Despite hanging out at the stage door every other night since the beginning of the month, this was my first time seeing the whole show since February. It was also Melanie's first time seeing the show at all, so it was extra special. :-) And Douglas was ON. Prayer was unbelievable. The library scene was great, highlighted by Douglas dropping his ring - not once, but twice. :-) Some of the bounders were not-so-successfully hiding smiles by the time he finally started Into the Fire, which was also beyond incredible.

Rex's scenes were fine, and then came the painting scene, as we've come to call it. After the usual "I'm breathtaking" bit, he added, "I haven't looked this good since my christening." :-) The garden scene was also hilarious, though I *hate* Rex's gesture when he says "discerning values". Anyway. Creation of Man was SO funny...Doug Storm cracks me up constantly. Nobody can let their waistcoat swing like he can. :-) And David Cromwell is a riot as well! I think I've decided I like Douglas' little smile at the end of the Riddle...it's as if he's figured out his plan already. It works for me.

I spent most of the ball watching Douglas doing the little hopping-dance thing...they all look kinda silly. :-) But the footbridge was fabulous...is it really fair to make him do that big ending on "She Was There" twice in a row?! And I loved the way he mimicked Chauvelin when they looked over the bridge. He's changed the way he did the "And the fool never takes it off" line in the jail, and I don't like the new way as much. Bryan's was funnier. And I also don't like how, in the fight, he goes, "How did you do that?" Um, doesn't that seem a little strange to be asking that? Maybe it's just me. But the rest of the show was really great, and of course, being in the third row, we had to sing along for the reprise! :-)

The stage door was fun too...I got to introduce Melanie to some people, and I got to talk to Bill Evans myself, who I kept missing before. He's really sweet!!