Post-show receiving lines...blech.

I hate it when I go to a play where I kind of know the people I know, but not well enough to carry a comfortable conversation.

Do I seek these acquaintances out and tell them how cute they were and how much I enjoyed the show? What if they want to talk more than I do? Or if I'm talking with someone I do know well and the quasi-friend comes over and looks at me expectantly like I'm supposed to talk with them (if they're talking to a good friend I just wave and continue past). If I don't talk with them and they see me leave will they be offended? Am I even good enough friends to try to be casual? What I say "Hi" and they don't really remember me? I just feel so lame when I am totally friendly and they act like, "okay, okay, good to see you and buh-bye!" It makes me loathe theatres that send their castmembers into the lobby after a play. It's always so awkward. I don't even like doing that when I am one of the cast members, 'cause you can see that EVERYBODY is uncomfortable. Doubt plagues me. Maybe there is no solution. Blech.

Tonight I saw The Pirates of Penzance at Hale Center Theatre and LOVED it! The dialogue was slow and a little muddled, but the singing and costumes and characters were great. I cried during "Poor Wandering One" because Mabel's voice was so lovely. I can't imagine singing like that. She was the only one I talked with afterward. I just heaped praises on her. There were other people I probably should have talked with, but I didn't see the one I really know well, so I sort of snuck out and hoped no one noticed.

Though HCT did a fantastic job with the silly material, I will admit that I just love the play. In fact, the worst production I ever saw was another version of TPOP. I felt sorry for that little production. They tried so hard and had some brilliant moments. Since I already know the story and all the jokes I decided just to enjoy it and have fun with it ! I may have been the only person in the audience (granted, there were only about 20 of us) who laughed at all. But I did end up having a great time! The cast noticed, too, because during the finale one of the pirates grabbed me from the front row and took me into the middle of the stage to waltz with him. Awesome! Of course, the cast was standing in the way of the exit at the end, so I told them all how much fun I had. I did not lie and tell them the show was good. Individuals, yes. As a whole, not so much.

During Seven Brides, it was so weird to me whenever a stranger would come to me and tell me how well I had done. Weirder still were those who couldn't praise me enough! It was nice, but every time I would think, "Oh my goodness! That's right, I'm the lead!" It was crazy every time. I didn't mind the people who just tried to sneak past without saying anything. They always looked so embarassed. That's just sad. Here we've worked so hard to entertain and help everyone enjoy the evening and it ends with a moment of awkwardness. I hope it doesn't end up ruining the whole evening.

Hmm, I've kind of allowed my awkwardness tonight ruin my evening. Uncool! I loved the show! Next time I see those acquaintances I'll tell them so. And they'll know I am even more sincere because I had to go out of my way to tell them. Yeah, that's what I'm going to to!

I feel better.