The melody lingers on

Annie Get Your Gun closed on Sunday, amidst a swirl of laughter, tears, and celebration. A more closely bonded company I have never experienced, and it was hard to let go. However, when I asked the company if they would rather not have had this adventure so that they wouldn't have to be sad when it ended, it was a unanimous "of course not." The chance to work with such a diverse group of citizens on a common cause for the benefit of our community was a gift that promises to deliver dividends for years to come. I take immense satisfaction in the work we have done, and I am already cherishing my memories and friendships, which will far exceed the limits of our run. As with all productions I've helped to happen, the neat brick path to opening night was strewn with hurdles and mysteries, and the trip was an unalloyed joy.

Birthday party!

Our added show went well last night. It was too warm in the theatre, but our audience was most responsive and demonstrative anyway. Rick O and Rick R both took their final bows as running crew members, and it was Ria's first night on the sound and Sophia's as Laura's understudy. Afterwards, it was birthday party time for Lizz (18) (Tuesday) and Ramon (22) and Adrian (8) (both on Wednesday). They shared a really cool cowboy cake, and I have a feeling their wishes are going to come true.

Bittersweet Sunday

Four weekends down, and the show has grown really well. Understudy Jena gave her second and final performance as Annie this afternoon, and her first-act finale made me weepy. Lacey and Jena have earned every word of every accolade they have received for their work in the role.

The show was terrific this afternoon, as tight and energetic as our best. Our audiences have been consistently appreciative, and we’ve played to full houses since the first weekend. Today’s matinee was Laura’s last performance before she heads off with her high school choir on a European tour. That was very bittersweet for just about all of us.

We have built a strong and tight-knit community while building our show, and although we're all no doubt looking forward to the next thing in our lives, it will be with heavy hearts that we bid it good-bye. I'm grateful for the extra performance on Thursday, for one extra chance to be together.

Another Friday night

Tonight we had our most vocal and engaged audience (another sellout crowd) yet. They belly-laughed over and over again, and really seemed to appreciate many of the nuances now present as the show has grown. Maybe their response had something to do with the cast's enthusiastic warmup ("I've Got the Sun in the Morning," shown here), after five days off, and the knowledge that our success has made it necessary for us to add a performance. We are a cohesive group, and, more and more, we all seem to realize that the life of our family is short lived. The one downside of doing shows is that all good things must come to an end. We all are beginning to dread the end of this exciting adventure. So the more records of our fun we can accumulate, the better. I am hopeful that we'll all stay in touch. That would be the most I can hope for, short of developing a hard shell that sentiment cannot permeate.

It's a hit!

What a troupe! They have impressed me with their professionalism and dedication over and over again, and now, for more evidence, they have agreed to add a performance, on Thursday, June 21, to satisfy our avid public. Making this work involved sacrifices and adjustments by many of our members. It's the sure sign of a hit when performances must be added to try to accommodate everyone who wants to see a show.

In a groove

Our first seven performances have played to solid and nearly sold out houses, and we have been told that this afternoon's (Sunday) matinee is a sellout, too. Our audiences have watched intently and with great appreciation for the humor and quality of our company. At this point, I can no longer be objective, as one's own child always eludes impartial eyes. However, compliments from several people whose opinions I respect have indicated that we "Annie" family members are not the only ones who love our show. The reviewer from the San Luis Obispo Tribune, for one, waxed enthusiastic.