I shouldn’t be writing this right now. I should be sewing golden blossoms to Billie Black’s bra, but I really can’t resist the urge to pop in and tell you how much I love this time of production week.

It’s been a string of late nights here, with my domicile turned upside down by costumes, pasties, feathers, wigs. It’s deliciously pretty everywhere the eye can see! Last night I stayed up until the wee hours packing our gear for tonight’s dress rehearsal and everything looks AMAZING together. I can’t wait to see the beautiful boys and girls all decked out.

So, before I return to the matters that I SHOULD be attending to, I will share with you my favourite things about “almost showtime”.

1.) Dante Inferno – You may not know that Dante is also our Box Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. She’s a pit bull, and she’s the most organized person I know. At this time, when there are fires to put out everywhere, we are in almost constant contact. She also creates a seating chart that makes me glisten. Yeah, you know what I mean.

2.) Our volunteers – Lead by our exquisite Merchandise Manager and pastie and fascinator creator Polly Amorous, our volunteers are steadfast and die hard. You’ll see the same faces at every show, and what beautiful faces they are! I love the little notes I get where they excitedly share their costume ideas for upcoming shows. So wonderful. We love you guys!

3.) Luke and Lindsey – One of our most loyal man props and our beautiful Front-of-House-Manager always make sure things run smoothly. I know it’s because they’re wonderful people, and not just because Dante Inferno is kind of scary. Watch for their beautiful hand-crafted leather masks on sale at our shows!

4.) Angela McQueen and Jessica Shannon – I think it’s a testimony to our taste that our makeup artist and our hair goddesses are absolute knock outs. They’re so hot, we’re putting them in the show this time! They are also brilliantly talented, unbelievably kind, and such fun to have around. Angela’s makeup designs for this show are going to blow your mind, just wait. We had a super fun baking session in my kitchen this week. Yes, that’s right, baking.

5.) Pre-show, Intermission, Post-show play lists – This activity is so calming for me when I need to take a break from sewing, or gluing, or thinking. Listening to the tunes you get to hear before the action begins also gets me super excited for show time! I’m listening to our pre-show right now!

6.) Cupcakes! Sarah-Lyn of i bake cupcakes not only furnishes us with spectacular treats for our guests to enjoy, but she always has a plate of treats for us too. I find myself always looking forward to seeing her latest designs, and there is nothing like a post-show cupcake to go with mama’s gin and tonic.

7.) Curler heads and sleepy eyes – When the cast and crew show up on Sunday to tech our show in the space, I get to see them at their most un-Coquettish and this always makes my heart burst with love. They are all so dedicated and wonderful and I feel such a sense of family and camaraderie with them…sigh…

8.) Lilli’s pre-show speech – We always make a ‘Circle of Love’ before we go on stage, and I always, always look forward to Lilli getting teary as she talks to our cast. Yes, some of us CAN melt her icy Russian heart.

9.) The Revival Staff – What a wonderful bunch of handsome gentlemen. We don’t often get lady staff for our shows. Go figure! I’m sure they’re lovely too, but the men of Revival, well they know how to treat us right. x

10.) The lineup outside – Seriously, if you’ve seen it you know what I mean. Our photographer Ryan Visima always shows us a snap of the crowd waiting to get in and then I instantly feel like I have to pee.

Cabaret Enchanté is going to be jam packed, but we’re not turning anyone away! There are some seats still available for the early show on Sunday and for the shows on the following weekend, but don’t wait! Buy them soon! We’ll squeeze in as many standing room only guests as we can, and those tickets (and any seats we haven’t filled) will be available at the door. Don’t miss this show, it’s our most magical production yet!

Avec Amour,

La Minouche