#1
Posted: 4/21/09 at 11:40pm
I was wondering if anyone else was at tonight's performance who might have been sitting in the orchestra and could see what happened. About halfway through Act I, Scene 3 (the breakfast scene) someone in the orchestra suddenly called out something like "Is there a doctor?" and "Call 911!" Rupert Everett & Jayne Atkinson were onstage at the time and just froze in place, but were clearly trying to see what was happening and looked very concerned. Apparently it was clear even from stage that someone had become quite ill. Then some stagehands came onstage and also looked out into the audience. After about 5 minutes there was an announcement that a person had become ill and that as soon as they were cared for the show would resume. The curtain came down and the lights went up. About 5 minutes after that they announced that people should take their seats, and they started the scene over from the top. That was the first time anything like that ever happened while I was at the theater; it was quite odd to have the show stopped like that. Of course I hope the person who was ill is OK; the usher told us after the show that they were taken to a hospital.
The show itself was really enjoyable (despite the worrisome interlude.) Angela Lansbury was a riot. She seemed very comfortable in her role and had her lines down very well; just a couple of very minor hesitations but nothing really to speak of. Rupert Everett was, I thought, excellent, as was Atkinson. I had kind of mixed feelings about Christine Ebersole; I loved her in Grey Gardens, but felt she wasn't quite right for Elvira. She looks beautiful, but there seemed to me to be something a bit too restrained about her performance. I'd be curious to hear what others think. I did love the musical interludes she recorded to play between acts; what a gorgeous voice she has.
The show itself was really enjoyable (despite the worrisome interlude.) Angela Lansbury was a riot. She seemed very comfortable in her role and had her lines down very well; just a couple of very minor hesitations but nothing really to speak of. Rupert Everett was, I thought, excellent, as was Atkinson. I had kind of mixed feelings about Christine Ebersole; I loved her in Grey Gardens, but felt she wasn't quite right for Elvira. She looks beautiful, but there seemed to me to be something a bit too restrained about her performance. I'd be curious to hear what others think. I did love the musical interludes she recorded to play between acts; what a gorgeous voice she has.
Maggie-the-schnoodle
