It's Monday morning and I am a bit out of sorts. In truth, I am deep in envy-mode. Not good. I went to the theatre last week - was treated actually - thanks Diane! - to see a revised staged production of Sweeney Todd. This is a really incredibly stark and moving re-do of a personal favorite. This show holds a place in my heart as it was the first Broadway show I ever experienced. I was 16 years old and in New York for the first time, travelling with a singing group. Seeing that a new Sondheim show was in production I eagerly bought a ticket. (I would love to remember how much I paid for a ticket then!) If I recall, the other production I saw was the revival of West Side Story. Funny how it's been revived again and currently on B'way, at this posting.
Anyway, back to the story. I do not recall attending with anyone else but then again it was few years ago. It was an amazing evening, I do recall. The music was intoxicating, frightening and a bit mysterious. And a bit over my head, if truth be told. A WOW all around. The set, the costumes, the ominous factory whistle and ...yes...the blood.
So - jumping forward some 30 years....gulp! Here I am again, sitting in the audience second row center, to see this amazing show and I am ...again....blown away. This time I am watching 10 actors on stage, playing the complicated score themselves (no pit!) hurling the characters through this wild ride.
I was so taken by it that I had to write mini fan notes to two of the actresses - via Facebook! Gotta love that! (Ruthie, if you are reading this..yes I did lift these photos from your page. No, I am not a stalker ...okay, maybe a bit of a "creeper"..;)
My point is...I miss it. I miss the grittiness of an intense show. At this moment, I am sitting at my desk, drinking coffee, checking email, getting ready to do my normal Monday trip to the hospital for Mom's chemo day...and I am daydreaming. I am envious because these girls - all a good 20 years younger than me - get the chance to step on the stage this week and present this material.
Back in my college days, I had a similar experience. One of my professors got a call from the Production Manager for Barry Manilow. (He was still pretty big in the early 80's.) His concert required a choir for one of his numbers and so, in every city, the Production dude recruited from universities. We showed up and rehearsed with the music director and the back up singers. The guy kept reminding us to keep focused on him...not on Barry. On him, not on Barry.
"No problem", we all thought.... We were "serious musicians" and not given to fawning over pop singers..... The music director kept saying.."watch me for cut offs... tempo, etc. Do not watch Barry".
Alright already!
So the evening comes and we are seated in the audience for the first half of the show. Then intermission and we head backstage. The once empty Green Room is now a sea of food and drink fit for a king. We dress in the choir robes provided and line up. The lights go down and we walk out onto the circular stage as 22,000 screaming fans respond. We are now some 5 feet from Mr. Manilow himself and our eyes are glued on him. HEY THAT'S BARRY MANILOW!
Tearing our eyes off the Musical Icon we watch the director, trying to remember that we are "serious musicians" with a job to do. (If I recall, I think they paid the choir to be there as we were fund raising to go to the U.K. that year...)
The overwhelming feeling, that next day was envy and a longing. I was going to class and Barry was heading to Cincinnati for another amazing concert in front of thousands of screaming fans. I don't think it's the idea of being adored with applause that got me ( gets me this morning). It's the idea that you are involved in a piece of art. That you are "working" at your craft and getting the chance to trot it out again and work through the process of presenting it to an audience. That, to me, is the draw. This is the source of my envy, this morning.
This group of actors hit the stage and remain there for the entirety of the show - an unusual thing in a theatrical production. The mood of the show is intense and ..more intense. It's terribly exciting, I feel, to be that "in the moment" for that length of time.
It is for all those reasons that I am having a hard time this morning. I am missing a bit of "intensity" today. Sigh.
Okay, enough on that.
Have a good day, everyone. (And if there is some intensity in it..enjoy!)
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