What a week! We have been rehearsing hard and we were able to not only get the entire show staged, but even a first run of the show in by Sunday! Considering that most of us met Jared on Tuesday this is a huge triumph! We even did a little cast bonding, taking Jared out for his first Chicago style pizza experience (Lou Malnati's) on Saturday night, and sharing a large table full of mexican food and several large pitchers of margaritas on Sunday after the run. I guess we all had a good time too because we were planning other outings for the near future-a Cubs game seems to be high on the list. I was extremely impressed with the work these actors are doing under very trying circumstances. Jared was off book for an entire play he had in his possession less than a week, and Sadieh, Patrick, and Cheryl were knocking scenes out of the park that we haven't touched in two weeks. More than anything though, I just can't get over how funny this play is. It really says something about the writing, but also about the talent of the cast. The fact that PJ and I, along with our Stage Managers are still laughing to the point of tears on a very regular basis is really something. It makes me so excited for the opening!

The set is looking great as well, and it has been nice to be able to work on the rake, lockers, and chairs-and we are all eager to see the lights and projections, and start working with the costumes (especially the tear-away pieces). The actors are putting on their dancy-pants tonight to polish up "Freedom" and then we are back to the nitty-gritty.

~Jason Gerace, Assistant Director