Bustling and pant ripping

The Rehearsal Dinner was such a thrill. It was the first time that the cast experienced the full potential of this show. Up until now, we've been building characters and imagining how we create an interesting experience for the audience. It's really amazing what happens when the audience is there to play off of and throw curve balls at the cast. The level of involvement of the audience and the commitment to characters from the cast make it really feel like we're all part of a wedding where we're getting to know each other throughout the night. 
During the reception the Fiancé ripped their pants. That's how serious things got!
Minutes later the Bride had to enlist the help of 3 people to bustle her 25 foot long wedding train. 
I keep struggling to put into words how special this show is. But there's something really amazing that happens over the course of 2.5 hours. We start out with awkward silence, and people trying to find their place in the performance and by the third act, everyone is dancing and singing along. People really do arrive as strangers and leave as friends. 

There are some highlights from the rehearsal dinner that I need to share because they make it all worth it:

• Two people met at the show for the first time and decided to come back to a future show with characters that they plan to play and gags that they want to pull.
• A trio of folks said the show was a place that they felt like they were safe to really be themselves. We made a place where queerness is accepted, normal, welcome and embraced. 
• Our amazing MC led an unexpected dance battle for a group of guests
• After the third act and after the curtain call, 15 people stuck around for an impromptu after party with the cast. 
• The Maid of Honor led an astoundingly well choreographed dance with a group of audience members who played the role of bride's maids. 

I've been going through photos from the night and preparing to do some posts and you just really need to be there to see it all and be a part of it. Photos can't do justice to the fun and excitement of belting to 'I Will Survive' with the Wedding Singer, while people prance around the room playing recorders and tambourines and pulling consenting strangers onto the dance floor...