OFF AND RUNNING (OR SINGING)

Yesterday's rehearsal was great. We did a read/sing thru of the entire show and it was exciting having it all put together for the first time. Everyone sounds terrific and we‘re doing some more book work — changes seem to never stop when creating a world premiere as everyone is working to make it the best it can be. Jenn, our script assistant, sits right by Kathie Lee's side taking notes and making changes minute by minute. It’s really great hearing Carolee's voice sing these songs again and blowing the roof of the theater. I know I keep saying this to folks, but people are going to be very surprised by this show. They may think they know about Kathie Lee, but after seeing this show, folks will discover the true artist that she really is. Today we hit the opening number, so it’s really begun...

As promised, I’m posting the first song from the demo CD so you can get a taste of the music. Kathie Lee wrote all the lyrics and the music was co-written by David Pomeranz and David Freidman. We’ve got Bruce Coughlin working on new orchestrations for our production — we’ll be using a 13-piece orchestra. The song that I’m sharing is the title song of the show, SAVING AIMEE, sung by Florence Lacey. Flo was part of our workshop production in 2005 and is appearing in the show at Signature playing the role of Minnie Kennedy, Aimee Semple McPherson’s mother. Minnie sings this song after Aimee has been admitted to a mental asylum.

Click here to launch the MP3 file of SAVING AIMEE.

—ES