572 Days
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Shortly after 8 pm on Friday night, the house lights dimmed, the stage lights came up and Lisa Bryant, Artistic Director of Flat Rock Playhouse, walked into the spotlight at the center of Leiman Mainstage. Stepping up to the microphone, Lisa prepared to welcome the audience to the Playhouse and to introduce a new performance - as she’s done dozens of times before.
This time, however, was different. LIsa’s voice cracked. Her eyes welled with tears that carried the emotional currents of excitement, relief, gratitude, and pride born of perseverance. The moment was big and everyone in the room understood what was happening. Her first words spoke directly to the power and importance of this particular opening night.
“572 days. That is how long it has been since we last welcomed an audience into our theater. I feel a little bit out-of-body, to be honest with you. It’s very exciting to be here, it’s very strange to be here, but mostly it is very wonderful to be here.”
Lisa thanked the Playhouse staff, volunteers, board members and, the people arrayed in the seats before her:
“We have been so blessed to have such an army of amazing supporters during the past 19 months. Thank you guys for coming back! We love you. Have a great time. And tell all your friends. The Playhouse is back!”
The subsequent performance of Autumn at the Opry filled the theater with the energy and joy befitting such a seminal moment in Playhouse history. Once again, the Village of Flat Rock was host to an almost incomprehensibly dazzling array of talent. The eight-person emsemble are phenomenal musicians and charismatic performers. Their obvious enthusiasm for their craft poured off the stage and washed over an audience eager to move beyond the frustration and heartache of the past 19 months.
Ultimately, Autumn at the Opry is raucous, rowdy, and unrelenting fun. The perfect pandemic panacea.
This author is not qualified as either a music or theater critic. But I do know when I am thoroughly entertained. And I do recognize when an audience is captivated by a performance. At its most fundamental level, opening night was quite simply a liberating experience. For a few moments, performers, staff, volunteers, and audience members alike could push the trials and disappointments inherent in living with a pandemic to the recesses of our minds.
Even before the show started, Playhouse staff members were excited to be back in the game. Matthew Glover, Artistic Associate, was even excited to be helping with parking cars. “I'm excited to get back to seeing familiar faces. I honestly have no words to describe the happiness that the staff feels. We are all just elated!”
At the conclusion of the performance, Matthew and the staff were, if anything, even more animated. “There is definitely a feeling of pride. We made it after 19 long months. Seeing the crowd leap to its feet more than once is something that is even hard to put into words!”
After many months of virtual performances, Matthew and company were particularly excited to perform before a live audience. “Nothing compares to an audience in our old barn cheering and clapping for the talent on stage.”
Following the final bows by the ensemble, the Playhouse staff stood at the back of the theater and shared hugs, high-fives, and teary smiles with audience members eager to show their appreciation for the determination and grit that made this particular night possible.
Last May, this blog published a ”A Love Letter to Flat Rock Playhouse” in the wake of the crushing decision to suspend the 2020 season and the achingly difficult decision to furlough two-thirds of their staff indefinitely.
“When the Playhouse returns - whenever that might be - we will be on the front row of a standing ovation to thank you for everything you have so selflessly given to our community through the years. Together again, we will all celebrate as Flat Rock Playhouse embarks on the next amazing chapter in its long and storied history.”
The Playhouse did, indeed, turn the page on their next chapter Friday night. And an enthusiastic audience was present to give everyone at the Playhouse - staff, volunteers, performers, and stalwart patrons - a well-deserved standing ovation. It was an evening full of hope and gratitude. Of tears and laughter. And most of all, full of talented performers backed by an incredibly dedicated and resilient Playhouse staff.
On a cool, rainy Friday night in Flat Rock, the creative heart of our community roared back to life on the Playhouse mainstage for the first time in 572 days.
"Autumn at the Opry" Runs from Oct. 8-31.
Scroll Down to see the cast and their bios.
