Thursday, September 29, 2005
Foothill Alum out in the world: Paul Araquistain
After many many months of work the world premiere of a new Terence McNally work is opening, featuring none other than Paul Araquistain.
It's called Crucifixion and is playing at the New Conservatory Theatre in SF. It's still in previews (with McNally himself in attendance right now) and runs until November 8th.
Congrats Paul.
It's called Crucifixion and is playing at the New Conservatory Theatre in SF. It's still in previews (with McNally himself in attendance right now) and runs until November 8th.
Congrats Paul.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Open Auditions: Urinetown!
The schedule for auditions for this year's winter musical, Urinetown has been set:
WHEN:
Preliminary auditions
Sunday October 16 6-9PM
Monday October 17 6:30-9:30PM
Callbacks:
October 22-24 by appointment.
REHEARSALS:
Start January 2nd. Monday-Thursday evenings, plus some Saturday or Sunday work.
PERFORMANCES:
2/17-3/12 2006
SPACE:
Foothill Playhouse (where Sweeney and Candide played.)
WHO:
Looking for a cast of 22 strong singers and inventive, playful actors. There are major roles for both men and women, young and old. And the ensemble numbers are wild and wonderful. If you aren't familiar with Urinetown, buy the original cast recording from 2001.
The show is hilarious and modern, evocative and provocative. I loved it when I saw it in San Francisco a year or two ago. Loved. It.
WHEN:
Preliminary auditions
Sunday October 16 6-9PM
Monday October 17 6:30-9:30PM
Callbacks:
October 22-24 by appointment.
REHEARSALS:
Start January 2nd. Monday-Thursday evenings, plus some Saturday or Sunday work.
PERFORMANCES:
2/17-3/12 2006
SPACE:
Foothill Playhouse (where Sweeney and Candide played.)
WHO:
Looking for a cast of 22 strong singers and inventive, playful actors. There are major roles for both men and women, young and old. And the ensemble numbers are wild and wonderful. If you aren't familiar with Urinetown, buy the original cast recording from 2001.
The show is hilarious and modern, evocative and provocative. I loved it when I saw it in San Francisco a year or two ago. Loved. It.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Foothill Alum out in the world: Greg Tittle, Tim Reynolds and more
Broadway by the Bay’s cast of Ragtime features many a Foothill alum.
Gregory Tittle is reprising his role of Father. (And Andrew Sanford is the Little Boy.)
John Musgrave is the Grandfather
Tim Reynolds is playing Tateh.
Kieleil DeLeon is playing Coalhouse.
Linda Piccone is Emma
Gary and Kevin Stanford are in it, as are probably numerous others I'm missing because the cast is HUUUGE.
And my good buddy (but non-Foothill alum) Susan Himes-Powers is playing Mother and will rock the house along with all of the above I'm sure :)
It opens this week. The production dates are September 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, October 01, 2, 7, 8 and 9. The show is at 8:00 pm every night except for Sundays when the show is at 2:00 pm. There is one Saturday matinee performance on October 1 in addition to the evening performance on that date. Ticket prices range from $15 to $33. The box office number is 650.597.5568.
I going to see the closing performance on the 9th, so the subsequent review won't be much of a marketing tool for the show, but with a cast like the one they've got I'm sure the production will be great.
Gregory Tittle is reprising his role of Father. (And Andrew Sanford is the Little Boy.)
John Musgrave is the Grandfather
Tim Reynolds is playing Tateh.
Kieleil DeLeon is playing Coalhouse.
Linda Piccone is Emma
Gary and Kevin Stanford are in it, as are probably numerous others I'm missing because the cast is HUUUGE.
And my good buddy (but non-Foothill alum) Susan Himes-Powers is playing Mother and will rock the house along with all of the above I'm sure :)
It opens this week. The production dates are September 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, October 01, 2, 7, 8 and 9. The show is at 8:00 pm every night except for Sundays when the show is at 2:00 pm. There is one Saturday matinee performance on October 1 in addition to the evening performance on that date. Ticket prices range from $15 to $33. The box office number is 650.597.5568.
I going to see the closing performance on the 9th, so the subsequent review won't be much of a marketing tool for the show, but with a cast like the one they've got I'm sure the production will be great.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Free Night of Theatre in October; Promotion starts today!
Theatre Bay Area, sponsored by a long list of organizations is promoting a "Free Night of Theatre"
That's right, on and around October 20th over 85 theatres in the Bay Area will be offering free tix to their shows.
Tickets can be reserved on the TBA site starting at 6PM tonight, but I believe you can get a head start on all the lazier folks around by going to TBA's kick-off event today in Union Square:
Here's the info from TBA:
Launch Event Tuesday, September 20 at Noon!
You're invited to the kick off for our exciting new program, "Free Night of Theater." The campaign begins with the launch event in Union Square on Tuesday, September 20th and culminates with Free Night of Theater on October 20th.
Join us Tuesday, September 20 from noon to 1PM in Union Square for our kick-off of the campaign. We are encouraging the press to be present as we launch this unprecedented effort to attract new audiences to the theatre. A big turnout will help us deliver the message that theatres in the Bay Area are making headline news. And catch great performances from "Crowns," Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Woman's Will, Asian American Theatre Company and BATS Improv!
PLUS...be among the first to reserve your own free tickets (2 per person) by visiting the TIX Bay Area pavilion, starting at noon. Tickets may be reserved online at www.TIXBayArea.com beginning at 6:00PM on September 20.
Sounds cool. Be in Union Square or just be square :)
Yes, I just made that up right now, and no, I don't think it's all that clever.
That's right, on and around October 20th over 85 theatres in the Bay Area will be offering free tix to their shows.
Tickets can be reserved on the TBA site starting at 6PM tonight, but I believe you can get a head start on all the lazier folks around by going to TBA's kick-off event today in Union Square:
Here's the info from TBA:
Launch Event Tuesday, September 20 at Noon!
You're invited to the kick off for our exciting new program, "Free Night of Theater." The campaign begins with the launch event in Union Square on Tuesday, September 20th and culminates with Free Night of Theater on October 20th.
Join us Tuesday, September 20 from noon to 1PM in Union Square for our kick-off of the campaign. We are encouraging the press to be present as we launch this unprecedented effort to attract new audiences to the theatre. A big turnout will help us deliver the message that theatres in the Bay Area are making headline news. And catch great performances from "Crowns," Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Woman's Will, Asian American Theatre Company and BATS Improv!
PLUS...be among the first to reserve your own free tickets (2 per person) by visiting the TIX Bay Area pavilion, starting at noon. Tickets may be reserved online at www.TIXBayArea.com beginning at 6:00PM on September 20.
Sounds cool. Be in Union Square or just be square :)
Yes, I just made that up right now, and no, I don't think it's all that clever.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Digital networking in the theatre world
From the "a little bird told me" department:
So if you clicked over to my review of Aida at BusBarn Theatre you know that I much admired the performance of Aida herself, Jen Oku (Foothill alum.) Today a little bird told me the story of how Jen got hooked up with BusBarn to begin with:
Seems Jen understudied a principal role in this year's winter show, Sweeney Todd. Another cast member was so impressed with the job she was doing singing the role that he brought a digital recorder to rehearsal and recorded her singing a number. I believe his words were "I was blown away."
When Recorder Man heard that BusBarn Artistic Director Barbara Cannon was seeking another female for their production of And the World Goes 'Round he asked Jen if he could send Barb the mp3 files he had recorded. She said "yes" (of course, who wouldn't?) He did so, and as Recorder Man puts it: "the rest is history."
Networking in the digital age :)
So if you clicked over to my review of Aida at BusBarn Theatre you know that I much admired the performance of Aida herself, Jen Oku (Foothill alum.) Today a little bird told me the story of how Jen got hooked up with BusBarn to begin with:
Seems Jen understudied a principal role in this year's winter show, Sweeney Todd. Another cast member was so impressed with the job she was doing singing the role that he brought a digital recorder to rehearsal and recorded her singing a number. I believe his words were "I was blown away."
When Recorder Man heard that BusBarn Artistic Director Barbara Cannon was seeking another female for their production of And the World Goes 'Round he asked Jen if he could send Barb the mp3 files he had recorded. She said "yes" (of course, who wouldn't?) He did so, and as Recorder Man puts it: "the rest is history."
Networking in the digital age :)
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Aida Review
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Foothill auditions this month
No, not for Urinetown, but for A Penny for a Song by John Whiting. A Penny for a Song will be directed by Marcia Frederick and will play in the Foothill College Playhouse (where Sweeney played.)
Audition details
Auditions are at the Playhouse Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, September 27 and 28 from 7-10pm, with callbacks scheduled for Saturday October 1st at 11am.
They are looking for a comic monologue if you have it. The play requires Standard British accents. It would helpful if you show ability for that accent in auditions. No singing required.
Characters: 10 men, 1 boy, 3 women, extras.
Rehearsal and performance details
Rehearsal dates: Rehearsals begin Tuesday, October 4. Rehearsal schedule probably Tues-Fri evenings and Sat. or Sun. afternoon. The show is well balanced among the characters so there will be flexibility in the rehearsal schedule.
Performance dates: Opens Friday, Nov. 4 and plays thru Saturday, Nov.19.
About the play, including which version to read
1804, A country estate in Dorset, England. The play has been described as: "Farce with sudden shafts of poetic melancholy," "Broad comedy mixed with Chekhovian charm," and " a plot centering on the absurdity of war, and the joy of love." I would characterize it as a whimsical anti-war comedy with a range of passionate, eccentric, memorable characters, excellent dialogue and intelligent use of language. The plot centers on an attempt to protect England from an expected invasion by Napoleon.
Where to read the script: There is a copy in Marcia Frederick’s mailbox in the Fine Arts Division Office and another one available under her name at the Foothill College Library. Please do not take either of those copies off campus. The play was originally written in 1951 -- this is the version we will be doing and that is the version available on campus. It was rewritten in 1965. Any copy you purchase now would be the later-rewritten version which has major changes.
More Info
650-949-7414 after August 15 or
www.foothill.edu/fa/theatre/auditions.html.
Good Luck!
Audition details
Auditions are at the Playhouse Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, September 27 and 28 from 7-10pm, with callbacks scheduled for Saturday October 1st at 11am.
They are looking for a comic monologue if you have it. The play requires Standard British accents. It would helpful if you show ability for that accent in auditions. No singing required.
Characters: 10 men, 1 boy, 3 women, extras.
Rehearsal and performance details
Rehearsal dates: Rehearsals begin Tuesday, October 4. Rehearsal schedule probably Tues-Fri evenings and Sat. or Sun. afternoon. The show is well balanced among the characters so there will be flexibility in the rehearsal schedule.
Performance dates: Opens Friday, Nov. 4 and plays thru Saturday, Nov.19.
About the play, including which version to read
1804, A country estate in Dorset, England. The play has been described as: "Farce with sudden shafts of poetic melancholy," "Broad comedy mixed with Chekhovian charm," and " a plot centering on the absurdity of war, and the joy of love." I would characterize it as a whimsical anti-war comedy with a range of passionate, eccentric, memorable characters, excellent dialogue and intelligent use of language. The plot centers on an attempt to protect England from an expected invasion by Napoleon.
Where to read the script: There is a copy in Marcia Frederick’s mailbox in the Fine Arts Division Office and another one available under her name at the Foothill College Library. Please do not take either of those copies off campus. The play was originally written in 1951 -- this is the version we will be doing and that is the version available on campus. It was rewritten in 1965. Any copy you purchase now would be the later-rewritten version which has major changes.
More Info
650-949-7414 after August 15 or
www.foothill.edu/fa/theatre/auditions.html.
Good Luck!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Follow-up on shows who needed cast members
In case you were wondering, both shows that I posted about that were in dire need of additional cast members found the cast members they needed and proceeded as planned.
Aida at the BusBarn Theatre is now playing and boasts a strong principal cast of Foothill alums: Robert Brewer (Younger Brother in 2004's Ragtime) is playing Radames, Jen Oku is playing Aida and Keite Davis (Cunegonde and Johanna among others) is playing Amneris. The show already opened, and plays for Here are the deets. I'm going Thursday night myself. (Review to follow of course.) Don't Jen and Robert look good here?:
PS-Here's the full Aida cast list, chock full of Foothill alum goodness.
Godspell at the Studio Theatre of California also found the men and women they needed for the show to go on. The show opens October 7th. And I note from their cast list some Foothill alums, plus Briga-dude Ian Teter and TJ Paganini, who I know both heard about their casting needs from this blog!!
Check out these Foothill alums out in the world beyonf the Hill!
Aida at the BusBarn Theatre is now playing and boasts a strong principal cast of Foothill alums: Robert Brewer (Younger Brother in 2004's Ragtime) is playing Radames, Jen Oku is playing Aida and Keite Davis (Cunegonde and Johanna among others) is playing Amneris. The show already opened, and plays for Here are the deets. I'm going Thursday night myself. (Review to follow of course.) Don't Jen and Robert look good here?:
PS-Here's the full Aida cast list, chock full of Foothill alum goodness.
Godspell at the Studio Theatre of California also found the men and women they needed for the show to go on. The show opens October 7th. And I note from their cast list some Foothill alums, plus Briga-dude Ian Teter and TJ Paganini, who I know both heard about their casting needs from this blog!!
Check out these Foothill alums out in the world beyonf the Hill!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Foothill Alum out in the world: David Curley
David is playing a role of some local interest, the architect of the Winchester Mystery House in the San Jose Rep's production of Haunting of Winchester.
He then goes immediately into 42nd St. Moon's second show of their season: Irving Berlin's Miss Liberty. (Don't buy tix to that one yet, as I'm sure I'll have a lovely Worker Bees discount available!)
So, a busy fall for David!
He then goes immediately into 42nd St. Moon's second show of their season: Irving Berlin's Miss Liberty. (Don't buy tix to that one yet, as I'm sure I'll have a lovely Worker Bees discount available!)
So, a busy fall for David!
Local theatre puts on Hurricane Katrina benefit concert
The Studio Theatre of California together with The Fun Times Singers presents a Benefit Concert for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina featuring The Fun Times Singers directed by Laura Green, and The STOCtet directed by Kevin Cormier.
The concert will be Saturday night, September 17th at 8 pm., at Lucy’s Catholic Church located at 2350 Winchester Blvd., in Campbell. There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door. No reservations required. Come and enjoy these two locally celebrated choirs and help the less fortunate at the same time. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Hurricane relief effort.
The concert will be Saturday night, September 17th at 8 pm., at Lucy’s Catholic Church located at 2350 Winchester Blvd., in Campbell. There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door. No reservations required. Come and enjoy these two locally celebrated choirs and help the less fortunate at the same time. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Hurricane relief effort.
Friday, September 02, 2005
BTW: Did I mention the Winter Musical?
Can't believe I neglected to post this weeks ago. The Winter Musical at Foothill will be Urinetown!
I'm very excited personally, as I really enjoyed this who when I saw it up at ACT. Dark, sardonic, but full of humor and big musical numbers. It plays on the traditional of musical theatre with out the sense of self-loathing that some musicals of late have indulged in.
Yes, it's true that two other theatres are following FMT's lead and performing Urinetown in 2006, but FMT gets it first! And will do it best. You know, IMHO.
As per usual Jay is holding auditions way before first rehearsals because he does a lot of theatre tours in the late Fall. I believe the auditions are in October.
Stay tuned.
I'm very excited personally, as I really enjoyed this who when I saw it up at ACT. Dark, sardonic, but full of humor and big musical numbers. It plays on the traditional of musical theatre with out the sense of self-loathing that some musicals of late have indulged in.
Yes, it's true that two other theatres are following FMT's lead and performing Urinetown in 2006, but FMT gets it first! And will do it best. You know, IMHO.
As per usual Jay is holding auditions way before first rehearsals because he does a lot of theatre tours in the late Fall. I believe the auditions are in October.
Stay tuned.
