Fabulous Opening Night!

[surrealestate]

Last night, we opened The Big Broadcast of 1946, this year's PMRP radio show at the Somerville Theatre. Since the 'ville is huge (900 seats), we don't really expect to fill the place for four performances, but the audience was loud and engaged and totally fabulous, which definitely made a difference, too, and prompted some ad-libbing by Mr. Cyrano in response. They seemed to really love the pre-show and were totally into the vibe by the time the lights went down.

There are still three more performances (tonight, Saturday night, and Sunday matinee) and I hope to see many of you there. I wanted to clarify a few aspects of this show that I know confuse some people.

The basic premise here is that as soon as you come in, you're in 1946. It's October 27, and you've come to be audience members at a theatre whence a radio show will be broadcast live on the air. The various wandering folks (such as myself), the people on stage for the Byfar Hour, we are in 40s costume because we are in 1946. People are reading off of scripts because they are recording a radio show, and that's how it's done, even when performing/recording in front of a live audience. (See A Prairie Home Companion, for a current example.) There is even an On Air sign to indicate when we're actually on the air and when we are merely milling about making sure everything is ready to go back onto the radio. It's more than a show; it's a total immersive experience.

I suspect most of the folks reading this already grok all of that, but in the past few days, I've read a lot of commentary from people who weren't sure what-all was up last year, so hopefully this helps at least one person have a better time when they go. It really can be confusing if you walk in and have no idea, especially if you miss the pre-show, so no need to feel dumb.

Another thing to be aware of is that while we "go on the air" at designated showtime (7:30 for evening perfs), the interactive pre-show bits start at 6:30pm with our assorted house crew and then at 7, the Byfar actors start to take the stage so that Mr. Cyrano can warm up the audience, get ready to go live, Lex gets the band going (one of the big numbers happens before curtain time) etc. So coming early is a good thing! Not to mention that my performance is entirely pre-show and intermission, so you really don't want to miss that. :)

Extra special kudos to you folks who also showed up in 40s garb. You rock. :)

Comments

[eclecticavatar.livejournal.com]

We posted a couple of times to the Davis Square LJ about the show. Maybe we should make this explanation of yours more generically friendly and put it up, as well. It might get more people interested if they know what it's all about.

Maybe post it behind a cut that says, "So what's happening at the Somerville Theatre, this weekend?"

[ron_newman]

I think that's an excellent idea.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Good idea. And I see there hasn't been a plug in long enough that it'll be okay. :) Also, I want to mention our special guest star ron_newman!

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

What an excellent explanation!

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Feel free to pass it along to anyone you think it might help.

yay

[cthulhia]

also, the pre-show radio station crew is turning out to be awesome as Actual Crew.

thanks again!

Re: yay

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

You're quite welcome (again! I think that's the fifth time you've mentioned it to me :), though that isn't really my doing. I boss people around in my role, but I don't *actually* make them do anything. My most important role in the show up til last night was choosing kick-ass foley teams who could manage without me!