Whether it’s a play, an improv show, a sketch comedy show, a sitcom, or even a multi-million dollar movie, there is always one moment when it comes together: all the self-consciousness, all the mental note-taking that is a vital part of the rehearsal process, and all the uncertainty about the quality of the show seems to magically evaporate. The actors settle into their roles, and the material flows through them and into the audience. We trade the work of rehearsing for the fun of performing.
Saturday night, we had that moment. ACME: A Day in the Life came together for the first time, and it was awesome. With rehearsals, previews, and the opening of our run a few weeks ago, I’ve done the show several times, and I’ve always felt happy with my performance . . . but this last show was the first performance where I had fun the whole time. I wasn’t watching myself, or gauging the audience, or wondering if one beat worked or missed. I just enjoyed the company of my friends, and had fun performing playing with them.
I noticed this feeling somewhere near the middle of the second act, and I told my friend Laura House, “I’m proud of the show, and I love the cast —”
“Yeah, we know,” she said. “We all read your blog, Wil.”
That sort of stopped me.
“Oh.” I couldn’t figure out if that was good or not, so I just continued. “Well, I love the cast, and I feel like we’ve been doing a good show, but tonight is the first time I’ve actually felt the same level of pure fun that I felt in Love Machine.”
Just then, Laura P. walked into the dressing room and announced that she was having all kinds of fun. “Does anyone else feel like that?” She said.
“You know, I was just telling House that —” The audience erupted into applause. I looked up at the monitor we use to see what’s happening on the stage, and realized that the sketch was over, and I was due on for “Roadtrip,” in about 5 seconds.
“Oh shit, I’m in this sketch!” I said, as I ran out of the dressing room. I made it onstage in 4.9 seconds, and nobody will ever know. Sweet.
After the show, a bunch of us went out for drinks, and we talked about how much fun we’re having. It was awesome, until Annie pointed out that there are only six performances left in this run. There is always the chance that we may extend, but it’s pretty unlikely for this show, because many people in the cast (including me) have other commitments that start as soon as the show closes.
I believe that this show is just as funny as Love Machine, and I know a lot of WWdN readers saw that show. So if you can take me at my word, come and see us if you can.
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Congratulations! My partner and I will definitely have to come see!
I’ll be at one of those last six. Looking froward to it!
(Make sure it doesn’t suck that night.) 🙂
Anna and I are in the middle of The Big Move, but we’ve already talked about coming out this weekend or next.
Rawk.
–AJ @ the ER
Wow… Just checked-out the site. The show looks awesome!! If I were in L.A., I’d be in the front row center dude !!! 🙂 Break a leg, Wil! 😉
PS: You should post some behind the scenes pics of the show! 🙂 That would be cool!!!!!
“I made it onstage in 4.9 seconds, and nobody will ever know. Sweet.”
And you wonder why we all love you!
Break a leg on these last 6, Wil! I wish my wife and I could come out and see a show… they sound so fun! But this large country of ours – it takes so long to get across! 🙁
At least, though, we’ll send our good wishes your way for a fun “rest of the run.” 🙂
P.S. “Other commitments” that start as soon as the show ends? I know you’ll tell us when you’re ready, but let me be the first to beg to know now. 😀
Laura House? From “Austin Stories”? She was awesome.
You have the coolest friends…Laura House? I loved her on Austin Stories!! To this day, I STILL refer to my hubby’s excess nape skin as “neckfurters.” Dang, I miss that show. Hm, maybe a visit to Netflix will score some old DVDs…
On another note, how about taking your show to Vegas, baby? I’d definitely be all over that. Plus, it’s almost like you practically live here anyway. 🙂
Oh, I love you, Wil Wheaton, let’s be friends!
I just happened to stumble across your blog after typing ‘it’s my birthday’ into Google.
There you were, on the 14th page of results.
(I had coffee at 5pm, what can I say)
I just Lahve your blog, Wil Wheaton, and I wanted to tell you (only because you might find it amusing, AND, because I never thought I’d have the opportunity or the subsequent desire to tell you this) that my first wet dream when I was 11 years old was all about you.
In other words, you were my first adolecent fantasy, and it is so f*!@ing awesome to find out that we have similar ideas and could Totally Hang Out!!
Well done on your blog…I will enjoy reading it…and thanks for the memories 😛
hi wil, glad to hear it went well! i only wish you could bring it over to the UK then we could see it too!!!! i keep hearing all these good, no GREAT things about it, and I WANNA SEE IT!!!!! maybe one day when i have loads of money, i’ll be able to jet over to LA for the weekend! that would be wicked!
anyway, good luck with the rest of them wil, i hope you have just as much fun on those as you did on this one, if not more!
take care
Rach
dude, you are such a lucky, lucky man. “I just enjoyed the company of my friends, and had fun playing with them.” (fine, so the strike tag wouldn’t work. oh well.)
bills may get tight sometimes, but the fun you have with your family and with your work (even if you don’t get paid at acme) makes for a truly amazing life.
all i gotta say is that by the time i **finally** make it out to la, i’m timing it with something from acme so i can see my favorite actor strut his stuff.
🙂
peace,
ender
Hell, I’m driving *down* from the wonderful Sacramento area to go to one of the shows with my mom. We’re already plotting, I mean *planning*….
I hope you have six more of those performances where everything clicks; it really is one of the best feelings that a performer can have, isn’t it? I am hoping to attend one of those last six, if all works out as I would like. Keep up the good work!
… and it does seem to mean anything.
— Except when you forget everything around you and just are. Your moment of Zen. That’s cool.