The Show is Over

The last performance of any play is a poignant occasion. When the entire cast is made up of women, it's bound to be even more so.

There were a few men--Frank, the director, Ryan, one of the stagehands, Aaron in the light booth (I think he was running sound, with Amanda on the lights), and Ryan's friend with the gentle smile, whose name I can't remember, as he was only there for two or three performances. But they were vastly outnumbered, with 19 women in the cast, plus Christina, the Stage Manager, Val running props and, with Ryan, the revolve, and Amanda in the booth. We ranged in age from B. J., who is sixty-something, down to Laurel, who is 12. Many of us have other projects coming up--Nadina is directing a show in Lockhart, Jennifer is in a Gilbert and Sullivan production that opens soon in Austin, Kristine is with the Austin Opera Society, Lisa is the singing coach (musical director?) for Aladdin. Frank is already planning his next show, Maureen and I are going to be dancers in one of Olin's shows.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that life goes on. I have been so focused on this show for such a long time, that it is hard to imagine life without it. In spite of minor disagreements over hot rollers and mirror time, in spite of having had to bellow at people once or twice, and hide costume elements left outside, I have to say that I have enjoyed working on this show more than most. The fights that could have happened, didn't. Everyone pulled together to create an ensemble piece that was poetry in motion.

Many of us had our little meltdowns. Lyn cried because she thought I was picking on her. Mary cried because she thought she was too fat for her role. Beth cried because she got her hair cut and hated it. Lisa cried because her son has a bad case of rebelliousness. Laurel cried because she figured out how to do it on cue (pretty good for 12)! I cried at Final Dress because I was so busy getting everybody else dressed that they called places and I was still not made up or costumed. Lynn cried because some of us got annoyed with her daughter.

But, when all was said and done, it didn't matter. There was no weak character or weak actress in this play. There was a huge amount of talent, and great patience and cooperation was shown to and by everyone. The result was a show that pleased us as actors and pleased our audiences.

I will dish the dirt later!