It is almost midnight and it feels like I haven't slept in a week... I think everybody is feeling that way after the amazing dress rehearsals we had today! 

It was a day of extreme focus and intensity as our entire cast and crew were preparing for the dress rehearsals, scheduled to start at 6 PM local time.  From the early morning, our creative team (hair, make-up, wardrobe) had been setting up their stations, arranging the work flow, and preparing for launch.  The theater team were also operating in full force preparing for opening night, the VIP lounge, and the other million and one details that must be attended to.  After morning rehearsals, the entire cast had to report to hair/make-up by 3 PM to begin the process of transforming to their A DREAM OF ARABIA characters. 

I spent the afternoon working with our stage manager and crew to make sure we are ready for the first "show".  There was a certain intensity, even electricity, in the air as more than 50 people worked tirelessly with laser-sharp focus in the final minutes before the call for "curtain-up" was made.  Our creative team was split on two floors with 3 dressing rooms, 1 costume shop, 1 massive hair studio, and 2 make-up wings.  Of course there was a delay because the cast was not done with hair!  According to our head hair stylist there were electrical problems in the studio but knowing him, he wasn't about to let anyone on the stage with one strand of hair out of place!  The next two hours were pure magic as the culmination of months of work came together in a brilliant performance.  Chicago, we're ready! 

Here are some photos from the day...