Ace of Diamonds (August 12)

i couldn't resist blogging this week...so much to talk about.

let's start with the fact that i barely saw Sarah this week because last weekend she was in the Bay area for her friend Mike's wedding. i felt bad though because she didn't have a chance to really enjoy herself because she has a nasty cold she was fighting the day she left. it was great to have her back home on Sunday though she didn't want me to catch her cold so making out was pretty much off boundaries...

...i snuck some kisses anyway.

suffice to say, on wednesday, it felt like my throat was on fire. i did the show (because i had some friends in the audience), but i honestly don't remember the last time i felt more worthless as an actor. i did my lines, hit my cues, took care of my onstage business, but backstage, i was barely (if at all) singing any of my backing harmonies because i was nursing water and Ricola throat lozenges. any lines that came out of my mouth were tight and barely audible.

by intermission, i told Eric (our new stage manager) that there was no way i was coming in the next day...which meant missing understudy rehearsals...which meant i wasn't going to be able to play Tommy for Eric and get that back under my belt again. and what was worse, Sarah was in Huntington Beach with her friends that were in from out of town (great to see you Nicole and Lorelei!!!!) so I had to fend for myself all day. and please let me make it clear: i hate calling in sick. i hate, Hate, HATE calling in sick because i hate being sick and i hate admitting defeat. but i just couldn't function so i had to do it.

but i was a good Jewish boy; went to Fromin's Deli in Encino and got a quart of chicken noodle soup, then went to Jamba Juice and got two cold busters (one for then, one to put in the freezer for later). the rest of the evening was all about taking Advil Cold and Sinus, drinking gallons of water, and just trying to relax as much as possible. Toby and I went for a small walk around the block that evening just so i could get some fresh air, but for the most part, i was in bed all day. i think i passed out by about 11pm after downing a helping of NyQuil and just hoped for a better day on Friday.

it seemed to work out. certainly i was not 100%, but my throat wasn't burning as much and i had my voice back. so i was back to work. for one of the weirdest shows i have done in quite some time.

Friday night was a full cast show. everyone was in their parts (except Sandy had a scheduled day off and Jen was playing Lorraine) and it all seemed like any other day. halfway through the first act, Brandon got super ill and barely finished the act. so Taylor was called to do his part for the second act so he could go home. to top it off, Melissa wasn't feeling well either so after "Boyfriend's Back", she went to lay down and Jen finished her track. The second act saw Melissa just doing Francine while Erik Bates got into costume just to do her scene moves and we finished the show with a 2-girl finale. they didn't show up Sunday for either shows as well - as a matter of fact, even Doug (our other male swing) called in sick for both shows on Saturday and Sunday. Get better Strom, Brandon and Doug!!!!

and guess who called out for both shows on Sunday...? Deven May.

i guess he tweaked his back and needed to have the shows off and so to my surprise, at 11:30am on Sunday, after calling out sick just 3 days before, after not doing Tommy in rehearsals for almost a month and for not actually performing in the track since April...i got to go on as Tommy for both shows!

the first show was like getting shot out of a cannon. i felt like every line that came out of my mouth just got to my brain about 2 seconds prior and i felt so exposed. don't get me wrong - i had a great time, but it was all just so organic. everything seemed fresh because honestly, i felt like i hadn't done it in years. my favorite mess up of that show was doing the "card trick" with Joey and seeing that i pulled the wrong card. so instead of Courter hearing "Queen of Spades" like he has for hundreds of shows and rehearsals without fail - out of my mouth came "Ace of Diamonds". he kind of just looked at me for a second and the whole scene just grinded to a dead halt. i'm sorry Courter for throwing your rhythm off!

but it was a lot of fun and Gyp's Basement scene was amazing. the pacing was great and it felt so real...so in the moment.

best part of the day was getting a second shot at it with the evening show. definitely a different dynamic because Rick was on instead of Chris for the evening show, but i was able to take the notes i got from Eric and Andy after dinner and really apply them to the role. i was more relaxed. I was more in control. and i allowed myself to let the character to take over as opposed to "acting" the part. and i thought it was a powerful show...very proud of it. but i want to send out a huge thank you to the cast and especially the crew for getting me through both shows and for all the support and love sent my way.

but i had a blast. an amazing and exhausting day. i am so lucky that i get to understudy such amazing roles and i am looking forward to another shot at Tommy in Arizona when Deven takes (a much deserved) vacation.

next week starts the rehearsals on the new speed set. i joke with my buddy and fellow castmate, Nate Klau, saying that they are calling this set "Knuckles" because that's the part he plays and since this set will be bringing on and striking probably most of his scene changes, that they will just let go of him because they won't really need him anymore to move tables and some scenery.

so we start on "Knuckles" this thursday and friday with ALL the creative staff (hello Des, Sergio and Richard!). continue the next week as well Tuesday-Friday and then a few days later, we leave LA for Sac-town. we also welcome our new male swing, Chris DeAngelis (turns out he does not have an apostrophe in his name - sorry about that Chris) and Lauren Tartaglia, who will be the official West Coast vacation swing for the girls and probably going to spend some time with us as Melissa gets on the mend.

so keep checking the blog for more updates and random thoughts throughout the rest of our time in Los Angeles. also, don't forget to check out my new website at: www.ericgutman.com

good night and keep up the emails and comments!