Avengers (extras) Assemble!

I woke early this morning, to attend the casting call for extras in the new Avengers movie to be filmed in downtown Cleveland in August.  Since I missed the call yesterday, this was the last chance.  The only request was to dress in business attire.  So I went with by recently pressed black suit, and bold blue dress shirt with a colorful tie, and my black patent leather shoes.

 I arrived early for the 10:00AM start (I thought), arriving at the hotel before 9:30AM, but should have known when I was already re-directed out into another business parking lot, that I was going to be far back in line.  At the time I had no idea how far back in line.

But everyone was in good spirits, despite the high temps, beating Sun, and hot pavement.  Much talk about movies, and in particular superhero movies, kept things lively.  About halfway though the waiting line, the hotel staff sent out some employees with a cart of cool waters for $2.00.  They radioed back that they needed more.

Finally at about 12:45PM my group of 30 was allowed in the hotel.  We filled out an easy application sheet requesting only the most basic of contact information (blue sheets for boys, pink for girls!), age, height, etc.  Then they had everyone line up, take a number (mine was in the 2200's, and I think they started the morning at 0001!), and two at a time they snapped our photos.  Then I was done.  This part of the process only required about ten minutes.  I was back in my car by 1:10PM. 

Whether or not I actually get called, it was just fun to see the process, and have tried out.

McDoogle

Wicked!

For a special present we went to see the Broadway production of 'Wicked' in Cleveland's theatre district, at majestic State Theatre of Playhouse Square. And 'Wicked' did not disappoint!

I had heard the music from the CD previously so I had the general gist of the storyline going in. But to see the production live was really quite a treat. Actors were great. The stages and costumes were amazing. And everything was a delightful tint of green.

At our performance, the role of Elphaba was played by the understudy Stephanie Torns. But she was perfect in the role. Very believable. And her interaction with Glinda was perfect and very natural, witty, humorous and well timed. As the scorned loner of Dear Old Shiz she portrayed a strong will in standing up for yourself in the light of adversity. She has a strength of conviction which continues throughout the story even standing up to the great Wizard of Oz himself, and his propaganda machine.

Of course my favorite songs are 'Popular' and 'Defying Gravity'. One surprise that I didn't pick up from listening to the CD was that while in Act I Elphaba sings 'I'm Not That Girl', in Act II it's Glinda sing the reprise.

A good time to mention Glinda. Played by Chandra Lee Schwartz was incredible. Such a bubble headed bleach blonde. Her portrayal was so funny and spot on. And yet, as the story progresses, Glinda grows into a mature responsible adult/witch herself. I wasn't expecting a story about the importance of friendship and yet Elphaba and Glinda despite all their differences and even their shared love for Fiyero, end as trusted friends.

I also enjoyed Randy Danson's Madame Morrible. And Ben Liebert played Boq well, but that character really turned out to be a superficial snot.

I did not care for the acting of Richard Kline as the Wizard. I don't think it had anything to do with the Wizard turning out to be a power hungry manipulator. I just didn't think he did a good job, and the performance was lack luster. Although I never cared for him much as Jack Tripper's neighbor Larry on Three's Company either.

Overall, it was a grande December Saturday afternoon, and I encourage everyone to catch 'Wicked' if you can. Even if you have to Defy Gravity!

McDoogle