Day 3 & 4 - Samana & Tortola

First up, a quick tech note:

I clearly have internet access on the boat, but the bandwidth is pretty restricted. That basically means that photos can only be uploaded from port. I'm skipping out on St. Lucia as I write this, since my arm is bugging me, but I'll put up a metric crapload on Sunday when I port into Miami.

Back to 3 & 4 -

We're basically trapped on the ship until we get the show open. Day three was our first real serious time in the Stardust Theater, where we'll be putting up the sketch show. It was basically a chance to re-block everything, and to finally solidify the running order, setting what our improv slots will be, etc. The stress level was peaking for everyone, since the passengers don't know this is a new show, and we don't particularly want to prove it to them. The entire point of a cruise ship is to maintain a tightly scripted illusion of calm and luxury for the passengers. We aren't being paid to pierce that.

Day 4 was show day. We got into the theater to tech at 10 AM, and came face to face with the most high-tech space I've ever been in. The lights alone look like they were designed to travel back in time and find Sarah Connor. We totaled about 6 hours of rehearsal during the day, got a much-needed dinner break, then reassembled in the theater for the first of two shows that night.

Both went well. In case you're wondering, our inaugural improv suggestion was "constipation". There are some things seawater can't change.

For the detail conscious, the running order:

PDA - Blackout - This is one of four blackouts about life on a cruise ship written expressly for BoatCo.

Paranoid - Blackout

Sequel - Blackout

Applebees - Scene - A great little relationship scene from SC Denver's "Denverginity" show.

Intro

Blues Jam - Improv -The first of two games, and the first time we go to the audience for a suggestion. I'll never understand what it is about requesting a suggestion that will make a perfectly normal guy sitting next to his 10 year-old daughter scream "Gay Porn" at the top of his lungs.

Dummy - Scene - Nice silent bit created by Brian Gallivan and Marybeth Monroe

Crew Only - Blackout - Another Boat scene

Nixon - Blackout - this one is from 1991 or 1992, I'd guess. All the references are still depressingly current. I play a Ron West character, which was bound to happen eventually.

Paycheck - Song - It's too bad no teacher's union can afford to block-book this cruise and hear this one, as they'd go crazy over it. But that's the point of the scene to begin with.

Chiro - Blackout - Another boat scene

Good Night - Blackout - As close as we come to a political sketch

Faux Pearls - Song - The dreaded song and dance number. On the fun side, the original cast included Tim Meadows, Chris Farley, and the unsinkable Holly Wortell. I play the Farley part, which may well say something about my ability to sing.

School - Blackout - Another Gallivan creation. Funny and quick.

Style Option - Improv - No, we won't be doing 5 minutes of gay porn in front of your toddler. Stop asking.

Pictionary - Scene - I've heard this described as Second City's secret handshake. If you've ever been in a touring company, in a boat show, or done any archival material whatsoever, you've probably done this sketch. Steve Carrell was one of the originators of it, and it works. It's also 15 pages long. Our director, who directed the current mainstage show, is a big believer in hitting it fast and hard, which I dig. This sketch could very easily become a one-act in the wrong hands.

McJagger - Blackout - From the 70's. Probably the oldest sketch in the show.

Captain - Blackout - The last of the boat blackouts.

Dirty Baghdad - Scene/Dance Number - A huge closer, courtesy of Second City Vegas

Both shows went very well, and the cruise director was waiting for us after the 9:30 with three bottles of champagne to celebrate the opening. First improv show was the next night, so rehearsal beckoned soon.