Play Out the Play!

All in the Timing: Got it open

Last night was the opening night of the readings of All in the Timing.  There were a good 45 people there, probably the result of the Lobby Show being included on the season ticket.  Season ticket holders DO, by and large, turn up for every play on the season.  No matter if it interests them or not.  (This is really why I don't buy season tickets, because not every show interests me enough to devote three hours a month to it when I could be doing other things.)

We heard some very good things from a variety of people-- even a few little old ladies who weren't offended by the profanity at all.

This was a minor point of discussion before we opened, actually.  The profanity.  Two older women had brought was i assumed were grandchildren and set them smack in the front row.  The show contains a goodly amount of profanity-- and a healthy sprinkling of the F-bomb.  Those moments are actually some of the funniest in the show, though, due to the author's ability to contrast the profane with the polite. 

Jack, our director, was tempted to have us change all of the profanity for the sake of these youngsters and the large number of little old ladies in the audience.  After a few questions, I came to understand that Jack was in what I call the "Once Bitten" phase of profanity.  He had directed Neil Simon's The Gingerbread Lady earlier in the season and the board of directors got a letter about all of the "goddams" in the script. 

What Jack didn't understand is that every show containing regular profanity-- especially the GDs-- gets the requisite letter of complaint.  In fact, I rather think it's the SAME PERSON writing the letters all the time.  lol!  But the use of profanity in shows vs. the VCP subscriber's response is an ongoing discussion at the theatre.  It has been for at least 10 years.  And it will be continue to be a discussion.   After all, community theatre has to bear in mind the general values of the community.

What many in the theatre are holding fast to, however, is their right-- even responsibility-- to produce a wide variety of plays for the wide variety of community values. 

And I always find it rather hypocritical that someone objects to taking the Lord's name in vain, but doesn't object to the alcoholism and abuse central to the storyline of the The Gingerbread Lady.  Or the use of a prostitute in Biloxi Blues.  Or any number of other themes that should be offensive to a Christian Fundamental sensibility. 

So, in the end, Jack wisely decided to make an announcement about the profanity five minutes before the show, thus giving anyone who wished to opt out, the opportunity to go refund their tickets. 

No one did.  In fact, the little old ladies didn't flinch and the women with the children didn't leave.  The biggest problem with the children were that they were essentially bored. 

Ah. . .a life in the arts!

Stepping into a theatre again

Last night was the first meeting of the cast of "All in the Timing".  We've been thrown together for a last minute replacement of a lobby show at the Ice House.  We're reading some of the intellectual, erudite, and incredibly funny work of David Ives' one act collection called "All in the Timing". 

Even given that this isn't a fully mounted production, but reader's theatre with the emphasis on language and expression, it looks like it's going to shape up to be a very entertaining evening for those who love language and love language-based theatre.  The cast is talented, the director enthusiastic.  It has the essential elements required to be a very solid offering. 

We have about 7 days of rehearsals prior to opening.  I'll check back in from time to time.