Flamenco dance in Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke"

I finally got a chance to see a performance of the play I was involved with as a choreographer.  The show has definitely come together and certain performers seem to have grown into their roles.  But I was a bit disappointed by last night's performance.  One of the two main leads was a bit flat, which is surprising because in rehearsals he was always the stronger of the two main leads.  But then I have heard of performers who are always great in audition and/or rehearsal but, before a live audience, they fall flat.

I spoke with the director last night and asked him if any reviews were out.  The last time I looked, there were none yet.  He reported, sadly, that both of the local theater reviewers who had seen the show had not been impressed.  Apparently some of their wrath was reserved for the director.  He was trying to keep up a brave face, as his elderly parents were at the show last night, but I could tell that it made him a bit nervous.  He was contracted to direct two of the four plays that Deep Dish is putting on this year, and one supposes that these contracts are reviewed and renewed annually.  However, the first six performances of this current run have been sellouts, and it looks like most of the remaining ones will sellout before the show closes on September 19th.

So, what was it like seeing my choreography in the context of the play with full out performances, costumes, lighting and in front of a live audience?  It was actually a strange experience.  Cristina, the actress, was really into her part last night, but she was partnered in this scene by the actor who was so flat.  She gave it her all, but got very little in return.  I wonder what the audience thought of her dance, if they thought anything at all?  It was, after all, brief and was performed during a dialog between the dancer and the male lead.  I was gratified to hear some of the music that I had given the director being used to create ambiance in other places in the play, in addition to the scene with "my" dance.  Both the director and the artistic director of the production seemed pleased with my work.  I spoke with them each individually last night and expressed my desire to collaborate in some way with the company on some future production.  I doubt they will ever need a flamenco choreographer again, that is unless they decided to put on Lorca's "Blood Wedding" or "Yerma".  Hum, now there is a thought...