Still on the play...

I was warned about one character who was cast in this show. He can be difficult to work with, they said. But he auditioned well, and he was polite and seemed quite reasonable, so I cast him. And for the most part, he has been pretty great. He learned his lines fast, throws himself into the nasty character he is playing, and I think he has created an entire back-story for this guy that is a bit out there, but hey - whatever it takes. But now, a few days before opening, he's complaining that he doesn't want to handle the cigarette AND lighter AND jar the character carries around to collect the ashes. And he has moved all his stuff into the change room designated for the women (only 2 in this show, but one is a 12-year-old girl who should not have to watch 50-year-old men get changed). He's starting to act a little bit pissy at every directorial suggestion, so I know he isn't going to take it well when I tell him tonight he has to move his stuff back into the green room with all the other men. Thankfully, I know the other men will back me up. And the stage manager (see day 3 whine), is a retired police officer. She won't be taking no shit from this guy.