So the show is over. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post my "post mortem" (for lack of a better term), but I went through a bit of after show depression and only recently came out of it.
As many of you know, I had some VERY grand intentions about this blog. I intended to post at least once a week (if not more) during the rehearsals to really give that "inside view" of the process. But, during rehearsals things got a little crazy and there wasn't an opportunity to sleep much (let alone post regular reports about the show). So here I am, almost a month after the show has closed and there have been no regular reports. I'll try to fill everyone in...
There's this great exchange in the movie SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE that totally sums up my experiences on IN THE EBB:
HENSLOWE: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.
FENNYMAN: So what do we do?
HENSLOWE: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
FENNYMAN: How?
HENSLOWE: I don't know. It's a mystery.
There were many times during this process when it truly felt like insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster. I mean, it's not brain surgery, no one's life was at stake or anything (of course that fact may be the reason I chose directing instead of doctoring - I don't mind some pressure but I don't do well with the "this dude's life depends on your actions" kind of pressure – but I digress).
No, no one’s life was at stake but as far as the success of the production was concerned (the success of the launch production for my own theater company that I created from nothing and that I hope will one day pay my bills) the path to that success really did feel like a condition of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.
We had set issues and scheduling issues and lighting issues and, of course, money issues. We had no running crew so I sort of had to wear that hat, except for the days when I dragged the fiance and the friends into various crew positions. And with all of that, with this constant feeling that the show was a house of cards on the verge of collapse, it truly did turn out well...and I have no idea how. I mean, we didn't have a dress rehearsal...no I'm not kidding. The first time we ran through the entire show, without stopping...was opening night. And yes, I worked very hard to make the show work...And yes, I was blessed with an absolutely killer script...And yes, I had what was quite possibly the best cast ever assembled...but despite that, I have no idea how we pulled off such a successful show. (and, tiny sidenote, the fact that I had an absolute blast even when it looked like the entire thing was about to crumble, I guess that’s just evidence that perhaps I have chosen the correct prefession to devote my life to…)
My only regret about the entire show was that there were no reviewers in the audience so except for the satisfied audience members (and I know that that is no small exception) we have no proof of the how well the show went.
...and I guess, in the end, that's one of the reasons I feel I'm not done with IN THE EBB. There's more to be said and there're more people to reach and I feel that the show is still crying out to be seen...at least it feels that way to me.
So, as Rick (Casablanca Rick) says, “maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day”...I'd like to do it again, hopefully with the same cast, hopefully with more money and hopefully with an even bigger audience.
But, without question the show was a resounding success and a wonderful way to launch the theater company and to honor my uncle for whom the company is named.
...and not to toot my own horn or anything, but damn am I proud of it.
For pictures from the show and for updates when more things happen with it, check out www.intheebb.com.
