Closing Time

As we all say goodbye to the diner tonight, I want to thank the creative team, the cast, the musicians, the crew, and Hickory Theatre’s staff for their hard work, their love, laughter, and patience.

Those who have worked with me as a director and/or music director know I do community theatre for the fun of it. I insist. It has to be or bust. This time it was, above all else, a love letter to Coble, and I had as much fun as I could allow myself.

I can’t speak for Carol Anne, but I’m still not sure if my broken heart was ready for this. It's only been a year. Trying to perform across Father’s Day weekend without my father and son nearly broke me on and off stage. This level of grief is unpredictable. But I did it for Coble. It was all for him. I wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone. It hurts watching those close to you treat your grief like it’s a contagion and disappear from your life. Our family and this company “baked me a door to help me get through” and I’m forever grateful.

I can’t thank Eric Seale enough for encouraging me, giving me space, and trusting me to do “my thing”—from premortem, to the audition process, through rehearsals, and mostly for his faith in me—for the opportunity to rip the proverbial bandaid off to see what I was capable of, at this point. It has rarely been my experience crossing back and forth from the professional world to community theatre or local music events, that it is compatible in approach and without sensitivity. You made this a graceful experience for me, all things considered, and it is very much appreciated.

Waitress was one of Coble’s favorite shows, and he wanted to be a part of it as soon as he heard it was a possibility. We would randomly walk by each other in the house, doing Ogie’s Pavarotti bit. He got to sing “When He Sees Me” at a Backwards Broadway, not too long after Waitress debuted on Broadway.

I can’t stress enough the courage and strength it takes for Carol Anne to get through “She Used to Be Mine,” singing about the person Jenna/she used to be. “I could find the whole meaning of life in those sad eyes.” We both just miss Coble so much, and who we all were when he was still with us.

“I believe there's something in you. Something good is trying to break through. You might have to fight the good fight, and when you think you can't, you can.” Joe, from Waitress

Waitress | June 6-28 @hickorytheatre #waitress #forcoble