Clue the Musical ended up being a huge success, and not just because I made the front page (below the fold) of our town's newspaper. We sold out the two evening shows. Chairs had to be added to fit more people. The closing Sunday matinee did not have a full house, but that was because the original max amount of people filled the newly enlarged seating area. We'll call it a sold out show.
Colonel Mustard was a fun role with a surprising amount of depth because of his motives to kill Mr. Boddy (i.e. his love for Mrs. Peacock) and how he interacts with the other suspects. I am so fortunate that the director trusted me enough to give me the call to replace the original actor. I don't want to just be a good actor. I want to be dependable and trusted. That is more important to me than what is me just doing my job.
Overall, the experience of this particular show was interesting, weird, and amazing all at once. From our first dress rehearsal to final dress, we had gotten back into the groove of this show so much that we knew we were performance ready. I was no longer worried or nervous about messing up too much. Like with every show, once you get through opening night, it gets easier and less stressful. At the same time, there will be some mistakes and flubs, but that's why live theatre is unlike any other medium of storytelling. My mic screamed at me during the closing performance, and I just had to continue pushing the story further afterwards. It was probably just tired...like me.
Most importantly, it becomes fun because you finally have an audience that supports you no matter what. The energy of a packed house is unmatched. There is strength in numbers, and boy did the crowd give us the laughs and gasps. It's a show I'll remember for a long time. Best of all, I got to perform with friends old and new. That right there is the real reward of doing this show.
Theatre is not just in New York, Chicago, or London. Small towns in central Kentucky are doing some pretty cool things with performing arts. Berea, in particular, has established a small scene and it's pretty exciting! Check out your local small town theatre scene, whether it's professional or community!
Another show that I am SO EXCITED to see in September is the newly-crowned Tony Award-winning Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen. Watching the Tony's last night after all of the anticipation was super cathartic. It won six out of a total nine nominations, the most for any show all night. I was a bit surprised because I thought a few other shows would be tough competition, but at the same time, I'm not surprised because this show is what people need. It's a story that anybody can relate to on multiple levels with songs that are just so honest and amazing!
I will most likely love Wicked for the rest of my life, but I have never been as emotionally invested in a show as I have with Dear Evan Hansen. The cast is unashamed of showing how much of a loving family they are as they act silly with their backstage/dressing room dance parties before they make hundreds of people sob hysterically every night. I would know. "So Big/So Small" has made me tear up and sob plenty of times...and I am READY to do it in a packed Music Box Theater. I already have tissues on my packing list.
One of my goals is to be in a show that has a similar impact to Dear Evan Hansen. It doesn't have to be a musical because straight plays are golden and full of grit and emotion. I say this because I want to continue being challenged as actor to where I can really convey the truth from the script out to the audience. I want to tell a story where I am originating an interesting character and just have that big moment where you know you're doing something bigger than yourself and how it speaks to people in so many different ways. That's why I love theatre. It's way more than just entertainment on a Friday or Saturday night/afternoon.
Now, I await my next project...
