from Heather Parish
Artistic Director

As I write this I am awaiting the publication of the Fresno Bee’s review of Richard III.  Normally, I don’t wait at the computer for such things to come out; I get really busy doing something else.  I usually know what the reviews are going to say on any given production I am involved with.

But this one is a bit up in the air.  Last night, when Mr. Munro was in the audience, the generator that powers our lights went out for the second time.  The first time we thought it was a fuel issue and corrected it.  The second time?  No clue.  Turns out the generator’s alternator was kaput.  Nothing we could have done to forsee that or properly diagnose it before the show.  Thems the breaks.

But whenever that happens, it automatically throws off a show’s performance.  The actors have to hold while we rig backup lighting and it is on their minds throughout the rest of their performance.  While the performance that they continued to give was excellent in my view– they’re a very well prepared cast– the technical failure can’t help but throw off the mojo.

So, we wait to see how we are reviewed under those circumstances.  I recommend to all cast and crew members NOT to respond to any public criticism as it doesn’t serve the artform or the performance at all.  But I am tempted, as I wait, to take up for them now.  No excuses, just the knowledge of how different the circumstances are for actors working outdoors in a temporary space.

But I cannot do even that.  We aren’t a “pansy-ass” troupe.  We take our hits with good grace, mount up again and ride on.  We learn from the mistakes that make us appear less than we really are and hopefully fix them (a new generator is on the way today) to become more than we once were.

This cast is amazing.  I hope theatre-goers and Shakespeare-lovers come out to the Park to see them and the passion they’ve put into this play.  Every time something has gone wrong it is the blessing of the audience and the willingness of the cast to continue that saves us.  That connection constitutes poetic faith and it is what theatre is about.

So, whatever Mr. Munro has to say– good and bad– we will hear with a spirit of generosity and a desire to continue to give free Shakespeare to Fresno.

And tonight, we will check and double check everything for a terrific Friday night performance.

Take some time to join us this month.  Find out what is really happening out there when all the technical riff raff is stripped away– terrific performances in space and time and body.

That’s really all you need.