Well mostly I'm afraid the "nice" will stop if I make waves. I don't like to cause disruption... offstage I prefer not to draw attention to myself, it tends to draw fire, as it did when I was asking questions early on and got the "It's not all about you" speches and stuff. I don't like to be trouble. I have the same drawing focus problem in real life as on the stage and I find it rather embarrassing. Yes I know that's peculiar given my choice in hobbies.

Also I tried the clearing the air thing at Earnstine's house the other day, I was the last one there when we were leaving. I appologized profusely for whatever it was I'd done to offend her. That's when she said that she doesn't hate me, and she isn't mad... she says I make her laugh... but I got the impression from Burt (standing behind her) that she was lying... and it certainly didn't make the making me sit down while she played my part for me to copy stop, in fact it started happening more.

Anyhow... I'm not expecting disaster... Jack seems to have stopped brooding and declaring intent to discard all direction now that he has a different costume and tho I am expecting it might diverge from the script several times... I know we can cover for it, since we know where things tend to break down, and barraled thru them in final dress. I'm nearsighted and I don't wear contacts so I've got no way to see Ernstine glaring from the front row... like she always is... which is a big help.

Thanks for the support... I'll let you know how it goes.

And don't forget that every mistake is also an opportunity. You can learn a lot from having to improvise to cover someone elses line problems.

Wow, am I lucky.  My wife and I have just begun our fifth production together, this being the third time I've directed her, although it will be the first time since we wed in February.  I am a better director for having worked with her.  I know I leave myself open to critisism for nepotism,  but her performances defy negative reviews.  Thus far, there seems to be no hard feelings or bitterness, but that could change now that we have the same last name and folks can put two and two together after 5 minutes with the program. I treat her the same as any of my actors...I kiss her butt as often as possible.  I also know that when I'm not getting what I what from someone in a particular scene, 99% of the time it's my fault for not better communicating my thoughts to them. 

Sometimes working together works for people and sometimes it doesn't, but it sure doesn't help when one spouse or the other is un-professional (I consider those I work with in CT to be non-professionals), uncooperative, or just plain untalented as an actor or director.   

I would have loved to have seen the "hooked together" thing. 

I don't mean Tech day... I mean any rehersals with Tech. We had Tech Day and then Final Dress and that was it with any kind of tech: mics, remote controlled props, set changes... anything.