Well, the production was quite a success. The kids pulled together and delivered wonderful performances. During the final dress rehearsal and each of the two performances, I was able to sit in the hall and just enjoy what I was seeing. I am the type of person that can watch certain movies or old TV shows (ie: Black Adder, Fawlty Towers, the Honeymooners) over and over again, knowing exactly what is coming and yet, laugh. Well, the production held the same quality. I knew what was coming and yet found myself laughing each time.

One of the best feelings was knowing that as the audience laughed at so many of the moments in the show, I could remember back to the rehearsal in which I assigned that bit or that blocking or in many cases, gave the singer that reading of a line. Living with that piece and the concept for the last 3 years, the acceptance of it by that audience was a wonderful experience. Very gratifying. Very satisfactory.

And now, the next project beckons. The problem is that I don't know what that next project is! I currently have quite a few ideas floating around in my head and have yet to settle on one of them. I am in the process of pulling together the details of a post-mortem on this production and also outlining a class that I want to propose. The department is undergoing some major changes. It could be an exciting time (or a very depressing one)... only time will tell.

And yet, despite the lack of time to devote to my own singing, I found myself in great voice on my trip home after a long day of teaching several days ago. Maybe a recital looms? So much to do, so little time.

Oh, by the way, the Met's Magic Flute on Saturday contained some of the most un-legato phrasing I've heard in a long time. (Is un-legato a word ... non-legato, okay, okay). I just don't get it sometimes.