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!

Well, it's over. Yesterday's performance was probably the least put-together--don't know why, maybe we were over-confident or just tired. Some of us missed major lines and/or put them in the wrong places, and/or screwed up the blocking. At least I don't think the audience noticed, which is always the most important thing. Anyway, it was a bit anti-climactic, although still fun. My high school friends, Mary and Jane, came and so did neighbors and friends, Dennis and Leslie, and other people I know.
After, we stayed to help the crew strike the set. Incredibly, everything had to be dismantled and taken away, so the space was transformed back into how it was before the play. That included all the furniture, props, and so on, not to mention the entire large and sturdy stage. Showtime was 2:30, it ran about three hours, then we met and greeted, and it was only after that the set was struck. I helped as much as I could with carrying stuff and two others and I took the "decorations" off the Christmas tree, which I'll give back to Susan when I meet her for our walk in a few minutes.
We agreed that we'd repeat the cast party in a month, as what with the fire and other logistical problems, not all of us could be there. Mary Ellen had gotten a big cake with "Kill, Rhett, Kill!" (a line from the show) written on it and Tonya took that home to put in the freezer. We gave Tara her gift--a beautiful, handmade necklace--and Andrea (assistant director) and Tonya and Barbara (stage managers) cards of appreciation. Billy gave us all goodie bags of hair products--I'm thinking about switching to him for my hair--and Mary Ellen gave us all notes of appreciation.
It's over, and that's a letdown, but it was the experience of a lifetime.