Childrens Theater
A variety of great performances for Children. The perfect place to introduce children to the joys of live performance and theater.
Magic Soles
July 8 at 11:00 AM
An original play about shoes as a magical element in folklore; Cinderella, The Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Red Shoes, for example. A unique performance that includes dance, mime, acting, storytelling and a scroll story with 25 masks, puppets and costumes.
Mystic Paper Beasts
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
** Please Note - No advance sales for these shows; tickets are sold on the day of show starting at 10 am. General seating; most are approximately 50 minutes in length.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Monday, July 03, 2006
Interview with Herman Sebek
This Interview took place June 28, 2006. Herman Sebek is Directing the Rhinebeck Theater Society's production of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, Opening at The Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center Thursday June 29, 2006. The Music Man is running until July 16. He was kind enough to spend some time with me for this interview.
Herman brings 26 years of theater experience to the Hudson Valley. He began his career while earning his BFA in dance from The Juilliard School. As a professional dancer-singer-actor, Herman's credits include 5 Broadway shows; West Side Story - revival and international tour, Cats - original cast Pouncival and then later Mr. Mistoffolees, Song and Dance - also its national tour, Shogun, and Miss Saigon where he starred as The Engineer. Herman is also a songwriter and continues to develop projects with colleagues, friends and students for theater, film and recording. As a coach and teacher, Herman provides private instruction in voice, dance and performance. Locally, he has been a regular guest teacher for Vanaver Caravan, and was guest director-choreographer for BSP's production of Fame. He, and his students, have contributed their talents to the On Wings of Love concerts benefiting Angel Food East, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, and Pause for Paws benefiting AWAN. Most recently, Herman wrote an original musical with Candy Productions for InsideOut Magazine's 2nd year anniversary celebration, The Purple Palate Party, and had friends from Broadway come upstate to perform in it.
Erica: How did you discover the theater? Was there an “Aha” moment?
Herman: According to my family, the minute I was on my feet, I was running around the house hitting the highest note I could hit. My sister said it would pierce her ears. Then the dancing was something I just started doing.... My childhood sweetheart, her parents had a dance studio. My mother tells me that in kindergarten, somewhere between kindergarten and 3rd grade, I told her [my sweetheart] that “Yes, I take dance lessons” So then my Mom spoke with her parents and I started Ballet at 8 years old.
I'm a very good at pirouetter, spinner ... In Fact, when Michael Jackson came to see the show [Cats], when I was doing Mr. Mistoffolees, we had the pleasure of him coming back, this was when he was in the height of his career - doing that Pepsi commercial ... just after he was recovering from that burn ... So he comes and as he was leaving he said “I like your spins” ... So what I would do when I was little, my mom and family said, I could obviously see the concept of spotting .... holding focus and snapping your head around ... I would stand on my toes and shake my head, and that was my pirouette.
It was in my blood, it's always been in my blood. I'm so blessed to have an immigrant family that grew up and survived the ... freedom of Indonesia – My family is from Indonesia, we're Dutch Indonesian, and they had to leave the country when Indonesia gained it's independence from Holland, they had a choice of staying there and totally letting go any allegiance and any connection to their European heritage or leaving, and they chose to leave. I was born in the Netherlands and we immigrated here when I was 6 months old.
Erica: So you've lived your whole life here practically ...
Herman: Since six months old. My mom said there was something with my birth, this energy, a hand pushing them across the ocean. I was really blessed, it's always been in my blood, something I just knew I would do, It was like, not an 'Aha' but like an inner knowing, an inner knowing long time of this is what I do. It's my thing.
Erica: Do you have a favorite Role?
Herman: it's the Engineer, it's the Engineer in Miss Saigon. I have slamming reviews from it. My most current are from last year when I did it in Wooster Massachusetts. The Review is from the Boston Globe.
Erica: Speaking of which ... August 20, 1997 – Do you know where you were?
Herman: That was Germany
Erica: Then you were in Germany, Then I didn't see you on the stage - I thought I perhaps had... it's the only Playbill [Miss Saigon] I'm missing from my collection.
Herman: Oh ... No that wasn't me, I did my run on Broadway from 1992 – 1994.
Erica: I just wanted to check. That would have been too .... uncanny. It was one of the first Broadway shows I saw ... Not the first, the first was The Secret Garden – it's funny how you remember these things.
Herman: Oh yeah, I know it is ... My first show was A Chorus Line.
Erica: Do you have a favorite show? Not necessarily one that you've done ...
Herman: You know it is one that I've done, it's still my favorite, I just think the design of it is just absolutely beautiful - West Side Story. The whole human aspect of it.
Erica: Beautiful and Timeless ...
Herman: Yes, What I really love about it – which is where I don't get Rent at all, West Side Story is based on Romeo & Juliet, and brilliantly. Where Rent is based on La Boheme, and that's the problem you get when you use an opera libretto, that opera stories are so bizarre are just purely designed to have tragic and intense music and arias sung. There's really no commitment to telling a story that has any kind of coherence.
Erica: It is kind of disjointed, but I do love the music ...
Herman: Exactly ... before I saw the play, the music, I heard the score and loved it! loved the score, just such cool music. Then when I saw it – I did not get it at all. I know it's La Boheme, but still ... You know what's another favorite of mine? West Side for Theater, but since it is coming to Broadway now, Mary Poppins ... Movie Musical Mary Poppins, Musical West Side Story. I just love Julie Andrews in that. Oh god, it's so hard, Sound of Music is another brilliant ... but West Side Story is my thing.
Erica: Tell me how Music Man came to be, how did you come to be involved?
Herman: I'm a teacher, and one of my past students was involved with the Center, and her Mother asked David Forman “Do you know who we have across the river? Herman Sebek, he's a Broadway Veteran, and good with kids .... ” and suggested me for a future production. So as we were discussing this other project, David mentioned he needed a choreographer for Music Man, and it grew from there.
Erica: Do you think it's harder to do a beloved classic, like this show, just because of the audiences expectations? Everyone knows this show ... does that add a little pressure to give them enough of the traditional view of the show ...
Herman: No, as you can tell the way I work ... as an actor and performer myself, thats where I come from as a director. I'm looking for inner life, we didn't have the time to do a lot of inner life work, which is the way I teach. I actually do a lot of experimenting and a lot of discovery, and improv exercises ... to have people come from that creative soul ... I love just coming from a playful place, let's just play, let's see what happens, let's see what lands. If it doesn't land we find something else, if I need to give you the direction on how it needs to look out here, but let's always come from there. So for me, that's always the thing, just coming from the heart, starting from the the heart and seeing where it comes from. I would do that with anything, a little five minute song or a cabaret offering, or a big production like this. To me the human element is first, because if you take it all away - you gotta still touch the people. What they're going to connect with is human beings being human beings on stage.
The great thing about Directing/Choreographing is that I see the whole thing as a dance, the whole thing is such a dance ... as far as honoring the tradition of the piece, and it's history, is really honoring that it's the dance. You've seen some of the pictures of even just the scenes, the way I blocked it, to make it look as if the dance is continuing ...
Erica: There's a continuity ...
Herman: and a choreographic element to it, it has that kind of sculpted look to it. It doesn't go book scene and then you dance and have a good time ... For me the challenge, if you want to know the challenge of doing Music Man – Is that I would take on any piece the way I took this thing on ... I sit at home, I'm looking through the script, I'm taking notes, thinking of pictures, I'm thinking about the inner life, popping on the DVD seeing if there's any clues I can use from that interpretation. So the inner life really is it. I just wanted to make sure it was fresh for the people, that we weren't just going to do a copycat thing ... I want to find something fresh and new and different.
Erica: What is the thing that sets this production of Music Man apart from all of the others. What would you say makes it special?
Herman: I think what's starting to show up, in a really nice way, is the spirit of Community. The whole thing of community theater – the whole thing of community, really starting to shine through all the work. Now that all of my directing and continual notes and drilling is really starting to lock in and show up on the stage consistently. There's a real community spirit that makes this special. It really feels like grassroots kind of a thing.
The production elements are looking really high end – I'm really touched and moved by how it's looking - just the quality for community theater, I have a feeling people are going to be really happy. The sound too – the way the orchestra and the sound is working, I'm really happy. I'm so glad for you guys [the cast], because out in the house I've never experienced a show like this.
Erica: Honestly, from the stage I've never experienced a show like this either. It feels likes we have support like we've never had before.
Herman: Awesome! I'm so glad ... You know what, when you guys did Iowa Stubborn with energy and clarity – I was like Oh my God they're bringing it'
Erica: I think that's because we're inspired to bring it ... The band really helps, that deep sound supporting you, you gotta belt it out – because of - oh wow – all that sound!
Herman: It's fantastic ... I was really touched yesterday [6/27], really touched. So I mean community like our region – the Hudson Valley community kinda feel, it is showing up on the stage, and it's our thing up here. What it means to be Hudson Valley ... It's showing up ... It's really interesting – It's like Music Man looking like a touch of New Paltz, Woodstock, Kingston, Rhinebeck, It really looks like it.
Erica: Right, because we're all taking our small town experiences and bringing it to the stage ...
Herman: It really feels like that ... It's Iowa with our unique regional spirit.
Erica: What do you think overall of the community theater experience in this area?
Herman: It's the desire .. love the desire, and what is really interesting ... It's the desire on one end, and everybody really wanting come to give and get ... give what they can and get their opportunity in the limelight. On the other end [of the spectrum] to have to keep ... it's fascinating how low the percentage is of these actors instincts are, as much as they love being here and want to be here, it's just amazing how many times I have to tell people not to have their back to the audience.
Erica: They get so caught up in their world ...
Herman: It's so funny. Exactly, which is great tot see that there's that inner life – Great! But then the whole thing of serving the public that you're there to serve.
Erica: You have to connect to the audience somehow ... and your back just quite doesn't do it.
Herman: That's the most fascinating thing, to keep saying something like instinct, yet it's something that needs to be trained.
Erica: Are there any future projects or plans that you're excited about and can talk about?
Herman: Let's see ... future ... Getting ready for Halloween again – it's time to do that. Andy, a couple of years ago, created a really fun witches troupe ... and we're always in the Halloween Parade in New York City, and I didn't want to be a pretty witch and then I created this character – her name is Horrorah, you can go to the website www.horrorah.com and you'll hear a little clip of her dance song. She's a Troll ...
Erica: That sounds like fun!
Herman: It is fun, and she is always a star in the parade ... the first year I created her, I was amongst hundreds of people dancing in the street, NY1 came right through the crowd and grabbed me and pulled me in for an interview – pulled her in ... because she's not me – it's really weird – it's totally someone else. It's like ... mask acting, because there's a mask involved with her – people really freak out when they see her, because it's not me. A friend of mine ... she got to meet her [ Horrorah ] last year, and she called me later in the night and left me a message she went 'Herman, that was so weird – I met Horrorah. I could not find you in there anywhere' she's a total spoof on the cookie-cutter shaky shaky girls .... and she has a good cause – Eat the Mean Men. That's my fall project, always love doing that.
We always have a entry, this will be a third year, for the Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby. Which is a total fun event ... For two years we had a broom, that went down the street, a hot rod witches broom ... This year we're going to do something different. So that's the next project up.
I'm in the midst of a writing project – a children's musical that I'm revisiting with a collaborator who just was one of the finalists in the Slamdance screen writing competitions in California. That's something we're revisiting ... we had started it in the early 90's ... It's called the Long Lost Land of Color and it's all about environment and the world. We're like ... we have to do it, it's time – these conversations are out there now. So revisiting that.
And then putting myself back in the Biz – I'm back in film and TV acting class. I'm always writing something. I'm continually songwriting – I had so much fun writing this eight minute musical that was an info-musical or com-musical, commercial musical that I did for the InsideOut second anniversary of the Regional Hudson Valley LGBT magazine. So that was really fun, I love doing projects like that.
That's it right now, all developmental but lots of possibilities ...
Erica: Wonderful!
Herman: I'm teaching, Loving teaching! Always getting new students and always thinking of things to do with my kids. I have an amazing 17 year old that writes the most beautiful faith music ... I have him in the studio recording. I have a couple of kids like him, that are creative as well as singers. I'm also looking at other ways to provide for the Hudson valley community as far as show biz goes.
Then the church [his home] is always a project, my space, the management, the maintenance alone ... let alone development and renovation. And then Andy with his company Candy Productions ... they were the events planners for the InsideOut anniversary, and then they have a Breast Cancer event in the fall ... he also does, as you may have noticed, his Party Illustrations, Party Portraits in the house ... He 's in the midst of doing one for Two Rivers Theater from NJ. We're both very creative spirits and always looking to see what we can create together, as well.
Erica: So what made you decide to Direct? Is that just an outreach of the acting?
Herman: Let me think ...
Erica: or did that just kinda come about because someone said 'Hey Herman – can you do this project?', and you were like 'yeah, sure!'
Herman: Yeah - that's how it happened. It was an extension of being a guest teacher for Vanaver Caravan and other dance schools up here. It kinda grew out of that. I haven't danced for you guys, but even at 44, if I show you what I can do ...
Erica: Oh, I think we've seen enough to know you can really move ...
Herman: When I teach, people are like 'Whoa! ... Can you teach these kids over here....'
Erica: Now this is a big one, Because I know some of the people who read my blog on a regular basis are definitely trying to make it as an actor – do you have any advice for them?
Herman: Hmm – Yes, the hardest one to do – Follow your heart. It's the hardest to do. Follow your heart and let all the opinions that go counter to what your heart says just slide off your back – It's the hardest, yet it's the most valuable, if you really want to make it in the biz - it's a must. And you've gotta turn to whatever your faith is, you gotta turn to whatever is missing is in your confidence, and in your belief in yourself. You gotta turn and deal with whoever in your world that isn't giving you the support and guidance that you're needing or requesting even. It's really following and staying true to your heart. It's hard, it's really easy to get thwarted, especially if the money formula isn't kicking in.
I was really blessed to have that instilled in me at a really young age, that when I went for my very first audition – which was Chorus Line, I was 16 – I shouldn't of been there, we were supposed to be 18, but at 16 went to Philadelphia, because I grew up in Bucks County Pennsylvania. I was one of the last 5 men and boys, and then when they let me go – I was like it's okay I'm 16 only. That set me up that when I went for first audition for West Side Story Revival at 17, which it almost looked like I was going to get ... and I would have not been able to go to my early entry to Juillard, Because I was allowed to have my freshman year at Juilliard count for my senior year at high school. I was given this great privilege. If I hadn't had all the support ... if I hadn't had that in my youth, It wouldn't have showed up around 17, 18 when I finally was in the revival at 18 years old.
That's where that whole knowing, this is what I do ... 'Hi what do you do' – Oh I'm a theater star ... I'm a theater professional. Period. No questions about it.
Erica: As opposed to 'Well, I'm trying to' ...
Herman: Exactly, In fact you know what my parents did that I know really locked it in ... I was 15, 16 ... somewhere around pre-college. Mom and Dad were like Herman you need to get a job, because I had already ended my paper route years, and allowance and mowing the lawn, whatever only did so much. Herman you need to get a job – so you know what it's about - making money. Fine, I go to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor – I'm a busboy for ... one week. My parent's were like okay this is too much driving you to work then dance classes... just keep your grades up in school, and we'll deal with this. Doing that totally wired me for 'Oh I make money from being a performer'.
So yeah, that's really it. It's the hardest one ... that's where you want use whatever schools or books of self development that really help you deal with your inner blocks. That's where it all lives, you hear of it over and over again. People have their breakthrough because they were able to close some door of their past or confront some issue that had been hanging around that they just didn't want to face. They finally do, and boom the next magical career opportunity opens up. That's the magic of life ... we can turn to whatever religions, this thing and that thing - this self help and this guru ... but until you know that moment of following your heart ...
Otherwise, and I've seen it so many times, I've seen amazing talent that didn't have that – even in training, and just not having the heart there, the heart element just blocked or stuck or whatever. The career doesn't unfold, and they just give up.
That's the one ... The second is serve your bosses really well. Do do do and say nothing. I saw one of the most brilliant Miss Saigon understudies in the roll of Kim. Gorgeous! Brilliant. When she had her chance, the stage manager going 'Oh the producers would like you to do the afternoon show' and she was like 'No I'm sick, not feeling well, not ready'. I think they did it two or three times, and there was this kind of scenario. Done. They wanted her for a potential alternate for the role, and because she was doing her little insecurity thing ... that shows up like diva thing .... Done, it didn't happen. Not in that opportunity. You see that a lot too. People doing the 'I'm not ready'. Yeah – you are, the bosses have been training you in understudy rehearsals, get up there! You're not the critique of your work.
That's the other thing, don't be your own critique, don't be your own critic.
Erica: Because you put yourself under a microscope anyway ...
Herman: Anyway, it's human right? We judge, we're always judging ourselves anyway ... Don't try to be your own director. That's the most challenging thing ... that's when you're mid path ... that's REALLY hard. Really easy for that to kick in strong, like you know now. That's it ... never know, never know a thing.This industry is going through so many shifts all the time .... We're having to find all other ways to keep people engaged in entertainment. You can't know how it's done. Yeah there are formulas, yeah there are designs, the only design that is consistent is the Greek [story formula]. So never know is the other one.
Erica: Excellent Advice.
Herman: It's what I have to do for myself.
Thanks very much to Herman Sebek who took an hour out of his busy day to speak with me. I've tried to stay as true to the original interview as possible, while editing for clarity. Thanks also to Rhinebeck Theater Society and the producers for deciding to put on The Music Man.
Herman brings 26 years of theater experience to the Hudson Valley. He began his career while earning his BFA in dance from The Juilliard School. As a professional dancer-singer-actor, Herman's credits include 5 Broadway shows; West Side Story - revival and international tour, Cats - original cast Pouncival and then later Mr. Mistoffolees, Song and Dance - also its national tour, Shogun, and Miss Saigon where he starred as The Engineer. Herman is also a songwriter and continues to develop projects with colleagues, friends and students for theater, film and recording. As a coach and teacher, Herman provides private instruction in voice, dance and performance. Locally, he has been a regular guest teacher for Vanaver Caravan, and was guest director-choreographer for BSP's production of Fame. He, and his students, have contributed their talents to the On Wings of Love concerts benefiting Angel Food East, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, and Pause for Paws benefiting AWAN. Most recently, Herman wrote an original musical with Candy Productions for InsideOut Magazine's 2nd year anniversary celebration, The Purple Palate Party, and had friends from Broadway come upstate to perform in it.
Erica: How did you discover the theater? Was there an “Aha” moment?
Herman: According to my family, the minute I was on my feet, I was running around the house hitting the highest note I could hit. My sister said it would pierce her ears. Then the dancing was something I just started doing.... My childhood sweetheart, her parents had a dance studio. My mother tells me that in kindergarten, somewhere between kindergarten and 3rd grade, I told her [my sweetheart] that “Yes, I take dance lessons” So then my Mom spoke with her parents and I started Ballet at 8 years old.
I'm a very good at pirouetter, spinner ... In Fact, when Michael Jackson came to see the show [Cats], when I was doing Mr. Mistoffolees, we had the pleasure of him coming back, this was when he was in the height of his career - doing that Pepsi commercial ... just after he was recovering from that burn ... So he comes and as he was leaving he said “I like your spins” ... So what I would do when I was little, my mom and family said, I could obviously see the concept of spotting .... holding focus and snapping your head around ... I would stand on my toes and shake my head, and that was my pirouette.
It was in my blood, it's always been in my blood. I'm so blessed to have an immigrant family that grew up and survived the ... freedom of Indonesia – My family is from Indonesia, we're Dutch Indonesian, and they had to leave the country when Indonesia gained it's independence from Holland, they had a choice of staying there and totally letting go any allegiance and any connection to their European heritage or leaving, and they chose to leave. I was born in the Netherlands and we immigrated here when I was 6 months old.
Erica: So you've lived your whole life here practically ...
Herman: Since six months old. My mom said there was something with my birth, this energy, a hand pushing them across the ocean. I was really blessed, it's always been in my blood, something I just knew I would do, It was like, not an 'Aha' but like an inner knowing, an inner knowing long time of this is what I do. It's my thing.
Erica: Do you have a favorite Role?
Herman: it's the Engineer, it's the Engineer in Miss Saigon. I have slamming reviews from it. My most current are from last year when I did it in Wooster Massachusetts. The Review is from the Boston Globe.
Erica: Speaking of which ... August 20, 1997 – Do you know where you were?
Herman: That was Germany
Erica: Then you were in Germany, Then I didn't see you on the stage - I thought I perhaps had... it's the only Playbill [Miss Saigon] I'm missing from my collection.
Herman: Oh ... No that wasn't me, I did my run on Broadway from 1992 – 1994.
Erica: I just wanted to check. That would have been too .... uncanny. It was one of the first Broadway shows I saw ... Not the first, the first was The Secret Garden – it's funny how you remember these things.
Herman: Oh yeah, I know it is ... My first show was A Chorus Line.
Erica: Do you have a favorite show? Not necessarily one that you've done ...
Herman: You know it is one that I've done, it's still my favorite, I just think the design of it is just absolutely beautiful - West Side Story. The whole human aspect of it.
Erica: Beautiful and Timeless ...
Herman: Yes, What I really love about it – which is where I don't get Rent at all, West Side Story is based on Romeo & Juliet, and brilliantly. Where Rent is based on La Boheme, and that's the problem you get when you use an opera libretto, that opera stories are so bizarre are just purely designed to have tragic and intense music and arias sung. There's really no commitment to telling a story that has any kind of coherence.
Erica: It is kind of disjointed, but I do love the music ...
Herman: Exactly ... before I saw the play, the music, I heard the score and loved it! loved the score, just such cool music. Then when I saw it – I did not get it at all. I know it's La Boheme, but still ... You know what's another favorite of mine? West Side for Theater, but since it is coming to Broadway now, Mary Poppins ... Movie Musical Mary Poppins, Musical West Side Story. I just love Julie Andrews in that. Oh god, it's so hard, Sound of Music is another brilliant ... but West Side Story is my thing.
Erica: Tell me how Music Man came to be, how did you come to be involved?
Herman: I'm a teacher, and one of my past students was involved with the Center, and her Mother asked David Forman “Do you know who we have across the river? Herman Sebek, he's a Broadway Veteran, and good with kids .... ” and suggested me for a future production. So as we were discussing this other project, David mentioned he needed a choreographer for Music Man, and it grew from there.
Erica: Do you think it's harder to do a beloved classic, like this show, just because of the audiences expectations? Everyone knows this show ... does that add a little pressure to give them enough of the traditional view of the show ...
Herman: No, as you can tell the way I work ... as an actor and performer myself, thats where I come from as a director. I'm looking for inner life, we didn't have the time to do a lot of inner life work, which is the way I teach. I actually do a lot of experimenting and a lot of discovery, and improv exercises ... to have people come from that creative soul ... I love just coming from a playful place, let's just play, let's see what happens, let's see what lands. If it doesn't land we find something else, if I need to give you the direction on how it needs to look out here, but let's always come from there. So for me, that's always the thing, just coming from the heart, starting from the the heart and seeing where it comes from. I would do that with anything, a little five minute song or a cabaret offering, or a big production like this. To me the human element is first, because if you take it all away - you gotta still touch the people. What they're going to connect with is human beings being human beings on stage.
The great thing about Directing/Choreographing is that I see the whole thing as a dance, the whole thing is such a dance ... as far as honoring the tradition of the piece, and it's history, is really honoring that it's the dance. You've seen some of the pictures of even just the scenes, the way I blocked it, to make it look as if the dance is continuing ...
Erica: There's a continuity ...
Herman: and a choreographic element to it, it has that kind of sculpted look to it. It doesn't go book scene and then you dance and have a good time ... For me the challenge, if you want to know the challenge of doing Music Man – Is that I would take on any piece the way I took this thing on ... I sit at home, I'm looking through the script, I'm taking notes, thinking of pictures, I'm thinking about the inner life, popping on the DVD seeing if there's any clues I can use from that interpretation. So the inner life really is it. I just wanted to make sure it was fresh for the people, that we weren't just going to do a copycat thing ... I want to find something fresh and new and different.
Erica: What is the thing that sets this production of Music Man apart from all of the others. What would you say makes it special?
Herman: I think what's starting to show up, in a really nice way, is the spirit of Community. The whole thing of community theater – the whole thing of community, really starting to shine through all the work. Now that all of my directing and continual notes and drilling is really starting to lock in and show up on the stage consistently. There's a real community spirit that makes this special. It really feels like grassroots kind of a thing.
The production elements are looking really high end – I'm really touched and moved by how it's looking - just the quality for community theater, I have a feeling people are going to be really happy. The sound too – the way the orchestra and the sound is working, I'm really happy. I'm so glad for you guys [the cast], because out in the house I've never experienced a show like this.
Erica: Honestly, from the stage I've never experienced a show like this either. It feels likes we have support like we've never had before.
Herman: Awesome! I'm so glad ... You know what, when you guys did Iowa Stubborn with energy and clarity – I was like Oh my God they're bringing it'
Erica: I think that's because we're inspired to bring it ... The band really helps, that deep sound supporting you, you gotta belt it out – because of - oh wow – all that sound!
Herman: It's fantastic ... I was really touched yesterday [6/27], really touched. So I mean community like our region – the Hudson Valley community kinda feel, it is showing up on the stage, and it's our thing up here. What it means to be Hudson Valley ... It's showing up ... It's really interesting – It's like Music Man looking like a touch of New Paltz, Woodstock, Kingston, Rhinebeck, It really looks like it.
Erica: Right, because we're all taking our small town experiences and bringing it to the stage ...
Herman: It really feels like that ... It's Iowa with our unique regional spirit.
Erica: What do you think overall of the community theater experience in this area?
Herman: It's the desire .. love the desire, and what is really interesting ... It's the desire on one end, and everybody really wanting come to give and get ... give what they can and get their opportunity in the limelight. On the other end [of the spectrum] to have to keep ... it's fascinating how low the percentage is of these actors instincts are, as much as they love being here and want to be here, it's just amazing how many times I have to tell people not to have their back to the audience.
Erica: They get so caught up in their world ...
Herman: It's so funny. Exactly, which is great tot see that there's that inner life – Great! But then the whole thing of serving the public that you're there to serve.
Erica: You have to connect to the audience somehow ... and your back just quite doesn't do it.
Herman: That's the most fascinating thing, to keep saying something like instinct, yet it's something that needs to be trained.
Erica: Are there any future projects or plans that you're excited about and can talk about?
Herman: Let's see ... future ... Getting ready for Halloween again – it's time to do that. Andy, a couple of years ago, created a really fun witches troupe ... and we're always in the Halloween Parade in New York City, and I didn't want to be a pretty witch and then I created this character – her name is Horrorah, you can go to the website www.horrorah.com and you'll hear a little clip of her dance song. She's a Troll ...
Erica: That sounds like fun!
Herman: It is fun, and she is always a star in the parade ... the first year I created her, I was amongst hundreds of people dancing in the street, NY1 came right through the crowd and grabbed me and pulled me in for an interview – pulled her in ... because she's not me – it's really weird – it's totally someone else. It's like ... mask acting, because there's a mask involved with her – people really freak out when they see her, because it's not me. A friend of mine ... she got to meet her [ Horrorah ] last year, and she called me later in the night and left me a message she went 'Herman, that was so weird – I met Horrorah. I could not find you in there anywhere' she's a total spoof on the cookie-cutter shaky shaky girls .... and she has a good cause – Eat the Mean Men. That's my fall project, always love doing that.
We always have a entry, this will be a third year, for the Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby. Which is a total fun event ... For two years we had a broom, that went down the street, a hot rod witches broom ... This year we're going to do something different. So that's the next project up.
I'm in the midst of a writing project – a children's musical that I'm revisiting with a collaborator who just was one of the finalists in the Slamdance screen writing competitions in California. That's something we're revisiting ... we had started it in the early 90's ... It's called the Long Lost Land of Color and it's all about environment and the world. We're like ... we have to do it, it's time – these conversations are out there now. So revisiting that.
And then putting myself back in the Biz – I'm back in film and TV acting class. I'm always writing something. I'm continually songwriting – I had so much fun writing this eight minute musical that was an info-musical or com-musical, commercial musical that I did for the InsideOut second anniversary of the Regional Hudson Valley LGBT magazine. So that was really fun, I love doing projects like that.
That's it right now, all developmental but lots of possibilities ...
Erica: Wonderful!
Herman: I'm teaching, Loving teaching! Always getting new students and always thinking of things to do with my kids. I have an amazing 17 year old that writes the most beautiful faith music ... I have him in the studio recording. I have a couple of kids like him, that are creative as well as singers. I'm also looking at other ways to provide for the Hudson valley community as far as show biz goes.
Then the church [his home] is always a project, my space, the management, the maintenance alone ... let alone development and renovation. And then Andy with his company Candy Productions ... they were the events planners for the InsideOut anniversary, and then they have a Breast Cancer event in the fall ... he also does, as you may have noticed, his Party Illustrations, Party Portraits in the house ... He 's in the midst of doing one for Two Rivers Theater from NJ. We're both very creative spirits and always looking to see what we can create together, as well.
Erica: So what made you decide to Direct? Is that just an outreach of the acting?
Herman: Let me think ...
Erica: or did that just kinda come about because someone said 'Hey Herman – can you do this project?', and you were like 'yeah, sure!'
Herman: Yeah - that's how it happened. It was an extension of being a guest teacher for Vanaver Caravan and other dance schools up here. It kinda grew out of that. I haven't danced for you guys, but even at 44, if I show you what I can do ...
Erica: Oh, I think we've seen enough to know you can really move ...
Herman: When I teach, people are like 'Whoa! ... Can you teach these kids over here....'
Erica: Now this is a big one, Because I know some of the people who read my blog on a regular basis are definitely trying to make it as an actor – do you have any advice for them?
Herman: Hmm – Yes, the hardest one to do – Follow your heart. It's the hardest to do. Follow your heart and let all the opinions that go counter to what your heart says just slide off your back – It's the hardest, yet it's the most valuable, if you really want to make it in the biz - it's a must. And you've gotta turn to whatever your faith is, you gotta turn to whatever is missing is in your confidence, and in your belief in yourself. You gotta turn and deal with whoever in your world that isn't giving you the support and guidance that you're needing or requesting even. It's really following and staying true to your heart. It's hard, it's really easy to get thwarted, especially if the money formula isn't kicking in.
I was really blessed to have that instilled in me at a really young age, that when I went for my very first audition – which was Chorus Line, I was 16 – I shouldn't of been there, we were supposed to be 18, but at 16 went to Philadelphia, because I grew up in Bucks County Pennsylvania. I was one of the last 5 men and boys, and then when they let me go – I was like it's okay I'm 16 only. That set me up that when I went for first audition for West Side Story Revival at 17, which it almost looked like I was going to get ... and I would have not been able to go to my early entry to Juillard, Because I was allowed to have my freshman year at Juilliard count for my senior year at high school. I was given this great privilege. If I hadn't had all the support ... if I hadn't had that in my youth, It wouldn't have showed up around 17, 18 when I finally was in the revival at 18 years old.
That's where that whole knowing, this is what I do ... 'Hi what do you do' – Oh I'm a theater star ... I'm a theater professional. Period. No questions about it.
Erica: As opposed to 'Well, I'm trying to' ...
Herman: Exactly, In fact you know what my parents did that I know really locked it in ... I was 15, 16 ... somewhere around pre-college. Mom and Dad were like Herman you need to get a job, because I had already ended my paper route years, and allowance and mowing the lawn, whatever only did so much. Herman you need to get a job – so you know what it's about - making money. Fine, I go to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor – I'm a busboy for ... one week. My parent's were like okay this is too much driving you to work then dance classes... just keep your grades up in school, and we'll deal with this. Doing that totally wired me for 'Oh I make money from being a performer'.
So yeah, that's really it. It's the hardest one ... that's where you want use whatever schools or books of self development that really help you deal with your inner blocks. That's where it all lives, you hear of it over and over again. People have their breakthrough because they were able to close some door of their past or confront some issue that had been hanging around that they just didn't want to face. They finally do, and boom the next magical career opportunity opens up. That's the magic of life ... we can turn to whatever religions, this thing and that thing - this self help and this guru ... but until you know that moment of following your heart ...
Otherwise, and I've seen it so many times, I've seen amazing talent that didn't have that – even in training, and just not having the heart there, the heart element just blocked or stuck or whatever. The career doesn't unfold, and they just give up.
That's the one ... The second is serve your bosses really well. Do do do and say nothing. I saw one of the most brilliant Miss Saigon understudies in the roll of Kim. Gorgeous! Brilliant. When she had her chance, the stage manager going 'Oh the producers would like you to do the afternoon show' and she was like 'No I'm sick, not feeling well, not ready'. I think they did it two or three times, and there was this kind of scenario. Done. They wanted her for a potential alternate for the role, and because she was doing her little insecurity thing ... that shows up like diva thing .... Done, it didn't happen. Not in that opportunity. You see that a lot too. People doing the 'I'm not ready'. Yeah – you are, the bosses have been training you in understudy rehearsals, get up there! You're not the critique of your work.
That's the other thing, don't be your own critique, don't be your own critic.
Erica: Because you put yourself under a microscope anyway ...
Herman: Anyway, it's human right? We judge, we're always judging ourselves anyway ... Don't try to be your own director. That's the most challenging thing ... that's when you're mid path ... that's REALLY hard. Really easy for that to kick in strong, like you know now. That's it ... never know, never know a thing.
Erica: Excellent Advice.
Herman: It's what I have to do for myself.
Thanks very much to Herman Sebek who took an hour out of his busy day to speak with me. I've tried to stay as true to the original interview as possible, while editing for clarity. Thanks also to Rhinebeck Theater Society and the producers for deciding to put on The Music Man.
Mary Poppins on Broadway
I have a special place in my heart for this musical - It was the first play I was in, I was 8 or 9. I was in the ensemble, and I remember the crepe paper parasol my mother made. It was pink and white ...
Mary Poppins is coming to The New Amsterdam! The music by the Sherman Brothers, George Stiles, Anthony Drew, book by Julian Fellowes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, directed by Richard Eyre, starring Ashley Brown, Gavin Lee, Daniel Jenkins and Rebecca Luker.
Previews: October 14, 2006
Opening: November 16, 2006
Venue: The New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 West 42nd Street, New York, NY
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Mary Poppins is coming to The New Amsterdam! The music by the Sherman Brothers, George Stiles, Anthony Drew, book by Julian Fellowes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, directed by Richard Eyre, starring Ashley Brown, Gavin Lee, Daniel Jenkins and Rebecca Luker.
Previews: October 14, 2006
Opening: November 16, 2006
Venue: The New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 West 42nd Street, New York, NY
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Going Dark Today ...
Several Broadway shows are ending their run today. Although it is expected, it's that time of year. I am a little disappointed. I really wanted to go and see Light in the Piazza before it closed.
The Light in the Piazza, Long-Running Lincoln Center Theater Hit, Closes July 2: "The award-winning Adam Guettel-Craig Lucas musical The Light in the Piazza, which became a surprise popular hit soon after opening in spring 2005, will end its lengthy run at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theatre on July 2."
Doubt Vanishes From Broadway July 2: "The Broadway production of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning Doubt ends July 2, but the potent questions raised in the drama will linger on a national tour in the coming months."
Mame Ends Kennedy Center Run July 2: "The Kennedy Center production of Mame — starring Tony Award winner Christine Baranski in the title role — will play its final performance at the D.C. venue July 2."
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
The Light in the Piazza, Long-Running Lincoln Center Theater Hit, Closes July 2: "The award-winning Adam Guettel-Craig Lucas musical The Light in the Piazza, which became a surprise popular hit soon after opening in spring 2005, will end its lengthy run at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theatre on July 2."
Doubt Vanishes From Broadway July 2: "The Broadway production of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning Doubt ends July 2, but the potent questions raised in the drama will linger on a national tour in the coming months."
Mame Ends Kennedy Center Run July 2: "The Kennedy Center production of Mame — starring Tony Award winner Christine Baranski in the title role — will play its final performance at the D.C. venue July 2."
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
First Weekend of Music Man
The show went really well today, everyone was rested, and the energy was really good. All the costume changes I was involved with (Mine, Ethel, Marion) went so smoothly that everyone had extra time to breathe a minute before going out on stage. I was really happy with the way my numbers went - Pick-a-little ladies, you are the best! Best of all, the director was happy with it too.
Wow. The audience today was awesome. They laughed in the right spots, applauded wildly at the right times, and gave us a standing ovation. The perfect audience (They were perfect before they gave us the standing O - just so no one thinks I'm playing favorites based on that.)
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself for three whole days. Catch up with all my chores I suppose. Things around the house tend to slip during the run of a show. I'll also try to spend more time writing and finding interesting theater bits for the blog.
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Wow. The audience today was awesome. They laughed in the right spots, applauded wildly at the right times, and gave us a standing ovation. The perfect audience (They were perfect before they gave us the standing O - just so no one thinks I'm playing favorites based on that.)
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself for three whole days. Catch up with all my chores I suppose. Things around the house tend to slip during the run of a show. I'll also try to spend more time writing and finding interesting theater bits for the blog.
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
Saturday, July 01, 2006
July 1st in Broadway History
What happened in theater History, July 1st? From Playbill.com:
"- 1931 Florenz Ziegfeld says goodbye to the Ziegfeld Follies, as the final installment produced by the great showman opens at the Ziegfeld Theatre. This edition of the legendary revue stars Helen Morgan, Harry Richman and Buck and Bubbles. There will be 164 performances.
- 1954 Actress Anne Bancroft marries Martin May today. But things will not last forever; May and the Miracle Worker star will divorce only two-and-a-half years later, on February 13, 1957. Her subsequent marriage to Mel Brooks endures.
- 2004 Marlon Brando, the actor perhaps most associated with the naturalistic new style of American acting that emerged after World War II, dies at age 80. On stage, Brando memorably played the brutish Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, repeating his work on film. His much revered, much-parodied and much-copied mumbly, brooding style would be seen on film for the next four decades. His credits include the films "Guys and Dolls" (as Sky Masterson), "The Godfather," "Superman," "Apocalypse Now," "Last Tango in Paris" and "On the Waterfront," among many others. The Omaha native made his Broadway debut as Nels in I Remember Mama in 1944."
"- 1931 Florenz Ziegfeld says goodbye to the Ziegfeld Follies, as the final installment produced by the great showman opens at the Ziegfeld Theatre. This edition of the legendary revue stars Helen Morgan, Harry Richman and Buck and Bubbles. There will be 164 performances.
- 1954 Actress Anne Bancroft marries Martin May today. But things will not last forever; May and the Miracle Worker star will divorce only two-and-a-half years later, on February 13, 1957. Her subsequent marriage to Mel Brooks endures.
- 2004 Marlon Brando, the actor perhaps most associated with the naturalistic new style of American acting that emerged after World War II, dies at age 80. On stage, Brando memorably played the brutish Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, repeating his work on film. His much revered, much-parodied and much-copied mumbly, brooding style would be seen on film for the next four decades. His credits include the films "Guys and Dolls" (as Sky Masterson), "The Godfather," "Superman," "Apocalypse Now," "Last Tango in Paris" and "On the Waterfront," among many others. The Omaha native made his Broadway debut as Nels in I Remember Mama in 1944."
Bardavon renovation
Awhile ago I mentioned the Bardavon and UPAC were merging, and how the Bardavon would be undergoing some restoration work - here's an update from the Poughkeepsie Journal:
"Contractors wearing hard hats have temporarily taken over from stage managers moving scenery as the Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie spends $1.6 million and six months on a renovation project.
The historic theater on Market Street - Mark Twain performed there in 1869 and Bob Dylan rehearsed there in February - is stabilizing its grid and fly system, which according to Lucia Edgcomb, managing director of theatre operations/project manager, was installed in 1905. This wooden structure hangs from the ceiling above the stage and utilizes ropes and pulleys to make characters "fly," hang lights for rock concerts and provide scenery for theatrical productions."
"Contractors wearing hard hats have temporarily taken over from stage managers moving scenery as the Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie spends $1.6 million and six months on a renovation project.
The historic theater on Market Street - Mark Twain performed there in 1869 and Bob Dylan rehearsed there in February - is stabilizing its grid and fly system, which according to Lucia Edgcomb, managing director of theatre operations/project manager, was installed in 1905. This wooden structure hangs from the ceiling above the stage and utilizes ropes and pulleys to make characters "fly," hang lights for rock concerts and provide scenery for theatrical productions."
Theatre Miscellanea
I found these posts to be interesting, but didn't really fit into any theme I was writing about.
Ball Thrown Round The World - From Buts In The Seats
"I don't know if anyone caught this Guardian article on Artsjournal.com in the last day or so. The story covers, Play on Earth, an effort by performance groups on three continents to create and interactively perform with one another with the help of technology. "
On Theater and Technology - From A Poor Player:
"One of Marshall McLuhan’s most interesting observations on media was the notion of the “rearview mirror.” The metaphor he employed was that media (and technology) acted as a rearview mirror to culture. The technology appears to be “the future,” but actually reflects to you the past. Westerns, for example, were very popular TV shows in the 1950s, and a good example of how this principle worked: a modern device depicting some version of the culture’s past. TV shows you where you’ve been, and almost never does it show you where you are or where it can take you."
On Becoming an Equity Actor and the implications of being "professional" - From A Poor Player
"A few days ago, something came in the mail for which I have been waiting 32 years. I greeted its arrival with a mix of skepticism, irony, humor and a small amount of disbelieve. It was my application to apply for membership to Actors’ Equity Association."
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
Ball Thrown Round The World - From Buts In The Seats
"I don't know if anyone caught this Guardian article on Artsjournal.com in the last day or so. The story covers, Play on Earth, an effort by performance groups on three continents to create and interactively perform with one another with the help of technology. "
On Theater and Technology - From A Poor Player:
"One of Marshall McLuhan’s most interesting observations on media was the notion of the “rearview mirror.” The metaphor he employed was that media (and technology) acted as a rearview mirror to culture. The technology appears to be “the future,” but actually reflects to you the past. Westerns, for example, were very popular TV shows in the 1950s, and a good example of how this principle worked: a modern device depicting some version of the culture’s past. TV shows you where you’ve been, and almost never does it show you where you are or where it can take you."
On Becoming an Equity Actor and the implications of being "professional" - From A Poor Player
"A few days ago, something came in the mail for which I have been waiting 32 years. I greeted its arrival with a mix of skepticism, irony, humor and a small amount of disbelieve. It was my application to apply for membership to Actors’ Equity Association."
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Friday, June 30, 2006
Wonderful Opening Night
It was a beautiful Opening night - lots of energy, lots of support, and a great - reactive audience. Thank you to everyone who came to see us.
Following the Theme of the show - if you're looking for some laughs, check out You Grew Up In Iowa If . . . a funny post.
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Following the Theme of the show - if you're looking for some laughs, check out You Grew Up In Iowa If . . . a funny post.
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Another Op'nin Another Show!
Music Man opens tonight! I'm very excited about it, the set looks beautiful, the costumes divine, and the band sounds awesome. To my fellow cast members - Break a leg! To our crew and support team - you guys are the best!
In other news ... I have a big surprise project I've been working on since Tuesday for the blog ... I hope to get it finished tomorrow or at the latest Saturday. I haven't had much free time. It's something I'm very excited about, and hope you'll enjoy.
In other news ... I have a big surprise project I've been working on since Tuesday for the blog ... I hope to get it finished tomorrow or at the latest Saturday. I haven't had much free time. It's something I'm very excited about, and hope you'll enjoy.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
On Stage in the Hudson Valley This Weekend
Onstage in the Hudson Valley this Weekend
June 29 - July 2, 2006
Happy Fourth of July Weekend! Three very fine selections from local community theaters for this holiday weekend. I'm sure you know where I'll be, but if I wasn't going to be on stage for Music Man, in Rhinebeck. I would be seeing both Proof (one of my favorite plays) and The Drawer Boy, which the young man who plays my son in The Music Man saw last weekend and said was very good. Come celebrate this weekend at the theater!
The Music Man
June 29, 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 at 8:00 PM
July 2, 9, 16 at 3:00 PM
Rhinebeck Theatre Society
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080
The Drawer Boy
June 29, 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8:00 PM
July 2, 9 at 2:00 PM
Shadowland Theatre
157 Canal Street
Ellenville
Call: (845) 647-5511
Proof
June 29, 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8:00 PM
July 2, 9 at 2:00 PM
New Paltz Summer Repertory Theatre
Parker Theater
SUNY New Paltz Campus
Call: (845) 257-3880
June 29 - July 2, 2006
Happy Fourth of July Weekend! Three very fine selections from local community theaters for this holiday weekend. I'm sure you know where I'll be, but if I wasn't going to be on stage for Music Man, in Rhinebeck. I would be seeing both Proof (one of my favorite plays) and The Drawer Boy, which the young man who plays my son in The Music Man saw last weekend and said was very good. Come celebrate this weekend at the theater!
The Music Man
June 29, 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 at 8:00 PM
July 2, 9, 16 at 3:00 PM
Rhinebeck Theatre Society
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080
The Drawer Boy
June 29, 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8:00 PM
July 2, 9 at 2:00 PM
Shadowland Theatre
157 Canal Street
Ellenville
Call: (845) 647-5511
Proof
June 29, 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8:00 PM
July 2, 9 at 2:00 PM
New Paltz Summer Repertory Theatre
Parker Theater
SUNY New Paltz Campus
Call: (845) 257-3880
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Hudson Valley Theater Auditions
TriArts at Sharon Playhouse
Sharon, Conn.
Entries accepted until July 21 for Will Rogers essay writing contest. Open to students ages 8-16. Winners receive full scholarship to summer musical theatre workshop. For details call 1-800-364-SHOW (7469).
TrueNorth Theatre Project
Deadline: Oct. 15
One-act river-related play entries accepted for the first annual River Play festival with the TrueNorth Theatre Project and The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries.
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Sharon, Conn.
Entries accepted until July 21 for Will Rogers essay writing contest. Open to students ages 8-16. Winners receive full scholarship to summer musical theatre workshop. For details call 1-800-364-SHOW (7469).
TrueNorth Theatre Project
Deadline: Oct. 15
One-act river-related play entries accepted for the first annual River Play festival with the TrueNorth Theatre Project and The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries.
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Music Man Load In Tonight
So we loaded in the set tonight - It is gorgeous! I mean amazing, fabulous, wonderful! It's not totally done yet - needs finishing touches, paint and whatnot - but I am very impressed. One of the most impressive sets I've seen in community theater.
We didn't have rehearsal today, but I was up early and made six chair covers for the opening train scene. So it was awesome to see what the rest of the train is going to look like when they put it together tonight.
For Load in I mostly worked on costumes - It was a flurry of brims for the band hats, take this dress strap up, see if this fits ... But it was great to be working downstairs because that's where the band was rehearsing... and boy do they sounds good. It's a seven piece band, with lots of brass.
I love this part of the process, where we add the finishing touches. Theater Magic at it's best. We open this Thursday night!
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We didn't have rehearsal today, but I was up early and made six chair covers for the opening train scene. So it was awesome to see what the rest of the train is going to look like when they put it together tonight.
For Load in I mostly worked on costumes - It was a flurry of brims for the band hats, take this dress strap up, see if this fits ... But it was great to be working downstairs because that's where the band was rehearsing... and boy do they sounds good. It's a seven piece band, with lots of brass.
I love this part of the process, where we add the finishing touches. Theater Magic at it's best. We open this Thursday night!
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Lord of the Rings (the musical) Moves to London
From Playbill.com: Lord of the Rings to Replace The Producers at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane!
"The J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired show received its premiere at Toronto’s 2,000-seat Princess of Wales Theatre on March 23. Matthew Warchus’ $27 million (Canadian), three-act production is the first stage adaptation of the literary epic and follows the hugely successful film trilogy."
Exciting move for LOTR, from Toronto to London. Maybe next to NYC? I'd love to see the show, although a 3 hour running time seems a little too much. Previously on LOTR (the musical): Lord of the Rings ... The Musical?, Lord of the Rings Musical Update and Lord of the Rings: Mixed Reviews.
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"The J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired show received its premiere at Toronto’s 2,000-seat Princess of Wales Theatre on March 23. Matthew Warchus’ $27 million (Canadian), three-act production is the first stage adaptation of the literary epic and follows the hugely successful film trilogy."
Exciting move for LOTR, from Toronto to London. Maybe next to NYC? I'd love to see the show, although a 3 hour running time seems a little too much. Previously on LOTR (the musical): Lord of the Rings ... The Musical?, Lord of the Rings Musical Update and Lord of the Rings: Mixed Reviews.
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Corrie Comes to NYC
It's been a while since I've seen anything further on the My Name is Rachel Corrie controversy. In Short, NY Theater Workshop was planning on producing Corrie in early Spring of this year, and "postponed" the show in what appears to be an act of self censorship.
If you haven't been following the story here's a few links to get you up to speed:
4-1-06 Art, Theater and Censorship
4-6-06 London Run Extended
4-11-06 Update on My Name is Rachel Corrie
4-23-06 NYTW Panel Discussions
Well Corrie will make it to NYC after all! From Playbill.com:
"The acclaimed, and controversial, Royal Court Theatre production of My Name Is Rachel Corrie has finally found a New York home. It will begin performances at Off-Broadway's Minetta Lane Theatre Oct. 15. The limited engagement will play 48 performances through Nov. 19.
The play, which is taken from the writings of the late American activist Rachel Corrie, will be directed by actor Alan Rickman, who, with journalist Katharine Viner, edited Corrie's writings."
I am firm in my belief that theater and the arts should make us think, feel and examine the world around us. Censorship in any form limits and holds back the development of the arts, and also the development of ourselves.
Update: Playgoer has some excellent posts on this recent development in the Corrie saga: Corrie Off-B'way! and more "Corrie"
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
If you haven't been following the story here's a few links to get you up to speed:
4-1-06 Art, Theater and Censorship
4-6-06 London Run Extended
4-11-06 Update on My Name is Rachel Corrie
4-23-06 NYTW Panel Discussions
Well Corrie will make it to NYC after all! From Playbill.com:
"The acclaimed, and controversial, Royal Court Theatre production of My Name Is Rachel Corrie has finally found a New York home. It will begin performances at Off-Broadway's Minetta Lane Theatre Oct. 15. The limited engagement will play 48 performances through Nov. 19.
The play, which is taken from the writings of the late American activist Rachel Corrie, will be directed by actor Alan Rickman, who, with journalist Katharine Viner, edited Corrie's writings."
I am firm in my belief that theater and the arts should make us think, feel and examine the world around us. Censorship in any form limits and holds back the development of the arts, and also the development of ourselves.
Update: Playgoer has some excellent posts on this recent development in the Corrie saga: Corrie Off-B'way! and more "Corrie"
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Blogs Entertainment
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Balancing Act: Theater, Work and Life!
What a Balancing Act it can be to keep your life in perspective. Theater, Work, and Social Life?It becomes difficult at times especially when we are this close to opening (We open June 29). We have rehearsals every day (except this Friday) until we open.
In between work and rehearsals, life goes on - grocery shopping still needs to be done, as well as shopping for some items I'll need for the show. Dinner still needs to be made and work certainly hasn't slowed down. I love being in this strange place: it's intense concentration, exhaustion, and euphoria. I'm lucky that I work from home, and my hubby is understanding of my theater obligations.
The last weeks before a show are particularly intense in this way. How do you handle this balancing act?
Other bloggers are pondering this same question: Here, and check out the comments!
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
In between work and rehearsals, life goes on - grocery shopping still needs to be done, as well as shopping for some items I'll need for the show. Dinner still needs to be made and work certainly hasn't slowed down. I love being in this strange place: it's intense concentration, exhaustion, and euphoria. I'm lucky that I work from home, and my hubby is understanding of my theater obligations.
The last weeks before a show are particularly intense in this way. How do you handle this balancing act?
Other bloggers are pondering this same question: Here, and check out the comments!
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
Backstage look at The Arabian Night
Washington DC - backstage look at the set for The Arabian Night. I love photos like these that give an insiders look into a bit of the creative process, in this case the set design.
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
Be True to the Playwright
My head is stuffed! Filled with my lines, songs and choreography. Not to mention the order of the show. It's actually getting to the point where it's a semi automatic thing. I find the less I have to actively think onstage the more I am able to concentrate on the moment and what my character is feeling. I'm only in one play this actor is in two!
My lines are word perfect. The Director keeps reminding us how the playwright wanted it a certain way for a reason. So I kept reading and memorizing until it was right. Why does it matter? Well one reason is because that's what the director wants, the other reason is best explained by a current playwright. I like the post because it articulates and illustrates the "why" in a brutally honest way.
Previously on How DO actors remember their lines
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
My lines are word perfect. The Director keeps reminding us how the playwright wanted it a certain way for a reason. So I kept reading and memorizing until it was right. Why does it matter? Well one reason is because that's what the director wants, the other reason is best explained by a current playwright. I like the post because it articulates and illustrates the "why" in a brutally honest way.
Previously on How DO actors remember their lines
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
On Stage in the Mid Hudson Valley
This Weekend in the Hudson Valley Theaters
June 22 - June 24, 2006
A Little Night Music
June 23, 24 at 8:00 PM
June 25 at 3:00 PM
Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080
Moonlight and Magnolias
June 23, 24 at 8:00 PM
Unison Arts and Learning Center in New Paltz
Call: (845) 255-1559
The Drawer Boy
June 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8:00 PM
June 25, July 2, 9 at 2:00 PM
Shadowland Theatre
157 Canal St.
Ellenville
Call: (845) 647-5511.
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
June 22 - June 24, 2006
A Little Night Music
June 23, 24 at 8:00 PM
June 25 at 3:00 PM
Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Route 308
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080
Moonlight and Magnolias
June 23, 24 at 8:00 PM
Unison Arts and Learning Center in New Paltz
Call: (845) 255-1559
The Drawer Boy
June 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8:00 PM
June 25, July 2, 9 at 2:00 PM
Shadowland Theatre
157 Canal St.
Ellenville
Call: (845) 647-5511.
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
Who wants to be King or Queen of Broadway?
I saw a contest for "King or Queen of Broadway" for anyone interested:
MusicalTheaterAudition.com is sponsoring this event. It sounds like fun, although I'm not sure what exactly the benefits will be, as the site does not yet have details on either the panelists of judges or on the fabulous prize.
From the site: "After years of providing up-and-coming performers with the tools and resources to help improve their auditions and performances, MTA has found a new way to propel would-be stars forward. With an all-star judging panel of professional performers and teachers, this contest will not only provide valuable exposure, but offer some valuable feedback and opportunity for growth as well."
Contest is online, and requires submitting mp3 files. I'll update as I find out more details.
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
MusicalTheaterAudition.com is sponsoring this event. It sounds like fun, although I'm not sure what exactly the benefits will be, as the site does not yet have details on either the panelists of judges or on the fabulous prize.
From the site: "After years of providing up-and-coming performers with the tools and resources to help improve their auditions and performances, MTA has found a new way to propel would-be stars forward. With an all-star judging panel of professional performers and teachers, this contest will not only provide valuable exposure, but offer some valuable feedback and opportunity for growth as well."
Contest is online, and requires submitting mp3 files. I'll update as I find out more details.
Technorati tags: Hudson valley theater Broadway Music Musicals Blog Theater Hudson Valley Community Theater Movie Musicals Blogs Entertainment
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