If They Ever Make Another ALIAS

For the record, I never watched ALIAS more than a couple of times. I am sure it was an amazing show and I know people who will stand by that belief. I just wasn't around enough to watch it when it started and never got into it beyond that.

I do know that it involved a lot of wigs. And I was one of those people who were all "Really? She puts on a wig and no one recognizes her?". I was skeptical.

Until now.

So last Friday night, DARKSIDE opened. Weeks of rehearsal, stress, and a couple of leg-numbing moments, and it was opening night. I arrive at the theater a little before curtain (making sure to steer very clear of Tech and my cast). Lots of people ask if I'm nervous. I assure them that I'm fine. In fact, I'm more nervous that I have to give a little intro speech. Public speaking is not my idea of relaxing and I don't care how many people want to remind that I'm an actor who has done horrendously embarassing things on stage, it's not the same thing.

So let's fast-forward to intermission. After some face-time with my loving family, I make the rounds (ever the host), and run into the wife of one of my absolute best friends. Ironically, the aforementioned best pal wasn't there as he'd made some other plans or something. He'll be back another weekend. Moving on... so I'm talking to... I'll call her Ducky... and she hands me a card and we promise to meet up later at the after party. I proceed over to audience-right to catch up with some other friends and suddenly, there's the wife. She's sitting behind these friends of mine. And she's not alone. Some other woman is sitting next to her and it's obvious they know each other... a "replacement date" for the husband, I reckon.

Later, Ducky will apologize for never properly introducing her friend. Seriously, this woman sat there and completely ignored me. I didn't really mind as I'm not one to force an introduction or corner complete strangers into small talk... but it did seem odd.

Another jump. Now it's after the show. I'm in the lobby where my pal Zubov has set up our traditional opening night reception. But rather than wine and cheese, he's surprised us all with Tang, moon-pies, and freeze-dried ice cream. It was sweet. The gesture, not the ice cream. Though it did remind me of the marshmallows in Lucky Charms Cereal.

And I'm standing there, about three feet from the quiet stranger that had accompanied Ducky. She looks right at me. RIGHT AT ME. I maybe nodded in that way you nod when you inadvertently make eye-contact with a complete stranger. And I take a drink of my Tang.

As she calmly takes hold of her hair and pulls. The wig comes off. Out falls this tussled mane of light-brown hair (which somehow looks amazing—it was like a shampoo commercial) and I'm thunderstruck. Seriously, I was THIS CLOSE to snorting some Tang.

One of my good friends, Mindalynn (as she has been known to post), is standing there before me with this "gotcha" grin smothered across her face. She's the last person I expected to see. Truly. Didn't even think she was in my time-zone, let alone the theater. And one by one the people around us start dropping their jaws as much as I had. Shrieks of surprise, rampant hugging, laughing, and joy all fill the lobby as one of our own had returned, even if it was just for one night.

And for one night, that's what it was. The ol' gang together, laughing and drinking, swapping stories and just enjoying the night together. Like she'd never left us. The amount of times we each recounted the moment when Mindalynn removed that wig and transformed from "snotty-friend" into our beloved pal—a woman we didn't recognize because, frankly, she was supposed to be out west (there was no reason on Earth for me to conclude that she would make the trip and surprise us all on opening night)... well, we're still recounting and laughing. She's very proud of her spy-like infiltration of the show. There were many performances that night and hers was one of the best. Jennifer Garner, you have a doppleganger and her name is Mindalynn.

Even though I felt like an unobservant dunce for not realizing sooner that it was her, it was a wonderful surprise to cap an incredible night. It'll be one of those moments I never forget. The show itself was fantastic. The actors have worked hard and it showed and there were plenty of kudos floating around. Between my family, great friends, the adreneline of the night, having Lucidity by my side, and this fun surprise, I felt so honored to be there. Ducky's husband, my pal, did finally show up to help celebrate. It was good to see him too—been far too long.

The whole weekend was just a blur of emotion and elation. Most of the people who came to the show joined for the party and then on Saturday night the show was even better. More good friends came out to the theater for the 2nd night and it was just as exhilarating to watch the show again. It's funny—even though I didn't write this one, I feel a deep connection to it and for 90 minutes on show night, my stomach gets that rushing feeling and I sit with rapt attention, taking it all in and never wanting it to end.

I love watching this show. These actors. The lights. Hearing the sounds. Feeling the emotions pumping from that stage. For the next couple of weeks, to paraphrase a line from Dana in Sports Night, "I live from eight to nine-forty-five, and the rush is so huge that I don't come down till three o'clock in the morning.

This past Saturday also meant quite a bit to me as another great friend, fellow director (wow, I can say that "fellow" part now), and theatrical mentor was there and afterwards he gave me a wonderful compliment, not just with his words, but with his reaction. I hope he knows how much I've truly learned from him.

Another couple of weeks... six more shows. I may not come down until May.