I was there yesterday too -- actually I saw all 3 shows this weekend (for a total of 9 -- Testing, you only beat me by 1...)
I thought yesterday was really great too -- everyone was really 'on'. And the last curtain call was pretty emotional, all the guys hugging each other (Jim Norton wasn't expecting that last one, I think -- he was putting his jacket back on as he came back on stage). I was in the 2nd row yesterday, so I could see everyone's expressions very well. I think there were more than a few tearful eyes onstage
And the stage door was packed, more people than I've ever seen. They even had a little barricade set up around the door, which I'd never seen before
David Morse was sick, a bad cold I think, and I was afraid he wouldn't make all 3 shows, but he was a soldier and made it thru. It's sad he had to be so miserable for the last weekend
Another thing was that the audience clapped as each character came on for the first time (especially Mr Morse), something else I don't ever remember happening before
One odd thing -- I SWEAR that when the 3 of them came in from the back lane the 2nd time that Jim Norton said 'The genitals prevail!'. Maybe he just stumbled on that line, but he doesn't really do that. Did anyone else hear that, or were my ears just messing with me?
And he also changed one line -- instead of saying 'instead of a sneaky little f---er who broke his mother's heart' he said 'instead of a little sneaky monster...'. Again, he's always SO consistent (I don't even think his delivery changes much, show to show) that it stuck out for me
The Sat matinee was a little different, in that Sharky played most of the scene before the fight as quieter and amused, and not raging as usual (Mr Morse said that the 'energy level' was different because he was sick, but I thought the whole emotional delivery of that scene was very different). And Sat afternoon Ivan was more feisty during the scene when Lockhart is badgering him about the fire, more standing up to Lockhart than just folding slowly in on himself, like usual
But still, the Sun matinee REALLY 'rocked'
As I came out yesterday, I noticed that there are full-length (it looked like) pix of each character on the 45th side doors to the theatre. Those doors are always open when you come out, and I never noticed them before. I meant to go back after they closed and see them, but the stage door was so long and emotional (for me, anyway) that I forgot. If anyone who lives in NYC could take a pic of those doors for me (if they are still up), I would be hopelessly grateful :)
All said, it was one of the happiest theatre days of my life (the whole weekend was just amazing), and one of the saddest. It was so hard, realizing I would never see that cast do Seafarer again. This whole show has been probably the most special theatre experience I have EVER had. It'll be hard to top
In my perfect world, Norton and Morse and Hill would ALL be nominated for Tonys. I wouldn't even want to have to pick the winner
To all 5 of them, thank you SO much for all the happy hours I spent in the Booth in the last few months, and I wish them all the happiness in the world as they go on to their next plays
You don't go to the dragon without a present - Mark Rylance
Updated On: 3/31/08 at 01:01 PM
