Thursday, May 09, 2002


Fantastic article in the Economist on Cult CEO's as fallen idols. Really good and meaty stuff--the only article I've seen in a business magazine that cuts to the heart of some of the issues I've been addressing on stage and in my book. That's good, because I'm humorous--and the world needs boring people to tell it the truth too, as they never listen to the funny people until it is much too late.

Today is opening day, a high holy holiday in the theater world--I have always loved it. All things are prepared, all the work has been done and now only the show remains at the heart of everything, which is a relief and simultaneously creates a seed of terror at the thought of all this work, coming down to this. We're Off-Broadway, so it isn't quite as snazzy as a Broadway opening where black-tie is de rigeur, but everyone will be dressing up in gowns and suits, there's a big party afterwards at a hip restaurant and lots of drinking and carousing.

The funny thing about this day is that people think it is all about the star, which would be me, but in reality it's a day for the audience, the producers, the directors and stage managers and everyone else. That's good--they've earned it with dedication and time and effort. You see, doing a show eight times a week carries a certain weight--you can't overindulge in drinking at your own party, as you will be doing the show the next night once more, and you don't want those people to suffer because you're hung over. You also need to perform--in many ways, it's a lot like a wedding, which is also an event people think is for the bride and groom, but is really held to celebrate the couple before their friends and family.

I'm not griping--far from it. I love openings, and I've never had a more exciting one. I've had one wedding, and I never imagined I'd be lucky enough to have another while remaining with the same woman--and in fact it feels that way more than ever since we've worked together on this for fifteen months.

Of course, tomorrow the reviews will come out and render their judgment. This is a pesky subject for this blog--traditionally, performers do not comment on reviews, as it is tacky and tasteless. At the same time, I usually link to things from the site, and also I feel a need to keep readers updated.

So here is my compromise: I won't be linking to any reviews. They should start coming out tomorrow, be they good or bad, and since you're all smart people who use the Web you can probably hunt them down yourself now that you know they are coming. I'm also going to refrain from commenting on the theatrical reviews in Dilettante, to keep some distance between these worlds.

Reviews, schmeviews. Enough of all that. I have some work to finish up, plans to make and a show to open. On this rainy Thursday from New York City I send a big shout out to all the folks I've worked with, past and present, from Seattle to London to Maine.

I wish you could all be here tonight.