| PACIFIC OVERTURES |
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| Rehearsal Journal Page 21 |
| Saturday September 22, 2001 We're getting down to the wire..! At 6:30 tonight, after dinner, we held a dance party onstage, with the help of the sound crew, light crew and rest of the crew! We had such a blast! We even used the Hanamichi as a "Dance Runway" during "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor! Afterwards, it was dancing at St Stephens Green until closing, and then over to Michael's for a late night jump in the hot tub! BTW, also met David Lamm's ex Eric, who hung out with us all day long. He was really very nice.... |
| Sunday September 23, 2001 *** Closing and Strike *** Well, the day that most of the cast and crew has dreaded has come at last. Kelley held a quick meeting in the green room to talk to us. He mentioned that "as you've probably already heard, we've broken box office records with this show," and that the show was the most attended show to date! He also took a moment to acknowledge someone very special to the cast, someone who did above and beyond what he was called to do, and that was our Swing Extraordinaire, Rickey Viloria! When Kelley asked Billy if he had anything to say to the cast, Billy quipped "Not without crying!" Linda then presented our cast gift to Kelley and Billy. They were posters of the show card with the cast's headshots, which we all signed! After a phenomenal show, (and we're not even going to elaborate on the crying during "NEXT" and after curtain) we sang Happy Birthday to Dana! After cleaning up my spot in the dressing room, I reported to Patrick for Strike. I was assigned to help strike the set and scenery. I helped bring flats out to the dumpsters, remove hardware from set pieces, and even (traumatically) helped to destroy many of the set pieces and throw them into the dumpsters. It was such a shame to see all those beautiful handpainted sets thrown away into the dumpsters. Even the gigantic warship was not spared! Strike went until about 9 pm, at which time we all got to eat Pizza and soda! Most everyone stayed to the very end, and Chris, the facility Manager, even mentioned that he not only was impressed by the cast's dedication to the strike process, but also that we had such great fun doing it! Favorite moments included Dana and Eryn's thong-wedgie-fight during dinner, as well as everyone helping to fold the big black scrim and then walking it to a box and then doubling back to give the ones behind us high-fives (You had to be there!) It was such a great feeling of team-work, camaraderie and FAMILY! Chris also mentioned that because of everyone's help, the staff was way ahead with the strike schedule by the time Chris left.... And for one last time, a bunch of us went over to Michael's afterwards for hot tubbing (again) and then talking until 5 am. Although we said our goodbyes, we can only hope they merely mean "until we see each other again..." In fact most of us already made plans to see each other in the future: Erwin says he will send invites out to everyone about a party at the LUSH LOUNGE in SF, Romar still has to have a house-warming party for their new house, Dim-Sum with Lawrence Thoo, and then there is an LA trip to see FDS with Michael Lee and to visit Hisato, and God only know what the 'Lene sisters have planned....! Hey cast and crew of Pacific Overtures: YOU DONE GOOD !!!! Though you may be far away, You will forever be close to my heart and thoughts.... All my love to you and best of luck to all your future endeavors! -Lawrence-Michael C. Arias |