"Life Upon the Wicked Stage" Part Two

Okay, on to Part Two.....

As I said yesterday, I decided to see if I could put together a small group of theatre friends who approach community theatre in the same way I do....with a commitment to quality, pushing to make productions the best we can do, and presenting plays that are varied and interesting.....and most of all, entertaining!

So I talked to five individuals that I had met through the problematic theatre group.  Each of us has had years and years of theatre experience of various sorts.  Each was knowledgeable and talented and loved theatre.  Unfortunately, we all had encountered mounting frustrations in trying to produce a quality product despite the inherent roadblocks the group continually uses to keep tight control of their "vision."  Four of us had worked together on a romantic comedy a year or so before and the fifth had worked on several shows there but had left the group because of her frustrations.  I knew their standards were good ones and we agreed to explore the possibility of starting a group of our own.

We had several planning and discussion meetings trying to identify what exactly we wanted to do.  At first I was fearful that we wouldn't be able to come to a consensus on something we could all support and be involved in..... everybody had their own opinions on what type of group we should strive to be.  Should we be a regular community theatre that eventually presented a couple of shows a year aimed toward a broad range of audiences?  Should we focus on a specific type of play (comedy, musical, drama....?)  Should we be a for-profit or not-for-profit group?  Should we try for traditional or go for new or unfamiliar plays?   Or should we try to do something new and different....at least new and different to us?

After a couple of meetings one of the original five realized she just didn't have the time or inclination to devote to such a large undertaking right now so, after wishing us well, she pulled out.  And so we were four.

As we talked we began to hone in on a concept that did not exist in the Austin area....Senior Theatre!  This is a type of endeavor that is springing up all over the country as the senior population is growing every day.  There is not, however, any one model that is being utilized.  There are many different companies that operate under the "Senior Theatre" umbrella, but each group is structured differently, with a different focus, a different target audience, a different approach, and a different concept.

We ultimately decided that we would make our group a traveling theatre company which would focus our attention on residences that are set up for the over 50 population.  Some of these residences are independent living facilities, some are more assisted living, and so on all the way to skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes.  In each of these facilities there is a range among the residents who have mobility issues that come from their declining visual, hearing, physical , and cognitive abilities.  We decided that we would go to them!!

So we are official now.  We are an Incorporated, not-for-profit, traveling company of actors who will (at least at first) develop a repertoire of fairly short one-act plays with small casts and limited set needs. Hopefully we will be able to contract with various facilities to present entertainment programs of 2 or 3 one-act plays that would appeal (we hope) to senior audiences.  Our company currently consists of Jo R., Geoff R., Tamara F. and me.  We expect that we will add performers as needed as time goes by.  We have named ourselves The Hourglass Players and we have adopted a logo (so that makes us official!)

The Hourglass Players
(A Senior Theatre Traveling Troupe)

As it stands the four of us have chosen, cast, and rehearsed four one-act plays each about 15-20 minutes long.  We had our first performance about two weeks ago at a lovely senior resident apartment complex.  Their facility is terrific and includes an actual theatre!  We presented two of our plays...."Lost" and "The Hotel Lobbyist" to an audience of almost forty people.

 The Hotel Lobbyist 

 by Bara Swain 

                             

A recently widowed former political activist and her conservative daughter meet in a hotel lobby, where the mother has handcuffed herself to a chair!  They proceed to argue about whether the mother will agree to live in a retirement facility as her daughter hopes.....or will remain independent and continue to live in the same home she shared with her late husband for 47 years!

Lost

by Mary Louise Wilson

Two women of a certain age, roommates and best friends since child-hood, try to head out for an evening at the theater. Unfortunately, they each seem to have a bit of trouble remembering things.....things

like their keys, glasses, shoes, where they are going,

and especially, how to get there! 

 Both are comedies, and as it happens, I was in both of them.  We introduced ourselves to the audience and gave some information on our backgrounds and what our goals for the group were.  We made it clear this was our debut performance and was, in some respects a "test."  Both plays were very well-received and we had an open discussion with the audience at the end of the evening to gauge the audience's reactions and opinions on what we had done and what our plan for the future was.

They were extremely supportive of our effort and the general consensus was that they liked us and they hoped we would come again.  That was gratifying and very much a relief!!

So we are off and running.  We have another performance scheduled at a different retirement community in March.  We will be working on seeking out other venues where we might be able to bring our company for their entertainment.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, but the four of us are committed to making this a success.   At this point we have no funding from any source other than our own investment into the company.  The reality is that like any business endeavor there will be expenses to meet, such as royalty fees, administrative costs, prop and set expenses, and so on.   In fact, we are accepting (and very grateful for) any and all donations (which, as we are a not-for-profit corp., are tax-deductible) from our friends, families, and interested parties.  If by chance any of you would like to help us in our start-up efforts, we'd be ever so grateful!  Please contact me via email and I'll tell you how to make a donation:  mellodee625@gmail.com.  

I will most likely be sharing updates on our progress and experiences trying to make the Hourglass Players a viable, well-respected, effective and  fun theatre company for the senior set!  Over time as we proceed we will be open to adjustments in our mission or exactly what we do.  But right now, we are very excited about all the possibilities and looking forward to returning to "Life Upon the Wicked Stage."

Keep your fingers crossed for us!



P.S.  I'd love to hear your opinions or suggestions on our project.  So, what do you think??

"Life Upon the Wicked Stage"

The last couple of months I have been working on a project with two of my theatre friends here in the Austin area.  It all started as a result of my frustrations with the community theatre group that I have worked with on and off since 2003.  I had hit the point of pulling out of the group once before and was not involved with them for about five years.  But then,  because I missed theatre so much, I went back.

I acted in several productions, directed four productions, and tried to be as supportive of the group as possible.   I had sworn years and years ago back in Chicago that I wouldn't be a Board member ever again, but through a series of odd events, I ended up on the Board of Directors and I was even President for a year.

The group has a core set of people who have a completely different set of concepts and beliefs about theatre than I do, but I really tried to adjust and not make waves.  Unfortunately, eventually too many conflicts over the years, just wore me down to a frazzle.  The approach of this core group (most of whom were founding members) was fully 180 degree opposite of all my previous experience at over 20 different groups in Chicago and California.  Their whole approach to theatre sounds good, but in reality they are inflexible, behind the times, and do not know how to generate loyalty or camaraderie.  They do not understand the concept of pushing for the best quality productions possible.

That made it all extremely frustrating, because not only were these people inflexible about what they would or would not allow to happen in the group, they were just flat out wrong.  The group has lost many, many talented theatre people over the years, who refused to work with the group a second or third time and were never seen nor heard from again!  I was struggling along trying to fit with the core group, but finally a few months ago it was made very clear to me that they really didn't want me as part of the group.  So once again, I hit that wall and decided I couldn't keep banging my head against an intractable wall of stupidity, self-serving, and bad standards.  So again I walked away.

I won't try to fight them anymore.  I will support the friends I had made there (there were a few), but I won't try to participate anymore.  It just isn't worth it.  No arguments, no disagreements, no major scenes, no more trying to drag them into this century, I just won't  audition or apply to direct.  As came as absolutely no surprise to me, not one of that core group acknowledged in any way that I was even gone!   Of course, that just confirmed I had done the right thing!

Now as just a little bit more background, the availability of community theatre in this area is extremely limited.  There are really only three or four groups in addition to the problem group.  The others are all unsuitable to me for various legitimate reasons....everything from too far away from where I live,  to groups which perform strictly new or avant garde plays and that is truly not my cup of tea.  I like traditional, interesting plays that make audiences feel.

Well, after I pulled away I, of course, missed doing theatre almost immediately.  You see, the bottom line is I love theatre.  I love acting, directing, rehearsing, making new theatre friends and I have loved it so much I have been doing it for 30+ years.  When I'm not involved, I miss it desperately!  And the reality is that as I "mature" there are fewer and fewer years ahead.  Right now I'm still healthy and active and able. Who knows when it just won't be possible anymore!

It occurred to me that it was foolish to waste whatever future I have, not doing what I love.  If I couldn't find another group to work with, maybe it was time to explore the possibilities of creating a new group -- a group made up of like-minded theatre folk (of which there are many!) to do theatre Our Way!  All I had to do was find them!

The rest of the story will come tomorrow..........

"The Wheels on the Bus"

I am really excited!  In just one short week, I will be back doing what I love!   I will be directing the opening show of the 15th Season of the Way Off Broadway Community Players!  "The Wheels on the Bus" will go round and round as we present "Bus Stop" a play by the American playwright, William Inge!  

This play opened in New York in 1955 and starred Albert Salmi, Kim Stanley, and Elaine Stritch, among others.  It was nominated for four Tony's.  The story?

In the middle of a howling blizzard, a bus pulls up at a roadside diner. All roads west are closed and the weary travelers are going to have to hole up until morning.  Cherie is the passenger with most to worry about.  She's been pursued, proposed to, and kidnapped by Bo, an exuberant cowboy with the romantic methods of a headstrong bull. Virgil, Bo’s friend and mentor tries to keep him in check with only limited success.  As counterpoint, Grace, the diner’s owner, and the bus driver, Carl, at last find time to develop a “friendship” of their own.  A former professor comes to terms with himself; and a young waitress gets her first taste of romance. All the while the Sheriff keeps close watch on the weather, the roads, and the diverse group of people stranded together for one long night at the Bus Stop.

We will be having open auditions on July 30, 2012.  I'm a bit nervous about getting a good turn-out, so keep your fingers crossed for me!  (And if you know any (non-equity) actors in the Austin area please give them a heads up.  Here's the theater's website:  www.wobcp.org 

The process will be ongoing until we open in September and close in October!  Yep, "The Wheels on the Bus" are on their way!!  Wheeeee!

You'll be hearing more along the way, I promise!

"A Capella"

Help!  I feel like I have lost my way in Blogland!  It has been weeks since I have posted something fairly regularly.  And I am finding it hard to pick it up again.  There has been a lot going on in my life since before Thanksgiving....Christmas, New Year's, my accident, Mikey's vacation, rehearsals, learning lines, the shows, my sister's visit.  It just seemed like I was always busy doing something else!  Well, its all over now, everything should be back to normal.  Still, I have procrastinated, lured by doing something mindless like computer games!  How ridiculous is that?

Okay, well, I guess the best way to get back to writing is to just start!  Here goes.....



Before I leave my most recent production behind, I want to devote one more post to the marvelous experience that this show provided.

I have had a rocky history in theater recently.  I've written about it a bit, but not in any great depth.  Nor do I intend to do so now.  The bottom line was that I missed being in a show.  All my upset had mainly to do with various personalities (and the people who go with them) that were a problem.  They would have said that I was the problem and for a while I might have believed them.

BUT....I don't think so anymore.

I had the great privilege of working with a truly great cast and crew.  I had only worked with one of them previously, the rest were all new to the theater group since I pulled back a couple of years ago.  Let me tell you about them.

Our Director is a very experienced actor/director with years and years of working in various community theaters all around the country.  She was easy to work with.  She was open to ideas.  She was willing to try different things.  She was supportive.  She was complimentary.  She was capable of giving direction without making a big fuss.  She didn't micro-direct, instead she relied on the actors' instincts when they fit her vision of the show.  She had a sense of humor.  She was knowledgeable and a real pleasure to work with.  There was no tug of war over who was in charge.  She was.  And she deserved to be.

Our Stage Manager was a true gentleman, who knew how to get a point across.  He was on top of things, always where he needed to be, helpful to a fault, supportive, and capable.  He kept us on track without dramatics.  Low-key and laid-back, yet nothing was left undone.  We stayed on schedule and he was responsive to our needs above and beyond what one might normally expect.  He was flexible where he needed to be and not above helping out an actor in a pinch.  He did a professional job, yet he was part of the gang!

Our light and sound guys were a bit removed from us....but that's just the nature of the game.  The sit up in the tech booth performance after performance hitting their cues every time!  Lights came on and went off right on schedule.  Sound effects were never early or late.  I caught no mistakes!  Just as it should be.  And the remarkable thing is they laughed everynight.  After nine performances and lots of rehearsals, they never lost interest is us or the show.  Real troupers!!

As for the actors??  Oh my, what a wonderful cast!  Each perfectly cast, each totally on top of their role, if mistakes were made, they were covered, each one of them very talented and able to bring their characters to life.  They delivered lines with great comedic timing.  They were completely believable in their roles.  And they made the play soar from one laugh line to the next....and there were a lot of laugh lines!  We started as strangers to one another (mostly) and ended as friends! 

We were blessed, too, by wonderful audiences.  Each performance was well attended (70-80 per show for all but one).  There were appreciative and best of all, they laughed when they were supposed to!!  Music to an actor's ears.  Our last audience was the best of them.  They laughed at everything!  They didn't miss once!  Actors respond to a lively audience, they want to do their best and it  turns into a mutual spark!

Of course, we were fortunate to be doing one of the funniest plays I have ever been involved in.  Anna Pie (an accent mark goes in there somewhere, but I can't get my computer to do it), the author, took a somewhat unusual situation and brought out all the humor inherent therein.  She also wrote the funniest line I have ever had in all my years of theater.  Taking it out of context and trying to explain it here would never do it justice and might give you a wrong impression of what kind of play it is.  But let me tell you, it was the longest, loudest laugh in the show....bar none!  

Sometimes in community theatre, there are weak links, someone who is not as talented or who isn't easy to work with, even sometimes one who just never gets it right at all.  But for this show every single person involved was good at what they do.  They were terrific actors/tech staff who made the show work night after night.  And what was the most remarkable of all....no one got mad at anybody else!  There was no angst, no squabbles, no one missing in action, no one who made demands, or was difficult to get along with.  Nobody ended up in tears.  Nobody ended up being an outcast or a diva! To put it simply, they were sane, cooperative, supportive, and good at what they do.  It was lovely to be a part of that cast.  I'd work with any or all of them again in a New York minute!  And unless, I completely misread them, I think they would work with me again too! 

They were theater people of the best kind.  They restored my faith that theater can be done without pain!  And even more, they restored the joy in theatre I have missed so much! 

So Jo, Geoff, Ron, Dale, Mallory, Bradley, Misty, Rina, Tamara, Allen, and Gary, thank you, all!  You are my kind of people!!  And I miss you already!

"Comedy Tonight"

I got home from our final dress rehearsal at about Midnight and our show opens tonight (Friday).  I am glad to say, we are ready.  In fact, at this point we need to have an audience to respond to.  Without an audience there is nothing more we can do to improve it.  The energy that flows between actors and audience is an almost tangible thing and without it, a performance will always suffer from it's lack. We have a great cast.  The director did a fine job.  The Stage Manager is keeping on top of all the gazillion things he has to do.  Costumes are set, props are at the ready, the set is complete....in other words, it's time for curtain up!

I think it is a very funny show.  Actually, we all think it is a funny show.  Nevertheless, past experience has taught me that there are no guarantees in theater.  Something I think is screamingly funny, doesn't get a giggle from one audience, while a different audience will carry on like the show is a mix of the Marx Brothers, the Three Stooges, and Robin Williams.  There is no predicting how people react.  All we can do is present the lines in the best way we know how and hope for the best.

There is some confusion about who actually said this, but a very wise actor from some earlier era was heard to say on his deathbed, "Dying is easy.  Comedy is hard!"  Ain't that the truth!

Here's hoping for a great opening night....after all, its "Comedy Tonight"!!

The Senator and the Reporter

The "Private Eye" and the "Mortician"

The Senator

The Relatives

The Couple

The Crusader

All photos the work and property of http://www.crakephotography.com/

"Another Openin', Another Show"

As of tomorrow I will be officially one week away from "Another Openin', Another Show".  It's been a couple of years since I've done a show and I have missed it desperately.  I am looking forward to being back where I belong. 

I have been acting in theaters for over 30 years.  I've had wonderful experiences, and not so wonderful experiences.  The company of actors, staff people, tech people together are responsible for what happens on stage.  In general, they have a combined commitment to do the best they can, whether it is a Broadway show, a professional touring company, or your local community theater. 

During my 30 years in "show biz", I have encountered all sorts of audiences and sometimes I'm not sure that those audiences really understand what theater is.  So in case, you are contemplating going to see a show anytime soon (which I heartily encourage!!), here are some things you should know.

You may not be aware of this, but live performance means exactly that...it's live with real people up on the stage actually saying the lines, moving around, trying their best to entertain you.  It is not a movie or television.  It is not being broadcast from something that was filmed at another place and time.

Nope, those people you see  (the actors) are truly right there, creating a reality for you to enjoy....and we can see you and hear you!  We can see people coming in 10 or 15 minutes after the show begins.  We can see the guy texting in the third row.  We can hear the couple carrying on a conversation in the middle of the show.  Actors can see if your hubby nods off or looks around and fidgets during the whole show.  We can hear you rummaging around in your purse for something.  We can hear you coughing or sneezing.  We can and often do find all that distracting, annoying, or just rude. 

We are up there after weeks of rehearsals, running scenes over and over to get them as good as we can make them.  We work hard!  We practice dances and songs until our toes bleed or we lose our voices.  We memorize pages and pages of dialogue.   Truth be told, we love it and that is the main reason we do it, but we do it for you too!  An audience can make or break a show.   Without an audience there is no point in doing what we do.  We love having an audience, but we love some audiences better than others.  Here are some things that make a great audience:


*  If you find a scene or a line funny, go ahead and laugh....please! 

*  Tears are okay too!  However, except in the case of a melodrama where you have been instructed otherwise, talking back to the actors is an absolute NO-NO!

*  Please arrive early enough to get to your seat with a minimum of disturbance to other patrons.

*  Most theaters will try very hard to have "Curtain Up" at no more than 5 minutes after the announced curtain time.  Please respect that by arriving well in advance of the start time.

*  Some things beyond your control can make you late for "Curtain up"!  These things happen.  The ushers may bar your way into the theater until such time as your entering will not disturb the integrity of the scene.  This is what they have been instructed to do.  Please cooperate with them.

*  If refreshments are allowed in the theater, please keep the opening and crinkling of candy bags as soft as possible.  If refreshments are not allowed, please don't try to sneak it in.  There is good reason to keep food in the lobby.

*  DO NOT bring phones, pagers, or the like into the theater unless they are muted!  This is important.  A phone ringing in the middle of a dramatic scene from Hamlet is wrong on so many levels! 

* If you become ill, or have a need to leave the theater for any reason, if possible try to leave during intermission.

*  By  all means read and enjoy the program we give you....but do so at intermission. 

*  Please do not bring young children to a show that is not appropriate for them to see!  Many shows are directed toward children, but many are not!  In fact, many are clearly adult in nature and children should not be in attendance at all.  If in doubt contact the theater before you make plans to attend.  The staff will be happy to help you.

*  If you do bring a child to a show, please remove him/her from the house immediately if he begins to cry or misbehave.  

*  At the end of the show (and at the end of scenes) please show your appreciation by your applause.  In many cases this is the only payment actors ever get!

There are a few specific things that relate to community or independent theaters:

* If you really enjoy a show, tell your friends!  Encourage them to see it too!  Word of mouth is the best advertising we can get.  This is particularly true for independent and/or community theaters.

*  If you feel so inclined, make a donation to the theater.  Many theaters are not-for-profit organizations that run on a shoestring.  Your financial help can help keep them going!

*  If you think doing a show looks like fun, that's because it is fun!!  Volunteers are always welcome! There are a lot of ways to help and you don't ever have to go on stage unless you want to! . 

*  Most importantly, don't go to just one show!  Sign up as a subscriber or buy a season ticket, or at the very least come back any time there is a show you'd like to see....and there is always "Another Openin', Another Show",  I guarantee it!

"Back in the Saddle Again"

Ever since 1979-ish, I have had an on again-off again affair with theater.  I have mentioned my love of performance and directing in live, volunteer, community theater.  Unfortunately (for me, anyway), Austin and its environs are chock full of theater venues.  This town has about 20+ different venues and companies performing live theater.  This should be great news for theater lovers, and for audience and professional or semi-pro performers and techies, it is great news.  Starting with the big houses (3000+ seats)  (e.g., Bass Concert Hall (UT), Long Performing Arts Center, the Paramount, Erwin Center, down to small makeshift spaces made to work with imagination and just a little bit of money. 

The reason this is not good news to me (and others like me) is because these venues are restricted to professional, for-profit companies.  The employ ONLY Equity or Equity-eligible (them's the pros, folks)actors.  There are only 3 true  non-professional, volunteer, community theaters that operate on a non-profit basis.  All of which are more than 20 miles from where I live.  Thus opportunities are slim for the non-professional actor or director.  In, fact, only one of the three theaters is a true community theater, in the standard of community theaters across the nation.

About 2-3 years ago, I had a very unpleasant experience with that community theater, the group I had been working with for several years.  I removed myself from the group due to my frustration and disappointment and I have spent the last three years, thinking that my theater "career" was over.  That made me very sad and I missed being able to do what I love.

Well, as we all know, life is waaaay too short!  We have to take advantage of opportunities when they come along because who knows when your last chance is coming along!  So, I auditioned for a role in a play called "At First Sight", a comedy in two acts.  The play is being done by the group I pulled back from not quite 3 years ago.  Aaaand, I was cast!

I will be playing a Senator who is the male lead's mother.  (the guy playing my son is, in reality, old enough to be my.....brother!)  My character is a strong-minded, tenacious, outspoken, and larger-than-life kind of character (Think Bella Abzug.)   It isn't a huge role, butI have three good scenes and that is just fine!  My rehearsal schedule is a lot easier than that of the other principals.  Considering the time of the year coming up, that is very good news.  Rehearsing around Christmas is very stressful.  Luckily we don't open until 1//21/12 and will run for 4 weekends (total of 14 performances).

We had the first read-through tonight (Monday).  Even though we have a lot of work ahead of us, it's a cute play with some pretty funny moments.  I gotta tell you, it felt just great to be "Back in the Saddle Again".  I'm going to try really hard not to get thrown again! 

This may (or may not) have an impact on my blogging.  I won't know for sure until we get further into the play.  But if (and that's a big IF) I seem to disappear for awhile, that's why.  It really shouldn't be a problem, after all I used to do this several times a year, while I was working a full-time job, Ratchlet was still in high school, and I was active with a couple of singing things.  It's amazing how much energy you can find to do what you want to do!!

I'm hoping that is still true when one gets to be my age.  We'll see!  And if you happen to be in Austin, around the end of January, you could come and see the show! 

"All the World's a Stage" Story #6

Tonight's installment is more a collection of incidents showing that actors, and tech people have to be on their toes when doing live theater....because you never know what's going to happen!  Little oddities happen all the time....a prop will go missing, lines will be screwed up or forgotten, late or worse, early entrances will happen, there can be costume malfunctions, wigs that come off, or disturbances and distractions in the audience.  You have to be ready!  A few small vignettes, just to show what I mean:

First:   "The Front Page"

One of the male actors knocked a telephone off a desk.  That sort of thing happens all the time.  It's funny, but when something ends up on the floor, that isn't meant to be there, the audience will spend the rest of the scene watching that item, whatever it is.  It's almost as if it begins to glow or something!  I don't know if they expect it to do something other than just lie there, but watch it they do.  Eventually they begin to whisper and titter. That's why one of the most important rules of stage work is if a prop is dropped or falls, one of the actors on stage must pick it up, as quickly and naturally as possible! 

The actor on stage who knocked the phone over, was one of the most clueless individuals I have ever worked with on stage.  Actually, there were several actors in this show who were just not very experienced and kind of difficult to work with.   There is nothing worse for other actors than trying to cope with the problems created by neophyte "actors" who haven't a clue!!

Going back to the phone on the floor,  it was an old style phone from the 1920's, commonly known as a licorice stick.  So there it was on the floor with the receiver completely off the hook, the cord snaking across the floor, and the brain-dead actor stood there and looked at it for a second, and then turned away and LEFT IT THERE!  A telephone!  If you knocked your home phone, would you not pick it up??  Yet it sat there for the whole rest of the scene, because none of the others on stage were any smarter!   None of the more experienced actors were on stage in the scene, so we couldn't fix it.  Suddenly it was if there was a whole new cast member on stage who was getting all the audience attention.  The dodo bird actor couldn't understand why the director was upset when they came off stage. 

Second:  "My Sister Eileen"

In that show, the character of the younger sister, Eileen, is a bit of a ditz, cute as a button, but just not quite bright.  Just a few hot dogs short of a picnic!  You know what I mean?  Unfortunately the woman who  played the part fit the part to a tee....but she wasn't exactly acting!  She was a ditz too!  Talk about clueless!  Throughout the entire run, she kept messing up her lines, or dropping a cues, moving to where she wasn't supposed to be, or just generally looking lost most of the time. 

As I was playing the older sister,  Ruth, (the smarter, witty, level-headed one, but definitely not  the "pretty one"), I was on stage with my "sister" for practically the whole show, so I was the one that most generally had to deal with whatever the ditz did or didn't do!  

My favorite of her screw-ups took place one night about 10 minutes into the first act.  The two of us were alone on stage having a conversation when for whatever reason, she gave me a line directly from the last part of the third act!  If I had responded with the correct response to that line, the whole show would have been over in about 15 minutes!  I was tempted for about half a second to do that, just to see what she would do!  Of course, I didn't.  I made up some lines to get us back to where we were supposed to be.  The sad thing is I don't think she ever even realized that she was screwing up the lines.  She never acknowledged it, apologized for it, or got any better!!   I'm not sure if that makes it better or worse!

Unfortunately it's not only actors who can cause upsets on stage.  Oh no!  There is a stage manager, people doing lighting, backstage crew, and sound people....we must not forget the sound people!  They, too, can make or break a show!

Third:  "My Sister Eileen"  (Same production, different night)

In the show the sisters have come to NYC to make their fortune.  They end up renting a basement apartment in an old rattletrap building owned by a tightwad, lazy landlord, Mr. Apopolus.  Nothing much in the apartment works right.  The light switches are reversed, there is no water in the shower, the streetlight is right outside the window and one of the panes is broken. Worst of all, a subway is being built right below the building and there are periodic dynamite blastings going on most of the day! Apopolus, of course, ignores all their requests for repairs.

Somewhere in the second act, the telephone rings so Ruth (that would be me) is supposed to cross over from the other side of the stage to answer it, which I did.  I picked up the phone, said hello, and the phone rang again!  The audience laughed a bit; I don't blame them it was funny, There I was talking into a phone that was still ringing!   I am blessed to be able to come up with lines that can save a situation.  It's a gift!  After the laughers had settled down, I shook the phone, looked at it, and said, "Damn that Apopolus!  Not even the telephone works right in this place!"   And we went on.  You can be sure that sound technician paid closer attention from then on!

Oh yes, indeed-dee, anything can happen on stage....and usually does!

"All the World's a Stage" Story #4

I don't believe in ghosts, spirits, vampires, witches, warlocks, and all such ethereal beings; but I do believe in gremlins....theater gremlins!

A gremlin (at least, in my definition) exists only within the confines of any "stage" upon which actors "play".  They are puckish little imps, who pop out of some hidden cave deep in the caverns of "backstage" at some point during the run of every show!   They delight in creating minor havoc at one or more times during  the most inconvenient times....during a performance when said actors are on stage and right in the middle of the highpoint of their performance!  Always!

Oh, and there are two other conditions that usually exist when the little guys  create their "Gotcha" moment.  One or both of these conditions are almost always true.  The gremlins come out in force when:

1)  It is the very last and final performance of the show before it all disappears forever, never to be seen again;  and/or

2)  A video recording (for Archive and teaching  purposes only--ahem) is being made at that performance and will not be done again.   So that the only record of the show will forever more include whatever mischief these imps come up with!

I do want to make it clear, I'm not talking about the disasters that sometimes occur on stage.  No blood, no collapsing walls, furniture, or actors!  No, what I mean is the little something that never, ever happened before, and rattles the actors a bit, throwing off everyone's timing, or just plain embarrassing the cast.

These kinds of things happen for no explainable reason, except the Gremlins are loose again!  To wit:

I was in Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit", a wonderful show about ghosts.  I was playing the medium, Madame Arcati (one of my favorite roles ever!)  All thru the run, every performance ran like clockwork with all the "ghostie" things happening without a hitch.  Until....(duhn, duhn, duhn) the final performance when the video was being made!  The camera was rolling and the little things began to happen:

* someone was late for an entrance, so we had to ad lib a bit to fill some time.
* a table that usually levitated smoothly, made a rather bumpy ascent and descent.
* one of the "ghost" actors, briefly got her costume caught on the edge of a set piece

(So you see what I mean?  Just enough to unsettle everyone.)

During the middle of her "seance", Madame Arcati screams,  falls to the floor in a dead faint, and the lights go "out" (lights "out" on stage is a relative term)   She remains there, in clear view of the audience, but unseen by the actors while there is a lot of other stuff going on.  I had choreographed my fall so that it looked very natural and believable, but I was actually moving sideways to a sofa, that I fell on and then slid gracefully to the floor.  A very controlled movement that kept me from breaking my neck! 

Went perfectly EVERY performance!  Always in control, looking good! 

Well, not that night, because the gremlins were there.

When the moment arrived, I screamed and started my fall.  For whatever reason, I hit the sofa at the wrong angle and down I went, faster than a speeding bullet, flat on my back, with my head hitting the floor with an audible clunk.  It was not a stage fall, but a real fall.  I was "unconscious" so there was nothing I could do to break the fall, except hope for the best.  I didn't break my neck, or start bleeding, and I wasn't at all injured, so the audience didn't realize anything had happened.  Not too bad, huh?  Nothing to be upset about, right?  So why was I upset??

When I started the fall, the different angle did something that caused my skirt to slide up, and up, and up....till it was practically around my waist.  I could feel it, the audience could see it, the other actors could see it, but there wasn't a thing anyone could do but let me lie there flashing my "dainties" at the world for what seemed like an eternity, until I was "found" by the sweet man playing the doctor. During his examination he pulled the errant skirt back down a bit, so that I was no longer X-rated!  Nevertheless, it is saved forever on videotape!   Oh crap!!

If you look closely I think you can actually see the little gremlins laughing and pointing at me from the back of the sofa!   I'm pretty sure those creepy little thugs pushed me!!!

That wasn't the only time I was their target either!  Come back tomorrow, and I'll tell you about me and Nelson Eddy!!

"All the World's a Stage" Story #3

Everything about the theater stories that I have or will tell you is true.  Each story  come from my  own personal theater experience....except this one.  The person who told it to me, said that it was true but I have never been able to confirm that, so it probably isn't true; which is too bad, 'cause it's a great story!

It is possible that the story may only be funny to people who have actually been in a show on stage in front of an audience.  I don't know, if anyone doesn't "get it", I'm not sure I can tell why its so funny!  Let me know and I'll try to explain the joke.  Anyway, here it is:

Supposedly, the first family of the American stage, the Barrymores --  Lionel, Ethel, and John, were starring in a play on Broadway.  And, as happens with even the best actors, the three of them were on stage, when disaster struck!  All three "went up" on the lines in a scene where they were sitting at a table playing cards.  ["Going up" on your lines, means the actors cannot remember what comes next, a truly terrifying situation for an actor.]

So, Lionel, John, and Ethel, continued to play cards in silence while they each tried desperately to come up with the next line so that they could move on.  I'm sure there was some sort of  sotto voce communication going on between them, but for whatever reason, they couldn't fix it because none of them could remember.

I have had this happen to me on stage, it is the most horrible feeling of helplessness in the world....well, at least in the theatre world!  Your mind just goes blank and the harder you try to remember, the worse it gets! 

Well, these fine actors continued with the card game a bit longer until finally, John stood up at his place at the table and began to stretch as someone might do after sitting too long.  The other two remained at the table, looked at each other in confusion, but continued the game.  John walked to the back of the set where a window was located.  He lifted up the window and poked his head out, looking very much as though he was enjoying some fresh air.

Of course, what the audience could not see was that the Stage Manager was crouched below the window with the script in hand.  He was desperately giving the line to Mr. Barrymore.  At that point John drew back into the room, closed the window, stretched a little bit more, then went back to his place.  He sat down, picked us his cards then said very softly for the ears of his siblings only, "It's not my line."

I just love live theater!

"Oh What a Night"

[Despite have the same title, this post has nothing to do with my previous posting about the Big Guy's ER visit.  It's a much better title for this post!  Sorry if that's confusing!]


Last night I visited heaven.  Or at least one facet of what heaven should be.  In fact, if it were actually what heaven is, I wouldn't be quite so reluctant to get there!

No, I didn't have an out of body experience or anything life threatening.  I'm just fine, thank you.  Nope, the heaven I visited was on the stage at UT-Austin; it was one of their Broadway America (I think) shows.    It was the Broadway touring company of  "Jersey Boys"!!

Some of you may not be familiar with the show, "Jersey Boys", but I'd be willing to bet that if you're over 45 or so, "Oh What a Night" should instantly bring to mind those "Jersey Boys".  If not, how about "Walk Like a Man", "Stay", "Sherry".  "My Eyes Adored You"?  Still no??  "Big Girls Don't Cry"?  That's right, it's Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons!!

Oh. My. God.  Totally and Completely wonderful!!  No wonder it won several Tonys!  It was one of the very best shows I have ever seen, really....and I've seen a LOT of shows.

The four young men playing Frankie Valli, Tommy DiVito, Bob Gaudio, and Nick Massi had the look, had the moves, had the lure of the original Four Seasons.  But most importantly, they had the SOUND!  No one can actually duplicate someone else's voice exactly, but they were so close it was unbelievable.  The show included all of my favorite Four Seasons songs, plus some I'd forgotten were theirs.  The group had a string of Top Ten hits, including many #1 slots on the charts, one after another!  Most of them were in the show.

The show tells the story of how the group came together, found their sound, and got where they were....with all the foibles and problems along the way.  It wasn't an easy ride for those guys every minute.  They encountered some very real obstacles and the show shared those as well as the good stuff.  The show is well-written and moves like a speeding bullet, from great one hit to the next.  I can't tell you what a delight it was.  If you haven't seen it, don't pass up the opportunity if it comes your way. 

The cast of this company was outstanding, whoever did the casting, did a great job.  The actor playing Frankie Valli, Joseph Leo Bwarie, looked a lot like him and sounded a lot like him.  In fact, I thought his voice was a tiny bit better than Valli's.  (Valli has a little bit of a nasal quality, but Bwarie has a more melodious voice.)

The Four Seasons hit the "big time" in 1962 when I was 15 years old.  Frankie Valli has been around ever since.  Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons made music back then that helped define my generation and me.   Last night I wanted to sing.  I wanted to dance.  I wanted to cry.  Most of all I wanted to be 15 again, when life was mostly still ahead and the possibilities were endless.

Hearing those songs again last night was heaven all right!  "Jersey Boys" who made good in the best possible way.  "Oh, What a Night!"

"All the World's a Stage" Story #2

I am not overly fond of working with large numbers young children in shows.  They are very energetic, often without much supervision, and sometimes they just can be totally out of control.  They are usually good once they hit the stage, but off stage they're a trial.  Perhaps its different with "professional" shows, but in community theater (my bailiwick) that's how it is.  There are a few musicals that I've done that are good shows for adults but they have a fair number of kids, e.g.,  "Oliver", "Annie", and "The Sound of Music".  Despite my preference not to work with kids, I have been in each of those shows.  The kids are intrinsic to the story, so you either deal with them or you don't do the show.  Simple!

But every now and then there is an experience with a child that doesn't quite fit the mold.  I was doing "The Sound of Music", playing the role of the Frau Schultz (the housekeeper), she  is only in the 2nd act so I just hung out back stage for the 1st act.

Captain Von Trapp's children range from 16 years old down to about 6.   The role of the youngest child was being played by a darling little red-haired girl, slightly small for her age, who had never been on stage before.  She was a real cutie, had a nice little voice, and learned her lines and blocking fairly easily.  She was the kind of child that would make the audience say "awww" as soon as she walked on stage. 

Opening night arrived and all the kids were excited but didn't appear to be particularly nervous, including the little red-head.  She entered on her cue, remembered her lines and her blocking, and was fully engaged in the scene.  The first song the kids were involved in is "My Favorite Things",  which Maria sings to the children to distract them from a thunderstorm outside.

The scene takes place in Maria's bedroom, with the kids seated around and on the bed.  The little red-head was to sit cross-legged on the floor next to the bed, which she did, listening to Maria sing.  When the song was over, kids were supposed to jump up and exit to stage right, which they did....except for the little red-haired girl.  She just sat there.  Maria had a bit of business to do before the stage went dark for the next scene, but the kids were supposed to be gone.  The stage manager in the wings and the little one's mother were desperately trying to get her to come off the stage, but she just shook her head and sat there.  No one could figure out what was going on and the director was beginning to panic.

We were extremely fortunate that "Maria" was not only a seasoned performer, she was a kindergarten teacher in her real life, so an extra little girl on stage didn't throw her very much.  Keeping totally in character, she went over and knelt down next to the little redhead.  We could see they were having a whispered conversation, and we could see tears rolling down the little one's cheeks.  After a bit, Maria scooped her up in her arms, the little girl laid her head on Maria's shoulder as Maria carried her off.  The scene went to black. 

Maria set her down off stage, the little girl ran to her mother and they disappeared toward the dressing room with the director.  It was time for a scene change on stage, so the working blue lights came up, giving off just enough light for everyone to see the big wet spot on stage.  You could hear the audience murmuring sympathetically. 

Oh no, the poor little thing!  She had an accident on stage and didn't know what to do about it.  But, from a theatrical point of view, she hit it dead on!  She kept in character, she tried to keep anyone from knowing, and she tried to do what was best for the show!

Of course, it was an enormous topic of conversation back stage, but there wasn't a mother among us, whose heart didn't break just a little bit for the little cutie.  We were afraid that she wouldn't be willing to go back on stage after that.  That kind of thing could scar a kid for life!  But we underestimated her, that little cutie was a trouper!  She went back on that night and every performance thereafter through the whole run. 

However, before every performance from then on, the little redhead went around back stage and told absolutely everyone, sometimes more than once, from Maria to the leads, to the chorus to the stage hands and even to the musicians, "I'm fine, I've gone to the bathroom!"

I don't know if she did anymore shows, but I think she probably did.  But I can guarantee you that she hits the bathroom just before the start of absolutely every show she ever does for the rest of her life!

Live theater!  Isn't it great?

"All the World's a Stage"

I haven't written very much about acting, directing, and all things theatrical.  This is mainly because I am still hurting from my last experience.  (All theater people are weird in one way or another.  Don't let anyone ever tell you differently!)  Nevertheless, I have a wonderful avocation that I have enjoyed (mostly) for more than 30 years.  Since I'm not doing theater right now and I am seriously missing it, the very least I can do is write about it!  "All the World's a Stage" is a true statement, but the stage is also a world of its own.

Just to kind of prove both to you and to myself that I have had great experiences in "show business" and I want to share some of my stories.  I hope you can bear it!  Rather than getting into my whole history in theater (I have been involved with more than 40 shows!), I'll just start with a definite highlight.  I'll tell you about the best complement I ever received in theater.

About two years ago, I was thrilled to be cast as Ethel in "On Golden Pond".  Most everyone saw that movie; if you did, then you might remember that Ethel is the role played by Katherine Hepburn.   It was a great movie and the play is even better.

A Quick Synopsis:    "On Golden Pond" by Ernest Thompson

The plot focuses on aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their cottage on a lake in Maine, called Golden Pond.  During the summer the story takes place, they are visited by estranged daughter, Chelsea with her new fiancé and his son, Billy.   At Chelsea's request Billy remains with Norman and Ethel for the summer.  The play explores the often turbulent relationship the young woman shared with her father growing up, the development of a loving relationship between Norman and Billy, Ethel's realization of  the gradual decline in both Norman's physical and mental condition, and the difficulties faced by a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage.  It is a sweet, funny, honest, and very poignant look at what could very well be a family like yours. 

The quality of the cast was very good.  Norman, Chelsea, and Billy were played by very talented and capable actors, whom I respected and enjoyed.

Ethel is deliciously complex role, a real challenge for an actor.*  It was one of the most difficult and emotional roles I have ever played.  The emotional range that she goes through is quite broad  and I loved exploring all of her facets and making her into a real person that the audience could believe.

The audiences were appreciative and attentive.  Over all it was terrific.

On the last night there was a woman in a wheelchair in the first row.  She was about 20 years older than I (which puts her around 75-80).  She and her daughter were very faithful season ticket holders, so I had seen them at the theater frequently over the years, but didn't really know them.  In fact, I never even knew their names.  After the performance that night, as the actors greeted the audience in the lobby as usual, the two women came over to me.  The daughter complimented the show and the performances and we chatted for a moment.  Her mother didn't say very much but she agreed with all the nice things her daughter was saying.  As they were about to move away, the mother took my hand gently in hers.  She pulled me a bit closer and I bent down to be able to hear her better.  I could see there were tears in her eyes.  She squeezed my hand and said softly, "You got it exactly right."

That one short phrase was the best thing anyone ever said to me about any performance in my long history.  It still chokes me up, but, oh, it gives me such joy.  That's what acting is all about.

Sooo, there's my first story about theater.  Would you be interested in hearing a few more??

*Just FYI, I consider both men and women "actors".  The word "actress" is useful only to clarify gender when necessary.

"Hooray for Hollywood"

I've always loved the "old" movies.  You know the kind....made before 1970, maybe even black and white,  movies without blood, gore, non-graphic, sweet, simple, or funny....sometimes even a musical!  (Oh no, horrors!)

In its heyday, Hollywood made a gazillion of  'em.  Some are still considered among the best movies ever made.  But whether or not considered great by anyone else, there are several from that classic film era that I consider my favorites.  The reasons they are favorites vary all over the place and usually have nothing to do with the things that film critics look for.  It's not the technique, or the artistry, or the symbolism, or any of the other buzzwords, film snobs use.  Nope.  For me its all about films that pull an emotional reaction from me every time I see them.  They can be funny, or romantic, or touchingly sad...but something about them "speaks" to me.  I can see (and have seen) them over and over again to the point where the dialogue is so familiar I can say most of the lines right along with the actors!  These are the ones that make me say "Hooray for Hollywood"!

That is not to say, of course, that there are no films made after 1970 that I have enjoyed and could watch again.  It's just that there are fewer of them.

Would you care to know what those films are?  Well, I'm going to tell you anyway!  The list is in chronological order, except for the last two, which are  simply the best of the best!

15.   "It Happened One Night" ~~ Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, 1934 comedy.  One of the very first and best of the romantic comedies.  Gable doing comedy, priceless.  A classic!

14.   "The Philadelphia Story" ~~ Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart, 1935 comedy.  Three great actors in their prime and perfectly cast.  (Interestingly enough, both of these films revolve around an enormously wealthy young woman's wedding day.)

13.  "12 O'Clock High" ~~ Gregory Peck, Dean Jagger, 1949 drama.  WWII  film about aircrews in the United States Army's Eighth Air Force who flew daylight bombing missions against Nazi Germany and occupied France during the early days of American involvement in World War II.  Jagger won an Oscar, Peck should have!

12.  "We're No Angels"  ~~  Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray,  Peter Ustinov.  1955 Christmas Film.   Perhaps my favorite Christmas movie,  with 3 very unlikely "heroes".  A delight!

11.  12 Angry Men" ~~ Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Klugman, Ed Begley. 1957 Courtroom drama.  Another classic.  Magnificent performances by all, especially Cobb and Begley.

10.   "Auntie Mame" ~~  Rosalind Russell.  1958 Comedy.  Funny film, chock-full of memorable characters and unforgettable lines, the most famous of which is probably "Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!"

9.   "Some Like It Hot" ~~  Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon.  1959 comedy.   Directed by Billy Wilder.  Wonderful!  Monroe is sexy, Curtis is gorgeous, and Lemmon is at his frenetic best!
 
8.   "McClintock" ~~  John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara.  1963 Western (!)   Classic tongue-in-cheek cowboy movie with two actors who were great together.  You could practically see the "sparks" flying between them.

7.  "Come Blow Your Horn" ~~  Frank Sinatra, Molly Picon, Lee J. Cobb. 1963 Neil Simon comedy.  Worth seeing for Molly Picon's performance alone, much less Lee J. Cobb in a comedic role. 

6.   "Father Goose" ~~  Cary Grant, John Mills, Leslie Caron.  1964 Comedy/drama.  Another film about WWII, but one of the most quirky love stories ever.  It also has my favorite line of all time.  "Married!?!  Goody-Two-Shoes and the Filthy Beast??"

5.   "Dirty Dancing" ~~  Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey,  Jerry Orbach.  1987 Love story.  What is not to love??  Music, dancing, and Swayze??  Be still my heart!

4.    "Ghost" ~~  Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg.  1990 Love Story.  Oh my, just about everything in this film is the best it could be.  Makes me cry and laugh and has the sexiest love scene ever!

3.  "The Birdcage"  ~~  Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, 1996 Comedy.  I have never laughed as much as I do with this film.  Williams and Lane are just inspired as two aging gay lovers, with Gene Hackman perfect as the hypocritical, bigoted Senator.  Funniest film ever, bar none. 

And now.....(big drum roll, please).....the creme de la creme:

2.   "The Trouble with Angels" ~~  Hayley Mills, Rosalind Russell.  1966 Comedy.  This one has a lot of personal meaning to us.  We saw it when I was pregnant and chose one of the character names for our  newborn daughter.  Ratchlet and I have watched this film at least 50 times together.  There are some parallels to her life that strike a cord in both of us.  Know the dialogue to this one and still laugh when we see it.  Mills and Russell are outstanding and perfect.  This one is my top two favorite movies of all time.

1.   "Two for the Road"  ~~ Audrey Hepburn, Albert Finney.  1967 Love Story/Comedy.  The perfect movie in my opinion.  It is the best story of marriage ever filmed.  Just the best ever! 

If there are any of these that you haven't ever seen, do yourself a favor and watch them very soon.   I can't guarantee you'll love them like I do, but you just might!  After you've seen them, I pretty sure you'll understand why they make me say, "Hooray for Hollywood"!!

Isn't it a shame that Hollywood can't get it right every time??

"You Oughta Be In Pictures"

I've worked with a lot of actors over the years....some extroardinary, some dreadful, and just about every level in between.  They were, at the time, all amateurs, most doing community theatre just for the love of acting.  And there were a few who had ambitions far beyond community theatre; they had dreams of being a professional, working actor, working on Broadway, or TV, or the best of all Hollywood!  To them the most magical phrase in all the world was "You oughta be in pictures!"

And for most of those professional wannabees that I knew, their ambitions remained dreams.  There have been few who were talented, committed, and lucky enough to have moved beyond their amateur days.  I know of three or four who have gone on to semi-pro, but none that have "made it" into the big time.  And then there are those who keep trying.

One such actor is also a friend, JZ.  I worked with JZ in two different shows.  She was just learning the craft back then, but she had potential as a character actor and even more importantly,  she loved it and wanted to make acting her life.  So she moved to Hollywood.

JZ was a large woman, not tall, you understand, just very, very....well....round.  As an actor, her size would be a detriment, but she chose not to attempt to turn herself into a thin, emaciated, starlet type just like hundreds of other wannabees.  She chose to be who she was and hope that her size would give her an edge for the odd or unusual roles that so frequently occur.  It is an interesting strategy and she hoped it would help her carve a niche all of her own.

I haven't seen her in a few years, but we are in touch via email and FB and she frequently sends photos of her current activities.  She has an agent and auditions for everything that she can....TV, ads, independent movies....anything she can get.  She's been cast in a some things, got some good reviews, but nothing major.  She hasn't yet had a "big break".  As we all know, a lot of Hollywood success stories only happen after a long period of no success.

JZ had sent out some photos and info a few months ago about a non-speaking role she got as the bearded lady in a circus for an episode of "Cold Case".  The photos were from the shoot and she looked great!! This is a first run network show (so I've been told....I don't watch TV).  Visibility in a show like this could lead to other things;  she was excited and her friends were all very pleased for her.  She never saw the final version of the episode, but was told it would be part of "Cold Case's" season.

She sent out a quick post this morning saying "Watch Cold Case tonight!"  So we did.  Realizing that for a non-speaking role her appearance might be very fast, so we watched closely.  As the final credits rolled, we had not seen her.  Her scene didn't make it to the final cut. 

This sort of thing happens all the time in film and TV.  A lot more film is shot that is actually needed and the director and film editor make the decision as to what is or isn't used.  Its a fact of life.  There aren't very many film actors that haven't experienced the disappointment of going through that.

Still, its a real shame.  We were so hopeful.  I wanted her to get her break, but this wasn't the show that will do it.  So often careers are made or broken by whether or not you manage to stay off the cutting room floor.  I haven't heard from her yet, but I'm pretty sure that JZ won't let it get her down, my guess is that she'll keep trying and giving her all for the career she wants.  Perseverence is essential in acting, somewhere out there is the role that will launch her into frequent, steady work in the industry!  You know??  'Cuz everybody tells her "you oughta be in pictures"!  And someday, she will!