"Cyrano" Extends Its Run

The holidays have been good to the Broadway show Cyrano de Bergerac, so it's going to hang around for two more weeks. This is good news, of course, because the show features Charleston's own Jennifer Garner as Roxane, and Kevin Kline in the title role.

The show will extend through January 6, 2008. The production had been set to close on December 23. You can read more about it right here.

A Quiet Monday

After the stampede of shows over the weekend, we've hit a quiet spell for a couple of days (although you can catch A Christmas Carol next weekend at Huntington's City Hall - more on that later this week).

There was another show over the weekend that I completely missed - a performance of Narnia, with two actors recreating the story from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardobe. You can read all about it right here.

On Stage - Sunday Afternoon and Evening

In a happy bit of scheduling, there are two community theatre shows today in Huntington, but you can actually see both if you want - because for once, they aren't scheduled against each other!

A Christmas Carol: The Musical runs this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at Huntington's City Hall auditorium. The show will continue next weekend, so if you missed it this time around there's always next time.

But today is your last chance to catch Picasso at the Lapin Agile - the last show is tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the old Camelot Theater).

So get out there and support your community theatre!

On Stage - Saturday Night

Once again, you have three shows to choose from tonight in Huntington:

- A Christmas Carol: The Musical runs tonight at 8:00 p.m. at Huntington's City Hall auditorium (I look forward to seeing it soon);

- Picasso at the Lapin Agile runs tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the old Camelot Theater) - you can read my review of that show in the next entry;

- and tonight is the final show for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 7:30 p.m. at (the new) Huntington High School.

So don't sit at home and say, "There's nothing to do!"

Picasso at the Lapin Agile - A Review

Sometimes you go to see a community theatre show and it’s just the same old thing - and sometimes you see something that’s just a pure delight. Picasso at the Lapin Agile definitely falls into the latter category.

The play, written by Steve Martin (yes, THAT Steve Martin), is set in 1904 and tells about an imaginary meeting between three of the men who changed the 20th century - Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and another hilarious (and unexpected) addition who I won’t spoil for you.

The discussion that follows and weaves around the meeting of the two in the Lapin Agile (a bar in Paris) is clever, intelligent and very, very funny.

The cast features some of the best comic talent in the area, including:
- Dwight Slappe as the bartender Freddy, who gets some of the funniest side comments;
- Melissa Langham as the wise Germaine, who works in the bar but has he own agenda;
- Jonathan Joy who does double-duty as both director and as Gaston, an older gentleman with lots of knowledge about women and very little experience;
- Mike Murdock as Einstein, with a terrific accent and, as always, perfect comic timing;
- Karah Markins as Suzanne, a fan of Picasso’s who’s just this side of being a stalker;
- Mark Cohn as Sagot, an art dealer who’s always looking for an angle;
- Travis McElroy as Picasso, an egotistical and incredibly talented painter (not to mention being a terrific actor);
- Michael Sullivan as Schmendiman, who virtually steals every scene he’s in;
- Cabrina Person as The Countess, Einstein’s soul mate and significant other;
- Jen McComas as A Female Admirer, and while she doesn’t get much time on the stage, she does manage to get the show’s biggest laugh (and that’s saying something);
- and Josh Jannotta as A Visitor, who gives a magnetic performance, though to discover his character you’ll have to see the show for yourself.

This small cast gets the maximum laughs out of a clever script that should appeal to any fan of Mr. Martin’s. The best description I could manage was that it’s like seeing a funny, Americanized version of Monty Python. (And I mean that as high praise, trust me.)

My only complaint about last night’s show had nothing to do with the performers - the heat was on the fritz at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center, making this the first show I’ve ever seen in a refrigerator. But even with the cool temps (and I’m sure they’ll have the heater running normally tonight), “Picasso” is still a terrific play and well worth seeing - no matter the temperature, the script is crisp and fresh, the acting is sharp and top-notch, and the laughs are many.

Highly recommended!

On Stage Tonight - You Have Three Choices

A wealth of theatre to choose from tonight!

You can:

- see A Christmas Carol: The Musical tonight at 8:00 p.m. at Huntington's City Hall auditorium;

- watch Picasso at the Lapin Agile tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the old Camelot Theater);

- or catch Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 7:30 p.m. at (the new) Huntington High School.

Is this a great country or what?

He's No Einstein - Oh, Wait - Yes, He Is

For our final interview let's hear from actor / writer / director / all-around swell guy Mike Murdock, who plays the part of Albert Einstein, who meets another legendary figure in the play Picasso at the Lapin Agile, a comedy which runs this weekend at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the old Camelot Theater). Here's what he had to say:

Q: Why did you decide to be part of Picasso at the Lapin Agile?

A: "Picasso" is a very funny, intelligent show that I've wanted to be a part of for a long time. I'm a long-time fan of Steve Martin, both as a performer and a writer, and when Jon Joy, the director, proposed the show, I had to jump at the chance to do it. Not often in community theatre do you get the chance to do not only a non-musical, but also a show that's as smart as this show. I've wanted to do the show for years, and I'm lucky enough to have finally gotten the chance.

Q: Just who is this Steve Martin guy and why does he think he's funny?

A: Does he think he's funny? Yeah, he probably does. Steve Martin, for those who, for some crazy reason, might not know, is a comedian / actor / writer / banjo player. Although he was never a cast member, he has appeared on Saturday Night Live quite a bit - he and Dan Aykroyd were the two "Wild and Crazy Guys"... he sang a song called "King Tut" and he has appeared in such films as The Jerk, Three Amigos, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, Roxanne and the film that eventually became a new Broadway musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Of course, many may also know him from his more family-friendly films such as the Cheaper by the Dozen series, the Father of the Bride series or as the latest incarnation of Inspector Clouseau in the remake of The Pink Panther. He's won numerous awards for comedy and writing, has an extensive art collection, which explains his fascination with Picasso. So, basically, the real question is "Is it really THAT Steve Martin that wrote it?", to which the answer is, "YES. It's THAT Steve Martin!"

Q: How intimidating is it to play such a famous historic figure as Einstein?

A: As this question suggests, I'm playing Albert Einstein at age 25 in the show. The play bends time a little and posits on what could have happened if Einstein and Picasso had met while they were around the same age and both on the verge of producing what were arguably their master works. It's tough playing someone that actually existed because you want to get the little things right. You want to have the accent. You want to have the eccentricity. You want to have the costume and mannerisms down. At the same time, you have to make it your own. We're not playing caricatures here. These are real people, for the most part, even though some of the comedy is absurd. Luckily, with real people, there's a lot of history and information about them, so it makes knowing who you are and what you're doing a bit easier. I just hope I do a passable job. Einstein is one of my heroes, and always has been. It's a great honor and challenge to bring him to life on stage.

Q: Why would you urge people to come out and see this show?

A: This is a quick night of GREAT theatre (the show only runs about an hour and twenty minutes with no intermission). It's a wonderful show, and we've collected some fantastic talent. Everyone in the show is great and we've all worked very hard to bring this to life. As I said, it's not often you get to see something around here that isn't a musical (not counting Marshall's productions, obviously), and this is a great precursor so what 2008 will bring for the Tri-State. It's a very smart show that will not only make you think, reflect, and talk about it long after, but it will also make you laugh out loud. What more could you ask for?

Q: What are the dates and times and place for the show?

A: The show runs this weekend: Friday, Nov. 30 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2 at 8:00 p.m. at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the old Camelot Theater downtown in Huntington). Tickets are $8.00.

And that Sunday evening performance even gives the good folks performing in Fifth Ave.'s A Christmas Carol a chance to see it, and I hope they do!

As a final note, Jon has put together a wonderful show, with a superb cast. This isn't a show you want to miss! See you there!!

Strike Ends On Broadway

Good news to those planning to visit New York over the holidays - the strike is over and things should be back to normal starting today! Here's the story from the Associated Press:

Shows to Resume on Broadway; Strike Ends

By MICHAEL KUCHWARA
AP Drama Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Curtain up. Broadway raced to reopen for business Thursday after stagehands and theater producers reached a tentative agreement, ending a crippling strike that kept more than two dozen shows dark for 19 days.

The settlement came Wednesday night, the third day of marathon sessions between Local 1 and the League of American Theatres and Producers to end the lengthy work stoppage that has cost producers and the city millions of dollars.

Most plays and musicals that were shut during the walkout, which began Nov. 10, were expected to be up and running Thursday evening.

"The contract is a good compromise that serves our industry," said Charlotte St. Martin, the league's executive director. "What is most important is that Broadway's lights will once again shine brightly, with a diversity of productions that will delight all theatergoers during this holiday time."

Union President James J. Claffey Jr. was equally effusive in signing off on the agreement, saying, "The people of Broadway are looking forward to returning to work, giving the theatergoing public the joy of Broadway, the greatest entertainment in the world."

Details of the five-year contract, which must be approved by the union membership, were not disclosed.

But negotiations, which began last summer, were difficult, right up to the last day, as both sides struggled with what apparently was the final hang-up: the issue of wages. It concerned how much to pay stagehands in return for a reduction in what the producers say were onerous work rules that required them to hire more stagehands than are needed.

Until then, the talks had focused on how many stagehands are required to open a Broadway show and keep it running. That means moving scenery, lights, sound systems and props into the theater; installing the set and making sure it works; and keeping everything functioning well for the life of the production.

The strike couldn't have happened at a worse time for Broadway. Such popular shows as Wicked, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia! and The Lion King were shut during the lucrative Thanksgiving holiday week. It's normally one of the best times of the year for Broadway when the city is filled with tourists and Christmas shoppers.

Financial losses were staggering. But it wasn't just producers and stagehands who were hurt. Actors, musicians and even press agents lost paychecks, too. And theater-related businesses also suffered.

City Comptroller William Thompson estimated the economic impact of the strike at $2 million a day, based on survey data that include theatergoers' total spending on tickets, dining and shopping. The league put the damage even higher.

Eight shows remained open during the strike (their theaters had separate contracts with Local 1), and they were joined by a ninth when Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! got a court order to let it reopen.

The end of the walkout means a scramble for new opening nights for several shows that were in previews when the strike hit. They include Aaron Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention, August: Osage County from Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company and an adaptation of a long-lost Mark Twain comedy, Is He Dead?

Disney's The Little Mermaid already has announced it would push back its scheduled Dec. 6 opening—with a new date still to be set.

"We are so excited," said Tituss Burgess, who portrays Sebastian the crab in the lavish musical. The actor said he hadn't anticipated the strike would last as long as it did.

"We hope everyone's satisfied ... the atmosphere around our stage door was: We tried to remain positive," Burgess added. "We're just happy to be going back to work."

Alecia Parker, executive producer of Chicago, said tickets to the musical's Thursday reopening would be sold at the box office at a discounted $26.50 and that she wasn't worried theatergoers might not come back to Broadway.

"I think people have been very disappointed to have Broadway dark," Parker said. "I think we'll see an outpouring of support from the community."

Parker said rehearsals were planned Thursday to get the cast back up to speed, but she anticipated few problems. "You can imagine the adrenaline for coming back after 19 days," she said.

Broadway's last strike occurred in 2003 when musicians staged a four- day walkout. The musicians also struck in 1975, shutting musicals but not plays for 25 days.

___

Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz and Dino Hazell contributed to this report.

"Scrooge" Speaks Out

OK, we've heard from the director, so now let's hear from the star of A Christmas Carol: The Musical, which runs this weekend and the next at Huntington's City Hall auditorium. My pal Clint McElroy has starred in a number of local productions, and now that lovable scamp is tackling the role of one of the all-time nastiest stage characters - Scrooge! So let's hear from Clint:

Q: Why did you decide to tackle Fifth Avenue's A Christmas Carol: the Musical?

A: I blame Mr. Magoo. Ever since I saw Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol when I was a kid in the '60s, I've wanted to play the part. It is such an amazing tale of redemption and grace through love... who can resist that?

Q: This isn't your first time being part of this play - what other roles have you tackled?

A: I played Marley when the show was done by First Stage Theatre Company... (12 feet of real, honest-to-goodness chains wrapped around me... THAT was fun), and in the recent Marshall University production I was the ghost of Christmas Present... (in a green fur robe and wreath on my head... I think it's how Liberace always envisioned Santa Claus).

Q: You're a naturally cheerful guy - how much fun is it to play the ultimate grouch, Scrooge?

A: I am having a ball. I'm not used to doing a show where all the little kids are frightened of me. It's a bit unnerving... but I do get first crack at the snack table.

Q: Why is Christmas Carol such an enduring classic?

A: EVERYBODY feels like Scrooge at some point. Maybe you don't say "Humbug!" Maybe you say: "I don't WANT to go to the carol singing at church." Or "Do we HAVE to go to Aunt Bonnie's this year?" Or "I'm not getting him a gift because he took my parking place." It isn't really your nature, but sometimes the holidays can just wear you down to a nub. Scrooge's story tells us that "It's never too late to change"

Q: Why would you urge people to come out and see this show?

A: The music is remarkable. The cast is one of the best ever put together for this region. Mary Smirl has such a wonderful director's vision for this show. Every age will be captivated by it. And the message is so important. AND, there are dancing candies.

Q: What are the dates and times for the show?

A: November 30, December First, Seventh and Eighth at 8pm.... Sunday matinees December 2nd and 9th at 2:30pm.

Talking About "Picasso..."

For our next interview, we hear from Jonathan Joy, a multi-talented writer, actor and director who's tackling the comic play Picasso at the Lapin Agile this weekend at the Jeslyn Theater in Huntington.

Q: For those who haven't heard of it, tell us about Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

A: The play takes place in a bar (the Lapin Agile) in Paris in 1904. It is a comedy/fantasy revolving around a meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein just years before their work changed the century. Bar patrons add even more humor to the fast paced show, each throwing in their own comedic viewpoints about life, love and work. The play is written by Steve Martin, who many people know from his film work and his days on Saturday Night Live.

Q: Why did you decide to tackle "Picasso?"

A: I've been a big fan of Steve Martin since I was a kid. This play is witty and well written. It's one of my favorite contemporary comedies. And the characters are so much fun. I thought it would give us an opportunity to showcase a nice ensemble of actors. I had the opportunity to perform in this play seven years ago and I had a great time. It's one of those plays that I think I could do over and over again.

Q: What actors are appearing in the play?

A: We have an awesome cast. Mike Murdock plays Einstein at age 25 and Travis McElroy play a young Pablo Picasso. I play a 62-year-old barfly named Gaston and Dwight Slappe plays Freddy, the bartender. Others include Melissa Langham as Freddy's girlfriend, Germaine, Michael Sullivan as idiot inventor Charles Dabernow Schmendiman, Karah Markins as Suzanne, Mark Cohn as Picasso's art dealer, Josh Jannotta as a time traveling visitor from the 1950's and Jen McComas and Cabrina Pierson. And on the technical end of the show, my wife, Rissie Joy, has designed the set, posters and program.

Q: You're putting on the play at the Jeslyn Theater (the old Camelot Theater in downtown Huntington). Does it lend itself to this kind of production?

A: It's a perfect space for this play. We have a large stage at our disposal and comfortable seats for the audience. This is our second play in just over five months at the Jeslyn and I'm looking forward to many more. I grew up in this area and I saw many movies at the Camelot in my youth. It's nice to see it getting a second life as a performing arts center. That's great for the community.

Q: Why would you urge people to come out and see this show?

A: It's very funny. We have a great cast performing a wonderfully written script. The audience is going to have a lot of fun. And $8.00 is a bargain for an evening of live theatre.

Q: What are the dates and times for the show?

A: We have 3 performances. We open this Friday, November 30 and continue our run Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2 at 8:00 p.m. each night. Tickets will be available each night at 7:30pm when the doors open.

Who's the Fairest...?

Once again my pal Stephen Vance has my back. Huntington High School's theatre class is putting on a show this weekend, and luckily Stephen sent this information and jogged my memory. He wrote:

Huntington High is opening Snow White this week for a limited run. This version is a one act children's show based on the familiar fairy tale. This production is the first semester project for HHS's theatre classes.

The show is directed by Helen Freeman, and features both new and old faces.

Snow White is played by newcomer Hilary Cornell. While the Prince is played by High School Musical's own Elliott Imlay.

The Seven Dwarves are played by Hailey Bellomy, Sarah Clark, Sara Wolfe, Alli Knight, Deidra Blackburn, Josh Adkins and Sable Blevins. Sable won best supporting actress in the state last year and Deidra won an all state actor award as well.

There are two school shows this week. Public performances will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $5 and students are $3.

This is a great show for children especially under for those under the age of 12.

ADDED: You can find more information in this article in Tuesday's edition of the Herald-Dispatch.

Talking About "Christmas Carol"

As promised, here's our interview with Mary Smirl, the director of 5th Avenue Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol: The Musical, which starts this Friday at Huntington's City Hall auditorium.

Q: Why did you decide to tackle Fifth Avenue's A Christmas Carol: the Musical?

A: I directed A Christmas Carol for 5th Ave. Theatre last year and had such an amazing experience that when they asked me to do it again I had no choice but to accept.

Q: The cast is a bit different this year - how does that change things?

A: This year's cast is different but the same if you will. It is as if we took all the folks from last year and rotated them around a bit, adding a new actor here and there. Last year's Bob Crachit is this year's Ghost of Present, our last year's Ghost of Present is this year's Marley, and our last year's Marley is this year's Bob Crachit! We have last year's Mr.Fezziwig playing Scrooge and last year's Mrs. Crachit playing Mrs. Fezziwig, so you can see much of the cast is seasoned and familiar with the show. I wanted one thing only and that was with a new actor - Clint McElroy - playing Scrooge, we would have different ghosts play off of him, I felt this was very important for the whole dynamic. We do have some new faces this year bringing the excitement of a first time run to the production as we help make the local talent pool of experienced actors expand. I would say that every one of them is bitten by the bug and we both know that is a good thing. We have the multi-talented Lara Donahoe returning as our vocal director but we could not have gotten this far without the help of Ron Short and Eddie Harbet to get us started.

Q: You've done choreography for lots of shows, but for this one you have someone else teaching it - is that difficult for you?

A: The dance in this show is amazing, it moves all over the place all the time, thanks to our new Choreographer Miss Tiff McCullagh. As a choreographer myself I thought it would be tough to let go of the dance, this music is so much fun that it is hard not to want to jump in and begin creating! I have found that, to my surprise, as much as I love to dance and create dance, I absolutely adore the directing aspect of the process. It is a real treat as well as an education for me to see how the music motivates another's perception of the dance. Tiff teaches at my studio and we are very much in sync, she is the only other choreographer I know that uses tiny "post its" onstage when teaching, she is a very good instructor and a beautiful dancer as well.

Q: Why is "Christmas Carol" such an enduring classic?

A: I feel very blessed to be able to direct a retelling of this classic story of love and redemption. My first time to help direct a Children's Theatre show was this very story, with my dear friend Jim Stone playing Scrooge, it was then, and is still a real treasure. This story reminds us all to dig down deep and find our ability to be tolerant and find compassion for others. The most beautiful song in the show and the number that will brings tears to the eyes of the "scroogiest of scrooges" has a string of little angels coming down the center isle with candles singing "Let The Stars In The Sky, Remind Us Of Man's Compassion, let us love till we die and GOD BLESS US EVERYONE, till each child is fed, till each man is free".... I can't think of a better message for a better time than this.

Q: Why would you urge people to come out and see this show?

A: I urge everyone to come out and see this show, it is filled with love and laughter and the cast will pull you in as they walk all over the fourth wall shaking hands and singing as they go. You will laugh, you will cry and you will be filled with The Christmas Spirit as you go on the journey with Scrooge while he learns the lesson we all need to embrace, time is short, make the most of every precious moment!

Q: What are the dates and times for the show?

A: We open on the 30th of November and have shows on the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, and 9th, with a school show on the 6th. Sunday shows start at 2:00 p.m., evening show at 7:30 p.m. One last thing, this year we have a new Pre-Show, with 35 little ones from around the area singing and dancing to your delight! The show is directed by new comers, Wendy Goodenough, Amy Coughenhour, and Sara Dick. COME SEE US!!!!!

Building The Set

In the last post I talked about taking down the set, and it occurs to me that I haven't spent enough time talking about the difficult task of putting together a set.

In a community theatre show, just about everything you see on the stage (not including the actors or the actual theatre) is part of the set - and believe me, it doesn't just spring into existence. Groups like First Stage Theatre or Huntington Outdoor Theatre (and a few other local groups) usually don't have access to a stage until the week of the show, so the set must be built elsewhere, and then transported to the stage and assembled there.

At First Stage, we're lucky enough to have Jack Welch, a board member who oversees the construction of the set. It's a huge undertaking, and takes up a lot of time - but you couldn't ask for a better (or nicer) guy to tackle the job.

In general, it works like this (at least on the last couple of shows I've directed): before the show begins rehearsal, I sit down with Jack and we talk over ideas for the set. Since each show is different, each set requires a different design. We sketch out the basic concept, kick around ideas, and then Jack turns those doodles into actual designs.

Some shows actually arrive with the set already designed - but with most, it's up to the directing team to cook up a design that will work on the stage space you have available.

Then the real fun begins. Jack works with our parent volunteers and cast members as they construct the various pieces that makes up the set. For example, for High School Musical, they built and painted the flats that, when assembled, formed a 45-foot-long wall at the back of the stage. They painted a backdrop (the same size, only taller) that towered above the back wall. They built three movable flats that had lockers on one side and painted backdrops on the other. They built a booth for the radio announcer, a science table - well, you get the idea. It's a lot of work.

None of that would happen without someone like Jack taking the lead and keeping the troops organized and moving in the right direction. It's a huge job, but Jack tackles it with great enthusiasm and energy. He's part taskmaster, part big brother, and all workhorse!

That's why I'm always thrilled to have him on the team - every theatre group needs a Jack Welch (but hands off, you lot - he's ours)!

One Week Later...

It's hard to believe that we wrapped up the First Stage Theatre production of High School Musical a week ago! It takes up to 12 weeks to prepare a community theatre show, and it becomes so much a part of your life, there's always some decompression required after it's all done.

After the show ended last Sunday we immediately struck the set (in a "strike," you take the set apart, load it onto the truck(s) and take it back to your storage facility). However, this strike was a bit different, because about half the set didn't go back to our facility. Everyone at Wayne High School was a big help to us in our production, and they're planning to stage HSM in February, so to thank them for their help we offered to let them use our set.

So they brought a truck to our last show and carted away a significant portion of the set, which we'll get back after they're done early next year. It's one of the things I love about community theatre - the way each group is willing to offer a helping hand!

We're all in this together, you know!

Coming Up Next Week

Since two community theatre shows open next weekend, we'll offer up a preview of both performances next week by running interviews with the directors (and others) who are involved.

So there, you have something to look forward to! In the meantime, enjoy your holiday weekend!

Cue the Grinch!

Despite the strike on Broadway, at least one show is back on the stage. Here's the story from the Associated Press:

Curtain Goes Up for Broadway's 'Grinch'

By MICHAEL KUCHWARA
AP Drama Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - The Grinch—not to mention all those singing and dancing Whos—came back to Broadway Friday, two weeks after the musical about Dr. Seuss' celebrated green meanie was shut down because of the stagehands strike.

When actor Patrick Page, dressed in his furry chartreuse costume, slunk on stage at the St. James Theatre, the crowd erupted in cheers. It was the first performance of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! since Nov. 9, the musical's opening night.

The walkout by Local 1, the stagehands union, the following day shut down more than two dozens plays and musicals.

Said producer James Sanna just before the 11:00 a.m. performance (the first of four on Friday) began: "This may be the first time in Broadway history a producer has made a curtain speech on two consecutive performances. The first one was a traditional one on our opening night and now 14 days later on our reopening. ... We have faced lots and lots of obstacles and we are very happy to be back. But if there ever was a show and a company that deserves to be back, it is ours. I am very proud and humbled the way the whole company rallied around us on this."

Theatergoers milled in front of the theater, working their way through reporters and TV crews to get into the theater. Meanwhile, across the street at the dark Majestic Theatre (which houses The Phantom of the Opera) pickets from Local 1 quietly walked in a circle.

Vendors hawked $20 souvenir programs (which includes a "Grinch" knapsack) as audiences streamed into the theater.

Mark Cleveland, his wife Karla, and their two sons, 10-year-old Adam and 8-year-old Connor, had come from the Netherlands Antilles to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then maybe some shows. They were leaving for Los Angeles immediately after seeing "Grinch."

"The weather doesn't look very nice, and there are no other shows to see, so we are going to Disneyland," Karla Cleveland explained.

Proud father, Sam Micalizzi of Brooklyn, was also out front. His 13-year-old daughter Marina, is in "Grinch," playing Scallop Who. He had brought along Marina's 10-year-old sister, Gianna, as well as the girls' aunt, Carol Davis of San Diego, to see the musical.

"We think `Grinch' is an important show" Davis said. "It has a really good message."

The reopening of the $6 million production was ordered Wednesday by state Supreme Court Justice Helen Freedman, saying: "I think one Grinch in town is enough."

Her ruling came a day after she heard arguments from producers of the show and Jujamcyn Theaters, which owns the St. James. Producers, citing a special contract between the show and Jujamcyn, wanted the show to go on.

The judge said her decision was based on a provision of the theater lease, adding that she believed the production company would be irreparably harmed if the show wasn't permitted to resume its run.

"Grinch" is on a limited holiday run through Jan. 6. It had 15 performances scheduled for Thanksgiving week, one of Broadway's most lucrative times of the year.

The dispute between Local 1 and the League of American Theatres and Producers has closed 26 other Broadway productions.

Stagehands—who include scenery and prop handlers, carpenters, electricians and lighting and sound technicians—have been working without a contract since the end of July. The labor dispute is focused on how many workers are required to open a Broadway show and keep it running.

Eight other shows, whose theaters have separate contracts with the league, remain unaffected by the walkout: Pygmalion, The Ritz, Mauritius, Cymbeline, Young Frankenstein, Mary Poppins, Xanadu and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. All off- Broadway productions are open, too.

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You

There are a couple of great shows starting next weekend in Huntington:

Just in time for the holiday season, 5th Avenue Theatre will present A Christmas Carol: The Musical for two weekends - Nov. 30 and Dec. 1,2,7,8 and 9. The shows will be presented at the Huntington City Hall auditorium.

Also running next weekend (Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and 2) is Jonathan Joy's production of Picasso At The Lapin Agile, a hilarious play written by Steve Martin. It'll be presented at the Jeslyn Theater (the former Camelot Theater) in downtown Huntington.

Thanks All Around

Happy Thanksgiving, gentle readers!

I have a lot to be thankful for, including a wonderful family, great friends, good health and a terrific job.

I’m also grateful for my recent experience as the director of High School Musical - it was a tremendous success for the First Stage Theatre Company, it was (I hope) a great experience for the young people involved, and it gave First Stage a chance to give back to the community by offering its support to the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.



As a holiday treat I’m going to take you backstage. Just before the last show on Sunday, I continued a tradition that I’m going to share with you - a talk with the cast about all the people who deserve recognition for their work to create the show. Working on a show is a true team effort, and it only works if everyone does their part.

So here’s what I said to them:

High School Musical has been an incredible experience! You’ve made new friends and performed before some amazing crowds - Wednesday’s school show was the most energetic and fanatical audience I’ve ever seen.

There are lots of people to thank, like:

- Your family, friends and loved ones who supported you being part of this show.

- everyone at the Marshall Artists Series and the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center for their kindness and hard work in allowing us to perform in this great facility.

- the union crew of Local 369 of the International Alliance of Theatrical & Stage Employees who ran the rails and lights for us...

- Jeff Riley and his crew for an amazing job of managing the mics and sound.

- your tech crew, they’ve done an incredible job behind the scenes, moving sets, managing props and special effects - Zach Davis, Daniel Phillips, Jessica Handloser, Joseph Enders, Emily Goetz, Christopher Crawford, Claire Boyles, Lindsey Cremeans and Mary Frances Wilkes. - they make the on-stage performers look good, and you should thank them for it.



- even our talented leads couldn’t do this show without everyone in the cast doing their job and pulling their weight... so congratulations to:

- the Skaters - Troy Nicely, Sarah Clark, Marissa Clayton, Chloe Donahoe, Brooke Estep, Chloe Herrold and Ashlee Matthews;

- the Thespians - Alissa Fetherolf, Morgan Jacobson, Sydney Pay, Sarah Wolfe, Clark Lewis, Mary Kate Young, Courtney Cremeans, Emily Davis and Amy Klim;

- the Brainiacs - Maggie Saunders, Jacob Smith, Todd Childers, Sophia Berhie, Rachel Enders, Ashley Johnson, Alisa McGrony, Christa Navy and Ashlee Simkins;

- the Cheerleaders - Allison Bartram, Hailey Bellamy, Grayon Collins, Allison Harker, Angel Harrison, Morgan Raines and Meg Riley;

- and the Jocks - Eric Newfeld, Caleb Donahoe, Garrett Gaunch, Avery Kitchen and T.J. Thompson for a job well done!



- a special thanks to the adults in the cast - there are actually five - including Ryan Riegel; our Mascot, Zach Davis, who keeps going despite illness and having to wear the fur suit; and of course, our faculty - Bill Bartlett, who stepped in late in the game and saved my hide - and my pal Debbie Wolfe, who keeps reminding me that I told her that Ms. Darbus was only in a scene or two - hey, I miscounted! I’ll talk more about "Ms. Tenney" in a minute...

I’ve been so impressed with this cast! We’ve seen great work from everyone... but I want to shine the light for a moment on three guys who’ve gone beyond the call of duty, both in their part and helping out in many other ways... namely Jacob Smith, Morgan Jacobson and Caleb Donahoe.

I always enjoy seeing the natural cast leaders emerge - the ones who lead by example, by hard work and by their dedication. I’m talking about Alissa Fetherolf, Maggie Saunders, Hailey Bellamy, Eric Newfeld and Mary Kate Young.

Now I want to talk about our leads. For Drew Sowards and Hannah Boyles, this is their first show, but you’d never know it. They’ve both done a fantastic job rocking the house, and I’m so proud of both of them.

You’ve all been lucky enough to see an acting clinic put on during rehearsals, and Jordan Sager and Josh Meredith have demonstrated what it is to get the maximum impact out of your role. It’s been a blast to watch you guys at work!



Last but not least, the stars of the show - Elliott Imlay and Angela Pino. You know, everyone who tries out for a show wants the lead roles, but they usually don’t realize how difficult those roles can be. The leads shoulder much of the responsibility for the show. Troy and Gabriella are the heart of the show - so much of whether or not the show works depends on the two of them being sympathetic, believable, convincingly in love with each other - not to mention great singers and dancers. You two were perfect in the roles, and I am so proud of the great work you’ve both done.

Now we want to take a moment to recognize the Seniors in our show - we have two seniors this time around. That means this might be their last time on stage as a member of First Stage. So let’s get Daniel Phillips up here! He’s my hero - he’s all over this stage, moving set pieces, managing slo-motion effects - all while maintaining the coolest hair of any guy in the show! (Daniel has his hair spiked up high in the air.)

Our other senior is a First Stage veteran. Jordan Sager has played dozens of roles, including a cowgirl in “Schoolhouse Rock”... she got “killed” on stage in her last two shows - Les Miz and Cats... and she’s had another star turn here as Sharpay. But all that aside, she’s always impressed me with her dedication, her hard work and her sheer talent. You won’t find a cast member more dedicated to making the show better... so let’s hear it for our seniors!



OK, now we need to talk about the first ones in line to make this show happen - your directing team - like our marketing director, Justin Minsker; our tech director, Schotch Donahoe; our costume director, Jeanette Bills; our Stage Manager, Ashleigh Bills, who has done an incredible job running all the tech elements that make up this show; our set contruction director, who’s responsible for this amazing set you’re performing on, Jack Welch; and our Producer, who not only coordinated a million details that made this all possible, but she also took on a stage role (Ms. Tenney) to help make the show happen! Let’s hear it for our producer, Jeanette Rowsey!

You can’t have a musical without the music, so let’s hear it for the master of the keyboard... the sultan of song... our musical maestro... you know him, you love him.. give it up for Mr. Mark Smith!

And finally, my usual line about Amy Browning is that she’s like a Swiss Army Knife, in that she can handle a hundred different jobs without batting an eye, whether it’s teaching dance steps, fixing hair backstage, finding props that no one else can dig up, tweaking performances., adjusting costumes, mediating misunderstandings... heck, I’ve seen her sweeping up the auditorium between shows. She’s absolutely been dedicated to making this show the best it can be.. and she’s dedicated to making it a great experience for you all. Every show has its stars and its supporting cast, and when it comes to this show, Mark and Amy are your directing stars!

As for me, this is the eighth show I’ve directed, and each show is special in its own way - but given the size of the job... the size of the stage... and the fantastic job you’ve all done... I have to say that I don’t think I could be more proud of a cast than I am of this one. This is one of the best shows First Stage has ever done, and that’s because of your hard work and dedication, and it’s been an honor to be part of your show.

For almost a year this show has been in the works... and it comes down to this. So get your energy up... focus on where you have to be and when to get there... and most of all... have fun!

Saturday’s show was awesome - the best yet! You’ve got five outstanding shows behind you... you’ve been working on this for almost three months now... you have one more chance to bust up the joint! (and they did, too - in the best possible sense.)

GO WILDCATS!

A Rave Review

Over at her Stay Tuned blog, my pal Angela Henderson just posted an awesome review of the First Stage production of High School Musical!

You can read her review right here - and many thanks, Angela, for the kind words. Speaking for the cast, crew and directors, it makes all that hard work worthwhile!

(By the way, since she's such a big fan of the character, here's a photo of Josh Meredith, playing the part of Sharpay's brother Ryan).

"Legally Blonde" and Strike Update

Legally Blonde is one of the shows that has shut down because of the strike by the Stagehands on Broadway, but according to this story, you have another chance to see the televised version. As I mentioned in this entry, the show is loaded with tons of energy, several terrific songs, some amazing feats of staging and a really talented cast. Recommended!

MTV will broadcast the final two airings of the show on Thursday, November 22 at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., complete with sing-a-long lyrics on the bottom of the screen!

Embellishing TV musicals with subtitles and pop-ups is back in style, as you can see in this entry by my pal Angela Henderson at her excellent Stay Tuned blog. Looks like High School Musical 1 & 2 are getting the pop-up treatment.

The strike has shut down quite a few shows, but the ones that continue are doing quite well, including Mary Poppins and Xanadu. You can read more about that right here.