Aurora Fox's A Christmas Story

So basically the whole of television is on repeat until the new year, so on this cold night I sat down and decided that there was nothing on. So, in my opinion, you should be out seeing live theatre. There isn’t anything better in life.

This of course reminds me that last week I had the chance to catch A Christmas Story at the Aurora Fox. I know, I know, what is with the Fox? I’ve just been doing a lot of behind the scenes work there, so I see the shows. I go where I can get comps, what can I say?

Well, I guess I have to say that watching The Christmas Story put me in a Christmas-y mood. The lobby of the Fox is fabulously decorated getting you in the holiday spirit from the moment you walk in the door. And to top it all off, they are selling hot chocolate (and some yummy adult versions as well…try butterscotch!!). You can’t help but get in the holiday spirit, added that to our winter wonderland outside and no scrooge can be found anywhere near that theatre.

Now, I have to state that I am not a fan of the movie. I’ve seen it, I enjoy it, but I’m not a watcher of the 24 hour Christmas Day marathon on TBS. That being said, I really did love the play. Something about it being performed live, with a fabulous stable of child actors really worked for me.

The kids were by far, the stars of the show. Notable mentions include Alexis Porter as Randy Parker, Chandler Reed as Scut Farkus, and Max Schwartz as poor, tongue stuck the lamppost Flick. David Quintana, who has the somewhat daunting task of being “official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time built right into the stock."

Adult actors, Rhonda Brown and Dutch Schindler do a great job playing Mom and The Old Man, and like all parents seem to have a world that involves the kids, and a world that does not. Rhonda brings such a great motherly air to the stage, that you almost expect her to jump off the stage and put a bar of soap in YOUR mouth!

The atmosphere of the show is great, and everyone involved gets a big thumbs up. No technical part of the show stood out to me, either in a bad way or a good way, they all worked together nicely and added to the show without distracting.

The only think I wasn’t a big fan of was the narration. Now I have to admit that the narration is my least favorite part of the movie as well. It irks me! I just want to hear the kids! I know it’s adult Ralph’s memory, and that storytelling is how the movie came about, but I just don’t like. I was particularly confused during this show because I thought that the story was from the narrator’s memory, yet the narrator spends the entire show appearing to read from a book. There were also several points when I felt like there was too much narration and too little action.

In truth I think that is due to the script, you can tell that it was converted straight from the movie, and sometimes movies just aren’t meant to go straight to the stage without a little adjustment. For fans of the movie, I am sure this is a delightful effect, but for those of us that aren’t fans, I think the script falls short.

In the end, all of that was forgotten, and I just got into the spirit of Christmas and enjoyed the show. That’s just the thing about the show, it’s well produced and so full of Christmas cheer, that you will forgive it’s small problems.

Sadly, this is the show’s final weekend, and they are selling out fast, so if you want to get tickets, you better call now! But do get tickets! It is a great show!!

Call the Aurora Fox at 303-739-1970 or visit www.aurorafox.org.

Fully Committed at The Aurora Fox

So last Sunday I got the chance to see Fully Committed at the Aurora Fox, which, I have to say, is possibly the funniest play I’ve ever seen. It’s definitely the funniest play I’ve seen this year, that is certain. If you get the chance to catch it, do! You will not regret it.

The play is about Sam, and out of work Midwest actor trying to find his break in New York City. To make money he works the reservations line at a “four star, multiple award-winning, ridiculously expensive, trendy, Upper East Side Manhattan restaurant”, according to the playbill. It’s normally manned by three people, but his two co-works are out (one because his car has stalled out on the LIE and one because she recently learned her father has Lyme disease). So poor Sam is stuck alone, manning the line all by himself. At Christmas. And the restaurant is booked through February.

Sam has to deal with several customers, an unhelpful staff and a demanding and egotistical chef.

The play has 40 characters, and just one actor, the very talented Steven Burge. A show like this is always an enormous undertaking, and it’s always great to see someone take it on so well. There are 40 very distinct characters and all are brilliantly acted by Steven. I couldn’t take my eyes off him the whole night. Each character has its own distinct voice, body language and aura, I nearly forgot that the whole play was just that one actor.

As the dorky theatre vixen I am, I have incredible respect for Steven in taking on this role, but I also have a crazy amount of respect for director Terry Dodd. When I was reading this play I couldn’t for the life of me, figure out how to direct it. I’ve directed large casts, small casts, but a cast of one? One man who does 40 characters? I was stumped. I felt like every idea I had felt phony and staged. Terry Dodd’s direction is neither of those things. The play felt honest and natural, each character was distinct and alive. It was intriguing to watch.

The other element of the play that I really loved was the sound, by El Armstrong. The opening music to the show sets the mood for the entire play. It almost makes the play seem like a movie or a TV show, which adds a great contrast to the intimate 72 seat theater the show is playing in. It makes the experience unique.

I can’t even begin to think of an element I didn’t like. The show was great all around, and I had so much fun seeing it. Anyone who has ever worked in the food industry, especially around Christmas, can easily relate to the show. Heck, anyone who’s experienced Christmas can relate to the show.

A word of warning though, get your tickets soon. The word is out on this show and tickets are selling fast. I have been assured that there are several left, but that shows are selling quickly. For tickets you can call 303-739-1970 or go to www.aurorafox.org. Tell them the Lobby Vixen sent you, and you can get a free concessions item (Try Sam’s White Christmas Dream!! It’s dreamy!!). Hurry the show closes December 20th!

The Holiday Season=Chaos

Oh dear readers, the holiday season is always chaotic in the theatre world. It's chaotic in general, but add on holiday shows and holiday audiences, and the chaos is intensified!

That has been the major reason for my absence. Truthfully, no matter how many times I do it, it takes a bit of adjustment. Now things are settling slightly into a pattern and I can go back to doing what I do best.

So stick around faithful reader, I will have some lovely new posts soon. I saw two shows this past week so I have plenty to talk about as well!! Until then, Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

The Theatre is Magic-Opening Nights!

So I might as well just come out with it. Your dear Vixen is delightfully dorky? Want proof? I'm about to quote Doctor Who. "Oh, yeah, but the theatre’s magic, isn’t it? You should know, stand on this stage, say the right words with the right emphasis at the right time… oh, you can make men weep, or cry with joy. Change them. You can change people’s minds just with words in this place."

It's a brilliant quote!

And so it is that I spent my night at the Aurora Fox for the opening night of Fully Committed. This is by far one of my favorite theatres, and this has become one of my favorite plays. Now though I didn't partake in actually seeing the show tonight (I am waiting to see the benefit industry night performance on Monday), I did get a great big dose of an opening night atmosphere.

It doesn't matter how long I have been in theatre, there is still an insatiable magic about opening night. The nerves. The anxiety. The trepidation. You don't even have to be involved in the show to feel it, the whole theatre seems to buzz with it.

The show had a great opening night! The audience was in love with the play, they had a brilliant reception with some of the best pie I have tasted, and I was drinking those delightful White Christmas Dreams I told you about a couple of posts back. So yummy!

I also found out the neatest thing. Tonight the lead actor of Fully Committed was celebrating his 5th anniversary with his partner, and they had met at the Fox! How romantic is that?

See, theatre is magic!

Too Many Discounts

We've been having a big discussion in our theatre about discounts. When is the best time to use them, when not to use them, are they worth it, are the better ways to go about doing something. So many questions.

Personally I am frustrated by discounts. For some very strange reason, people who use discounts get very entitled. Like we owe them something for some reason because they were special enough to recieve a discount. Why is that? Obviously we've given you a discount, what more do you want.

We've been using one particular coupon where you get $5 off. Now yes, we don't say you get $5 off a regularly priced ticket, I understand that, but you can't use the coupon on a senior or student tickets. Those are already discounted tickets. Basically you are asking for a discount on a discount. And just FYI, the $5 off tickets is cheaper then the student or senior tickets. So take it and enjoy it!

I've never tried to use the two together, I don't understand why you would. I usually just figure out which is the best deal and take it.

Now I understand that economy is bad and times are hard, and if that is your excuse I have one question to ask you. Do you understand that the economy is bad and times are hard? You want to save money and we still have to make it, so shouldn't we meet in the middle? Think about it!

See, now I feel like I am griping too much and boring you with my complaints. So I've decided to offer you a discount. (I know, I know!) I have negotiated a deal with my fellow Lobby Vixen's at the Aurora Fox, where I will be seeing Fully Committed later on this weekend. If you use the code word "Lobby Vixen," you will recieve a free drink from concessions. And that includes anything, water, soda, beer, wine and even their drink special for the show "Sam's White Christmas Dream," which I suggest, I got to taste test it the other night and it really is a dream!

Enjoy!

The Rolodex Everyone Wants

Versatile Vixen needs to remind you that she doesn’t always prowl lobbies. Occasionally I can be found backstage. I had a bit of a fun experience backstage this week and it was so silly that I felt the need to share it.

I had the chance to help out on props for the Aurora Fox’s production of Fully Committed that opens this Friday, November 13. I had showed up to the Aurora Fox for another reason and I was suckered into helping out on props. So I was given a blank rolodex and given the instructions to fill it. With what? How? Oh yes, I really had to sit down and write out several fake names and phone numbers.

I went with themes: Celebs I Find Attractive, Characters From The Office, Actors From The Office, The Beatles, Daily Show Correspondants. But that just didn’t fulfill me. So then I turned to friends names and numbers. So dear friends, those of you who know the Vixen’s true identity, it is very possible that you are permenantly immortalized in the Fully Committed rolodex. Well, at least until the show closes.

And don’t worry, Vixen’s number is hidden in there too!

Audience Differences

Lovely Lady Vixen is always intrigued by audience behavior. I spend a lot of my time watching audiences, and I spend even more thinking about audiences while waiting for a show to get out. Like I said, I'm always prowling.

Our regular audience has their own flow, and I have become very accustomed to it over the past few years. So when we have rental groups coming through, I am always taken by surprise. I’m sure my fellow vixen’s will agree, it can be jarring. The want different things, need different thing, act different, behave different. It’s odd.

Recently I have worked a few very interesting rentals. A few weeks ago I worked a foreign language movie showing, which was interesting because the whole day seemed doomed from the beginning. I arrived at 3:30 to meet the group at 4:00 so they could be ready for their 4:30 showing. Instead, I arrived at 3:30 to meet the group at 4:30, who ended up starting their movie at 5:20.

Rule 1 with Miss Vixen, DON’T BE LATE!! Theatre is a time tabled art, and since I also work part time as a stage manager, time is very important. And late = bad.

Not to mention, 9 times out of 10, if you show up late, it means you are going to stay late, and when you stay late, you are biting into my personal time. So this group doesn’t only start there showing at 5:20, but they also had a second showing at 6:30 that I knew they weren’t going to make. And sure enough, the second showing began at 7:30.

Suddenly the promise that I would be out the door by 9:00 was shattered. Sure enough, I left at 10:00 that night.

The other weird thing was audience behavior. For the most part they were quiet and respectful, which of course normally would please me, and would even make up for the fact that they were late. But there were three gentlemen that decided that a quiet, contemplative Vixen sitting at her desk, needed desperately to be hit on. Badly! One insult my love for my job, the second encourage me to cheat on my significant other and one hit on me after his girlfriend went to the bathroom.

When the end of the night finally came, I was thrilled to be out of there.

Now bad audiences are actually few and far between. I don’t mind the bad ones so much because we always have a really cool one to make up for it. The really cool one, was this past weekend. We had, in our little theatre, a fabulous little old school Vaudeville Melodrama group. It was great! Moustache twirling, hero cheering, and chainsaw juggling! It was fantastic.

The cool part was that their audience was so into it! It helps of course that the group had sponsorship from a local beer manufacturer and they gave said beer away. So the audience was wasted! Truly wasted! One gentleman in particular had to have had 4 or 5 (don’t worry, I checked, he had a DD!) and each time he came back to the bar he would start increasingly more interesting conversations. First about the beer, then the group, the he talked about volunteer work, then Robot Chicken and finally he rounded out at the end of the night with complimenting my hair. He was fun! He also used all his free tickets on beer, then would buy other people, he didn’t know, cookies and candy. I loved him!

The group was into the show, and ended up staying for quite a bit after the show ended. It typically takes me 20 minutes after a shows end to close up, that night I was there for nearly an hour. It’s always a good sign.

My only complaint is with the group itself. Though they were incredibly sweet and lovely people, they were very needy. They must have asked me for at least 5 extra services, which is normally fine, but when asked at inconvenient times in inconvenient ways, it become hectic, and tends to unnerve me. Normally my response would be anger, but these people were so damn nice, I couldn’t be mad at them. So I ended up being frustrated at the fact that I couldn’t even really be mad at them for asking me to do things I should do for them despite the fact that they asked me while I was busy trying to do the best job I could for them. What kind of ridiculous complaint is that? It makes me sound so silly!

It was a fun show! I caught about 50% of it, including the chainsaw juggling (how could you not watch chainsaw juggling?) and I have to say, I wish I had caught the whole show. It was a ton of fun!!

Things are heating up in the theatre world as it is the Christmas season, so stay tuned. I’m sure I’ll have a ton of stories! And video blogs are certainly on their way....

The Best Part of My Job!

And what is the best part of my job? Picking (and testing) the drink specials for each show! And the best time of year to pick drink specials is Christmas. You can have so much fun. We are offering a series of drinks this year, so we all have been plowing through mountains and mountains of recipes.

It's a bit of a science because it can't be difficult to make, we have too little time and too little space. And it has to be yummy! And it has to tie into the show somehow. All the factors have to come out right in the end. I have done things as specific as a Southern Sour (Jack Daniels, SoCo and sprite) and things as common as a Cosmopolitan (cranberry juice, vodka and a spot of vermouth).

This show I am working with the kid and adult friendly hot chocolate. Kids get to enjoy delicious hot chocolate and adults get to enjoy delicious schnapps flavored hot chocolate! Brilliant! So far we have the classic peppermint, cinnamon (which is my favorite), butterscotch (a suggestion from a mammoth) and raspberry. And for an extra added cocktail, one of my darling co-lobby vixens suggested a White Christmas Dream (amaretto, vodka and cream with a dash of nutmeg!). Let's just say it is going to be jolly around here this year.

I'll let you know what makes the final cut. And maybe I'll offer a coupon or two!

Attention Actors: New Rules for Auditions!!

So your favorite, formidable Lobby Vixen doesn't only work shows. I also work auditions, and as auditions are looming in the distance, I want to give my actor friends, and even actor strangers, a few rules on behavior for auditions.

Now, lovely, learned Miss Vixen is an actor herself, though my tendency to audition had dwindled since college. So I know the basic rules of auditions, and I know most of you know the basic rules of auditions, so we are going to bypass those and I am going to give you my extra rules.

It's about behavior!! You would not believe how many actors I get who are so badly behaved. And all the well behaved actors are going to outshine a badly behave actor every time!

First, SHOW UP ON TIME!! I cannot even begin to tell you how many professional actors show up late to auditions. It's damn near ridiculous. Write down your auditions time, than give yourself 15 minutes. You want to show up early because you are bound to have an audition form to fill out, and if I have to wait for you, it just throws everything off.

Remember that you start your audition from the moment you leave your car (or bus, or taxi or subway train, whatever). You should be ready to impress from that moment on. You want us to like you. And once you enter the theatre that is most important. You never know when the person you deal with in the lobby, has pull backstage. For example, some auditions ago, I was working the lobby with the stage manager for the particular show that was auditioning. She had taken a call from a very pushy actress. This actress demanded she be put directly on the call back list. That's like if when asked to interview, you called back and asked if you could bypass that interview and just go to the final interview. Who does that? No one! Why? It’s completely illogical! We checked to see if she knew the director or producer, she, of course, said she did. When we checked with them, we learned it was false. So she remained on the audition list where she was. Then she called claiming that the reason why she needed to be moved directly to the call back list was because she was doing a movie and just simply did not have the time.

Here's the thing actors, if you want the job, you make the time. If you don't have the time, find another job. An actor who can’t make time for an audition, is the sign of an actor who can’t make time for rehearsals. That doesn’t sell you to us. We want people who are reliable.

So this charming actress had been rude on the phone to both me and the stage manager. Not a great start. And we were not having it, but when the actress walked in for her audition, I gave her the benefit of a doubt. I said my normal schpeal in my normal tone, and then informed her, that unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we were running late. She had a cow! She couldn't stay, she was doing a movie!! Again she copped an attitude, and we copped one back. The stage manager laid down the law and stated that that was just the way things were, and she would have to deal.

When the stage manager went into the theatre, she cornered me. "You know I talked to so and so (naming the stage manager by name) to see if I could just go straight to the call back list." So I was forced to inform her that said stage manager was the woman she had just verbally badgered.

To this day, I cannot describe the "oh crap" look on her face. But it was priceless and you bet I enjoyed every last second of it. She knew then, that she had royally screwed up. So to make amends, she jumped on the stage manager immediately as she came back out into the front of house apologizing profusely.

Of course, then I told the stage manager why that had happened. At this point, we opted to discuss her with the director and the producer. They then took time out of what was a VERY BUSY and VERY HECTIC audition schedule to politely tell the woman that that was just not how we worked and that she could stay and audition, but she would have to wait.

She left.

I found out the next day that she wrote a long apology note to the director, via the box office manager. I found it hilarious. To this day, I remember her name, and I will always be wary of her.

Lastly, I want to say, always be auditioning. From the time you make the appointment, straight on through strike, you are auditioning. The house staff, backstage staff, director, producers, designers and other actors may just be the deciding factor on your next job. This brings me to my last story.

For this set of auditions, I got two calls regarding the same thing. Both actors had conflicts and wanted to move their auditions. Actor 1 called and rudely demanded that I talk to the producer to get him on the callback list. I'm sorry, if you want a job, you need to try and get it. I could care less if you get cast, don't ask me to work for you. You get the numbers you need and do the work yourself. Not to mention, everyone heard the story.

Actor 2 called and politely and apologetically asked if there was any way at all I could change his audition. His appointment was moved. Everyone heard this story as well.

In truth, I get asked at almost every audition about how behavior was in the lobby. And you never know when my say is going to count. Even if it doesn't, that shouldn't prohibit you from treating me kindly, or anyone for that matter.

I know it’s a stereotype for actors to be egotistical and demanding, but that doesn't get you cast. Hold your attitude until you start bringing in million dollar paychecks and there are several high profile awards on your resume.

I hope this helps! Break-a-leg!!

Arctic Fox

Today the Lobby Vixen is one arctic fox! I, like my foxy brethren, trekked out in the autumn snow and arrived at work early today so that our many concerned patrons would be encouraged to come out and enjoy the show by a real person instead of an answering machine. I was happy to learn from my messages that a large percentage of tonight’s crowd still intended to come out! Someone pointed out to me that we have canceled shows for less snow than this, but that was because of massive cancellations on the customer’s part! If the audience wants to come, we want to put on a show! I quote the great Irving Berlin song, “There’s No Business, Like Show Business,” from Annie Get Your Gun: “The opening when your heart beats like a drum/the closing when the customers won’t come/There’s no business, like show business.”

As I started to plod through the multiple messages that had been left, several of them reminded me of some issues with answering machine etiquette. I want to give customers a professional, easy experience when ordering tickets, but sometimes it is the customers themselves that prevent that from happening. Maybe by reading this you can avoid some of these next time you leave a message!

1. Leave your name. I would love to address you appropriately when I return your call, instead of the less professional, “Hello, this is Vixen I am returning a call from this number.” That makes me feel like one of those people who call back every number that comes up on their caller id, or cell phone, or like a teenager in 1996 returning a call from my pager. But if you leave me a message that says “555-555-5555 I want to order tickets” what else can I say?

2. TMI. That means too much information. Here is an example: “Hi my name is John Doe, we want tickets for Friday’s show, or maybe Saturday’s, I just don’t know because I am going to the doctor Thursday morning to get this boil on my arm checked out since it has started bleeding. So I might not feel up to going out, but if I do, I want to come Friday, if it is still bothering me then Saturday is probably better. It has been bothering me for weeks and this is the first chance I have had to get it checked out and that’s good because I think it is infected…” you get the idea. TMI can also apply to less personal things that just slow down the process of me getting you your tickets. “I might drive, but my friend said she wants to drive, but I don’t like when she drives because she always goes over the speed limit…” Believe me, caring, compassionate Vixen is concerned for your health and safety, but she does not need this information in order to secure your tickets. If you leave this information out of your message my return call will come faster and I won’t need to listen more than once to get the important information (name, date, number of tickets).

3. Leaving multiple messages. It says in the prompt that someone will be here 2 hours before the performance. That means on a Saturday, with a 7:30 show, I will arrive at 5:30. Leaving messages at 8:30am, 10:15am, 1:32pm and 4:56pm yelling because I have yet to return your first call does not move the process any faster. In fact it slows me down because I have to get through 4 messages, where one would have been enough!

4. Speak clearly. Remember that the single most important piece of information you are leaving is your phone number! I can’t count how many messages say, “This is John Doe, that’s D-as-in-dog O E. My phone number is 303-jhirheiughuygherg” And the number gets sped through and dropped. If I can’t call you back, I can’t get your order processed.

Remembering some of these will help you get faster, more competent service! I want to sell you tickets! I want you to come see the show! I want it to be an east process! But I can’t make that happen unless the information I need is left clearly and concisely!

Now, I trek out beyond my own little lobby all the time to catch shows all over town. And I, just like you have to call and speak to a machine to get tickets. So when I leave a message, I use this little rule. I only leave a message that I would want to hear. “Hi! This is Vixen. I would like to purchase 2 tickets for the Saturday performance. Please give me a call back at 303-555-4040. Thanks!” I speak clearly, slowly and I just give the basic info. Remember Name, Date, and Number of Tickets.

Now your amiable arctic fox is going to trek back out into the snow and clear off the icy sidewalks! Keep warm everybody!!

The Audience is ALIVE!!

I find audiences fascinating. It's probably the reason I got into theatre. Every audience is different, every audience creates a different atmosphere. Some laugh hysterically at everything. Some don't laugh at all. Some cry, some complain, some are mischievous.

I once struck up a conversation with a man from Michigan who regaled me with stories of his crazy hunting days as a teenage in Escanaba. The woman behind him listened intently for quite awhile, then she turned and asked his name. Turned out that they had lived only blocks apart and he had gone to high school with her older sibling. Life had taken both of them out of Michigan, landed them in Denver and had driven them to the theatre on that particular night. They also both were apart of two very large and very raucous groups that night, who then formed into one massive raucous group that seems to influence the energy of the rest of that nights audience. Let's just say, it was a night to remember.

Last night's audience was too. Last night was a bit of a different gig for the theatre. It was a comedy show, something I haven't witnessed here since I started. The energy was very different. It was fun!

I'm reminded of why comedy clubs have two drink minimums. They want you to drink, "the more you drink, the more you'll laugh." Although I do wonder about the occasional onset of the "the more you drink, the more you hassle the comedian." We didn't need either of these. This audience wanted to drink, and they wanted to have fun.

It was I that wasn't prepared. Unfortunately, I ran out of cold beer. That is like comedy show high treason!! And boy did I know it! Some creative thinking got us back up and on the go, but it was a stressful 20 or so minutes. I kept them drinking, and kept them happy! If I learned anything last night, it's to not stand in the way of a comedy crowd when they want some beer.

I didn't catch the comedians, but I know for sure that the crowd was a laugh a minute. In one circumstance as they took my darling patron, a darling stuffed fox and propped it up in provocative positions. Of course, no harm, no foul. And it was sort of funny. And I sure it would have been hilarious if I had been drunk.

Another laugh for me came when someone tried to steal my bar sign. I don't know why he couldn't just read it in place, but he reached out and started to grab it and pull it away from the bar, starting a domino effect and causing chaos on my bar. It was then that he asked if he could take the sign.

They were truly a fun audience, and brought an incredibly interesting atmosphere. And the loved the show. They all came out raving about it, and stuck around for quite awhile afterward. Always a good sign. I wished I had caught the show myself. Sadly though, I spent my night keeping beer cold and thinking of ways to improve my beloved lobby. But ideas abound and said improvements are on the horizon!

House Managing 101

Silly as it sounds, my job doesn't necessarily come naturally to people. Yes it's relatively simple in theory. Open house, get people seated, pour wine. But I can tell you from personal experience, not everyone is cut out for the job!

When I was still just a wet behind the ears lobby vixen I was working a show with our most established house manager. Notice I didn't say best, I said most established. Read: She'd been there FOREVER! She and I were working at a very busy Christmas show, trying to fill 200 concessions orders in approximately 15 minutes. A woman came up to me at the bar and asked if we take check. I turned to the mature manager to inquire myself if this was an acceptable for of payment, instead she looked past me at the patron and yelled "Yes we take check, now get to the back of the line." Ok, so this lady was outside of the line, yes, but my guess is she was just doing it to make sure of our payment policies before getting in the line. Surely she wasn't going to just order. And had I the chance to politely answer her, I don't doubt that is how it would have happened. But unfortunately she took offense at my cranky co-workers words and complained to the box office. Not everyone can do my job.

It takes finesse. You have to know how to appear as the audience wants. You have to have the answer they are looking for when things go wrong. It's sort of like theatre itself. Know the lines!

Next time you go to see a show, go early. Sit in the lobby and look for the house manager. They probably are dressed nicely, better then the ushers and in some cases, better then the audience. They are usually quiet, but attentive. Sometimes we have name tags or head sets, or maybe just a walkie talkie. Check out the ushers, the lobby, the concessions. All of this is my domain. Chances are, none of what you are seeing was ready that morning. That house manager probably put in an hours worth of work preparing for you.

There is a lot to be done. Not that I am complaining. I love my job. I have turned down other better paying full time jobs to keep this job. I might actually be crazy. But that is for another blog on another day. You CANNOT show up for this job 5 minutes prior to house open. Period. End of sentence.

Which brings me to my very odd day. A few days ago I was house managing a show. Nothing out of the ordinary, it was a show that was in the middle of a lengthy run, I had worked before, my fellow lobby ladies had worked as well. The show ran typically and often very smoothly. I showed up early, to relieve the box office maven working that day. I set up as usual, even got done early and found time to read before anyone showed up. As I prepared to open house a woman walked in baring props. Not out of the ordinary, but a little strange. I asked if I could help her, and informed her that house wasn't open yet. A statement that brings a barrage of different responses, but never this one. She looked me square in the eye and said, "Nope, I'm the house manager."


...right....but I'm the house manager. I know because I work here. And I'm on the payroll. And I've been here for an hour and a half setting up. You can't house manage a house that opens in five minutes.

Truthfully I chalk it all up to confusion. Maybe she meant usher, maybe because she usually is the house manager for the company that is renting out the space. I don't know. I figured maybe I had missed something, maybe we normally have some help. Sadly, I had to inform her that I was the house manager and that I had nothing for her to do.

The odd thing was that when I asked my lovely co-lobby vixens, they hadn't had any such thing happen to them. So I was the only one, on this one night. Weird.

In the end, because I am in the spirit of Halloween, I am going to have to say it was a mysterious ghost house manager, the spirit of a house manager long dead who wanted to revisit her past. Ooooh! Eerie! Of course she was dressed in 2009 garb so it's not exactly the best explanation. But hey, it's fun. And weirder things have happened to me.

Vintage Theatre's Fat Pig

Yesterday, your venerable Vixen trotted out to see Vintage Theatre's production of Neil LaBute's Fat Pig, currently playing in the Aurora Fox Studio.

Now I have to be honest and say that I was working. Truthfully, I'm always working. So after I stashed my concessions, locked up my money, and shut the curtains, I sat down and gave myself over to the show. Well mostly. Since I was technically working my senses were alert, my mind racing. Was that the door? Does the stage manager need anything? Should I get that person a cough drop? Luckily this was a small house, and I was able to relax quite a bit.

Going into this show, I have....a certain preconception. I admit that's wrong, I do, but any trained theatre person would do the same thing. This play is one that I keep close to me. The story is about chubby, cheerful and ultimately chucked Helen and her somewhat off-putting relationship with typically tolerant Tom. She's fat, he likes her, but can't face the thought of what the world perceives of him being with her. Don't get me wrong, though it's not a laugh a minute, the show is quite funny. Like your truly, the show is chubby, funny and just the tiniest bit self loathing. Tom's persuaded by his lovely work companions that being with the fat chick is wrong causing Tom to re-evaluate the relationship and Helen. Despite everything, LaBute crafted a brilliant story that leaves you (and your companions) thinking.

Vintage's productions is quite good, though lacking in a few key areas. The acting is fine, though nothing special. I was moved to tears during the last 10 minutes, in part because I had grown to care for Helen, but the other part is from my own repressed memories of rejection. I know...whine, whine, whine. Back to the review...my favorite by far was Carter, played brilliantly by James O'Hagen Murphy. The role requires him to be a complete, soul less jerk, but James brought a different light to the character and an almost childlike sweetness that nearly made you forgive his cruel words.

My favorite thing about the technical side was easily the set design. The white circular stage with a back wall of giant white balloon was sheer brilliance. It focused the attention on the message of the play and the message director Linda Suttle was trying to send, with out distracting. It also served as a screen for the projector, although I rarely paid attention to what was being projected. The greatest part of the set, was the way it allowed for such a dynamic lighting plot. The lighting design, by Jen Orf was nothing short of fantastic. I love her usage of color. The only down side to the set were the hydrolics used to elevate a small portion of the stage to become a bed. Though the effect was beautiful once it was in place, the sound of the hydraulics took me out of the play and in a way, broke the fourth wall.

The rest of the show was great! The costumes were great, I loved the use of blue. The sound was predictable, but not distracting. My only real complaint is the running crew. Though efficient and great during scene changes, I felt that they were needlessly loud during the show. My theatre dork radar went off all night long as I heard people shuffling and moving things all around the theatre. I know that they are volunteers, but there must be some level of professionalism, surely! I feel for the stage manager.

In the end I have to say that I truly enjoyed the show, and it's is absolutely worth your money! Of course I saw the show for free, I'm the Lobby Vixen. The show runs weekends from now until Nov. 1.

Check out Vintage Theatre at: www.vintagetheatre.com
Check out the Aurora Fox and purchase tickets at: www.aurorafox.org

Lobby Vixen is on the Hunt!

And she is prowling the lobby for the truth! I am going to be showing the truth of theatre from my cozy little seat in the lobby where I claim the title of "House Manager."

For those unknown to the intricacies of the theatre world, the house manager is the person who runs the lobby. We are high commanders of the front of house. I open the doors, clean and make the theatre presentable, stock the concessions, sell you wine, give you a cookie, take your coat, stash your flowers, sell you another glass of wine, train the ushers, take your tickets, give you a program, remind the ushers that they should be taking tickets and handing programs, closing up, watching the house, defending the theatre from the vagrants and gypsies, opening the doors for intermission, sell you yet another glass of wine, point out the bathroom, sell you a fundraise item, close the doors for act 2, count the tickets, count the money, get the actors after the show, cut you off from the wine, sell you a cup of coffee, point you towards the producer, send you on your way with a “hope to see you next time,” put away everything, make the ushers clean the house, clean up after the ushers, lock the doors and head home. Or is it like when you were in grade school and you thought your teachers lived at school? I assure you, I am not some mythical creature that lives in the lobby. Although, it does feel like that sometimes!

In truth, you shouldn’t see me or know my existence outside of picking up your tickets and ordering your wine. That is the mark of a good theatre experience. If you’ve had to talk to be, it’s probably because you had a problem of some kind. We don’t like that. Now sometimes these problems are mine or the theatres fault. Sometimes they are not. I am going to show you the theatre experience from my side, and review the shows from my quiet little corner of the lobby.

Now, I must explain my name. A Vixen is a female fox, and I am like a female fox, quietly stalking through the lobby, observing behavior. Beware, next time you hit your favorite theater, the Lobby Vixen maybe be stalking near by. First stop? Vintage Theatre's Fat Pig!