Jack Hitt

and move among the audience and frighten us. Anyway, I knew about this scene because my friend David, who I went to high school with, was in it. And so when David was climbing over the top of this balcony to climb down the rope, he lost his footing. and fell to the floor from the balcony, a distance of about 15 to 20 feet. A good fall. That's horrible. Yeah.

and move among the audience and frighten us. Anyway, I knew about this scene because my friend David, who I went to high school with, was in it. And so when David was climbing over the top of this balcony to climb down the rope, he lost his footing. and fell to the floor from the balcony, a distance of about 15 to 20 feet. A good fall. That's horrible. Yeah.

And he landed on both of his feet and sprained both of his ankles and, of course, curled into a fetal position and began to cry. Right. He was really, really hurt. Now, to appreciate the horrible moment that I'm now describing, also understand that it's a Friday night. We are in a college town, and there is a volunteer fire and ambulance department.

And he landed on both of his feet and sprained both of his ankles and, of course, curled into a fetal position and began to cry. Right. He was really, really hurt. Now, to appreciate the horrible moment that I'm now describing, also understand that it's a Friday night. We are in a college town, and there is a volunteer fire and ambulance department.

And in order to summon the rescuers from wherever they are, an alarm is sounded that can be heard for five miles. That alarm is located right over this theater. So the alarm goes off. Okay? This is an air raid siren. It is so loud, you can put your fingers in your ear and it's still hurting your ears. We're right under it. It can be heard for five miles.

And in order to summon the rescuers from wherever they are, an alarm is sounded that can be heard for five miles. That alarm is located right over this theater. So the alarm goes off. Okay? This is an air raid siren. It is so loud, you can put your fingers in your ear and it's still hurting your ears. We're right under it. It can be heard for five miles.

And then, of course, three minutes later, busting through the door of the theater are these 15 firemen. who are in boots, hats. They got hoses. They don't know what it is. All they know is that they've been sent out on a call. Right. And to sort of add to the chaos, the director, of course, has sort of flogged the actors that the show must go on. No matter what. No matter what.

And then, of course, three minutes later, busting through the door of the theater are these 15 firemen. who are in boots, hats. They got hoses. They don't know what it is. All they know is that they've been sent out on a call. Right. And to sort of add to the chaos, the director, of course, has sort of flogged the actors that the show must go on. No matter what. No matter what.

So while all of this is happening and several people are attending to David and other people have just now decided that since the firemen are here, he's going to be fine, they can start laughing. And now the audience has just completely lost control. People are standing up in their seats and shouting for more. They want blood.

So while all of this is happening and several people are attending to David and other people have just now decided that since the firemen are here, he's going to be fine, they can start laughing. And now the audience has just completely lost control. People are standing up in their seats and shouting for more. They want blood.

I mean, at this point, people are actually injured in the production and they want more. Somehow that's how this entire play ended.

I mean, at this point, people are actually injured in the production and they want more. Somehow that's how this entire play ended.

I've never seen a production like this. And I've never seen an audience collapse like this.

I've never seen a production like this. And I've never seen an audience collapse like this.

Well, see, I would disagree with this. See, I think, you know, the old theater critics, you know, the ancients would say that the reason you go to the theater and to see a great production is to be, I think the word they used to use is transported.

Well, see, I would disagree with this. See, I think, you know, the old theater critics, you know, the ancients would say that the reason you go to the theater and to see a great production is to be, I think the word they used to use is transported.

The idea being that you would be lifted away from your animal nature and into these higher, more spiritual realms or get in touch with these greater tragic emotions, right? But of course what happened here was the exact opposite. We got transported directly in touch with our animal being. Our baser selves. Right. But, you know, that's almost as rare if not more so than a great production.

The idea being that you would be lifted away from your animal nature and into these higher, more spiritual realms or get in touch with these greater tragic emotions, right? But of course what happened here was the exact opposite. We got transported directly in touch with our animal being. Our baser selves. Right. But, you know, that's almost as rare if not more so than a great production.