The Orlando theater community gathered for a pot luck dinner at the Abbey (100 S. Eola Ave.) The space offers a bar, cabaret and a small stage for intimate downtown productions. Small tables filled the floor space reminding me a bit of Casablanca. A digital fireplace flickered near the bar and a large circular stained glass window decorated the ceiling. Terry and I made our way through the long line for food and then we sat near the stage.
I did this quick sketch when we finished eating. People networked and went table to table. I thought their might be some sort of presentation or announcement but that never happened. This was just a chance for the theater community to eat, drink, and be merry. Britt Daley and Scott Wilkins joined us at our table. Britt described all the work going into a music video she is producing for her recently recorded song, “One and Only.” Scott will be shooting and editing all the video. The video will be shot at the Orlando Repertory Theater. Britt is recruiting the help of many actors, dancers and other talented artists for the shoot. I of course asked to sketch on the set.
Our table at the Abbey was right in front of a huge speaker and the music got loud making it impossible to talk. We all moved to a table closer to the bar, behind a wrought iron railing overlooking the open seating area. Actors kept strolling across the stage inspecting the space. They might stop center stage and look out at the room squinting into the bright lights. No one performed. Finally Britt and Terry went on stage and they danced to the sixties retro pop that was playing. Red and green lights flashed and spiraled on the walls and floor. Scott shot video on his iPhone as they danced. I clapped loudly for their impromptu go-go dance.