Into the Fire – The Scarlet Pimpernel

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!!

The Quotes:

“I hear you have a little figurine of me.”

“I do. You’re much better looking in person though.”

Melanie and Douglas Sills

“It’s only a short poem tonight.”

“Good. No, no, no…I mean, good, you know I don’t like gifts!”

Douglas, confusing me greatly. 🙂

“Aw, they’re for Goonie!”

Douglas again, with Lucy’s gift

The Pictures:

What more could you want?

Douglas and I, after the show on May 15

BarbaraAnne and Douglas, just for fun. 🙂

Me and Bryan Batt, on May 16, when he played Percy.
(Thanks to Doug Storm for taking the picture! 🙂

Me and Tom Zemon, after the show on May 16, when he played Chauvelin!

(And me, grinning like an idiot! 🙂

May 16 again, this time with Jeff Gardner

Melanie and Douglas! (The big meeting. 🙂
After the show, May 20

Me and Bill Evans after the show on May 20

The cast: (in order of appearance)

Marguerite

RACHEL YORK

Chauvelin

REX SMITH

Percy

DOUGLAS SILLS

Marie

MARY ILLES

Armand

JAMES BOHANEK

Tussaud

DAVID MASENHEIMER

Coupeau

TIMOTHY ERIC HART

Mercier

JEFF GARDNER

St. Cyr

MARK MCGRATH

Ozzy

HARVEY EVANS

Elton

RUSSELL GARRETT

Farleigh

TOM ZEMON

Dewhurst

JAMES JUDY

Jessup

JAMES DYBAS

Ben

JAMES HINDMAN

Hastings

WILLIAM THOMAS EVANS

Neville

CASEY NICHOLAW

Leggett

DOUGLAS STORM

Hal

MICHAEL HANCE

Robespierre

DAVID CROMWELL

Lady Digby

SANDY ROSENBERG

Lady Llewellyn

PAMELA BURRELL

Prince of Wales

DAVID CROMWELL

Jailer

DON MAYO

French Mob, Soldiers and Dancers/
British Guests and Servants

STEPHANIE BAST
NICK CAVARRA
MICHAEL HALLING
ALICIA IRVING
MARINE JAHAN
JOHN LATHAN
ALISON LORY
MARK MCGRATH
KATIE NUTT
JESSICA PHILIPS
TERRY RICHMOND
CRAIG RUBANO
CHARLES WEST

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