And So, Goodbye
Posted by James T. Alfred on 11/06/2008
“And so.” There wasn’t much more that came out of my mouth at the top of the second act of the first public performance, which marked the opening of the show. I went completely up! Never has that happened to me before and I hope it never happens again. It was probably the most frightening experience I’ve had in my life. I was on stage alone. The task was to draw the audience back into the story, and set up the next part of the journey, and I went blank! I said, “And so, the following evening I brought Jim home to dinner. I knew Jim slightly in high school. In high school, Jim was a hero. He, he, he, he, he had tremendous good nature and vitality.” Like a scratched record, my brain stayed in that one spot. I went completely blank. It’s a normal thing for actors to occasionally flub a line. Usually the actor can refocus and find their way through. I couldn’t remember a word! Not one word that Mr. Williams had written. I tried to struggle through it, and I kept repeating words to the point nothing made sense! I said, “I knew that Jim and Laura had known each other in high school because they knew each other.” What the hell?! (lol) I simply stopped and smiled. The audience laughed and we shared a little moment. I eventually got out of it and got to the end of the monologue and brought in the other characters. I laugh now, but on stage I thought I was going to die. I couldn’t call line, no one else was on stage to help me out…alone! The lesson. Don’t panic! It happens. It’s live theatre and as long as it’s kept interesting and people aren’t feeling like they are watching you screw up they’ll forgive you and continue on the journey.
This has been an amazing ride. I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing and experiencing acting without a net. “Making theatre is a dangerous thing,” it’s a blood-sport, and you must have a team of warriors. I will make anything with Nambi Kelley, Shanésia Davis, Anthony Flemming, and Yasen Peyankov. All Spartans! This entire production has been battle tested and has stood strong against the beating winds of challenge. I am proud of it. Every show gets a closing date, and unfortunately Steppenwolf’s 2008 Glass Menagerie has received its closing date, November 9th. Tom will remorsefully tell Laura for the last time to “Blow out your candles.” It’s been a pleasure sharing with you all, “And so, goodbye.”