TO BE OR NOT TO BE – PART 1

When our last play closed Luke Sutherland, our fearless leader, told us our next project was going to be special. He couldn’t tell us at the time but he would be in touch soon with the details. Naturally, news like that caused a lot of excitement and we all stayed that way, wildly guessing what Luke’s announcement would reveal.
A month went by before we got the call about the meeting at the theater at 7:00 PM. The following night, I pulled into the lot and joined the small crowd starting to gather. As I approached the group, you could feel the excitement and the buzz of seven or eight people all trying to talk at the same time. Luke and his wife, Charlene, arrived right at seven and we all followed him into the theater.
Luke took the stage and we all took seats. Luke had a sly smile on his face. What could it be, we all wondered. Mel and Shari got there a little late and hurriedly grabbed the seats next to me.
“What did we miss?” Mel asked.
“Nothing, he just got here himself,” I told her.
“Can I have everybody’s attention,” Luke said in a loud voice that quieted the human drone from the audience. “I have good news and bad news.” He started “First the bad news, we wouldn’t be able to use this theater for the next three months because the city has finally agreed to do some remodeling on the old place.
A load groan rose up from the audience.
“I know, I know.” He waved his hand to get their attention again.
“But the good news is that we are still going to put on a show, we are just going to do it in New York City.” He waited for a reaction that didn’t come until his words had sunk in.
Did I hear him right? I turned to Mel, “Did he say New York City?”
She was literally shaking with excitement. “Yes, yes he did.” And she was on her feet joining all the others as their shouts of excitement and approval filled the theater.
“Okay, okay, settle down now. Come on, take your seats, there will be plenty of time to celebrate later.” Luke shouted over their revealing.
Everybody returned to their seats and Luke followed with, “We have a lot of work ahead of us, so I want to get started Monday night. Monday night at seven, everybody needs to be here, no excuses. If we’re going to do this thing, we are going to do it right. Can I get an amen.”
“AMEN.” Came the response from the crowd.