♫ If you've got it...

It was a successful opening night. 

Aside from:

i)  attempting to stage a scene change rehearsal ahead of 8pm
(I did feel bad for the cast - I'd rather see them come in all excited & nervous. For it to be about 'break a leg' & flower deliveries & to have the adrenaline going over playing in front of a Real Audience), &

ii) some minor costume glitches
(the nun's veil which flew off in King of Broadway, the opening number - she danced on in just her wigcap; the vanishing Glitter Belt which upset Lovely Ensemble Boy G. & the totally broken zipper on the evening gown fixed by sewing stratagem & a well-placed borrowed fur stole)
           .... we did good!

Likewise the after-apartment party which followed the after-party with a beer chit at the bar. (I was proud of my multi-tasking as I got both loads of laundry through before the theatre was locked up. Telling Beth later how I was nipping back & forth upstairs ~ 'nipping' in American speak meaning taking swigs from the bottle. Well, that too!)
  I now know what PB+J flavoured vodka tastes like. I also know for certain that I don't want a permanent tattoo on my chest, as nice as the floral one which Paul & Rachel picked out for me may be. Not only because fellow crew & tech, Joel pointed out how hard it was to focus on my face in conversation. I certainly gave myself a shock when I woke the next morning before remembering the night before.

.... flaunt it. ♫

((Lauren also performed the altruistic act of kissing the cutest boy in the cast, on behalf of married/ attached women everywhere. So charitable. Although I'd been hedging my bets 50/50 to try & set him up with Thor after his next cloud conference stateside: two beautiful boys together. For shame.  ;)
  I don't think theirs will become a fully-fledged "showmance" though; strictly party business. (That's the run equivalent of a gospel choir's "Revelationship" .... We got through some important theatrical terminology during that working lunch meeting of ours.)  ))
   Being unable to have showmances, I am instead having Professional Dresser semi-crushes instead with my Top Three Boys of the Ensemble. (I discount the principal males here because they're a category & all equally lovely & appreciative. Although Michael ("Roger") really does rocks the eyeliner. Weak knees.  ;) )

The Three are all appreciative, organised & ready to assist me throughout the show. They also talk to you like a person & not just a crew member to pick up after them. Love 'em. 

Lovely Ensemble Boy, G.

A joint favourite of Lauren & myself. Tidy & so well-organised. Does his own (totally thorough) pre-sets ahead of time & re-sets at the end of the night. Always greets you with a smile & always remembers to say thanks at the end of a night. You tell him something once & he's got it spot-on the next time. Has a dad who works for BT & an English mother. Understands the full concept of an English Sunday Roast, complete with homemade Yorkshire Puddings.

Lovely Ensemble Boy, N.

One of the first boys to befriend me post-Fittings. Having worked with 'cool' actors before who'd barely speak to you aside of something being broken, he makes an excellent exception to the rule. Stepped up during the dress to help me out with a QQC before he was due back on stage. Also heroically danced the rest of Act II after the sole came off his shoe & we couldn't get away from QC to fix it! And he makes for a marvellous Indian.

Lovely Ensemble Boy, E.

 The Anglophile. (The one who first cracked me up with the Downton comment.) He also stepped in during the Dress when I had my hands full already & has taken two of my principal QCs under his wing for the show. We also have his two QCs choreographed out to a fine art with time to spare besides. (He was calm when I initially was not, not knowing his timings & stood scrabbling at his velcroed costumes). Have also taught him the time-saving wonders of how to use a shoehorn (thank you K&I!)
  We talk West End, treading the boards, the Tennant, Downton & so on. (He's filled me in on Series 3. Lady Sybil dies?! You scoundrel, Fellowes!). I like him because my Englishness is not just a mere novelty but more a way of connecting with his roots (via his mom & his grandma) & affiliation to England.

Good times, good times.