Thursday afternoon we did a couple of run throughs and played what we called a "preview" performance to an audience of around 100 that night. It was abit shaky, but overall, quite good. The producer videotaped it and took photos which I have to look at and post. The audience response was really good,and the next day several people called or emailed the theatre to tell them how much they liked it. Friends of DJ's, the McKenzies, came to me after the Thursday performance raving about the music. Their son is an MD in Manhattan and DJ's neighbor. They came back again on Sunday. I gave them my comps. They also took programs to pass out among thir friends. After the show, we had an opening night party at our residence.
On Friday, we had a quiet day. Several went to Savannah to see Johnny Mercer's grave and the Mercer House. They lunched at Paula Deen's. At 6:30, we met the cast, and made a few changes. The show played to an audience of less than 100, but we got standing ovations from several at the end.
Again, on the way out, I heard people raving about it. Most of our audience was retired people living in Hilton Head, and several asked if this was going to be aholiday tradition.
After the show, David Lutken moved into our housing. The director of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, which began rehearsals today, arrived, told David he was occupying "his room," and told him to get out. David is a very gentle man, unlike me, who would have told the director, a pissy queen named Casey, what to do with himself, his dog and the horse they rode in on. The guys all disliked the intruder, who should have complained to the theatre and not to David, for being an total ass and for cramping their fun. To add insult to injury, the jerk didn't bother to come to see our show. I suspect he was in his room trying on new frocks to impress his cast.
So, we all packed David's many instruments and luggage and moved hm to our house. After that, we partied at the ladies' residence and watched the wonderful Irish movie ONCE.
