Excuse Me...Coming Through...

Last week saw the opening of three Lab Company Productions - two new plays, LEARNING RUSSIAN and THE THING ABOUT AIR TRAVEL, in the Wedge and a Kiddstuff production, REELING, on the Neiderkorn stage. These two spaces share not only a wall, but also backstage and cross-over space. What it basically boils down to is - when these spaces are in tech at the same time (which is often) actors may be using the playing space of The Wedge to make an entrance into the Neiderkorn - and vice versa. We were all warned about this early on. Actors know to make their cross-overs quietly, causing minimal distraction to the other show.

While working on LULU during first rotation (and sharing backstage space with THE KID WHO TALKED TO PENGUINS), we never encountered this issue. We did have to hear "Do the Funky Penguin" through the wall quite a bit. But, never saw any actual actors. REELING is a completely different beast from PENGUINS. I think Corey would agree with me when I call it a beast. The show, a dialouge-less play based on Buster Keaton films, has 16 actors, a myriad of props and constant action.

While teching RUSSIAN, there was always a policeman or showgirl running through every so often. It was easy to get used to, and, after the first time, we didn't notice it all.

Until - the morning of the third day of tech. At a dramatic moment during our dress run, the center door to the Wedge opened and an actress dressed as an obese caterer - padding, silly hat and all - rolled in a giant fake turkey. Well...needless to say, nobody could keep a straight face.

Here is a photo snapped at the end of the turkey's exodus.
This quirky moment gives you a small idea of the joy that I feel here at the Hangar - working so closely with my fellow directors.

And, during this rotation, the joy of working with a playwright-in-residence! It was really a treat having Michael Mitnick here to work on LEARNING RUSSIAN. The whole company was inspired by working on such an innovative new play. It will be sad to close the show this Friday - but we've had so much fun. And, a write up in the Ithaca Journal!

I'll leave you with a production shot sans-turkey.