...and then the lights came on.
Before the show began, the lights flashed... It was a reminder to the audience to take their seats which dates back to the old days of Broadway. The lights dimmed, and we were expecting the show to begin. Instead, after about three minutes with the lights dimmed, they brightened again and stayed on. I kidded with mom about the sign meaning that instead of starting the show, the flashing lights were an indicator that they were going to brighten them later. It was then that I noticed the ushers helping people take their seats. The little red plastic flashlights in their hands struck something within me. I had to have one.
I asked one of the ladies who was helping seat the audience if they had any spare flashlights. She said she didn't think so, but wondered why I would even want a flashlight to begin with. "It's the 'Shining My Flashlight On the Moon' tour.". I thought it would be a wonderful commemorative piece to have. She went back to the lady who was handing out assigned seating tickets and came back to me about two minutes later to tell me that I could talk to the floor manager during Intermission, but that they thought they could spare one.
Then came intermission. Christine had just finished twirling her ribbons and I was excited. Just enough time to get my flashlight and be ready. The lady passing out tickets was ready too... I asked what the flashlight was worth, and she said $2. I figured in gratuity, convenience and handling charges (what the heck, the money was going to help the theater) and gave her $12. She kept the batteries, which was perfect for me... it gave me a place to store my ticket stub.
Mom and I headed next door to the Cafe to see what items were for sale. My hope was to find a copy of the "Big League Babe" tribute CD to complete my CL CD collection. Even though she does not perform on the CD, it was recorded by peers in the Folk Music industry who were either inspired, discovered, or just plain cared about her. That list could go on for days. As I suspected, though, that one CD was out of stock. I did, however, pick up a copy of "Please Don't Make Me Too Happy", pre-autographed by Christine. Partly because of the autograph, but mostly because I needed a replacement for my worn, scratched copy. I also picked up a copy of "The Christine Lavin Songbook". Highly recommended for any fan who would like scrapbook pictures and info about the songs.
Mom stayed at the cafe to order a drink while I went to use the restroom. When I came out, mom was talking to Christine, who had been in line for the Ladies' room. That was really classy, knowing that she was mingling with the audience instead of staying backstage during intermission. Mom asked if there would be any baton twirling to which Christine said that there would be a few surprises... She was so right.
After the restroom incident, we took our seats and watched as Christine took the stage and started painting the fingernails of the fans again. Intermission would soon end, but she wanted to be more than a voice from the stage... she wanted to be one of us as well.
After the show, we went back to the cafe. Waiting in line, we browsed through the merchandise again and this time, they found what I was looking for... A copy of "Big League Babe". Mom and I both bought a copy, and mom found a seat for us. We sat there talking about the show and how wonderful a time we had when Christine came from the back stage door and sat down at our table, pen in hand. The crowd was very diplomatic... no pushing or clammoring. Everyone was very civil. She had our respect.
Christine started by asking if we'd like to have anything signed. Mom handed Christine a copy of "Please..." to which Christine started drawing glasses on her portrait. When Christine asked mom for her name, mom volunteered, and commented on "Wild Blue". It has a particular significance to our family as my grandfather was on a boat which a kamikaze pilot crashed into. He was one of the lucky ones. Not many ships survived a plane crashing into them.
Christine started asking about the experience, if he was injured, what it all meant to him. She was genuinely interested in my grandfather. It wasn't an act, or anything she had to do, but every moment, she proved herself a real person, not a "star". There was nothing about her which showed her to be anything but a very real person.
She thanked us for coming out, and I asked her if she would mind "Signing my Flashlight on the Side". Yeah, I know it was corny, but I was apparently the first person to ask her that. She asked if I had ever shined my flashlight on the moon. I hadn't. Living in the city, with all the lights, you would hardly notice. She suggested trying on a foggy night, just to see the beam rising up. I was completely blown away with just this image.
As we drove away from the theater, I commented to mom about how truly amazing I thought the evening was. How Christine had restored my faith in entertainers, knowing that they aren't all self impressed to the point of not wanting to be part of the audience, and how she was more real than many people I know. How even though she did not need to say one word to the audience to be liked, she refused to go the extra mile, and instead went miles beyond just one... all by choice.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of her concerts, you will not be disappointed. It's more than a concert... it IS an experience.
The Christine Lavin Concert Experience - Feb. 11, 1998
Before the show - The Show - Intermission and Afterwards
Check out the Christine Lavin Homepage at http://www.christinelavin.com.
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