Directing: A different "ball game"

How many out there have directed a play? Though I have acted in many local plays for community theater, I have directed about a half-a-dozen and believe me, it is a different ball game altogether. If my actors were paid it would be much easier, since you could hold their paychecks over their heads if they didn't attend rehearsal. In community theater, where all actors are volunteers and do it just for the love of it, you have to work around their schedules. Most of the plays I have directed were those with a small cast, such as "Barefoot in the Park," or "A Christmas Carol," "The God Committee," and I swore I would never take on a large cast. Well, I am now eating my words! We are now in production of the revival version of "Annie, Get Your Gun" (That version is a whole "nuther" discussion in itself), and I think I am beginning to feel my age. If you have directing experience, let's read of some of those experiences.