The Cadi Corner: I Love I Hate Hamlet!

I Hate Hamlet is open yippee hooray! We have successfully survived another changeover. Oh, what’s that? You don’t know what a changeover is you say? You would like to hear about this fabled event? Oh, alright I’ll tell you all about it. "Changeover" or, "why Michael Domue drinks reason no. 59", is the transition period between shows here at the Pole. It is when we the staff take down the closing show, and put up the new show. We have roughly 24 hrs to get it all done and it encompasses several different phases. The first of which is the gypsy run.

If you were to stumble upon the rehearsal hall at 10:30 every other Sunday morning, you would find yourself at what we call a gypsy run which is our official kickoff to changeover. What is a gypsy run you may ask? Well, "Gypsy Run" is an old Broadway term for the final run before opening, at which they would extend invitations to fellow show people, usually gypsies (dancers), who would not get another chance to see the show.

At a Totem Pole gypsy run you will see all our designers and crew members, as well as visiting friends and cast members of the closing show, all squeezed into whatever space is left in and around our re-hall. The carpenters, painters, costumers, and sound wizards have been working tirelessly so the gypsy run can be as close to the final product as possible. Most of the I Hate Hamlet set was installed into the hall so that our actors could get used to sword fighting on a staircase and maneuvering around a suit of armor. The back porch becomes our "quick change" area. That is, if an actor has to change costumes in less than five minutes, they do it outside, but we don’t want them showing their breakfast specials to Caledonia golfers and park rangers, so we put up dressing screens for privacy.

After the gypsy run we enter phase two which I will explain in my next blog. Speaking of future plans, are you still trying to find the perfect way to celebrate this Saturday? Well, what better way to celebrate our country’s birth than to come to the theatre and watch a show about an American hatin’ on a sissy, tights -wearin’ writer from the motherland? This play is more exciting than a reenactment! We’ve got pyrotechnics, fire, swordfights, supernatural phenomena, and don’t forget –jokes! So show your patriotic pride and come laugh your firecrackers off at Totem Pole this Fourth of July! We’ve even got a good ole American discount! Buy two tickets for the July 4th or 5th shows for only $33. Two tickets for $33 in honor of USA’s 233rd birthday…get it? God bless totem pole, and God bless America!