Observance

Let's try to make this blog a little more interactive, shall we? Regardless of what you may think about actors in general and me in particular, I actually get bored when I'm the only one talking. Writing these things can be a bit like putting an hour into a really elaborate Facebook status update, only to have it met with crickets. And we all know how that feels. For God's sake, leave a comment or three.

I just got home from the final party at the Varsity. I was on the fence about going, but I'm glad I did. Everyone was there, looking relaxed and relieved. The energy was distinctly different from the mid-festival nights at Bedlam, when people were still promoting themselves, their friends, and their surprise favorites. All that is over now, and the majority of the conversations went something like this: "So what was your favorite? Damnit, I missed that one. What was the worst thing you saw? Oh thank god I steered clear of that one. What?? You thought that one show was genius? I thought it was so-so at best!" And all of it had a sort of "haha-oh well-it's all over-the fat lady has sung-I'm on my 3rd glass of wine and can't wait to sleep for a week" kind of a vibe. There was no more sense of frenzy or obligation, duty or guilt. There was a hefty amount of regret (I really wish I had seen Missing and Theory of Mind, for instance, and I made Sid Solomon rue the day he missed Spin), but it all had a feeling of a funeral for someone who's been battling to stay alive--there's sadness, regret, what-ifs and if-onlys, but ultimately, finally, there's peace. OK, maybe less like a funeral and more like a retirement party. The most predominant vibe in the room was definitely one of celebration. So question #1 is: what did you miss that you really wanted to see?

Next up, let's talk about Fringe crushes. Everyone has one. That actor you've never seen before who just scooped your heart up in their talented, attractive hands. The dancer you couldn't take your eyes off of. The house manager whose pre-show speech made you feel funny in your pants. Mine was Evalyn Parry of Spin, and I told her as much tonight when I introduced myself. What can I say? I'm awkward. Alan Berks' is Skyler Nowinksi. I'm sorry to announce that here in such a blunt and indiscreet fashion, but Skyler, you should have heard Alan talking about you tonight. All I'm saying is that you might want to sleep with one eye open. Question #2: Who was your Fringe crush? DId you tell them? Was it awkward?

And now, finally, it's time to talk about the encores. Randy Reyes of The Damn Audition had much to say on the subject tonight. He said the encore felt more like a punishment than a reward. That the audience was a quarter of the size to which they had become accustomed, they had already done a great show to a huge crowd earlier that afternoon, and he would much have preferred a plaque, or even a certificate that he would have had to frame and laminate on his own dime. As an alternative to the encore performance, he offered the suggestion of a panel--a sort of Q and A talk-back with the cast, wherein the audience could pose various queries to the actors, and during which the actors (this is the important part) could drink. Robin Gillette, your response, please.

I introduced myself to Joel Smith of Casebolt & Smith fame, and asked if his experience with the encore performance was equally disappointing. He replied that he and Liz have created a show that feeds and fulfills them as artists, and they feel it's a gift every time they get to perform it for an audience. So that, plus the fact that they received a standing ovation before the show even began, made doing an encore performance an absolute treat. Well! What do you have to say to THAT, Randy Reyes? Question #3: what do you think of the encore performance system, from the performers' and the audience's standpoint? Is it worthwhile, if you have less than 24 hours to promote your last show and most of the people who wanted to see it probably already have? Or would you rather have a plaque? Or are you a TRUE ARTISTE of integrity and passion who views each performance as a gift? Did you go see a show in the encore slot? Discuss.

Good Fringe, everybody. Good work. I'm so proud of my city, my community, my people. Bursting with it, really. For putting up our share of the awesome work, and for welcoming it from elsewhere with such verve and heart. Everyone's going to be going through a bit of withdrawal over the next couple of days, which can only be eased by keeping the discussion alive until we've all said all there is to be said on the matter. And this seems like as good a place as any. What do you think?