Last night was a big night for cast and crew of A Streetcar Named Desire. It was our first rehearsal! Our director, Rod Pilloud, asked that production crew be present for the beginning of rehearsal so that all members of this great show could get to know each other. Those production team members who were present were introduced and invited to share a bit about what they have been working on.

(click on a photo in the gallery for a larger image)

First up was Theatre Northwest’s resident composer Allan Loucks. Allan is such a gifted composer, and he is underscoring this production with original work. He had put some of his work-in-progress up for us to sample, and I must confess that until this morning I had not taken the time to listen to it. But after the small taste he shared with us last night, I was intrigued, and took the time this morning. And this is what I have to say: if you are a jazz lover, you have got to come see this play. Sax player Peter Rockas will be featured on much of the prerecorded music, and, well, words fail me. I am going to connect with Allan to see if we can get a sample up on this blog to entice you. Until then, trust me. With Peter playing in the prerecorded music and cast member Darren Struthers playing sax live on stage…Wow.

Next, Sarah Mosher brought her costume drawings and talked a bit about the costume colors and textures. Sarah has students from Seattle Pacific helping her with this show, which we all appreciate. Then our own Tracy Berryman brought in a few props for a show and tell. Tracy and I had spent the afternoon deep underground, pulling props and furniture from Broadway Center’s collection in the sub basement, so we were a little grimy, but Tracy is always happy to share what her research has shown are appropriate belongings for the time period and the characters in each play.

All in all, it was a good night. We have a fantastic cast and it is only going to get better from now on. And tonight…fight choreography! I’m bringing the camera!