I forgot Gatz was going to wrap-up its run at The Public Theater in New York and head over to England. So I thought I would do a quick post on how to best strategize your snacks, caffeine and liquid intake.* You laugh. But I made some crucial errors. I don't want to you to do the same. I'm going to drift into TMI territory but I am doing so to help all of you. The things I do for the readership....
The structure of the show is:
ACT I: 2:00
15 minute intermission
ACT II: 1:15
75-90 minute dinner break (we started at 3pm, went to dinner at 6:30 and it started promptly up again at 8pm sharp)
ACT III: 1:30
15 minute intermission
ACT IV: 1:30
I don't know if the structure will be the same in London (I know they love a 20 minute interval over there). But here's what I would recommend.
I ate my lunch a couple of hours before leaving and then ate a little something right before I went out the door. BUT I failed to have a caffeinated beverage. Definitely get some caffeine up front. I was a little sleepy during the first two hours because of this crucial error. Also you should pack a snack for this portion just in case. I usually have a peanut M&M floating around my purse but NOT ON SATURDAY. Epic fail on my part. I'm a little embarrassed. But don't be like me. You've been warned.
I grabbed a tea & chocolate bar during the first intermission and ACT II perked up considerably. It was a nice combo actually and I enjoyed my warm beverage and candy bar.
I foolishly ordered a beer with dinner. Bad move. First, too much liquid and second, this required an upper (caffeine) after my downer (beer). Don't get a beer. Stick to caffeine. Definitely take a bathroom break at dinner. I tried to bring another beverage in for the second half and consumed too much liquid.
Bathroom break. After all the liquid based mistakes I made at dinner this was a necessity and I possibly left my friend in the dust as I made a beeline for the ladies room. As I left the ladies room there was quite a line. So running was totally necessary and recommended. I will take this awkward opportunity to thank The Public Theater for their new and improved bathrooms and the many stalls for the ladies.
As an alternative, you could take a bathroom break at the first intermission if you pre-planned your snacks better than I did. Learn from my mistakes. Do as I say, not as I do.
This has been your guide to Gatz, uppers, downers, and candy. By yours truly, Mildly Bitter.
*Thanks to @goldenavenger1 for suggesting this post.
The structure of the show is:
ACT I: 2:00
15 minute intermission
ACT II: 1:15
75-90 minute dinner break (we started at 3pm, went to dinner at 6:30 and it started promptly up again at 8pm sharp)
ACT III: 1:30
15 minute intermission
ACT IV: 1:30
I don't know if the structure will be the same in London (I know they love a 20 minute interval over there). But here's what I would recommend.
PRE-SHOW
I ate my lunch a couple of hours before leaving and then ate a little something right before I went out the door. BUT I failed to have a caffeinated beverage. Definitely get some caffeine up front. I was a little sleepy during the first two hours because of this crucial error. Also you should pack a snack for this portion just in case. I usually have a peanut M&M floating around my purse but NOT ON SATURDAY. Epic fail on my part. I'm a little embarrassed. But don't be like me. You've been warned.
FIRST INTERMISSION
I grabbed a tea & chocolate bar during the first intermission and ACT II perked up considerably. It was a nice combo actually and I enjoyed my warm beverage and candy bar.
DINNER BREAK
SECOND INTERMISSION
As an alternative, you could take a bathroom break at the first intermission if you pre-planned your snacks better than I did. Learn from my mistakes. Do as I say, not as I do.
This has been your guide to Gatz, uppers, downers, and candy. By yours truly, Mildly Bitter.
*Thanks to @goldenavenger1 for suggesting this post.
I would like to strenuously underscore the recommendation of pre-show caffeine intake. I’m compelled to disagree with the counsel against alcohol with dinner though. Agreed beer is a bad choice, but a glass of wine or a highball is a necessity. Irish coffee might be the ideal choice.
ReplyDelete