What I love about live Theater, especially Children's Theater, is that each production is so different. Indeed, each performance can be so different. The children are just learning how to make their performances consistent. So, sometimes, what just happens can be brilliant but never happen twice. That's what makes live theater so interesting!
Opening night was happily a success! This has been the fourth production of "Never Cry Wolf" that I have personally directed. Different kids, different age ranges, different skills, different stage, different set pieces, different costumes and props, and still the show held up and delighted the audience. It makes me happy that the adults in the audience get the jokes even if the kids don't. And, as I told the children, the Little Lambs are the real stars of the show. They are so cute, the audience can't help but love them! I was pleased that the children remembered their choreography and made their quick changes to make their entrances and only dropped a couple of lines throughout the entire show! (That is a big, big deal.) And the one mishap with the scenery was handled deftly by our quick thinking parent volunteers and avoided a disaster. All in all, it was a fun and delightful show. Let's hope we can repeat that energy for two more shows!
I like to watch the audience during the show. I can tell if all is going well by how intent the audience is watching. This famous Aesop Fable is familiar to most of them, so they think they know what to expect. It is fun to watch them as something unexpected comes along. They lean forward in their seats and look around to try to take in all that is happening on stage. As much is told through action as is through language. The songs and characters performing them are new, too. So when I notice the audience tapping their toes and unconsciously singing along, I know the message is coming across loud and clear. And by the last chorus of the finale song, the audience is practically doing the choreography along with the actors. That is a mark of smashing success!
That's live theater! Everyone takes part -- including the audience! I love, love, love it!
That's live theater! Everyone takes part -- including the audience! I love, love, love it!
RSS Feed