CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESSFUL SHOW!!!  Always nice when the audience - whether the critics think so or not - like the show and extend their appreciation by such rousing applause.  It's a good show and apparently you and your cast did a stellar job to warrant such accolade.  Makes doing it worth the time invested to say the least.  But as always it's a crap-shoot.  You never know how something is going to be received.  It changes from audience member to audience member and performance to performance.  Best thing is to be consistent and let the chips fall where they may.

I've always loved it when the audiences for successful shows pretty much negate what a scathing critic might say.  Seems like icing to me.  But this critic issue is another topic altogether.  It's the audience we do this work for - not the critics.  And I am delighted that you had a good opening and trust you will have a successful rest of the run.  Break legs all around - and break open that champagne bottle!! 

TonyDi

Originally posted by castMe Tony.  Did you think I was irritated by your response?

No, I'm fairly sure he thinks I was.

POB.  I have never used it except in the future tense "Don't ask me what your motivation is." sort of thing. I can only remember being asked for motivation for blocking---"Why do you want me to move at (now, to there, etc) and I tell them why.  That has always sufficed. Have never been asked for motivation for an emotional response "What is my motivation for yelling at her" and the like.

This makes sense, in context with how you have said you work.  Again, here, it's me with the failure of understanding.

You all know the story George Burns used to tell on this topic, right?

Director:  In this scene, there's knock on the door, Joe opens it, and you come in.

Actor:  Why?  What's my motivation?

Director:  Okay, there's a knock on the door, Joe opens it, and you DON'T come in.

Actor:  Why NOT?

Director:  Because the actor who has replaced you will be coming in instead.

Never having been unfortunate enough to actually see an actor get to that point, I certainly understand the reaction.

Hey castMe,

I am so delighted it worked for you.  Actually it DID take some audiences a little while to catch on when we moved from scenario to scenario, changing characters, changing scenes.  But it wasn't long.  They picked up on the idea pretty quick - just a little slow on the uptake.  It IS such a good script and covers the gamut for most of the actors of a wide array of character types with which to shine.  Glad you had a good show.  More of the same now!! 

TonyDi

By the way, did you read your Private Message about the other issue?  Wasn't irritated with you - or anyone actually.  More shocked and a little stung.  I'll get over it I guess.

avcastner, I'm glad you enjoyed your auditions.   Personally I love holding auditions and was looking forward to tonight's.  Adults tonight and youngsters tomorrow for "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever".  I wasn't the original director for the show, but he bailed out two weeks ago and the theater asked if my wife and I (a junior high school teacher and director) would be able to do it.  The show we're currently running closes this weekend, and her school show doesn't audition for a month or so, so we said, what the heck, of course.  Unfortunately, not a single adult showed up tonight.  Nada.  Zilch. 

We're not worried yet, since we do know quite a few people to call, and with the kids coming in tomorrrow, we can prospect there, but it was pretty disappointing.  Our major problem may be that hte show opens the day after Thanksgiving, and although we are not planning on rehearsing on Thanksgiving, we do need to be there Tuesday and Wednesday.  Shoot.  I don't suppose any of you folks would be interested in coming up to Waterville, ME a few weeks before Thanksgiving.  It's really lovely in Maine in the autumn and you can sleep in the theater.  POB, BMD, Topper?  Anyone?

Still smiling here.

 Bewdy castme! You could be hosting a ?greenroom? Moot!
If you run out of room in the theatre, I guess there is a carpark or lawn, that they could dump their swag down.
A sleep out at the theatre is always a great & enjoyable experience, especially for the mossies!.
Pity the family Jet has been grounded indefinitely or I?d be there!