Were You There?
December 5, 2002
Dance of the Vampires (as 'von Krolock')

At about 4pm yesterday, December 5, Rob was informed that he would be on as von Krolock for the evening's show. 'The weather outside was frightful', and the rush to get into the city began - the end results of that trip are what I have to tell you about!

ROB WAS AWESOME, and he came across as fully in charge. The coffin mechanism was broken, so instead of being shot up onto the stage in a cloud of smoke, Rob entered walking across and meeting 'Sarah' that way. Not dramatic, perhaps, but it worked! The make-up and the costume were of course the same, but you could see that it was Rob, even though he looked more sinister than comic.

In the course of preparing the show, any show, more time is spent on the star, so Rob had never worked with Many Gonzalez ('Sarah'). But you could not have known that from the way they sang. It was as if they had been onstage together for an eternity - the chemistry, the bonding was palpable, and it was a believable thing that she would fall for this 'fiend' as we know she does. It was Rob's voice as the BAT, and Rob as Countess von Krolock was a HOOT. He was almost bent in half to play the sinister old crone, but he did it, and got a laugh when he invited the Professor to "come up and see him sometime."

The 'Invitation' was awesome - melodic, full, rich, and dark. Rob looming up out of a cloud of fog is really enough to thrill and intimidate, and it did. The audience was very receptive, and I feel that Rob got the applause he well deserved. Rob standing at the top of the drawbridge, beckoning Sarah to her doom was glorious, and the 'Come with Me' was operatically dramatic, and exquisite. Rob was "Bravo'd," and many, yes many, people rose to their feet, even though it was only the end of Act One.

I need now to address 'Confessions,' but now that I have said that, I do not know how to continue. Of course, not a word was missed, each word clearly enunciated, each tone pure. I must say, that this 'Vampire' poured out his heart and soul, even though a vampire is not supposed to have either! It was a magnificent MOMENT, and the audience gave a roaring round of applause.

It was a beautiful evening inside the Minskoff. The audience was appreciative and into it, and I must say, the cast was supportive. I was backstage when they came to wish him well, and then after the show, when they came to say "well done."

WE do not, cannot, know when he will appear again as von Krolock, but this is the stuff we wait for. WELL DONE, Rob!

Linda Russak