The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-24
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Daphne didn't tell Jennifer about the scene in Gordon Herzberg's ofice when she told him that she had rehearsed Jennifer in every nu- ance of her part. Or that she had ] told him why she wanted to open and then what she wanted to do. She hadn't known he would under stand at once. She told him about Larry, promised him a performance equal to her own in Jennifer and had gotten his promise in return. u hadn't been easy.
 "The day after?"
 "But why not the day when
 "Jenniferl Pleasel"
 "All right, sorry. By the way, how many seats do I get for open ing night2"
 I'm not the star you know, honey. You'll get two seats. On the aisle and not too far down front"
 "That's what call fine treat mentl Why am going to be the stepchild?"
 Because my dear girl, you are going to have job. You're go- ing to have look-see over that audience and find Larryq. If he is there, you're going to bring him to my dressing room. Now who's so dumb?"
 Jennifer reached a hand across the table. Shake, gal. You're getting there. I suppose after that I'm to make laughing exit or do pull a minister out of my pocket?"
 I'm not quite sure what you do after that. Or even if Larry will be there. But I've no doubt the Brett sisters will have no trouble taking cues from each other"
 "You won't have any trouble with me, Daphne. I've learned my lesson and I'm so ashamed"
 You ought to be ashamed to be up this late with all we have to do. Leave the glasses in the sink; Maggiell take care of them in the morning. Oh, I'm so tired I'll probably fall asleep when I sit on the sofa in the second act opening night"
 Opening night.
 A Herberg opening. Gilda Kayle in the leading role. First string cri- tics. Ermine and orchids. Tails and tophats. A first night audience. Bright lights and laughter. Dia- mondS and street urchins. The peo- pie who "came to look" at the peo- pie attending"
 A house filling up, its shadows frightened by glimmering gowns. The clean new smell mingling with the perfumes of 8 thousand odeurs. The orchestra coming up out of the darkness to take places in the pit. The lights dinming, dimmed.
 The faint echo in front of the ring backstage. Curtain going up. One minute of absolute si- lence.
 The butler crosses the stage, raises curtain, straightens 6 drape. Clifton Sayre steps through the left door. The play is onl
 Gordon Herzberg stops beside the figure of the girl in the gray, girlish gown. "Scared?"
 Daphne smiled at him. "Not g. | bit" she said.
 He shook his head. "Too bad, Daphne. You have everything an | actress needs. Beauty, brains, lln- and self1shness."
 A few minutes later when Paul l said, You do her unfairly. The girl is ." Daphne made her entrance.
 Then in what seemed to be but few minutes, the play was over, the final bow had been taken and Daphne was trying to avoid the congratulating groups gathered backstage. If Jenifer found Larry and was bringing him back-stage, she wanted to get her make up off first.
 She ran toward the wings and right into Larry Smiths arms. It was entirely accidental but there they stood!
 "Larry!" Her hands gripped. the lapels of his coat and then she backed away. He dropped his arms.
 He laughed a little. "Oh, I'm sorry"
 Were you?" she asked quickly before the moment was gone and they would be two polite stran- gers again.