What do you do when your director and two of your leading players test positive for Covid or are indisposed days before rehearsals begin for a one-night-only *staged* concert?

You do the impossible, of course. And you make it a triumphant success like this extraordinary team of actors, dancers, musicians, and technicians did when they brought The Witches of Eastwick to life for one-night-only on Monday, June 20th.

But apparently, it wasn’t challenging enough that we only had six (SIX: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6!!) days to rehearse! Nooooooo! At the last minute, we were joined by two new leading players, AND plans were made to allow our outstanding (recovering) director, Maria Friedman, direct rehearsals via Zoom. Note: The rehearsals and how they all handled it was a masterclass in collaboration.

Then, on the day of the show, mind you (On. The. Day. Of. The. Show.), as the band was getting situated with sound and tech, we all agreed there was still something missing.

We needed to tie up some “Loose Ends.”

The song “Loose Ends” was eventually cut from our little skit, but it *was* included on the Original Cast CD as sung by Maria, our original Sukie. And for the past two decades, I have gotten at least one or two weekly emails asking if we will ever put the song back into the show.

Do the math. That’s a lot of emails over the past twenty years!

It’s not likely the song will be reinstated, but it did seem to be the one thing that was missing on this very special night.

So on the day of the concert, Maria, who was with us in person FOR THE FIRST TIME after getting a negative Covid test, agreed to sing “Loose Ends” as a surprise encore. But only if I would accompany her at the piano.

To be clear: Maria had barely gotten over Covid, and I hadn’t played the song for (at least) a decade. She felt less than 100%, and I was just mortified.

So all the show people did what show people do.

Everyone rallied, and the astounding Stephen Metcalfe volunteered to dash off an arrangement for our cellist to sightread to give me some musical support. Carrie Hope Fletcher (who played Sukie in the concert) agreed to join Maria on the second verse to provide her with vocal support from inevitable “Covid voice” moments. And the rest of the cast would join in toward the end.

By the way, this last-minute duet turned out to be the best thing we never could have planned.

The night could not have been more magical, and it turned out that our cobbled-together “Loose Ends” moment was incredibly poignant and moving for performers and the audience alike.

Colossal love and thanks to *everyone* involved.

Special thanks to the concert’s producer, Jack Maple, who was unflappable and calm. He led with strength and warmth, empowering us to do our best.

Thanks to our stellar musical director and conductor for the evening, Isaac McCullough. The band consisted of monster players, and Isaac led them with skill, agility, and stunning musicality. Isaac, you are a star. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you to our extraordinary leading players – Carrie Hope Fletcher, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Natasha Barnes, John Partridge, Chrissie Bhima, Alfie Friedman, Claire Moore, and Nathan Amzi.

John Partridge and Natasha Barnes joined just days before rehearsals began to play Darryl Van Horn and Alexandra, respectively. Not only did they thrill us with their performances, but they also made it look easy.

Thank you to my pal Stephen Metcalfe for dashing off the gorgeous piano/cello arrangement.

Assistant director, Jack McCann, for holding us all together so beautifully.

Thank you, Chrissie Cartwright, for making the musical numbers glisten and shine with movement and dance as if the cast had had months to rehearse! You are a wonder!

And, of course, to my dear brave friend Maria who directed with compassion, clarity, strength, and heart. She accomplished more in six days via Zoom than I have seen other directors do in six weeks.

Superheroes, all.

I couldn’t say my personal thank-yous without including my incredible husband, Andrew Scharf, who landed in the States last night with a super nasty sinus cold (NOT Covid, thankfully). You are my rock, and I love you.

Finally, here’s a lovely blog review that does a superb job of recapturing the rapture we all experienced.

https://www.fintothewoods.com/…/review-the-witches-of…

Most of the photos by the amazing Danny Kaan (@danny_with_a_camera)