Comments on: Opening night

By: Kate the Great

Kate the Great — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:07:23 +0000

I’m happy you’ve tried it, Ramona. I’ve done lots of theatre (high school, community) and when I talk to people about it, they say, “Oh, I could never get on stage.” When I suggest techie work (which is equally rewarding but less glamorous) they just grin sheepishly and shake their heads. You’ve tried it and found you’re not suited for it.

I personally love it because of that Opening Night feeling. It’s a huge surge of energy that is almost tangible backstage and to everyone involved. It’s associated with showing our hard work and artistry to people, and the excitement of wanting to produce a finished, flawless product. It’s also involves that chance that a disaster could happen; after all, we’re all people with nerves and blindnesses. And tempers. I’ve seen many a silent fit happen backstage, but it’s because of those unpredictable risks that make it so exciting.

By: Demosthenes

Demosthenes — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:00:29 +0000

1. This American Life is rocks, and this did remind me of that fiasco! episode.

2. PB, your right a lot of things do go wrong on stage. Very wrong sometimes. I performed in a production of Les Miserables my sophomore year, and our true to broadway rotating stage got destroyed mid-musical by a dropped musket caught in the motor turning it. Fun stuff.

By: RW

RW — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:49:18 +0000

Just for the record – this post was an attempt to, as always, question myself and and my perceptions and not review the musical – which was wonderful and I loved.

And Dave, I appreciate you breaking your own rules for my sake. xo

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:06:49 +0000

It must be said: Great post!

By: swells

swells — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:55:06 +0000

But plays and musicals make me anxious. Especially when performed by amateurs. Too many things can go wrong. I can't be the only one who's instantly reminded of the This American Life episode about the amateur theatre fiasco. It just keeps going and going and going. Well worth listening to. I'm so glad your Abel had a better night on stage!!