A few notes from behind the black curtain… (By Eric Engler)

That title may or may not have been intended as a pun…  Anyway, with a hectic rehearsal week and successful opening night behind us, it seemed like it was time to hear from some of the voices that the audience DOESN’T hear – because we’re playing our instruments instead!

Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Eric Engler, and I’m playing trumpet in the pit orchestra.  As was mentioned in a previous post, our pit orchestra is a small-but-mighty six players – two violins, two “reeds” (who switch back and forth between different woodwind instruments), trumpet, and our music director, Charlotte Evans, on piano.  Even though you may not see us, we’re certainly having just as much fun as the cast!  Shows are always a joy to play as a musician, and Sondheim was certainly one of the greats.

For anyone who’s curious, the orchestra is situated behind the curtain upstage right (or audience left).  A major shoutout to the cast for a SUPERB opening night, and here’s to a great run!