“Good morning, Dora,” Rita said, her voice clear and steady.
Five more lines before Peggy’s entrance. She was desperately trying to remember her first line....
“... and that’s the last box of Kleenex,” Mary said. That was it—Peggy’s cue.
Almost in a trance she made her entrance. “Good morning, Dora,” she said, the words coming from somewhere—and the minute she spoke, bathed in the bright lights of the familiar, homey set, everything connected, everything fell into place.
Peggy began to act easily, feeling out the audience, trying to sense its mood. It was a curious, rather tight house in the beginning. She felt the spectators were silently saying, “Show me!”
Mr. Miller and Alison got nice hands on their entrances, but nothing seemed to “zip” yet—the audience still seemed too polite. Peggy watched from the wings when Chris made his entrance—and then it happened. That magical moment when a play suddenly comes to life. Chris entered with exuberance and power, carrying the audience right along with him, and the play began to move. It did have pace and rhythm, just as Chuck had said. The whole cast could feel it and the audience began to laugh. At the end of the first act there was a resounding wave of applause.
Chuck couldn’t wait out front as he had said he would. He came running backstage with a huge grin. “It’s great,” he cried, slapping everybody on the back. “It’s great—just great! Keep it up—keep it moving—it’s great!” Vocabulary had apparently deserted Chuck Crosby, and his praise made the actors very happy. They knew how he felt out there, watching his actors, as nervous as they were, and probably praying that they would come through. Directing was a big responsibility.
There were six curtain calls! Richard presented Alison Lord with a big bouquet of flowers from the Chamber of Commerce—a nice gesture for a special opening, and by the way the applause went on and on, the cast knew that this audience didn’t want to leave. A sure indication that they had really had a wonderful time!
Gus finally turned on the music, the curtains closed on the company, and opening night of Dear Ruth was over.
Almost over. There was to be a party later in the dining room of the Kenabeek Inn, and now there were congratulations and backstage visitors, and the exhilaration that always follows a good show.