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Wed, January 10, 2007
"They're Playing Our Song" — My first starring role.
Back in July of last year, I was pondering whether to go to L.A. and study singing with Miss Peisha McPhee. During this time, I received a phone call from a local director who explained that he wanted to produce a pet project that he had dreamed of for many years. It was an English language stage musical and he wanted me to star in it! I was surprised, slightly stunned and ecstatic. At the time though, that phone call was confirmation to me that I should go to L.A. and work with Peisha which is exactly what I did.
The name of the play is They're Playing Our Song, written by Neil Simon in 1979. The music was written by Marvin Hamlisch and the lyrics were written by Carole Bayer Sager.
They're Playing Our Song is a simple light-hearted love story, about two very different people falling in love.
While the original script involves two main cast members and six music accompaniment members, our version will only involve the two main cast members; one man and one woman. It's a fun story and I think you'll enjoy it. Personally, I like the story and love the music ;-)
They're Playing Our Song will be performed at the Hong Kong Arts Centre in Wanchai in mid-March 2007. I'll provide accurate dates later on. The play will be performed nightly from Mar 16 to 23 at 8pm with extra matinée shows on Mar 17 and 18 at 3pm. Seats will be limited. The theatre seats approximately 100 audience members and we'll only be performing ten shows.
Work begins.
In mid-December, work on the play began. I began taking lessons with a local singing coach picked out by our director. The singing coach is well respected in Hong Kong for both her singing knowledge and her musical acting skills. Her name is Miss Fung. Many of her students know her as Miss Beer. Working with her has been fun. Although I learnt a lot with Peisha in L.A., I am still a long way from being the singer I want to be and there's always plenty to learn. Miss Fung is helping to fill in more of the gaps in my technique while of course also helping me to sing the play's songs as well as I can.
For the time being, we are learning the basics of the songs. Unfortunately, getting the music for the songs has not been easy. Because the play was written back in 1979, the music score is not available in its entirety. We are missing the music scores for two of the songs and also small music pieces that occur during the play. Fortunately, those two songs are available on various CD productions of the play so we can learn from them. As for the other small pieces of music, we have a very capable (and celebrated) music director/arranger who should have no trouble working out something for them from the script.
We are now two months away from performing the musical. Two months may seem like a long time but it's not. There is a lot to do and a lot to learn. I won't be doing much of anything other than work on this play until the performance. Doing otherwise would be unfair to everyone including myself, the director, the actress and the audience.
Two months to go…
Copyright 2007 Gregory Charles Rivers 河國榮. All rights reserved.
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on Wed, January 10, 2007, 17:12
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Categories: Entertainment Ind., Performances & Appearances, They're Playing Our Song 2007
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Comments
Good news !! I really want to go!
Work hard !
Posted by: robokon | Wed, January 10, 2007, 17:25 | Respond to this comment
Awwwww I wanna go and seeeeeee!!!!! I'm stuck on the other side of the world!!
Posted by: Kit Kat | Wed, January 10, 2007, 19:20 | Respond to this comment
I think your song is good. This is a good chance
support~~
^^
because of the exam period, I do not read your diary many days.
anyway, work hard
you will get success
Posted by: kent2k2002 | Wed, January 10, 2007, 23:58 | Respond to this comment
Keep up your good work!! Sadly I have missed 'Perfume' and I am not going to miss this one!!
Posted by: Jack | Thu, January 11, 2007, 03:23 | Respond to this comment
兩個月的時間，瞬間即逝，加油、努力啊！
期待著兩個月後的精彩演出～～
add oil~~ ^0^
Posted by: Carmen | Thu, January 11, 2007, 09:32 | Respond to this comment
Let us know when it takes place, we are waiting to be your audience.
Posted by: Edith | Thu, January 11, 2007, 10:47 | Respond to this comment
Glad to hear that! Wish I could be there. :(
Anyway, "ganbade"!（加油）!
Posted by: sapphire | Fri, January 12, 2007, 11:36 | Respond to this comment
I would love to go to HK to watch the musical, unfortunately I'm stuck here downunder for the time being, but good luck and enjoy yourself during the period, it will be a very good opportunity and experience for you, I'm sure. All the best!!!
Posted by: Sabs | Tue, January 16, 2007, 19:19 | Respond to this comment
Accidentally visit your Blog tonite, but it is Surprise to know you wil have a musical in town. I love Musical! I'll definitely go to buy ticket and call my friends to go to see! Work Hard & Good Shows! C u in Telford sometime! :P
Posted by: Karen L | Sun, January 21, 2007, 03:25 | Respond to this comment
looking forward to it
Posted by: ian | Wed, January 31, 2007, 12:42 | Respond to this comment
非常密切期待!
其实国内很多人都很支持你的!河生.努力啊!
Posted by: 明月居士 | Mon, February 12, 2007, 06:16 | Respond to this comment
"For me, the city is an impersonal place where many people live superficial lives, where what you wear and what you drive (and how large your -silicon- breasts are while the rest of your body remains as skinny as possible) identifies who you are rather than the real person within you, and where people compete nonstop to better each other in financial and status terms. It's not a good way to live."
~~~ Yeah!...You can can say that again !!!
's glad to hear u're going to have a musical. GO! GO! Go!
I'm a 38 OLD BOY witha 6 months old baby doughter. came from country side in Canton, China in 1975. Educated and grew up in HK. But found it getting hard to live with comparasion every inch in HK. People take a material/Big brand searching look before talking to u ! So glad to know u are a photo freak too !!!
i am a Canon user too ! but less take the birds shot. Come to have a hanging around test of the Canon Gear in T.S.T. showroom. I'll be working there on and after 1st March. See uand be Happy on u'r Musical in advance !
Tatat.^O^
www.fotop.net/Raglansiu
Posted by: 達達 tatat | Mon, February 12, 2007, 17:15 | Respond to this comment
I would like to talk to you? How can I call you?
my number is 626-589-5933 cell
can you please call me when you have a change
have a nice day
your friend
peter to
Posted by: Peter To | Fri, February 23, 2007, 13:00 | Respond to this comment
Gregory:
i've just read your interview of the magazine-kidults,it's talk about your life and your past,i think your mind great,you are very brave to chase after your dream.You are a ideal to tell people,chase after your dream.Work hard!I like watch your performance.
Posted by: 16agegirl | Wed, February 28, 2007, 18:41 | Respond to this comment
I also get your blog from "Kidults"
16agegirl was said what I want to say
That great to perform the play
We're looking forward to!
Fighting**
Posted by: Ling | Fri, March 2, 2007, 23:05 | Respond to this comment
在"Kidults"的訪問看到了河生的經歷, 令我心中充滿鼓舞, 讓我感到世上的夢想, 並不一定是妄想。 努力嘗試過, 即使不圓滿, 但是已經足夠引以為傲。請繼續努力!
Posted by: 偉 | Wed, March 7, 2007, 21:24 | Respond to this comment
Hi. I am happy to have a chance to watch your performance on TV a few weeks ago about your "They're Playing our Song". It was very impressive and your voice is very nice. I really want to watch the on-the-stage version
Cheers
Posted by: Joseph Chan | Fri, March 9, 2007, 13:48 | Respond to this comment
Dear Mr River,
This is Eileen Yeung, the project manager for the westend drama, "The Woman in Black", we met last Oct at the lyric theatre of the HKAPA. But I hope you don't remember what I have done after you got the tix... as I acted like a crazy fan when I found out our VVIP was you that day...haha.
One of my client is looking for a Australian performer for their corp event, as they are all Australian! I've mention about you, & my boss can't wait to contact you!
Would you send me a email? I don't want to leave my phone no here.
Thanks a lot, look forward for your reply & work with you soon.
Cheers
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen | Wed, March 14, 2007, 01:33 | Respond to this comment
I strongly feel your passion towards ART - acting and taking photos. I love taking photos too but yours are really gorgeous & professional. Nowadays, people are so "money" oriented, it is difficult to find someone like you who is willing to devote your effort in Art performance without asking for a reward. Driven by your enthusiasm towards the play "They're playing our songs", I went to urbix today to buy your ticket - to show my respect to YOU who truely love ART. I am looking forward to see you at your "show time". Good luck and every success to you!!
Posted by: Janet | Mon, March 19, 2007, 18:50 | Respond to this comment
Will the Live songs in the musical be recorded and for sale?
Posted by: Karina | Sat, March 24, 2007, 12:17 | Respond to this comment
i watched your show on 17 Mar, it was great!
i'd lik to have the lyrics of fallin' but hard to search on the net.
i really want to have the sound track!!
don't want to order it from Amazon.
Posted by: Nicole | Sat, March 24, 2007, 14:39 | Respond to this comment
Hi greg,
I found your blog is very interesting especially the topic abt getting to the TVB acting industry. "Road to Acting" topic you mentioned abt starting off at TVB as a script writer. How can someone be a script writer at TVB? Script writer career is not even post on tvb.com. If you know anything about getting a career as a script writer at TVB, can you please email me & share it w/ us? Can you post a sample TVB scripts for us to look at? I really want to see the format of the scripts that actors have to memorize for TVB dramas. Please...
Posted by: a | Sun, April 1, 2007, 15:13 | Respond to this comment
Congratulation!Keep on good work and look forward to your next project.
B-T-W,I'd read an article about 飾演韋一的布韋傑 lately...
I'm so admire your generosity!!
[Salute];-)
Posted by: Laura | Tue, April 3, 2007, 12:40 | Respond to this comment