The Receiving Line


Immediately after last night's performance of Così, the six of us once again went in our costumes to the lobby of the theater, where we greeted operagoers as they exited the building...It occurred to me that this kind of phenomenon would never take place in New York City.

Immediately after last night's performance of Così in Oelwein, the six of us once again went in our costumes to the lobby of the theater, where we greeted operagoers as they exited the building. We stood in a line, and just about all of the 200 or so people in attendance walked by us, shaking our hands and expressing their gratitude as they passed. The ritual might be described as a combination of a wedding and a political campaign.


Ben and Nicole greet happy operagoers in Centerville

The spirit of goodwill is palpable. You can tell that these people are truly entertained, and they are thrilled to have a chance to thank you in person for your efforts. It occurred to me that this kind of phenomenon would never take place in New York City. Audiences in New York like to be entertained, but they also like to judge. My first impulse after doing a performance is usually to get out of the theater as quickly as I can. Even if an audience in New York enjoys your work, it would probably seem bizarre to them if you came out to greet them as they left. In fact, it might read as nothing more than an act of vanity. Thankfully, this pocket of the world seems to be protected from such cynicism.

Posted: Tue - February 15, 2005 at 09:51 AM      

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