Dogs and Bags

We had a dog in the Plymouth scene for one rehearsal. It was a chocolate Lab, but did not want to be there. A Colonist brought him on but the dog spent the whole scene straining at the leash and staring at his owner who was standing just offstage. He was cut.

Of course he reminded me of Harley, a black lab who was in the show for years. He was owned by Steve Winemiller.

In those days they would pass out evaluation sheets to some audience members. One of the evaluations was to list favorite characters from the show. Harley and I (as Old Tom) would see-saw as favorite character.

Never share the stage with an animal.

Last Thursday at final dress I noticed a paper bag in the Chapel. It is a common grocery store paper bag. There are some votive candles in it. I believe the candles were used for a couple of rehearsals in Lullaby before they got the battery powered ones. The next night – Opening – I saw the bag was still there, on the floor in the corner. As of last night it is still there. Now I’ve recruited some of the screaming chapel choir girls to join me in watching the bag to see if anyone ever bothers to clean it up.

We have designers, associate designers, assistant designers, technical directors and their assistants, crew chiefs, a props crew, three stage managers and twenty-eight Actor Techs. You’d think someone would strike the anachronistic paper bag.

I’m rooting for the bag.