Folks, many of you know that I am one of those people who has very strong opinions about things and that in areas of deep concern to me, mine is the only opinion that matters. This is problematic when one is acting, as you cannot see yourself or the show and must rely on the opinions of others to know if what you are doing is working.

I am ready to accept the opinions of others about Man of La Mancha, as the response we got was so overwhelmingly positive. Really, the show is good; the cast is good; I am good. It is worth seeing. It is worth seeing. I would not say this if it weren't true...

Opening Night was terrific. I had about 25 friends in the audience and the house was nearly full. There was a reception afterwards and the praise I got from friends and strangers was wonderful. I went back onstage to fill a couple of needs: the need for community; the need to work collaboratively; and the need to receive the kind of applause that can only come after such a performance.

The community part is the hardest for me--I am such an outsider and a misanthrope that I have always had a hard time breaking into a new group. I mean, they are all nice people, and I enjoy working with them, but there is an insular feeling that presses all kinds of insecurity buttons for me. This isn't Waiting for Guffman or anything (these people are talented), but there is that overwhelming community theatre feeling, with characters straight out of stock and situations that are universal to this kind of small town effort--I will post more fully about this later.

And the world moves in funny ways--the guy I have a huge crush on came up to me at the reception only to ask me about another guy he had seen me talking to, a guy, ironically, who I have been unrequitedly in love with for years!

Now, I'll be honest--there are still things about this production that are not up to my standards, but I am a very harsh critic. I will post later on my take on the show, but believe me--the good far outweighs the things in the show that I would do differently. Thanks to Esther seeing the preview and her insightful comments, I was able to adjust two things that had been bugging me and I believe they are now better.

Next week, some very good friends are attending, and it is then that I will find out how detracting some of the staging is and whether or not I am really doing what I think I am doing. These are people I have known for thirty five or so years; talented folk I have directed and with whom I have acted. They will not be unduly appreciative, as they will catch me if I am "schmacting" instead of acting. I am not worried, though, as I am doing the best work I have ever done and I want them (and you) to see it.

We run three more weeks, through June 7, and there are tickets available for every performance except the matinee on June 1. If you can come to the special benefit performance for the new library at The Girls' Middle School on May 31, all the better. If you need tickets, contact me.