And here are a few random pictures from the “Show Stoppers” cast party at Steve’s place yesterday afternoon/evening.
Theater
The “Art” Cast
So, “Art” closed it’s run yesterday. Pictured here is the cast:
Chas. (yours truly), Jeff and Steve
Opening Night!
The World is Ending
The news that “Legally Blonde: The Musical” is opening on Broadway next Spring really does signal that we are indeed living in the end times.
“The Full Monty” Finale
Well … “The Full Monty” is now done … dead … finished … over. It’s gonna go down in the neck of the woods as one of the (pun intended) balls-iest shows ever done. I really don’t look for any of the other local theater group to ever attempt it. But we did … and we rock!
Some of you might have heard about our “barn burner” of a final performance yesterday … if not, you will now.
Saturday night, the fella playing Malcolm (Rod) had family from out of town coming to the show. Well, his sister showed up with an infant. That really isn’t the right thing to do when going to the theater. Apparently the baby was crying and the person in line in front of her turned around and said something about how “you’re not gonna bring that baby into the show are you?” She got up to the ticket window and our box office manager (Libba) also questioned her bringing a baby in. Our executive director (Steve) also told her it wasn’t a good idea. She explained she had come from out of town and was seeing her brother in the show. Steve told her she could come in but that she needed to be prepared to leave the auditorium if the baby started crying. Well, she apparently got upset about all this and just left. During the show, Rod requested that her ticket money be refunded and it was. Now, I heard about all this after the show was over.
Well, yesterday about an hour and half before the show was supposed to go up Rod called our music director. He had apparently stewed about the incident with his sister all night and was really pissed off. He was demanding that he receive three letters of apology from Steve and Libba (one for him, one for his sister, one for his entire family that was there) and a full refund of all the tickets his family purchased (which I think was 5 minus the sister’s ticket) or he wasn’t going to do the show. I called Steve and told him what was up and he became royally pissed off and basically said “Fuck Rod.” I then talked to Rod who said that he was on his way to the theater and was going to do the show anyway but was still going to talk to Steve/Libba and demand the afore mentioned items. I headed out to the theater and by the time I got there Rod was pulling out of the parking lot. From what I understand he got there and talked to Steve. Apparently the conversation got nasty and Rod was sent packing.
How nice! One hour to curtain and we were down an actor.
I will now take this opportunity to say just how awesome Mark Jones is. He was playing Ethan in the show … but with Rod gone, he totally switched gears from Ethan to Malcolm and went on stage yesterday with only about 45 minutes to prepare.
Well, then … who played Ethan you might ask. I jumped into the role and the show went on as planned. I must say that it was quite a thrill. I had always wanted to be IN the show instead of in charge of the show … and yesterday I got my wish (although the circumstances where really shitty).
The rest of the cast and crew were so great … cheering Mark and me on as we ran around doing the roles, learning last minute dances, winging our way through various parts of the show. The energy was high. The audience rocked. And I, your humble host, got to go “The Full Monty” on stage. It rocked!
Weekend Snaps
It was a totally “on the go” weekend. While battling a cold, I also had to deal with the show, went of a wee hike (which didn’t help the cold at all) and had a cast party to go to. Fun!
Here’s some pictures ’cause everyone loves pictures.
Preston in the Woods
Wash Hollow Waterfall
Red and Green Leaves
Hiking Boots
On the hike, I ended up loosing my nice double-wall, insulated camp mug. It got knocked out of my pack and went flying off the side of the mountain. Then PT and I got into a yellow jacket nest and we both ended up getting stung. It was almost as fun as getting zapped by that electric fence earlier in the year. Yup.
And here’s the Cast and Crew of “The Full Monty” as shot by Christy on Sunday afternoon.
Friday Update
After tons of illness going around … I feel like I might be trying to get sick. Grrrrr. The show last night rocked. We had a bunch of rowdy college students there and they were so into it. They kicked the energy up a notch and that was super cool.
Thursday Semi-Blues
Yeah … feeling a little run-down and out of it today. Seems like the last three nights off have just flown by and here it is … Thursday … and we go back into “The Full Monty” tonight. Four more performances, then three nights off, four more performances … then it’s done. Sounds like the reast of the run is selling pretty steady. I hear that tonight will probably be our smallest house. I suspect that we will not ever totally sell-out a performance just because of the nature/content of the show. “My Fair Lady” this sure ain’t. But, if we continue to nearly fill up, I’ll be very happy.
Front Page (Again)!
The rumors are true. We got the front page/featured article in Mountain Express this week. My legs have now been “spread” all over WNC. Heh.
More Post-Opening Press
First Post-Opening Press
“The Full Monty” Opening Tonight
Well, if you don’t have your tickets yet you won’t be getting in to the Opening Night performance of “The Full Monty.” It looks like it’s gonna be a sellout. Hopefully the hard work of all involved will get the greatest payoff of having every performance sell out. Now, that would be sweet.
Front Page News
Heh. Nothing like a little male nudity to get those reporters out. Last week we had the front of The Guide (no link ’cause the lazy bastards haven’t updated their site). This week we got the front of the Smoky Mountain News with a really nice write up. And I have it on good authority that we will have the cover of Mountain Express next week. Yes!