For those involved in theatre: Endings stink. For all those involved. You put so much of yourself into every moment. The closer the production is, the more of your life that is immersed, the more of a family everyone is, the more fun is had....and then: it's over.
As a director (and probably as an old person) I am no longer "affected" by the closings. But that is probably because it is "over" for me before it is those involved. Once we go up, it is no longer my show. It belongs to the kids: in the cast, the crew, the orchestra. During our three night run of Thoroughly Modern Millie, I only ventured backstage twice: once to check on an injured dancer and another time to check on an actress that was upset over a missed cue and wardrobe malfunctions. (OK...I WAS there before the show, during intermission and at the end....but that doesn't count.)
To lessen the blow of closing night, I announce the next "mainstage" productions. I'm actually already fully immersed in them. Three class one acts and the show we take into competition will develop simultaneously. There will most likely be overlap between casts as well. As long as I've SOMETHING to be working on, I don't "jones". (I don't even know who knows what that means anymore!) The announcements were met with positive reactions...even the show that no one's ever heard of.
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The closing announcements on B'way continue, and I STILL expect a few more to fall. The shows scheduled to close now include:
13 - 1/4/2009
*All My Sons - 1/11/2009
American Buffalo - 11/23/2008
Dividing the Estate - 1/4/2009
*Equus - 2/8/2009
Hairspray - 1/4/2009
*Irving Berlin’s White Christmas - 1/4/2009
*A Man for All Seasons - 12/14/2008
Monty Python’s Spamalot - 1/11/2009
*Pal Joey - 2/15/2009
The Seagull - 12/21/2008
*Speed-the-Plow - 2/22/2009
Spring Awakening - 1/18/2009
Young Frankenstein - 1/4/2009
Gypsy - early 3/2009
* = PLANNED Limited Engagement
It would not suprise me if some of these end up closing earlier then posted...it's happened often lately.
Add that to the frightenly DISMAL list of shows ALREADY closed since the TONY Awards:
Cry-Baby: June 22, 2008
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: June 22, 2008
Curtains: June 29, 2008
*Sunday in the Park with George: June 29, 2008
Top Girls: June 29, 2008
*Les Liasins Dangereuses: July 6, 2008
November: July 13, 2008
*The Country Girl: July 20, 2008
Passing Strange: July 20, 2008
A Catered Affair: July 27, 2008
A Chorus Line: August 17, 2008
Thurgood: August 17, 2008
*Cirque Dreams: August 24, 2008
Rent: September 7, 2008
Xanadu: September 28, 2008
[title of show]: October 12, 2008
Legally Blonde: October 19, 2008
A Tale of Two Cities: November 9, 2008
*To Be or Not To Be: November 16, 2008
* = Planned limited run...but some ran shorter OR longer than originally planned.
Sigh. 'Tis sad.
3 comments:
Brings me right back to my high school acting days. Closing nights seemed like the end of the world. As an adult, they can be a relief or a bittersweet departure, but never tragic.
Then add to it the Seniors start their "goodbye's". Very emotional for them. I simply remember the withdrawal afterwards...lucky for my students they only have to wait a few weeks to audition for our next production.
Ummm... What ARE your next shows???
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