OPENING NIGHT
Well, we got through it. Thursday night was really the first night we had an audience. Even though it's still technically previews, it was opening night as far as I was concerned. And it didn't go all that well. It was just a bit klunky. The audience (mostly friends and family of cast and crew and the members of 29th Street Rep). They were real supportive. Oddly enough, I couldn't figure out why I was walking back to the subway late at night, feeling unsatisfied and quite frankly - depressed. I came to the theater the next night (Friday, January 27th) early. I had a long talk with Sturgis the Director. He told me that I was "playing" to the audience. I was up on stage watching myself (a dangerous predicament for any actor). Lines would come out and in my head I'd hear, "Oooh - that sucked! Why'd you say it like that?!" Than I'd hear myself say, "Why are you standing like this?" I couldn't get out of my head. Of course the audience couldn't tell and they seemed to really dig the show. Except for the one couple that left during intermission. The play, although, a comedy (for the most part) was just a little too brutal for them. This is not a play for the conservative. Just so you know.

Anyway, I learned a valuable lesson after opening night - The biggest note the director was able to give me was "ENJOY YOURSELF!" I know it's so simple in philosophy, just like "Don't Worry, Be Happy" but I really have to keep reminding myself why I am doing what I am doing. Make sense? Who the hell am I talking too!? Who the hell is reading this!? F' it!! I am enjoying myself while I am writing this whether anyone reads it or not. So there!