"All actors are whores"

That was a quote from Peter Gottlieb, the first outside designer I worked with here at NAT, 12 years ago. Never more true than now. Twice this past week they've glommed onto any free food available, and left nothing for the crew. Wed, the afternoon rehearsal got bumped back so the actors would have more time with the band. Boss ordered in a bunch of Subway sandwiches, since they'd be working over their traditional dinner time. Sure enough, by the time I got down there, there were none left. This left a bitter taste in my mouth for quite a while, until I realized that I was out nothing. I hadn't planned on the food, the fact that my dinner was an apple (and my obligatory pretzels), was my own lack of packing two sandwiches for that day. The loss of something you never had is no loss at all. So last night, when the drunk bankers had a catered reception in the lobby pre and post show, the actors all rushed out for the leftovers, and picked the place clean. This time, I just had to shake my head and chuckle. Though it makes me worried for the back-to-back Saturday dinners (the shows are too close together to let the actors go out for dinner, so one is provided).

Boss is being more of a prick than usual for this opening. It's a little late to be getting an Artistic Vision (in capital letters), and not looking at how the whole thing is coming off. For the past week, he's been harping that the ending needs to be happier and more colorful. But the end is a stark white silhouette (he vetoed my color silhouette idea), followed by a long blackout (while the actors leave the stage), followed by a harsh white pool around the christlike Tommy, then a big flash, and ANOTHER blackout. Followed by curtain call, where he brings on all 20 actors, TWO at a time. I may just skip the lobby reception following opening night tonight. We may get a good review tonight, but, based on past performance, if we do, it'll be kind.

I'm SO tempted to give notice tonight.