No Child in the thrust

I love it. I am really pleased with how it looks and how Nilaja is doing.

The audiences have been great, and huge. I'd guess it's been over 300 a few times, and maybe around 250 this afternoon. Tonight is our fourth show, and our second for the subscriber audiences.

Nilaja has made the adjustment to three-quarters fairly effortlessly. Or rather, she has done so expertly. I know it has been hard for her. She feels an incredible sense of obligation when she performs - and I know that when her back is to the audience - as it must be at some points - it's been rough for her. But she has found ways, as the janitor as well as as miss sun to open herself up to everyone. Even the students at times are now playing to the sides, which is great.

There are a couple of tough rows...the ones that are upstage of her, and high. I will be sitting in some of those seats today. But I have a feeling, though Nilaja is shut off to those audience members, they are probably thrilled to be that close to her.

Indeed - I was sitting house right today - about four rows up - and it was probably closer than I'd ever sit. This is the advantage of having a house of close to 530 audience members...

I've noticed a clanking at the top of the show and at the end. I think it is the set of lights at stage left. There is nothing to be done, except replacing these lights - and that is unlikely to happen.

Modifications: besides cheating her out at certain points, I had to restage the epilogue - and i love it. Rather than moving her along the right/left axis, as we've always done, I move her from upstage to downstage as she describes the fate of all of our friends. I think it's effective. Also, today I had her get "caught" at the beginning of the show, not when she makes her turn stage right, but rather, I've had her sing her song moving more slowly upstage to downstage right, coming in from the door...It'll work tonight.

What else? - ah - shondrika has now graduated from NYU - I still think she should be the deputy mayor of NYC. Rather than the mayor - but hey...it's her play, she wrote it...

Mia Barron saw the show again (her third time) last night and brought her whole family. She feels it's just as effective in the thrust. I agree.