April
12, 2005
LENNON First Preview
Market Street is one of the widest avenues in the inner city and a main subway path on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). One stretch of it, between the Civic Center and Powell stops, is one of the seediest and most depressing areas in all of San Francisco, lined on either side with derelicts functioning barely above the animal level (and that's being generous). It's actually a beautiful street, designed for lots of pedestrian traffic and commerce and surrounded by wonderful classic architecture, but something has obviously gone wrong.
At the gateway to this little slice of hell, though not exactly in it, is the Orpheum Theatre, an amazingly grand playhouse that seats about 2300 people. It's one of the most gorgeous and imaculate places I've ever set foot in. I've noticed, though, that the heavy energy created by the mass of dark entities down the street can creep its way into the theatre just enough to bring discomfort to those who are sensitive to it. So I find it rather appropriate that a show like LENNON is opening here, radiating an intense positive glow that follows the patrons emerging from the building and spills out into the street, countering the negativity on the outside to create a perfect balance.
That's what I believe happened here tonight, and what will continue to happen on a larger scale as the show gains momentum. It all began on the stage before the doors opened, as the company met with Don in our usual circle and we put our minds together. It is more important now than ever before, because even though some of us will not appear onstage, all of us are united in spirit, and it makes all the difference.
I went out into the house to watch the show in its entirety for the first time as a spectator, and was lucky enough to sit with my family throughout. Mom and Trish returned, along with my aunt Chris and Uncle Jerry and our dear old pal Judy. As the house lights dimmed, the crowd of roughly one thousand applauded lightly with anticipation, and the ride began. The audience was treated to a healthy dose of fast paced, rockin entertainment. After the first act I tried to float through the lobby and listen for random comments, and the few I heard were pretty positive. Then the second act began. A whole new ride. Different tricks, different arrangements, and wow, different moods. What power. By the show's last minutes there was scarcely a dry eye in the house, and hundreds were left spellbound. At the end, one person yelled out an emphatic "Thank you, John!" I think that summed it up for everyone. They didn't just get the message, they got all of them.
Two nights ago, Mom and Trish had seen the first act, which has changed a little bit since. But it was hard for them to form a solid opinion about it without seeing the whole piece. Tonight there was no such problem. They were beside themselves. Immediately after, A small celebration was in order in the blue velvet VIP lounge, and we all shared a drink or two together. Mom and Trish were quite eager to meet Don and the cast and they were equally as pleased to meet them.
The past couple of days have been weird for me. One minute I'm perfectly content, the next my whole constitution is pummeled by emotional stress, no doubt the result of all the walking I've been doing up and down Market Street lately. But with the energy released by tonight's public debut of LENNON, I'm left feeling not just content, but really proud. Proud of what these amazing people have been able to put together from scratch, and proud that I've been able to help.