Boro Play Wraps, Heads To Manhattan
By KAITLYN KILMETIS
On Sunday evening, at the Queens Theatre in the Park’s humble basement home, the cast of “Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell” was joined by a crowd of spectators for their last performance – what they thought would be their last performance, anyway.
It turns out between the director and the six cast members somebody suggested “The show must go on.” And so it will, this weekend in an intimate theater in Manhattan. This weekend’s last minute addition is a welcome extension after a mediocre turnout at the Queens venue.
After seeing the show three times in rehearsals, to see it acted out in front of an audience was invigorating. The energy of 50 other bodies ignited the entire cast. Jokes, that I had never picked up, shined with humor. Lengthy monologues that had formerly seemed humdrum, sparkled. Sad moments that evoked dull emotions in rehearsals brought tears to my eyes.
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| The “Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell” cast performs during a March rehearsal. |
“As soon as you get an audience in there it informs the show,” director Bill Saunders said. “That conversation with audience, that feedback always informs the show.”
He added that it is always exciting to see the spread of energy and how performing in front of an audience that’s live and dynamic changes a show completely.
“You pray for a full house because the reaction of the audience is always proportionate to the number of the people in the audience,” Saunders said.
Through the Sunday matinee, I observed the audience’s reaction and the play became much more than just my personal interpretation. I saw two young lovers lock eyes knowingly during a romantic monologue. A group of elderly woman in the first row each appeared to retreat to the depths of their memories during a nostalgic moment. And a young man let out deep belly laughs as the script recalled some sexual escapades from Gray’s youth.
Upon observing the enjoyment of others, it was difficult to ignore the empty seats that punctuated the crowd. According to Producer Ron Hellman, a few hundred people came out to see the show and most nights the hundred-seat theater was only halfway filled. Hellman said, like with other contemporary, out-of-the-ordinary plays he has put on in the past, he lost a substantial amount of money during the run.
His laments made me think of all the time and effort that had gone into the show – the hours the actors and director spent commuting to the Flushing church where rehearsals were held, the countless stage directions and helpful suggestions uttered along the way and the various late night run-throughs.
“All of that time, all of that professionalism is donated and that’s an astounding commitment. But you do it because you want to develop your craft and you love doing it,” Saunders said.
Although ultimately the show was a financial loss, it was not for lack of effort. The director and cast, most of whom juggle their acting endeavors among other careers, gave it their all. For those who saw a show during the five-day run, that was clear.
It was disappointing to see that the community failed to acknowledge this, although understandable because prior to this series I had never witnessed all the work that goes into a show. After this experience, I can say this much: across the borough there are a collection of talented actors and actresses and struggling theater companies that continue putting on plays, often without much recognition at all. Let’s support these ventures and appreciate the service these people are trying to supply us with – putting on shows that make us think, feel and reflect.
Luckily, “Spalding Gray” Stories Left to Tell” will get the chance to shine yet again. The show will play Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. at the Manhattan Theatre Source. If you missed it in Queens, come check it out in Manhattan this weekend. And next time you see an ad for a local show and you’re contemplating attending, keep in mind the hour or two on stage required dozens of rehearsals, months of dedication and a number sleepless nights for a director. So let’s fill those seats, sit back, relax and enjoy the shows.
The Queens Tribune followed the Outrageous Fortune Company production “Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell” from its first rehearsals to its closing night in a four-part series.
Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.