Into the Fire

Well, here we are. We finished teching the show last night at 6:58-which means they had to pay us an hour of overtime. Then they brought us Pizza (which I gladly ate several pieces of) before calling half-hour at 7:30. Half-hour, meaning one half-hour before curtain, is when actors are officially called. Isn't it interesting, that many audience members arrive early and wait in the lobby, thinking actors are preparing for the show when really we don't walk in until a half hour before. haha. That always amuses me. This was an especially strange day, as I realized when we finished teching at 7, there may have already been audience members waiting in the lobby having no idea they were about to see the first ever run of our show. haha.

So, the secret/unofficial goal last night was to get through the show from Opening to Curtain call without a train wreck. We had a paying audience, so everyone-including us lowly extras (haha, I don't actually feel that way. I'm a proud member of the cast) had to step it up. We were successful! Huzzah! (I would just like to point out that Sophomore year of High School 'huzzah' was a vocab word. We were tested on the word huzzah. To this day I still find that to be amusing.) Anyway, there were parts of the show that were totally fantastic, others that we just sort of got through on a prayer. One of those moments, for me, was when I went backstage to explain to stage management that maybe having me carry my torch on stage without having ever had it lit before was probably not the best idea. I got backstage and one of the crew grabbed the torch, lit it, and went about his next job. I was a little terrified, but what was there to do, I had to go on stage. Eek! I survived--so did everyone else. haha. Overall, it was really awesome to see people step up and come together to get through the show. The audience seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. That was really helpful in our quest to get through! I think we have a great show on our hands--and we have rehearsal before each of the previews the next few days to get it done.

It was really neat for me to look out and see the nearly full orchestra and mezzanine sections. I've never been in front of such a large house for a show (except when I sang at the Kennedy Center on New Years Eve, but that was a totally different experience) I couldn't help but smile after the show. I know there is alot of work to do, but it'll be worth it.

After the show last night they fed us wings and mozzarella sticks and "hoagies" (aka subs or grinders, I hate the word hoagie!) and adult beverages! Yay Yeungling! Today: Rehearsal 1-6, Dinner 6-7:30, Half-Hour 7:30. Preview #2 8PM. Weeeeeeeee!