Final KlezNut: the cloud-capp'd towers

[ellenkushner]

Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Ye all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind.

We did our final show today. Our final two shows, really - 11 & 1. The 1pm show was so sold out that not only were kids sitting on laps, they were sitting in the aisle, where Solomon, Sheba & I, who all made entrances down it, did our best not to step on them.

I knew it was going to be hard to say good-bye to the cast, the crew, and the whole experience. And it was. As soon as the audience had gone, we actually broke down the entire set, taking down lights & curtains & the big painted backdrop; putting away costumes & props, . . . and I stayed to the bitter end, when nothing was left, and the people who'd been patiently waiting - lighting & set plots in hand - to start setting up the next show ("The Princess of Riverside Drive" - I kid you not!) were told, "We're done. It's all yours!"

In a way, I needed to be there to hear that.

I really hadn't wanted to take my silly big grey cloak off, either. And when I did, I insisted that Delia stand by to receive it, while I recited what I could remember of Prospero's speech from Tempest (above) - not much, unfortunately; I wish I'd written it down beforehand! but of course, I hadn't even thought of it til then - and although she said, "You're a nut," she patiently listened, and folded the cloak, and took it away I know not where.

Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have's mine own....


And so, farewell. A new year dawns for us all.

Comments

[elissaann.livejournal.com]

My friends and I had a wonderful time at the 1 PM show! The 4-year-old shouted something, and Sara spoke directly to him, which cracked up the three adults in the party. I loved the peacock, and your cape, and the dancing, and the lessons in the story. And a bunch of other things that I'm not remembering right now.

It was a pleasure to meet you after the show.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you were there! It was a pleasure to meet you, too. I'm sure we'll meet again.

[deliasherman.livejournal.com]

The Cape (and scarlet dress, plus all scarves that we didn't bring from home) is hanging in a garment bag with the dredyl skirts and head-wraps and the Queen of Sheba's and Solomon's costumes, neatly labeled by Melana (the Dredyl Princess), waiting for Next Year.

[(Anonymous)]

thank you so much for sharing your Klez Nut experience here. I am sad I didn't get to see you in your theatrical debut. I have high confidence that you will do this again.

congratulations on what sounds to have been a wonderful and magical run.

[castellucci.livejournal.com]

that was me, I don't know why I wasn't logged in!

[maryrobinette.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy it was a successful run. We tried to get tickets but they were already sold out when I logged on. I look forward to seeing the next run.

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

Congratulations to all! A brilliant show by cast, crew, and author!

[natesmomclaire.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sorry to see this production end myself. I've really enjoyed every stage so much: reading about rehearsals on your blog, the anticipation of the big day, actually bringing the family to the performance, re-connecting with you, giving the books as gifts, spreading the word for next year. I continue to see the show's influence on Nathan--yesterday he announced he wants our next pet to be a peacock! Please post any news about bringing the show back next year; I plan to come with as many other families in tow as I can manage and look forward to running into you and Delia now and then in the interim.

[porcinea.livejournal.com]

The 1pm show was delightful! We were with elissaann, sitting in the front row. alexanderjasper was enthralled. Your riddle scene inspired him to create a new riddle, which he shared with The Fool after the show. ("What's black and white and lives in a barn? And says MOOOOOO?")