A Perfect Stage
By Jeff Obenschain
For the past few years, there has been talk of renovating the old school building to serve as the eventual permanent home of the Off Broadway Players. With this comes discussions on the needs of the theatre: box office, dressing rooms, seats, and, of course, the stage. There are innumerable details that constitute planning for a stage. The type of lights and how to hang them, the sound system, curtain style, wings space, and many other details all have to be determined. The discussions, then, have included what constitutes the specifics of the perfect stage for our purposes.
None of these details will matter on September 14th when the OBP performs its third show of the year at the Broadway Autumn Festival. This year’s festival offering will be performed by five local youngsters, several of whom have appeared on the OBP stage before. All By Myself is a brief comedy written by Robert Scott about a man who has been marooned on a lonely island, destitute and without a friend, for the past seven years. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that he is not and never has been alone! Please take time to watch Rachel Cale, Olivia Steele, Daniel Trissel, Alex Trissel, and Ellie Walkley bring their characters to life on an improvised stage on the Central St. side of the building. They will perform the 30-minute show at 10:00 and 2:00 on that Saturday. Chairs will be provided.
As it turns out, the lighting, sound, and curtain details matter not at all for this show because there will not be any of those things; they are not necessary. So, as it turns out, the perfect stage is merely one where the actors can be seen.
Please come support the next generation of actors by seeing All By Myself on Saturday, September 14th at 10:00 and 2:00. I am certain you will enjoy these youths “treading the boards.” For more information on the Off Broadway Player, its 2024 Season, or to connect with us, please visit offbroadwayplayersva.org.
