Road to Opening Week 10: Cynthia Dale On Rehearsals for A Little Night Music

I actually found the whole thing quite weepy.

Our first preview I was standing backstage completely overcome with emotion and searching for the Kleenex box so that I wouldn't totally mess up my makeup.

Listening to Franklin Brasz lead the orchestra, hearing the incredible voices in the Quintet of Sean Arbuckle, Jen Rider-Shaw, Barbara Fulton, Stephen Patterson and Ayrin Mackie start off the show, I was especially aware of the joy in my tears.

I remember thinking that it was important to clock it, to mark the moment and to really be aware of how special my life was right there and then.

As performers we have many highs and lows in this business, but your first show after months of rehearsing can be a supreme high. I was drunk on the adrenaline.

It's an exhilarating, humbling and equally terrifying experience.

We have now done three previews. Three times we have heard: "Ladies and gentleman this is your half hour call"; have been hustled through our quick changes; have tried to incorporate the notes we are getting; and have worked towards big picture clarity.

Each preview has gotten richer and sweeter. Every time we do it, the stakes get raised and our thoughts become more precise. Small adjustments in blocking and moments that are still being polished in rehearsals are now part of our show, and each time we get closer and closer to opening night.

So starts the next phase of our time with this glorious show called "A Little Night Music".

We are a pastiche of many talents that Gary Griffin has joined together to tell this story. We are becoming an odd sort of family. We are starting to recognize each other's moods and rhythms, foibles and fears. And we are not taking for granted how lucky we are to be here together.

Richard Monette was like an angel to me. He helped to guide me, and he gave me chances and parts that never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe I would get to play. I have been thinking about him a lot lately. I am so aware of his spirit here in this theatre. I like to believe he is watching and that he is smiling at our show.

I think he would love how love affirming, sophisticated and heartbreaking it is. I think he would love the beautiful music. I really think he would love how funny it is and I think he would especially be happy to see that our audiences are loving it too!

The hopes and dreams of many productions are in these walls. They live here and create the magic of this space. They are as important as the bricks and mortar that hold this building up. In the dust are words from Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Ibsen, Noël Coward and many more. The music of Rogers and Hammerstein, Gilbert and Sullivan, Kander and Ebb and countless others echo throughout this Avon Theatre. Now these Stephen Sondheim melodies will be added to the musical whisperings that will fill this theatre forever.

I dry my eyes take a deep breath and listen to them all.

I sing my heart out and leave my mark.

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