Music Always in Rehearsal at The Second City Los Angeles
The Second City Training Center Los Angeles is situated on Hollywood Blvd. among a great many clubs, restaurants, bars and shops. There is only public parking available, yet we all manage to convene rather punctually…students, teachers, audience…7 days and nights a week. It isn’t unusual for all the studios to be occupied with classes and rehearsals, plus a full house in the theatre for the show in progress. Where did we all park?? (Why didn’t I get into the parking game, the way Onassis once decided that shipping was so expensive, it was the very business he should be in?)
The conservatory-level-5 class shown in the accompanying photo has just finished rehearsal of a song that we all co-created: “We’re the Generation of Instant Gratification,” which explores chronic impatience from many angles. This number will kick off their show, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” opening September 11, 2009 at The Second City Studio Theatre.
As each level-5 ensemble performs its 7-week run, other classes create and rehearse material for their own revues to follow. The train never stops, yet my musical-director job remains interesting. “Process” never seems to get old – especially when my collaborators are the latest, clever graduates of The Second City.
Back Row: Danni Katz, Darren Meekin, Peter Hinga, Paul Leo Dietz, Benny Harris
Front Row: Michael Pollock, Laura Barbera, Cristina Cimellaro, Ithamar Enriquez (director)
