Well, we’ve opened! Opening night was terrific, with a great and very responsive audience. It’s been such a joy to watch this production grow and become what it is today. Maybe I’m reading into things, but I felt the audience craved and needed laughter last night, and they got it.
Temporary healing for the soul.
It’s been a great ride and, as always, I thank Darko and everyone involved with Hartford Stage. This has become a home-away-from-home for me, and everyone, from Darko, the Artistic Director, and Mike Stotts, the Managing Director, on down is a gem. Truly good people. So, as I leave, though I’m anxious to get home, I also feel a twinge of sadness. That’s a good thing.
I never told you this story.
On the very first day of rehearsal, we had what is called a “Meet and Greet,” where everyone who is working on the production is introduced and we start to put names with faces. I was chatting with someone and a man came up to me. I turned to him, put out my hand, and said “I’m Claudia.” He responded, “Oh, I know who you are.” He told me he was a former student of mine at Boston University! I didn’t recognize him at first, because, let’s face it, that was 25 years ago. When he told me his name, the fog started to clear and I absolutely knew who he was. He was older, of course, and his longer, curly hair that he’d sported at BU was now darker and closely cropped, but I knew him.
I’m usually pretty good with faces – not so much names nowadays – but in this case, it was the name that jogged my memory first. Anyway, imagine my surprise and delight when I found out he was the Fight Director/Choreographer on the show! I tend to freeze-frame impressions of my former students at the age at which I knew them, simply because I don’t always see them in the intervening years. I hadn’t seen Greg since he was in my class. He’s had a whole career since then, with a Master’s Degree and further acting training as well as movement and fight training. He teaches now and lives in Connecticut. And he’s really good at what he does. Watching him work with the actors was so gratifying.
It was such a pleasure to get to know him as a colleague. This reacquaintance was one of the highlights of my time here.
Here we are about a week ago:
I know I always say this, but theater is a small world. And when my teaching and professional coaching careers intersect in such a surprising way, that’s the best!
I’m headed home later this morning. I have to close and start packing everything up. I haven’t heard from Don yet. He has been on my mind. What an adventure he is going to have today!
Thank you for all your comments yesterday. I so appreciate them and I know that the readers of this little blog do, too.
Happy Saturday.
Safe travels. May the good in world prevail over this dark and scary time. May we all stand up and fight for what is right together.
Take Care and thank you for yours words,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Thank you for your words, Kaye. We must fight for what we know is good and kind and compassionate.
Safe travels! And, I couldn’t have said it better than Kay! We must stand up and be heard! So glad the performance went well…yes…last night a lot of us I’m sure we’re craving laughter. And, I loved the story about you reconnecting with your former student! ;)
Thank you, Donnamae!
Really happy the opening night went well. How great to reconnect with a former student. Safe travels home. I’m watching the Women’s Marches and so so proud. I did not realize this was around the world also. I’m watching a sea of pink hats and feeling so moved by the numbers. I can’t wait to hear about Don’s experience. Hugs!
I just tried to find the marches on my television and couldn’t find them. I’ll have to check again when I get home. Yay for Pink Hats!
I went through and read all of yesterday’s comments. It helps to know that there are many others in the same boat as us, in these crazy, unbelievable times. I’m so glad for your great experiences with this play…congratulations on another job well done! You’ve helped to bring smiles and laughter to the world and I’m glad to (virtually) know you. Happy trails today, as you make your way home.
It does help to know we are not alone. This blog often becomes a place to exchange ideas and that makes me happy. Thank you, Shanna!
That’s a lovely story about your former student. Obviously, you made a huge impression on him, Claudia. And the flowers from your husband (on Instagram) are such happy colors.
For not the first time in my life, I have to choose “hope.” And, I hope others here will join me. We need some light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Safe travels, Claudia. Your warm and cozy cottage beckons.
Yes, we need to choose hope. Otherwise, we would give up the fight! And that’s not happening.
Stay safe on the road, Claudia. I’m anxious to read about Don’s adventure on the march. There are quite a few events in California, and a number of people are opening their homes for fund-raisers for those who cannot march.
I haven’t heard from him yet, except for a quick text saying he’s safe. Apparently cell coverage is not too good. Probably overwhelmed by all the people!
The “March” is amazing. Lots of nasty women and some nasty men too.
There are so many great speakers.
I hope you have a safe trip home. And I know Don will be just fine.
Yesterday, I got caught up in all the hate that I witnessed. So sad.
I know you hate to leave CT. but NY is waiting for you.
Peace,
Monica
I’m fine with leaving CT, Monica. It’s always a little bittersweet, but home and husband are everything to me!
Have a safe trip home. Don is out fighting the good fight!! I still think to myself that this can’t be real. Today my daughter and grandson are coming over for a visit so that will be a good distraction from the insanity. Enjoy your weekend Claudia! xo
I know. I keep hoping it’s a bad dream and I’ll wake up. But it isn’t. So we’ll fight, April! We’ll speak out. Have a lovely weekend.
My daughter marched this morning in Madison. She texted me to say they only actually “marched” about 4 blocks…………. because there were so many people, they spanned from the Capital down to Library Mall of the University. That made my heart swell.
Glad Opening Night was a wonderful success and I loved the story of your meeting with a former student!! Such fun to then work together!! It is a testament to the fact that life does go on and we move forward. I have been doubting that since Nov. 8. Finding my way around/ over/ under/ through that ~ has been a journey in itself. Safe travels home….
They were marching in Hartford, too. As I was loading up the car (endless trips) I saw more and more people gathering. Very, very inspiring! Thanks so much, Chris!
Great news about your connecting with another former student. When I meet up with any of mine, I NEVER recognize them, because they’re all still 6 or 7 years old in my memory. But it’s still wonderful when it happens. Sometimes it even makes my eyes “leak” a bit too [grin]. Hey, Don must be having quite an adventure today!! So proud of him for going – can’t imagine how proud YOU must be. I’ve been watching the coverage on MSNBC & Twitter and it’s been a balm for my soul. The fight is far from over, but today it does feel like the wind is filling OUR sails for a change. First time since the election. Gloria Steinem has my favorite line so far – “The Constitution begins with ‘We the people’ NOT ‘I the President…’ Isn’t that awesome? We’re letting Cheeto know – the clock is ticking, ace… Also highly recommend you check out Bill Maher’s first show of the season on YouTube – it was terrific!
Peace. #Resist
Marches in London, in Canada, in Paris! They are fighting with us and that is so inspiring! I’ve only been able to see a bit of the coverage because I was packing up and moving things out of the apartment building and then a two hour drive home and now I’m unpacking here. But the little I saw was fabulous!
Oh, Orangey, the clock is definitely ticking! I’ll watch Maher On Demand, because we get HBO. Keith Olbermann was on and I love him! Peace.
I marched in Chicago today with my son and grandson. I have read that 250,000 people were there and I believe it! It was amazing! One woman gave me a pussyhat that she had made so I have a wonderful memento of this fabulous day! I didn’t realize the march was officially canceled due to the size of the crowd – we marched all through the city and it was outstanding! Chanting and splendid home made signs – I am so glad I went!
I heard on the radio that it was cancelled and turned into a rally in Grant Park! So proud of you and your son and grandson, Ellen! Don just called and said he has never seen so many people in his life. The numbers are at least 500,000!
Glad you had a great Opening Night and also glad you’re on the way home; probably home by now as it’s about 7:10pm your time. Looking forward to what you post tomorrow.
In Southern California, we’re becoming emergency-prepared for several inches of rain. Boulders are falling off the cliffs, the ocean is churning, our creek is muddy with blessed-needed water…but it’s so sad to see trees toppling. We lost two at a park yesterday near here; they’d been there my whole life, probably from the late 1800s in age (a building in the park is from 1917 but the trees were there first). Too water-deprived from years of drought; weak root system as a result…then, the ground gets uncharacteristically soaked like this and, poor things, they just can’t stand up to the ravages. It just killed me to go by those gigantic tree stumps this morning. But we’re going to get overall tremendous drought relief here from as much as 9 inches of rain in 3 storms from Friday through Monday. We’re sandbagged; we’re ready. As ready as we can be. (It’s taken my mind off other things for awhile, thankfully…)
Stay safe, Vicki. Oh, the trees. Breaks my heart!
Sounds like the show was successful! It would be fun to see it. My daughter said the march here went well with a huge turnout. (Even the weather cooperated!) We, however, were at a required choir workshop scheduled way last fall. But I sure was with all the marchers in spirit. Safe travels home, Claudia!
Thank you, Judy!
I was in the theater in Zurich last week to see “West Side Story”. I was thinking about you and what you do to get a show on stage. Anyway, I enjoyed the musical very much. Have a safe trip home! Regula
Thank you, Regula!