Chris Verrill, executive director of "Guys and Dolls" at the Beijing Playhouse, gives us a look at the scenes from his day.

Home (Near Chaoyang Park)

7:00 a.m.

Alarm detonates to some Chinese radio station—I'm awake. First thing: must brush teeth.

7:16

Boot up my computer. Listen to NPR's "All Things Considered" online. I miss Bob Edwards. Read CNN and China Digital Times.

7:24

Check my e-mail. Three from Beijing Playhouse volunteers.

7:25

Check the website ChineseFriendFinder where I have a personal ad. Hey, two replies. One of them is cute.

7:26

Make a call about sponsorship for the Beijing Playhouse.

7:28

Answer questions via e-mail about the translation for the musical “Guys and Dolls.”

7:50

Answer second volunteer's e-mail: Yes, we are interested in taking a look at a new theater space.

8:41

Gotta run. I'm anal about being on time—which given Beijing traffic may give me a coronary.

Taxi

8:52

Reply to text messages from yesterday.

Recording Studio

9:20 Arrive.

I'm narrating an American public television documentary series about the six other cities that are hosting the Olympics next year.

9:38

Start narrating.

10:57

I'm out of here. And on time, too. This producer is very professional. Gotta love him.

Taxi

11:00

I'm in the taxi, so that means more text messaging.

Radio 774

11:36

I'm early so I pop next door to McDonald's for lunch. I should exercise more.

11:45

Review “Guys and Dolls” script. Tonight's rehearsal is working the bugs out of Act I. The scene where we introduce the villain is currently a train wreck and needs to be fixed.

11:58

Dream up in my mind how I want one of the songs to look during the show. I like the idea of a tightly choreographed standing, sitting and flipping of newspapers during this song.

1:02 p.m.

Start the show I co-host on 774 am. It's a one hour talk show with English-language university students.

Home

3:09

Start laundry.

3:18

Call two more possible rehearsal spaces.

3:29

Reply to e-mails. Yes, your community organization can have free tickets. Yes, the marketing meeting is still on. No, we can't find 50 singers and dancers for your event in six days. Yes, Dad, everything is taken care of. I'll see you when you get to Beijing.

7-11

6:03

Purchase sandwiches and eat them as I walk to the theater.

Beijing Playhouse

6:21

Arrive for “Guys and Dolls” rehearsal.

6:22

One of the performers tells me she may have a job offer that would conflict with the “Guys and Dolls” dates. I tell her she needs to decide what her priorities are. After all, the show must go on!

6:25

The actor who plays the evil villain is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. I coach him on being mean.

6:30

Rehearsal should start, but not all the cast members are here yet. Grrr ...

6:31

Decide to do music warm ups.

6:44

Finally get rehearsal started.

7:54

I stop and start this scene about 20 times. Sometimes it's exhausting. Moving the right actors, to the right spot, on the right line, to the right place.

7:57

One of the new actors is having trouble with lines. But by the end of this, he has them memorized and he's starting to develop a real character. I give him a thumbs up and a most-improved- for-the-day award. Looking good.

8:00

Darn. An actor has to leave.

9:07

Move on to another scene. This is the scene where the hero and heroine first kiss so obviously it's important.

9:30

I usually try to finish rehearsal by now, but we haven't gotten to the opening song where I want to do this newspaper shtick.

10:23

It worked like a charm. We end with a flourish of newspapers tossed in the air. It's beautiful.

10:24

The stage manager tells me that the seamstresses backed out of the contract. She's lining up replacements, but so much for the value of a contract in China.

5:19 Bar

10:52

Tell Dave the bartender how wonderful rehearsals are going. Bitch about the seamstresses. Drink beer. Rinse and repeat.

Home

12:19 a.m.

Check e-mail again. My comics arrived, so it's relaxing reading to end of the evening. I never get tired of Dilbert.

12:29

Reply to those two ChineseFriendFinder personal ads.

12:37

More e-mails from our cast and crew. I'll get to those tomorrow.

12:48

In bed. As I fade to sleep I'm thinking of Act II. What characters do I need to give better direction to? Which scenes do I need to improve? What do we need to ... Zzzzzz ....