'Prima Donna Theatre'

'Prima Donna Theatre'

Lina: You know, I think I have swine flu. It's not about meeting with the prodution hair designer, which I've arranged for 10:00 AM. tomorrow. (I hope I'm not toxic.) But I don't think I can make rehearsal tonight because of the infective agent. It's the bigger issue of who's running the show. That I have issues with a few casting decisions -- and have the bona fides to back them up -- I went along. My bad. I know that there are the issues of sponsors, donors, time spent etc., that go into things like a community theater. I'm still on the board of a similar company in NY. But the disruptive aspect of the prima donna who now apparently runs rehearsals and every thing else, is too much. Back when I was discussing who was cast, and he said, "Kirstin, of course," I had a reality gulp. Because in all my years of theater, she's the singularly most untalented person I've ever met. There were talented people who could have done Elaine in spades. But there are politics. And because I am a stranger to the local community, I'm sure they entered in. So we're stuck with a lemon. But I will not continue to tolerate her unprofessional attitude and comments, exacerbated by the director's insistence that she's beautiful and sexy (the only things that apparently sink in) and her offensive comments thereof. I expect that the swine flu will continue until there is at least a personal apology for her behavior. I wouldn't have militated for her replacement, except I belatedly found out that the rest of the cast finds her equally offensive. Sincerely, Lina

Lina: Oh, and please feel free to replace me, should my previous e-mail be offensive. One of the values of once having been a professional is knowing that one is not irreplacable. My goal is tempering someone who is running untrammeled in relation to the show, my not knowing why (tell me her husband is funding this, for example), and giving me a justification for dealing with someone so obnoxious, with support of the director, that it would even cause me to leave an Equity production, with money involved.

Lina...

Jody: I have forward this to Craig. It's out of my hands for the moment. I kindly do ask that you put aside these emotions and concerns and please attend this evening's rehearsal. Your presence is very important to the show. Thank you.

Lina: Of course it's out of your hands. But the issue remains the same. And until I have an apology for Kirstin's inappropiate behaviior and incredible narcissism, coupled by the most phenomenal lack of talent that ever put foot on stage, I will continue to have swine flu. Tonight is out. You have alternative resources. I expect that you'll access them. I will, if a replacement is not immediate, continue with my role if that doesn't happen,, I insist a guarantee that the person in question, with whom I'm expected to share a dressing room, be appropriately informed of her limited input -- unless she has expanded powers I was not made aware of, which also affect whether I should be part of this endeavor in this first place.

Oops, the director's calling. So maybe a different outcome. Sincerely, Lina

Jody: Good morning Lina, The director had shared with me that he understood that you were planning to attend last night's rehearsal. You were missed. I hope you're feeling better. Please let us know if you're planning on joining us this evening. Thank you.

Lina: Obviously there is a lack of communication. I'm waiting for a guarantee that little miss lack of talent has been firmly told that the world doesn't revolve around her -- and that if she retains that vision, she has been persuaded to keep it to herself. This is community theater' I would have believed it was driven by a desire to give (in this case) people a chance to laugh, feel, get outside of themselves for a few hours at a low cost. That is why I got involved. I will not participate in what instead is clearly one person's ego vehicle with the rest of us revolving around her. I signed on to do Arsenic, not the Kirstin show. Until it's clear that we're all in sync, I continue to be sick. What a nasty bug!

Lina: Okay, I'm over it. I'll be at rehearsal tonight.