July 19, 2008
THE CLOSING
Tonight’s audience laughed. The pace was good. I feel the show worked as well as it is supposed to. We raised approximately $250 for Lift-Up of Routt County, which thrilled my cast and made me very proud of them.
July 18, 2008
THE AUDIENCE
No laughs tonight. I think that the audience felt attacked by the material. A great deal of the audience spent a lot of money to be there tonight in support of our scholarship fund. They sat in the second row and were roundly quizzed by the cast during the breakout scene about how much they pay their help.
Those donors didn’t stay for the talkback, which Joan led brilliantly. Local Steamboat citizens said that the influx of wealth and second-homeowners has changed the town from a close community to a community of haves and have-nots. They worry about how locals will continue to be able to live in Steamboat.
July 17, 2008
THE OPENING
Nickel and Dimed got the traditional camp night treatment. There was wild applause for every entrance, lots of laughter for every swear word and a standing ovation at the end. This night is always a fun experience, but really skews the actor’s expectations. I was proud of how well the cast pulled off the show, especially considering the fatigue I see in their eyes. Joan is pleased, which pleases me. I have never had that touchstone during the rehearsal process, that someone who really understands how the play should work and can offer solid suggestions.
I got emotional during my welcome to the audience. Part of it is fatigue, but I also felt overwhelmed by the story of the play and everything the students have put into it.
