Getting It Right When It All Goes Wrong:
Cincinnati is a long way from the Texas where Hurricane Ike struck in September, but the 600-mile-wide storm made itself felt all through the Midwest. And it was certainly felt on the stage of Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park, where a new musical, Jane Austen’s Emma, likely headed for Broadway, was playing.
“About 20 minutes before the (Sunday) afternoon show started, I was sitting in the lobby, and I noticed the house lights flicker,” said Paul Gordon, Emma’s book, lyric and music writer. “It seemed a little early to be telling people to enter the theater. And then they weren't flickering. They were just off.”
The Show Must (and did) Go On:
In an email interview, Gordon said he went backstage when it was clear the lights weren’t coming back on, and he found the cast eager to do the show anyway.
“It was a great moment,” he said.
Playhouse Artistic Director Ed Stern gave audience members two options:
- Leave with a free ticket for another performance
- Stay for a concert version and get a free ticket for another performance.
More than 200 people stayed.
Seeing the Light:
With chairs lined up and a flashlight shining on the score for Musical Director Laura Bergquist, they lit the auditorium with emergency lights.
“The actors could actually see the audience more than the audience could see the actors,” Gordon said. “But it didn't matter. Once the show started the passion of the performers made everyone in the house forget there were no sets and lights . . . and air conditioning.”
The audience responded to “Emma Unplugged” as if it had been a full production. In fact, Gordon said, “I’ve seen the show a number of times, of course, but this would be my favorite performance.”
Where to See "Emma":
Emma plays in Cincinnati through October 3 and moves to The Repertory Theater of St. Louis October 8.