Catching up after opening NINE
A week ago today, NINE opened to rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. A week ago was also the day one of my "second moms" passed away unexpectedly. I got a call from my childhood friend Doug only a few hours before my opening night show that brought very sad news. It seems that a wonderful woman who had been like a second mom to me throughout my years in children's theater had died unexpectedly from complications following a routine knee surgery - he was stunned and so was I.
Dani was a terrific woman and she and her friend Jane (another of my "second moms") had continued to come to every show I ever did in Dallas. For many years, they had often come with my mom, since they were all good friends from our days of being involved with the Junior Players Guild. They were there at Mom's funeral last November and were on the front row when I performed Glinda in Broadway Our Way the following January. They sent me a lovely note after that show, which included a Glinda fridge magnet, saying they knew how proud Mom would have been of me. And I know they would have come to see me in NINE. Now I must go say goodbye to Dani at her memorial service tomorrow instead. I did quietly dedicate my opening night performance to her, Mom and Dad, since they are all now back together in heaven, and no doubt having many good laughs together just like old times.
I thought of Dani frequently during the opening weekend of shows, since she was my first professional stage manager during my children's theater days. I know she would have enjoyed this show so much, especially seeing me do my improv with the audience in a French accent. And it is because of the solid foundation in theater experience that I got from her and Jane during my teen years in their theater that I have the security to hold my own when "working without a net" improvising with a live audience.
I never know what to expect when, as Liliane, I talk to the audience, trying to find the man who "sent me roses." I have to laugh at a couple of the responses I've gotten from the audience - twice now, when I have singled out a man sitting next to a woman and asked if he sent me the flowers, they have said no and just pointed to the woman seated next to them. That of course gives me the opportunity to make some jokes about "having never seen him before in my life" to the woman with a sly wink to the man. On one occasion when I asked, not only did the man not speak at all, but his wife loudly spoke up and said No. Of course I had to comment on his wife doing all his talking for him and added something about 'no wonder he was scared to speak' - suddenly I was a French Joan Rivers - which got laughs. I've also noticed that the men who do 'confess' that they sent the flowers typically fumble around when I ask their name, trying to make up a fake name - so of course I also tease them for that, saying they don't want to be recognized. It's too fun.
But the best audience bit so far happened last night when I asked a man if he sent the flowers and he said yes almost immediately. But before I could respond to his answer, his wife chimed in and said SHE sent the flowers. Well, I had anticipated that one day some woman might think it would be funny to claim she sent them and I was prepared for that - but to have both of the couple saying yes was a surprise! But I went with it without missing a beat, saying "How Parisian! A Menage a Trois!" Thank Goodness, that was one French phrase I do know ;-) Needless to say, that was very amusing to everyone, especially the cast.
I find it funny that people often ask me after the show if my talking to the audience is scripted or if I am improvising - and they seem so impressed when they find out I am winging it. I guess my improvised comments are so natural, quick and funny that they think it must be scripted and that the people in the audience are shills. I must admit that Liliane is becoming one of my favorite roles besides Amnesia, partly for the reason that I do get to let her 'play' with the audience. And you gotta love a 42 foot boa (the feathery kind) - too bad I won't get to keep it after the show (I have a feeling my director, Michael Serrecchia will be keeping it, though!)
The reviews have all been great for NINE so far, with a few more to come. I've been called a hoot and a vamp, so I am happy to be sexy and funny to the critics. But I don't have time to rest on my laurels, or my ass, because I am already in pre-production for Legends at Uptown, which I will begin directing at the end of this month. Once again, no time off, and no time to do any more fix-up on the new condo.
Dani was a terrific woman and she and her friend Jane (another of my "second moms") had continued to come to every show I ever did in Dallas. For many years, they had often come with my mom, since they were all good friends from our days of being involved with the Junior Players Guild. They were there at Mom's funeral last November and were on the front row when I performed Glinda in Broadway Our Way the following January. They sent me a lovely note after that show, which included a Glinda fridge magnet, saying they knew how proud Mom would have been of me. And I know they would have come to see me in NINE. Now I must go say goodbye to Dani at her memorial service tomorrow instead. I did quietly dedicate my opening night performance to her, Mom and Dad, since they are all now back together in heaven, and no doubt having many good laughs together just like old times.
I thought of Dani frequently during the opening weekend of shows, since she was my first professional stage manager during my children's theater days. I know she would have enjoyed this show so much, especially seeing me do my improv with the audience in a French accent. And it is because of the solid foundation in theater experience that I got from her and Jane during my teen years in their theater that I have the security to hold my own when "working without a net" improvising with a live audience.
I never know what to expect when, as Liliane, I talk to the audience, trying to find the man who "sent me roses." I have to laugh at a couple of the responses I've gotten from the audience - twice now, when I have singled out a man sitting next to a woman and asked if he sent me the flowers, they have said no and just pointed to the woman seated next to them. That of course gives me the opportunity to make some jokes about "having never seen him before in my life" to the woman with a sly wink to the man. On one occasion when I asked, not only did the man not speak at all, but his wife loudly spoke up and said No. Of course I had to comment on his wife doing all his talking for him and added something about 'no wonder he was scared to speak' - suddenly I was a French Joan Rivers - which got laughs. I've also noticed that the men who do 'confess' that they sent the flowers typically fumble around when I ask their name, trying to make up a fake name - so of course I also tease them for that, saying they don't want to be recognized. It's too fun.
But the best audience bit so far happened last night when I asked a man if he sent the flowers and he said yes almost immediately. But before I could respond to his answer, his wife chimed in and said SHE sent the flowers. Well, I had anticipated that one day some woman might think it would be funny to claim she sent them and I was prepared for that - but to have both of the couple saying yes was a surprise! But I went with it without missing a beat, saying "How Parisian! A Menage a Trois!" Thank Goodness, that was one French phrase I do know ;-) Needless to say, that was very amusing to everyone, especially the cast.
I find it funny that people often ask me after the show if my talking to the audience is scripted or if I am improvising - and they seem so impressed when they find out I am winging it. I guess my improvised comments are so natural, quick and funny that they think it must be scripted and that the people in the audience are shills. I must admit that Liliane is becoming one of my favorite roles besides Amnesia, partly for the reason that I do get to let her 'play' with the audience. And you gotta love a 42 foot boa (the feathery kind) - too bad I won't get to keep it after the show (I have a feeling my director, Michael Serrecchia will be keeping it, though!)
The reviews have all been great for NINE so far, with a few more to come. I've been called a hoot and a vamp, so I am happy to be sexy and funny to the critics. But I don't have time to rest on my laurels, or my ass, because I am already in pre-production for Legends at Uptown, which I will begin directing at the end of this month. Once again, no time off, and no time to do any more fix-up on the new condo.