If all you're looking for is light entertainment or comedy, I highly recommend you stay clear of David Mamet's play "Oleanna," currently being offered at Triad Stage in Greensboro. It's another of the recent pattern of 90-minute, no-intermission shows (though this one dates back to 1992), with a pair of characters in an escalating confrontation.
If you like your plays with some thinking included, and maybe even some controversy, though, I recommend it. Good set, good lighting, good acting -- and for the first time in Triad Stage history, done in the round. Intriguing and certainly one to raise as many questions as it answers.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
OK, it's gonna happen
All the contracts are signed and the first details nailed down, so I can officially say it -- barring catastrophes as yet unseen, we are going to produce the world premiere of my play, "Conversations in a Cafe," at Kernersville's Korner's Folly in October 2010. There's a whole lot of work and planning to do before then, including set pieces, lighting plans, sound and music rights gathering and a whole lot more, but it's exciting to contemplate the very real possibility of it happening. I've got a great director on board, and I hope she can stay there. Two of the roles are pre-cast (so far), and we're gathering names and possibilities to entice to auditions for the remaining seven roles. And a lot of good ideas floating around.
I know it seems early, but the clock is already ticking and time will fly. I just know it. There will be some challenges, no doubt -- but hopefully, a much greater quotient of fun and satisfaction.
I know it seems early, but the clock is already ticking and time will fly. I just know it. There will be some challenges, no doubt -- but hopefully, a much greater quotient of fun and satisfaction.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Two enjoyable productions
Last Thursday and Friday, we took in two plays that we found very entertaining, in fairly completely different fashions.
First, we were at opening night (and a fundraiser for the Hamlin Scholarship Fund for UNCSA) of a production of "Fences," one of August Wilson's two Pulitzer-Prize-winning plays. Kathy is determined to see all ten of the "Pittsburgh Cycle" that Wilson completed before his death, and she's now counted five of the ten. I have some catch-up to do, but I have seen three of the 10.
The production, as is often the case with UNCSA presentations, was quite good -- an excellent ensemble and an outstanding lead. With some plays, you're ready for the end when it finally rolls around. With others, you're on the edge of your seat and wishing for more. This was one of the latter. Highly recommended!
On Friday night, we took in one of the first community-theatre productions of the full Broadway version of 'RENT' since the show itself closed down in NYC. Theatre Alliance took it on, and did quite an admirable job of representing it (since I've seen it five times previously, including twice on Bwy. and three times with a touring company, I think I'm qualified to judge). Many of the songs, as always, tug at the heartstrings, and nearly all of the performers and singers were up to the task.
If I had one carp -- and I certainly don't blame the operator -- it would be the same complaint that some others had with the touring company: sound. There's so many singers, and important lyrics, and lyrics crossing over other lyrics, that even the best sound set-up would be challenged. It's impossible in a space like T.A.'s to have multiple sound operators and keep all the mikes in proper balance and above the band, but that's really what it takes for a 100% successful production. Sound was good MOST of the time, but sometimes, could not handle it all.
Still, the positives way outweighed the negatives, and I certainly enjoyed my time in the alphabet streets.
First, we were at opening night (and a fundraiser for the Hamlin Scholarship Fund for UNCSA) of a production of "Fences," one of August Wilson's two Pulitzer-Prize-winning plays. Kathy is determined to see all ten of the "Pittsburgh Cycle" that Wilson completed before his death, and she's now counted five of the ten. I have some catch-up to do, but I have seen three of the 10.
The production, as is often the case with UNCSA presentations, was quite good -- an excellent ensemble and an outstanding lead. With some plays, you're ready for the end when it finally rolls around. With others, you're on the edge of your seat and wishing for more. This was one of the latter. Highly recommended!
On Friday night, we took in one of the first community-theatre productions of the full Broadway version of 'RENT' since the show itself closed down in NYC. Theatre Alliance took it on, and did quite an admirable job of representing it (since I've seen it five times previously, including twice on Bwy. and three times with a touring company, I think I'm qualified to judge). Many of the songs, as always, tug at the heartstrings, and nearly all of the performers and singers were up to the task.
If I had one carp -- and I certainly don't blame the operator -- it would be the same complaint that some others had with the touring company: sound. There's so many singers, and important lyrics, and lyrics crossing over other lyrics, that even the best sound set-up would be challenged. It's impossible in a space like T.A.'s to have multiple sound operators and keep all the mikes in proper balance and above the band, but that's really what it takes for a 100% successful production. Sound was good MOST of the time, but sometimes, could not handle it all.
Still, the positives way outweighed the negatives, and I certainly enjoyed my time in the alphabet streets.
Monday, October 26, 2009
About to start up again
There hasn't been much to report on the play front since the end of "Margaret Mitchell," in part because we've been involved in real-life theatrical activities instead of working on or sitting in the theater.
First, our only son, Andy, got married on October 11th, in a delightful outdoor ceremony with the dunes and Atlantic Ocean in the backdrop (just north of Duck, North Carolina), then a reception with the sound and a lovely sunset in the backdrop there. Kathy got to involve herself with the hanging of lighting instruments in the reception tents before the event, and both of us worked on taking them back down on the morning after the wedding. So certainly, given the number of theater-related folks involved (including a fair number of UNCSA graduates), it sort of constituted "theater" of a different kind.
The following Saturday evening, we also attended the wedding of a young woman who was one of my assistants when I worked at Old Salem -- again, a fine time and a pleasing outcome.
In the meantime, there has been at least a little theater process as well. Primarily, I've been trying to figure out if there is an affordable way to produce a version of "Conversations in a Cafe," my first play script, at Korner's Folly next October. Unfortunately, the costs keep going up, but it is still not impossible that it will happen. We'll see how the rest of the negotiations go ....
I've also started both research and a little bit of writing on a new play script, anticipated to be a full-length script. It's at least tentatively called "Patent," and will follow two brothers who are traveling through Kansas selling patent medicines in 1858. When they find out that some of their fake concoctions are actually killing people, one will be deeply upset, one will not -- and there begins the conflict.
We also have four plays to see between this week and next, so we'll be back in the swing of play things before long at all!
First, our only son, Andy, got married on October 11th, in a delightful outdoor ceremony with the dunes and Atlantic Ocean in the backdrop (just north of Duck, North Carolina), then a reception with the sound and a lovely sunset in the backdrop there. Kathy got to involve herself with the hanging of lighting instruments in the reception tents before the event, and both of us worked on taking them back down on the morning after the wedding. So certainly, given the number of theater-related folks involved (including a fair number of UNCSA graduates), it sort of constituted "theater" of a different kind.
The following Saturday evening, we also attended the wedding of a young woman who was one of my assistants when I worked at Old Salem -- again, a fine time and a pleasing outcome.
In the meantime, there has been at least a little theater process as well. Primarily, I've been trying to figure out if there is an affordable way to produce a version of "Conversations in a Cafe," my first play script, at Korner's Folly next October. Unfortunately, the costs keep going up, but it is still not impossible that it will happen. We'll see how the rest of the negotiations go ....
I've also started both research and a little bit of writing on a new play script, anticipated to be a full-length script. It's at least tentatively called "Patent," and will follow two brothers who are traveling through Kansas selling patent medicines in 1858. When they find out that some of their fake concoctions are actually killing people, one will be deeply upset, one will not -- and there begins the conflict.
We also have four plays to see between this week and next, so we'll be back in the swing of play things before long at all!
Monday, October 5, 2009
And now it's done
The earlier post about "Margaret Mitchell" was optimistic, but not perhaps optimistic enough. The run went very well indeed, with virtually all of the 10 already-scheduled shows selling out (and TRULY we packed them in for the last two shows, over-maxing the Folly's capacity). Then we were able to add one more show, which had a more-than-half audience that included Duke Ernsberger, one of the two authors. What a blast that was! Most of the audience was way into the show that evening and Thursday evening as well. The audiences in general had a good time regardless of the show day or time.
It was a fun experience to work intimately on the show, to learn a whole lot about lighting and programming the KLT small light board, and surviving load-in and load-out in general. Great experience, great fun watching the show, and of course, a few lessons learned.
Now we will forget about plays for a week or so to prepare for our only son's wedding. Exciting!
It was a fun experience to work intimately on the show, to learn a whole lot about lighting and programming the KLT small light board, and surviving load-in and load-out in general. Great experience, great fun watching the show, and of course, a few lessons learned.
Now we will forget about plays for a week or so to prepare for our only son's wedding. Exciting!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Some REAL "playing" with plays
There hasn't been much chance to post lately. In addition to cramming in some shows, Kathy and I have been up to our ears preparing, with a lot of others, for the KLT production of "Don't Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell" at historic Korner's Folly. It's a very funny show that we've been tied into for some time. We first saw the show at Barter Theatre and highly recommended the script to the KLT playreading group, which also liked it. We had a need for a Folly show in this time slot, and were fortunate not only that others agreed, but we tied down the rights to the show quickly enough to be able to host the North Carolina premiere of the comedy. Neat stuff for KLT!
Then, when it finally came along in time, Kathy volunteered to stage manage -- and eventually we worked together to create the lighting design, and I am operating the board for most of the shows. Last night was the by-invitation preview, a nearly full house -- and by the audience's response, they "got" the show just fine. After all the rehearsal and programming and tech issues, it was a blast to hear people laughing out loud.
Tonight's the opening night, and we already have three of the 10 shows sold out. Seems like the right show at the right time (we all need a laugh!), and having a state premiere is pretty cool, too!
In the (little bit of) spare time during the past few weeks, we also managed to catch "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" at Theatre Alliance -- definitely a hoot and a half, or maybe even three-quarters -- and a thoroughly pleasing production of "Picnic" at Triad Stage. We won't see much OTHER theater before mid-October, but I would guess that we will know most of the lines from "... Margaret Mitchell" by October 4th when it closes!
Then, when it finally came along in time, Kathy volunteered to stage manage -- and eventually we worked together to create the lighting design, and I am operating the board for most of the shows. Last night was the by-invitation preview, a nearly full house -- and by the audience's response, they "got" the show just fine. After all the rehearsal and programming and tech issues, it was a blast to hear people laughing out loud.
Tonight's the opening night, and we already have three of the 10 shows sold out. Seems like the right show at the right time (we all need a laugh!), and having a state premiere is pretty cool, too!
In the (little bit of) spare time during the past few weeks, we also managed to catch "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" at Theatre Alliance -- definitely a hoot and a half, or maybe even three-quarters -- and a thoroughly pleasing production of "Picnic" at Triad Stage. We won't see much OTHER theater before mid-October, but I would guess that we will know most of the lines from "... Margaret Mitchell" by October 4th when it closes!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Visited an icon
In recent years, especially, Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago has increased its recognition value and rep for quality -- the production of "August: Osage County" that moved to New York, then London, now elsewhere, being a good example.
I traveled for a couple of days to Chicago earlier this week and, though there was not a great deal of theatre being offered in mid-August, I was lucky enough that "Up" was being presented on the main stage at Steppenwolf, and a good friend from college who works there during the week could accompany me.
Interesting story, good set/effects, fine lighting, very nice acting indeed (including in the lead male role the actor who originated the role of "Little Charles" in "August: Osage County," under the same director who handled "August") -- quite a nice night in the theater indeed. But for me, a fan back to his days in the movie "Manhunter," followed by those nine years as Gil Grissom in "CSI," it was a great pleasure to sit a few rows up the aisle from William Petersen, now an ensemble member at Steppenwolf. A very nice added spice to being at the theatre in the first place.
I traveled for a couple of days to Chicago earlier this week and, though there was not a great deal of theatre being offered in mid-August, I was lucky enough that "Up" was being presented on the main stage at Steppenwolf, and a good friend from college who works there during the week could accompany me.
Interesting story, good set/effects, fine lighting, very nice acting indeed (including in the lead male role the actor who originated the role of "Little Charles" in "August: Osage County," under the same director who handled "August") -- quite a nice night in the theater indeed. But for me, a fan back to his days in the movie "Manhunter," followed by those nine years as Gil Grissom in "CSI," it was a great pleasure to sit a few rows up the aisle from William Petersen, now an ensemble member at Steppenwolf. A very nice added spice to being at the theatre in the first place.
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