Westhampton Beach is a popular seaside resort and one of the historical summer colonies of the American Northeast. During the summer, I imagine that this coastal village is probably very busy; however, during the dead of winter, it is absolutely barren, with many closed businesses and nary a person in sight. I was surprised that all of our performances were packed when I hardly saw any people on the streets. On one day in our Hampton stay, the weather was so inclement with torrential winds and rain that the emergency alarm system sounded.
Over the course of three days, we performed six full shows at the intimate Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. This 425-seat theatre was extremely cute, complete with its own Susan Lucci Dressing Room. It seems that Ms. Lucci, who is a resident of the Hamptons, was also a major donor to this theatre in her pre-Emmy days.
Despite its cuteness, the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center had absolutely no wing space and the stage space was small, making all stage traffic and set changes precarious. We were reminded of our days at OCPAC during the first leg of the tour, with its small elevated playing area and minimal wing space.
I finally got antibiotics for my sinus/ear infection and am slowly starting to recover my strength and spirit. Although I am getting used to not being able to breathe, smell or taste food, nothing is more disconcerting than not being able to hear. Imagine performing a musical for six shows while being completely deaf in your left ear and partially deaf in your right ear – AAAGGGHHH!
Next stop – the Bushnell Center in Hartford, CT. Until the next adventure…
Ciao!
XOXO-
Janine
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