What is on Stage this weekend

There's a lot going on in the Hudson Valley this weekend, as usual. Here are the events that I've picked up for the first weekend in December:

Taming of the Shrew - the classic Shakepeare play
Stormy Weather Players at Storm King School
December 2 & 3 at 8 PM and December 4th at 2 PM

Twelfth Night - another classic
Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck a CENTERstage production in association with Young Will Company
December 1, 2 & 3 at 7 PM and December 4th at 3 PM

I won't be catching either of these this weekend, but am planning on seeing Twelfth Night next weekend. If you end up seeing either of the productions let me know what you think. I'll be looking for reviews early next week in the papers also.

Thanksgiving Weekend Shows

So for those of us who avoid the mall like the plague the first "official" shopping weekend of the season, what is on stage this weekend?

Switch In Time - a hudson valley 'big band' is playing at the Center for performing Arts
Saturday at 8 PM

A Piano celebration Series, for those who adore classical, is playing at the Center for performing Arts
Sunday at 3 PM

The Merry Widow is in it's final weekend and has moved to the Bardavon's Stage
Friday & Saturday at 8 PM

Gale & I are planning on possibly seeing Rent (the new movie based on the musical) and upholding the tradition of our annual family Christmas cookie bake off. This weekend I hope to also visit the Dutchess Community College Craft Fair Sat & Sun 10 - 4.

Results of Fiddler Auditions

Well we both got our results from the fiddler auditions via email yesterday. Neither of us got a part. Not to worry, there are more auditions coming up that we'll try for. One of the nicest parts of living here in the hudson valley, is that there are so many different theater groups that you can almost always find another audition.

How do you keep rejection from getting you down? It's not easy, but working on growing some thick skin helps. The first thing you need to realize is that this is an subjective decision by the director (or directors as the case may be) - audition for five different directors for the same part and you'll have five different opinions. Age and physical characteristics work into the equation as well! If you're auditioning for a role as a 'love interest' there needs to be someone who will match up with you. Generally speaking, Directors won't cast a 6 Ft woman playing against a 5 Ft man. Auditioning for part of a family? The Director is looking for people that look like they could be family. Perhaps someone else just matched up to the Directors interpretation of a character - thus requiring less work to share the directors vision. See The Top 10 Reasons you didn't get cast for more!

Gale can give you a better perspective of what it's like on the other side: she has Directing experience and has cast a number of shows. Though I hope to Direct in the future!

The Merry Widow

Last night I ushered at Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center (a.k.a the big red barn). It was almost a full house, I would guess about 140-150 of the Center's 165 seats were sold. It was a good audience full of energy - perfect for a Saturday night performance!

Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company has put up another solid, beautifully done musical. The singing, acting, staging, costumes and props were all excellent, as usual. The Merry Widow is an engaging musical operetta of three acts, full of plot twists and interesting characters. For a synopsis of the Merry Widow: Link

The cast included a number of familiar faces from Rhinebeck Theater Society's recent production of Honk (the ugly duckling musical) as well as some G&S regulars. I would highly recommend this entertaining and well produced musical.

If you want to go: visit the G&S website - one more weekend to see this wonderful show.

Onstage or Backstage which is most important

The eternal question - which is most important the actors or the backstage crew? Both are equally important. Without Actors the backstage crew would have a show made up of set pieces, props, lighting cues and sounds. A show without a Crew would be disorganized, without curtains, lights and sounds. No Audience is going to enjoy a show made up of props and set pieces, neither will they enjoy a show performed entirely in the dark!

I'm lucky in that I have experience both onstage and backstage, of course not everyone would say I'm lucky - but it gives me insight into both worlds. The challenges of being onstage are just as great as being backstage. I've helped out backstage for the Kids on Stage Programs including Jingle Bell Jury and Cinderella and on shows when I had smaller roles like when I played Florence Dana Morehead in I remember Mama and also when I was General Cartwright in Guys and Dolls.

There's lots of different roles in the theater, both onstage and off.

What Does Hudson Valley Theater have to Offer this weekend?

There are two wonderful Musicals and two plays to choose from all here in the Hudson valley this weekend! I'll be seeing The Merry Widow and acting as a volunteer usher at The Center for performing arts in Rhinebeck. It's a great chance to support the arts, meet people, and have fun all at the same time. I encourage you to visit the theater and company webpages to see how you can get involved, either onstage, backstage, or in any other way.

The Musicals:

Pippin
Friday & Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 2 PM
Dutchess Community College Dutchess Hall Theater
One of my favorite musicals done by one of my favorite theater groups! Pippin is an interesting look at life, it's meaning, and what it takes to be truly happy. I haven't seen this production, but this show is generally not suitable for children.

The Merry Widow
Friday & Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 3 PM
Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company performing at The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck Another great Theater group and another fun musical.

The Plays:

A View From the Bridge
Friday & Saturday at 8 PM
Put on by County Players - I saw the set at Auditions Sunday night, it looks gorgeous. There's great reviews for this production. Closing this weekend.

All in the Timing
Friday & Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 3 PM
Put on by the Apprentice Players at SUNY Orange

Broadway's Lost Treasures

I'm traveling for work and staying in a hotel, I turn on the TV and flip through the channels. To my surprise something that interests me is on ... PBS has a series called Broadway's Lost Treasures. It is recordings of original numbers from shows and the actors who originated the roles. It always is interesting to see actors I generally associate with Law & Order and it's various iterations, performing on the great white way. I never realized that Jerry Orbach originated the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago.

It's always a great thrill to see theater live, but I'm also very interested in the history behind the shows, and it's wonderful to be able to see historic and memorable moments in Broadway's History.

Theater Auditions

This weekend was an unusual one as I went to two auditions. I should say "we" went to two auditions, since I was accompanied by my sister, Gale, to both. No matter how many auditions I go to there is always the uncertainty and the feeling of an interview. However, once I get there, I do enjoy them. I love to read the script and get a chance to sing. It's been about a year an a half since my last show, so it's been a long while ... Too long.

The first audition was on Saturday, for the musical Fiddler on the Roof, a wonderful musical that is currently running on Broadway in it's Fourth revival. There was an impressive showing at auditions, a lot of familiar faces. Pianist didn't make it on time, so I sang Matchmaker, reasonably well, a cappella and had an opportunity to read for Yente. Gale sang far from the home I love and read as well. Show is being produced by up in one productions.

The second Audition we went to was last night. It was for Proof at County Players in Wappingers. It's a four person drama, I read for the older sister Claire, Gale read for Catherine, the younger sister, and main character. A lot of people came out for auditions, I would guess there was about 30 women (for two parts) and about 12 men (for two parts). Unfortunately we didn't make the cut, but there's always next time.

Now we're waiting for a response for Fiddler. Waiting is the hard part.

Live Theater Performances

Theater is an interesting medium, it is so different from what most people are used to - just sitting there in front of a screen during a movie or a TV show. It's an opportunity to influence what's happening on stage. Influence you say? But how? I'll explain, I think performances should start with a simple announcement in addition to usual ones about cell phones, beepers and emergency exits.

Imagine if you will ... A person enters the theater, the audience grows quiet, then that person begins to speak. "Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the theater. There are a number of Actors waiting backstage to meet you, but before we start I want to let you in on a little secret. Live theater is a two way street! We will perform for you, but you need to respond to us, Applaud, Laugh, Guffaw, Clap, Cry, Cackle! By reacting to what we are doing on stage, you will receive a much better show. Thank you" Person Exits stage left

It's hard being on stage when the audience doesn't respond to the world you are creating.