August
14, 2005
Lennon Broadway Opening
I
haven't had much sleep the past few nights. I got home late after being in the
city and then I was up into the wee hours, either blogging (a regular routine
to which I've become dedicated) or writing affectionate messages in a couple
dozen cards to go along with the opening night gifts. My wife Sasha is so cool.
She made necklaces for two dozen people from the original company, those of
us who've been working together since the first rehearsal six months ago today.
Each has a shiny Japanese symbol of love hanging on a leather cord. Sasha's
hand made jewelry, by the way, is available online at KeatleyDesigns.com.
It's hard to believe we finally reached this day. Since I first auditioned for Lennon nearly a year ago, the projected opening date has been moved six times, and who knows when it was before then. But it was necessary for one reason or another, and this latest postponement, as it turns out, was the most crucial and most constructive. Admittedly, it was an awkward time to change course so radically, just as it looked as though we were going to freeze the thing, but taking the time to work it all and make it right was necessary. The result is a more effective presentation overall, and the proof has been in the consistent positive response from the crowds. Several fans of the show have attended multiple previews since they began and they all seem to agree that it's now the best it's ever been. Some might complain that it's not as artsy as it used to be, and they'd be right. But the tradeoff is that it's much more focused and much more palatable all around, and the show now seems to have reached a tipping point where it can gain momentum.
Critics have been coming to the show since Thursday night and their reviews are expected soon, but today's Sunday matinee opening was for our base - family, friends, industry peers and investors. A few celebrities showed up including Paul Schaffer, the leader of Letterman's band for over two decades and one of my favorite musicians. Yoko was there, of course, along with her son Sean and daughter Kyoko, and Geraldo Rivera was present, which was great because he's portrayed in the show by a hilarious Mandy. My mom and sisters all flew up for the occasion; they'd planned their trip back when I was going on regularly and were half expecting me to perform today, which I didn't. Instead I joined them, Sasha, Sandy and her husband up in the balcony seats and watched while the cast put on an electrifying show, made possible by a gleeful and fired-up house. All emotions experienced in the first preview - joy, amazement, anger, sorrow, mirth, were amplified today, and at the cathartic conclusion the entire house leaped to their feet and cheered while the cast brought Don and Yoko up onstage to take a bow and join in a final chorus of Give Peace A Chance.
Immediately afterward, around 6:00, the partying commenced across the street at Sardi's, the legendary Broadway restaurant and hangout since back in the old days. My old pal Chris Maguire also attended the show and party, and I was glad to have him be a part of this since he was such a big part of my getting here in the first place. Photographers were everywhere, of course, and our publicity people were directing us through the picture line one at a time. This time I was dressed for it! I had a couple of opportunities to have a photo taken with Yoko, but she always got up and moved on just before my turn. No big deal. This ain't my night. Being the swing, I didn't expect any special attention, but several people approached me who had actually seen one or two of my performances and flattered me beyond words. That was unexpected...and validating.
My family had a blast, of course. We were there for a good while and it was 9:00 before we looked around and noticed that most people had left the party. So we made our way downstairs and out into the street. I was just about to hail a cab for the family (nearly impossible when all the theatres are closed) and catch the next bus with Sasha, when suddenly we looked over and saw a well-dressed elderly man lying on the sidewalk. He'd apparently had a lot to drink and had fallen over, but wasn't getting up and his wife screamed for someone to call 911. Sasha, Gina and Mom sprang into crisis management mode and rush to the man's aid while they waited for EMS to arrive. It seems Gina had talked to the guy for awhile at the party and had plenty of information to give to the paramedics before they carried him off. Never a dull moment around here.
Meanwhile, Mom and Sasha's feet were about to fall off from walking around in heels all night. This presents a problem in New York, where the most common mode of transportation is walking! Fortunately a taxi showed up not a moment too soon, and Sasha cased the bus terminal on bare feet before they gave out.
All this taught
me a valuable lesson about opening night parties:
Always leave early. You'll save wear on your feet, you'll miss the drunks, and
you're more likely to catch a cab.