like no business I know....

It's show time folks....how do you like that.  I knew it was coming, I had it on my calendar and on my "to do" list......this week, don't forget to: buy toothpaste, pay car insurance, put on 3 shows.
I think we may be ready....but I digress.
Last Saturday we had our all day / first day with costumes and technical rehearsal.  Okay..house lights down, overture ...sounds great..... aaaaaaaand go. 
I can't see the actors
Well they are not standing where the lights are
Then put some more lights on
There aren't any more lights
I know there are....I've seen them...what I don't see  ARE THE ACTORS!!!!!
So instead of doing the entire show stage right where all the lights are.....let's move some things around, shall we.
DONE

Why is the yellow brick road/forest backdrop in the middle of Emerald City?
There is no place else to put it and you okayed it that it should say on
(God, what else did I say okay to..?)
Well I don't like it ....can we cover it with green ...you know emerald green...like the city
I guess we can get some material and fly it but the bar will show when we drop it down
So the bar will show...the jig is up kids, people know it's not really Oz...it's community theatre.
DONE

When Dorothy and company (the Fab Four as I call them) goes to meet the Wiz....where is the gatekeeper going to be....wasn't he going to be like a jack in the box...keeping with our toy theme?
We can't find a box big enough for him...
Can we use the big chair we have and cover it?
We would have to cover half of it and then have someone take it apart for the next scene
Hey, that window set that was built for the first scene with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em...can we maybe
use that ...its green and with the Emerald City sign....maybe
DONE

So that was Saturday....I went home to shave my head but decided to color all the greys out of my hair ...
So Monday....  t minus 3 days.....
WE HAVE LIGHTS....WE HAVE EMERALD CITY....WE HAVE A GATEKEEPER SET
Thank you Thank you Thank you theater gods....and theater mortals (our set builder in particular)
I definitely have a little less of a stomach ache. And you know what else happened....
WE HAVE A LION!!!!
Our "little lion man" was told day one of rehearsal that he was moved up from chorus boy to lead when our
original lion was unable to commit to the show.  Day after day - week after week..it was "try it like this"
or "roar like that" , "you have to give it just a little more"  "what can I do to help you...maybe when you get your costume on"...
Well  it was clearly my awesome direction and leadership (sarcasm) or most likely it was in him all along
but I think it was just SHOW WEEK.....he's a LION.  I kind of want to cry, he is that good!
He is now on the same level as the rest of the Fab Four, who are kind of more seasoned performers (all under the age of 21 that is) I can't be prouder of the four of them and the work they've done and it's not just because they are the "leads".  It's something that's in them and I can see it in a few others too.

I hadn't planned on giving THE SPEECH yet,  but on Monday I felt I had to.  THE SPEECH is about respect...the obvious:
Respect the directorate (you'd think that'd be a given) all the directorate or any adult who has volunteered countless hours for that matter. Here's an example, if the assistant director gives a direction ...do it ...he is just a "taller, lankier " version of me (his words)...so listen to him!...
Respect the crew and orchestra ...we are no where without them ...
Respect the venue..our small, sweaty, semi-equipt home...we are LUCKY to be there..so keep it clean, pick up after yourselves and other if you have to. 
But most of all respect the craft.  Respect why we are all here. Respect the love we have for this "business". Respect that feeling, you know, the one we don't talk about but I know we all have.  It absolutely takes my breath away and I never want that feeling to go away. To watch a show is one thing, but to be a part of this process is amazing. To take it from the angst of auditions to the curtain call (which makes me cry...every time, don't tell anyone, it'll ruin my image) is a roller coaster of indescribable emotions.
Respecting the craft is respecting yourself and your fellow cast members.  We are so lucky to have "this" inside of us. Others would rather die than to perform in front of a crowd of people...we would die not to. There's no people like show people....

So I still have a bit of a stomach ache and less grey hair and I know at this point it is kind of out of my hands.  I did get my annual back handed compliment though..."I can't believe you pulled this off..it's actually really good..."(um, thanks.) So that being said...I guess we're ready to go.. so, let's go on with the show ...just saying.