Rehearsal

[plumtreeblossom]

Last night we finally did the blocking for my big scene (which, incedentally, is my only scene). My part is easy. I come on, everyone bows down to me, I talk haughty smack for a while, and I'm done. It was great to see everyone, and get some shoulder rubs and hugging in.

At one point I found myself wondering if, come performance time, I would have anxiety attacks backstage like I did with Merry Wives and the Cabaret. But at the time of those shows, there was a specific cause for the anxiety, and that cause is more or less out of my life now, so I see no reason to worry that it will happen again. Someone, I don't remember who, mentioned backstage that eating a banana before a performance helps inhibit the production of a certain brain chemical that causes nervousness. If anyone reading knows about that, let me know if I'm remembering correctly.

My Russian accent sounds like ass. At times it's coming out almost Irish-y. But I think I and the other fake Russian will be getting some guidance from a real Russian this week. Hmmm, there's a new drink idea: a Fake Russian. What would be in it? Alcohol-free vodka and soy milk, maybe?

Totally off topic: If you'd like a near-fatal dose of cuteness this morning, go over to the tuxedocats community and see the fresh new litter of fuzzy baby kittens. Or don't, if you have aversions to a typhoon of adorableness.

Comments

[desultor.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how eating a banana (which is high in potassium) would inhibit adrenaline production, but a couple minutes on google seems to say that the combination of high potassium low sodium helps counteract adrenaline's increase of blood pressure.

A high potassium-low sodium diet reduces the rise in blood pressure during mental stress by reducing the blood vessel constricting effect of adrenaline. Sodium restriction alone does not improve blood pressure control; it must be accompanied by a high potassium intake.

So maybe that's what happens. Of course, I don't know how reliable the sites I saw were.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Still worth a try...

[desultor.livejournal.com]

oh definitely. even if you just *think* eating the banana will help, the placebo effect will probably calm you down a bit. :) besides, not like a banana is a huge financial investment.

unless it's a banana made of heroin!

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

If I were a guy, I could think of a way to sound lascivious when saying "If you're nervous, I think you should eat a banana. :-)

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

What do you mean, your ONLY scene? You can't forget the blintzes!

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but it's really only one long scene from the audience's perspective.

Can't wait for you to bow down to me! :-D

[marius23.livejournal.com]

It's probably the relatively high b-complex vitamins in bananas that are supposed to help with nervousness.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I might just try the experiment. I do like bananas!

[spwebdesign.livejournal.com]

Bananas contain natural beta-blockers. It's well known amongst singers. I don't usually suffer from stage fright, so I can't speak from experience, but I used to be on several mailing lists where this was discussed at length.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, you were the one who told me. I'm going to give it a try. Sort of pathetic since I'm a one-scene-wonder in this show and if I forget a line I can bluff with Russian-sounding gibberish anyway, but I'm going to keep a stock of 'nanas on hand. :-)

[spwebdesign.livejournal.com]

Hey, it's not the size of the part that matters; it's, um, yeah…don't let mdm_sosostris read this comment!

[moodylp.livejournal.com]

My babies are quite handsome arent they??? lol...Im going to be so sad when I give away some..I think Im going to keep 2...The grey one and the one black one that has very little white on his nose..She is the runt and sooooo photogenic...She has the sweetest disposition...Im glad you enjoy them as much as me :) The lady I got my Siamese from is a best friend of mine now, she said she would help me get started whenever I wanted to start breeding them..She has tons of meezers and other adopted kitties...I love going to her house....http://www.pets4you.com/pages/southern.html
Thats her webpage..

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're keeping the gray one! That one is my favorite -- gray tuxies are rather rare, and he reminds me of the gray tuxie named Eugene that we had when I was a tween/teenager. They're all gorgeous, and hopefully you'll find great homes for all of them. (tuxedo cats are popular; I think you'll get some eager takers).

Please post more pix in the Tuxie community as they grow. :-)

The cat in my userpic is Rowley, my crazy cross-eyed rescued Siamese who was abandoned by a former housemate. Anyone who comes to the house gets a lap visit from him. :-)

[http://users.livejournal.com/urban_faerie_/]

once in college I went on a lactose free kick and made myself a soy white russian. I thought it tasted fine once I was drunk but my friends are STILL talking about how nasty it was.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Just about anything tastes fine when we're drunk. :-)

In high school (in the 80s when alcohol was easy for under-age people to get) the drink I invented and adored was Scotch & Gatorade.

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

Ever tried Bach's rescue remedy? Usually helps me somewhat. At whole foods and Harnett's in Harvard Square.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I actually have some of that and used it last time. It didn't really have any effect, though I know a lot of people swear by it.

[moria923.livejournal.com]

Who's the real Russian? I wonder if he/she would be open to listening to me stuble through and destroy the language for a few minutes (otherwise known as practicing conversational Russian?) I actually used to be fluent.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Possibly. I'll introduce you some time if the opportunity comes up.