Closing Night

Happily, I'm restored to my usual buoyancy and I credit my walking yesterday as the reason. Usually, I go to town after lunch, but this time (after a sojourn to Von's, which is on the next block), I took the bus to town, walked The Promenade, then the back-to-Main loop, then walked several blocks more before getting the bus back to the east end. I got off midway to the 99-cent store to pick up some colorless nail polish, which they didn't have. Instead of getting back on a bus home, I walked to the mall transit center, which is a good mile and a half, at least. Got the bus there and was home at 2:00. That's an hour past my usual lunchtime, but I was fine with that.
Stella called while I was eating my big salad, made marvelous with the tomatoes I had planted and nurtured lovingly--okay, I watered them, that was about it--and it was delicious.
Stella, not so much. She wanted to know if I could meet for coffee because she was in town. Since she seems to be adverse to ever making plans a day or so--or even an hour--ahead, I'm getting very tired of her. She also couldn't go to the play because she couldn't find anybody to go with last night. Of course, I had told her several times about the 5:00 shows the first two weeks, but somehow, that eluded her. Drove out for cottage cheese and a few other thing, getting home about 4:00 and prepared for the last show.
Beforehand, we had a group picture taken, with the full cast at the bar. And the close? It was great! The audience was one of the best ever and it was a packed house. Our part went well, aside from G.'s usual lackluster performance, and the finale was terrific. As we did each night, we all come out on stage to clap and sway as the bank accompanies Ashley and Chris singing "Walls."  This time, there were "cannons" that shot confetti We then mingle with the audience and everybody stays to hear more songs. It's so much fun and I'll miss it.
And I'll miss the camaraderie
 and the patience of Jeff and Shannon,
 and the red wine always available in the women's dressing room,*
 and the expertise of Jen and Alex, our stage managers,
 and Lil' Gloria,
 and Shelby's voice, Janelle's voice, Shannon's voice,
 and even the tedium of hours of waiting before going on,
 and so much more.
I've been surprised at how many audience members complimented me on my performance, as I cringed when I saw the video; I'm my own worse critic.  And last night, Shannon took me aside and said she and Jeff were thrilled with finding me and want me to be with them in the future. I had told them of my own plays and skits and they want to see them.
Today, we strike the set, then have the cast party at 6:00. I made arrangements to have the Access Van take me there and take me home, as I intend to indulge.
*Since I was driving, I had only sips each night, hours before I drove home, so I don't think I violated my promise to my children not to drink and drive.