We've No Less Days to Sing God's Praise/
Than when we'd first begun
-Amazing Grace
She envied her theater friends ever time she went backstage.
They'd give her a tour. It always felt luxurious. Spike tape would mark places on stage-covered with clear tape, so it wouldn't wear away. The idea of stepping on a mark 30 nights in a row, the same spot to call home.
The dressing rooms were full of homey memorabilia. Dried flowers from opening night, allowed to dry in place and even collect dust. A backstage area and even outer neighborhood that you could learn and feel at home in, even if it were just for a few night or weeks.
They were lucky to have everything back in the gear bag by the end of the night.
But at least they weren't the minimalists. The Stand Up comedians-who came as they are-just a microphone and 5 minutes.
At least they had people who gave them a chance, a rumbling good first song, a few screwups, a few bad jokes, a slow song-holding our breaths-holding out for the hits until later/until the audience had EARNED it.
Somewhere between making yourself at home onstage and being at the mercy of the hecklers. A fine line indeed.
Than when we'd first begun
-Amazing Grace
She envied her theater friends ever time she went backstage.
They'd give her a tour. It always felt luxurious. Spike tape would mark places on stage-covered with clear tape, so it wouldn't wear away. The idea of stepping on a mark 30 nights in a row, the same spot to call home.
The dressing rooms were full of homey memorabilia. Dried flowers from opening night, allowed to dry in place and even collect dust. A backstage area and even outer neighborhood that you could learn and feel at home in, even if it were just for a few night or weeks.
They were lucky to have everything back in the gear bag by the end of the night.
But at least they weren't the minimalists. The Stand Up comedians-who came as they are-just a microphone and 5 minutes.
At least they had people who gave them a chance, a rumbling good first song, a few screwups, a few bad jokes, a slow song-holding our breaths-holding out for the hits until later/until the audience had EARNED it.
Somewhere between making yourself at home onstage and being at the mercy of the hecklers. A fine line indeed.
