About an hour before last night's scheduled performance of Hairspray at Theatre By The Sea, the skies opened and the power went out. Although the emergency lights kicked on, access to computers and all electronic equipment was lost. With no ability to light the stage or utilize microphones, how could the show commence?
The doors to the theatre were opened for the audience to enter around 7:40 and the audience was informed the show would not begin until 8:15. Tickets were torn "the old-fashioned way," since the electronic scanners could not be used.
As time passed and power was not restored, rumors began to spread that the show was going to be canceled.
The curtain time of 8:00 passed as the audience waited patiently to see what would happen.
About twenty minutes after the scheduled curtain time, Producing Artistic Director,
Amiee Turner, took to the stage and explained that of the three phases of power coming onto the property, only one phase currently had any power. After speaking to the cast and the crew, it was decided that, "if this audience had braved the weather to come out to see the show - then see a show they would!" The crew had gained enough power to get all the work lights running onstage, power two headsets for communication backstage, and a small amplifier for a keyboard. For those audience members who preferred returning to see a future performance, ticket exchanges were also offered.
The performance of Hairspray began at 8:37. During the third scene, when heroine Tracy Turnblad was fantasizing about her future with Link Larkin in "I Can Hear The Bells," the theatre's power was restored. The crew flew into high gear to ensure that the sound and lighting equipment could get re-booted properly. An announcement was made from the stage by one of the actors during a subsequent scene shift that, "Power has been restored!" causing the audience to erupt with thunderous applause. After a slight pause, the performance resumed with all technical elements in place. The show ended at 11:08 with a standing ovation and an audience dancing out of the theatre with memories that can only be experienced in a live theatre.
Following the performance, comments on Theatre By The Sea's facebook page included:
This play was amazing even with the power out for some of it. The people who left
truly missed out! It was great!
I agree!!! The show was great, the cast & crew....Amazing!!! Gotta love live theater!!!
"True professionals!!!"
Hairspray continues at Theatre By The Sea until August 13 with performances on Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8:00 pm, Thursdays at 2:00 pm, Saturdays at 4:30 and 8:30 pm and Sundays at 5:00 pm. The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, RI. Tickets range in price from $39-$54. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 782-3800 x18. Rush tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, online anytime at
www.theatrebythesea.com and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 782-TKTS (8587). The box office will also be open one hour prior to every performance.
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