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Closing With A Bang
Jul. 29th, 2007 05:54 pmFestival@First:C'est Levine! had a phenomenal closing night, with another jaw-dropping full house. I can't believe we're on this side of it already. It seems like yesterday that it was just an idea beginning to brew.
As announced by Beckie, this was our biggest selling show in the history of Theatre@First. It beat all previous attendance records. Once all the receipts are in, I think it may also be the most profitable show in our history. Huzzah!
Last night's performance felt different than any other, for me. For the first time in several years, I felt like I was working with the audience, working off their cues and energy. It was just like the old days, before I Got Nervous. It felt like a channel opening back up after being closed for a long time. I didn't feel the adversarial dread of the audience that has plagued me for the last 3 years. I had no fear that I would black out on a random line -- I simply knew that I would not do so, and that even if I did, I am a capable actor with the skills to get out of it smoothly. I knew that I could make them laugh, make them say "awwwww," and apparently make them get teary at the end. I felt entirely in control and at the top of my game, for the first time since 2004. Aside from the Radio Dramas (where no nerve problems exist), last night was the first reminder of what it was like to feel joy in performing, in giving. I'm receiving medical exploration and treatment, something I should have done long ago. Am I coming back from what I was sure was performance death? Maybe I am, at that. Baby steps from here.
I will totally miss being in regular contact with playwright Mark Harvey Levine. I loved getting to know him and working with him. I hope he submits a play the next time we have an open-submission festival.
I went to two lovely cast gatherings this run (Thank you Gilly and Jude!), which is less than usual for mebut leave me alone, I'm older than the sun but I was over-scheduled and wracked with PMS until Saturday, so I enjoyed the socializing that I did do. Jay was at last night's performance and accompanied me to the cast party. We got home very late after a detour to Jude's for a green drinky, and didn't retire until 4:30 AM. We slept 'til noon. I love my sweetie. He looks good wearing cows.
Bear hugs to the entire cast, crew, and company. Here's to keeping the meter running. :-)
As announced by Beckie, this was our biggest selling show in the history of Theatre@First. It beat all previous attendance records. Once all the receipts are in, I think it may also be the most profitable show in our history. Huzzah!
Last night's performance felt different than any other, for me. For the first time in several years, I felt like I was working with the audience, working off their cues and energy. It was just like the old days, before I Got Nervous. It felt like a channel opening back up after being closed for a long time. I didn't feel the adversarial dread of the audience that has plagued me for the last 3 years. I had no fear that I would black out on a random line -- I simply knew that I would not do so, and that even if I did, I am a capable actor with the skills to get out of it smoothly. I knew that I could make them laugh, make them say "awwwww," and apparently make them get teary at the end. I felt entirely in control and at the top of my game, for the first time since 2004. Aside from the Radio Dramas (where no nerve problems exist), last night was the first reminder of what it was like to feel joy in performing, in giving. I'm receiving medical exploration and treatment, something I should have done long ago. Am I coming back from what I was sure was performance death? Maybe I am, at that. Baby steps from here.
I will totally miss being in regular contact with playwright Mark Harvey Levine. I loved getting to know him and working with him. I hope he submits a play the next time we have an open-submission festival.
I went to two lovely cast gatherings this run (Thank you Gilly and Jude!), which is less than usual for me
Bear hugs to the entire cast, crew, and company. Here's to keeping the meter running. :-)
