The old adage “the show must go on” certainly rings true this week for the Tower Players.
Their latest performance, Return to the Forbidden Planet, started last night even after junior Michelle Long, acting as the lead role, fell from a stage platform and spent several days in a hospital in Toledo, Ohio.
Long fell more than 10 feet while helping with last minute set details. She was walking down the backstage stairs from a set platform, lost her balance and landed on her back, junior Natalie Mock said.
Mock, acting as Miranda in the play, said the last they heard from Long was that she suffered several minor fractures in her back, but that the damage is not permanent. Long is scheduled to return to Hillsdale today, she said.
Eden Simmons, vocal instructor, had been the pianist for the performance, but took over the lead role after Long was hospitalized.
“We’re telling the audience tonight [Wednesday] that this will be the final dress rehearsal,” Mock said. “Eden has been amazing and learned most of the lines, but she’ll still be using the book tonight.”
After only 12 hours notice, Simmons learned most of the lines and songs. The principal actors stayed with Simmons practicing Tuesday until after midnight to prepare for Wednesday’s opening show.
“This is terrible to have happened,” Simmons said. “We are doing it for Michelle. The cast has pulled together for Michelle.”
The show will continue running at its scheduled times, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.