Fish and Cloud

I've been sitting on this image for a while, not quite sure what it meant or it's relevance to the show. Well, the ever-present rain cloud is an overarching image in the show; it is mentioned at the top with the death of CB's dog, and eventually becomes a palpable part of the final scene - CB's emotional release.

"When my dog died, that was when the rain cloud came back and everything went to hell..."

As the music reached the end, he drops the soggy letter and, embracing his own private rain cloud, cries.

Right now, I'm playing with the rain cloud image, incorporating it into the world.

Brick Wall Images

Basic Brick color as indicated by the top image. The B&W gives a better idea of the non-specific kind of graffiti in mind. In color, of course.

Emo Images - Beethoven

Pet Graves

Piano Images

Pyro Images

Some Inspiration Pix

-I really like the lonelyness of the boy and the forced perspective of the lockers.
-Another doghouse.
-Good 'Ol Charlie Brown.

"Fire Is Bad" Idea Sketches

So, here are is an early idea for "Fire Is Bad." A simple counter separates two chairs. Light, utilitarian colors. A wall upstage suggests the hospital, thin bead foam scored to suggest tiling/padding. Homemade 'Doctor is IN' sign attached. Unit on casters, naturally.

Dog Kennel Ideas

Scene Breakdown & Location Information

Dog Sees God

I. Dear Pen Pal
Loc: Unspecified/Limbo/Monologue Light

II. Canis Exequiae
Loc: CB's Backyard
Set: Small wooden cross on mound of dirt

III. Nirvana
Loc: Sad remnant of a brick wall
Note: CB and Van sit on wall

IV. Where Swine Live
Loc: School (hallway?)
Time: Thursday morning

V. The Pianist and the Platypus
Loc: School (hallway?)
Time: Thursday, Lunch Period

VI. Spork
Loc: School Cafeteria
Time: Lunch Period
Set: Table, chairs/stools, seats 4+

VII. Segue I Suppose
Loc: Unspecified/Limbo/Monologue Light

VIII. The Viper's Nest
Loc: Music Room at School
Time: Lunch Period
Set: Piano

IX. Drama
Loc: Unspecified/Limbo/'Stage?'
Note: CB's Sister's Performance Piece. BAD. Very bad.

X. You're Invited!
Loc: Marcy's Parent's House
Time: Evening/Night
Note: A lot of beer spilled as action throughout scene

XI. Nocturne
Loc: Unspecified/Limbo

XII. The Hangover
Loc: Marcy's Parent's House
Time: Next Morning (Matt: "the sun's in my eyes")
Note: Marcy, Matt, and Patricia 'sitting on the ground'

XIII. Fire is Bad
Loc: Psych Ward
Time: Visiting Hours
Set: Looks like booth, chair, seat for Van's Sister, 'Doctor is IN' Sign
Note: CB and Van's Sister need to be able to have physical contact (hug)
Note: Sound of cell door closing as CB leaves

XIX. Our Sister of Mercy
Loc: Unspecified/Limbo
Note: Van and CB's Sister need a place to sit

XV. Salisbury Steak
Loc: School Cafeteria
Time: Lunch Period
Set: Table, chairs/stools, seats 4+

XVI. Warsaw War Song
Loc: Unspecified/Limbo/Monologue Light
Note: Seamless transition into Scene XVII

XVII. Mal Di Luna
Loc: Music Room at School
Time: Lunch Period
Set: Piano
Note: Need to see Beethoven's face as he plays the piano
Note: Matt climbs on piano
Note: Beethoven's head gets slammed into the keyboard
Note: Beethoven's hands get slammed under the piano lid

XVIII. Taphephobia
Loc: Unspecified/Limbo/Monologue Light

XIX. Peer Counseling
Loc: Classroom
Set: desks/seats for 5+
Note: CB 'hits the wall'

XX. Changing Evolution
Loc: Unspecified/Limbo/Monologue Light (CB and Cb's Sister)
Note: Seamless transition into Scene XXI

XXI. Brothers and Sisters
Loc: CB's Backyard
Set: Red Doghouse, "old and covered with cobwebs, creating a mausoleum-like presence"
Note: CB and CB's Sister climb and sit on top of doghouse

XXII. Dear CB...
Loc: Unspecified/Limbo
Set: Cast in semi-circle around CB
Set: Staging calls for each character to pose at certain set pieces (brick wall, piano)
Note: It rains only on CB, centerstage


Location Breakdown (as scripted):
9 - Unspecified/Limbo/Monologue Light
2 - CB's Backyard
2 - School Hallway
2 - Cafeteria
2 - Music Room
2 - Marcy's Parent's House
1 - Brick Wall
1 - Psych Ward
1 - Classroom


Thoughts:
- I'd like to discuss bringing the Brick Wall 'location' back for Scenes XI and XIV

- I think we need to bring a sittable into the Marcy's Parent's House scenes. I know the stage directions indicate sitting on the floor, but we'll gain a lot for sightline and staging purposes. Also, it will give us an object to ground and set the scene.

- More brainstorming on the piano in the Music Room scenes. Do we need an actual piano? Hide a keyboard in a custom-build body? Are we hoping our Beethoven will know how to play the piano? Mini Baby Grand vs. Upright, etc.

- Are we planning on staging the final scene as scripted with the brick wall and piano? And sans rain, I suppose. Damn. I really like that imagery.