Opening Night

Okay, good. That's out of the way. The show was really quite good. Our energy was high (don't care what anyone else says) and I felt good and pissed for the part of the show where I am supposed to be. I just wish I could be more emotional. I spend an entire day fighting back tears, and then when I really want to call on them, I get nothing. Then again, I don't think Aldonza's really a crier. Still, it'd be nice.

I got to meet Travis's sister and mother last night. That was a pleasant surprise, since I didn't realize until the meet-and-greet line that they were even there. Eric's parents came too, apparently, but I didn't meet them - though they apparently did really like me in the show, or so I was told. So far, it would seem that parents dig me. Sarah's folks came too, and gave me big hugs - like Billy's family, they're those people who meet you one time and just accept you right into the family. My mom's like that too, I think. It's a cool quality.

I'm just stupid happy today because Larry R. came to the show last night! (Larry R.: a friend from way back, in South Florida - used to date my best friend Jessi, but has been a good friend of mine ever since; an actual hero, Orange County firefighter. One of those remarkable people I may not get to talk to as often as I should, but if I ever needed anything and had to call one person, he'd be one of the people I'd put at the top of the reliability list.) I had NO IDEA he was coming, but there he was in the front row, with his absolutely gorgeous girlfriend Ariel. (Go Larry! Damn, son!) Anyway, it was a happy because I haven't seen him in so long, and also because it put a familiar face in the audience just for me, which I didn't think I was going to have. See what I mean about Larry being that guy? He just knows....

Last night I experienced what was probably my most remarkable moment in theatre to date. At some point in the show, I turned to look at Kyle and got completely sucked in - I looked in his eyes and I was Aldonza, and he was Quixote, and I was confounded by him and completely transfixed - I couldn't think about lines or movement, or even breathe, just for a moment. I know that sounds corny as hell, but I told him about it later and he had been there too. It was just amazing.

"Little Bird" is fast becoming the creepiest moment in the show. The Abduction is scary and horrifying, but "Little Bird" and the scene immediately following get more exhausting and terrifying every night - I LOVE it. I love how Travis becomes Pedro, I love how the other guys are getting more comfortable with me as Aldonza, and I especially love how completely Eric totally changes when he's in those muleteer scenes. It's hard not to play the entire song just with him - something in his face is just so perfect for those moments.

I brought a bottle of champagne (Jan thinks it was sparkling cider because apparently none of us are adults...?) for a pre-show toast with my special group - I wanted to do more, but you know, that whole dollar situation... Most of the cast and crew went to Chili's afterward, and in a rather embarassing but sweet situation, Travis covered me.

I sometimes wonder if I'm as bad at turning the conversation back to myself as I sometimes think I am. I catch other people doing it and laugh about it, thinking how silly it is to have a timer of how long you're willing to be in a conversation that's not about you...then I catch myself doing it moments later and I get really nervous.

Tonight, after the show, we are crashing Bill and Tracy's for some X-Box and general camraderie. I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!