I believe I told you about auditions, and how this all came about. So I guess I'll just tell you about our performance weekend. We rehearsed for about 8 weeks, 3 nights a week. Yes, it was long, and yes, it took up alot of time, but it was completely worth it. I can't imagine a better way to come back to the stage. The entire cast and crew was absolutely amazing; one of the best groups I've had the privilege of working with. The thing I love about theatre is its unpredictability, and how no two performances are the same. You never know how your audience will react, or what things might fall off a wall.
We opened the play on Thursday, March 25. We had done a full dress rehearsal two days before for a small audience. It went very well, but there is nothing like opening night. I have to say I was fairly calm, only a very small case of nerves. I was still feeling great about the Tuesday night rehearsal. First, I need to tell you I was pretty sick through this entire thing. The week before, I had to leave a rehearsal because I was about to pass out. I was better by Thursday, but no where near well. For the entire weekend, I had to time coughing spells around applause and blackouts. Like I said, unpredictable. Thursday night gave us a small crowd, mostly our older patrons. Throughout the entire first act, we didn't hear much feedback from them. By the time we got to intermission, we were all a little panicked and nerves had come back because we thought that we had messed up somewhere. Stacey, our amazing director, came backstage to assure us that we were doing our jobs correctly, it just didn't seem as if our audience was very into it. They made the decision to extend intermission for a few more minutes to give them some time, and that seemed to do the trick. Act II was like a new group of people. We finished strong and ready for Friday.
Friday and Saturday night we alot alike to me. Great audiences, almost full house. Another thing about being a stage actor is that you feed off of your audience. If they have a good time, we have a good time. We already love what we're doing, but if you like what you see, we seem to find a way to take it to a new level for you. These two nights were so much fun to me. I had alot of support in the crowd, and it seemed like our group really got comfortable under the lights. (FYI, they are really bright, hot lights) We had some pretty memorable moments in both performances. If you are familiar with the movie, you know that at some point Bender must climb to an air vent in order to make his was back to the library. On Friday, the vent fell off, during a black out. We didn't know why, or how, or if Scott (our Bender) was hurt. The crowd thought it was hilarious. There was no time to investigate, the show must go on! Do you remember the scene immediately following that, when Bender is back in the library but must hide under the table to avoid being caught by Vernon? So, on Saturday night, things are going pretty smoothly. This scene was always a problem for me, because I was trying very hard to maintain a ladylike position and not flash the audience while Scott was messing with my legs. It was much harder than you think. He was only supposed to tickle a couple of times, nothing big, but enough to get a reaction from me and the audience. I was supposed try to kick him or step on his hand, whichever happened first. Well, on Saturday, he had some fun with it. The audience was rolling with laughter, so he kept on and on and on and on.... I really tried to hurt him that night, but it never worked. The entire time our Vernon (Cathy Roberts) is immediately behind me trying to make her point and I could not turn to face her. She finally yelled "Look at me young lady!" All I could do was lower my head where my hair covered my face and just furiously shake in back and forth. There was no way I could look up. I was trying very hard to keep my composure, and it just wasn't working. Overall, both great performances.
Sunday was a good and different. Sunday is always a small crowd, and the crew is always a little tired. But, I have to tell you we went out with a bang. It ended so quickly and suddenly though. It's not a long show to begin with, but once it starts, it's like all of a sudden it's done, and that was it. There would be no more Breakfast Club.
I have to give a shout out to my cast mates. I can't imagine there being anyone else to fill these roles and come together as a group the way we did.
To Nichole: Girl, I have known you since you were tiny! I stayed with you when you weren't quite big enough to be alone. I'm so proud that we had a chance to reconnect as adults and work together. You were wonderful, and I'll never look at bologna or Captain Crunch the same way again!
To Blake: You must know that I "Thank" you are so adorable. I mean that in a puppy kind of way, but do take it as a compliment! You, my dear, have an amazing amount of talent, and I can not wait to see what you are able to do with it. It was such a treat to get to work with you, and I really hope that in the future we might have the opportunity to do so again!
To Daniel: Sweetheart, you amazed me! Your ability to perfectly recite a 6 minute monologue while simultaneously delivering a convincing fake cry was outstanding! The only time our audience was completely silent was because of you! The way that you perfected the Tarzan yell, unforgettable! I sincerely you hope you grace our stage with amazing presence for many years to come!
To Scott: I heard it said many times. There could not have been a better Bender unless Judd Nelson from 1984 walked onto our stage himself. I'm so honored and privileged to have been able to witness your first major on stage role. You were perfect. You are also only the second boy I have kissed in about six years. You should feel privileged too! Ha! It was so much fun to be your opposite. I hope you enjoyed the experience as much as I did. Oh yeah, and I really hope you don't have any scars... Plenty of memories made, I don't think you need the scars as reminders...
To Mrs. Cathy: Oh Vernon, what can I say? You and I have been through many a production together. Whether it be a GLT or PA, you were always there to help and lead or fill whatever role might be lacking on any given day. From this first time we worked together, and I honestly don't remember when that was, you have been a huge fan and supporter of me and what I consider my small talent. If it had not been for your encouragement, I don't think I would have stayed for auditions that night. My, what I would have missed! I was such an honor to be back on stage with you as well! I'm so glad you chose to make this show your big comeback to!
And last but certainly not least, to our directors: Stacey and Mr. Ted.... To the both of you, what is show without it's leaders? What is a director without a vision? You both had the vision and the uncanny ability to lead us, to show us what must be done. You both were amazing in your encouragement, and gentle but firm in your criticism. You made us want to make this show amazing for you. You made us want to be the best that we could imagine. Thank you both for giving me the opportunity to get back into theatre. I wasn't sure if I would ever have this chance again. Thank you for making me remember how much I loved it then , and finding out how much I can and do love it now. I really really really hope we can work together again. It was a thrilling ride, and it ended so quickly, but it's not likely one I will ever ever forget!
