There comes a time in the life of every show when it really, really, needs an audience. I vaguely remember when I thought the lines from Over the Tavern were funny, but that time is long past. I've repeated and heard all the lines in the show so many times that nothing could make me crack a smile. Thank God for the crew who arrived on Sunday and laughed. And the photographer cracked up in a few places. It reminds me that, yes, we are in fact performing a comedy.

Here's a little set photoessay, followed by pictures of the dress from hell.



When you start out, the walls are taped off on the floor, and the director puts stuff where real set pieces will eventually go, for example: The Orange Home Depot bucket was the TV. We spare no expense at ALT.


Then the walls start going up and you get a more firm sense of spatial relations and some permanent set pieces.
(Pictured: Joseph and Jeff (seated), the director.)


First layer of paint and kitchen cabinets.

A sofa! Finally! A hideous lamp in the corner!


Starting to look like a home. From left: Mark (my co-star) Jeff, (director), Nick (facing away from the camera) and Joseph.


Me in the dressing room taking a picture of the dress from hell AFTER last night's dress rehearsal. I won. Everyone LOVES that dress. Ain't no scrap of silk besting me, yo.