This afternoon was the penultimate performance of LiFT’s production of Much Ado About Nothing (as you see, I take every opportunity to use the word “penultimate” in a sentence). The weather was even hotter than on Thursday, and thunderstorms threatened. However, as they say, the show must go on!
I had heard some thunder as I took Spunky out for a business meeting before leaving for Little Falls, but the skies were blue with fluffy white clouds. What was that all about? The heat and humidity were formidable, but my friend Kim, who was picking me up, has a good A/C in her vehicle. We arrived in Little Falls early so were able to walk around Chicks on the Canal, a vendor fair that is part of the Canal Days festivities.
A delightful band was playing on the stage that we were to occupy in about an hour (I stupidly did not find out who they were). They get the best musical acts for Little Falls events. I couldn’t help dancing. I figured, I was already sweating, how much worse could it get? Additionally, dancing would pep me up, loosen me up and cheer me up. It did all three, but the sweat did get rather bothersome. I found a spot in the shade to sit and study my lines while I waited for my entrance.
At last the play began! And I still had to wait for two acts and two scenes of a third before my entrance. We had a pretty good audience, about 60 somebody said. We could hear appreciative applause and laughter. Yes! Let’s hear it for live theatre! I was happy to finally get on stage and even happier when the scenes I was in got laughs, too.
It was not until Act IV that the sky began to darken. Our energy level was still high and we did not flag through Act V. After curtain call it was downright dark and the wind started to whip.
“Where’s my Bible?” I asked (I’m the Friar, remember?). “Where’s my green bag?” A couple of cast members had gathered things up and put them inside as the rain threatened.
Then it hit. It was a deluge! I helped carry the last of the stuff into the building, pausing to do a Shawshank Redemption pose in the rain, because it felt damn good on my sweaty body. I was laughing heartily, as I usually do at inclement weather. I also helped carry stuff out to our director’s car. We took a slower drive home than usual, trying to avoid hydroplaning. We were so happy we had gotten through the whole performance before the storm.
We have one more performance, tomorrow at Sterzinar Park, Canal Place, Little Falls at 3 p.m. I hope we get another good audience and the weather once gain cooperates!
Mohawk Valley Girl 