Posted: 9/7/16 at 8:46am
I was at ON YOUR FEET last night, where after the curtain was held for about 40 minutes, the show went on...without the set. Basically the tracks, elevators and most of the drops didn't work. Also, the band stage started and remained permanently upstage. I've seen the show before, so the effect was immediate. The stage looked empty and dark at randomly where sets or drops would be. Really the only drops that worked were the upstate backdrops and the drops for Mi Tierra and the music office scene (where the "have a seat" took special meaning). A few pieces of furniture were brought on by cast or crew here and there but mostly the stage was bare. But when I came back from intermission, everything was back to normal. (And thank god, the show relies so much on the drops and lift for act two.)
Probably the only thing that was weird was that, I guess because they ran so late, they cut the finale megamix entirely, as well as the exit music. The cast came out and bowed, and then left. The band went back upstage and was waving for people to leave. The audience applauded for at least 3-4 minutes to a bare stage. It would've been great for them to come out and take their applause again, because really, we wanted to show our appreciation, megamix or no.
I always end up at a show where something doesn't work, but honestly, it's a true joy to watch the cast and crew come together and give it 200% to make up for it. Everyone was wonderful and giving it their all and more. Ana was particularly excellent, she's really deepened her performance. And Ektor was great as Emilio, a very strong addition.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008