(Dave Jadico having fun with all the last minute changes)
"Hey gents, no electricity at the playhouse. Peco has been called."
This was part of the text I got from the
Heeere's Tony! stage manager, Margie Price at 12:22pm on Sunday, Feb. 6th. Our matinee performance was for 2pm. Margie is one of the best in the business so honestly, I wasn't too worried when I got her text. However, finding out the power is off at the theater about and hour and a half before showtime is not something you look forward to hearing about.
Once I arrived at the theater around 12:55pm, I spend about 20 minutes in darkened dressing room upstairs doing my best Anne Frank imitation with the rest of the cast and crew. Next, calm as could be, Margie said, "Ok boys, we're taking the show around the corner to our rehearsal space."
The rehearsal space was at the Colony Club -- a place that looked like a sight specific production of 1776. Luckily, the Colony Club was still decorated for the Christmas holiday (please note the sarcasm).
Almost every patron decided to wait an extra half-hour and trekked over to the Colony Club for the show. I have to admit, it was kinda funny since some audience members were carrying chairs and other things over to space -- we looked like a really bad production of Fiddler on the Roof.
Once the show got underway, Tony did what he does best and worked on the fly. The show is always funny but the last minute changes provided immediate fodder for the quickest wit in the business. On top of things, the wonderful Dave Jadico was our guest who showed of his juggling skills and the golden voice of Jeff Coon filled the acoustic friendly Colony Club like a dream. The show was a blast and hopefully I'll be able to put up some pics that Margie took on her phone when I get them.
My favorite line from Tony's monologue: "This morning, much like Charlie Sheen, Act 2 Playhouse woke up to a blackout."