Thoughts - Exciting & New

Charlotte here.

You may have noticed a dearth of posts from our first week through opening. Sorry. Apparently, putting up a show is quite time consuming. I knew this intellectually but in actual practice, it really did take up a lot of time.

But what a time. Last week was one of the most memorable in my career. And I say this from two very different standpoints.

As an actor, to be able to dive into this world, to be the Duchess, to experience her joy, her fear, her betrayal, her lust and her death has been an honor I could not have fathomed. It has been immensely surprising how some of her scenes just leapt to life for me - I didn't have to agonize over choices and intentions - they were crystal clear. One frustrating thing is that sometimes, I, Charlotte, stood in her way. I was distracted or hungry or tired or thinking about programs or lights in the dressing rooms or other such things at a time when I should have been in her world. I'm not going to pretend every scene, every line, every moment is a home-run, but I feel connected to her in a very organic way and that will always remain one of the highlights of this experience.

As a producer, I feel a happy exhaustion. Producing, at least at this stage, is all about hauling and carrying. A producer must make sure that things that are needed are delivered. So, if you are a first-time producer, you have to do the hauling and carrying (someday, we might be able to pay others to do it!) You need lights? Ok. Cable? Ok. Mirrors? Sure thing. Programs ? Got em. Food for the gala? Sho nuff. Risers built? Let me rent a truck. I have never moved, dragged, fire-man lifted or hauled by sheer will so many things in my life. Only moving house could produce that same bone-deep fatigue.

But here's the payoff: when I sit backstage waiting for an entrance and I look around at the dressing tables littered with water bottles, combs, ties, cups, newspapers and all the other detritus of a show in progress, I realize: we've made this happen. People are here. The tell-tale signs of a show being performed are here - in the very nature of the objects that surround it. The mirrors, the hangers, the clothing racks, the clip lights - all are here (dragged and hauled and otherwise purloined by the weary producers) to this very space and time to bring this world into being. If exhaustion is the price, it is one I will gladly take and wouldn't trade any of it for a minute.

And the benefits of all this? A terrific opening. A cast that not only delivers on stage depsite heat and Phillies games and all the other distractions in an actor's life but expresses their passion and professionalism backstage as well. A crew that is inspiring, loving and kind.

And a kick-ass show. I am allowed to say it, I think. This show is good. As good as anything I've seen. We deliver. I know we do. You feel the audience is with you. And we a review to prove it. Say what you will about reviews (and we all do), this show deserves the write-up it got and we hope for more. But more than that, it's the encouragement we receive from our peers that helps us. This show excites people. It is story-telling in a simple form and it is thrilling to see theatre so simple, especially in this day and age of apps and blockbuster movies and the like. Simplicity - today - is actually a novel idea.

And now the conundrum. Where are the hordes of people breaking down the doors for tickets? I don't know. I wish I did. We have people coming to see the show, yes, but if you figure if theatre were like a math equation, it would read like this: Good Show + Great Review = Full House. Well, artists are not known for their math skills and so it stands to reason that it doesn't quite compute like that. We are picking up in terms of sales but not at the rate we would like. There are two parts to every venture: critical success and financial success and rarely the twain shall meet.

And so I encourage anyone reading this to "lead Fortune by the hand" unto our merry show. It's a memorable night.

P.S. Anyone notice how listy I've become? Being a producer will do that to you. Loves me some lists.....