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 The PitFebruary 27, 2007 at 10:59 AM It makes sense, that this would be the time of year for our community musical, for what else is there to do in February? Hundreds volunteer for their place backstage and on stage (or under stage, if you’re a musician like me). This year’s show, Beauty and the Beast, is drawing large audiences–thousands--over the course of six performances. It’s good clean, wholesome fun for the entire family, much like a trip to the zoo. And although we have no zoo in Soldotna, we do have a substitute.The figures in black are tuning their instruments, switching the bulbs in their stand lights, passing bags of candy around, and running though last minute changes in the vamps. This is our world, down here in the pit, and it seems perfectly normal, something any musician would experience regularly as part of living. Why, then, are they all staring down over the barricades? Dozens of people--before the show, during intermission, and even while the exit music plays--peer over the sides, pointing: “What’s that, Daddy? It’s bigger than those little ones.” Grunts and wails emit from the wind section. The strings whine and screech in return. One of the little observers above makes eye contact with me. I stop my scratching and stare him down, trying to force him to look away. He doesn’t, so I beat my chest and throw out an impressive run or two with my fingers, as an assertion of my dominance. The tuning A tries to re-establish order, but no one backs down. One loud sound trumps another as the cacophony of the pit swells, and we all push our fortissimos, like hands slapping one on top of the other, to see who will be paramount. We would stop nothing short of fecal flinging, were it not for the darkening auditorium and the governing baton. In the blackness, the audience leaves the entertainment below and refocuses its attention to the stage to see if it will present something better than what they’ve just witnessed. Order resumes in the pit once more, as the conductor unfolds the opening lines of the overture.
From Jim W. Miller
It's funny that you think it's coincidence this only happens when you wear that strapless dress.
Posted on February 27, 2007 at 5:42 PM From Carolyn Ohlbaum
Emily,Posted on February 27, 2007 at 5:56 PM I love your description of what goes on in the orchestra pit. That's exactly what happens! I look back on my own experience so far, and I've loved every single bit of it. If I had to pick out some of the most exciting moments, I think I would choose playing in the pit. One of the highlights for me was playing at the Kennedy Center for the Berlin Ballet! Nureyev danced!!
From Linda Lerskier
"He doesn’t, so I beat my chest and throw out an impressive run or two with my fingers, as an assertion of my dominance."Posted on February 27, 2007 at 9:43 PM What are you a gorilla? :) I always thought so. Only gorilla would have such an obsession with salmon... Funny, I'm reading this right after a three hour long pit rehearsal. *cough* Okay, so I was 1.5 hours late. *mumbles something about a Yahoo and boating posters* And it just so happened two other violins were gone too. Hey, we can't stand the brass.
From Emily Grossman
Jim, if I'm going to assert myself as concertmaster, I must do my best to dress the part, musn't I? ;)Posted on February 27, 2007 at 10:38 PM Linda, you will only defeat the brass with sheer numbers. Do your best to arrive early and stake out your territory, and enlist reinforcements if at all possible. One on one, you won't stand a chance. Sharpen up on your death glare; it is your best weapon.
From Neil Cameron
Oooo look, that one's wearing a strapless dress!
Posted on February 28, 2007 at 12:23 AM From Tom Holzman
Maybe Soldotna needs a zoo. I suspect you have a few nominees for the primate cages and perhaps the reptile house.
Posted on February 28, 2007 at 12:30 AM From Charlie Caldwell
What a fantastic description.
Posted on February 28, 2007 at 12:41 AM From Emily Grossman
Actually, I just got an idea involving gorillas that redefines the term "concert black"... What fun!
Posted on February 28, 2007 at 1:07 AM From Mellisa Nill
It's all fun and games until the pianist starts flinging poo...
Posted on February 28, 2007 at 2:51 AM From Jim W. Miller
“What’s that, Daddy? It’s bigger than those little ones.”Posted on February 28, 2007 at 4:05 AM “Look, those two are playing together, aren’t they cute?” “Can we feed them?” “Don’t lean over the edge, dear, you might fall in!” From Terez Mertes
Emily, you crack me up.
Posted on February 28, 2007 at 1:43 PM From Linda Lerskier
!!! JIM!Posted on March 1, 2007 at 8:24 PM My moose finds it upsetting he was not included in any blog for yours for quite a while.
From Emily Grossman
Ah, but you are mistaken, Linda. The moose is playing the lead role in the musical.Posted on March 1, 2007 at 10:51 PM He makes an excellent Belle. This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments. |
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