Well, dear readers, we had our second opening night, and I’m happy to inform you that it was a splendidly splendid audience and a splendidly splendid performance of the play. Every laugh landed, they audience was attentive, the suspense worked, the end of the first act played the best it’s ever played, and the second act moved right along and, in fact, got laughs it’s never gotten. In other words, it was night and day from our first opening night. This audience was with the play from the minute the lights came up – there were only four or five critics in attendance, so most of the people were actually there to enjoy the show. The intermission was abuzz with people trying to figure things out (which I love), and it was just so much fun to see Matt, Tammy, and Greg all at the top of their game. We had a little pre-show meeting, and we worked through a couple of things, and I reblocked two things from the end of act one, and then they just came out and delivered the show I knew they could. Tammy was the best she’s ever been, Matt was superb and got every nuance right, and Greg did a great job. It was a really fun audience – not a huge number of celebrities, but we did have the delightful Richard and Elizabeth Sherman, my opening night good-luck charm, Elmarie Ward, a couple of Days of Our Lives actors, Eydie Allison (Brad Ellis’ wife) and her pal Sue Goodman, my pal Barbara Deutsch, who brought along some mutual friends, and even our old friend Brandon, who did our sound for What If at the Hudson. Our producer had her folks there, Tammy had some family there, and the whole thing just had a totally positive vibe to it.
After the show, we had another opening night soiree in the lobby. The Shermans came up to me and told me they absolutely loved the play – they went on and on about it at some length. I gave Richard a copy of Rewind, which I have the feeling he’ll enjoy. Elmarie Ward was very effusive in her comments, as were most of the folks there. Again, who knows about the critics – we’ll just have to wait and see, I suppose. I was a happy writer/director, that much I can tell you.
Yes, it was night and day, and if the actors can sort of lock in that performance and get consistent, then all will be well for the rest of the run. That was part of the talk I had with them – to not let a quiet audience freak them out. That, no matter what, they just had to play the play as always and not push or assume it’s not working. They all seemed to take that to heart.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because it’s Sunday, and we have a matinee to do.
Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, we have a matinee to do. Then we’ll be off until Thursday, which I’m sure will be a welcome rest for the actors, who haven’t had a day off in over seven days. There are one or two critics coming today, and we’re supposed to have a fairly full house. I have fourteen people coming, as well, and after the show, I’ll be going to one of my favorite restaurants with the Wechters – Lawry’s Prime Rib. This is the last performance we have to play for critics. Pray for Rosemary’s Baby.
Frankly, or even georgely, I’m a little exhausted from this last week. Of course, I don’t really get to rest, as Monday and Tuesday are full rehearsal days with Miss Linda Purl, to get her ready for her New York presentation. I’ve also got a bunch of meetings, and I have to sit down and plan out this musical theater workshop thing. It looks like our very own Miss Tammy Minoff may even take it. What fun!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, attend the matinee, I must dine at Lawry’s, and I may even get to watch a DVD in the evening. And, won’t it be nice to have three days where I don’t incessantly write about the play? We can talk about all sorts of other things, like why gazelles like to wear mini-skirts and go-go boots and dance the Wah-Watusi. Today’s topic of discussion: Who are the most fun people you’ve met after a show, whether backstage or at the stage door or at an opening-night party. Tell us all the stories – leave nothing out. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we?