Sneezing, Sniffling and Sign Language
Posted by Polly Noonan on 5/13/2008Hello everyone! The unpredictable spring weather brought colds and the flu to our production of Dead Man’s Cell Phone. A bunch of us have been sneezing and sniffling, and yours truly got so sick that I missed 5 performances. While sick, I suffered through a performance and got another bloody nose while on stage. Thank goodness I happened to have a tissue in my purse. I’m curious to know if anyone in the audience noticed. Thank goodness for Cora who took over the rest of the week on short notice. I am so grateful to her, and of course to the rest of the cast for their patience and forgiveness. It is pretty exciting when an understudy goes on, but it is also harder work for everyone, because anything can happen. I wish that I could have snuck out of my sick bed, put on a big hat and sunglasses and watched the show. I heard from a number of sources that Cora was wonderful.
My first shows back were on Mother’s Day. The matinee show had a smaller crowd, but it was full of sweet laughers. The Sunday night show was full of college students who arrived from Wisconsin (?) on a bus. They were lively and wonderful. It is a pleasure to HEAR the audience each night. One person I did not see or hear (because she was elsewhere) was my own mother. Happy belated Mother’s Day, Mom!
This coming Wednesday night, Dead Man’s Cell Phone will be sign language interpreted. I am excited because one of the interpreters, Lissa Treger, is an old friend. This is something she and I have been talking about since 2002 when I was in Melancholy Play at the Piven Theatre Workshop. I hoped that she could interpret a show while I was performing it. Of course, I won’t really be able to see her because I will be busy myself, but I am delighted to know she will be there and that our show can cater to the hard of hearing.
I am feeling much better, and can’t wait to get back in costume and on the stage this week. Here’s to good health and great weather!