Testing the hype

The big week is finally here.

After months of speculation, anticipation and all other sorts of terms that describe waiting on and/or trying to guess at the unknown future, the River Campus kicks off its big inaugural performing arts season this week.

Or should I say kicked off?

If you're really taking notes, and you want to get technical, I guess the campus had its first big show already on Homecoming Sunday. If nothing else, Southeast Missouri State University president Dr. Ken Dobbins and Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson certainly put on a show by dancing across the stage at the dedication of the Bedell Performance Hall.

I'd have loved to see that.

I didn't get to, but the writer we had working Sunday said it was quite the sight.

Here's what I did get to see: a dress rehearsal of "Big River" a few nights ago (the musical opened Wednesday). It was Monday, actually, and I was nearly alone in the house. Sure, the Rose Theatre the university used to put on its shows in was great. Everybody loves the old Rose, but there was just something captivating about watching a show in the Bedell.

Chances are you weren't alone if you went before reading this, or won't be if you plan to go later.

As I write this I have no idea how full the Bedell was on opening night Wednesday, because our press deadline is Tuesday. But as of Monday, about 75 percent of the house was sold for the five-day run of "Big River." In a house that seats 940 people, that's a large number.

And within a week of the musical's close, the venue will host its first two touring productions -- the Shaolin Warriors on Wednesday and the American Indian Dance Theater on Nov. 3 -- and two university music ensemble shows.

We've discussed the hype surrounding the River Campus before, but that was all -- now we're back to it -- speculation and anticipation. The next week is the time for first impressions, and you know what they say ...

Break a leg, River Campus.