Act 1; Scene 1

• I like Alma's nervous laughter. She would be a difficult character to play because of her mannerisms.
  
• I like the comic relief with Mrs. Winemiller asking for ice cream. It is sad but so funny.
• If the firecracker trick was timed correctly on stage, it would be very effective. I think John throwing a firecracker at Alma is a funny way to get a conversation going.
• We know John is extremely intelligent. He graduated Magna cum Laude from John Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. He is thinking of taking over some of his father's medical practice.
• Alma's monologue about the medical profession would be fun to perform. She takes it in so many directions.
• Alma admires John's father. John's father helps Alma with her heart trouble.
  
• It's cute when John teases Alma about having a doppelganger.
  
• Rosa Gonzales enters for the first time in a very exciting, dramatic outfit. Her father owns the gambling casino on Moon Lake.
  
• I like that Alma calls the fireworks show a "pyrotechnical display." She acts so proper.
• Nellie is introduced as one of Alma's vocal students. Apparently she isn't a very good singer. She claims to have fallen in love. I'm sure she'll come back into play later.
• I love that Alma claims to have a touch of malaria. I don't believe that is true at all.
• John clearly brings up the imitation of Alma just to pick on Alma. I don't think he is trying to hurt her feelings. I think he likes her.
• Alma gets extremely defensive. Through this we learn that Alma was deprived of her youth because she had to take care of Mrs. Winemiller-her cross to bear. Alma attacks John for upsetting her, calling him an "overgrown schoolboy."
  
• JUST LIKE I THOUGHT! John admits to liking Alma.
• It would be an interesting challenge to make the light from the fireworks reflect on John and Alma. I bet it looks very beautiful when done right.
• Alma agrees to go on a ride with John some afternoon. I bet that will happen later in the play.
  
• The scene ends with Alma with Roger Doremus. Alma feels very dizzy.