On the Night Before a Performance

November 6, 2009 by maureen.ulrich.

One more sleep until Mitch’s Crossroads Café takes the stage.

It’s incredible to me to see how my actors have transformed themselves.

It’s one thing to become an alien or a Central American despot. But this time around my cast is playing ordinary people from a small Saskatchewan community – and they look so unlike themselves I have to remind myself I wrote this play.

Alma leaves all vestiges of my long time friend Sandy at the dressing room door. All this is accomplished with red hair spray, an alternate hair-style, make-up, gaudy earrings, and an enhanced bustline – and of course – piercing sarcasm, dished up Alma-style.

When Glenn enters wearing his bandana, peace symbol, and fringed vest, I forget he’s our new neighbour and the guy who built most of our set. In the early days of rehearsal, he seemed tense – definitely out of his comfort zone. But in the last two rehearsals, I saw him begin to relax into Bert’s character, and I began to think that maybe he is enjoying himself after all.                        

I can’t find a trace of Ed, the sweet bachelor, in Ray the Biker. Ray swaggers about in his head rag, braid, leather jacket, and tattoo sleeve, trying in vain to pick up Alma. There’s just something about a guy with an earring.

And then there’s Melanie, who makes me believe she’s the immature 19-year old she’s portraying. I always say Melanie could play any character in any play. And Zoe is no exception.

I can’t wait to see it all unfold before our audiences this weekend.

It’s going to be something very special.

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