The Night the Lights Went Out on Market

[mrdreamjeans]

Your eyes aren't deceiving you. It's 9:30pm on a Saturday night and I'm on live journal writing a post. I've even been back at the hotel for almost an hour. At 7:45pm, I was in my dressing room on the fourth floor of the Golden Gate Theater preparing for the performance, when all of the lights suddenly went out. We were briefly in the dark until the emergency system kicked in; it's new and provides lights in the hallways and other key spots. Thankfully, no one was on the elevator when the blackout struck.

We weren't allowed near the stage. Actors, crew and orchestra were everywhere chattering, overactively imagining what might have happened. Phillip Hernandez, who plays Peron, went out for a couple of minutes and spoke to the audience, even told a couple of jokes. At 8:25, the show was called. We were told to return our microphones to sound and go home. There would be no Saturday night show.

Tom (bearbrat) just called to check in and see if everything was all right. He's at work... in the dark. It appears there's been another fire at the power station which provides electricity to the Tenderloin, part of South-of-Market and other areas of downtown. I'd enjoy the free night off, but I know we'll have to make it up to tonight's patient audience some time before we leave. I can only speculate if our Easter Sunday performance will go on as planned.

As we exited the stage door tonight in complete darkness, shadowy patrons passing us by asked about the show. Mary and I told them, "Well, in case you can't come back. She dies." Ha! Tonight, the only thing that died were the lights.

Comments

[enhydrasf.livejournal.com]

Oh man. So do you get paid for that? I guess it doesn't matter, if you are going to make it up before you leave.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I've already been paid for this week. However, even if we don't make the performance up, they shouldn't dock us. After all, we were there, ready to go:)

Eletrical fire

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

A few years ago, on one of the hottest days of the year, we had an underground fault fire that knocked out part of the Denny Regrade, Belltown and I think parts of downtown for a good part of the day.

Sorry this had to happen in SF but at least no one got hurt or anything like that and that's always a good thing.

[ex-quietdanm235.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about your called perf. Hopefully, tomorrow will go ok.

We had one power-related show problem since I've been at CTC. A few years ago we were doing "Alexander's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" and just before the last scene all the power to the entire neighborhood just stopped. Just like someone turned off a switch. (We later learned that a transformer in the neighborhood died.) This was a sunny Saturday afternoon.

At any rate, the cast & crew met to determine what they wanted to do. Some people left in the interim. A few minutes later, the Stage Manager appeared Stage Left lit by flashlights. She announced that they would continue the performance, lit by flashlight, as there was just the final scene left. The majority of the audience stayed to watch.

Illuminated by 8 flashlights, the two actors - one being the lead child actor in the play - took their places and continued on. The last scene contains a song that they sing to each other. There were no mics, no music, no sound cues, etc. Just the actors, a very quiet audience and a few stagehands holding flashlights. It was definitely a sight to see! They sang flawlessly, and completed the show. The audience rewarded them with a very warm standing ovation, that was very much deserved.

It gave the audience a greater appreciation for the talent of the actors and crew. The people who left weren't pleased that they'd missed the end of the show. Too bad they left... this ending was much more special and memorable!

Hope the lights shine brightly for you on Sunday!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

What a lovely story! It's one of the reasons I love doing live theater so much... performing during and through the unexpected:) I've been in situations where the show was stopped (example - in Chicago when Che fell into the pit), but then we went on to finish the show. There was no way to begin last night, let alone finish the show.

We have a matinee today at 2pm. I hope audience members have done their homework and don't expect a resurrection at the end just because it's Easter:) LOL! Thanks, Dan! Hugs! Have a Happy Easter!

[squalidbear.livejournal.com]

I knew you should not have been twirling those flaming batons so high.

A couple of years ago the lights went out on Market St, and, more importantly, Noe St, for over 24 hrs. I had to drink red wine because everything else required ice. PG&E suck. Trust me, I know; yes, yes, Chapter 11, whatever.

Thanks for keeping your sense of humor about our pitiful power distribution situation.

[bearbrat.livejournal.com]

The real pisser is that it's the same situation as xmas '03, the same substation at Mission & 8th Streets. Thankfully the affected area was smaller and the duration much shorter than last time. But what I want to know is why? After the first incident steps should've been taken to see that this wouldn't happen again, yet it has. Ah well.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Hey! I was a drum major in high school, so the batons remark isn't that far off... but I was never accused of flaming!! LOL!

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

Yer bad.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It just means extra work somewhere else before we leave. I'd be surprised if we didn't have to do another show to make up for it. I'd like it if they'd fold the audience into other already scheduled performances, but that's unlikely. When I phoned you last night, I was standing in the dark with the other actors, not even able to see the phone in my hand:)

WOW

[sfbear.livejournal.com]

I live like three blocks from the GG and I did not lose lights. But yeah when this last happaned Cats was in town and it was opening weekend for it. U had a sat off that must have been a while since you have had that.

Re: WOW

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

At least a Saturday night off with pay:)

Take advantage of the night off!

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

Paid 'no work' = take it!

I say those who asked you got their money's worth with a line worthy of Evita:
"In case you can't come back: She dies." - Ha!
Now, if you remembered to drop your head back with a snap of the fangers and go: "Like this!", I say they saw the whole show!

I love Squalidbear's remark: "All I could drink was red wine cuz everything else requires ice"!

Ye got cute company, Neil!

Re: Take advantage of the night off!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I took advantage of the night off by going to bed at 9:30pm. I'm such an exciting person. Saturday night in San Francisco and I went to bed immediately after returning from the cancelled show:)

[bearchitect.livejournal.com]

love the new icon, you soooooooooo cool!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It's called..."Another friggin funeral???!!!?" LOL! It was taken backstage in Los Angeles two weeks ago.

[bearchitect.livejournal.com]

I was thinking more along the lines of "Federal Agent Neil" or "B'way Singer/Dancer in Black" :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I thought I'd put up another of my new icons (but older photo) and trade you black hat for black hat:) Have a Happy Easter! I'll be attending two funerals in Buenes Aires....

[bearchitect.livejournal.com]

Happy Easter to you, too... will the management at least hide easter eggs inside Evitas casket just to give you guys a feel for the holiday?

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Once while I was subbing in The Fantasticks at Sullivan Street, we called the show -- the only time in its 41-year history -- because NO ONE showed up to see it. In the past, the show had been performed for ten people or fewer... I think I heard once even just ONE person... but on that night (following a couple days of the box office phone being out) there was just no audience. It wasn't until a year later that they decided to close the show.

Oh yes, we got paid that night! We were all ready to go right up until 8:00, makeup, everything! And of course so should you. It's a rule of just about all the unions involved, I think.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Evidently, the house managers in theaters in San Francisco have up to 90 minutes to make a decision before removing the audience from the building. I was grateful that the decision to cancel was made relatively quickly (by 8:30pm). It was thoughtful not to let the situation drag on too long.

As to today's Easter matinee and as I said in another comment, I hope they don't show expectin' a resurrection or a miracle! Hehehe! Have a good holiday wherever you are! Hugs!

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Our audience at today's matinee (1 p.m.) in Cincinnati could have stood to rise from the dead... it was pretty small. And I've heard that the presale for tonight's show (6:30) is even worse!

We just finished our little BC/EFA Easter drive -- did fundraising at four or five performances per week for the last four weeks, and raised $20,000... not bad for our little troupe, I think! Erick was largely responsible for that, with his impassioned curtain speeches. Yesterday's matinee brought in the most money; just as well we ended it before today's pitiful attendance! ;-)