Anonymous asked: I think the golden age is gone for snm, do you?

bloodwillhavebloodtheysay:

This question has come up time and again in various ways, and I have fallen under some criticism for always trying to strattle the fence in discussing it. I will absolutely say that there definitely was a “golden age.” It is impossible NOT to acknowledge that there was something truly special about the days of Kelly Bartnik, Tori Sparks, Luke Murphy, Stephanie Eaton, Careena Melia, and Jordan Morley. But I will argue to the death against the notion that SNM is “over.” Like any show that has been around a while, the energy ebbs and flows. People come and go, and the chemistry among the cast changes. But there are brilliant people doing brilliant work there— some are new, and some have been around for a very long time. There are a few faces that I feel like have been there since the very beginning for me (September of 2011), although that may not be accurate: David Botana, Paul Zivcovich, Conor Doyle, Lily Ockwell, Luke Murphy, Nick Bruder, Eric Jackson Bradley, Elizabeth Romanski, Nick Atkinson, Joe Poulson, Karen Marie. There is a lot of “old” energy still there, and it helps to balance all the newness. And the fans change. Some tire of the show. Some no longer find the same magic that brought them in their early days. I think it is clear that, for some people, the magic has to do with certain performers, and when those performers leave the magic leaves with them. But I am really elated to hear people speaking about Tara Franklin’s Hecate (or Zhauna’s, for that matter) with the same levels of excitement that “old timers” had for Careena, or Elizabeth, particularly when she first started playing the role. And the chemistry that binds the two current Macbeth pairings (Paul/Anna and Nick/Troy) is brilliant! It’s complicated. I acknowledge that there was a golden age, and it is gone. But that in NO WAY means that I am any less in love with the McKittrick Hotel, its inhabitants, and Sleep No More.

Yes to the above.

There have been several Golden Ages. There was one in 2011, another in 2012, probably one in 2013 I missed because I was out of work, and things are actually pretty excellent right now if you ask me. I think what happens is that as the company changes, it takes a bit of time for a cast to gel and everyone’s takes on their characters to mesh. And when they achieve a certain kind of togetherness, and ease of working off each other, it’s really palpable for the audience. Overlaid on top of that are separate fan dynamics, as everyone goes on their own journeys through the place. Some just joining, some along for the long haul, some stepping off to head in different directions. I’ve gone through times of not caring at all for the show or the hotel, and others when it returns to being very dear to me. To each for his/her own complicated reasons, of course. I miss the faces I no longer see there, am grateful for every moment with ones still around that I cherish, and there’s a steady stream of new ones.

It’s like living in this city, frankly. Your friends don’t necessarily stay here forever, and you’re glad their path crossed yours.

From my perspective: October 2011 was something spectacular. January 2012 felt like a speed bump but by May 2012 it was sheer majesty of a different kind. May 2014 not so hot, but October 2014 was fantastic. I just happen to be looking at this Brecht quote right this second: “so, wie es ist, bleibt es nicht” (It will not stay the way it is).