New Play Titles Just IN

A few notes about the DRAMA CLUB READING LIBRARY.

First, yes we have one.
Second, the books are not just waiting for you to walk off with them. At this point, Alb is acting as librarian, but would be happy to share that role with someone else.

We've catalogued all of the books/scripts on the shelf.
I have some checkout cards in my room.
If you see a play or book that you'd like to read, see Alb about checking it out and taking it home.

Just got in some great one-acts by Wendy Wasserstein (a playwright most know from the late 80's early 90's), published just after her death from lymphoma cancer last year. She's one that went far too soon for the theatre world. They actually dimmed the lights on Broadway as a tribute to her, after her funeral.

Also: one of my favorite playwrights, Terrance McNally, has just published a new work -- we ordered it in manuscript form.

So, yes, please do stop by and check out some great plays and other materials.
Ummm, that is, after you've gotten your lines for the current production down solid.

Community Theatre

What did those of you who attended On-stage production's Cinderella think?

I've been visiting with the on-stage folks since last year about working more closely together.

So one disappointment at the show on Sunday was that they didn't mention us on the "support local theatre" listings in the program. I'd asked them a year ago to include/support us, and have been looking for opportunities to visit about collaboration etc. (I'd love to promote their fall musical -- encourage you guys to audition -- as long as the calendars work out and you could still be involved in our fall production). Wouldn't it be fantastic if the fall musical was a seemless part of BHS drama for those of you who love to sing and dance?

So I was disappointed to realize that we've somehow fallen through their cracks again, after I thought I'd spoken to the right people. Hopefully this is something we can work on in the future! A connected theatre network is a healthy one! Keep that in mind when you're out in the community doing other theatrical work; remind other groups that we also exist, and that working together might be a fun, interesting, creative idea.

OK, so there's the rant on collaboration.
Any thoughts on the actual production?

Callback list

Link to the callback list for Diviners

Possible summer theatre outings

And by outings I mean field trips -- possibly but not definitely in suburbans!

Moorhead State's summer stock program, Straw Hat Theatre, is offering some interesting possibilities this summer.

Proof (2001 Tony Award for best play) is playing June 13-16 and 20-23.
Urinetown, The Musical is playing June 27-30.

The interesting thing about Straw Hat is that in addition to current students and alumni, they audition nationally for summer stock. Yes, some U-Moorhead theatre students get into productions, but the pros brought in elevate the theatre game there. Their productions are typically polished and fun. Tix prices are usually more affordable ($12) than the cities. Since shows run Tuesday - Friday, I was thinking about the possibility of one or two Thursday runs to Moorhead. And need I even mention the Fargo/Moorhead nightlife?


Show up and support Steve in On Golden Pond at CLC (dates? -- around June 30th??)

Let's not forget the Fringe festival. I still want to get down to see some shows in August. (see the sidebar on the Fringe).

The Guthrie opens up their new space with Great Gatsby (how appropriate is that?!?) in July.
Waiting on feedback. If you guys want to go, I'll upgrade from the Albrecht Corolla to the minivan. If enough of you want to go, we'll try to secure school vehicles and extra drivers.

Stay in touch. Join us on the hill on Monday nights. :-)

Jeune Lune recap

Curiously ominous clouds...

Alb being responsible. "Somebody give Dens the clipboard.
OK, kids. Before we put the suburban in motion, make sure you fasten your seat belts."

Seat belt? Check. Eyes on the road, hands slightly above 9 and 3.
Hey! Don't make me pull this suburban over and ...

That's right. Advice is free. In Thailand.

Derbs saluting Borders Books and Music.

Logan demonstrates his fine taste in literature.

Outside the Jeune Lune

Ah, yes. Charter members of Mefistofele's fan club.
Who knew it was possible to eat a sandwich while singing opera?

BTW: Greenwald is a signature performer -- expect to see him often in Jeune Lune shows!

Mefistofele recap

Drama kids never cease to amaze me.

We've already discussed over coffee and miles of interstate, but I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this show. Like Amanda said, "I think I need to sit back and let this one wash over me for a few days."

Although this is only the tip of the iceberg, some impressions:
character development: The attention to detail was marvelous.
example: Margherita's walk. She turned her toes in, which resulted in a somewhat awkward gait. It was intentional for her character. Once I recognized it, I began looking for other subtle touches the actors had applied, and was not disappointed. What did you notice?

language and music: was the language or the music ever a barrier? How did it serve to further the production? Subtitles, anyone?

physicality: again, this goes back to actor intention. What did you think about some of the specific images created, movement? The very physical nature of the play became in a sense a character unto itself -- a means to tell the story.

What else?

Field trips in general... I don't care for Suburbans, but I do like Thai food, good coffee, a beautiful night out in downtown Minneapolis, and the company of artistic souls.

Jeune Lune trip on Saturday *updated*

Please turn in your permission slips to Alb ASAP for the trip to Jeune Lune on Saturday. No permission slip, no trip for you :-(

• Details: play: Mefistofele @ Theatre de la Jeune Lune
  105 N. 1st Street, Minneapolis, MN
  doors open @ 7:30 for general seating, show starts @ 8:00
• we'll leave at 2:00 pm from the North doors in the BHS lot.
• Approximate return time: 1:00 am -- please arrange for a ride home before Saturday 1:00 am.
• Food: BHS Drama will pick up a large portion of your dinner, but bring some extra dineros for treats and maybe in case you want a super-sized dinner (?$5-20?). We'll eat dinner in the cities before the show. -- the box office made a few recommendations. Ultimately, we need to be at the theatre by 7:15 for the 8:00 show, since specific seats aren't reserved.
• We'll be traveling in style, hopefully in school suburbans that include the magnetized signs stating "this vehicle stops at all railroad crossings."
• If you can't make it, you owe Drama club $30 for the ticket we bought for you.
• If you really wanted to go but couldn't find the time to help out, see Alb and maybe we can work something out. We have space for maybe 4 or 5 additional people since we spilled over into a 2nd vehicle, provided tickets are still available and you're willing to put in a few hours this next week in the Little Theatre.

Kids on the list:

Derbs, Celina, Pat, Macky,
Amanda O, Maria, Den Den,
Logan, Dain, Arielle,
Matt, Alb.

See me asap if I accidentally left someone off.

Hooray! This should be fun! Check out the Pioneer Press review, the Playbill review, and production photos. It would also be helpful if you previewed the story (try notes on Boito and his original opera, Dr. Faustus, the Faust legend, and I-hate-Wikipedia-but-I-like-this) before we go.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Decision time for field trippers...
If you helped out with Matt's scene shop organization and are ready for a field trip, here we go!
Mephistopheles closes this weekend. If we want to go, we need to make plans like NOW. Otherwise, we need to wait for the next calendars to open up (Guthrie's next show is in July... Matt's shows are in July...) etc. See me about the content on this one.

Got the Summer Time Blues? Matt Needs Some Help with some independent theatre projects

M.Cummings said...
I am designing 2 shows showing in minneapolis this summer. Any help would be apprieciated. One Is Called "Born in Iraq" http://www.borniniraq.com showing at the Mixed Blood theatre July 5th-15th. (Reports are out that B.B.C, N.P.R., C.B.S, and A.B.C. (British Broadcasting Company) are all Doing a piece on the show. Its very high profile. Its a heart wrenching tale about a young mans life,the son of an iraqie uprise leader, escapeing an attack on his village by saddam. then returning after the recent invasion by american forces. THis is the premire being performed by profesionl actors on awell known stage, and everyone is doing it for free. YOU CAN GET INVOVLED TOO!

The second show wich is shown mid july is a one act at Minneapolis Community and Technincal College. A comedy by Christopher Durang Called "Nina in the morning" about an aging Herres and her niglected children. (No money for me here either) I have already Begun Construction on the Durang peice and the Mixed blood piece should start by the end of the month.I have begun a blog with all my design notes http://catharsis-anonymous.blogspot.com/ you can contact me there or in person if you wish to help. Every one will get credited for their help.