Hi to all who read this. 

Until this past Sunday I was stage managing the musical "Company".  On Sunday the director made the decision to turn the show over to me (she has been undergoing chemo and the side affects were worsening).  The cast, Music Director and Choreographer have had no problem with me stepping in.   And I feel capable and competent to direct it, just overwhelmed. And  here are some of the "challenges"  that I am dealing with

1. I work full time running an Air Conditioning company in Arizona - enough said at this time of year.
2. The first 4 weeks of rehearsals were very poorly planned and executed therefore we are behind, we open June 10th.  In hindsight I think the director was hoping that her condition would improve and she would be able to  make up for the losses. And no I cannot speak to her about her ideas or the direction she was heading.  In fact those who have worked with her in the past knew that she was not herself and that things were not right.   I myself have known her for a few years but have never worked with her.  I too knew there were problems and also knew that I might have to step in sooner or later - guess I was hoping for later.
3. The music director is a full time software engineer and a part time jazz keyboardist. This marks his first time music directing though according to him he played music once for a show!  During rehearsal he can barely BANG out the notes let alone the melody etc.  The cast is frustrated.  I now have a proficient rehearsal accompianist helping out and luckily someone who has music directed so perhaps we can get some dynamics and emotions into the songs.
4. The choreographer is a dancer and has never taught before through the dancing seems to be going well.  She is having a hard time remembering or referring to her notes as to the confines/restrictions of the set. 
5. I am stuck with a set that probably is not the best for a show that has to move so quickly and smoothly. 
6. I am trying my best not to change what has been done but make everything work. 

Writing this all down has actually helped reduce my stress... BUT if anyone has done this show and can share any kind of ideas, thoughts etc. I am all ears!!!!  Just feeling so overwhelmed and underprepared I guess I could use inspiration right now.

Thank you,

Susan

You have got over the first hurdle by sharing it with others, as you said it helps with focus to write it down most times!

You have identified the area of concern & obviously rectifying them.

Look at the production as the total of it?s sums, made up of seperate elements, thread them together with the story & watch the pieces fall into place, like a jigsaw.

One piece I always use to remind me ?what we are about? is from T S Eliot?s 'The Cocktail Party'.

"To approach the stranger,

is to invite the unexpected.

To let the genie out of the bottle

is to start a new train of events,

beyond your control!" 

I hope this helps!

Chookas Sussan 

Thank you very much for your words!  I have printed out the quote and will refer to it....often.