Theatre/Theater L.A.: Orpheus Descending
Friday, January 15th 2010
by: whats_new_pussycat
Source: imdb.com
Edited by: Marcy
I am back home, reunited with my laptop, and as promised, ready to write my full experience haha...
First off, thank you very much to everyone's positive comments. You are all so sweet!
Sidenote: I ended staying at The Comfort Inn on Highland, near Hollywood Blvd. If anyone is going and hasn't booked a hotel yet, I'd highly recommend it. I got it for 71$ a night (internet deal!), and it was very clean and had a great breakfast. It was only about 4 miles from the theater, but warning: leave early! It took us about 30 minutes to go those 4 miles because of LA traffic. Thankfully we left the hotel around 6 because I was so anxious. We ate at the sportsbar, Locals, right next to the theater. The food was awesome, and like someone mentioned, the best bet is to valet park in front of this bar. Actually, when we got there, the valet wasn't there yet so we just parked in the small lot next to the bar and ended up getting it for free which was nice.
Right at 7:30 (when they said they would open the doors to the play), I scurried over next door and checked in (there are no physical tickets, you just show your online print out). I waited for a bit in the lobby (try and stand very close to the inner door so that you can get a good seat...it's free for all seating). When they opened the doors, I grabbed the two front and center seats, which was so fortuitous. Gale was literally 1 or 2 feet away from me multiple times during the performance. A few times, he would enter or exit through the front door during a scene, so he would walk right past me. I loved it! The theater was tiny and intimate, and the stairs were quite rickety lol. It was comfy though, and I was really able to relax despite being so anxious initially!
Gale comes out about 3 minutes into the play, in grey/straight leg pants, a red button up, and the snakeskin jacket. He looks tall, lean, and his hair looks amazing :) As I mentioned in my other post, I really enjoyed the entire play. Gale was mesmerizing, he really embodied the character, and he pulled off the accent so well. I found myself focusing mostly on him (obviously lol), but the other actors were all great as well. I enjoyed his guitar playing along with his singing, and I also enjoyed his being shirtless for a portion of the play…haha. I especially liked the second act. I am no theater reviewer, and unfortunately I don’t get to see many plays, but overall I really liked what I saw! I was swept up in the drama, and the little quiet moments were great too (the quiet conversations were awesome because I could just listen to him talk).
Onto my favorite part…So after the play ended, I exited into the lobby and ate some of the food they had out. I talked to some of the other audience members as well as some of the cast. I was surprised by how friendly and grateful everyone was! Being LA and all, I was expecting something different. But seriously, everyone was so kind and talkative. After about 15 minutes, I noticed some people going into the hallway to the left of the doorway to the actual theater (this leads to the bathroom, for reference to those visiting the theater in the future). I followed them into the hall, and there I saw Gale standing against the wall, in all his glory (haha, I was in major fangirl mode). He was being congratulated by what I presumed to be friends and family (one of them being Yara-she looked so cute, and had brought him flowers). He looked so happy, kind of glowing. I didn’t want to interrupt so I just stood there for a bit. Then, two other fans came up behind me and said they too would like a picture. Finally, Gale started to move our way and those two asked for a pic. I took it of them with Gale, and then it seemed like Gale was going to move away so I quickly asked if I could have one too. He said yes! My mom introduced herself (and me as I was quite the basket case at this point and could not find my words lol). She told Gale that we had driven from Arizona to see him, as I am quite the fan of his. I think he said thank you and asked her something. I can’t quite remember as I was kind of in a daze. Then, I finally snapped back into reality and told him how much I had enjoyed the play, and how great his accent was. He said thanks. Then, we posed for a picture. Except the camera wasn’t working for some reason, the flash wasn’t going off and they came out blurry. My mom tried a couple more times, to no avail. So Gale said “here, let me try, I can take it”. My mom handed him the camera and he held it out in front of the two of us and snapped a pic. That one was still blurry, and I finally realized it was on the wrong setting. I was changing the setting, and I guess my hand was shaking, and he said “you’re shaking, and you’re making me shake too”. Haha, that was so sweet, I think he could tell how nervous I was (as much as I tried to play it cool). So finally, we got a good picture! He had to go then, talk to other people, but first I asked for a hug. Mmm that was nice. And my mom asked for a hug too which was random haha, but he gave her one. He seriously could not have been kinder or more patient. After going outside to call my friends and gush, we went back into the lobby (I just couldn’t leave, knowing he was in there! Haha). My mom and I were talking to some of the other actors. Everyone was so nice, and said they were happy I’d gotten my chance to meet him. One actress said that Gale was a real sweetheart. One actor, who played the sheriff in the play, really took the time to talk to us-so nice. While we were talking I happened to mention that I kind of wanted one more picture with Gale because I didn’t look good in the first one (and this would be my profile pic on facebook so it had to be good, I know…I’m greedy!). Andy, the actor, said that should be no problem. So we went over to Gale and he asked for me if I could get one more. Gale kindly obliged, and I tried to explain to him why, he joked about not needing the whole story. Anyways, the result was this, and I’m sooo glad I got the second picture because he looks insanely gorgeous in it…
After we took this picture, we were on our way, and as we were walking away he said “Have a safe trip back to AZ” [he said the letters, not the word], and gave a peace sign. Ahhh, it was adorable, and I was surprised he remembered from when my mom had told him where we’d come from.
So, that’s all I think. If I remember anything else I’ll be sure to post it. Sorry this is so long, I’m trying to preserve my own memories! This was one amazing night in my book :) Thanks again for all the kindness on this board, I’d never have known of the play if it wasn’t for you guys! And for everyone that’s going to see it in upcoming days, have an incredible time!
One more note: I was thinking that Gale’s change of heart as to taking photos may be due to his accident? Just a thought! It could have changed his outlook on any number of things. Overall, he seemed very appreciative and gracious to the fans who came to see him. He’s very approachable so don’t be afraid to go up to him and let him know you like his work, and even ask for a picture or such. I’m sure that as long as someone isn’t overly intense, he will oblige.
First off, thank you very much to everyone's positive comments. You are all so sweet!
Sidenote: I ended staying at The Comfort Inn on Highland, near Hollywood Blvd. If anyone is going and hasn't booked a hotel yet, I'd highly recommend it. I got it for 71$ a night (internet deal!), and it was very clean and had a great breakfast. It was only about 4 miles from the theater, but warning: leave early! It took us about 30 minutes to go those 4 miles because of LA traffic. Thankfully we left the hotel around 6 because I was so anxious. We ate at the sportsbar, Locals, right next to the theater. The food was awesome, and like someone mentioned, the best bet is to valet park in front of this bar. Actually, when we got there, the valet wasn't there yet so we just parked in the small lot next to the bar and ended up getting it for free which was nice.
Right at 7:30 (when they said they would open the doors to the play), I scurried over next door and checked in (there are no physical tickets, you just show your online print out). I waited for a bit in the lobby (try and stand very close to the inner door so that you can get a good seat...it's free for all seating). When they opened the doors, I grabbed the two front and center seats, which was so fortuitous. Gale was literally 1 or 2 feet away from me multiple times during the performance. A few times, he would enter or exit through the front door during a scene, so he would walk right past me. I loved it! The theater was tiny and intimate, and the stairs were quite rickety lol. It was comfy though, and I was really able to relax despite being so anxious initially!
Gale comes out about 3 minutes into the play, in grey/straight leg pants, a red button up, and the snakeskin jacket. He looks tall, lean, and his hair looks amazing :) As I mentioned in my other post, I really enjoyed the entire play. Gale was mesmerizing, he really embodied the character, and he pulled off the accent so well. I found myself focusing mostly on him (obviously lol), but the other actors were all great as well. I enjoyed his guitar playing along with his singing, and I also enjoyed his being shirtless for a portion of the play…haha. I especially liked the second act. I am no theater reviewer, and unfortunately I don’t get to see many plays, but overall I really liked what I saw! I was swept up in the drama, and the little quiet moments were great too (the quiet conversations were awesome because I could just listen to him talk).
Onto my favorite part…So after the play ended, I exited into the lobby and ate some of the food they had out. I talked to some of the other audience members as well as some of the cast. I was surprised by how friendly and grateful everyone was! Being LA and all, I was expecting something different. But seriously, everyone was so kind and talkative. After about 15 minutes, I noticed some people going into the hallway to the left of the doorway to the actual theater (this leads to the bathroom, for reference to those visiting the theater in the future). I followed them into the hall, and there I saw Gale standing against the wall, in all his glory (haha, I was in major fangirl mode). He was being congratulated by what I presumed to be friends and family (one of them being Yara-she looked so cute, and had brought him flowers). He looked so happy, kind of glowing. I didn’t want to interrupt so I just stood there for a bit. Then, two other fans came up behind me and said they too would like a picture. Finally, Gale started to move our way and those two asked for a pic. I took it of them with Gale, and then it seemed like Gale was going to move away so I quickly asked if I could have one too. He said yes! My mom introduced herself (and me as I was quite the basket case at this point and could not find my words lol). She told Gale that we had driven from Arizona to see him, as I am quite the fan of his. I think he said thank you and asked her something. I can’t quite remember as I was kind of in a daze. Then, I finally snapped back into reality and told him how much I had enjoyed the play, and how great his accent was. He said thanks. Then, we posed for a picture. Except the camera wasn’t working for some reason, the flash wasn’t going off and they came out blurry. My mom tried a couple more times, to no avail. So Gale said “here, let me try, I can take it”. My mom handed him the camera and he held it out in front of the two of us and snapped a pic. That one was still blurry, and I finally realized it was on the wrong setting. I was changing the setting, and I guess my hand was shaking, and he said “you’re shaking, and you’re making me shake too”. Haha, that was so sweet, I think he could tell how nervous I was (as much as I tried to play it cool). So finally, we got a good picture! He had to go then, talk to other people, but first I asked for a hug. Mmm that was nice. And my mom asked for a hug too which was random haha, but he gave her one. He seriously could not have been kinder or more patient. After going outside to call my friends and gush, we went back into the lobby (I just couldn’t leave, knowing he was in there! Haha). My mom and I were talking to some of the other actors. Everyone was so nice, and said they were happy I’d gotten my chance to meet him. One actress said that Gale was a real sweetheart. One actor, who played the sheriff in the play, really took the time to talk to us-so nice. While we were talking I happened to mention that I kind of wanted one more picture with Gale because I didn’t look good in the first one (and this would be my profile pic on facebook so it had to be good, I know…I’m greedy!). Andy, the actor, said that should be no problem. So we went over to Gale and he asked for me if I could get one more. Gale kindly obliged, and I tried to explain to him why, he joked about not needing the whole story. Anyways, the result was this, and I’m sooo glad I got the second picture because he looks insanely gorgeous in it…
After we took this picture, we were on our way, and as we were walking away he said “Have a safe trip back to AZ” [he said the letters, not the word], and gave a peace sign. Ahhh, it was adorable, and I was surprised he remembered from when my mom had told him where we’d come from.
So, that’s all I think. If I remember anything else I’ll be sure to post it. Sorry this is so long, I’m trying to preserve my own memories! This was one amazing night in my book :) Thanks again for all the kindness on this board, I’d never have known of the play if it wasn’t for you guys! And for everyone that’s going to see it in upcoming days, have an incredible time!
One more note: I was thinking that Gale’s change of heart as to taking photos may be due to his accident? Just a thought! It could have changed his outlook on any number of things. Overall, he seemed very appreciative and gracious to the fans who came to see him. He’s very approachable so don’t be afraid to go up to him and let him know you like his work, and even ask for a picture or such. I’m sure that as long as someone isn’t overly intense, he will oblige.
Copyright © 2010 whats_new_pussycat | All rights
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Written by whats_new_pussycat - Edited by Marcy
Written by whats_new_pussycat - Edited by Marcy