There was a somber mood around our house last night and this morning. It’s been a while since I’ve experienced the post-closing depression but I think this will be the dominant emotion for the next few days at least. With two children involved in “Peter Pan” and a rehearsal and performance schedule that at times seemed to go on forever, we were all more wrapped up in the swirl of theater life than I realized.
The ability to move on from the relationships, the excitement, the camaraderie of a show is another one of those unappreciated skills that people in theater must develop. Maybe it’s easier when you are younger but now that I’m older and more soft-hearted, even experiencing it second-hand is rough. Do they teach classes on “Coping when the Show Closes” in theater school?
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We start rehearsals for the Festival this summer and I'm still mourning Measure for Measure. "Coping When the Show CLoses" should definitely be a 300-level THE class.
Nah, I thought I had grown out of it, and gotten all jaded, but we all got choked up Saturday, during the last song of the Cabaret. Of course the lyrics "Everything in life is only for now." didn't help. The love of it is why we do it.
Geez Andrew - mourning "Measure" more than "As You Like It"? No, no, it's okay, really man (sniff)
Dave, it's a tough one for sure to close a show, and some are harder than others (all good Andrew, all good brother!) It is a poignant microcosm of life, the constant hellos and goodbyes and the knowledge that while you will see those people again, it will be under different circumstances and it's unlikely they'll all be together again in the same place. The finality of that is a tough pill to swallow. Sometimes, you're ready for a show to close, ready to say goodbye and move on...sometimes, you truly mourn when it's over.
But, despite some serious scheduling obstacles, I DID see Peter Pan last Saturday. It was exquisite, Ford was awesome, and your boy Cooper was truly adorable Dave (this from a guy who doesn't go all gaa-gaa over every little munchkin). Be proud and be sad it's all over. Well - THIS one's over Dave. Surely, there will be more!
As You Like It didn't get the full mourning treatment because we're putting it up again next month. I do miss Sunny LaRose playing ball while counting in a French accent, though. And of course "Thirty-seven! In a ROW?"
This is very interesting for me because as a director, and particularly as an artistic director, it is harder for me to OPEN shows than to close them. I sort of begin to let go during tech because you need to give over to the actors and the audience and you have to get out of their way. I almost always have my "emotional owie" the day after we open...the show belongs to the actors and the audience and they generally grow so much during a run...but I have a hard time coming back after we open. I will stick my head in for moments here and there but mostly I get depressed when I have to go and see one of my shows while they are running (unless there is something wrong with it). Leaving the rehearsal hall is always an emotional time for me. I normally spend our opening night receptions already thinking about the next show in production, whether I am directing or not. Anyone else feel this way? Is this just a director thing or am I just emotionally immature? (wait, don't answer that question...)
Peace
Rick
HA! Sorry guys for inside joke with Andrew...but of course, Dave, this goes to show how each production gives you something to love about all the folks involved. It's an affirmation of life in the midst of a world of apathy, mediocrity, and adversity...in that whirl of absurdity and stupidity and ugliness lives the world of theatre with beauty and imagination and wonder and all the good things we live FOR, as opposed to simply making a living.
Yes - it's very hard to say goodbye to any production. But I can't say I know firsthand how it is to say goodbye to a production that included your beautiful preschool son. So - can't help you on that one Dave. Hope by now life is returning to some semblance of normalcy.
See you at rehearsals soon Andrew. Shakespeare at Agecroft to look forward to...time for mourning must soon end!
Wow - Rick, while I'm not a director I think you hit a touchstone with some of your peers.
The wonderful Bob Vernon, a stranger until just a few months ago to me, is back in New Hampshire following our opening of The Seagull, and on exchanging emails with him I'd have to say he's feeling that same "owie" you feel about a director opening a show. We're half way through our run, but Bob's moved on and can't come back and he left us with some great feedback to live on through the rest of the run.
So while we haven't met but share some of the same friends and acquaintances, Rick, you're clearly not alone on this one, and I'd doubting the professional success and respect you enjoy owes to anything resembling "emotional immaturity", whether tongue was firmly in cheek with that comment or not.
Acting is hard enough, I can't see myself EVER directing, but God bless those who do it, and do it well.
Thanks for the kind words Frank. In truth I feel the same way about actors as you do about directors. I love what they do, I'm amazed and awed by the courage it takes, the way a great actor can make the most difficult of performances seem effortless, and I love working with actors. I could never imagine doing it myself (I have neither the talent nor the discipline). I always count myself fortunate to be in a rehearsal room when a guy like Jack Parrish or Scott Wichmann has a break through and you can begin to see a character taking shape. I'm just happy to contribute to that in any way I can...I love actors...
Peace
Rick
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