September 19, 2006
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Readers Heartily Invited to Attend "Arsenic & Old Lace"
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to see it, was it
still a tree? Is the forest any less a forest for having lost the
tree? Why should it care, anyway?The Salem Community Theatre has put on our first weekend of the
hilarious classic comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace". Everyone
involved has been spending a huge amount of time lately to get this
play on the stage, just one month after "Wizard of Oz," with some of
the same cast membes. Through Sunday we had spent several hours
the last 13 of 14 days either rehearsing or performing, with extra time
spent working on all the last minute details involved in a stage
production (set and prop details, programs, press releases).
After all that, we ended up with an average of a little over 50
audience members per show in an auditorium that seats nearly 400.
Of course, attendance numbers are just one measure of a show's success,
but I would like to see more people come and enjoy the show.
There were other events going on here this last weekend (home football
game, Apple Festival), and our publicity probably wasn't the greatest,
but I would think we could get more people out to see a play in a
community of 8000 when people are often complaining that there's
nothing to do. We are making a concerted effort to get the word
out this week, and hopefully it won't end up being too little, too
late.We're not professionals, but we put on an enthusiastic performance and
those who do show up seem to really like it. Sure, lots of people
have already seen the movie version, but live theater offers something
special. I wish there were a way to convince people of that in
this age of television and computer games.Do you feel guilty yet, even if you
live several hours away and/or didn't know the play was on? You
should! You're really missing out. All the cool people are there.Anyway, one more weekend to go (September 22-24, see flyer
above). Now that we have that first weekend out of the way, I can
relax a bit. It's been enjoyable and I know we'll put on a fun
show regardless of attendance.
BE THERE AND/OR BE SQUARE, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!
Comments (6)
So far, I've received just this one comment, from a Mr. A.J. Urk:
Maybe you guys just aren't any good. That would explain why no one shows up.
We will be there Dan. You guys have put on a quality production before. This one shouldn't be any different. I also need a good laugh! See you this weekend.
It is an actual possibility that my husband and I could attend the 3pm performance on Sunday because we are coming to Salem on Sunday for my brother's ordination as a deacon (which is at 6:00pm). How long does the play last? Can I buy tickets at the door? Where is the Salem Community Theatre located? Is it in downtown Salem? Should I show up early to avoid the traffic jams that Salem is obviously infamous for? Do you know the Muffin Man? The one who lives on Drury Lane?
uill2,
That would be great if you could make it! Afterwards, you might be cutting it close, though, traffic jam or no traffic jam. It runs almost 3 hours (our run-through tonight without the normal 10-minute intermission was just under 2:40). However, by Sunday we should be at our most efficient so maybe we'll cut a little more time.
Tickets may be purchased at the door. Salem Community Theatre is on Broadway two blocks south of the intersection of Main (highway 50) and Broadway (highway 37) where the courthouse stands. While heading south from that intersection, you turn right just past the theatre (and just before the Firehouse). I think the street is McMackin. You can park along the street there or go straight for a short block or two and you will find more parking to the right, behind a couple banks and the public library. If you were to keep going straight (west) for just a few blocks on McMackin that would take you soon to the side of the Baptist Church, if that's where your brother attends.
How early you should show up depends on whether we have much of a crowd, but generally 20-30 minutes ahead of time is plenty.
I am not acquainted with the Muffin Man of Drury Lane, but I think I have heard about him. Isn't he some kind of bakery superhero? Some blueberry muffins would be really tasty right about now.
uill2,
Here's an addendum if you ever get through my entry above: tonight's play was quicker, even with a lot more laughter than last week--I think we were done by 9:45. At that speed Sunday, we'd be done by 5:45.
Wish I could make it, however I work all weekend long. You know we have to start the Christmas shopping season off with a bang so we are starting even earlier than normal. Don't you just love the way retail uses such a beautiful holiday for their benefit. But hey, I shouldn't even get started or I'll be going on and on about it all day. Can't wait to read here about the show.
Comments are closed.