I haven't posted in a long time, but I just got back from tonight's performance and wanted to put my two cents in. I had tickets for last nights and last week and both shows were canceled. I decided to grab a rush ticket when tonight's was not canceled, just in case.
Understudies:
Ruby - Marina Kondo (first time on)
Sonoma - Lina Rose Lee
Camera Operator - Timothy H. Lee
Today Tix Rush gave us B 104 - 106 which was absolutely amazing.
Just a quick couple of things. The director came out and gave the same speech about swing and understudies and don't be upset if you see an actor on stage with a card reading from it or if they do not match up with the person on the screen. The audience seemed very pumped up, which was great. But it was empty on the sides and lots of single seats in the center open.
I thought the technical portion of the show was incredible. It better get nominated. The lighting, set and sound is the best thing I have ever seen in the Circle in the Square. The entire cast is insanely talented and work their butts off for 2 hours. It was Marina's first first performance as Ruby and in the beginning I had no idea she was an understudy. I love that, but as soon as the backstage video footage started I figured it out. When there were long dramatic scenes she had large index cards to read from, no worries, we get it. I am happy she is there to help the show go on. The issue was I do not think there was rehearsal with the other cast members because the line readings were stepping on each other. Scenes between Ruby and MwE were honestly rough. But the audience had her back. There were many tech issues, in act 2 right before the finale when the entire company enters after MwE exits through the floor, the trap never closed and the show and music kept going. A few of the actors kept walking around the open floor trap, 2 stage managers ran on and stopped them and one screamed "STOP". The audience cheered and the cast exited. The reset the lights and music and started again in a few minutes, but that was a close call on safety issue. Also the black main platform stairs, actors were tripping coming down it on multiple occasions and catching each other. It was giving me anxiety.
The cast received much deserved love from the audience. When Marina bowed she got extra love from the cast and audience and the audience loved MwE.
I just don't know, after 2 cancelled performances, how this performances was not full? But I certainly was entertained. Amazing talent on that stage. I absolutely adored RTMIS! Those harmonies are crazy and they are hysterical.
I do wish them the best.