Setting the Tempo: 2nd Week of Rehearsal

On Sunday evening, the team met at Mary’s studio across from a sun-drenched Central Park meadow. Spring, April, and the show are all here in earnest.

Though brief, it was a night of discovery, notably: 1) the costume fits, and 2) yes, they do have TV studios in children’s hospitals. Actually, the best insight came during a moment of dual conversations (Mandy and I brainstorming on the one hand, and Mary and Ryan working lines on the other). Hard to believe though it may be, we actually conceptualized a way for the moving the bike around stage—without the contraption in sight. Ryan worked the flashback/monologue section, which Mary decided ought to be acted off the bike. Although I only wrote one section to be off the bike (and this not being it), I really have no qualms with this blocking choice. It’s effective, and it serves the moment and the entire piece better; and this, once again, is why I am not directing it.

But I am the producer, and that means the labor and leg-work. So Ryan has greater access to the bicycle, we’ve moved it and rehearsals to his Harlem apartment.

On Tuesday, I schlepped the Schwinn from Jersey City via PATH and MTA. An ordinary person, would have faced no difficulties, but I am destined for circumstances to align against me. No, it didn’t rain or anything like that, but I did miss three consecutive trains: while struggling through the turnstile, as I was about to enter a car, and when one train just flew by the platform altogether. But I made it, and the next night traveled with the trainer stand.

Ah, that is another issue that we’ve resolved. The resistance the trainer provides is just not enough to accurately simulate the gradient of L’Alpe d’Huez. The bike’s in the highest gear, but Ryan still has to act much of the resistance. One solution was getting a new trainer, which is not cheap. And anyone familiar with this web-blog will say “Hey T-Dexxx, don’t you have a rather puny operating budget?” Yes, my astute reader, you are correct. So, we will work with what we have. And that entails cranking up the contact between the roller and tire, and perhaps rigging up the brakes.

And on Thursday, we rehearsed again, in Harlem this time, and once again with the bike. My script revisions are mostly in place, and Ryan and Mary have worked through about half the play. But more work lies ahead. The list ebbs and flows, as I diligently cross off items only to add new ones. We’re hitting our stride and looking to peak at the right moment.