I wish I had seen it. But in the summer of '91, I was rehearsal/pit pianist for a local Boston-area production, which featured a few of the tour members as the ballet couple, and Lara Teeter reprising Junior. Playing those Spialek orchestrations was a huge kick, and in general it was a really wonderful experience. And for anyone who doesn't know the show and the way the 4th wall gets broken during "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue," it's a masterstroke that was thrilling to be a part of every night. (No, the Oklahoma dream ballet was NOT the first time dance became an integral part of the storytelling.)
The "star," however, should be so lucky that this was not yet the era of "Me Too." Shameful and hurtful things going on. And I suspect it wasn't the only time he carried on like that. I'm sorry, but I feel it needs to be said. Not for nothing, this was the same company that did manage to nab an out-of-control Tom Wopat just a few years ago, and fire him from their production of 42nd Street (and file charges against him) just before opening night. Good riddance. |
