The Show Behind the Show, Part 2

My Meet-and-Greet With the Bumpus Hounds

(or…My Love is No Longer Unrequited)

Last week I posted about my favorite backstage moment while working on “A Christmas Story”, currently playing at the 5th Avenue Theater here in Seattle. It involves the two four-legged members of the cast, Pete and Lily, who play the Bumpus Hounds.

In order to avoid distracting the dogs during the show, the only people allowed to interact with them are their handler, Schuyler Beeman; assistant stage manager Rachel Bury; and Dane Stokinger, who plays The Old Man in the show. The rest of the cast and crew are instructed to ignore them backstage. I hear Olivier was the same way.

Over the weekend, Schuyler announced that we had reached the point in the run where the dogs are solid enough in their tracks that they can start holding court after the show. Yes, Pete and Lily can finally have invited guests to their dressing room. And Sunday night was my turn!

You might expect stars of this magnitude to be standoffish, but no. The moment I sat down on their dressing room floor, Lily plopped down on me like she thinks she’s a chihuahua. Pete, a bit more reserved, finally gave in to a hug. And yes, I worked up the nerve to tell them how much I love them.

Look at the picture of us. Don’t you think the feeling is mutual?

There’s still time to see this wonderful production of “A Christmas Story” at the 5th Avenue Theater, now through Dec. 30, 2014. For tickets, visit:

https://www.5thavenue.org/

Tweetables:

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My Favorite Backstage Moment, part 2 #AChristmasStory #5thAvenueTheater @lesleymcdaniel  Click to Tweet!