Hey everyone. Well, it's official:
Follow The Light 2009 will now be
Follow The Light 2010. Yeah, the director and I had a major discussion last night, and we came to the conclusion that it would be too much of a rush to try and put the show of this magnitude in time for December, as well as a bit foolhardy to attempt it when aspects of the production such as casting, scheduling and funding weren't exactly falling into place as we'd hoped. It's a longer story than this, but I don't wish to go into it here. All I can say is: it's shelved. And we've broken the news to the cast and crew, which is why I'm writing about this here.
Personally, I'm both relieved and immensely disappointed. The former because it
was beginning to get very overwhelming. The latter for obvious reasons; a part of me is thinking, "There we go, that familiar refrain: next year. Next year. Next year." Unfortunately it can only be staged during Christmastime, which is the problem, ain't it, with seasonal productions, heh.
Oh well. Next year it will be. Colin, new producer Nora and I have locked in the dates for 2010, and the good news is, Nora is going to continue working with us to get things done for next year well in advance of the production. This includes either retaining the present or securing an alternative venue; sourcing for funding, sponsorships, investments, etc; and pretty much getting a lot more done that we've been able to accomplish in the short period that we've had this year (we started proper work on this sometime around May, right after I got back from Perth). And with more than 12 months to go to our new targeted deadline, it's actually a lot more optimistic that we'll be able to accomplish a quality production. So to many extents, this could be a blessing. Glass half full, eh. And hey, 2010 would mean the show would be revived five years after its
original staging. Kinda serendipitous, in a bittersweet, milestoney kinda way. I'm not sure what I mean by that. Moving on.
Of course, the way we've broken it to the cast is that they have first rights to their characters next year. In other words, if they've been given the role of, say, the Angel Gabriel, the actor shall be the first choice for that role next year, and it will only be recast if and unless our present performer is unable to commit. Only fair, right? :)
Further pluses? I intend to get the demos completed by this year anyway, so the recordings will be more than ready by next year. And with this extra time, I get to work on the scoring of the show, which is something I'd been fretting about for a while now — i.e., how to write all the music out in the short period between now and December.
Another major plus, which I will broach with caution? Time to revisit
The Edge, for an early 2010 staging. Yup. My life revolves around these two productions, and I believe I can only move on when both of them are properly presented. So yah, new discussions will be starting for
The Edge, but don't worry, I've learnt from the past and am continuing to learn, so I will only do
The Edge if it seems feasible; no more rushing and being overeager to accomplish too much. We'll see how it develops, won't we.
A few things are on my mind, though. First off, if my workplace folds — and it could very well do — what would I do for money? I'm very inclined to return to
what I attempted last year, which was to go freelance and work part-time and on an as-and-when basis; i.e. work on projects as and when they fall into my lap. Because I don't think I'd be able to start a new job and retain the level of flexibility needed in terms of time to devote to my projects. Yeah, it's a scary decision because of the fact that I'm living out of home now; but it's
because I was living at home, I think, that made it hard last year; that and the fact that
my equipment was new, and I didn't have a
registered company, and my name was relatively unknown (still is, for the most part, though the
Cameronian nomination probably hasn't hurt).
Then, of course, I have to consider: what's going to happen with projects overseas in Perth? On hold? Simultaneous? (I haven't forgotten Eastertime, Judi!!!) ;) What's going to happen to my application for permanent residency, which I was hoping to kickstart next year? Granted, it would take a long time to process and I'd probably still be in the country until after 2010, but it's a bit risky, no? I don't know. I guess we'll cross these bridges when we get to them, though I'm clearly already starting to fret about 'em. Oy vey. Baby steps, Nick. Baby steps.
So that's that for now. Am I still sad right now? A little bit. But at least I can go watch telly, wake up tomorrow for work, come home and chill out without having to stress out about demos and script rewrites and where
FTL is heading. Because I can at least take a few deep breaths now and give myself a little more space and time to do what I need to do to make
FTL the truly kickass rockin' musical it's going to be in 2010. And if I accomplish
The Edge along the way, hey, what a bonus. Wish me luck, everyone. I've got all my chins up.
Not a big fan of last season's hubby-killing subplot, and still waiting to see where this year's five-year leap forward will take us, in season five of Ghost Whisperer.
May the drama, romance, minor quibbling and full-blown fights over dinner parties continue in the fourth season of 
Based on the book and the movie (and also a musical), Eastwick is the story of three women who become witches in their charming little town.. and then get seduced by a mysterious stranger into using their powers for good — or evil. Charmed-like and whimsical, this show has received mixed reviews, but I like it, and I think I'll follow it as long as it lasts.
Courtney Cox is back into comedy and is in top (albeit more mature) form in Cougar Town. She takes on the risque role of a mother in her 40s who is trying to get back into the world of relationships and sex as she takes on a younger lover and tries not to embarrass her teenage son. I quite liked the pilot and will see where the next few episodes take us.
A smart-ass but likeable lawyer finds out his law degree is a fake and has to go to Community college, where he sets up a fake study group to meet a girl he fancies. However, a ragtag bunch of misfits — including comedy vet Chevy Chase — decide to join the study group, too... and hilarity ensues. It's quirky, sharp and smartly written, so I'm liking it!
Jenna Elfman and Ashley Jensen are two of the stars of this half-hour laugh-track sitcom, Accidentally On Purpose, about a film critic who's involved with her boss, and then gets knocked up by a younger man who decides to remain part of her life. Critically panned, I was surprised that I actually liked the pilot, enough for me to at least watch, even if not faithfully, the remaining episodes that would make it to air.
The story of three families — an old man with a hot young wife and young child; a regular family with three kids; and a gay couple with an adopted Vietnamese baby — Modern Family is a sitcom that has been hailed as the best of the new TV shows launching this season. Yet I didn't think it was that great, and wasn't nearly entertained enough to decide if I like it. I guess a few more episodes will tell. But maybe it's the mockumentary style, used increasingly in tv shows these days, that's putting me off. Still, ten thousand tv critics can't be wrong, right? Right...?
A highly entertaining show about a doctor who inadvertently gets roped into the super-exclusive, super-rich world of the Hamptons and becomes an in-demand on-call doctor. But he's one of the "regular" people, and is interested in a "regular" admin nurse. Oooo. Conflict of ethics, romance, comedy and medical drama reign supreme in Royal Pains!
Grisly, intriguing and addictive, Fringe is a terrific supernatural/sci-fi series about an FBI team who investigates the paranormal: "fringe science", as it were. Season 2 has just commenced; I'm midway playing catch-up through season 1 right now!
A blond, superficial model-wannabe gets killed the same time plus-sized brilliant lawyer Jane is shot. Consequently, said blond, superficial model-wannabe wakes up... and finds herself trapped in plus-sized brilliant lawyer Jane's body. Hilarity ensues in the midst of clever courtroom drama in Drop Dead Diva!
She's compassionate, intelligent and efficient: a person to admire and whom you can trust with your life — except she's also a drug addict, liar, thief and husband-cheater. She's the awesome Nurse Jackie, in this dark comedy series that shows you that in the world of medicine, not everyone is necessarily "professional"...
What happens when three people who are housemates also happen to be a vampire, werewolf and ghost? An intriguing, fascinating and entertaining BBC series, all about Being Human.
A supernatural/sci-fi series about Special Branch agents who have to retrieve artifacts that have super, mystical, dangerous powers that could be used for eviiill, and store them in Warehouse 13. Mindless fun.
A crazy, clever and rip-roaringly hilarious series about some corporate folks and two lab scientists who work for Veridian Dynamics, a global multi-billion-dollar conglomerate that develops... well... we're not sure what. But this workplace comedy is insane — and in an awesome way. We're all Better Off Ted!
