Tired Two-Show Magic

Two show days are rough to begin with. You have to pace yourself to make sure you’re not completely exhausted by the end of the second show, because you know you’ve got load-out immediately following, and likely a bit of a drive to wherever you’re headed. When I see we’ve got one coming up, I usually aim to get extra sleep the night before, pack some snacks for between shows, nap or otherwise lie low during our between-show break and attempt to avoid driving one of the legs. No matter what show you’re doing, it’s a haul.

So, when our 12-hour invasion from the night prior prevented any of us from getting more than four hours of sleep, you can imagine that we were not exactly happy campers. The morning van call was laden with grunts and groans, and there was much sleepiness expressed by all. I, very luckily, managed to snag a seat in the back of the passenger van and, surrounded by pillows, slumbered for our entire ride to the Raritan Valley Community College.

I think one thing I have learned about performing on exhaustion is that it guarantees that surprising things will happen, and, most of the time, they are for the better. And with that preface, we were certainly in for some excitement. A little exhaustion causes everyone to make new, revitalizing choices. Suddenly, scenes seemed a little different, perhaps a little more connected, and everybody ups their game a little. Maybe we do this to compensate, or maybe this just happens because nobody has the energy to try that hard. Regardless, the shows seemed fresh and fun. Lots of little new and exciting moments.

Yet, for me, the biggest, was the effect of a clap-happy audience. Colleen, as Jenny, sings a rockabilly song berating me (her granddad) for being stubborn, one that thrills me every time, especially since I first knew her as the type-A, highly-reserved Ruby. Anyway, mostly-kid audiences really identify with her, as she provides them a very understandable perspective on the whole situation.. Well, this crowd really got it, and clapped along with her through her entire song. As an actor, when you get that kind of response, your performance goes through the roof and Colleen, (exhausted) pro that she is, kicked it into high gear. I have never felt so bad to be a “hot head, nut bread” or a “thumb-sucking baby.” When she was finished, we shared a secret smile, and, in the truly thunderous applause, I got to sit back and watch us really nail a part of this performance. Even on four hours of sleep, we can kick this show hard.

Oh, and Raritan was the first time we signed a wall. Watch out, Future! Someday, this brick will be worth a ton.



Call tomorrow: 7:25am, 108th and Amderdam. A much saner hour.

Kid Quote of the Day: At one point, after threatening to leave, Jenny (Colleen) steps into the house, closes the door, and returns moments later with a packed suitcase and backpack. Today, one charming munchkin announced, “That was FAST!”