Broadway Opening Night

The lights are slowly dimming 
The curtain's going up 
The stage-hands take their places 
The scenery's all set-up 
The Orchestra is waiting 
For the Conductor to cue them in 
The audience waits expectantly 
For the overture to begin 
The Singers wait backstage 
Sipping tea to warm their throats 
Softly singing scales 
And praying they'll hit their notes! 
The Actors mouth their lines 
Hoping they won't forget 
(The producer wants a hit 
So he can get out of debt!) 
After all the hassles 
Of auditioning for the part 
Six months of rehearsals 
And giving their all for art 
They wait with bated breath 
Whispering "This is it!" 
Wondering, while the curtain's going up 
"Do we finally have a hit?" 
This isn't just a job to them 
They love the work they do 
And when they walk out on that stage 
The audience loves them too! 
So let's hear it for the showpeople 
Who live to entertain you 
After all the heartbreak and rejection 
Their reward is applause from you! 

Copyright 2003 Beatrice Boyle 
(All rights reserved) 

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Lane Avatar
November 5, 2011 at 7:04 AM
I've never had a Broadway opening but I've had a Maumee, Ohio opening or two for plays that I've written and we all get just as nervous. Thanks Tony
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