last day of class luncheon

discombobulation

ambulation

Second Rehearsal - Waltzing with Kitri

Here's an annotated synopsis of my role, and what I've rehearsed so far.

Prologue: Driven by the vision of Dulcinea, the tarnished, yet inspired, Don Quixote begins his adventures with his trusty squire Sancho Panza in tow.

Tarnished, yet inspired. Story of my life, really. The first rehearsal was a lot of fun working out this scene with Sancho. I enter with a large tome and candle, sit at a table and leaf though two pages before I clasp my hand to my heart and gaze off into the hair, grasping at a vision with my right hand. I blow out the candle and nod off. Sancho has stolen a roast chicken from the kitchen and runs in to avoid the scullery maids. He ducks under the table and the tablecloth conceals him. I shoo off the maids with a gesture after they wake me up. Sancho creeps into view and I seize him by the scruff of the neck. I laugh when I realize whom I've caught, and then have an idea. I show him a few lines from the book, draw my sword from its scabbard, and gesture to him to kneel. He cowers as I dub his posterior and then rises to his knees. I proffer the blade to kiss after kissing it myself and he smooches it. He helps me into my armour and helmet, hands me my lance and shield, and we saunter off upstage right.


Act I: Sevilla. Kitri, Lorenzo's daughter, is in love with Basilio. Much to her chagrin, she learns of her father's plans to marry her to Gamache, a foppish nobleman. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza enter the village, causing great commotion. Noticing Kitri, Don Quixote wonders if he has, at last, found his Dulcinea. At the height of merriment, Kitri and Basilio, aided by their friends, Espada and Mercedes, sneak off followed by Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Gamache and Lorenzo attempt to pursue the young couple.

Here I have a waltz with Kitri which we rehearsed on Tuesday, our second rehearsal and the first with just me and the ballerinas. I think I did okay, but watching Won-mi correct her students and dance my role made me realize that my job is just to make them all look good. That's going to be easy!

Act II. Scene 1: Gypsy Camp. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza discover the fleeing couple in a friendly gypsy camp. All are inspired by the romance of the night. As the vision of Dulcinea appears to him, Don Quixote realizes Kitri is not his "ideal", but indeed belongs with Basilio. Suddenly the wind gains momentum. Don Quixote foolishly attacks a windmill, believing it to be a giant threatening Dulcinea's safety. Failing miserably, he collapses into a deep sleep.

We haven't rehearsed this yet. I can't wait to get at that windmill!

Act II, Scene 2: The Dream. Don Quixote has an enchanted dream of beautiful maidens in which the image of Kitri symbolizes his Dulcinea.

We rehearsed this scene on Tuesday as well, and if you've ever been in love, in love with a dancer, or just loved dancing, it would tug at your heartstrings as it did at mine. I am asleep on my back and rise to a vision of ballerinas dancing me here and there. I just walk, luckily enough, which is pretty straightforward: left foot, right foot and repeat. Stop, turn, hold my arms out, and walk again. I think I've got it.

That's as far as we've rehearsed. No rehearsal last night as Won-mi's gone to Seoul. She thinks she'll be back in time for Ella's kindergarten performance on Saturday, so I'll call her then and invite her to join us for dinner afterwards. I want to talk about my motivation. Do dancers do that?

Act II. Scene 3: Sunrise. Lorenzo and Gamache interrupt Don Quixote's dream. Sympathetic to the plight of the young lovers, Don Quixote attempts to lead Lorenzo and Gamache astray.

Act II, Scene 4: A Tavern. Finally discovered, Kitri is forced by Lorenzo to accept the attentions of Gamache. The thwarted Basilio commits "suicide". Upon learning of the farce, Kitri implores Don Quixote to persuade Lorenzo to wed her to the "corpse". Instantly Basilio comes to "life"! Triumphantly, Kitri leaves to prepare for marriage while Don Quixote and Basilio salute Lorenzo and Gamache for stoically accepting the inevitable.

Act III: The Wedding. The village celebrates the marriage. Don Quixote congratulates the couple, bids them a warm "farewell", and resumes his ever-lasting adventures.

First Rehearsal

Last night Ella's ballet school began rehearsals for their production of Don Quixote, and guess what I'm doing? Yes, indeed. I will be miming the role of the delusionary superannuated hispanic gentleman himself. All went well and I think it's going to be a lot of fun working with Sancho Panza for the next six weeks. I tried to explain to Won-mi, the choreographer and Ella's teacher, that I hadn't danced on stage since 1993 and she said that I had done very well. I hope I don't drop the lance!

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