Too much thinking can do damage to a body
This is what I wrote when I got home.
I liked tonight’s show which I was sort of surprised about because everybody I knew that saw it before me hated it. It is not music that was incredibly memorable, but I found the story very intriguing. So my friend and I were going there and we were in terrible traffic. I thought I was going to miss the beginning. My friend was trying to explain these opera songs to me. I really wanted to tell her and I did not care at all because I was too worried, but I did not want to be rude. So she asked if I wanted her to drop me off because we had about five minutes. She said we would most likely make it otherwise, but I did not want to risk it. It was a good thing too because she ended up missing the first ten minutes. I made friends with the guy sitting next to me. He ended up being really rich and said he was a choreographer. He was really very nice. He bought my friend a snack when we were waiting in line at intermission. So on to the show…
It started out with the picture of Patti and those two guys on the wanted poster. Audra came out and took down the sheet that said how the city of Mahagonny came into existence. Pats came out on that truck thing. She was behind a sheet at first, then she tore it down and was sitting in a rocking chair with a huge fur draped over her. She was really great. Also I noticed there were a lot of scenes where Patti was just kind of lingering around in the background. Sort of like in Sweeney where she was there, but not physically. It was interesting. The costumes were amazing! Pats looked amazing in them. I think my favorite one was the tight red suit thing that she wore in the second act. I liked her wig a lot better too. It reminded me of her hair style in the last scenes of Monday Night Mayhem. I don’t remember too many details sadly. I might if I look at the playbill, but I am so tired for that right now. One of the best parts was in the second act. By now, Mahagonny was an affluent city and making money. Some guys were trying to get in the whore house place. Pats took their money and would inspect them. It was so funny. She would stick me tongue out and bear her teeth. She made them turn around and bend over. The best was when she made them lower their flies and looked inside. LMAO!!! Wow! Also, when the guy was being tried, she was the judge. She had that stick and I thought of her picture. It was so great. When she mentioned that she stole whiskey from her and used her cue without asking, she slammed the stick on the ground and got really upset. Also, there was a part towards the end when Audra sang a line and Patti responded or echoed it. It was great to hear because Audra sang beautifully and that was a time when Patti sang softly. Both sounded marvelous. I love the mix of the voices. Pats was really the only one that was not opera. But she held her own. It was very powerful at the end when Audra was standing alone in the center with her folded flag. The show definitely had a message that people are shallow and will take care of themselves first above all else. Thinking of others does not pay.
After the show, my friend took me to the door. It was inside the theatre. The guy said Patti was really strict about people coming back stage. My friend told him I had a picture to show and give her. So he asked to see it. I took it out and he said he would go ask. There were tons of other people there and they were all on the list. I knew that Patti would be intense about people coming to see her…so I was not optimistic at all. He came back and said it was no. He felt bad…I could tell. I asked him if there was a stage door I could stand by or something where she leaves. He told me she really does do that and the last two nights he took her out through the kitchen (hahaha…maybe she is hungry for a roll or something). I was really desperate and it was obvious, so he said he would see what he could do. But he told me no pictures or autographs or anything and that it would be really short. Before while we were waiting, I asked my friend about taking a picture and she said she would not push it. She was kind of trying to urge me to just give it up, but I don’t think she really got it. She kept saying, you have another picture with her. You’ve met her before. Just let it go kind of thing. I don’t care…she is my idol and role model and I adore her so much. Regardless of how many times I see her, I will always get as nervous, always want a picture and never give up trying. So it kind of made me angry that she was so negative. Anyway, I finally heard Patti inside. She said “Oh yeah, can we go out of the kitchen?” (she sounded excited about it). Then I heard silence, then him say “Yeah she is right out here”. So she came out. She shook my hand and thanked me for the drawing. I told her she was great. She started to back away, but I wanted to keep her there longer. I think I said something about her being great again and she thanked me. She thanked me again for the picture and said it was really beautiful. She said “It looks like me and laughed”. I told her” Oh good. That is what I was going for” and she laughed. Then I thanked her again, thanked him, and she left. As I walking out, I said to my friend “Okay, let’s find the kitchen” (yes…I know…STALKER!). My friend thought it was ridiculous and I missed my mom because I knew even though it was creepy, she might have actually gone with me. I think my friend now thinks I am a freak, but oh well. She said I should be happy with what I got. I tried to explain that I am, but with someone like that, you have such high expectations and when you get so close, you just want to go all the way. Anyway, I am happy. She shook my hand, liked (and got a copy) of the picture, and even cracked a joke. So, I am pleased overall. I would be lying if I said I was not a little disappointed, but I am satisfied. Just means I have to see her again.
So overall it was a good night. I liked the show and met Pats (again). It was funny when I got home, I went to the bathroom because I had to go so badly, but was not going to at the theatre for fear of missing anything or her. But I was thinking about what happened when we met and was sad when I realized I just washed my hand…I know, I am a loser. It would be gross if I did not wash my hand. That was me being crazy. Anyway, it was a very nice evening. And I met her again. How lucky I am. Strange and quirky, but lucky just the same.
Also, here is a picture from the LA Times Review of Mahagonny. Sorry for the not great quality...it was the best my scanner could do. I thought you dolls would want to see it anyway.
I am so glad I got to see that show. I am tempted to buy really, really cheap tickets so I can see it again...but we'll see.
I was just looking through my quote journal...read this one:
"Follow your inner moonlight; don't hide the madness"
-Allen Ginsberg
I love that.