"VISION" REHEARSAL DIARIES

The littlest sentry--Mozart "Barney Fife" Smallwood. "Why are you sitting next to Angie, Vanessa? Oh. I forgot You're a soprano, now. Carry on...and watch your pitch." 
When, by virtue of his bionic hearing, he is not announcing that someone is at the door, he's walking around as if to make sure we're singing our parts correctly. Then, he goes back to his post at Richard's feet, under the piano, and surveys the room. He will often come out, especially if we're drilling the same part or notes, take center stage, open his tiny mouth as widely as he can, and "sing", too. He tends to suffer from separation anxiety, though. He hasn't quite differentiated when we're just standing up to sing, from when we're standing up to pray and leave when rehearsal is over. Poor little thing just freaks out: "No! Where are you all going? Sit down, all of you! Sing! Play something, Richard! Don't let them escape!" 

I love listening to my "Vision" rehearsal memos--the music and the conversation..."Classical, classical, classical..."
"Oh. My bad. I had jazz hands..."
"No. You didn't do it right..."
"Mozart, please, Sir, come here sit down, chill..." 
"Almost 20 years...for real?"  
Richard: People always ask, "So. Do you have different people?" I say no. I mean, you know, we lost two...
Sharon: And we graduate to the HEAVENLY choir when we leave up outta here!...We go from HERE to GLORY! lolol 
Richard: Especially people in the industry. They were like, well, how are the same people still with you? I say because they're dedicated... 
Sharon: 'Cause RICHARD is the same. He doesn't get crazy and new and mental like some other celebrities...We don't get cussed out, we don't get stuff thrown at us, we don't have to sleep on the floor, six to a motel...lolololol
Maurette: So, like seriously. Poppa is a big deal...I hope we never take for granted just how humongous this man here is..." 
~"Vision" Rehearsal Diaries