Last Night There Was A Moment

Last night there was a moment.

You know what I’m talking about? It’s when you work on a project and for the first time it clicks.

Last night we were working on Act 2:1 – the “Elbow” scene as we like to call it. Much of the ground work had been done weeks ago, but nothing came together until last night.

Part of this stems from pace (speed) and energy. Terry (the director) started work on the scene before us with Angelo (Ben) and Escalus (Joe). It centers on a small debate between the sage-like Escalus (Joe at the Yoda age of 44) and his younger and newly appointed boss Angelo (Ben somewhere in his twenties).

Prior to last night the scene was very polite, like: “Okay, you talk, now I talk, now you talk.” And on it would go until we made our entrance. But last night with Terry shadowing the actors like a mad conductor, waving his arms and snapping his fingers, the scene came to life and all of a sudden I was somewhere else – not on the eighth floor of the Professional Building in Elgin, but actively engaged in a debate. It was very exciting – like two boxers swatting in the ring.

That thrill prompted our scene, which in the past, was very choppy, to say the least – filled with fits and starts. But again, Terry was snapping, like a Michael Vick pitbull, pushing us to “pick it up.” Suddenly, there was little time to think – only react. Between Pompey (Jim), Elbow (Greg) and myself as Froth (Sean, hey that’s me!) we started to connect and the scene was funny. But more importantly, it was fun to be in it playing.

That’s the click – not the Tennesse Williams “click” of his alcoholic character Brick, but more of a brick smashing the politeness and sloppiness of our previous efforts.