Part 2: Waiting for the curtain call

Artfully Edmonds is featuring a three-part series on what it’s like to have a backstage pass – even be a star performer on Edmonds’ premier main stage, Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA). This behind the scenes feature continues with Part 2. (You can read Part 1 here.)

You are unpacked and your on-stage wardrobe is hanging in the Principal Dressing Room. Maybe you want a bite to eat, a chance to walk around town. Perfect! Edmonds’ downtown restaurants have provided you with their menus and will make sure that whatever comfort food will make your stay memorable is available to you. I am told that Lyle Lovett, for instance, had as a technical rider in his contract with ECA that chicken noodle soup would be available to him before his November 2013 performance.

A technical rider to the performer’s contract terms might specify whether an artist is allergic to certain types of flowers, their brand-performance for bottled water, and what microphone manufacturer suits them best.

Maybe a game of hoops would take care of those stage-fright flutters. No problem! The ECA’s full court gym is just up three steps and down the hall from the Principal Dressing Room.

Principals, cast members, roadies, and the technical team use the Green Room as a hang-out before and during the performance; discussing last-minute details, waiting for their curtain call, or grabbing a bite. Amenities of the Green Room include wide screen TVs and comfortable furnishing (donated), as well as food and drinks catered from Edmonds restaurants.

Then, sign in, please! A good luck tradition, I am told, is for performer’s to sign the back stage wall before or after their performance, thanking the hosting venue for hospitality extended.

The party doesn’t have to end after the applause dies down. Edmonds Center for the Arts now offers after-performance receptions and ‘packages’ for groups that include show tickets, dinner, and wine receptions – before and/or after the performance.

Bookings for these grand occasions are available by contacting ECA administrative offices.
(Next Week in Artfully Edmonds ~ Part III: The ECA After-Party!)
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Large Stage Events This Week:

The Rainbow City Band
Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA)
410 4th Ave. N., Edmonds
Saturday, April 5 ~ 7 p.m.

“An American Tale”, is the title of this popular Seattle band as they perform at Edmonds Center for the Arts. Their repertoire will feature American history through music. This concert will include a number of American composers, as well as music depicting the rich history of immigration and emigration in America’s past.

Highlights of this concert will include “Lincoln Portrait” by Aaron Copland, “Ghost Train” by Eric Whitacre, and the finale from “New World Symphony” by Antonin Dvorak.

The Rainbow City Band, found on Facebook here, is a community marching band, concert band, orchestra, jazz band, pep band, and color guard based in Seattle performing under the baton of artistic director, Anne Kreider. Take a peek at past performances of the band in this American-composer themed performance.
Tickets are $20 and available at the ECA box office, or online at www.ec4arts.org.
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Theatre

Phoenix Theatre
9673 Firdale Ave., Edmonds
Opens Friday, April 4 ~ 8 p.m.

This two-act comedy by playwright Fred Carmichael was written in 1966. Carmichael has to his credit over fifty works. Among his other comedies are “Any Number Can Die” (1964), “Coming Apart” (1994), and the more recent “The Trouble with Trent” (1998).

From the playbill: “Ada Westbrook, an elderly Ian Fleming type author, finds herself called upon to act as a liaison between our government and enemy powers. During her Caribbean vacation, a spy dies in Ada’s house. He has on him secret plans every government is after and since the plans are on the body, everyone tries to steal it. It ends up being moved all over the place until no one knows where it is. When the body’s twin brother shows up there’s even more
complications. Who’s dead, who’s alive? Who is the Mr. Big behind it all? Farce, comedy, satire and excellent make this a funny and exciting romp.”

The production is scheduled to run Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 27, with Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. General admission is $18.50; juniors/seniors/military admission is set at $15.50. Tickets are available by calling 206-533-2000 or online.
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Note: Emily Hill is on vacation. Her expanded column will return on Thursday, April 17.

Emily Hill is an author and long-time resident of Edmonds. She is retired from a career in public information and news media relations. If you would like your event listed, or venue featured, in Artfully Edmonds, Emily invites you to contact her at arts@myedmondsnews.com