The Show Is Over

This play has been a wonderful experience!

I had the privilege of working with four very talented women, and a with a script by a very talented writer, Paula Vogel.

The first time I did this show, in 2002, I played Mae. I wore a grey wig, and developed a tremor that patrons thought was real. Since then, the play has had some very good rewrites. I did like the version we did then. However, this one has been to Broadway, and become a much more dynamic piece of theater in the process.

That production, in 2002, was fraught with problems. The worst was the disappearance of the director's daughter part way into the rehearsal period The director was Janet Cooke, and her daughter, Rachel, has never been found. The Stage manager took over directorial duties, and the show went on. Then, our Ursula got pneumonia, and the stage manager (now director) had to step in and act the part.

Two of the people who had promised to audition for it were absent, due to the fact that one of them died and the other was too heartsick to go on. That's how I got the opportunity to play Mae. B J Machalicek, our Edna, played Vera, back then.

This time, we had to recruit a couple of the ladies. Ben Irene Fredericks was cast as Vera, but had to drop out for health reasons, so Barb Jernigan graciously stepped in.

Last year, when Michael told me he wanted to do this show, I promised him I would be there. So did B J. We were so lucky to get Barb, Melita and Nikki.

Christina, Stage Manager Extraordinaire, looked after us all backstage, and Andy (Michael's wife) kept us supplied with goodies throughout the rehearsal period.

I couldn't wait to get to the theater each night, because I knew it was going to be fun. Among the five of us, we have probably clocked up over a hundred years of theater experience, and I have the highest respect for each and every one of the actors, as well as genuine affection.

This show was everything I had hoped it would be, and more.

I had fun, being fierce!