LENNON
First Broadway
Preview
July 07, 2005
October 9, 1940:
Britain suffers heavy casualties from German bombing raid.
John Winston Lennon is born in Liverpool.
July 7, 2005: Britain
suffers heavy casualties from suspected Islamic terrorist bombing.
Lennon the Musical opens on Broadway in New York City.
There was a strong sense of rebirth in the air over the past couple of evenings, as crowds gathered outside the Broadhurst Theatre for the first glimpse of this new play about a champion of peace who was born in a violent setting and died a victim of violent crime. Wednesday night had been an invited dress rehearsal for a handful of industry people, a few friends and family, and a few hundred ticket agents. Yoko also attended, accompanied by Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner. While the performance wasn't perfect, it was still well received, and not a bad warm-up.
Thursday afternoon was a matinee performance for the Broadway community, commonly known as a Gypsy Run. Performers and directors from other shows in the area showed up to welcome us onto the scene and cheer us on. Jeff Goldblum, star of The Pillowman, was on hand to congratulate a flattered Don Scardino for creating a great piece of work. Broadway veteran Tommy Tune also gave his blessing.
These endorsements, combined with those of many of the cast's contemporaries, no doubt gave them the extra boost of confidence they needed going into tonight's first performance before a paid New York audience. Many of us in the group were a little uncertain about how we would be received here. What had they heard on the street? What had they read? What were they expecting? All we could do was let it roll.
We wouldn't have to worry. The crowd was with us from the beginning, applauding generously after each song, getting all the gags and digging each character that appeared (Chuck's dead-on impression of Ed Sullivan drew a particularly spirited ovation). There was one moment in particular that surprised me. Watching The Wheels is a song that has been in and out of the show since day one, but never performed until now. Frankly, I was beginning to wish they'd reconsider. To me it just never sounded as good as I knew it could. But tonight's performance, I thought, maybe wasn't so bad. The audience, however, thought differently. When the song was finished, they started cheering and wouldn't quit. The cast experienced its first bona fide show stopper.
Shows what I know.
I had found the best seat in the house, for my job, anyway. A box seat that sits up front and above off stage right. I had a close, aerial view of the stage and the entire house. So I could be close to the cast and feel their energy, watch their every move and spot it accurately, then turn around and watch the crowd reactions. It was a great place to be at the show's end, when I looked out and saw a sea of people wiping tears from their eyes and holding each other closely. It was damn touching, I tell ya. The audience was already up on their feet when the cast came out for their curtain call. Terrence asked for a brief moment of silence for those who suffered in today's bombing in London, then the celebration continued. Yoko danced in the aisle. Love was all around. The night had gone just like it was supposed to.
...Well, almost. I was supposed to get a ride home with Will and Lori, but he forgot to meet up with me and I had to catch the last bus out of Port Authority. He was sorry; I was forgiving. It was a huge night for him. Congratulations, Will. You owe me one!