PlasmaSplasm

Last night held another Plasmasplasm field trip, but, this time, it was a girls’ night out! The LA Film Festival is in full swing and there are lots of exciting things to see. But the one thing that I absolutely could not, would not miss was the Buffy musical sing-a-long!

Formally called “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More With Singing” (oh, you clever Buffy fans!), it was quite the extravaganza. It was a more than sold-out show, with a stand-by line stretching down the street (poor souls). The Majestic Crest was a great venue for the show. It’s a very classic, now-retro theater in the art deco style, complete with flashing neon marquee, gold paneling, and houses just one screen. The auditorium is completely surrounded by a mural of old timey LA, set off by black light, and the ceiling is lit by stars (all of which were left on during the show).

Oh, those neon lights!

Though not quite as far gone as those people we saw at the Star Wars Celebration, people were definitely excited for this. I could hear the woman behind me giving the “last time on Buffy” treatment to her (supportive) boyfriend. But this this is LA, right? Something is always going on; this couldn’t possibly be the most exciting thing going on? As far as we were concerned, it was the only thing going on.

Looking down Westwood Blvd., you can see the bright lights of the Transformers premiere. Apparently, there was a giant Optimus Prime in the street, or something.

On to the show, though! Upon entering the theater, each person was handed a little plastic bag. Each bag contained a set of supplies, which incuded: 1 champagne popper, 1 bottle of bubbles, 1 set of fangs, 1 kazoo, 1 rubber finger monster (for those “grr-arg” moments), and 1 set of instructions. It all seemed rather complicated, but once you figured out that the fangs were optional (they rather inhibit joyfully singing at the top of your lungs) and that you don’t remember how to work a kazoo, it became much more simple.

There isn’t going to be a test, is there? I didn’t study!

The audience was wonderful! Very enthusiastic, as was our host, who is apparently on a national tour with the sing-a-long. It was so much fun! There were streamers, bubbles, hand-holding, and shouting (only at poor Dawn, who, of course, deserved it for being an annoying teenager - as Buffy says, “Dawn’s in trouble. It must be Tuesday.”) I’ve been to sing-a-longs before (Rocky Horror, Moulin Rouge), but this was definitely the most fun and energized! It was great.

At the end of the show, our fearless leader came up to give his thanks to us, etc. But that wasn’t all. Instead of saying good-night to us, he introduced Marti Noxon! Marti was one of the best writers on the show and responsible for some of the best episodes, but she also makes a brief singing appearance in the musical. As a few of the Scoobies walk down the street, completely involved in their own problems, we see Marti signing her very own heartfelt lament to a police officer called “The Parking Ticket.”

Very tiny Marti Noxon (kind of seen here) assured us that, unlike her appearance in the musical, she was, in fact, wearing underwear.

People were out of their seats when they saw Marti coming. Wild applause, standing ovations abounded. She didn’t stay long, didn’t take any questions, but told us how heartwarming it was to see our enthusiasm. She quickly excused herself, but only so that she could introduce another guest…

JOSS-FREAKING-WHEDON!!!

Oh my FUCKING god! It’s Joss Whedon!

If people can do anything more than a standing ovation, they did it when Joss appeared. He stayed a bit longer than Marti and was all warmth and appreciation for our enthusiasm. He told us that he had made the musical to be seen once and forgotten about, and was just amazed that people love it as much as they do. It was awesome! Swoon-worthy, really. Joss made his way back up the aisle, high-fiving people as he went. Olivia was one of the lucky people that caught a five and I captured the moment just before it here:

Oh my FUCKING god! It’s Joss Whedon!

Ultimately, it was one of the most warm and fuzzy nights I’ve ever spent, full of high points and no low points. Yay, Buffy!

We saw Joss Whedon and the boys didn’t! Ha HA!!!

Check back on Monday for my review of the Sound of Music sing-a-long at the Hollywood Bowl! (I’m not kidding.)