What Am I, Nuts??

I wonder if this sick feeling in the gut is common to all directors. I didn't get it with "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." Probably because it's a smaller show, and it doesn't have to be good--as long as the kids are cute, all else is gravy.

But for my first full-length play, I've chosen an American Classic, "All My Sons." I picked it for several reasons:

It's topical, what with the Prez's war, and all.
It has only one set and a small cast.
I figured that experienced dramatic actors would come out of the woodwork, glad of the chance to perform in such a play.
I thought it was a simple little play, character-driven.
There's no food.
Nobody stopped me by saying, "Maybe you should hold off on this one until you have a bit more experience. Why not start with something easy?"

The first two are still true. The third never happened. The actors playing Kate Keller, Ann Deever and Jim Bayliss fall into that category, but the others don't. The actress playing Sue Bayliss is has only done one show with us at Sam Bass, and her background seems to be mainly musicals. My Joe Keller never expected to find himself playing Joe, and has done a lot of comedy over the years, but this is his first dramatic role and it's giving him fits. My Chris Keller has done three shows in his life; one in high school, one in college, and one at church. My George Deever has never set foot on a stage before, and I have a couple of very talented high school kids playing Frank and Lydia Lubey.

I am blessed with this cast.

I am also blessed with the folks who have helped me get the show to this point. Michael Johnson has worked for hours on my set, with help from the cast and a few relatives. He has also programmed my lights. (Are you reading, Robbie?) Tracie Storie is doing artwork. Melissa Mora and Mary Zeh have been sewing costumes. Lynn Beaver is doing the hats.

When it all comes together, it will be thanks to all of you. If it doesn't, it's because I don't know what the heck I'm doing.