Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ve cleaned up our crew list above, and added a note to the transcript where I discuss the stage manager issue.

As I’m sure you know, there is a ton of community theatre in the DC region. It simply isn’t feasible to see shows twice if the first performance isn’t 100% great. Some weekends, such as the upcoming May 2-4 weekend, it isn’t even possible to see every show that is playing. We do like Chevy Chase though. Last year’s Wait Until Dark was excellent (we named it a Stand Out!), and the Memory of Water in December was pretty good. Anytime a production is open to the public for a performance, the people involved with it need to give 100%.

We’re definitely not the final opinion on theater in the region, and hopefully no critic ever is. We do try to encourage live theater through everything we do.

What you saw was the second show, the timing on the lights was a little off that night, I agree. However, as the show’s performances have gone on, the lighting has become much more spot on and much better.

The second night of opening weekend always seems to be a show with not as much energy as the opening night. There were also the distractions of the noise from elsewhere in the Center that could easily have been distracting to the actors.

I am actually part of the Chevy Chase Players group, and while I can see some of your comments as legitimate, I just wanted to say that I think you probably saw the least of the show’s performances that night.

This show has spawned a new crop of actors and actresses, and much needed new blood and energy for the Players group. They are not perfect, then again, neither is Community Theatre.

I wish you would give the play a “secoind chance”, or view a later performance before making your judgments. Again, I did appreciate the comments, but also felt that knowing the purpose of the set, the lighting, etc., would have helped to make what I feel to be a more fair assessment.

I am sorry you didn’t like the show. I hope that will not dissuade you from viewing CCP Plays in the future. For future reference, however, you are probably going to see a better production if you come to a later show, and not the second night of opening weekend.

To conclude, and FWIW, Ms.Splitt was not calling the cues that night, or any other night. Her name was listed as Stage Manager in error. She only had the duties of the roles in which she was cast.

Again, sorry you did not like the play. I hope you can still appreciate the work and effort of the cast and crew to bring it to you and entertain. Your comments actually surprised me, since overall response to the play “Play It Again Sam” has really been quite positive.

Thanks for your time and review.