Behind the scene!

In Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”, the character Jaques begins a monologue with:

“All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players”

Have you ever thought about how true that statement is?

I have! (someone grumbling: That’s because your mind goes off kilter every now and then.)

Who said that?! K

Anyways. The phrase suggests that life is a play.  Being theatre goers, we often judge a play by the performance of the actors, the script/dialogue, the costumes, even the scenery.  But we miss all the things that make each of the afore mentioned successful.  That’s because these things all take place backstage and out of view.

The play’s dialogue could be superb, but will go unnoticed if the actor’s costume changes are problematic. Delays and the infamous wardrobe malfunctions.  Or if the scenery is awful or too distracting the audience can’t focus on the great dialogue and magnificent costumes. 

The problem is we never think about backstage.  But when the garbage or problems backstage rear their ugly heads or start to show up onstage we’re shocked, dismayed, and disappointed.

Here is one of those shocking backstage moments:

You’re 48, and he’s 52. You’ve been seeing each other for about a month, and you’ve danced around the sexual electricity between the two of you.  He’s handsome, has a body that makes you want to drink his bath water (as a friend of mine is fond of saying); he dresses well, is intelligent and seems to have it all together.  You’re past ready for him to make a move.  Tonight he invites you back to his place.  (In your head you’re doing a slow grove to The Isley Brother's "Mission To Please You”).

His house:  As you step into the house you find his mother on the couch watching TV.  A quick introduction and he takes you by the hand to lead you to his bedroom.  Now you’re feeling a bit awkward.  (Are we really gonna do it with his momma in the house?)

It gets worse!

His bedroom: twin bed, huge plasma screen TV, stereo system, an X-box, stacks and stacks of CD’s and games, and posters of 50 Cent, Michael Jordan, and Lil’ Kim adorn the walls. 

You’re thinking: “What the hell?”

Oh his on stage is superb, but his backstage is all f@#%^* up!

*Collective sigh cause we’ve all been there at one time or another*

So, the next time you meet Mr. Tony Award, try to get a glimpse backstage before you go gaga. 

Don’t be afraid to ask him questions and delve a little deeper behind the show in front of you.

Don’t get so caught up in the play’s dialogue that you miss things happening around you.  Those things in the plot that seemed unimportant, but turned out to be clues. Like when he told you he loves to treat his woman like a real lady. But since you’ve been dating he not only has yet to hold a door for you, he doesn’t want to go out of his way to pick you up at your door.

Backstage! Inquiring minds want to know!!