12.01.2008

start spreadin' the news

our new york opening.

so, the day began pretty scarily, as the freight was still on the dock this morning. It had been unloaded from the shipping container (which in itself was a miracle and had taken about a day of diplomacy) but it was being picked up from the docks by one truck and then had to be transferred to another truck, because where we are performing, the staten island ferry terminal, is a level 2 security zone and only one specific truck had a permit to come in there. a lot of things could have gone wrong. you know, accidents, traffic jams, security issues, missing stuff etc etc.

(in the freight were: costumes, all of the headphones for the audience, the signage for the audience, the sound desk and numerous other absolutely essential items. and, our first performance, opening "night" in New York City, was at 2.45pm. and the reviewer from the New York Times was coming, as well as a lot of presenters very interested in the show. and other audience as well.)

so the stakes were high. a lot was riding on (and in) those trucks.

and mercifully, miraculously, they arrived, all was managed, all was set up and all was well.

and then the audience came, they watched, they laughed, they sighed. it was lovely. it was rainy and foggy, but later the sun came through the clouds...actually it was right at the end, after Alan and Carolyn storm off to try and sort their problem out elsewhere. Steve and Gary breathe a little more easily. They feel better. They relax. And right then the sun came out, streamed through the terminal...and it was so pretty, golden winter sun, right on cue.

later on, when I was waiting to come on during the second performance, I looked out of the terminal across to the Brooklyn Bridge, curved majestically over the water. the light was fading, and the sky was dusty blue/grey and the car lights were on, and it was wintery, and people were on the move. I saw cabs and old yellow buses and new cars and the bustle of people and I really knew i was in New York, and about to perform in this really great play and i was so very glad.