Last performance. This was the first hot(ish) day of the year and we’re performing a matinee in a tin can. The general procedure is that we try to cool the venue down before the show and then turn the AC off during act 1, restart AC during intermission and then off again in act 2. On this day, the plan didn’t work.
As act 1 went on, the cool generated by the AC quickly dissipated and the heat increased expotentially. The actors were hot, especially Nancy in her armor. I don’t really know how she did it. But actors are always hot under lights so that's not an issue. We were, however, increasingly aware of the audience and how hot they must be. The printed programs increasing became fans and we became more and more concerned for their well-being.
Common sense prevailed at intermission and the AC was left on for act 2. One thing this cast has in common is that we are loud. And I say that with love. We were heard over a torrential rain storm so talking over AC is not a problem. Audiences also tend to be more responsive when they're not dying.
Act 2 went very well and the audience response was wonderful. The only issue was when Nancy had her last monologue as she was ascending to ... wherever she ascends to. Lavin and I (and the audience) watched in horror as a wasp landing on her shoulder and slowly walked down her arm. Fortunately, she never knew what happened and the interloper obviously flew away inflicting no harm.
When told about it later she only said that it was a good thing it wasn't a spider.
So Knock Knock is over. We can look back over Teflon brain syndrome, dueling lawn mowers, lighting board malfunctions, wardrobe malfunctions (Nancy’s dysfunctional armor and Mark Monahan having to run to Family Dollar to buy underwear because Lavin forgot his boxer shorts he wears in Act 3), bloodthirsty spiders, torrential rain, rowdy crowds, less than rowdy crowds, smilers, heat and, finally, wasps.
It’s over. And I can look back on the experience as a tremendous success. We took one of the most difficult scripts I’ve ever read and I can honestly say we made it work. My thanks to everyone who came to see us and an even greater thanks to all those who contributed to the production in any way. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
TLT looks forward and the next show will be Seussical The Musical in conjunction with the Tryon Youth Center which will run July 19-22 at the Tryon Fine Arts Center.
It’s always a bit sad when a show ends its run. The set now is stripped of its decorations and is down to bare walls. All my personal items that I used in or around the show and have lived in the TLT Workshop for the last month are now in a green BiLo shopping bag and sitting on my washing machine.
Our series of magical moments is over but, as a result, friendships were created or deepened. We didn’t cure cancer or eliminate world hunger. We entertained for a couple of hours and hopefully made some people think a little longer or a little differently. In my book, that’s a lot.
Bonus material: Backstage glamor.
Exterior - Ladies dressing room. (We only have one lady.)
Dressing Room - Men's. At least Nancy got a chair.
Make-up
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