Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Opening tomorrow!

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Tom_Rylex
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Topic: Opening tomorrow!
Posted: 8/04/06 at 1:32am

Or today, actually. Just a few finishing things before I sleep, and we're ready to go, more or less. The 'to do' that remains is all stuff that's not critical, but would be nice.

Things have gone well. Most of the show has been running on schedule, and only the 'normal' things have gone wrong. You know, the ones that you panic about for a day or so, and then realize that it's not a problem, and come up with a solution.

I get to find out tonight how well our publicity worked out. We hit every avenue we could within our budget: Flyers everywhere, banners, some high quality posters, word of mouth, email, etc. Our biggest coup was media coverage. We got some feature newspaper articles in respectable papers, several radio interviews, and a couple of tv interviews as well. The tips from this site certainly helped!

I always learn something on every show, and producing has really given me an opportunity to stretch my wings a bit. I've learned that my management style is able to maintain order without being oppressive. Hopefully everyone is having fun.

I should hit the hay. I'm in the show as well, so the shuteye would do me good.

-Tom

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-R. Frost

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Joan54
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Posted: 8/04/06 at 7:59am

Hey Tom....my play opens tonight too...after ten months of prep. I have one more hat to finish tonight, the programs to get to the printers and about 57 other things that I can't think about now. We also upped our advertising and are hoping for results.

We had some huge disasters this week...the air conditioners on the roof backed up and the water poured through the ceiling..actually running down the stairs to the first floor. Could you imagine if that happened on opening night? We could give them a program and a bucket to hold on their lap. Not to mention the fact that it was 102 degrees in the building without AC. Then the backdrops rolled right off the end of the track and our young Lucentio forgot every line in the play, burst into tears and ran out the door in a panic. Oh yeah....I have Lyme disease and get to deal with all this with a raging fever.

You know the wonder of it all is that tonight at 8:00 the curtain will go up and all of the bumps, bruises, floods and fevers will be gone and something very magic will happen.....we will put on a play...a play that is almost 400 years old. I think when we get that first laugh I am going to have a good cry up in my little light booth ( oh yeah..the lighting guy crapped out too).

Break a leg.....

"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"

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Topper
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Posted: 8/04/06 at 12:18pm

Joan:

Be thankful you're not doing "The Scottish Play." Things might REALLY become disastrous.

I dare not say "break a leg" but I wish all of you a successful run!

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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POB14
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Posted: 8/04/06 at 3:25pm

Jeez . . . things have got to be looking up for you, Joan!

Best wishes, both of you!

POB
Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard

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castMe
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Posted: 8/04/06 at 5:19pm

Best of luck to you both, Tom and Joan.

Investigate. Imagine. Choose.

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JoeMc
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Posted: 8/04/06 at 9:04pm

Chookas!
Joan ?n Tom
{Sounds like good omens for great shows!}

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Tom_Rylex
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Posted: 8/05/06 at 10:59am

"... the crowd went crazy, and the house came down...."
Wow. Opening night went well, it was very gratifying. Other than a few technical flaws, it went off without a hitch.
I know the first night crowds are a little more energetic than others, but it was great to feel the crowd get sucked into the show. The energy level stayed high, and we had a strong finish. Overheard comments were all positive, and we received many compliments from fellow thespians who came to see the show. I heard more than once that this is one of the best shows from our group they have seen. (I might actually start beleiving that after a while.)
I won't actually relax until after the show's over, but I have something to smile about today.

-Tom

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-R. Frost

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castMe
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Posted: 8/05/06 at 11:29am

Hooray for you and your cast, Tom

Investigate. Imagine. Choose.

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Joan54
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Posted: 8/07/06 at 8:14am

Our opening also went well...like Tom...a few technical problems ( one of them mine...I am a lighting idiot) but it seems that we got rid of most of our new play problems during the week. Actually the most gratifying night was Saturday because we got a big crowd ( this may sound silly to those of you who sell out your shows but Shakespeare is a hard sell in a small town). I think we paid the bills this past weekend...an unheard of event! I am still feeling pretty sick but at least I have gotten over that panicky " I worked on this play for ten months and I'm going to miss opening weekend feeling". Thanks for all of your kind wishes....J

"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"

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Tom_Rylex
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Location: United States
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Posted: 8/08/06 at 12:29am

I'm glad things went well for you, Joan! There's nothing like toughing it out, and making it happen. Kudos to you, and may your next house be full.

-Tom

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-R. Frost

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Other Topics
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Other Topics

Author	Message
Tom_Rylex Star Joined: 5/07/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Topic: Opening tomorrow! Posted: 8/04/06 at 1:32am
	Or today, actually. Just a few finishing things before I sleep, and we're ready to go, more or less. The 'to do' that remains is all stuff that's not critical, but would be nice. Things have gone well. Most of the show has been running on schedule, and only the 'normal' things have gone wrong. You know, the ones that you panic about for a day or so, and then realize that it's not a problem, and come up with a solution. I get to find out tonight how well our publicity worked out. We hit every avenue we could within our budget: Flyers everywhere, banners, some high quality posters, word of mouth, email, etc. Our biggest coup was media coverage. We got some feature newspaper articles in respectable papers, several radio interviews, and a couple of tv interviews as well. The tips from this site certainly helped! I always learn something on every show, and producing has really given me an opportunity to stretch my wings a bit. I've learned that my management style is able to maintain order without being oppressive. Hopefully everyone is having fun. I should hit the hay. I'm in the show as well, so the shuteye would do me good. -Tom
	The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. -R. Frost

	IP Logged

Joan54 Celebrity Joined: 10/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 207	Posted: 8/04/06 at 7:59am
	Hey Tom....my play opens tonight too...after ten months of prep. I have one more hat to finish tonight, the programs to get to the printers and about 57 other things that I can't think about now. We also upped our advertising and are hoping for results. We had some huge disasters this week...the air conditioners on the roof backed up and the water poured through the ceiling..actually running down the stairs to the first floor. Could you imagine if that happened on opening night? We could give them a program and a bucket to hold on their lap. Not to mention the fact that it was 102 degrees in the building without AC. Then the backdrops rolled right off the end of the track and our young Lucentio forgot every line in the play, burst into tears and ran out the door in a panic. Oh yeah....I have Lyme disease and get to deal with all this with a raging fever. You know the wonder of it all is that tonight at 8:00 the curtain will go up and all of the bumps, bruises, floods and fevers will be gone and something very magic will happen.....we will put on a play...a play that is almost 400 years old. I think when we get that first laugh I am going to have a good cry up in my little light booth ( oh yeah..the lighting guy crapped out too). Break a leg.....
	"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"
	IP Logged

Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 8/04/06 at 12:18pm
	Joan: Be thankful you're not doing "The Scottish Play." Things might REALLY become disastrous. I dare not say "break a leg" but I wish all of you a successful run!
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
	IP Logged

POB14 Celebrity Joined: 7/01/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 349	Posted: 8/04/06 at 3:25pm
	Jeez . . . things have got to be looking up for you, Joan! Best wishes, both of you!
	POB Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard
	IP Logged

castMe Celebrity Joined: 11/02/05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 206	Posted: 8/04/06 at 5:19pm
	Best of luck to you both, Tom and Joan.
	Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 8/04/06 at 9:04pm
	Chookas! Joan ?n Tom {Sounds like good omens for great shows!}
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

Tom_Rylex Star Joined: 5/07/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 8/05/06 at 10:59am
	"... the crowd went crazy, and the house came down...." Wow. Opening night went well, it was very gratifying. Other than a few technical flaws, it went off without a hitch. I know the first night crowds are a little more energetic than others, but it was great to feel the crowd get sucked into the show. The energy level stayed high, and we had a strong finish. Overheard comments were all positive, and we received many compliments from fellow thespians who came to see the show. I heard more than once that this is one of the best shows from our group they have seen. (I might actually start beleiving that after a while.) I won't actually relax until after the show's over, but I have something to smile about today. -Tom
	The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. -R. Frost
	IP Logged

castMe Celebrity Joined: 11/02/05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 206	Posted: 8/05/06 at 11:29am
	Hooray for you and your cast, Tom
	Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
	IP Logged

Joan54 Celebrity Joined: 10/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 207	Posted: 8/07/06 at 8:14am
	Our opening also went well...like Tom...a few technical problems ( one of them mine...I am a lighting idiot) but it seems that we got rid of most of our new play problems during the week. Actually the most gratifying night was Saturday because we got a big crowd ( this may sound silly to those of you who sell out your shows but Shakespeare is a hard sell in a small town). I think we paid the bills this past weekend...an unheard of event! I am still feeling pretty sick but at least I have gotten over that panicky " I worked on this play for ten months and I'm going to miss opening weekend feeling". Thanks for all of your kind wishes....J
	"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"
	IP Logged

Tom_Rylex Star Joined: 5/07/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 8/08/06 at 12:29am
	I'm glad things went well for you, Joan! There's nothing like toughing it out, and making it happen. Kudos to you, and may your next house be full. -Tom
	The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. -R. Frost
	IP Logged

Topic: Opening tomorrow!( Topic Closed)
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