So about ten days ago, I got a phone call....

Producer: "Our lighting designer just walked out. Are you available?"

Me: "That depends. When's your first lighting rehearsal?"

Producer: "Tonight."

So I took the job.

Now, I don't know why the original LD quit, and I don't care, but he should have thought more about the effect his leaving would have...not only on the producer, but on the crew, who had to work many extra hours, on the other designers, who lost stage time while I was getting up to speed, and on the actors, who lost two much-needed rehearsals on stage.

It was irresponsible.

And causing you to cancel an appointment with an old friend who had tickets to Complexions at the Joyce... Fortunately, another friend readily accepted your ticket!

But seriously, this is not good practice. Whenever I have to cancel out of a professional engagement, I try really hard to find a substitute -- I hate leaving people in the lurch.

Well, in this situation, even had he found his own replacement, the disruption would have been the same. He should have stayed.

I've been so unhappy with a show that I took my name off of it, but I can't imagine walking.