Lynne:      I hope we’re not late, Anne. It’s already 2:30.

Anne:        What time does the curtain go up?

Lynne:       It’s supposed to start at 2:30 sharp, but I doubt it will. Even at these once-a-week matinees, the shows rarely begin on time. At least we’re here. I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to get off work today.

                (She speaks to the box office attendant.) I have two tickets for today’s performance. Has the show begun?

Attendant:    Not yet, but you’d better hurry. Name, please.

Lynne:      Lynne Jefferson. I paid for the tickets by credit card over the phone about two weeks ago. I hope they’re good seats.

Attendant: (He hands her the tickets.) They’re in the second balcony about halfway up, but they are on the aisle.

Lynne:       That’s pretty high. I don’t suppose you have anything better which we could exchange for these? Have there been any last-minute cancellations?

Attendant: No, there’s nothing left at all for today’s show. In fact, we’re sold out for three weeks in advance.

Lynne:       That’s what they told me when I made these reservations. Oh, well, it’s better than not being here at all, I suppose. (Lynne and Anne enter the theater, hand their tickers to an usher, and then climb the stairs to the second balcony.) I’ve been reading such good reviews of this play.  I hope we’re not disappointed.

Anne:        Me too. I’ve loved the leading lady in her movie roles for years. It’ll be interesting to see if her talent can be transferred to the legitimate theater. (The usher for the second balcony shows the women to their seats.)

Lynne:       Here we are: Row M, seats 2 and 4. These are not so bad. What do you think?

Anne:       I think … oh, there go the house lights. The play’s about to begin. We’d better get settled.

Lynne:       (At the conclusion of Act I, the curtain closes and the house lights go on, signaling an intermission.) Wow! That was pretty powerful acting! I didn’t realize she was such a good actress. What did you think?

Anne:        I was impressed too. However, there was something about the supporting actor with the uniform. You know the one I mean – with the mustache. There was just something wrong.

Lynne:       I know what it was. I noticed it too. It’s the makeup he’s wearing. It’s all wrong. He’s supposed to be a fifty-year-old man, but he looks twenty-five.

Anne:        That’s right, yes, of course. Oh, let’s go to the lobby and mingle among the people. I love to see what theatergoers are wearing and eavesdrop on conversations.

Lynne:       Let’s listen in so we can hear if other people agree with us about the play.

Anne:        How did you like the stage setting in that final scene of Act I? I see here in the program that the set was designed by a member of the cast. In fact, she’s married to the actor I mentioned a minute ago – the one whose makeup is wrong. A married couple appearing in the same play. Imagine!

Lynne:       I liked the set of the musical comedy we saw last week better. Remember, they changed the scenery and props constantly. The variety attracted me more than this single set. I must admit that I get a little bored watching the same room for an entire act.

Anne:        Well, musicals naturally have more variety, but I don’t like having the story interrupted by songs all the time. I prefer a serious drama such as this one.

Lynne:       Speaking of “this one,” we’d better get back to our seats. I think Act II is about to begin. We can talk more at the next intermission.

Anne:        Good idea. I don’t want to miss any of it.

Discussion Questions:

1.  Where does this dialogue take place? What people take part in the dialogue?

2.  What time did their show begin? What time do evening shows usual begin?

3.  Are ticket prices more or less expensive at a matinee performance?

4.  How often do you go to a theater? What was the last play you saw?

5.  Which do you enjoy more, a movie or a play? Why?

6.  Why is it necessary to make reservations in advance for a stage play?

7.  What is the difference between a musical comedy and a drama?

8.  What did the two ushers in the dialogue do?

9.  How do house lights signal the start of a play or an act in a play?

10.  What did the women think of the first act? Of the actors?

11.  Why did they want to go to the lobby?

12.  What is a set? Who designed the set in the play the women were watching?

13.  What did Anne think of the musical she saw last week?

14.  What kind of a role would you like to play in a theater production?