Lord Delton: An End to Awkardness

Last night was the final show. Four up, four down.

As usual, the crowd laughed in all the spots they were meant to laugh. I tracked the laughs for each show, and the crowd reaction was remarkably consistent. Some nights certain jokes were better received than others, but we didn't have a situation where something just bombed one night and killed on another night. I'm sure that will happen eventually.

My perch for the show was off to the side. My big sister came to town to catch the show, and I had a clear view of her. I have to admit that watched her a fair amount to see if she was liking what was happening. I was especially pleased that she laughed heartily at the luridly pedophilic tunes in "Crossroads." Dark humor runs in my family, so I wasn't surprised.

We got a treat in the audience member that Brigid and Michelle summoned for "Earthwads." He is a friend of Dan's and does a fair amount of acting, so he gave some good lines that gave Brigid and Michelle lots to work with.

As the show came to a close with Brigid, Michelle, and Janna in a soufflé of lesbianic tyranny, our run as student writers at the Second City came to an end. I can't say that there was any feeling of misty-eyed emotion that accompanied the end of the show. The seven of us who began together in Writing One have put on a show together in March, and we've got future projects in the works. So, we damn well that we'll be seeing more of each other. We just have less structure for the time being.

Still, an ending calls for a look back. Dan, Mark, Laura, Ben, Shane, Angela, and I began this journey in May 2011 -- all strangers. We were in a class with several others -- including the infamous "Buff Guy and Old Dude." Buff Guy and Old Dude worked for some start up or some other vaguely defined but purportedly impressive business venture. Their stated purpose in taking Writing One was to get ideas for their business. Or something. Anyway, I think they were paired with Mark for an early exercise. They are probably making millions at this very instant off a sex doll made of pancakes that tells poop jokes. (All of which are things that Mark holds very dear.)

We really didn't start to hang out after class until late May 2011. It soon became an extension of class where most of us would adjourn at Corcoran's or the Old Town Ale House and b.s., spitball ideas, and run through moments in class that we really liked. Social gatherings soon followed. Late last summer we were having a cookout when our friend Mary told us she had an in to put on a show at Gorilla Tango. In November and December, we began planning that show and all seven of us took the term off because Laura had too much work-related travel during November and couldn't take Writing Four at that time.

As a result of our show, we were introduced to several talented actors. We also were introduced to several talented writers when we had our massive Writing Four class. That is when Brian joined the fray. From there, the eight writers who wrote "This is Going to be Awkward" built our show together. It's been a Hell of a ride. We had a great cast party at Shane and Natalie's last night. We drank, laughed, and stuffed ourselves with tasty food.

This has been a very wonderful experience. Thanks.