Act Four.... Poem by Daniel Brick

It's been a remarkable week
for the Tall Oak Acting Company,
in residence at Meredith Archer Theater.
My wife convinced me to attend a Big Hit
in its final performances, a romantic comedy
called PENELOPE WAITS. The main character,
played by the talented Cecile Arrons,
is a young woman named Penelope Waits,
who is lovely, smart, gracious and ALONE.
She simply can't find a man worthy
of her fidelity. This was my wife's third
time to see this play: it speaks to her.
But something happened the night we saw it
that changed everything ordinary and, well,
routine. A few minutes into the seccond act,
a man in his middle thirties left his seat
and leaped onto the stage, and started
to improvise dialogue with half a dozen actors.
It was more than boldness on his part. He knew
the play and the cast. He folded himself
into the fabric of the play, immediately
adding another character. He was so smooth,
so eloquent, the audience cheered him on.
He turned and bowed briefly, which set off
another round of applause. The actors now
were improvising too, and it was the Joy
of the Theater felt in everyone! Of course,
the man did not steal the whole show, but
he did steal the leading lady. In a sudden
confusion of play and real world, she was
visibly enchanted by him. I wasn't not alone
in thinking either Penelope or Cecile
would have to wait no longer! And then
the leading actor, a Hollywood star on loan
to the theater, so to speak, reached out
and drew forward one of the female extras.
They embraced and kissed. The audience roared
in delight at this revelation of true love.
My wife was beside herself with joy: She
hugged me tightly, and her eyes were shining.
Three actors and an intruder had abandoned
their scripted roles, and were improvising
real life on a stage of artifice...
Suddenly, the playwrit, the ever popular
Herbert Rossman appeared from the wings,
and silently acknowledged the new drama
with a broad sweep of his right hand.
Then he took a copy of the script, which
he cut in half with a scissors, and kicked
both halves out of sight. He embraced
both couples, waved to the audience
and disappeared as quickly as he had
appeared. Cecile and her new leading man
started a witty conversation and other actors
joined in clearly delighted with their success.
The lights blinked twice to announce the appearance
of the producer, Henry Cole. In his loud, resonant
voice (he had been a Shakespearean actor) he declare,
OUR REVELS NOW ARE ENDED! A huge sigh was emitted
by the audience which crescendoed into cheers
of satisfaction. Henry Cole looked bewildered
for a moment, then he smiled broadly and said,
'Okay, then, Act Four, anyone? '