A New Duck

What is it about Theatreworks and their ducks?  It seems to be the hardest track to cast, and the easiest to lose on the tour.  On Click Clack Moo, our first Duck, Shaun, left us to pursue a fabulous opportunity that awaited him in the city.  He is now shooting a super-secret-but-crazy-big-deal film, and is in a Pizza Hut commercial.  Likewise, our Duck in Duck For President, Jonathan, received word after our second day of shows that he had been cast in the new Off-Broadway show Extraordinary Ordinary, which will be premiering at Theater Row this December.  It's sorta one of those things you don't pass up.  And so he didn't.

Clearly, Theatreworks doesn't mess around when casting their web-footed characters.

Anyway, Molly (Associate Artistic Director), Kevin (Director), Connor (Choreographer) and Matt (Musical Director) worked their magic and got us Matt:

(photo credit: David V.)

Matt comes to us directly from my alma mater: NYU/CAP21.  In fact, when I stalked him via Facebook, I discovered that we have at least 25 friends in common.  So I figured he would be a good guy.  My friends have discerning taste.

In accordance with Equity rules, Matt received four days of rehearsal in New York City with our production staff to learn the show.  Four days to learn what took us about two-and-a-half weeks.  And he didn't have props to handle, set pieces to move or costumes to change.  And, because our show is brand-new, he didn't even have a video to watch.  Yeah.  On top of that, he gets to see a show (or two), and receives a put-in with the cast and whatever props we could muster.  Which isn't a lit.  I don't envy anybody this task.

Matt drove up to Connecticut with us on Columbus Day, as we traveled for a show the next day.  Because our van only seats six, we were joined by a rental car.  We lunched on pizza, learned that Matt is from Trenton and loves apples, and then went looking for rehearsal space.  You see, our hotel's "breakfast nook" would barely fit the cast, not to mention our set pieces and costumes.  David called around, and eventually found a Residence Inn down the road that had a decent-sized conference room at a relatively OK price.  We loaded in, plugged some speakers into David's computer and got ready for some review.  Jonathan was on hand to give pointers.  Matt's instruction to us had been "shove with love."

He didn't need any.

Matt came into our rehearsal with every lyric memorized, every dance step down pat, his blocking locked in and his shifts almost perfect.  It was rather incredible, and I'm fairly sure everybody was completely blown away.  Our whole show down in only four days?!  Look out, New York City!!  Matt Steele is here, and boy is he good.

We grabbed a "Margarita Monday" dinner together, slept away the night in our lovely Holiday Inn Express, and awoke ready to give Jonathan a good sendoff performance.  Our space had a crew (which made loading in and out a cinch), we had a great dressing room in the basement (which had a brutalized prosthetic hand that gave us all a laugh) and the house was full of eager, energetic kids, who were ready to have fun.  Jonathan gave two outstanding performances, the kind we've grown accustomed to.  As much as we are thrilled to have Matt joining us, we'll miss Jonathan a ton.  He's a phenomenal performer, a team player, and an all-around great guy.  He'll always be a part of this Duck for President family.  Best wishes, Jonathan!  We can't wait to see your show when we get back!

Call tomorrow: None.  A glorious, glorious day off in New York City.

Kid Quote of the Day: When we rotated the panel for "Babymouse: The Musical," a little boy squealed in the front row: "That's my favorite!!"

Adult Quote of the Day: At "Margarita Monday," Kristen ordered a hefty meal.  About it, she defended herself: "I'm belting like I'm Patti Lupone, and I'm eating like I'm five people!"  Clearly, that memoir we listened to on the six hour drive has done a number on this company.