Unexpected Curve

Last night's rehearsal threw me an unexpected curve. Margaret, the gal who plain Martha, one of the elderly aunts, became ill after the rehearsal started to the point that she had to go home. I think it was a migraine headache. Colleen, one of the Producers, read in for her.

I was backstage waiting to go on and I missed all of the above. My entry cue comes. I ring the doorbell. Abby, the other elderly aunt, opens the door like she normally does. I ask her if she has a room to rent. She invites me in. I ask her if she's the lady of the house. She gestures toward her little sister and there's nobody there.

At this point, I'm supposed to take off my hat and say, "My name is Gibbs." I forget to take off the hat and say, "My name is Gibson."

Prior to the rehearsal I had been trying to figure out how to do a double take when she says her line about her little sister. Sue, the gal playing Aby, is something like 5'2". Margaret is over 6' tall. I was thinking a double take might be cute. I had one all planned, but it went right out the window along with my correct name and forgotten hat.

There's a lesson here. "If there's a change, make sure everybody knows about before proceeding."