The Othello Diaries: Saying Farewell With A Heavy Heart

I've done far too many shows to be this emotional about a closing night, but hell, that's where I find myself tonight. As I type this blog entry, the scenery is coming down, the costumes are being struck, the weaponry we used the in the show is sitting here in my office ready to be returned, and we won't hear the echoes of the drums resounding through the building anymore. This one was special.

It was special for many reasons. This cast was a director's dream. They took to what we were about with a fierceness that was astounding in rehearsal and brought that same fierceness to each performance. It was special because in our life in this small theatre we don't get to tackle Shakespeare that often and doing Shakespeare is one of my passions. It was special because it is not often as a director to you get so much of what you started out to achieve.

It was special because of Elliot, Ray, Thomasin, Larry, Ann Marie, Melissa, Rex, James, Jim, Vaughn, Doug W., Doug S., Will, and Chris. It was special because of an exquisite design team, Til, Tamara, Chris, and a brilliant composer, Steve. It was special because of Malia and Natalie. It was special because of Jeff, Theresa, Cephe, Teresa, Sarah, Pat, and Tara. Incredible work by all.

It was special because it was a fight to get audiences for this effort here in our neck of the woods. It was special because even though some will say we lost that battle (the show was not that well attended on most nights) we received more comments about this show than we ever have, and they were beyond effusive. They begged for more like it.

It was special because I know we will have to fight many battles in order to give them what they ask for. It was special because we played to so many young people, either in school groups, or with their parents, and to hear them cheer at the end of the show, was to know that what we do, does indeed have meaning, and there is hope in our crazy world.

Today's two final shows were also special because two of my Tableteer buddies, Mark "Sumocat" Sumimoto, and Josh Einstein and their lovely wives, Tanya and Heather, joined us for the final two shows. Why is that special? Two of the little worlds I live in crossing over in a fun way.

The live theatre is magic. Magic for its audiences who experience the joy of a story well told for the first time. It is special because you know you can tell a story that will have impact long after the memories fade. It is also magic for the artists who assemble to tell that story, and when a special one comes along it creates a bond that becomes more powerful than the ephemeral memories that they create. This one was indeed magic.

This production makes me redouble my efforts to keep doing this. When it is so right that you feel it in your bones, the fight becomes easy, even when it is a fight. Give me this cast of this play, and this design team, and a theatre, and I'll show you magic that will you will never forget every time. That's how right and how special this felt.

So, I'll miss this one. I'll be looking forward to the next big one that leaves me this emotional when the last round of applause is heard. You never know when it is going to come.

Parting is indeed such a sweet sorrow.