I think we proved it to him last night!
All the best,
Andrea Kim
Hi Eric - I was so glad that you were able to meet our California cousins - They all called me today to report in that the show was wonderful & you were great - Ron called me early this morning to report in & tell me how nice it was of Sarah to arrange to have Coutney come back stage & how thrilled she is with the signed poster that you gave her - Thanks - I hope you get to see more of them while you are in California - I sure wish I could have been with them last night - Guess I'll just have to wait until you come our way
Love you both
Bubi
"Tommy", I mean "Bob", oops, I mean Gutty. You play so many roles I can't remember who you are anymore!!! Jeff and I loved your performance Tuesday night, as did the rest of your family and friends who were there. And thanks for letting me do "Ethel Merman" on stage after the show. It was my 1 minute of fame. I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through you! What a wonderful thing it was that your dad and Karen flew in from Michigan to see you perform! I love you lots. Love, Mama xxooxx
Thanks for thinking of Erich's family. Fortunately he was able to get to us on the east coast and let us know what happened. The best part of this show is the amazing cast, not only as performers, but as sincere and wonderful people. It is amazing to see the connection you have all made.
Erich's Dad
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