unexpected fan
An 8-year old girl came to see the show and then drew the cast a picture. Andy brought it in, laminated, and we have it posted in the dressing room. It doesn't have the whole cast on it. She was very concerned that Andy tell us it wasn't any deliberate oversight; she liked everyone; instead, she couldn't remember everyone's costume, and didn't want to draw them wrong, so she only drew those she remembered. We were curious to see who had made it into the drawing. Drawn in perfect kid-representation were: the king and queen, the princess, Andy, the frog fairy, the fool and the spinner.
Not only did she remember me, she told Andy I was her favorite character! "She doesn't say much," she said, "but she kept the wheel spinning the whole show. That's an important job." (She even remembered the Spinner's name, mentioned only once in the show and not in the program.) That comment just about knocked me over. I never expected to be anyone's favorite character, sparkly spinning wheel and fabulous headdress notwithstanding. There are just too many excellent actors onstage, playing wonderful characters with fun and flashy things to do. However, that little girl is totally right: the Spinner grounds the show, weaving all of the threads into the story as it unfolds. Perceptive kid to pick up on that.
This made my night, and may have redeemed the whole run for me. Some engaged kid said I was her favorite -- yeah. That's performer gold, right there.
Not only did she remember me, she told Andy I was her favorite character! "She doesn't say much," she said, "but she kept the wheel spinning the whole show. That's an important job." (She even remembered the Spinner's name, mentioned only once in the show and not in the program.) That comment just about knocked me over. I never expected to be anyone's favorite character, sparkly spinning wheel and fabulous headdress notwithstanding. There are just too many excellent actors onstage, playing wonderful characters with fun and flashy things to do. However, that little girl is totally right: the Spinner grounds the show, weaving all of the threads into the story as it unfolds. Perceptive kid to pick up on that.
This made my night, and may have redeemed the whole run for me. Some engaged kid said I was her favorite -- yeah. That's performer gold, right there.