First Night at the Golden Gate

[mrdreamjeans]

I just returned from our first performance at the Golden Gate Theater. I was apprehensive before the show as the crew was behind on the load-in; in turn, the sound check was delayed. We were called at 6pm, held an abbreviated sound check, put the San Francisco kids into the show and met our dressers at 7pm. We were in a new venue, with a new local orchestra, and new crew that hadn't rehearsed the set changes and lighting cues, but it went surprisingly well. I thought it was a really good performance.

Cast members Andrew and Kevin share a dresser with me. The space is so tight back stage that the three of us are changing costumes in a narrow hallway on the way to the audience. I am literally changing in front of the door to the stage right house. There is less than two feet of space upstage of the set to cross over from stage right to stage left. Everyone is being really careful until off-stage traffic is worked out and set. I never appreciate everyone's professionalism more than when circumstances aren't ideal.

I really appreciated the support of several live journal friends who attended the Tuesday performance. I was able to take everyone backstage and offer a view of "Evita" from our perspective ... share info about the show. It's nice to be able to show how proud I am of the production. In attendance were bearbrat (Tom); pyrogeoff (looking terrific in a navy pinstripe suit and tie); buffcub (Duane); sfbear (Jerry) and future (rather than non:) LJer Ray. It was my first time to meet Duane, Jerry and Ray. We managed to waylay Kathy, Phillip and Bradley at the stage door, so all of the guys got to meet the leads. All in all it was a fun evening.

Tomorrow I have two shows and a benefit rehearsal between them. It's the beginning of a what I think will be a busy, but wonderful month in San Francisco. Let's hope the run here is golden:)