Act Four....

It's been a remarkable week for the Tall Oak Acting Company, in residence at Meredith Archer Theater. My wife convinced me to attend a Big Hit in its final performances, a romantic comedy called PENELOPE WAITS. The main character, played by the talented Cecile Arrons, is a young woman named Penelope Waits, who is lovely, smart, gracious and ALONE. She simply can't find a man worthy of her fidelity. This was my wife's third time to see this play: it speaks to her. But something happened the night we saw it that changed everything ordinary and, well, routine. A few minutes into the seccond act, a man in his middle thirties left his seat and leaped onto the stage, and started to improvise dialogue with half a dozen actors. It was more than boldness on his part. He knew the play and the cast. He folded himself into the fabric of the play, immediately adding another character. He was so smooth, so eloquent, the audience cheered him on. He turned and bowed briefly, which set off another round of applause. The actors now were improvising too, and it was the Joy of the Theater felt in everyone! Of course, the man did not steal the whole show, but he did steal the leading lady. In a sudden confusion of play and real world, she was visibly enchanted by him. I wasn't not alone in thinking either Penelope or Cecile would have to wait no longer! And then the leading actor, a Hollywood star on loan to the theater, so to speak, reached out and drew forward one of the female extras. They embraced and kissed. The audience roared in delight at this revelation of true love. My wife was beside herself with joy: She hugged me tightly, and her eyes were shining. Three actors and an intruder had abandoned their scripted roles, and were improvising real life on a stage of artifice... Suddenly, the playwrit, the ever popular Herbert Rossman appeared from the wings, and silently acknowledged the new drama with a broad sweep of his right hand. Then he took a copy of the script, which he cut in half with a scissors, and kicked both halves out of sight. He embraced both couples, waved to the audience and disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. Cecile and her new leading man started a witty conversation and other actors joined in clearly delighted with their success. The lights blinked twice to announce the appearance of the producer, Henry Cole. In his loud, resonant voice (he had been a Shakespearean actor) he declare, OUR REVELS NOW ARE ENDED! A huge sigh was emitted by the audience which crescendoed into cheers of satisfaction. Henry Cole looked bewildered for a moment, then he smiled broadly and said, 'Okay, then, Act Four, anyone? '