30 minutes to the show...

Directing, what is it really?
 
Drawing, painting and infusing stories through movement is my first impulse... However, is it just that or is there a lot more to it?

No matter what, ART for me is always spiritual. There is pleasure and pain that comes with it, and between the coffee and M&M's I survive each battle one day at a time. But as we reach the final step of our adventure, I wonder... What have we done? What is our purpose? Song of Solomon has been INTENSE, to say the least. I said yes to the project so suddenly after feeling the incredible passion and energy of Andrew Beall, with so little notice that on the day I accepted directing the show, I immediately made a calendar of work and rehearsals.

Directing is a LABOR OF LOVE, something that guides me, and I will admit I LOVE DOING IT. The last 3 years I have merged myself in it everywhere I could here and internationally. Recently, I was fortunate enough to return to the Broadway stage to perform as an artist but the day after closing Rocky I started my one week 10a-6pm rehearsal marathon as a director.  This sign marks a clear path of where I am heading in the next few years; I WANT TO CHOREOGRAPH AND DIRECT NON-STOP, TELL STORIES ONE GREAT PRODUCTION AT A TIME!

All of this I want to do with my my motto of MAKING ART WITH A PURPOSE.

Recently I received these words from the first person who got me involved in this project:

"You're a dreamer.  You've teamed up with a thinker.  Together, you become bohemians, you embark on the most exhilarating adventure of your lives.  You've committed to the highest of the arts: telling a story onstage..." "And there's no turning back, because every fiber of your being tells you this is it.  This is what you were born to do.  So you go for it.  You write your story, and you're on the brink.  But your vision reaches a bridge, and the only way to cross that bridge is to find a spark of magic, a spark of the divine.  

We are the most fortunate writers on the planet, because our magician is Luis Salgado.  The most passionate, intense, dangerous, fun and honest collaborator who guides us across that bridge with bright eyes.  He grabbed our vision, winked in trust, and jumped out of the plane.  He teaches us every day about our own story, and we can't help but smile, nod, and trust him with our dream of dreams.  He's our friend, our partner, and the director or the world premiere of Song of Solomon.
"

THANK YOU ANDREW FOR THIS.

"Luis is also a magnet that attracts brilliant talent.  The talent and priceless gem of a team that you trust with your life.  The right and left hands, the ones that pick you up and carry you, that listen to you, that advise you, that create with you.  This is the Salgado Productions team of Denisse Ambert, Heather Hogan, and Valeria Cossu.  Every rehearsal with this team is a precious glimpse of Heaven.” 



I could simply not say it better than Andrew, when it comes to my team. I am so lucky to do what I love and count with GREAT PEOPLE. ON top of it, this cast of crazy amazing actors inspires magic each day with the hard work.

NYC is a complicated place to say yes to a FESTIVAL PRODUCTION that barely pays you... It is a LABOR OF LOVE. It has to be.

I respect each and every one of the talented actors who basically give their time to the production for LOVE, for the MATERIAL and for the THRILL of Making ART WITH A PURPOSE.

Evan McCormack and Ann McCormack are two of the best voices a director could want in a festival like this when directing an opera that seeks to be a musical. Danicah Waldo and Casey Manning could potentially be the best couple that the off-Broadway stage has had to date. (They are to be married soon and I am in love with them both) Jonathan D. Morales inspires me to come to work each day just to see him explore his role as well as the sexy Rocio Lopez, and the on point Shannen Rae. The talented duo of Dylan C. Digel and Tim Fitzsimons make my life super easy as they find their role with ease. Anthony Logan Cole comes straight from Les Miz to our show, Aaron Dalla Villa needs a huge stage ASAP just for him to dance all his energy out, Leslie Kyle Hudson, Andrea Nevil, Jennifer O'Neill, Hannah Rable and the sexy Megan Tischhauser, are super great in every transition and special "angelical" moments. Levin Valayil has had to work his butt off for the part of Nathan. Alessandra Baldacchino is the sweetest kid I have had a chance to direct, she even suggested making rocks out of toilet paper (she was willing to paint them). Dante Soria and Irene Patino are a gift to the idea of growth as they just came from my Salgado Productions intensive workshop into the show and Greg Uliasz is as always a treat to have around. Then there is Tony Paterniti & Charlie Willis both basically my rascal little kids... in the body of men. 

I love working and growing with this cast.
They all came to see me in Rocky and immediately that feeling of a new family arouse.

The show features Music Direction by Eugene Gwozdz, and will be conducted by Artie Dibble who recently shared a comment saying: "Here it comes! I'm conducting next week, come see it!" And really, you should... the music led by the “duo dinamico” is pretty lovely and unique.

Eugene wrote to me "YOU have given this epic musical something I NEVER imagined! YOUR vision has given SOS life!" But I want Eugene to UNDERTAND that HE really went the distance with commitment and hard work at the piano at every rehearsal.

Andrew Beall and Neil Van Leeuwen really are a fun, productive, and empowering team to collaborate with. They both are just so committed to giving their 100%.

If possible, YOU should just come see us for the simple idea of supporting new young hungry talent like them. I take my hat off.

My design team is as always turning nothing into something helping us lead the audience on this journey. Using practically nothing and with very little budget they make it happen. My deepest gratitude goes to lighting designer Herrick Goldman, and our scenic design team, Ashanti Ziths, Alison Kruvant and Kate Rance who have given me peace of mind in a matter of seconds.

I know I am taking long on this blog but come on... I am devoted to this people... 

My Costume Consultant Harry Nadal has made it clean and effective. My assistant director Valeria Cossu has been more on point than ever, she has been a treasure adding to every second of the process a dose of respect, discipline and full dedication. My by now Right hand Heather Hogan must understand that with out here involved I almost don’t even consider doing things anymore, the trust I have for her incredible and constant devotion to DOING ALL IN HER POWER TO MAKE THINGS WORK make my work always a much more complete experience.

The Actors’ Temple has been a wonderful space for us to rehearse and perform Song of Solomon: A New Musical. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE YOUR SPACE AS A HOME!

 So what is directing... I think is LOVE, HUMANITY, GRATITUDE. After I study and take in each and everyone of the components that I get to "direct" Perhaps is Casey's mail that gives me a clue: "the greatest thing about this process for me has been the ability to have a voice and not be afraid to ask questions." 

I can also find an answer in Neil’s words:

"Working with Luis, is like working with a firework that has a brain." "He works harder than anyone I know. And he asks questions better than I've ever been asked". Luis immediately understood the core mission that Andrew and I have for Song of Solomon. Catharsis. Emotional catharsis. And then in hundreds of creative ways he's expanded on that mission, adding his own creative sparks and dramatic flares. In many ways, I learn from Luis. The cast loves him. And we love him too."

HARD WORK, RIGHT QUESTIONS, AND A MISSION...

There it is... I guess that is what I can bring to the table when directing.

  

Tony summarizes it for me:
  
"it would not be the amazingly rich musical you are going to experience very soon without the spirit of wonder, purpose and experimentation of our director. He is taking an *extraordinary* work and bringing out all of its hidden wonders - and mostly, by encouraging *us* to take chances and follow our creative guts... makes me feel blissfully challenged and extremely blessed." 

 And that is why we do what we do!

I am just a baby, starting to walk, talk, discover and I AM BLESSED TO HAVE GREAT TALENT LIKE THEM ALL TO DEVELOPED DREAMS, VISIONS & POSSIBILITIES. 

Thanks for accepting my process and giving so much of you to this role.  But thanks for allowing me to find my self in the madness of it all!

Directing is SERVING TE ART THAT WE ALL LOVE!

Come see us:

SONG OF SOLOMON will play The Actors' Temple
 August 26, 29 and 31, 2014. 

For more information, visitwww.Salgadoproductions.com. 
For tickets, go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/782981.

I must thank Broadway World as I always feel so embrace as part of the Broadway Community thanks to your constant support to the work we do. 

And also,

Victoria Medina WHAT A GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER YOU ARE!

GRACIAS