Life is Like a Train

Good ol' adventures. We begin with my trip back to DE, as it was the most adventure-ish (also, the most irritating) part of my day. If you did not hear, the SEPTA is on strike. Fortunately, I found out, it should not affect me as the regional rail does not use the same union as the subway or the trolleys. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the regional rail was still running, my trip was quite a disaster. We got out of rehearsal a bit early, so I tried to run for the 630 train, instead of waiting for the 730. I got there with 4 minutes to spare, but was met with complete and utter turmoil. There were lines of people everywhere for who knows what. There were groups of people yelling at the SEPTA workers in yellow vests. There was a long line for tickets. I didn't think I'd make it! I got in the line, purchased my ticket and ran to the stairs that head down to the track. The train was announced while I was still in line, so I thought there might be a chance. When I reached the stairs there was a man yelling at the SEPTA person and a large group of people in my way. I tried to push through but the SEPTA worker stopped me. I explained I needed to get to the R2 but they told me the R2 was on a different track. I knew it wasn't, but they wouldn't listen. Finally, another employee overheard us and said that the R2 was in fact on that track. He took my ticket and punched it (keep this in mind for later!) and I bolted down the stairs. I got to the bottom and began running for the door, but at that moment, the doors closed. I started yelling to stop the train, as did a very nice SEPTA employee who was on the platform. I know that the driver heard and saw both of us. He didn't care. The train left. I was livid. The next train was an hour away. Devastating! I used the time to work on my lines for the guy I am understudying. 730 came and went. So did 740 and 750. Finally at 7:55 I boarded a train. Finally the adventure was over. But just as I was deciding on whether to continue working on lines or take a nap, the conductor appeared next to me asking for my ticket. "Oh, mine was already punched" I said, assuming this would make sense to her-since everything was so chaotic. It didn't. Fortunately, after explaining the entire situation she decided I wasn't lying and moved on. I can't even begin to imagine the fit I would have thrown if I had to use both sides of the round trip ticket for one trip on top of being way later than anticipated. I'm so glad she trusted me!

The first full run-through of the show actually went quite well. We're still in the rehearsal hall, so it's not smooth yet, but the energy was really high. The director seemed very pleased with it. We move to the stage tomorrow. Most of the rehearsal will be spent re-spacing everything, since the stage is so much bigger than the hall we rehearsed in. My call isn't until 6PM tomorrow, so I get to sleep late! Dan is up from DC, so we will probably do some eating as well! Even though rehearsal is until 11PM, I will be glad to have most of the day to do whatever I want, especially since Tech starts the next day and rehearsal is Noon to 11PM. That will be a long day!

Not much else to report. I'm hoping the train situation will go a little more smoothly tomorrow. Despite the SEPTA issues, I'm really loving the city of Philadelphia. The more I hear from my cast-mates about the theatre community, the more I love that too. I have 2 months and 7 days to decide what to do next with my life, and I'm glad to have Philly as a new option to think about. Weeeeeeeeeee!