Gateway, Part 5

We had quickly gotten into a daily work routine that changed once the first play opened because we would now have to work all day building sets for the next play while working at night running the current production.

That made for very long days for most of the summer as the plays ran for three weeks with some double performances on days with matinees.

During the 1950’s Gateway became a training ground for many future actors of the stage and screen.

They had a stock of old scenery some of which was supposed to be old Jackie Gleason Show sets from his TV program.

I remember that we took apart some of the old velour flats so that they could make costumes for “Annie Get Your Gun”.

As I had said in an earlier post, there were several personnel changes the summer I worked at Gateway.

The night before the last performance of “Annie Get Your Gun” the Costume Designer, who had a small role in the show, went back to the costume shop to check on how things were going for the next play.

For some reason he got very upset and started yelling at the girls working there and went into a triad for a few minutes.

He abruptly stopped yelling, apologized to the staff, told them he was quitting, went to his room packed and left. 

Annie Get You Gun

Annie Get You Gun, Note I painted the stone steps USC.

Annie Get You Gun

Annie Get You Gun

Well everyone heard all this go down and the next day there was a rush to fill his part in the play and figure out who was going to finish the costumes.

Actually everything went pretty well as the Director took over one part and the Gateway’s stock Character Actor took over the role of Sitting Bull.

I do not think that the audience knew what was going on, it was a bit tense backstage, but it was a fun show to watch, we were all waiting for it to fall apart, but it did not.

This event must have happened a few weeks after the Technical Director and Scene Designer were replaced, because the new TD designed the sets and lights for the third show “Candide” which opened only a few days later.

I do not know if the two events were related but it did seem to make things tenser for a while.

I think it was one of the actresses took over the Costume Design job and we were able to open on time.

Even with the staff changes we all continued to work hard and things got done on time.

There was still time for funny moments like when we told someone not to step on any of the many Crickets that were in one of the buildings.

These were the famous “Gateway Screamers” that would make a horrible noise if you stepped on them.

We also made up ghost stories about the old Barn Theatre and a fake story about murders and other strange goings on at Gateway.

There was also a small snake that used to sun itself next to one of the buildings.

I found a stick with a “V” shape at the end and made a point of trying to catch the snake.

After a few days I finally caught it, looked at it, let it go and then never bothered it again.

Not all of the troubles that summer were manmade because on August 10th we had visit from Hurricane Belle.

A category one storm with lots of rain, it put a good scare into many of the staff.

Growing up on Long Island it seems that a hurricane comes by every few years.

Looking back at the records I had lived through at least 10 storms before Belle came and I was not too afraid and had fun teasing the others.

The Producers moved everyone out of the small dorms and put us all in the big Theatre.

The storm would come through on one of our off days, of course, and did cause lots of damage on Long Island.

I do not remember if the lights were knocked out but I am sure they at least flickered and the wind made great sounds throwing things against the sides of the Theatre.

Oh yeah, I got stung by a bee that summer too. . . . .

Updated 12/18/18

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