(Two fellow fruitcakes and two of my dearest friends, Tony and Jo!)
(The Spencer Family.)
(Clay-Boy and Clay Spencer. Aw, warm fuzzy moment right here!)
What is so very surprising to me, personally, is that as worried as I was being the stage manager before-hand, during rehearsals, come opening night, I wasn’t half as nervous as I thought I’d be. I think it was finally the relaxed enjoyment I’ve been longing to feel for a theater experience rather than the nauseating nerves I did before. I feel I’m finally getting the hang of this. As crazy as tech week was, I was confident come opening night convinced that things would fall into place and they did. Only, something else fell too, and hit the stage with a loud crash. What I am speaking of is, of course, the live Christmas tree we had on stage complete with stringed lights, the children’s ornaments, and a glass star tree topper. The second act has the most set changes and they happen very fast. On one half of the stage is the Spencer’s kitchen and on the other half of the stage is the barn, outside in the snow, Ike Godsey’s pool hall, The Staple sister’s house, and even the church. During one of the set changes, I went out on stage to move a piece of furniture and to turn the bass of the tree so that one side was blank and most of the ornaments faced the kitchen side of the stage. All of a sudden I feel the weight lean above me, the wheels from the base buckle and slip, and then TIMBER. I heard gasps and “oh no’s” a split second before I realized what was happening. The pitying audience “what a shamed” as I used all the strength I didn’t even knew I had until the sheer embarrassment rushed the adrenaline into my muscles to lift the tree to its upright position. When it was up and stable I rushed behind the curtains. From my peripheral vision, I saw Sue, our production assistant, leap on stage like some wonder woman with a mop sweeping the ornaments to the side and sopping up the spilled water from the tree’s bass that was now trickling downstage. Paula caught me backstage and I don’t remember if she asked what happened or if she just guessed but all I remember is almost immediately being buried in an embracing hug as she comfortingly hushed me as I tried to steady my erratic hyperventilating breathing being on the near brink of tears. I was so embarrassed! I’m the last person off the stage to make sure everything is in its right place and so I was up there alone in the work light with a 7ft Christmas tree nearly falling on top me! As exciting as Opening Night is, unfortunately it’s a night where, depending on the show, a lot of the kinks are worked out. The next night, Carey and I found the problem and refastened and tightened the tree straighter so that it did not lean and it worked. For the rest of the run of the show, I didn’t touch the tree once it was pushed out on stage during the first act, and the children did a great job of basically decorating half or ¾ of the tree so I didn’t have to turn it. Oddly enough, with as many glass balls we have broken through the course of the show; even during the show, not a single glass ball broke during the fall. Go figure. Only the star on top got chipped just a bit and Sue splinted it and basically fixed it as good as new. I shook some of my shame off and the next night and it became an ongoing running joke that instead of breaking a leg that we should, “break a tree,” or more cleverly as Paul put it, “break a limb!” Haha. They do say that the worst things that happen on stage make the best stories later. But after curtain call that opening night, which was a bit uncomfortable after my incident, the show was over and I apologized to our extremely patient director to which she and told me, with complete conviction and not a sign of discontentment, that it happens and that it was all right.
(Me and that blasted Christmas Tree. haha. I forgave it!)
Out of everyone during this show, I’ve grown such a close bond with Rhonda. She was our Miss. Alice in Fruitcakes, but our Director this year. I made it to almost all of the rehearsals and would always close up the theater, say goodnight to Jeb (our theater ghost/mascot), and lock up leaving with Rhonda and Rick. A lot of the time Rick, our producer, was at the Forge Theater playing in 1776, acting alongside my dad in his community theater debut. So basically it was me and Rhonda closing up a lot. I remember there was about two weeks during our rehearsal schedule where two scenes were split up. It was Clay and Olivia one week and The Staple Sisters and Clay-boy the next week. During those rehearsals, we basically took a bigger bite into who the characters really are. It gave the actors an opportunity to really express what they believe are the personality traits of their character and dissect the subtle characteristics that made their character special. I remember talking with Nanciann, (Olivia) Carey, (Clay) and Rhonda and I realized a slight metaphor in one of the genitures during their scene and I got three turned heads. “Wow,” exclaimed Nanciann. She laughed, “That’s why you are here, girlfriend.” When leaving that night, Rhonda asked if I had any interest in directing. Along with the other inputs I had put in that week, I guess I might have sparked that suggestion in her mind. I admitted, incredibly flattered, that I had not given it a thought but honestly would do anything that has to do with the theater and I’m always up to trying new things. I mean I’m honored just enough for being entrusted as the Stage Manager for only my second go at this community theater acting. Who knows? I may someday venture into the directing world. I’m sure that I have to be an assistant director first. But when that day does come, I want to no other person than Rhonda by my side. I let her know that personally too. But right now, I’m doing all I can to be a part, any part, in these shows and loving it!
(Our Director, Rhonda, laughing at something Scott must have said)
(Hair fixing in the green room.)
(Before each show, Rhonda made her hug rounds to everyone. Those were the best! I loved my Rhonda hugs)Right after our last show Sunday, we did a quick strike in which we tore down the set, put the props away, and cleaned the green room and dressing rooms in the basement. It was definitely a team effort. Our cast party immediately followed. My mom, dad, sister, Aunt Loretta, Grandma Mary, and a best girlfriend of mine, Kayla came to see the last show. When I said good-bye to my grandma, she handed me a big dish pan filled with homemade chocolate chip cookies and her famous seven layered cookies. She made it for the cast party and it was a big hit. When people were basically done eating, enough for us to have pizza grease free hands at least, awards were given out. The kids made candy cane awards where they nominated each other for certain silly titles. For example, “prettiest hair” or “best choir singer.” Taylor won a candy cane for “fastest costume changer.” This kid would rip off her costume by first inserting the hanger in her dress, while still wearing it, pull the dress over her head, and hang it on a hook in seconds flat! They were kids so that had plenty of goofy ones. Tessa seemed to win the most. For her part “Becky,” she won a candy cane for “the most angst-iest teenager.” Haha. At one point during the party, we convinced Eric to go on the now incredibly spacious stage, and perform the Staples sisters scene that he always mouths backstage always having Paula, Scott, and I stifling our snorting giggles. He did so, complete with Miss. Emma’s wig and a fedora hat to symbolize Clay-Boy’s part which he would interchangeably pop on and off between the roles. It was hilarious! Throughout the show, Eric has been such a big help for me backstage, especially since he towers above me and I was in constant need of his tall talents, especially if it had anything to do with that tree. He is a great talent as well and he was basically like a big brother to me.
(See! Eric is tall. Makes a great sight gag, right here. My sister said this was one of her favorite parts. haha!)
(Singing in Church! You can't see me. :/ I'm sitting next to Jo. )
Then it came time for the presentation of the gifts. Before the show, in the men’s dressing room, there were two very large matted pictures of the cast in two frames each engraved with Rick and Rhonda’s name, the show’s name, and the year. All around the matted photos, everyone signs their name and a tiny message if they wish. But before that was presented, I was totally shocked when Nanciann said that the first gift goes to moi?! She went on with this little speech about how helpful, professional, and sweet I had been during the show. I think she said some other things but I was so truly touched, that tears started to build in my eyes and I don’t remember the rest, just hugging her thanking everyone in a squeaky voice. “Yay, Katie Jo!” everyone cheered. Oh, by the way, Last year during Fruitcakes, we each had different names for our ensemble characters. Rick suggested Katie Jo for me and it just stuck. Plus there was another Katie in last year’s show, so when someone was trying to get my attention, it was the “Jo” that helped with the distinction. Anyway, she presented me with a gorgeous black engraved photo album with the show’s name and year. It was from Things Remembered, just like the framed photos, so it had to be expensive. It was such a wonderful unexpected gesture that deeply moved me. The large framed photos were then presented as well as a few beautiful “Christmas cactuses” to the rest of the production team. Rhonda then gave all of us each a handmade ornament of a wooden cardinal. Just Precious!
(My gifts)
During our pep talk before our last show, Jim recites a sweet poem he wrote that brought most of us to tears, even our littlest cast member, 6 yr Bridget that played our Patti-Cake. It hit her so unexpectedly hard. I wiped a tear away from her face and asked, “Angel face, are those good tears or bad tears?” “Both, I think.” She sniffled. I told her that these memories are happy ones that will make us smile when we think of the good time we had. “It’ll be alright.” I told her. She nodded and hugged my waist as she pressed her head against my stomach. I hugged her back, just as tight, as my heart broke a little. Like a little adult, she’s very wise beyond her years. Always reading and asking insightful questions about her character and always with her hand up. Haha. I’ll miss that. Really, all the children were a joy to do this show with and many of them with very special and professional talents. Rick even said that in the 29 years that he has been producing community shows with children in them, this cast of kids was the best behaved. Yes, sometimes they were a little too energetic backstage or they had to be shushed now and then, but I’ll miss each and every one of their smiling little faces and their tiny hugs.
(Little Bridget reading a book in between her scenes.)
(Our last pep talk. =( . See what I mean with Bridget, hand always up. haha. Cutie.)
It was so hard leaving. Hugs, hugs, hugs, and kisses all around. Jacquie I must have hugged like 6 times before she left, and I basically lost count of how many times I would hug Rhonda. We would tear up, start talking again, and then the hug-cry-talk cycle would continue. She’s such an angel and a complete blessing to be able to work with. I grew so very close to my cast and crew in such a short period of time. I love that about the theater. You gain so much with each show: experience, knowledge, friends, and life-long memories. There were personal tragedies that occurred with certain members, but it was always comforting to know that we shared grief and triumph together and that no matter what, there was always a shoulder, a hug, or a cup of warm tea. I don’t know if it’s the hopeful and joyful Christmas spirit that made this show particularly special, and hard to leave, or if this show is truly a gem, or both, but handing out my Christmas cards to each person in that room, it felt different. It was special and beyond any experience that could not have come from anything other than a Christmas show.
(Final curtain call. GOOD NIGHT CLAY-BOY!!!!)
(The stage. Closing night preformance.)
Jim couldn’t have written it better when he basically, in a nut shell, described this experience and every experience we receive in the theater and the difficulties of walking away from a show once it’s over. Tasting each moment as it disappears forever. I must end this blog with that precious poem that will always have me remembering my cast and crew from The Homecoming 2009, where each person will be held in a very special place in my heart forever.
Ready or not, today will be the closing of our show, The Homecoming. Your role has added much to the joy of each member of the cast and you have loved being a part of it all.
So, this last performance will highlight what has become special for you from all of your other shows and, in many ways, what has become a part of you.
So a Christmas tree may have fallen, a costume may have been torn, props may have been misplaced, no matter, for today, even the simplest of lines or the smallest of gestures will become embedded with that sweet light of memory.
Yes, you want to taste every moment as it disappears forever, but even so, you do so, and go on to that last curtain call.
The striking of the set is quick and sometimes painful. The departure of actor friends to other places happens so quickly. Memories will fade away much too soon. Sure, you may see a few again. You may even laugh with some of them once again, but, it shall never be just as it was then.
That world, that show will be gone. So you must search for another show, and then another. Eventually, you see clearly the chain you have made and the bonds that link them all together.
That is why you act. That is not just what you do, that is what you live for, that is who you are.
Farewell sweet sorrow ©
~Jim Lewis
Thanks for reading!
~Katie
oxox
