DRS tonight-great audience and talkback

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 3:14am

Just setting tonight up, I've been coming down to the city lots of times recently all-day thursday...show, softball, sometimes chatterbox, sometimes signings. So today was my last thurs. I could do this since in July I have rehearsals for summer theatre and a class. I was possibly meeting a friend for chicago, but we're going another day, so I was trying to figure out what I wanted to see, and just decided I was in the mood for my 5th viewing of DRS. Couldn't make it to the lotto b/c of my schedule for the day, so I just got something from TKTS-I ended up in the box, which was exciting, I've never sat in a box before.

Okay so obviously I headed over to the DRS signing. I was especially hoping to finally meet Joanna but that was a no-go as others said. Well, as it is, I know Greg pretty well at this point and he was as nice and talkative as always, and among other things, I mentioned that I was going to the show tonight, so he told me I should stay for talkback...which I had no idea what it was, but somewhere along the way I think I decided it sounded like a q&a...he said that 210 kids were gonna be at the show and coming to talkback and I can just say that he invited me and it's fine even though I don't have a ticket so I was like cool.

I ended up soo happy I chose to go back to DRS--I sat in the box directly behind where Norbie goes for a bit, that was amusing.

they were so loud and enthusiastic that it caught onto the whole audience and it was just the best audience I've ever attended a show with. Other then Greg(hrmph), screamed for everyone's entrances, especially John, laughed so loud, we applauded a lot...Norbie's physical comedy w/ the beef jerky, just I dunno so many moments that we were so into it that applause occured. You could definitely tell the cast was loving it. It was also great for me, some of the jokes I pretty much have memorize, but when so much laughter is going on, they still seem that funny and made me laugh more. Though I still was the only person to laugh during the My Fair Lady reference...

most random moment...the end of "Dirty Rotten Number" when Norbie and John sat back in their chairs, the applause was huge, it went on for a while...and then...it just randomly turned into a standing ovation! The only thing I could think is that the audience thought the show was over?? So I was basically laughing, but apparently it wasn't that they just I dunno. John and Norbie just tried to hold themselves together but they were losing it, Norbie even tried lowering his hands...finally he got the next line out. It was a good couple minutes. Very very amusing. Ooh, I think there were a couple moments where they were trying to hold it in...I think after the line about John being old and grey, he started laughing and Norbie was trying to hold his in.

(Ooh one more random note a really awesome guy behind me kept screaming for the pit with me, I never have a buddy to scream and cheer for the pit with me, he was awesome!...okay once again back on topic...)

I'm obviously still not entirely sure who the group was, only making some inferences...but anyway...So Greg told me to go downstairs but all the kids were still in the rear mezz so I just walked there and just kinda started talking to some of them and then people were directing them down to the front rows, so I should have just gone, oh well. I just got asked if I was with them and I said oh well Greg invited me to this so they were like oh okay...so that was cool. So they were wearing kinda like press ticket thingies...that said people to people on them and ambassadors. Again, partially why I'm not entirely sure who they are.

Anywayz, we all sat and Greg came out and then I realized he was actually behind the whole thing. Again, things I tried to follow...the "head" of the "program" where I know people to people was mentioned said Greg was a good friend of hers and when they had to pick a show they knew it had to be DRS so Greg sent this little thing up after tonight's show and apparnetly he's gonna chat with them for an hour tomorrow...I really love that man.

So Joanna came out(she exists...kinda) but Greg said she had to leave right away so she just told us that we were such a fantastic audience and she loved performing for us, etc. Ohh, and I think the sound guy happened to be on stage for that moment so he started talking about where the mikes go, basically the same things he talked to BSo and I about when we went downstairs, he was very cool. Then Norbie came out...and eventually it got to be Sara, Sherie, Norbie, John and Greg who were all sitting on the stage. Again, things I tried to follow...seemed to be for aspiring actors...then again I was confused b/c a lot of them seemed surprise to learn about the broadway schedule(8 shows a week, etc.) so...maybe...I dunno.

Okay what they talked about...try to remember everything I can...first everyone said (ooh like zis/like zat just came on my shuffle hehe) one piece of advice they would give to aspiring actors. Greg...wow, I can't remember what he said at all...::slaps her head:: Hopefuly it will come to me later. Norbie essentially said to just follow your heart and always be yourself. Sara said to be grateful for everything you get, that acting is essentially a stepping stone and in most cases before you get a huge lead role, you work up from ensemble, etc. Sherie's answer I really liked, she seems like someone...I dunno who I would agree with on a lot of things...she said just try to remember the most important thing is always the kind of person you are, to always be a good person, etc. and that your wealth, your success, and other **** doesn't matter as much as the person you are, and John advised them to go to college and not necessarily major in theatre, but learn about all sorts of things in college while performing in theatre, and then if you still want to do that, then go on to study theatre.

Let's see, then I just think some questions were asked....I was tempted to ask a question or two, specifically ask Norbie in the words of Greg how he has not "blown his gut" but I figured I shouldn't ask questions as I'm not even in this group. I think two people kinda combined the question of how do they "stay sane" and give their all in performances...Greg said he just tries to remember that every show at least 1400 have paid LOTS of money to see him so he owes it to them to give 100%. Someone else...threw in that when they have an audience like us it makes it so much easier. Ooh and then I think another girl cracked me up, she asked about something similar and at that point, they mentioned Norbie was having vocal troubles, he could barely talk, eventually Sherie talked for him, and he also funnily but probably necessarily kept plopping his head down on a bag and lying down. Poor tired Norbie. So this girl just went "is he gonna be okay?' I dunno, I thought it was funny.

Then...ooh, liked this one. Someone asked in terms of being a triple threat performer if they had one they specificially started out with (dancing, singing, acting) or if they were all learned together, etc. Sara mentioned that she did dance before she did everything else, Sherie said that both she and Norbie(you could tell how close they are and how well they know each other by now) did lots of theatre in college and somewhere along the way they realized they could sing...but John had the best quote of the night. He said "and I still haven't learned to sing or dance." ROTFL!! I laughed much louder than anyone at that comment, haha.

So yeah it was really fun...of course my camera batteries died as talkback started...but yeah just wanted to share some of what went on, it was a really great night.

[Kicks8567]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 9:06am

That is so cool...it sounds like so much fun. As for People to People, it is a program offered to high school students to travel to foreign countries for 3 week periods during the summer- this year Australia . You are recommended by a teacher for overall excellence and its a nice sumemr program- although pretty pricey.

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:29am

Wow, sounds like you had a great day.

I hope Norbert is OK. I'm seeing the show next Saturday!

[thespian geek]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 12:54pm

Awww, poor Norbert. I bet he can't wait until his week off.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 12:56pm

Sounds like you had tons of fun!
I am also feel sorry for Norbert. Poor guy. He needs that vacation now!

[musicnmath]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 9:46pm

thanks for that detailed description, wrq!

[ProducersFan]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 9:51pm

Sounds like you had a blast! Thanks for sharing.

And I agree, poor Norbert. He looked tired when I saw the show last Thursday, I can't imagine how draining this show must be on him. He deserves a break, and lots and lots of sleep!

~Jessica