Today marked the first day of my professional stage managing career. I feel pretty good about how things have gone so far. On top of the part of Stage Manager, I'm still working on booking as well as trying to keep up with other connections I made this summer. There is no laurel resting going on here!We arrived in town on Sunday and most of Monday was spent teching the show (setting lighting cues and band rehearsal). Sandra was to arrive this morning, with one more run-through before the show tonight, to make sure we had everything figured out. Thus, Sandra Bernhard's 3 week run of Without You I'm Nothing at the Theater J at the DCJCC has officially begun. Of course, the day was not without it's own special dramas. Sandra's flight almost didn't leave New York due to weather, and there were sudden hotel changes for her and Kenneth due to... well... we'll call it "unforeseen circumstances" and leave it at that. BUT - even so, things went pretty smoothly this evening. Cues were given, Sandra and the band (The Rebellious Jezebels) sounded great, and the crowed seemed very happy. Tomorrow is the official "opening night", complete with an after party meet & greet, but I would certainly count tonight as far more than a dress rehearsal. The truth is, I'm pretty excited about this gig. I think it's going to be a great run and a tremendous experience for me.
Now - this is the first time I've ever really been to Washington, DC. I mean, I have been here before, but I never really experienced the city. I was here once as a kid, a few times on Dead Tour in the 80s, and once to a North American Riding for the Handicapped conference. I don't recall venturing out into the city much on any of those trips. But, after the past 2 1/2 days in town I can make at least one clear observation... Driving here is a NIGHTMARE!! Omigod. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they city has traffic circles with traffic lights. This is simply too much of an attempt to control the flow of traffic. It does not control it - it chokes it. Perhaps it's the plethora of one way streets and poorly marked intersections. Maybe this is was causes people to maneuver their vehicles like complete morons. I don't know... but it's not safe.
People complain about NY drivers, but while NY drivers may drive like maniacs, they are doing it with great intention. So they are paying attention. They are cutting you off on purpose! Here, they drive around like they are the only ones on the road; making u-turns in the middle of a street, across the double yellow line, between traffic lights, in the middle of traffic. (Really! I saw this happen today). They can't seem to figure out how to park, they make turns across 7 lanes of traffic with out looking.... Wholly shit. Oh - and wait, my favorite thing - when the traffic is all backed up because of the lights and construction in the traffic circle, they lean on their horn. Why do they do this?? It makes me want to get out of my car, walk over to their car, lean in the window, look them in the eye and say, "Do you think this is helpful??? Hmmm... not sure??? Well, it's NOT!" and then pinch them and walk back to my car.
The problem with that plan is that it could get me shot, and that would just not be any fun for me.
I think that is the major difference between my feelings for drivers here and drivers in Boston. Drivers in Boston simply have no clue. I don't fear them - I pity them. But after driving through some of the neighborhoods I have been through - i just don't know about the folks down here. While most of the folks I've met on foot have been delightful - who knows about these jokers in their cars.
Ok - the show must go on, but first, I must get some rest.
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