William Shakespeare’s classic tale of star-struck lovers takes to the musical stage with Scarpelli and Kehde’s acclaimed musical drama Romeo & Juliet.I've heard great things about this show - highly recommended!
Loved by audiences of all ages, this 1-hour 45-minute musical drama based on the Shakespeare tragedy captures the idealistic spirit of young lovers torn by the hatred of their families. The progeny of the Montague and Capulet clans fight for their chance at happiness against the background of warring families, as they sample the forbidden love that eventually marks their fate.
A large cast of teenagers and adults brings the fable to life, featuring the talents of Austin Thomas and Micah Atkinson in the title roles, with Phil Fisher, Craig Auge, Donnie Smith, Kirill Gura, Maddy Gourevitch, Melanie Larch, Suzanna Tucker, Michelle Spencer, Austin Susman, Michael Harris, Jim Balow and a large chorus.
Set in Renaissance Italy, the production features a 10-piece orchestra, large sets, and opulent costumes and lighting.
Curtain rises at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday, March 27, and Thursday, April 1 through Saturday, April 3, with a special 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, March 28.
It will be presented at the WVSU Capitol Center at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are available at the door a half-hour prior to every performance.
Tickets are $9.50 for adults, $5.50 for students and seniors (65 plus).
For further information call the WVSU Capitol Center box office at 304-342-6522 during regular business hours.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
This Weekend - "Romeo & Juliet"
This weekend in Charleston you can catch an original musical version of a classic tale.
On Stage Tonight - "Snoopy! The Musical"
Taking the stage tonight in Huntington is Snoopy!!! The Musical, which is part of the event known as Peanutsapalooza!
The show is being presented by First Stage Theatre Company, and stars the characters from the classic Peanuts comic strip.
It will be performed tonight and Saturday at the Huntington City Hall auditorium at 8 p.m.
Admission is $12; $10 for kids 12 and under.
It's a fun show, with great songs and lots of heart - it's highly recommended for all ages!
It's the last two performances, so don't miss it!
The show is being presented by First Stage Theatre Company, and stars the characters from the classic Peanuts comic strip.
It will be performed tonight and Saturday at the Huntington City Hall auditorium at 8 p.m.
Admission is $12; $10 for kids 12 and under.
It's a fun show, with great songs and lots of heart - it's highly recommended for all ages!
It's the last two performances, so don't miss it!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
More Comments from the "Peanuts" Cast
Back again with more comments from some of the cast members of the two Peanuts-based shows taking the stage Thursday night for the final weekend run of shows.
Those shows are You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which runs Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., and Snoopy!!! The Musical, which runs Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m. The shows are at the Huntington City Hall auditorium.
Now, on with the e-interview!
Q: Is it difficult to rehearse two shows at once?
Kristin Caviani: Yes! One minute we'd be rehearsing one show and the next another! At times it was very confusing.
Sarah Bryan: I don't find it that difficult, except that when I first get to rehearsal, I sometimes don't know which play that we're going to do. But overall, it's not difficult, but fun and a good challenge.
Nathaniel Fornash: Yes, it is hard to rehearse two shows but it pays off in the end.
Taranee Karimpour: No, not really, but it takes a lot of time and patience.
Catherine Dennison: At first I would say yes. It is very difficult to learn both shows but it is worth it in the end.
Meg Barber: It is very different to do two shows. It's double the work, but double the fun. It's cool to see how the characters relate to each other from each show, and how they change from each script.
Levi Kelley: Sometimes it definitely was a challenge. I know because we aren't running the same show as always, it took me a lot longer to get comfortable in running the show off-book, where as it doesn't usually take that long for me.
Rileigh Smirl: Yes, I will have to say it is hard doing two shows at once. Doing two shows at once means late nights, more costumes, more dancing, more props, more singing and most important of all more people!
Q: Why would you tell other kids they should take part in theatre?
Sarah Bryan: First, the people are awesome. People say theatre is dramatic, but, talking from experience, you find your best friends in theatre. Also, instead of just taking dance or being in a choir, it's a mixture of a lot of things. Also, it's a real challenge. You always find more of yourself from each show, because at the beginning, you'll say, "I could never do this." But by the end, you wondered how you ever didn't know how to do it.
Nathaniel Fornash: I feel other kids should take place in theatre and I've had a positive attitude.
Taranee Karimpour: I would tell people that you get to have fun and talk with friends, all while actually working. But you can also be yourself without being laughed at or thought weird by others. Also, if you like dancing, singing or acting, this is the place to be!
Catherine Dennison: Everything about a show is fun. The people are probably some of the best, they understand you and are friends that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Also, the joy of acting, singing, and dancing all mixed into one is a great plus.
Kristin Caviani: You learn confidence, respect, how to work well with big and little groups of people, how to be independent, memorization skills, new friends, and have a really really great time with fabulous people.
Meg Barber: I think kids should do theater because you meet so many wonderful people. Also because it is not like any other sport, and it's very unique.
Levi Kelley: Well, I'd say the friends you make out of it is the most important thing. Like for instance, Meg Riley, who plays my little sister Sally Brown in the show, she goes to school with me, and I'd never even met the girl before this show! And now we're practically inseparable! But the applause is also well worth it. To me it's just the sort of "tip of the hat" for working so hard and putting so much into this show.
Rileigh Smirl: Take part in theatre to meet new friends, hearing some great jokes and in my case seeing some pretty cool magic tricks backstage. I have been in 16 shows - every one of them special to me. I have done some pretty crazy things in theatre - from falling down some steps a few times to wearing some pretty crazy costumes. So yes, theatre is challenging but in the end when you take that final bow it's every ounce as rewarding!
Q: Last question: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?
Sarah Bryan: I would recommend this show to them because firstly they're both really funny shows. Also, the songs are really upbeat and fun. The actors are great, and it's just so much fun to watch and be in both of them.
Taranee Karimpour: Because it is hilarious! You can watch a bunch of little children (and a dog and bird) go on adventures and be goofy, and much, much more.
Catherine Dennison: Because it is a classic and it is so funny your stomach will hurt when you leave!
Meg Barber: They are great show with wonderful themes. We try to make the audience feel like they're a part of the show, and it's fun for all ages.
Levi Kelley: It's adorable. If you love the Peanuts gang, you'll love this. It captures the spirit of the comics and TV specials and puts these characters you grew up watching right on the stage in front of you! And to me that's just magical.
Rileigh Smirl: I would recommend the show because it is both entertaining, dramatic, colorful and funny and fit for kids of all ages (including 50 and up). This show is a true ride for adults, seniors and kids!
Kristin Caviani: Obviously, I'm a tad biased. However, I really love both shows. I think that the shows portray different sides of characters. In You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Chuck is seen as his awkward low-self -esteemed self and Snoopy is a very humorous surface character, just like you see in the comic strip. As a contrast, in Snoopy!!! The Musical, Charlie Brown is portrayed as just Snoopy's owner and Snoopy has more depth to his character, you see his background, his thoughts and his feelings. The leads in both shows are doing a magnificent job! My woodstock, Rileigh, does some adorable things - she's always jumping around with cute little props. All in all, both shows are extremely adorable and I wholeheartedly recommend every reader come to both shows. They are cute, funny, and a really nice way to spend the evening with your family and friends.
Thanks again to the cast for their time - remember, this is the last weekend for these great shows - check 'em out!
Those shows are You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which runs Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., and Snoopy!!! The Musical, which runs Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m. The shows are at the Huntington City Hall auditorium.
Now, on with the e-interview!
Q: Is it difficult to rehearse two shows at once?
Kristin Caviani: Yes! One minute we'd be rehearsing one show and the next another! At times it was very confusing.
Sarah Bryan: I don't find it that difficult, except that when I first get to rehearsal, I sometimes don't know which play that we're going to do. But overall, it's not difficult, but fun and a good challenge.
Nathaniel Fornash: Yes, it is hard to rehearse two shows but it pays off in the end.
Taranee Karimpour: No, not really, but it takes a lot of time and patience.
Catherine Dennison: At first I would say yes. It is very difficult to learn both shows but it is worth it in the end.
Meg Barber: It is very different to do two shows. It's double the work, but double the fun. It's cool to see how the characters relate to each other from each show, and how they change from each script.
Levi Kelley: Sometimes it definitely was a challenge. I know because we aren't running the same show as always, it took me a lot longer to get comfortable in running the show off-book, where as it doesn't usually take that long for me.
Rileigh Smirl: Yes, I will have to say it is hard doing two shows at once. Doing two shows at once means late nights, more costumes, more dancing, more props, more singing and most important of all more people!
Q: Why would you tell other kids they should take part in theatre?
Sarah Bryan: First, the people are awesome. People say theatre is dramatic, but, talking from experience, you find your best friends in theatre. Also, instead of just taking dance or being in a choir, it's a mixture of a lot of things. Also, it's a real challenge. You always find more of yourself from each show, because at the beginning, you'll say, "I could never do this." But by the end, you wondered how you ever didn't know how to do it.
Nathaniel Fornash: I feel other kids should take place in theatre and I've had a positive attitude.
Taranee Karimpour: I would tell people that you get to have fun and talk with friends, all while actually working. But you can also be yourself without being laughed at or thought weird by others. Also, if you like dancing, singing or acting, this is the place to be!
Catherine Dennison: Everything about a show is fun. The people are probably some of the best, they understand you and are friends that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Also, the joy of acting, singing, and dancing all mixed into one is a great plus.
Kristin Caviani: You learn confidence, respect, how to work well with big and little groups of people, how to be independent, memorization skills, new friends, and have a really really great time with fabulous people.
Meg Barber: I think kids should do theater because you meet so many wonderful people. Also because it is not like any other sport, and it's very unique.
Levi Kelley: Well, I'd say the friends you make out of it is the most important thing. Like for instance, Meg Riley, who plays my little sister Sally Brown in the show, she goes to school with me, and I'd never even met the girl before this show! And now we're practically inseparable! But the applause is also well worth it. To me it's just the sort of "tip of the hat" for working so hard and putting so much into this show.
Rileigh Smirl: Take part in theatre to meet new friends, hearing some great jokes and in my case seeing some pretty cool magic tricks backstage. I have been in 16 shows - every one of them special to me. I have done some pretty crazy things in theatre - from falling down some steps a few times to wearing some pretty crazy costumes. So yes, theatre is challenging but in the end when you take that final bow it's every ounce as rewarding!
Q: Last question: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?
Sarah Bryan: I would recommend this show to them because firstly they're both really funny shows. Also, the songs are really upbeat and fun. The actors are great, and it's just so much fun to watch and be in both of them.
Taranee Karimpour: Because it is hilarious! You can watch a bunch of little children (and a dog and bird) go on adventures and be goofy, and much, much more.
Catherine Dennison: Because it is a classic and it is so funny your stomach will hurt when you leave!
Meg Barber: They are great show with wonderful themes. We try to make the audience feel like they're a part of the show, and it's fun for all ages.
Levi Kelley: It's adorable. If you love the Peanuts gang, you'll love this. It captures the spirit of the comics and TV specials and puts these characters you grew up watching right on the stage in front of you! And to me that's just magical.
Rileigh Smirl: I would recommend the show because it is both entertaining, dramatic, colorful and funny and fit for kids of all ages (including 50 and up). This show is a true ride for adults, seniors and kids!
Kristin Caviani: Obviously, I'm a tad biased. However, I really love both shows. I think that the shows portray different sides of characters. In You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Chuck is seen as his awkward low-self -esteemed self and Snoopy is a very humorous surface character, just like you see in the comic strip. As a contrast, in Snoopy!!! The Musical, Charlie Brown is portrayed as just Snoopy's owner and Snoopy has more depth to his character, you see his background, his thoughts and his feelings. The leads in both shows are doing a magnificent job! My woodstock, Rileigh, does some adorable things - she's always jumping around with cute little props. All in all, both shows are extremely adorable and I wholeheartedly recommend every reader come to both shows. They are cute, funny, and a really nice way to spend the evening with your family and friends.
Thanks again to the cast for their time - remember, this is the last weekend for these great shows - check 'em out!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Comments from the "Peanuts" Cast
So for the next couple of days we'll be running excerpts from e-interviews with some of the talented young cast members from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Snoopy!!! The Musical.
Both those shows take the stage at the Huntington City Hall auditorium Thursday night at 8 p.m., and both are highly recommended!
Here's what the cast had to say:
Q: Tell us about the parts you play.
Meg Barber: I play Lucy in Snoopy!!! The Musical, and it is so much fun. She is a crabby and bossy character, and is very interesting to play. Were alike in a lot of ways.
Kristin Caviani: I am Snoopy in Snoopy!!! The Musical. Snoopy's a very confident character that confides in his best buddy Woodstock.
Rileigh Smirl: I play Woodstock (in Snoopy!!! The Musical) and he is kind of like Snoopy's #1 fan. He never says a word, always pantomimes and even if it's crazy, Woodstock will go along with what Snoopy is saying. Woodstock uses many props in the show so instead of clapping with hands he will clap with one of those toy hands and most of the time instead of saying something he will act it out.
Levi Kelly: I play Charlie Brown in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. He's probably the most depressed little kid you'll ever meet in your life. He has all these things 'wrong' with him, and the rest of the Peanuts gang doesn't seem to let him forget it either.
Catherine Dennison: I play a baseball player, a cloud, a blanket and a normal person. When I play a baseball player I am a part of the actual team on stage. Me, as well as the "Charlie Brown" cast leads and three others are members of the classic baseball scene. When I am a cloud we get to act out the formations Snoopy sings about. As a blanket we are dancing blankets for "My Blanket and Me" and it is a blast! We are part of the cast numbers that show all of our unique talents very well.
Taranee Karimpour: I play a bunch of parts, like the Little Pigtailed Girl, who is a little kid who takes part in the Peanuts adventure, a puppy (in one part, little Snoopy), and a bird.
Q: What's your favorite part about being in this show?
Taranee Karimpour: I love every single thing about it - the music, the movement, but most especially, the people (who are THE BEST!)
Catherine Dennison: My favorite part is when we are all warmed up and we feel the energy and our friends around us and sing our hearts out and it sounds amazing!
Kristin Caviani: My favorite part about any show is the people you meet and every night when the curtain opens. It's such a rush! I have made life-long friends that I know I will never forget thanks to theater and I am eternally grateful. I have seen kids grow up, and people have seen me grow up too! We're all just like a family.
Meg Barber: My favorite part about doing this show, is getting to be with these amazing people. Clint and Tommy are so fun to work with, and have great ideas when it comes to acting. Mary is just so talented, and I am honored to work with her, and Chris and Karen are so great, and we had a lot of fun when we were learning the music.
Levi Kelley: Working with such wonderful and talented people. I love my fellow castmates and wouldn't trade them for anyone in the world. I think we've all really become a close group of friends like the Peanuts gang. We all love each other and really depend on each other.
Rileigh Smirl: My favorite part would have to be getting to be Kristin Caviani's Woodstock! She is like a sister to me. She will help me with cues and props, saying, "Here's a list of numbers in order from Act One to Act Two" to "Clint, Rileigh needs two extra minutes to find her prop."
Thanks to the cast for taking part in our e-interview! We'll have more comments soon!
Both those shows take the stage at the Huntington City Hall auditorium Thursday night at 8 p.m., and both are highly recommended!
Here's what the cast had to say:
Q: Tell us about the parts you play.
Meg Barber: I play Lucy in Snoopy!!! The Musical, and it is so much fun. She is a crabby and bossy character, and is very interesting to play. Were alike in a lot of ways.
Kristin Caviani: I am Snoopy in Snoopy!!! The Musical. Snoopy's a very confident character that confides in his best buddy Woodstock.
Rileigh Smirl: I play Woodstock (in Snoopy!!! The Musical) and he is kind of like Snoopy's #1 fan. He never says a word, always pantomimes and even if it's crazy, Woodstock will go along with what Snoopy is saying. Woodstock uses many props in the show so instead of clapping with hands he will clap with one of those toy hands and most of the time instead of saying something he will act it out.
Levi Kelly: I play Charlie Brown in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. He's probably the most depressed little kid you'll ever meet in your life. He has all these things 'wrong' with him, and the rest of the Peanuts gang doesn't seem to let him forget it either.
Catherine Dennison: I play a baseball player, a cloud, a blanket and a normal person. When I play a baseball player I am a part of the actual team on stage. Me, as well as the "Charlie Brown" cast leads and three others are members of the classic baseball scene. When I am a cloud we get to act out the formations Snoopy sings about. As a blanket we are dancing blankets for "My Blanket and Me" and it is a blast! We are part of the cast numbers that show all of our unique talents very well.
Taranee Karimpour: I play a bunch of parts, like the Little Pigtailed Girl, who is a little kid who takes part in the Peanuts adventure, a puppy (in one part, little Snoopy), and a bird.
Q: What's your favorite part about being in this show?
Taranee Karimpour: I love every single thing about it - the music, the movement, but most especially, the people (who are THE BEST!)
Catherine Dennison: My favorite part is when we are all warmed up and we feel the energy and our friends around us and sing our hearts out and it sounds amazing!
Kristin Caviani: My favorite part about any show is the people you meet and every night when the curtain opens. It's such a rush! I have made life-long friends that I know I will never forget thanks to theater and I am eternally grateful. I have seen kids grow up, and people have seen me grow up too! We're all just like a family.
Meg Barber: My favorite part about doing this show, is getting to be with these amazing people. Clint and Tommy are so fun to work with, and have great ideas when it comes to acting. Mary is just so talented, and I am honored to work with her, and Chris and Karen are so great, and we had a lot of fun when we were learning the music.
Levi Kelley: Working with such wonderful and talented people. I love my fellow castmates and wouldn't trade them for anyone in the world. I think we've all really become a close group of friends like the Peanuts gang. We all love each other and really depend on each other.
Rileigh Smirl: My favorite part would have to be getting to be Kristin Caviani's Woodstock! She is like a sister to me. She will help me with cues and props, saying, "Here's a list of numbers in order from Act One to Act Two" to "Clint, Rileigh needs two extra minutes to find her prop."
Thanks to the cast for taking part in our e-interview! We'll have more comments soon!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Celebrating 20 Years of Children's Theatre in Huntington
In 1990, Huntington's first children's theatre was formed. It went by the name MAG-CT (for Musical Arts Guild - Children's Theatre, since the group was created as an offshoot of the adult organization).
The first show that group presented was You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Ten years later, the children's theatre became an independent organization (with the blessing of MAG) and took a new name - First Stage Theatre Company.
To celebrate 10 years of children's theatre, the group presented "Charlie Brown" again in 2000. Here we are, 10 years later, and once again First Stage is presenting that Peanuts classic, along with its sequel, Snoopy!!! The Musical.
Next weekend (Thursday through Sunday) are your last chances to catch those shows (they alternate days, with "Snoopy" on Thursday and Saturday, and "Charlie Brown" on Friday and Sunday).
To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, First Stage is inviting any and all alumni to Friday's performance of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. That includes all the young people who took part in a First Stage or MAG-CT performance over the past 20 years! Wear a "show shirt" from any of those shows and your ticket is only $10. During Intermission the alumni will be recognized, and the winner of the Leslie McElroy Memorial Scholarship will be presented.
You'll also get to see a great show, and you'll see that the future is bright for theatre in Huntington!
The first show that group presented was You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Ten years later, the children's theatre became an independent organization (with the blessing of MAG) and took a new name - First Stage Theatre Company.
To celebrate 10 years of children's theatre, the group presented "Charlie Brown" again in 2000. Here we are, 10 years later, and once again First Stage is presenting that Peanuts classic, along with its sequel, Snoopy!!! The Musical.Next weekend (Thursday through Sunday) are your last chances to catch those shows (they alternate days, with "Snoopy" on Thursday and Saturday, and "Charlie Brown" on Friday and Sunday).
To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, First Stage is inviting any and all alumni to Friday's performance of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. That includes all the young people who took part in a First Stage or MAG-CT performance over the past 20 years! Wear a "show shirt" from any of those shows and your ticket is only $10. During Intermission the alumni will be recognized, and the winner of the Leslie McElroy Memorial Scholarship will be presented.
You'll also get to see a great show, and you'll see that the future is bright for theatre in Huntington!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
On Stage This Afternoon - "Snoopy!!! The Musical"
Saturday night I saw the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and loved it! I laughed, I cheered and I got choked up at the end (The song "Happiness" always gets me.) I'll have a more detailed review soon.
And that's only half of the event known as Peanutsapalooza!
Taking the stage this afternoon in Huntington is the sequel to "Charlie Brown" - Snoopy!!! The Musical. It wraps up the first of two weekends of Peanutsapalooza!
The show is being presented by First Stage Theatre Company, and stars the characters from the classic Peanuts comic strip.
It will be performed today at the Huntington City Hall auditorium at 2:30 p.m.
Admission is $12; $10 for kids 12 and under.
It's a great show, and highly recommended for all ages!
Over the next couple of days I'll be running some interviews with members of the cast, so keep an eye out for that!
And that's only half of the event known as Peanutsapalooza!
Taking the stage this afternoon in Huntington is the sequel to "Charlie Brown" - Snoopy!!! The Musical. It wraps up the first of two weekends of Peanutsapalooza!The show is being presented by First Stage Theatre Company, and stars the characters from the classic Peanuts comic strip.
It will be performed today at the Huntington City Hall auditorium at 2:30 p.m.
Admission is $12; $10 for kids 12 and under.
It's a great show, and highly recommended for all ages!
Over the next couple of days I'll be running some interviews with members of the cast, so keep an eye out for that!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
On Stage Tonight - "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
On stage tonight is the original Peanuts musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!
The show is part of the Peanutsapalooza event that's being staged by First Stage Theatre Company at the Huntington City Hall auditorium.
The show will be performed at tonight at 8 p.m. Admission is $12 and $10 for kids 12 and under.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown was the first show the children's theatre staged 20 years ago. It was last presented 10 years ago, and it's great fun for all ages!
The show features classic characters created by Charles Schulz, including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder and Sally. The songs are great, the jokes are hilarious and the show is a lot of fun!
Check it out and support your community theatre at the same time!
The show is part of the Peanutsapalooza event that's being staged by First Stage Theatre Company at the Huntington City Hall auditorium.
The show will be performed at tonight at 8 p.m. Admission is $12 and $10 for kids 12 and under.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown was the first show the children's theatre staged 20 years ago. It was last presented 10 years ago, and it's great fun for all ages!The show features classic characters created by Charles Schulz, including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder and Sally. The songs are great, the jokes are hilarious and the show is a lot of fun!
Check it out and support your community theatre at the same time!
Friday, March 19, 2010
On Stage Tonight - "Snoopy! The Musical"
Taking the stage tonight in Huntington is the musical, Snoopy, which is part of the two week event known as Peanutsapalooza!
The show is being presented by First Stage Theatre Company, and stars the characters from the classic Peanuts comic strip.
It will be performed tonight at the Huntington City Hall auditorium at 8 p.m. and again Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Admission is $12; $10 for kids 12 and under.
It's a great show, and highly recommended for all ages!
Over the next couple of days I'll be running some interviews with members of the cast, so keep an eye out for that!
The show is being presented by First Stage Theatre Company, and stars the characters from the classic Peanuts comic strip.
It will be performed tonight at the Huntington City Hall auditorium at 8 p.m. and again Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Admission is $12; $10 for kids 12 and under.
It's a great show, and highly recommended for all ages!
Over the next couple of days I'll be running some interviews with members of the cast, so keep an eye out for that!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
On Stage Tonight - "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
My pal Dave Lavender turns in an outstanding story about Peanutsapalooza, which hits the stage tonight at 8 p.m. at the Huntington City Hall auditorium.
You can read the story right here:
You can read the story right here:
Charlie Brown is like the Halley's Comet of kid's theater in Huntington.
Like clockwork, every 10 years, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Peppermint Patty and friends magically peel themselves from the pages of the Sunday comics to come alive on stage thanks to First Stage Theatre Company.
This weekend, First Stage, which picked the playful musical, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, as its first show 20 years ago, and as its 10th anniversary show in 2000, is reviving that show as well as its sequel, Snoopy, for the next two weekends at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium at Huntington City Hall.You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18; 8 p.m. Saturday, March 20; 8 p.m. Friday, March 26; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 28.
The musical, Snoopy, will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, March 19; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 21; 8 p.m. Thursday, March 25; and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 27.
Admission is $12; $10 for kids 12 and under.
Clint McElroy, who is directing both shows, said the historic undertaking of putting up two Peanuts musicals at one time has been dubbed Peanutsapalooza.
"The set is beautiful and it looks like they just stepped inside a Peanuts strip, and the characters and the songs are a blast," McElroy said. 'It sounds corny to say but the whole family really will enjoy this because there's stuff for kids and adults. With two shows the way we've structured it with two weeks going you can see one show this weekend and one completely different show next weekend."
While they at times felt like they were putting the 'nuts' in Peanuts when snowstorms and Monday's power outage canceled needed rehearsals, McElroy said they all felt like the musicals based on the iconic comic by the late, great Charles Schulz embodies the fun-loving spirit and hard work of the non-profit children's theater.While the Peanuts characters are kids, they often talk about more grown-up situations, a ground-breaking fact that has accounted somewhat for the longevity of the strip that is still in syndication years after Schulz passed away.
"I think Peanuts was the first comic strip that kind of put adult words in little kids' mouths and adult attitudes," McElroy said. "Not completely but when a 5-year-old is talking about neurosis and everything else, well, that is very funny and Charles Schulz laid the ground work for a lot of strips that followed -- Calvin and Hobbes and a lot of other strips. You look at his strips and sometimes they aren't really jokes per se, just funny observations and observational humor has really been a trend among strand-comics and people over the past few years too."
McElroy said they couldn't do this without First Stage's team of dedicated parents and volunteers such as the two show producers, Rebecca Melton Craig and Tracy Meadows, the shows' choreographer, Mary Smirl and musical director, Chris Bowling.
First Stage came up with the idea about a year ago. The production team has been working on it for about six months, and rehearsals started on Jan. 4, with the lead characters in one show taking ensemble roles in the other play.
"It has been hard just from a logistics standpoint getting all the rehearsals organized and all the things lined up," McElroy said, "What has surprised me is how little trouble they've had in remembering the material and picking up the material. The kids in the show are phenomenal."Spring Valley High School sophomore Levi Kelley, who has been in shows since 2004, plays the lead role in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Other actors in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, include: Lucy Van Pelt, Hannah Stevenson; Linus Van Pelt, Justin Hesson; Sally Brown, Meg Riley; Schroeder, Elijah Boyles; Snoopy, Kate Colclough; Woodstock, Rebecca Craig.
Kelley said one of the toughest things about the role is continually reminded himself that he is supposed to be a little kid.
The rehearsals must be working though, maybe too well.
"I am actually saying 'Good Grief' in my actual life," Kelley said laughing. "We're all a little like Charlie Brown in a way so it's not hard to conjure up Chuck."
Huntington High School sophomore Kristin Caviani plays the lead role of Snoopy in Snoopy.
Other featured actors in that show include: Charlie Brown, played by Chad Arthur; Lucy Van Pelt, Meg Barber; Linus Van Pelt, Samuel Collins; Sally Brown, Leslie Collins; Peppermint Patty, Elizabeth Schmitz; and Woodstock, Rileigh Smirl.
Interestingly Smirl, who is only 9, played Woodstock five years ago in a production in Ashland that also starred her mom and dad Tommy and Mary Smirl.
Mary Smirl said these shows are a lot of fun to choreograph since the Peanuts gang is a group of awkward little kids.
"These kids don't move like kids," said Mary Smirl, laughing about ordering the kids to YouTube Peanuts to get a better idea as to how to move like these iconic characters. "The movements are kind of restrictive and choppy and close to the body and kind of over exaggerated."
Blessed with an energetic ensemble of two dozen kids, the musicals bring a lot of energy to the stage.
"The show is just a lot of fun," said Caviani, "I think my favorite part is the big numbers that make it a lot of fun and that really make it lively."
Those big numbers may be a lot of fun, but musical director Chris Bowling said it is not the easiest music to tackle.
"Both of these are beautiful shows," Bowling said. "Snoopy was written in the 1970s and reflects the times stylistically, the newer version of Charlie Brown has a lot more choral music and everything from good classics like 'Moonlight Serenade' to full on gospel and jazz so there is a broad selection of genres."
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
ARTS Announces Its Upcoming Season
My pal Bil Neal sends along this note announcing the upcoming season for ARTS - and it's a great one!
The shows will be presented at the Renaissance Theater (which is the old Huntington High School, natch). He writes:
The shows will be presented at the Renaissance Theater (which is the old Huntington High School, natch). He writes:
As the Chairman of the Production Committee it's my pleasure to announce the following plays:
Baby (the musical) will be performed in the ballroom August 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 with Eddie Harbert directing. Details will follow soon, but this is a continuation of our dinner theatre presentations. It's a story of three couples at three different stages of life and their reactions to having a baby. A little poignancy, a little hilarity.
Will Roger's Follies will be on the main stage October 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24. I couldn't find where it's been done in the area before - and we're proud to produce it. This is a combination of Will Roger's life and stories along with the showmanship of the Zeigfeld Follies. We'll be looking for showgirls, cowboys and a guy who's never met a man he didn't like. Proficiency with rope tricks will move you to the front of the audition line.
Finally, I'm delighted to announce that ARTS is one of the first community theatres in the country to be given the rights to produce The Drowsy Chaperone. We'll be mounting that on the main stage April 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 in 2011.
There's obviously a lot of details to follow, but I wanted your readers to be the first to know. You may also have noticed that I'm only announcing one project's director. We're certainly open. Anyone interested in such a project can call me at ARTS at 304-733-2787
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
On Stage This Week - "Peanutsapalooza!"
Taking the stage this week are two shows running under the umbrella title Peanutsapalooza!
First Stage Theatre Company and director Clint McElroy have tackled the Herculean task of presenting the original (and incredibly popular) Broadway musical based on the Peanuts comic strip, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown on alternating days with the musical sequel to that show, Snoopy! The Musical.
Both shows will be presented at the Huntington City Hall auditorium over the next two weekends.
It's part of First Stage's 20th anniversary celebration. You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown was the first show staged by the children's theatre, and it was presented again 10 years ago by First Stage.
To be honest, I didn't care for the show when I saw it staged on television in the '60s with adults playing the characters. But seeing young people in the musical really brings it to life - and now it's one of my all-time favorite shows. Go figure!
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown will alternate nights with Snoopy! The Musical (see the schedule below). The show has two terrific casts, they're funny and loaded with great songs - a real treat for all ages!
I admit to being prejudiced, but I give this one my highest recommendation! Here are the show times:
First Stage Theatre Company and director Clint McElroy have tackled the Herculean task of presenting the original (and incredibly popular) Broadway musical based on the Peanuts comic strip, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown on alternating days with the musical sequel to that show, Snoopy! The Musical.
Both shows will be presented at the Huntington City Hall auditorium over the next two weekends.
It's part of First Stage's 20th anniversary celebration. You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown was the first show staged by the children's theatre, and it was presented again 10 years ago by First Stage.To be honest, I didn't care for the show when I saw it staged on television in the '60s with adults playing the characters. But seeing young people in the musical really brings it to life - and now it's one of my all-time favorite shows. Go figure!
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown will alternate nights with Snoopy! The Musical (see the schedule below). The show has two terrific casts, they're funny and loaded with great songs - a real treat for all ages!
I admit to being prejudiced, but I give this one my highest recommendation! Here are the show times:
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWNPrices are $12 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under First Stage Ticket Hotline (304) 416-KIDS (5437).
Thursday March 18, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday March 20, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
Friday March 26, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday March 28, 2010 - 2:30 p.m.
SNOOPY! THE MUSICAL
Friday March 19 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday March 21, 2010 - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday March 25, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday March 27, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
Monday, March 15, 2010
More About the "Rhythm in Red" Victory
I tracked down some more information on this story about Cabell Midland High School's big win this weekend.
The Rhythm in Red Show Choir won the "Grand Championship" at the West Virginia Music Educators Association State Show Choir Competition March 13 in Charleston.
In addition to the overall championship, Rhythm in Red captured the championship in Class "A" (large schools), and was the only choir to be awarded a "superior" rating by the judges. Rhythm in Red also swept the group categories, capturing additional awards for "Best Choral Sound," "Best Choreography," "Best Show Concept" and "Best Instrumental Ensemble."
Freshman Christa Navy was also named "Best Overall Female Soloist" for the competition.
Wes Urian was named Rhythm in Red's "Best Performer."
Poca was awarded "First Runner-Up," followed by Martinsburg, Hurricane and Nitro.
I also wanted to pass along this comment from an observer: "It's a huge accomplishment, and for CMHS to break into the stranglehold that Hurricane and Poca has had on the championship is amazing."
Congrats again to Rhythm in Red!
The Rhythm in Red Show Choir won the "Grand Championship" at the West Virginia Music Educators Association State Show Choir Competition March 13 in Charleston.
In addition to the overall championship, Rhythm in Red captured the championship in Class "A" (large schools), and was the only choir to be awarded a "superior" rating by the judges. Rhythm in Red also swept the group categories, capturing additional awards for "Best Choral Sound," "Best Choreography," "Best Show Concept" and "Best Instrumental Ensemble."
Freshman Christa Navy was also named "Best Overall Female Soloist" for the competition.
Wes Urian was named Rhythm in Red's "Best Performer."
Poca was awarded "First Runner-Up," followed by Martinsburg, Hurricane and Nitro.
I also wanted to pass along this comment from an observer: "It's a huge accomplishment, and for CMHS to break into the stranglehold that Hurricane and Poca has had on the championship is amazing."
Congrats again to Rhythm in Red!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
News and Notes
-- I had fun this afternoon helping with the load-in of the set for Peanutsapalooza (well, "helping" is too strong a word - I just drove the truck from the storage building to the theater).
The show, which includes productions of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Snoopy!!! The Musical on alternate days, takes the stage next Thursday night at Huntington's City Hall auditorium. It's going to be a great one (and the set is awesome) - don't miss it!
-- Coming up this week is another great production from the Marshall Artists Series. You can read about it right here:
In addition to the grand championship, Cabell Midland won for best choreography, best vocals, best instrumental ensemble, best show design and best female vocalist.
Student Wes Urian also was named best performer.
Poca, Martinsburg, Hurricane and Nitro high schools rounded out the first through fourth runners-up.
The show, which includes productions of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Snoopy!!! The Musical on alternate days, takes the stage next Thursday night at Huntington's City Hall auditorium. It's going to be a great one (and the set is awesome) - don't miss it!
-- Coming up this week is another great production from the Marshall Artists Series. You can read about it right here:
Often described as the world's greatest opera, Mozart's Don Giovanni encapsulates all of that boiling passion, playing, humor and even an accidental murder in the night.-- And congratulations to the Cabell Midland Show Choir for their big victory this weekend, as Rhythm in Red was named the grand champion of Class A at the West Virginia Music Educators Association State Show Choir competition, held March 13, in Charleston.
The true-life antics of Don Juan play out live onstage at 8 p.m. Monday, March 15, at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are $55, $50 and $45. To order tickets, call 304-696-6656 or order online at www.ticketmaster.com. They also can be purchased at the Marshall Artists Series box office located in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.
Presented by the Marshall Artists Series, Don Giovanni will be performed in original Italian with supertitles (translations projected on a screen) by the Mozart Festival Opera, one of the most successful opera touring companies touring today.
In addition to the grand championship, Cabell Midland won for best choreography, best vocals, best instrumental ensemble, best show design and best female vocalist.
Student Wes Urian also was named best performer.
Poca, Martinsburg, Hurricane and Nitro high schools rounded out the first through fourth runners-up.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
On Stage This Weekend - Connecticut Yankee
There's only one show on stage this weekend, but it's based on a classic tale of knights and a little Yankee ingenuity.
Connecticut Yankee, The Musical is being presented by the Children’s Theatre of Charleston and is based on the story by Mark Twain.
It takes the audience on a tuneful journey to Camelot. Experience the thrilling days of King Arthur, and the Knights and Ladies of the Round Table with Hank Morgan, a modern-day teenager from Hartford, Connecticut who is knocked out where working on his school’s stage crew. Finding himself in medieval England, he is quickly hailed as a great wizard.
The show will be presented at the Charleston Civic Center - Little Theatre today at 7 p.m. and today and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Connecticut Yankee, The Musical is being presented by the Children’s Theatre of Charleston and is based on the story by Mark Twain.
It takes the audience on a tuneful journey to Camelot. Experience the thrilling days of King Arthur, and the Knights and Ladies of the Round Table with Hank Morgan, a modern-day teenager from Hartford, Connecticut who is knocked out where working on his school’s stage crew. Finding himself in medieval England, he is quickly hailed as a great wizard.
The show will be presented at the Charleston Civic Center - Little Theatre today at 7 p.m. and today and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Still Time To Apply For Leslie McElroy Memorial Scolarship
There's still time for students to apply for the Leslie McElroy Memorial Scholarship - a $1000 award from First Stage Theatre Company.
Here's what you need to know:
Here's what you need to know:
The deadline is near to apply for the First Stage Theatre Company Leslie McElroy Memorial Scholarship.
First Stage sponsors the scholarship to honor the memory of Leslie McElroy, who was a great supporter of community theatre as a producer, actor and board member of First Stage.
A $1000 scholarship is available to entering freshmen or current full-time students who are studying dramatic or performing arts at a college, university or certified school of the performing arts.
Entries must be received by Monday, March 15, 2010.
Applicants must have been involved with at least one First Stage Theatre Company show, either on-stage (as a performer) or off-stage (as a member of the tech crew).
Applicants must send: a list of the shows they’ve been in; a list of school-related extra-curricular activities; a list of civic or public service activities; a copy of an official school document showing the individual's most recent grade-point average; identification of the college the individual is attending or will attend; and a brief statement (250 words or less) on why the applicant is interested in studying dramatic or performing arts and detailing the applicant's financial need for the award.
Applications should be sent to First Stage Scholarships, c/o C.E. Wilson, 6421 Rt. 60 East, Barboursville, WV 25504. For more information, call 304-736-4366.
Complete application information and forms are available at www.firststagetheatre.org.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Marshall Benefit Concert Thursday Night
A reminder of this special event at Marshall University Thursday night!
It's a special fundraiser for students in Marshall’s Department of Theatre. Several performers will take the stage March 11 at 8 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.
Cabaret 2010 will be staged to raise funds to send Marshall theatre students to auditions and special events, including the Southeastern Theatre Conference.
More than a dozen students will present an evening of Broadway songs, acting, and dancing. The event is free to the public, but donations are welcome (and encouraged).
Bruce Rous, adjunct professor, is assisting the students and Tawny Burdine will be playing keyboard.
For those who cannot attend the event, checks can be made payable to the MU Theatre Guild (memo- CABARET) can be sent to: MU Dept of Theatre, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, W.Va. 25755.
Here's the rundown of performances that will be part of the show:
MU THEATRE GUILD CABARET 2010
I Will Be Me – Mary Kate Young, Nathan Mohebbi, Josh Meredith
Old Fashioned Love Story – Liz Pollack
Tonight at Eight – Christian Whitt
If I Told You – Mary Kate Young, Scott Burner
Play The Game – Ethan Treutle
Climbing Uphill – Liz Pollack
A Fine, Fine Line - Caitlin Haught
Breathe Me – Mary Kate Young, Chelsea Sanders, Rachel Stefursky, Scott Burner, Nathan Mohebbi, Josh Meredith
Party Dress - Erika Rose Lawson
I Am Aldolfo – Jeremy Plyburn, Liz Pollack
Blue Hair – Rachel Kenaston
I’m Alive – Josh Meredith
Come To Your Senses – Mary Kate Young
For Good – Caitlin Haught, Cristin Haught
Run Away With Me – Scott Burner
For Now – Full Company
It's a great lineup and an excellent cause, so show your support and see the show!
It's a special fundraiser for students in Marshall’s Department of Theatre. Several performers will take the stage March 11 at 8 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.
Cabaret 2010 will be staged to raise funds to send Marshall theatre students to auditions and special events, including the Southeastern Theatre Conference.
More than a dozen students will present an evening of Broadway songs, acting, and dancing. The event is free to the public, but donations are welcome (and encouraged).
Bruce Rous, adjunct professor, is assisting the students and Tawny Burdine will be playing keyboard.
For those who cannot attend the event, checks can be made payable to the MU Theatre Guild (memo- CABARET) can be sent to: MU Dept of Theatre, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, W.Va. 25755.
Here's the rundown of performances that will be part of the show:
MU THEATRE GUILD CABARET 2010
I Will Be Me – Mary Kate Young, Nathan Mohebbi, Josh Meredith
Old Fashioned Love Story – Liz Pollack
Tonight at Eight – Christian Whitt
If I Told You – Mary Kate Young, Scott Burner
Play The Game – Ethan Treutle
Climbing Uphill – Liz Pollack
A Fine, Fine Line - Caitlin Haught
Breathe Me – Mary Kate Young, Chelsea Sanders, Rachel Stefursky, Scott Burner, Nathan Mohebbi, Josh Meredith
Party Dress - Erika Rose Lawson
I Am Aldolfo – Jeremy Plyburn, Liz Pollack
Blue Hair – Rachel Kenaston
I’m Alive – Josh Meredith
Come To Your Senses – Mary Kate Young
For Good – Caitlin Haught, Cristin Haught
Run Away With Me – Scott Burner
For Now – Full Company
It's a great lineup and an excellent cause, so show your support and see the show!
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
A Few Notes
Just a few observations:
- I stopped by Peanutsapalooza rehearsals the other night at Huntington's City Hall auditorium and was impressed by the talent of the young actors. Mark your calendars for that show, which starts next week. It's going to be terrific!
- Speaking of which, I saw my pal Len LaCara yesterday, who was in town for a community theatre exchange. He loaned First Stage Theatre the "Lucy" dress worn by his amazingly talented daughter, Laura, when You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown was staged 10 years ago. In return, First Stage loaned him the bathtub we built for our production of Seussical the Musical, which was staged in 2003. His wonderful wife Denise needed it for her upcoming production of Seussical, Jr. in Zanesville! Helping each other out - that's what community theatre is all about!
- I spent a couple of hours this evening at rehearsals for Camelot, which 5th Avenue Theatre will be staging in April. So far, it's been a lot of fun! More on that production in the weeks ahead.
And that's all the news I have... for now!
- I stopped by Peanutsapalooza rehearsals the other night at Huntington's City Hall auditorium and was impressed by the talent of the young actors. Mark your calendars for that show, which starts next week. It's going to be terrific!
- Speaking of which, I saw my pal Len LaCara yesterday, who was in town for a community theatre exchange. He loaned First Stage Theatre the "Lucy" dress worn by his amazingly talented daughter, Laura, when You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown was staged 10 years ago. In return, First Stage loaned him the bathtub we built for our production of Seussical the Musical, which was staged in 2003. His wonderful wife Denise needed it for her upcoming production of Seussical, Jr. in Zanesville! Helping each other out - that's what community theatre is all about!
- I spent a couple of hours this evening at rehearsals for Camelot, which 5th Avenue Theatre will be staging in April. So far, it's been a lot of fun! More on that production in the weeks ahead.
And that's all the news I have... for now!
Monday, March 08, 2010
The Winner of This Year's Oscar Competition Is...
Thanks to everyone who entered our Oscar competition this year - it was a small but mighty group! (Perhaps our recent website change temporarily shook off some of our regulars.)
At any rate, here are the results for our runners-up:
Zach : 3 of 8
Stephen : 5 of 8
Jon : 6 of 8
And our winner - none other than my pal Mark Hayes, with a stunning 8 of 8! An amazing performance, worthy of bragging rights for the year!
Like yours truly, Mark usually winds up in the lower levels of this competition, so congrats to him for a perfect run!
Of course, I should mention that I, too, went 8 for 8 this year (incredible, I know) - but I can't win my own competition (I just audit the course), so hats off to Mark, our 2010 Oscar Contest Winner! The bragging rights are all yours!
At any rate, here are the results for our runners-up:
Zach : 3 of 8
Stephen : 5 of 8
Jon : 6 of 8
And our winner - none other than my pal Mark Hayes, with a stunning 8 of 8! An amazing performance, worthy of bragging rights for the year!
Like yours truly, Mark usually winds up in the lower levels of this competition, so congrats to him for a perfect run!
Of course, I should mention that I, too, went 8 for 8 this year (incredible, I know) - but I can't win my own competition (I just audit the course), so hats off to Mark, our 2010 Oscar Contest Winner! The bragging rights are all yours!
The Oscar Goes to...
Hey, I'll have the results of our Oscar competition shortly (the winner will shock you), but first, here are the winners out in Hollywood:
Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Actor: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
Actress: Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"
Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Directing: Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Foreign Language Film: El Secreto de Sus Ojos, Argentina
Adapted Screenplay: Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker"
Animated Feature Film: Up
Art Direction: Avatar
Cinematography: Avatar
Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker
Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker
Original Score: "Up," Michael Giacchino
Original Song: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from Crazy Heart, Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Costume: The Young Victoria
Documentary Feature: The Cove
Documentary (short subject): Music by Prudence
Film Editing: The Hurt Locker
Makeup: Star Trek
Animated Short Film: Logorama
Live Action Short Film: The New Tenants
Visual Effects: Avatar
Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Actor: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
Actress: Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"
Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Directing: Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Foreign Language Film: El Secreto de Sus Ojos, Argentina
Adapted Screenplay: Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Original Screenplay: Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker"
Animated Feature Film: Up
Art Direction: Avatar
Cinematography: Avatar
Sound Mixing: The Hurt Locker
Sound Editing: The Hurt Locker
Original Score: "Up," Michael Giacchino
Original Song: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from Crazy Heart, Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Costume: The Young Victoria
Documentary Feature: The Cove
Documentary (short subject): Music by Prudence
Film Editing: The Hurt Locker
Makeup: Star Trek
Animated Short Film: Logorama
Live Action Short Film: The New Tenants
Visual Effects: Avatar
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Denise Bows Out
Hey, I just got an email from my pal Denise - sadly, she won't be taking part in this year's competition (I think she just got tired of making me look bad).
She wrote:
She wrote:
Didn't enter your competition. The pressure to succeed was too great. But tell Mark his choices are my choices, so we would've tied.No problem, Denise - everyone deserves an occasional break. And personally, I'd love to see Up win. But that's just me (and it won't, either).
(Though for movies, if I had my druthers, Up in the Air would win - but it won't).
Oscar Night!
A reminder that tonight the Academy Awards are presented, and there's still time to enter our Oscar competition - we're taking entries until the show begins this evening!
Go here for all the details. Remember, the winner only gets bragging rights - but you get 'em for a whole year!
Good luck!
Go here for all the details. Remember, the winner only gets bragging rights - but you get 'em for a whole year!
Good luck!
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Mark's Oscar Choices
My pal Mark sends in his Oscar choices (cutting it close this year, pal)!
He writes:
He writes:
My selections - Hope I best Denise!!
1. Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
2. Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
3. Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
4. Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"
5. Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
6. Directing: Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
7. Animated Feature Film: Up
8. Original Song: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from Crazy Heart - Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Friday, March 05, 2010
Cast List for MU Benefit Performance
My pal Ryan sent in this comment about the March 11 fundraiser for students in the Marshall University Department of Theatre (you can read more about it right here):
Here at your fully operational theatre blog, we aim to please! Here's the list of performances I have (subject to changes and additions, of course):
Highly recommended!
When something like this is announced, I'm always surprised when the performers aren't listed. I'm sure this will be great, and I'm interested in going, but I'd like to know who will be onstage.Some groups do and some don't. Sometimes I remember to post them, and sometimes I forget. You're right, it should always be listed!
This happened with ARTS Valentine's Cabaret last year...With a couple of exceptions, I had no idea who was involved until I showed up to see the show. Sometimes I have found out about casts in a newspaper article the day before the show opens. I think it may help to attract a larger audience and sell tickets earlier if people know in advance who they are going to see.
Your blog does a good job of posting cast lists... Do some groups just not release that info?
Here at your fully operational theatre blog, we aim to please! Here's the list of performances I have (subject to changes and additions, of course):
MU THEATRE GUILD CABARET 2010There's some amazing talent on display there - it should be an awesome show, and for a good cause!
I Will Be Me – Mary Kate Young, Nathan Mohebbi, Josh Meredith
Old Fashioned Love Story – Liz Pollack
Tonight at Eight – Christian Whitt
If I Told You – Mary Kate Young, Scott Burner
Play The Game – Ethan Treutle
Climbing Uphill – Liz Pollack
A Fine, Fine Line - Caitlin Haught
Breathe Me – Mary Kate Young, Chelsea Sanders, Rachel Stefursky, Scott Burner, Nathan Mohebbi, Josh Meredith
Party Dress - Erika Rose Lawson
I am Aldolfo – Jeremy Plyburn, Liz Pollack
Blue Hair – Rachel Kenaston
I’m Alive – Josh Meredith
Come To Your Senses – Mary Kate Young
For Good – Caitlin Haught, Cristin Haught
Run Away With Me – Scott Burner
For Now – Full Company
Highly recommended!
Thursday, March 04, 2010
There's Still Time To Enter Our Mini-Oscar Competition!
Hey, there's still time to enter our Oscar contest! Here's the info:
Here are your choices for 2010:
1. Best Picture:
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air
2. Best Actor:
Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
George Clooney, "Up in the Air"
Colin Firth, "A Single Man"
Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"
Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"
3. Best Actress:
Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan, "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' by Sapphire"
Meryl Streep, "Julie & Julia"
4. Best Supporting Actor:
Matt Damon, "Invictus"
Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"
Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"
Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"
Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"
5. Best Supporting Actress:
Penelope Cruz, "Nine"
Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Crazy Heart"
Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"
Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
6. Directing:
James Cameron, "Avatar"
Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"
Lee Daniels, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air"
7. Animated Feature Film:
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Up
8. Original Song:
"Almost There" from The Princess and the Frog - Randy Newman
"Down in New Orleans" from The Princess and the Frog - Randy Newman
"Loin de Paname" from Paris 36 - Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas
"Take It All" from Nine - Maury Yeston
"The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from Crazy Heart - Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
It's easy to enter - you can send your selections from the list below in as a comment (the link is at the bottom of the post), or email your choices to me at TheMinskers@aol.com. Feel free to add comments after your selection. The deadline for entering is the beginning of the broadcast Sunday, March 7.
I'll post your choices here, and after the Oscars are handed out, we'll name our champion! The only prize is bragging rights, but isn't that glory enough?
Here are your choices for 2010:
1. Best Picture:
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air
2. Best Actor:
Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
George Clooney, "Up in the Air"
Colin Firth, "A Single Man"
Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"
Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"
3. Best Actress:
Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan, "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' by Sapphire"
Meryl Streep, "Julie & Julia"
4. Best Supporting Actor:
Matt Damon, "Invictus"
Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"
Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"
Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"
Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"
5. Best Supporting Actress:
Penelope Cruz, "Nine"
Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "Crazy Heart"
Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"
Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
6. Directing:
James Cameron, "Avatar"
Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"
Lee Daniels, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air"
7. Animated Feature Film:
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Up
8. Original Song:
"Almost There" from The Princess and the Frog - Randy Newman
"Down in New Orleans" from The Princess and the Frog - Randy Newman
"Loin de Paname" from Paris 36 - Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas
"Take It All" from Nine - Maury Yeston
"The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from Crazy Heart - Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Ch-ch-ch-changes! (Yet Almost Everything is the Same)
Holy cow, I pop in here to blog and everything's moved around!
Due to some obscure technical reasons, your Tri-State Theatre blog has moved to a new location (which is to say, a new web address)!
So be sure to save this site in your "Favorites" list so you can continue visiting us! (Here it is in longhand: http://herald-dispatchblogs05.blogspot.com.)
After all, we miss you when you don't stop by and visit!
Due to some obscure technical reasons, your Tri-State Theatre blog has moved to a new location (which is to say, a new web address)!
So be sure to save this site in your "Favorites" list so you can continue visiting us! (Here it is in longhand: http://herald-dispatchblogs05.blogspot.com.)
After all, we miss you when you don't stop by and visit!
Film festival at Marshall
Check out the films this weekend for the Spring International Film Festival at the Keith-Albee.
The festival starts Friday.
The festival starts Friday.
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The Cast List for "The First Day of Summer"
My pal Jonathan Joy sends along the cast list for his upcoming show, The First Day of Summer, which will be presented by First Stage Theatre Company at the Huntington Museum of Art in May.
Meet the actors:
EDIT: Whoops! The character of ABBY will be played by Madylen Hill, not Madylen Smith as originally posted (and now corrected). Sorry about that!
Meet the actors:
CastIt's going to be a great show - I can't wait to see it!
(in order of appearance)
PROLOGUE 1 - Cody Verbage
PROLOGUE 2 - Sarah Bryan
OLDER RON - Eric Newfeld
OLDER LANEY - Cassi Bowen
YOUNGER RON - Jonathan Ross
YOUNGER LANEY - Ayla Edwards
ABBY - Madylen Hill
APRIL ADKINS - Rachel Likens
KYLE - Thomas Armstrong
CARRIE - Elizabeth Schmitz
JULIE BARNETT - Emily Underwood
JENNY BARNETT - Leslie Collins
TRACY - Katie Fulks
MARY - Katlin A. Stricklin
JERRY - Teddy Haddox
JENNY - Delaney Waugh
EDIT: Whoops! The character of ABBY will be played by Madylen Hill, not Madylen Smith as originally posted (and now corrected). Sorry about that!
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Marshall Theatre To Host Fundraiser March 11
Here's an event coming up that was dreamed up by students, put together by students, and starring (who else?) students at Marshall. They're a talented group, and this should be a lot of fun!
Here's the press release:
Here's the press release:
A special fundraiser for students in Marshall University’s Department of Theatre will take the stage March 11, 2010 at 8 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.A great event and a great cause - don't miss it!
Cabaret 2010 will be staged to raise funds to send Marshall theatre students to auditions and special events, including the Southeastern Theatre Conference.
More than a dozen students will present an evening of Broadway songs. acting, and dancing. The event is free to the public, but donations are welcome (and encouraged).
Bruce Rous, adjunct professor, is assisting the students and Tawny Burdine will be playing keyboard.
For those who cannot attend the event, checks can be made payable to the MU Theatre Guild (memo- CABARET) can be sent to: MU Dept of Theatre, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, W.Va. 25755.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
One More Show for March - "Romeo and Juliet"
Argh! It never fails - there's always a show (or two) that I miss when I do my monthly "Here's what's coming up" post.
My pal Mel sends along this reminder of a classic I'd missed:
My pal Mel sends along this reminder of a classic I'd missed:
Romeo and Juliet - Charleston's Contemporary Youth Arts Company presents Dan Kehde and Mark Scarpelli's musical adaptation of Shakespeare's timeless story.Thanks!
Performances are March 25, 26, 27, April 1, 2, and 3rd at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m. All performances will be at the WVSU Capitol Center Theatre in Charleston. Will send you a cast list soon.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Shows for March 2010
There are some awesome shows you’ll want to see coming up this month. Here’s the rundown:
- Annie - Paramount Arts Center - the Broadway touring show visits Ashland tomorrow, March 2 at 7 p.m.
- Peanutsapalooza - Presented by First Stage Theatre Company, it teams up the two classic musicals based on the Peanuts comic strip - You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Snoopy! The Musical. The shows will be presented on alternate nights at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown: March 18, 20, 26 and 28, and Snoopy! The Musical on March 19, 21, 25 and 27.
- Connecticut Yankee, The Musical - Presented by the Children’s Theatre of Charleston, the play is based on the Mark Twain classic. It takes the audience on a tuneful journey to Camelot. Experience the thrilling days of King Arthur, and the Knights and Ladies of the Round Table with Hank Morgan, a modern-day teenager from Hartford, Connecticut who is knocked out where working on his school’s stage crew. Finding himself in Camelot, England, he is quickly hailed as a great wizard. The show will be presented at the Charleston Civic Center - Little Theatre March 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and March 13 and 14 at 2 p.m.
- Mozart's Don Giovanni - Marshall Artist Series presents one of the greatest of all operas. Don Giovanni is based on the true-life escapades of Don Juan of Seville, an aristocratic Lothario who lived during the 1600s. The full-scale production features beautiful sets and costumes and a cast of soloists who are excellent actors as well as first class singers. The opera will be presented March 15 at 8 p.m. at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.
As always, gentle readers, if I've overlooked a show, please let me know. You can send in a comment by clicking on the link below, or you can send us an email at TheMinskers@aol.com.
- Annie - Paramount Arts Center - the Broadway touring show visits Ashland tomorrow, March 2 at 7 p.m.
- Peanutsapalooza - Presented by First Stage Theatre Company, it teams up the two classic musicals based on the Peanuts comic strip - You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Snoopy! The Musical. The shows will be presented on alternate nights at the Huntington City Hall Auditorium. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown: March 18, 20, 26 and 28, and Snoopy! The Musical on March 19, 21, 25 and 27.
- Connecticut Yankee, The Musical - Presented by the Children’s Theatre of Charleston, the play is based on the Mark Twain classic. It takes the audience on a tuneful journey to Camelot. Experience the thrilling days of King Arthur, and the Knights and Ladies of the Round Table with Hank Morgan, a modern-day teenager from Hartford, Connecticut who is knocked out where working on his school’s stage crew. Finding himself in Camelot, England, he is quickly hailed as a great wizard. The show will be presented at the Charleston Civic Center - Little Theatre March 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and March 13 and 14 at 2 p.m.
- Mozart's Don Giovanni - Marshall Artist Series presents one of the greatest of all operas. Don Giovanni is based on the true-life escapades of Don Juan of Seville, an aristocratic Lothario who lived during the 1600s. The full-scale production features beautiful sets and costumes and a cast of soloists who are excellent actors as well as first class singers. The opera will be presented March 15 at 8 p.m. at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.
As always, gentle readers, if I've overlooked a show, please let me know. You can send in a comment by clicking on the link below, or you can send us an email at TheMinskers@aol.com.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Letter to the Editor - Say What?
So this was a letter to the editor in yesterday's paper:
------
Teresa, I appreciate your sentiments - but you're kidding, right?
Huntington is loaded with theatre groups and talent (which is not to say that there isn't room for more groups or more volunteers with each group).
In this city alone we have the Marshall University Department of Theatre, First Stage Theatre Company, the 5th Avenue Theatre Company, ARTS and Huntington Outdoor Theatre (among others). In other words, we have groups presenting plays and musicals of all shapes and sizes, and for all ages!
Those groups produce everything from Broadway blockbusters (Into the Woods, Man of La Mancha, Peter Pan, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and even Cats) to smaller shows (Charlotte's Web, I Love You... You're Perfect... Now Change, A Christmas Carol).
And there are lots of great shows on the horizon - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Camelot, Once Upon a Mattress, Annie and White Christmas, for example.
We're also lucky to have the Marshall Artists series bringing in professional touring shows of Broadway hits, such as Avenue Q and Cats!
Of course, most community theatre groups have little money for advertising, so you have to be on the lookout to know when the shows are being staged. The Herald-Dispatch does a great job covering those shows, and then there's (ahem) the Tri-State Theatre blog, which you can link to from the H-D's home page on the Internet. The blog covers all the newest shows along with assorted theatre news and stuff like that (end of free plug).
And believe me, with the economy struggling, community theatre needs your support - so get out there and see the shows being presented. I'm sure you'll find they live up to the legacy of the first theatre groups in the area.
I share your enthusiasm for local theatre and I agree that it's a terrific tool for learning and growing. Taking part in a play teaches many things - confidence, improved speaking skills, teamwork - and it's a lot of fun, too.
So thanks for being an advocate for community theatre, and spread the word - there's a lot of great work being done in this community right now, and for it to continue, those shows need your support!
Your pal,
Chuck Minsker
Tri-State Theatre blog
Area needs more theater performancesHere's my response to that letter:
My friend Katrina and I saw the touring production of Cats that was part of the Marshall Artists Series. I thought it was fantastic! My friend and I loved it.
It reminded me of when my brother Lynn P. Howard performed in a theater production called Laugh In, Laugh Out in 1969 with co-host actor Mark Withers while both were trying to pursue an acting career and attending the drama school Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, Calif., in the 1960s.
We need more Broadway-style theater like when the Musical Arts Guild put on some of the greatest productions. There also used to be a theater group called Community Players.
I really wish someone or a group of people would work out with the Musical Arts Guild to put on yearly spring Broadway-style musicals again and someone or a group of people would try to revive the Community Players.
Huntington needs two kinds of theater groups again. It helps build acting skills for all ages if anyone wants to try to pursue a theater or movie/TV career locally and then maybe in California or New York.
Thanks again for bringing great theater to Huntington.
Teresa K. Howard
Huntington
------
Teresa, I appreciate your sentiments - but you're kidding, right?
Huntington is loaded with theatre groups and talent (which is not to say that there isn't room for more groups or more volunteers with each group).
In this city alone we have the Marshall University Department of Theatre, First Stage Theatre Company, the 5th Avenue Theatre Company, ARTS and Huntington Outdoor Theatre (among others). In other words, we have groups presenting plays and musicals of all shapes and sizes, and for all ages!
Those groups produce everything from Broadway blockbusters (Into the Woods, Man of La Mancha, Peter Pan, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and even Cats) to smaller shows (Charlotte's Web, I Love You... You're Perfect... Now Change, A Christmas Carol).
And there are lots of great shows on the horizon - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Camelot, Once Upon a Mattress, Annie and White Christmas, for example.
We're also lucky to have the Marshall Artists series bringing in professional touring shows of Broadway hits, such as Avenue Q and Cats!
Of course, most community theatre groups have little money for advertising, so you have to be on the lookout to know when the shows are being staged. The Herald-Dispatch does a great job covering those shows, and then there's (ahem) the Tri-State Theatre blog, which you can link to from the H-D's home page on the Internet. The blog covers all the newest shows along with assorted theatre news and stuff like that (end of free plug).
And believe me, with the economy struggling, community theatre needs your support - so get out there and see the shows being presented. I'm sure you'll find they live up to the legacy of the first theatre groups in the area.
I share your enthusiasm for local theatre and I agree that it's a terrific tool for learning and growing. Taking part in a play teaches many things - confidence, improved speaking skills, teamwork - and it's a lot of fun, too.
So thanks for being an advocate for community theatre, and spread the word - there's a lot of great work being done in this community right now, and for it to continue, those shows need your support!
Your pal,
Chuck Minsker
Tri-State Theatre blog
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Auditions, News and... Weddings!
Several things to talk about today:
- First, congratulations to my pals Autumn Seavey and Matt "Slice" Hicks, who just got married yesterday!
They both graduated from Marshall's Theatre Department and are enjoying great success in the real world in and around Washington, DC (after the wedding ceremony Autumn was back on stage in Rent). They're wonderful people - much happiness to them both!
---------
- I spent the afternoon helping out with auditions for Jonathan Joy's upcoming show, The First Day of Summer, which looks like it's going to be a lot of fun (and a darn good opportunity for young actors).
As always, though, the show needs more guys! (This is true for theatre everywhere and at all ages.) If you're a kid and you want to try out, your last chance is tomorrow (Sunday) from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church.
There are roles available for five to seven boys and five to seven girls. No experience is necessary.
The First Day of Summer is a story of two young people, a boy named Ron and a girl named Laney, who meet at age 12 one year while on summer vacation. The two clash at first, but eventually grow close and begin a lifelong friendship. Four actors portray Ron and Laney at age 12 and at age 18.
---------
- Finally, a couple of reminders: there's still time to enter our "Pick the Osacar Winners" contest - you can read all the details right here (click on the highlighted words, that is).
Also, if you follow Twitter, feel free to follow us at www.twitter.com/ChuckMinsker. I send out Twitters (Tweeties? Whatever.) when I put up new posts on the Tri-State Theatre blog, so you can be the first to get the latest news.
As always, we love getting comments, suggestions and stuff like that. You can comment by clicking the "Post Comments" link below, or you can send us an email at TheMinskers@aol.com.
- First, congratulations to my pals Autumn Seavey and Matt "Slice" Hicks, who just got married yesterday!
They both graduated from Marshall's Theatre Department and are enjoying great success in the real world in and around Washington, DC (after the wedding ceremony Autumn was back on stage in Rent). They're wonderful people - much happiness to them both!
---------
- I spent the afternoon helping out with auditions for Jonathan Joy's upcoming show, The First Day of Summer, which looks like it's going to be a lot of fun (and a darn good opportunity for young actors).
As always, though, the show needs more guys! (This is true for theatre everywhere and at all ages.) If you're a kid and you want to try out, your last chance is tomorrow (Sunday) from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church.
There are roles available for five to seven boys and five to seven girls. No experience is necessary.
The First Day of Summer is a story of two young people, a boy named Ron and a girl named Laney, who meet at age 12 one year while on summer vacation. The two clash at first, but eventually grow close and begin a lifelong friendship. Four actors portray Ron and Laney at age 12 and at age 18.
---------
- Finally, a couple of reminders: there's still time to enter our "Pick the Osacar Winners" contest - you can read all the details right here (click on the highlighted words, that is).
Also, if you follow Twitter, feel free to follow us at www.twitter.com/ChuckMinsker. I send out Twitters (Tweeties? Whatever.) when I put up new posts on the Tri-State Theatre blog, so you can be the first to get the latest news.
As always, we love getting comments, suggestions and stuff like that. You can comment by clicking the "Post Comments" link below, or you can send us an email at TheMinskers@aol.com.
Friday, February 26, 2010
A Review of "Born Yesterday"
My pal Stephen Vance kindly sends along this review of Marshall's production Born Yesterday:
And let me offer a proud salute to Gene Anthony, the MU professor who's retiring. He's not only an amazing director and talented actor and performer in his own right - he's also a great guy and a treasure! Hopefully he'll continue to share his talents with the area through community theatre. He will be missed!
I saw the show tonight. Another great production from Marshall University. It's shows like this that make you hate to hear that Gene Anthony is retiring. It was a great evening despite the fact that lighting board was on the blink.Thanks, Stephen!
Mike Murphy's set was breath taking and the costumes were both appropriate and beautiful. Both elements took you right to the '50s.
I've made positive comments about the cast and students at Marshall before but this one just clicked. Jeremy Plyburn was both hilarious and terrifying, a nice combination for him. Chuck Herndon was as a good as ever, and has some of the best punch lines in the show. Christian Whitt did a very nice job playing the very proper yet manipulated senator. Dylan Clark, who is typically a staple as a character actor, was a very nice selection for the romantic lead. His performance was both understated and believable. Finally, Chelsea Sanders was terrific. Her character is so far out there that it would be possible to annoy the audience, but just the opposite can be said. She was a joy to watch, nailing both the comedic and tender aspects of her character. The rest of the cast fit in really well supporting these great performances.
Do yourself a favor, go see this show!
And let me offer a proud salute to Gene Anthony, the MU professor who's retiring. He's not only an amazing director and talented actor and performer in his own right - he's also a great guy and a treasure! Hopefully he'll continue to share his talents with the area through community theatre. He will be missed!
On Stage This Weekend - "Born Yesterday" and "Cell Phone"
You have two shows to choose from this weekend - one in Huntington and one in Charleston - and these are your last chances to catch 'em:
- Born Yesterday - the Marshall Theatre Alliance will present the drama tonight and Saturday at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.
- Dead Man's Cell Phone - The Charleston Stage Company presents the drama tonight and tomorrow.
Check 'em out!
- Born Yesterday - the Marshall Theatre Alliance will present the drama tonight and Saturday at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.
- Dead Man's Cell Phone - The Charleston Stage Company presents the drama tonight and tomorrow.
Check 'em out!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Auditions This Weekend for "First Day of Summer"
Auditions will be held this weekend for the next First Stage Theatre Company production. It's a non-musical written and directed by a local playwright.
Here's the info:
It's going to be a great experience for young actors, and it's history in the making. As the final show of First Stage's 20th Anniversary season, this is the first original play the long-running children's theatre has presented.
Highly recommended for any young actors out there!
Here's the info:
Jonathan Joy will be auditioning young actors in grades 3-12 for his original play, The First Day of Summer.I'm prejudiced, of course, but I read an early draft of the show and loved it.
Auditions are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28 at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church. Rehearsals begin in mid-March.
Performance dates for the First Stage Theatre production are May 7, 8 and 9 at the Huntington Museum of Art.
There are roles available for five to seven boys and five to seven girls. No experience is necessary.
The First Day of Summer is a story of two young people, a boy named Ron and a girl named Laney, who meet at age 12 one year while on summer vacation. The two clash at first, but eventually grow close and begin a lifelong friendship.
They spend their days playing games, talking about hopes and dreams and sharing stories of fellow classmates from their two different hometowns. When they are split apart at the end of summer, they make a pact. They agree to meet back at their favorite spot in the woods on the first day of summer following high school graduation. Four actors portray Ron and Laney at age 12 and at age 18.
It's going to be a great experience for young actors, and it's history in the making. As the final show of First Stage's 20th Anniversary season, this is the first original play the long-running children's theatre has presented.
Highly recommended for any young actors out there!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Stephen's Oscar Picks
My pal Stephen Vance provides his choices for the Academy Awards, with lots of comments and a bonus feature!
He writes:
He writes:
I make a point to see all the best picture nominees every year, and this year was a little more difficult since they doubled the list. It was a very broad list, and in my opinion, although the list is expanded it's still not as strong as the list from the past couple of years. All that being said,
1. Best Picture: Avatar. It may not have the strongest story but it pushed the envelope as far as film making goes and really has set new standards for action and special effects films. (And if it was based solely on best story, I still wouldn't pick Hurt Locker. I'd probably go with Up or Precious.)
2. Best Actor: Jeff Bridges. Simply brilliant work. Perhaps the easiest category to pick. Not just the best of the year, but probably the best work of his career. In fact, Crazy Heart is better than several of the best picture nominees.
3. Best Actress: Meryl Streep. This is the single most difficult category to pick. I personally liked Carey Mulligan in An Education the best, but I don't think she has a shot with the heavyweights. The Blind Side was easily the best work I've ever seen Sandra Bullock do.
4. Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz. He was an absolute delight. Tarantino does such a nice job writing stand out parts for his supporting actors. Honorable mention to Stanley Tucci. He was very very creepy.
5. Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique. All of the performances were pretty good, but Mo'Nique's is the one that stands out. (I'm actually surprised they picked Penelope Cruz as the one out of Nine.)
6. Directing: James Cameron. I'll go with the best picture gets best director theory. My big problem with The Hurt Locker wasn't that the scenes weren't intense and compact, but that it was very slow between big moments.
7. Animated Feature: Up. Out of all the categories, this is the one I've seen the least of, but if big picture sentiment didn't cause me to pick Avatar, I would've picked Up. It was by far my favorite movie of the entire year.
8. Original Song: "The Weary Kind." It's a stand out in the film, and I think the notice Bridges is getting will carry over into this category also.
Bonus: Here's my rank of the best picture nominees.
10. Serious Man (Too artsy for me.)
9. District 9 (Didn't meet the hype.)
8. Hurt Locker (Liked it, but loved the others.)
7. Up in the Air (Good, but not as good as Juno or Thank You For Smoking.)
6. An Education (Brilliant performances, and a very pretty picture.)
5. Inglorious Basterds (Guilty pleasure film of the year. I could watch this one several times.)
4. Precious (Fantastic story and film. I do not want to see it again. It is very difficult to watch.)
3. The Blind Side (Very, very uplifting. And who doesn't love based on a true story?)
2. Up (A legit story in animated format.)
1. Avatar (It blew my mind. I actually thought it was going to stink. Pleasantly surprised.)
On Stage Tonight - "Born Yesterday"
My pal Dave Lavender provides this look inside Marshall University Department of Theatre's production Born Yesterday, which starts tonight!
You can read the story here, (with photos by Mark Webb) or here:
You can read the story here, (with photos by Mark Webb) or here:
On a Sunday afternoon that reached nearly 70 degrees, Marshall University students Chuck Herndon, Jeremy Plyburn and Dylan Clark had their own little iceberg of cool happening sporting retro three-piece suits and dress hats like they just walked off the set of the Mad Men."We've thought about wearing the suits to class because you know everybody would be like, 'what's going on with those guys and where are they going to,'" Clark said with a laugh. "It's like we found a hot tub time machine, and it went back to 1950."
Yes, they did ladies, and the scotch is flowing, and the mad money is blowing into Washington.
Herndon, Plyburn and Clark are just three of a cast of about a dozen Marshall students tackling the Garson Kanin-written political comedy, Born Yesterday, that runs 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center on the campus of Marshall University.
Tickets are $20 to $12 and free for MU students with a valid ID.
Tabbed as one of America's original screwball comedies, the 1950-set political-satire sets a love story inside the comedic drama that splays open a topic that could be ripped from the today's newspaper -- Washington's pay-for-play politics.
Made into a movie in 1950, Born Yesterday was nominated for four Oscars and won Judy Holliday, who plays the character Billie Dawn in the film, a Best Actress Oscar.
John Goodman, Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson starred in a remake of Born Yesterday in 1993.
Marshall University professor Gene Anthony, who is directing the play, said although this is the third time he's directed the poignant yet playful production, it can hardly be more timely.
The U.S. Supreme Court just ruled to lift restrictions on how much corporations can contribute to American political campaigns.
And on campus, the College of Fine Arts happens to be celebrating the 2010 Marshall University Birke Fine Arts Symposium this month with a theme of "Giving Voice: Social Justice and the Arts" as COFA's Art and Design, Music and Theatre programs reflect on how the arts have been at the forefront of social justice issues of fairness, freedom and equality.
"This ended up on the bill not to fulfill any requirements but it certainly contributes to that notion of 'giving voice,'" Anthony said. "I've directed it three times but I haven't touched it for 20 years. I was shocked when I pulled it up about how 'today' it is. Back then they called it 'influence peddling,' now it's lobbying and they don't go to jail for influencing laws even if they get caught."
Utilizing an exquisite set designed by Mike Murphy, the play's action takes place in a posh Washington hotel where self-made-millionaire, Harry Brock (played by Plyburn) is headquartered and where he and his slick lawyer Ed Devery (played by Herndon) concoct their scheme for Brock to throw his weight and power around in the beltway.
When Brock realizes his "very blond" fiancee, Billie Dawn (played by Chelsea Sanders) is in dire need of an extreme makeover, he hires a fellow resident of the hotel, a journalist named Paul Verrall (played by Clark), to give the seemingly dim-witted blonde a crash course in politics, history, literature and -- of course -- true love.
Plyburn, who charges like a bull into his role as the scotch-drinking, Jersey-born, Cleveland-based junk-yard owning scrap-metal millionaire, Brock, said he thinks the play packs a powerful message.
"It does show that money and power drive everything but it also shows a glimmer of hope that if you have one person who wants to do what's right then it can turn everything inside out in that world," Plyburn said.
Jon's Oscar Picks
My pal Jonathan Joy is here with his picks for this year's Academy Awards!
He's a busy man - he has auditions coming up this weekend for the First Stage show The First Day of Summer (more about that soon).
He writes:
He's a busy man - he has auditions coming up this weekend for the First Stage show The First Day of Summer (more about that soon).
He writes:
This is tough, especially since I've only seen two of the ten films nominated for best picture. I'm still catching up on last year's entries.
1. Best Picture: Avatar
2. Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
3. Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
4. Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
5. Best Supporting Actress: Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
6. Directing: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
7. Animated Feature Film: Up
8. Original Song: "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from Crazy Heart - Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Obituary - Dr. Elaine Novak
Sad news - the local theatre community has lost one of its most prominent members, a woman who affected the lives of thousands in the arts community. Here's the obituary for Dr. Elaine Novak:
ELAINE ADAMS NOVAK, 87, of Huntington, W.Va., died on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington.Born in West Milton, Ohio, on July 3, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Edwin Booth Adams and Isabel Mast Adams, who lived and worked in Huntington.
Her education included an A.B. degree from Marshall College, an M.A. from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Other study was at the American University, Catholic University, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and American Theatre Wing.
During World War II, she achieved the rank of lieutenant (senior grade) in the WAVES, and worked in Communications Intelligence for the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C.
In 1956, she began a 37-year career of teaching speech and theatre, and directing plays and musicals at Marshall University, rising from instructor of speech, to professor of theatre, to director of university theatre.
She was the author of four books on acting, directing and performing on stage.
During her long and notable career, she received the 1987 West Virginia Theatre Conference's award for "Outstanding Contribution to Theatre," the 1993 "Distinguished Service Award" from Marshall University, and the 1996 "Distinguished Arts Educator Award" from MU's College of Fine Arts. Also in 1996, she was inducted onto the "Greater Huntington Wall of Fame" by the City of Huntington Foundation.
Dr. Novak taught thousands of students over the course of her career, and she is survived by them, as well as a son, Edwin Adams Novak of New York City; and a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah Novak and John Witek of Huntington.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in memory of Dr. Novak to Marshall University Theatre. Checks should be sent to the Marshall University Department of Theatre, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755.
A graveside service will be held at Spring Hill Cemetery on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at 1 p.m. by Tim Dixon. Family guestbook at www.klingelcarpenter.com.
"Camelot" Cast List
Here's the Camelot cast list, as provided by my pal Eddie Harbert:
The Cast for Camelot includes:
Arthur - Mark Baker
Merlyn - Merlyn Marten
Guenevere - Marina Jurica
Lancelot - Todd Preston
Pellinore - Danny Ray
Mordred - Andrew Surber
Morgan Le Fey - Nancy Jackson
Tom of Warwick - Tristan Reynolds
Sir Dinadin - Ron Short
Sir Lionel - Chuck Minsker
Sir Sagramore - Brandon Ward
Squire Dap - Allan Sturm
Lady Catherine - Loretta Hetzer
Lady Sybil - Jaclyn Boylan
Nimue - Jennifer Scott
Fairy - Leela Jackson
Chorus: Cathy Lawson, Stacy Gallaher, Kyle Fisher, Liz Webb, Priscilla Marten, Betty Craddock, Sharon Whitehead, Kenny Harbolt and Alex Wallen.
If anyone would like to participate in the chorus, they can either email me at eddie_harbert@yahoo.com or call me at 304-412-8738.
I want to thank everyone who came out to auditions. We have a very talented cast and I hope that everyone will do their best to see the show. The dates of the show are April 23-25 and April 30-May 2. Tickets are $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for children.
Season tickets will be available for 5th Avenue's complete season which includes three shows: Camelot, Steel Magnolias and White Christmas. Season tickets are available for $30.00 which is about a 20% discount off total ticket prices. Season tickets may be purchased by calling 304-696-5522. Be sure to pick yours up today!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Doesn't Everyone Love Lucy?
My pal Dave Lavender files a great story here about Tuesday's Marshall Artist Series show that spotlights one of the funniest women in entertainment history - Lucille Ball.
Here's an excerpt:
Here's an excerpt:
Before Cher, Madonna and Oprah, there was a lady who for six decades was on a first-name basis with America -- Lucy.A radio, movie and TV actress whose career spanned from the 1930s to the 1980s, Lucille Ball, was the first lady of television best known for her sweet and sassy character that held America spell-bound in three hit CBS TV shows, "I Love Lucy" (1951-1957), "The Lucy Show" (1962 to 1968) and "Here's Lucy" (1968 to 1974).
At 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, the red-headed comedic fireball comes back to life during the one-woman play, An Evening with Lucille Ball: "Thank You for Asking," presented by the Marshall Artists Series at the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.
Adults tickets range from $45-$55 and youth may receive a 20 percent discount. Tickets can be purchased online at www.marshallartistsseries.org, or www.ticketmaster.com.
The funny and inspirational one-woman play is performed by actress and renowned impressionist, Suzanne LaRusch, and was written by LaRusch with Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of the famous couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
An Los Angeles-based actress who has been playing Lucille Ball since 1991, LaRusch said although Ball passed on in 1989, her clever but clean brand of comedy still speaks to generations who only know the legendary actress through late-night reruns.
"What she has to offer to today's generation is the point that comedy can be clever, and it can be clean," LaRusch said. "You don't have to go into the toilet, and you don't have to use bad language to get a good belly laugh. They see so much comedy that is trashy, but that kind of wholesome, everyday humor that was used in the 'I Love Lucy' show and subsequent shows, proves that you don't have to do that. One thing we mention in the show is that Lucille Ball credits her writers for all of her great success, and one of the things she admitted was that she didn't think she was funny, but that if her writers were funny and could write it down in detail she could do it."
Sunday, February 21, 2010
"Camelot" Auditions
Just in case anyone was curious - I did try out for Camelot today (I could scarcely have chickened out after so many friends urged me on) and it was actually a lot of fun!
I saw lots of my theatre pals, and the auditions were painless (well, they were for me. Those poor directors had to listen to my singing)!
I'm impressed with the directing team - they've already done at least part of the casting. They called earlier this evening and offered me a role, which I gratefully accepted.
(I won't say what it is until the official cast list is released - but I'm delighted with my part!)
I saw lots of my theatre pals, and the auditions were painless (well, they were for me. Those poor directors had to listen to my singing)!
I'm impressed with the directing team - they've already done at least part of the casting. They called earlier this evening and offered me a role, which I gratefully accepted.
(I won't say what it is until the official cast list is released - but I'm delighted with my part!)
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