The Show Must Go On

The Director's Cut

Directors (like Tia, in The Director’s Cut) LOVE to be in control. I speak from experience. . .lots of experience.  As opening night approaches, we do everything in our power to make sure all t’s are crossed and all i’s are dotted. We fine tune the actor’s lines, make sure the set pieces meet our specifications, print the program and work with the guys in the tech booth to ensure a solid performance all the way around. But not everything goes as planned. Sometimes you get right up to the night of the show and things simply aren’t ready.

Then what?

About a year and a half ago I directed a musical comedy titled Zaney Muldaney, on the Road to Kingdom Come. What an amazing show! What a brilliant cast! And the costumes! I could hardly wait for opening night so that folks could see the bright, colorful costumes.

Unfortunately, not all of the costumes got finished in time. We got to a key/pivotal scene (in a garden) and the kids were supposed to be dressed up as veggies.

Some were.

And some weren’t.

Ouch! Our veggie scene left something to be desired that first night. Thank goodness we managed to get most everyone costumed by the second show!

If you’ve read my novel The Director’s Cut, you know that Tia faces some challenges with the sitcom she directs (Stars Collide). She doesn’t always feel prepared. Still, the show must go on, as the old saying goes, and she manages to pull off a winning performance every time!

Oh, and about those costumes: take a look at some of the photos from Zaney. I think you’ll be amazed!