Horsin’ Around from Kirsten Opstad on Vimeo.

Originally, I wrote songs for the self-righteous singer-songwriter character named Courtney with the intention of eventually playing the role myself, but as we started production at Improv Asylum it became clear that I did not have the time to put into it. So for the reading, the director Mark Sickler found a fantastic actress, the talented Elise Wulff, who would act and sing while I accompanied her on guitar. I have never heard my songs come out of someone’s mouth like that before. What a trip. I mean, I’ve heard a handful of covers of my songs, but covers are usually another person’s take on the original, whereas musically music written for musicals usually reflects the notes on the page (or in this case, the talk-singy voice on the mp3). The whole experience reminded me of ventriloquism.

Which reminds me: I think that somebody in the mainstage cast should learn ventriloquy.

Kudos to all the actors that brought the play to life last night, the audience members who came out and laughed at surprising moments, and to Ilene & Mark for creating and producing this thing.