The Women: The last few Months

Well, I've been busy. "The Women" is in tech week, so I don't even have much time now to put all my thoughts together.

The rehersal process went well, other then juggling all the many conflicts modern life causes. We had two cast mambers drop the show two weeks ago, but that was quickly covered - by exisitng members of the cast and a few new faces. A little stressful, but I'm pleased with how well everyone is pulling together and getting it done.

The set is coming together, as is the set dressings, the furnature and the costumes (the costumes are beautiful) We have so many tallented peole in the cast, they are amazing also. There's been some bumps, of course, but I'm confident the pieces will all come together.

Tonight's rehersal was smoother then Monday & Tuesday in so many ways technically, but the wear of exhaustion is starting to show with the cast. We finished early - as we needed to work on set and furnature pieces - so I've got my fingers crossed the cast will get some rest and will be refreshed and ready to go tomorrow night.

I'm running sound for this run - we have some fun sounds, although it can be a challenge to take notes for my actors, hit the sound cues and respond to questions all at the same time. Performances will be easier as both questions and notes will not be as intensive. To quote Cole Porter "you cross your fingers and hold your heart ... another opnin'n of another show!"

The Women - Opens Next Friday!

The Women is Opening next Friday!

November 6, 7, 13, 14 at 8:00pm

November 8 & 15 at 2pm

The New Paltz Community Center

Behind the Town Hall (Rt 32N)

General Admission $15.00

Seniors/Student $12.00

Members $10.00

For Tickets:

Available at the door

Call Kim at Bright Beginnings 256-9657

http://www.ninetymilesoffbroadway.com/

The Wizard of Oz - Review

Tonight a friend and I took in Golden Stone Productions Wizard of Oz it was wonderful. I saw a number of familiar faces both onstage and off. It was a relaxing and entertaining evening.

Let me start with the set and backdrops - One word. Breathtaking! Simply amazing. The best part ... the house (both inside and out.) Lighting effects were used to very nice effect - some really good work there. Also on the production side, I enjoyed the sound design - subtle but effective. Costumes were bright and colorful - the munchkins especially were quirky and unique. I liked the multiple shades of green for the citizens of the Emerald City as well. Overall nice use of color in costuming.

In the cast - I enjoyed the performance of Miss Gultch/Wicked Witch she was amazing! Also a delight were The Mayor of Muchkinland, Zeke/Lion, Aunt Em/Glinda, Prof Marvel/Wizard.
Dorothy was adorable and sang beautifully - and Toto, of course, stole the show (you know what they say about animals and children on stage ....). There was a strong childrens ensemble whose energy was delightful.

There were very few mishaps tonight, which is wonderful to see on the second night of a run. I was a little disappointed in the choreography - traditionally the Tin man does a tap dance in his first number - some of the other numbers weren't as crisp as I would have hoped. But still - a production that is sure to get even better as the run continues. Opening night was over 400, tonight looked a bit smaller but it was wonderful to see many families out to see this beautiful classic.

I encourage everyone to support this wonderful community theater group and see their delightful production of the Wizard of Oz. The run continues for the next two weekends: Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

My Weekend of Theater

I'm very excited about all of the events this weekend - Auditions, seeing a show lots to look forward to!

Tonight, tomorrow afternoon and Sunday afternoon I'm auditioning Clair Booth Luce's "The Women" with 90 Miles Off Broadway I'm assistant directing again, and am looking forward to the challenges of this show and the new space we'll be working in!

Tomorrow night I'll be seeing Golden Stone Productions "Wizard of Oz" one of my favorite movies (and musicals). Check back here for my review of it soon.

Also Auditioning this Weekend is Golden Stone Productions next show "Pippin"
Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck In the studio (downstairs)
August 2nd & 3rd, starting at 7:00 pm, Callbacks August 4th

Open Roles:
Leading Player
Pippin
Charles, his Father
Lewis, his half-brother
Fastrada, Lewis's mother
Berthe, Pippin's grandmother
Catherine, a widow
and a Band of Players who play all other roles

Note: 18 and older preferred.

Theo, Catherine's son (This role has been cast)

Bring sheet music, comfortable clothes/shoes and a bottle of water.

The Wizard of Oz opening soon!

Golden Stone Productions presents “The Wizard of Oz” from July 31st - August 16th.

This is the timeless classic of Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, who like so many girls her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy's imagination. Sing along and celebrate the 70th anniversary of America’s favorite The director of “The Wizard of Oz” is Ron Marquette. Assistant director is AnnChris Warren. Musical direction by the duo of Liz Toleno & Linda McCarthy. Scenic Artist/Design by Richard Prouse. Lighting Design by Jason Boyd. Set Construction/TD is Nick Avossa. Costumes by Danny Paul.

The cast includes Allie Miron(Saugerties) as Dorothy, Rich Hack (Rhinebeck) as The Cowardly Lion, Victoria Howland (Kingston) as Glinda, Tony Curtis (Saugerties) as the Scarecrow, Owen Jones (Lake Katrine) as the TinMan, Pat Kiernan (Ulster Park) as the Wizard and Ed Kleinke (Saugerties) as Uncle Henry with many other highly talented local actors to complete the production.

Performances will be July 31st – August 16th with Friday and Saturday’s evening shows starting at 7:30pm and matinees on Sundays at 3:00pm. All performances are in the Quimby Theater on the SUNY Ulster campus. Tickets are $18 or $12 (seniors/students). There will also be an opening night special family package of 5 tickets for $50(advance purchase only). For reservations, visit www.goldenstoneproductions.org or phone 845.687.4758. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

Auditions: The Women

I'm very excited about my next project - Clare Luce's The Women. It is witty, brutally honest, and direct. I love it. Auditions are coming up and I hope to see everyone there!

Auditions for 90 Miles off Broadway's Fall Production, "The Woman" directed by Philip Corso, will be held in the Social Hall of The New Paltz Reformed Church on:

July 31, 2009 7pm - Open auditions
August 1, 2009 2-4pm - Open auditions
August 2, 2009 2-4pm - Call Backs & Auditions by appointment only

Show dates November 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 & 15 2009

Synopsis: The Women, a comedy by Clare Boothe Luce, is set in the world of high society wives in New York City during the height of the Great Depression. Mary Haines, the protagonist, learns from a gossipy manicurist that her husband, Stephen, is having an affair with a shop-girl named Crystal. After the news of Stephen's affair is published in a gossip column, Mary decides to divorce him. To obtain her divorce, she travels to Reno, Nevada, where liberal divorce laws attracted many society women wishing to downplay any potential for scandal. While she is in Reno, Mary learns that Stephen has married Crystal. Two years later, Mary, now living back in New York with her children, learns that Crystal has been unfaithful to Stephen. With the help of her friends, Mary sets out to expose Crystal's infidelity in order to win Stephen back.

This dark comedy has the interesting distinction of having a cast made up entirely of woman. The men are spoken of often throughout the play, giving the impression that they are active members of the story, but are never actually seen.Rehearsals will be on Thursday evenings & Saturdays daytimes starting at the end of August. Many of these memorable roles are only featured in a scene or two, and will not require attendance at all rehearsals.

Cast List
Jane (20-30) - Mary's Maid, cute and quirky
Miss Nancy Blake (30-40) - Severe old maid
Peggy, Mrs John Day (20-30) - sweet and compassionate
Sylvia, Mrs Howard Fowler (30-40) - Backstabbing, Catty, Vicious yet charming
Edith, Mrs. Phelps Potter (20-30) - fertile but not maternal
Mary, Mrs Steven Haines (20-30) - charming leading lady, sweet, hopeless romantic
Little Mary (girl of 11) - Mary Haines daughter, feisty and outspoken, sweet at times
Miss Fordyce (20-40) - Little Mary's British Nanny
Mrs Morehead (40-60) - Mary Haines Mother
Crystal Allen (20-30) The other woman, not afraid of going after what she wants, seductive
Maggie (30-60) - Mrs Haines Cook, comedic role
Miss Timmerback (30-40) Mr Haines Secratary
Miss Watts (20-30) Notary
Olga (20-30) Gossipy nail girl
Euphie (20-30) African American salon girl
Princess Tamara (20-30) Fashion model
Lucy (30-50) Mary Haines Lady's Maid comedic role
Countess De Lage (40-60) rich, eccentric woman with many ex husbands - she is in love with Love
Miriam Adams (20-30) young, beautiful, charming and protégé of the Countess
Helen (50-60) Crystal Allen's French Maid

Also needed are 8 actresses of every shape and size for various additional roles, some
of which may be double cast. Many of these roles are gems - meaty, witty and memorable.

For more information, please contact Production Manager, Kim Lupinacci at Bright Beginnings: (845) 256-9657

Last Performance of The Sound of Music

Sunday was the last performance of 90 Miles Off Broadway's The Sound of Music. We had over 400 people in the audience! It was amazing. The show went really well and the energy was awesome. I'm thrilled we had a successful run, but am a little sad that it's all over. Our cast member who was injured on Saturday did end up with a fracture, so was in the hospital for Sunday's performance - she was missed.

The cast party was relaxing and a good time - a pot luck dinner and some time to wind down and say goodbye. I was given a beautiful collage of photos of the cast as did the director and musical director. I can't wait to find a place to hang it up. For your viewing pleasure - a photo collage of the show is found here. One of my favorite songs from our production is featured in the clip below.