Years ago, I read this in some silly magazine: There's nothing so over as Christmas. I can top that one, though: There's nothing so over as a play you're in.
Night Must Fall is over, but we went out in a blaze of glory. Yesterday's performance was great and we probably had the largest audience of the three. Not as many screw-ups--or what there were weren't major--and the lighting was better.
The crowd was enthusiastic and it was such fun to hear the applause.
I was so pleased to greeted by Marilyn M. and Clorinda, as well as Mary Ann Van O., and others. Many of my friends had gone on Friday and Saturday, too. Of course, the ones who meant the most to me were the northern dwellers, my niece and nephew, and sister Betty.
After, we stopped back at my house to leave things off, including Betty's and my cars, then repaired to The Legacy at SeaOaks, where we had a good dinner and great talk. Got home about 8:30 to see a phone message from Ellen. Called her back on Skype and she, Betty, and I had a nice visit.
We then sat up talking while I had my glass of wine, then turned in. Slept like a log and now--sob!--have to reconcile myself to no more Night.
But hey--other productions are coming up!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The show generally went well last night, but we were all chagrined by some snafus in lighting and other things. Also--a disappointment--the audience was sparser than on Friday. Hmm, why would that be? Possibly, because we had virtually no publicity, aside from a piece (sans picture) in The Tuckerton Beacon, with has a readership of roughly fourteen. Several months ago, Desi and I met with the person who was supposed to do publicity and I gave her detailed information, including contact e-mails and phone numbers for the papers and other outlets we used. Guess she just decided it was too much for her. However, I'm not going to agonize over it.
A number of my friends were there last night, including Ray and Barb, Pat G., Doug and Pat H., Bill and Lois V., and others.
Last performance this afternoon. The northern couple are coming, along with my niece and her husband, Joan and Jim, sister Betty, and Marilyn and Clorinda from my former life.
Then will come the letdown. After months of ever-increasing concentration on a play, to perform three times, then see it end is always a jolt. However, Tonya said we might be able to have the next one on two weekends and that would be terrific. Hope so.
A number of my friends were there last night, including Ray and Barb, Pat G., Doug and Pat H., Bill and Lois V., and others.
Last performance this afternoon. The northern couple are coming, along with my niece and her husband, Joan and Jim, sister Betty, and Marilyn and Clorinda from my former life.
Then will come the letdown. After months of ever-increasing concentration on a play, to perform three times, then see it end is always a jolt. However, Tonya said we might be able to have the next one on two weekends and that would be terrific. Hope so.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Yesterday? That was a day that was a day. Early on, got a Skype call from P. and N. and, as ever, enjoyed that. Went early to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things, naturally taking my trusty tape recorder with me. (I'm told they're now old fashioned; not sure what people use nowadays, but probably something that can fit under your thumbnail. However, this suits me perfectly fine.)
After lunch, the phone rang and a man informed me he was calling from Atlantic city Electric. He said my service would be turned off that afternoon unless I took $299.99 to the main office on Arctic Avenue--before the end of the day and in cash. Incredibly enough, I took him seriously at first, the reason being that he said it had to do with my "alternative provider," which indeed, I had signed up for a few months ago AND with whom I had problems too long and involved to go into here. At one point, he even switched me over to his "processing department" and another man got on the line.
It finally dawned on me this couldn't possibly be authentic, so I asked for a phone number to call him back. He hemmed and hawed and kept talking, at which point I hung up and looked up the Electric Company number. Called them and of course, this was a scam. Called the A.C. police and a detective advised me to notify my local police. Went to the police department and talked to an officer. He said it wasn't a reportable incident, as I hadn't actually remitted money.
Got home to prepare for opening night. We had a 5:30 call and at about 5:00, the rain, thunder, and lightning started. Oh, boy, that'll bring people out of their houses, all right, I thought--not! Got to the school to be told Rose, our ticket taker, was sick and couldn't come and Dave S., who plays a detective, pressed his wife, Carol into service.
Kevin, who's really the star of the show, gave each of the cast members a nicely bagged gift. We were all charmed to see a shot glass with a metal plate and the inscription "Night Must Fall." Boy, that was an elegant gesture; I'll cherish mine.
We all thought we'd be playing to a dozen people, but were pleased to see the place fill up about three quarters of the way.
The play itself went over wonderfully well; we got lots of applause and a standing ovation at the end. What surprised all of us were the laughs. This is not a comedy, although the housekeeper, Mrs. Terence (Ellen V.), has some funny lines and here and there, and sarcasm is employed, which often drew laughs. Anyway, it came together and clearly, the audience has a fine time. Now we have to be very careful to sustain the level of performance of last night.
We had a joint cast and birthday party at Jim and Mary H.'s; it was Jim's sixtieth and that was great good fun. They have a large and beautifully appointed house in the country, to which I've been before. Good grief, I had white and red wine, Irish cream, and brandy--can't even remember what else--but ate the wonderful shrimp, salmon, cheeses, veggies and dip, tiny meatballs, topped off by birthday cake, cheesecake, and a few other desserts.
What great fun to laugh and talk and party with colleagues of the stage! I came to this interest late in life, but hope to continue for a long time to come. After several hours, the party finally broke up and I got home at the ungodly hour of two am! I went straight to bed, so must wash the sprayed-in grey out of my hair shortly. Woke up at 7:00, but try to fit a nap in today.
After lunch, the phone rang and a man informed me he was calling from Atlantic city Electric. He said my service would be turned off that afternoon unless I took $299.99 to the main office on Arctic Avenue--before the end of the day and in cash. Incredibly enough, I took him seriously at first, the reason being that he said it had to do with my "alternative provider," which indeed, I had signed up for a few months ago AND with whom I had problems too long and involved to go into here. At one point, he even switched me over to his "processing department" and another man got on the line.
It finally dawned on me this couldn't possibly be authentic, so I asked for a phone number to call him back. He hemmed and hawed and kept talking, at which point I hung up and looked up the Electric Company number. Called them and of course, this was a scam. Called the A.C. police and a detective advised me to notify my local police. Went to the police department and talked to an officer. He said it wasn't a reportable incident, as I hadn't actually remitted money.
Got home to prepare for opening night. We had a 5:30 call and at about 5:00, the rain, thunder, and lightning started. Oh, boy, that'll bring people out of their houses, all right, I thought--not! Got to the school to be told Rose, our ticket taker, was sick and couldn't come and Dave S., who plays a detective, pressed his wife, Carol into service.
Kevin, who's really the star of the show, gave each of the cast members a nicely bagged gift. We were all charmed to see a shot glass with a metal plate and the inscription "Night Must Fall." Boy, that was an elegant gesture; I'll cherish mine.
We all thought we'd be playing to a dozen people, but were pleased to see the place fill up about three quarters of the way.
The play itself went over wonderfully well; we got lots of applause and a standing ovation at the end. What surprised all of us were the laughs. This is not a comedy, although the housekeeper, Mrs. Terence (Ellen V.), has some funny lines and here and there, and sarcasm is employed, which often drew laughs. Anyway, it came together and clearly, the audience has a fine time. Now we have to be very careful to sustain the level of performance of last night.
We had a joint cast and birthday party at Jim and Mary H.'s; it was Jim's sixtieth and that was great good fun. They have a large and beautifully appointed house in the country, to which I've been before. Good grief, I had white and red wine, Irish cream, and brandy--can't even remember what else--but ate the wonderful shrimp, salmon, cheeses, veggies and dip, tiny meatballs, topped off by birthday cake, cheesecake, and a few other desserts.
What great fun to laugh and talk and party with colleagues of the stage! I came to this interest late in life, but hope to continue for a long time to come. After several hours, the party finally broke up and I got home at the ungodly hour of two am! I went straight to bed, so must wash the sprayed-in grey out of my hair shortly. Woke up at 7:00, but try to fit a nap in today.
Friday, February 24, 2012
A helluva day. I'd been having a problem with my messages not being picked up and went out and bought a new phone (Panasonic) to the tone of a hundred bucks. It has four handsets, though. Asked the north Jerseyan to attach it, which she did, but it took a while. (Of course, you can no longer simply plug anything in, let alone call "the phone company" to do it for you). To our horror, the exact same thing happened with the new phone: it didn't record messages. My helper had to go back to work and I asked Joe M. next door is he could suggest anything. He came over and after this and that too boring to relate, we discovered Comcast was picking up my calls. I certainly never asked them to do so, but called them and the whole thing was straightened out. Northern person came back after work and took out the new phones and reattached the old, which now works fine. I'll take back the Panasonic and get my hundred bucks back.
Dress rehearsal last night wasn't up to our usual academy-award-level standard (ha!). For my part, there were two serious snafus: one, it took much too long to change into my costume for scene two and second, more serious, I got a cut on my hand from the damn "bead"* curtain covering what's supposed to be the entrance to the kitchen. I had to play my big final scene pressing bloody tissues to my hand. I think the costume change thing has been solved, as I'll change in the wings, instead of the short hall we laughingly call our dressing room.
Tonight's the night!
*This isn't really a bead curtain, but consists of something like bamboo pieces strung vertically. Sound pretty stupid? It is.
Dress rehearsal last night wasn't up to our usual academy-award-level standard (ha!). For my part, there were two serious snafus: one, it took much too long to change into my costume for scene two and second, more serious, I got a cut on my hand from the damn "bead"* curtain covering what's supposed to be the entrance to the kitchen. I had to play my big final scene pressing bloody tissues to my hand. I think the costume change thing has been solved, as I'll change in the wings, instead of the short hall we laughingly call our dressing room.
Tonight's the night!
*This isn't really a bead curtain, but consists of something like bamboo pieces strung vertically. Sound pretty stupid? It is.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Decided to call sister Betty and ask if she could meet for lunch. I did, she could, and we met at Italian Cuisine. Had the usual nice sisterly time. After, did a few household chores, but mostly concentrated on studying lines.
Rehearsal had been called for 6:00 and as usual, I was early. Found Jim and Mary H. already there and Desi pulled up shortly. However, the door was locked and we had to wait a bit.
It went all right, but I thought Wednesday night was better. We wore our costumes and two of mine seemed okay; I'm not crazy about what I wear in scene two, though. However, Kevin gave me a valuable tip: Wear one set of clothes over the other. I can't do that with my tops (long-sleeved blouses), but put one skirt over the other and it worked fine. Ellen V. had brought aerosol cans of grey and white hair, which I'll use to look even more old-ladyish than I do naturally. (I'm not suggesting my usual hair is its natural color--I'm not ready for that yet.)
I'm walking today, but I'm going to tell Susan I'll take a pass until Monday. I don't get home until after 9:00--practically the middle of the night for me--and I unwind with popcorn and Chardonnay, so don't get in bed until much later than usual.
Full dress rehearsal coming up--then tomorrow, we open--aagh!
Rehearsal had been called for 6:00 and as usual, I was early. Found Jim and Mary H. already there and Desi pulled up shortly. However, the door was locked and we had to wait a bit.
It went all right, but I thought Wednesday night was better. We wore our costumes and two of mine seemed okay; I'm not crazy about what I wear in scene two, though. However, Kevin gave me a valuable tip: Wear one set of clothes over the other. I can't do that with my tops (long-sleeved blouses), but put one skirt over the other and it worked fine. Ellen V. had brought aerosol cans of grey and white hair, which I'll use to look even more old-ladyish than I do naturally. (I'm not suggesting my usual hair is its natural color--I'm not ready for that yet.)
I'm walking today, but I'm going to tell Susan I'll take a pass until Monday. I don't get home until after 9:00--practically the middle of the night for me--and I unwind with popcorn and Chardonnay, so don't get in bed until much later than usual.
Full dress rehearsal coming up--then tomorrow, we open--aagh!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
On impulse, called my bro, Frank, in California a bit before noon. Hadn't heard from him for a while and just wondered how were things on the left coast. He said he's had bronchitis, but was improving. He and Marybeth will be in Baltimore with son Patrick in April. If we can arrange it, hope to get together with them.
Got my costumes in order, putting together clothes, plus jewelery on the same hanger. To my surprise and chagrin, I realized I don't have two changes, but only one. Actually, this is better, as what I wore changed into for the second scene--a brown skirt and ugly mustard-colored blouse--is uncomfortable, ill-fitting, and hideous. Back they'll go to the thrift shop.
I had a problem changing into it, too, as there isn't much time between scenes. Kevin, who plays the sociopathic Danny, suggested I try putting one costume under the other. Can't do that with the tops, but yes, I think it will work well with my skirts. Will try it tonight.
Rehearsal went well--for most of us, anyway--and director Desi singled out Kevin and me for praise--what a lift. However, a player dropped some important lines that helped define her character and to which I am to respond. It even sets up a piece of business (a paper to be left on the mantelpiece) that's key to a later scene. I know she'll remember it for subsequent performance, but I hope something else doesn't fall off he radar.
Rehearsal at 6:00 again tonight.
Got my costumes in order, putting together clothes, plus jewelery on the same hanger. To my surprise and chagrin, I realized I don't have two changes, but only one. Actually, this is better, as what I wore changed into for the second scene--a brown skirt and ugly mustard-colored blouse--is uncomfortable, ill-fitting, and hideous. Back they'll go to the thrift shop.
I had a problem changing into it, too, as there isn't much time between scenes. Kevin, who plays the sociopathic Danny, suggested I try putting one costume under the other. Can't do that with the tops, but yes, I think it will work well with my skirts. Will try it tonight.
Rehearsal went well--for most of us, anyway--and director Desi singled out Kevin and me for praise--what a lift. However, a player dropped some important lines that helped define her character and to which I am to respond. It even sets up a piece of business (a paper to be left on the mantelpiece) that's key to a later scene. I know she'll remember it for subsequent performance, but I hope something else doesn't fall off he radar.
Rehearsal at 6:00 again tonight.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Ran all those errands I had put off for so long. Stopped at the doctor's office because I'm out of a medication. Made an appointment for next week...
Next week! Next week he play will be over for good or ill. Boy, am I nervous. With the tape recorder, I rehearsed over and over. Tried on my costumes--I'll wear he one for the first scene and there are two others.
Got a call in the evening from my former next-door neighbor, Morris S. He asked if he could contact son Mike in London with some kind of business proposal. Uh oh, I know Mike wouldn't want to get this directly, so I told Morris to e-mail me and I'd forward it.
Rehearsal tonight at 6:00. At least, thank heavens, we'll be at the school from here on in.
WIDER: A thought-provoking (and horror-inducing) post by my friend, Rob Payne:
http://deadhorse1995.blogspot.com/
Next week! Next week he play will be over for good or ill. Boy, am I nervous. With the tape recorder, I rehearsed over and over. Tried on my costumes--I'll wear he one for the first scene and there are two others.
Got a call in the evening from my former next-door neighbor, Morris S. He asked if he could contact son Mike in London with some kind of business proposal. Uh oh, I know Mike wouldn't want to get this directly, so I told Morris to e-mail me and I'd forward it.
Rehearsal tonight at 6:00. At least, thank heavens, we'll be at the school from here on in.
WIDER: A thought-provoking (and horror-inducing) post by my friend, Rob Payne:
http://deadhorse1995.blogspot.com/
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