We loaded out from our matinee in New London, CT, and immediately jumped on the bus and began rushing to Pittsfield, MA for our 7PM load in. We grabbed McDonald’s to go at a truck stop along the way, and arrived with just a little time to spare. Being as rushed as we were, I don’t think any of us were expecting an easy night. We were scheduled to work till 1AM, at which point we figured we’d have maybe half the set up, and then come back in the morning to finish up after the 1-hour R&J performance. In addition, we were lighting the show with the house’s rep plot and Devon and I would need to spend hours basically recreating the cues as accurately as possible from scratch.
From the moment we walked in the door our mood lifted. The crew, led by their production manager, Chrissy, were very friendly and professional (it’s an IA house), and the shop area is spacious and very clean. Then we walked out onto the stage.
It’s really one of the most beautiful theatres I’ve ever seen. Suddenly all the work we had ahead of us seemed worthwhile.
What happened next is something I have taken to referring to as the Pittsfield Miracle. The entire set was completed in less than four hours from when the truck doors opened. Which is about half the time it has taken in any other venue. Nick and I were in our very, very comfortable office (with couches and private bathroom with shower), and would hear riotous laughter coming from the stage with great frequency. Every time we visited the stage they were way ahead of where they should be.
At midnight we called Bart back early to come get us, and then sat on the bus for the rest of the night, in shock and disbelief that the set had gone up so fast, completely unable to explain it.
The show the next night went very well, and we were very sad to say goodbye to Pittsfield. The best plan we came up with was to send travel vouchers to all the patrons who had bought tickets at other venues around the country, to allow them to fly to Pittsfield to see the show instead. I’m not sure if that would work out well for the company, but it would certainly be comfortable for us!
I wish i got to see the show and you, that would have been awesome! glad it went well
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Comment by Justin — February 13, 2010 @ 9:27 pm