I've been teaching theatre classes on a stage lit by Edison work lights all year.
We've been rehearsing on the same dark stage.
They have been teching on a dark stage.
The kids painted the floor by worklight, flashlight and cell phone light.
This floor. And the pit the boys are on is a beautiful wood grain. Also painted in the dark.
Also built this door frame and door in the dark.
And I was grumpy.
Then , on 24 October, the lights came on.
And I was still angry.
And depressed.
And annoyed.
Nothing was fixed when the lights came up but the lights.
The Hell?
Last weekend a former student of mine gave me a comp to come see him in South Pacific. I hate South Pacific. The music is pretty and all, but The Hell with the story?
I love Jared more than I hate South Pacific.
I was running late, the parking lot was full. I had to park on the top level at DU. The Newman Center. I've never met the Newmans, but they sure build a lot of theatre stuff at DCPA and DU. MAybe they'd build me something?
A lovely older couple held the elevator for me. They were maybe in their late sixties, early seventies. She was very fashionable with her short blonde hair.
It turned out we were seat mates, she and her husband had the tickets next to me. Really good, close seats, not the usual crappy comps (Thank you, Jared). She was very friendly and asked me if I knew anyone in the show. "Yes, a former student". She pulled out her program "Which one is he?" "Luther Bills". "OH how nice." I did not ask her if she knew anyone.
The show began. The kid singing Emile was stunning, one of those "Why The Hell Are You Not Already on Broadway" voices. He made me like the music. As he sang "Some Enchanted Evening", my seatmate reached for her husband's hand. Then she wiped her eyes. Then he wiped his. Maybe it was their first dance song? They aren't quite old enough to remember WWII (those in the seats behind me with walkers and oxygen, however, were but clearly this show meant something to my seatmate couple.)They were not critiquing the disconnected female lead, or the less than stellar chorus voices. They just loved the show.
When Jared sang "Nothing like a Dame" my seatmate leaned over and asked "Is that your student?" I nodded. She gushed "he is really good." I smiled. Yes, yes he is.
When Jared donned coconut boobs and a grass skirt, she laughed her head off. She was the loudest laugher in the theatre! Such joy! The Funniest Thing She'd Ever Seen! She's never seen a boy in stretch socks and boxers and coconut bra! "You must be so proud!" she gushed at me again. She started repeating his catch phrase "get the picture". At one point I began to become concerned that she did not realize other people were in the audience.
She said loudly "He is so funny! You had something to do with that! Get the picture?"
It took 20 minutes to get out of the theatre as I waited for every senior in their walker to go first. I smiled at them and admired their children as they escorted their elderly parent and their various walkers, oxygen tanks, etc. from the theatre. There were two young girls in attendance, also waiting for the slower crowd. They could barely contain their excitement. Their mom said "Do you want to go meet them in their costumes?" And the girls practically exploded with anticipation. As I silently snarked "Seriously? They come out in costume? How unprofessional."
As a side note on this topic, on Genoa's fifth birthday I took her to see The Dinosaur Play at the Arvada Center featuring my friend, Brian, as the triceratops. The cast waited in costume outside the theatre (children's theatre, that's acceptable) and as Genoa passed Brian, he said "Happy Birthday ,Genoa!" It changed her life.
I toddled into the lobby to look for Jared, hoping to God he was not in costume. He was. A few audience members approached him, bellowing "Get the picture?" I told him my seatmate story, hugged him a lot, made his dad take a photo.
Back at LHS, we had scheduled HARVEY for only two nights WEDS and THURS before Thanksgiving break. Because the lights wouldn't be on in time for us to do it sooner, and no admin wanted to be there on Friday night before the break. About three weeks into rehearsal, I leaned that I had no money. None. Someone higher than me had muffed up and not done their job. HARVEY was happening on borrowed money. So I decided to go for a Friday performance to at least make some money. Selling weeknights is rough. A Friday before Thanskgiving break, HARVEY, we'd do great! But admin was unmoved. They were willing to allow a show if I did it at 5pm
Are you kidding me? Parents can't make a 5pm curtain. I will make no money, this is pointless, WHY DO I BOTHER?
Then it hit me.
Old people can do five pm. See the show, have dinner.
People who actually SAW the movie with Jimmy Stewart when it came out.
Old People.
Like the ones at South Pacific .
Who were there because they liked the show, the story, and it was a matinee!
After South Pacific I realized I have to let go of making any money. But I'm keeping the 5pm show Friday so people who actually want to come and know the story can attend!
Because theatre is for those who attend. It's for my seatmate who had a personal connection to Some Enchanted Evening. They do not critique. They do not snark, they just want to enjoy a familiar story. A Delightful, funny, charming story of a grown man whose best friend is an invisible rabbit.
I do not mean "old" in any snarky capacity. I will be old, I am old. It means I know more. I have more heart, more experience.
And so.
TELL THE WORLD. HARVEY is being done just for this audience. People who wish to Enjoy A Show. For these people who regularly come to my shows and enjoy themselves. Friday 21 November 2014. Littleton HIgh School.
5 pm
Senior Citizens are ALWAYS free of charge at Littleton. And I love them.
