Coralville - Director Rachael Lindhart has chosen her cast for the upcoming City Circle production of Noel Coward's Present Laughter. The show opens April 8. It is the final show of City Circle's 2010-11 season.
Cast:
Garry Essendine - David Q. Combs
Fred - Lewis Wasson
Miss Erikson - Janet Haar
Monica Reed - Annette Rohlk
Liz Essendine - Doreen Loring
Daphne Stillington - Becca Wright
Roland Maule - Adam Burton
Hugo Lyppiatt - Josh Sazon
Morris Dixon - Jeff Emrich
Joanna Lyppiatt - Jessica Murillo
Mrs. J. P. Saltburn - Kit Gerken
Monday, February 28, 2011
Present Laughter cast chosen
'Puppets' is an important part of Cultural Corridor
by Joe Jennison
I was reminded again Friday night of why I choose to live and work in Iowa’s Cultural Corridor.
Friday night was the opening night of one of my favorite annual events: Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre’s Puppets and Pastries Dessert Theatre for Adults. The event is designed to showcase the work of several local artists, including puppeteers, and allows adult patrons the opportunity to indulge in the enjoyment of the art of puppetry while simultaneously sipping wine and eating chocolate torte. The event takes place at the Owl Glass Puppetry Center, 319 N. Calhoun St., West Liberty, and attracts a large cross-section of performers and audience members, all of whom seem to love the performing arts.
If you were to wander into the Owl Glass Puppetry Center for this event, you would find a long room set up cabaret-style, with several café tables facing a small stage. The storefront’s windows are blocked by a black velvet curtain, which sits behind the Center’s performance space. The room around that stage is painted a bright, cheerful yellow, and the walls are covered in prints of posters in vibrant blues and greens and reds. Those posters document more than 35 years of puppet shows designed for children, with titles such as The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Fisherman and His Wife and The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
At Friday night’s show, there were no children present, just a group of eight seasoned performers, any one of whom could carry an entire evening on their own. I have been to this event several times now, and knew from just a look at the list of performers that I was about to experience something special.
First up were veteran bluegrass performers Bob and Kristie Black. The Blacks, married since 1990, perform throughout the area and beyond, and have developed a style and onstage performance shorthand that is both fascinating to watch and a joy to listen to. Both are songwriters, and both have a clear understanding of the classic bluegrass catalogue. With Bob on banjo and Kristie on guitar, the duo went from classics to originals and back again. They began with Bill Monroe’s “Come Hither to Go Yonder” and ended with Ernest Tubb’s “Mean Old Bedbug Blues.” In between, the twosome sang and played their own pieces and told stories of their life together. These performers are indeed local treasures and the joy they obviously have in the work is clear and captivating and infectious.
Next up was storyteller Susan Short Gilbert who told a wonderful story from her high school years. Titled Glory Days, the story, told in two parts, very comically and dramatically told the story of “an incident” from the late 60s that her family describes as the moment where she developed a backbone. She told the story very professionally and simply, describing how that in just four short years at a Catholic high school, she went from shy and awkward and picked on, to empowered and strong and respected. Her style is so incredibly personal that at her show, one is not an audience member but rather a trusted confidante – very intimate.
Laura Kittrell performed next on a synthesizer singing a comic version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Memory.” The song, written from the perspective of someone struggling with senior moments, was a real crowd favorite – perhaps a comment on our ages? -- with lines such as “What the heck is that guy’s name? He sings with me in the Choir. Did I leave both burners on, or is my house on fire?” Very funny.
The first half of the evening ended with A Light Draw by Dave Morice, a puppet show performed by Monica Leo and Teri Jean Breitbach. One of the first pieces done by Eulenspiegel in the 1970s, the play introduced Alfred Schultz, a puppet character that has become a signature character for Eulenspiegel. He showed up later as well, twice, as a stick puppet and a hand puppet, as Leo performed a new piece titled How It All Began, which told the story of Eulenspiegel’s early history. Leo and Breitbach too share an onstage rapport that can only be the result of years of performing together, and the reunion of the duo on this stage was clearly a crowd favorite. How wonderful to see them perform together again.
My favorite piece of the evening was an original play by Amy White. Titled Teachers’ Lounge, the play concerned an English teacher whose lunch has been eaten by one of his colleagues. Alone in the lounge, he retaliates by pulling his colleagues’ lunches out of the refrigerator, and lining each lunch up on a table centerstage. Out of frustration and anger, he has a series of conversations using each lunch as a puppet of sorts to represent each teacher. This was an extremely well-written and well-acted piece of theater, wonderfully performed by Jeff White, the writer’s son, who portrayed all five characters and voices. In the short piece, writer and actor worked well together to make a comment not only about one person’s view of working at a high school, but also a larger statement about public education in general.
The evening ended with Breitbach, Gilbert, Kittrell and Leo onstage with kazoos singing “Here’s To Professor Pickle and His Jolly Puppet Show,” an original song written especially for Eulenspiegel. The song contains a very funny veiled reference to a “certain part of Professor Pickle’s anatomy,” certainly not something to share with Eulenspiegel’s matinee crowd. The group traditionally ends their annual Dessert Theatre with this song and it never ceases to make me giggle. These four performers seemed to be having as much fun, if not more, than the audience who had come to see them.
The evening reminded me of the absolute joy that is performance art: Puppets, theater, bluegrass, cabaret, wine, chocolate and kazoos – how lucky we are to have all this talent in one place, and all of these people who are willing to share said talent with us. I walked away reminded again of not only the talent available in the area, but rather, about how regularly that talent is given the opportunity and encouragement to get out onto a local stage and share through performance.
I’m sure that many of the performers mentioned above will be a part of an upcoming benefit performance for Teri Jean Breitbach Saturday, May 21, at the Mill in Iowa City. Find out more through (319) 627-2487. And mark your calendar for their next show, Coyote's Eyeball, which will be performed Saturday, April 16.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sex in the Country
City Circle - This weekend, Sondheim's A Little 
Night Music, directed by Patrick Du Laney, comes to the Englert. The show, part sentimental love story and part madcap romp, won the Tony award for Best Musical in 1973.
A Little Night Music, with words and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, is based on a 1955 Ingmar Bergman film called Smiles of a Summer Night. It deals with the relationships of several couples, and in doing so touches on themes of love and sex, fidelity and betrayal, regret, and second chances. The piece has plenty of wonderful comic moments, which are handled quite well by this company, under the direction of Patrick Du Laney.
The story begins with Fredrik and Anne, a middle-aged lawyer and a naive young girl, who have been married for just under a year. Fredrik laments the fact that their marriage has not yet been consummated. Meanwhile, his son Henrik, who is equally frustrated, has his eyes on his young stepmother. The plot thickens when the glamorous and adulterous actress Desiree Armfeldt, who also happens to be Fredrik's ex-lover, comes to town.
Humbled but determined, Fredrik takes up his case backstage with his old friend, only to be caught in her bedchambers by her lover, the dangerous and jealous dragoon Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm. Fredrik connives his way out of the situation and heads home to his clueless wife, not realizing that the Count's wife is determined to clue her in. All of these intrigues and seductions culmination in a delightful "Weekend in the Country" at the splendid home of Desiree's mother.
The farcical business, textured as it is by Sondheim's carefully structured music, is quite entertaining to watch, and City Circle's company does an excellent job performing it. Krista Neumann, who plays Desiree, and Josh Sazon, who plays Fredrik, are quite well matched. Neumann has a great presence, and she really brings home the suggestive comedy of the piece. Her entrance, decked out in red against the background of the white-clad Liebeslieders, makes a strong impression, and her mature, seductive manner escalates the sexual tension that characterized the earlier "Now/Later/Soon" trio. The show gets off to a fairly slow start, but meeting Desiree is well worth the wait.
Josh Sazon's Frederik is a great counterpoint to this vivacious spirit, characterizes by a quiet, fragile dignity and a wry sense of deadpan humor. In "You Must Meet My Wife" he plays expertly off of Neumann's patter, and his reaction to Michael Petkewec's buffoonish Count Malcolm in the subsequent scene is priceless.
Ben Ward (as Henrik) is also quite funny; in "Later" he does a great job of embodying the young priests' aggravation with his body and his voice, and he navigates all the tricky tones of the song quite well. His anxiety builds steadily in every scene, and it's always refreshing to see him come on and do something new with the character.
Megan Henry, who plays the young Anne, is at first hard to swallow as the ingenue of the piece. She is a bit too sophisticated, a little stiff, very energetic but not quite the bubbly, silly girl suggested in the text. However, when things begin to fall apart in "Every Day a Little Death," it is quite clear why Henry was cast in this role.
Anne, rarely resting for a moment for the majority of Act I, is paralyzed by panic when the cynical Charlotte delivers the news of Fredrik's infidelity. Where one would expect a flighty frenzy we see some very subtle and honest acting; she sits frozen, eyes slightly widening, listening intently as the realization of her situation violently assaults her. It is a touching moment, wonderfully played, without a ghost of overacting. When Anne is called upon to sing, Henry echoes Charlotte's bitter sentiments in her own clear, rich and innocent voice.
As the show goes on, and Charlotte and Anne plot revenge together, she is a delight. Her jealousy is not brooding but playful and energetic, and Anne's character growth is quite rapid in the closing moments of the first act. And her voice, of course, is gorgeous.
Michael Petkewec (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm) and Charlotte (Katelyn McBride), add some great comic moments to this already quite funny ensemble. "In Praise of Women" is a hoot; the looming, hypocritically jealous soldier comes home to his wife, a shrewd and bitter woman who is quite aware she's being made a fool of, and enlists her in causing trouble for his new rival. The pair are always fun to watch, and McBride in particular is quite witty.
Du Laney's direction shows a great understanding of the way the comic timing should play in this piece, and the relationships between the characters are clear and nuanced. A missed opportunity, however, seemed to be using more of the stage (which had a raised platform with some steps to add levels). Apart from "Weekend in the Country," which was choreographed quite well, much of the musical seemed a little too contained, especially considering the bombastic personalities of some of the characters. "The Miller's Son," sung with great energy by Carrie Houtchins-Witt, was one place in particular where I wanted to see the performer illustrate the song with a lot more movement.
All in all, though, it was a great show. It's always a joy to see Sondheim performed with such skill and enthusiasm, and this piece in particular has just the right mix of bawdy humor and serious reflection. It's an entertaining night of theatre, performed by memorable principles, a solid ensemble, and a dedicated orchestra.
A Little Night Music plays February 25-27, 7:30pm Friday and Saturday (2pm Sunday), at The Englert Theatre in Iowa City. Tickets are $20 ($15 for students and seniors) and can be purchased here.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
13th Annual Puppets and Pastries
Eulenspiegel - The Owl Glass Puppetry Center in West Liberty will mark the site of the 13th Annual Puppets and Pastries, where Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre combines inventive storytelling with tasty treats.
Puppets and Pastries will be February 25th and 26th and will consist of a variety of performances. It features treats from the Acapulco Bakery, the music of Bob and Kristie Black and Laura Kittrell, and plays by Susan Short Gilbert, Dave Morice, and Amy White. And of course, Teri Jean Breitbach, Monica Leo and others will be showcasing their famous puppets.
Puppets and Pastries is February 25th and 26th at 8pm, at the Owl Glass Puppetry Center at 319 North Calhoun in West Liberty. Tickets are $15; registration is required. For further information or reservations call 319-627-2487 or e-mail
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A Little Night Music Opens Friday
Iowa City - City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will present Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical, A Little Night Music, Feb. 25-27 at the Englert Theatre.
A Little Night Music is directed by Patrick Du Laney with musical direction by Jason Sifford. Based on Ingmar Bergman’s film Smiles of a Summer Night, A Little Night Music is a sophisticated and sly musical romp that features familiar tunes such as “Send in the Clowns.”
Krista Neumann, who has worked professionally in Minneapolis, Chicago, New York and 
Los Angeles, portrays glamorous actress Desiree. Ms. Neumann starred in South Pacific with Giorgio Tozzi and John Raitt, and has had TV roles in Who’s The Boss and Silver Spoons. Josh Sazon, familiar to local audiences from his recent turn as Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady, will play Fredrik, Desiree’s former lover, who has a new young bride. Complications and seductions ensue, making for an enchanting evening of theatre. The production also features a stellar cast of local performers and musicians.
Performances of A Little Night Music will be held at the Englert Theatre, Feb. 25-26 at 7:30 pm and Feb. 27 at 2 pm. Tickets are available through the Englert Theatre Box Office, www.englert.org, (319) 688-2653.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
SPT Sticks Its Neck Out
By James E. Trainor III
SPT - Friday, February 18th saw another installment of SPT's "Tales from the Writer's Room," this show entitled "Pain in the Neck."
Special guest stars were David Bolt and Cherryl Moon Thomason, and special musical guests were Ron DeWitte, Dave Ollinger, Gayle Elliot and Greg Kane. Many of the skits and songs focused on the "pain" motif - everything from sorrow to irritation to physical agony. In "Love Scabs," David Bolt tells a touching and somewhat rambling tale of coping with shyness as a teen. In "Pain's Pain," Cherryl Moon Thomason mounts Dr. Peter Pizzle's podium as his mother, telling us what a pain the learned professor has been over the years. Both these performers embody their parts quite well and fill the space wonderfully.
Some of the skits ran with the "neck" part and created some humorous situations. In "Betty at the Stove," Mary Sullivan has to perfect a prize-winning recipe, despite the awkward crick in her neck, or risk losing her chance at the Golden Casserole Dish. In "Things Are Looking Up," Jason Alberty's neck problems trigger a humorous examination of mob mentality. These scenes have some great writing, and the execution of the physical comedy is a lot of fun to watch.
This show seemed to be a little more weighted toward the high-energy comedy than some previous shows, which tempered the fast-pasted hilarity with some truly tender moments. Part of this is probably due to the theme - we've all dealt with pains in the neck (metaphorical and literal), and it's cathartic to commiserate with each other, but one finds oneself wondering if there couldn't be a little more meat.
"Pain in the Sears" is a good example. Jason Alberty and Akwi Nji-Dawson are a frustrated customer and a pushy retail clerk, respectively. It basically consists of a monologue where Alberty complains of all the silly deals and surveys they try to push on you when you're on your way out the door, and it's quite funny, but the staging gave me pause. While Alberty monologues about his struggle to keep his temper, Nji-Dawson is frozen upstage, forever the peppy college student forced to stand as a "corporate shill." I couldn't help but feeling more empathy for her than for the shopper. This was addressed in the monologue, granted, but at the beginning, and the subsequent action consisted mainly of growing ire. It seems there was a missed opportunity to bring these characters into some resolution, because underneath the caustic comedy there was some serious social tension. Alas, the scene took a different path, and slipped out the door with a fourth-wall breaking joke. Oh, well. I can't say I'm particularly fond of the checkout ritual myself.
We did have some quiet, insightful moments in this orgy of orneriness: Akwi Nji-Dawson's monologue "Dust, Like Angels" and Mary Sullivan's poem "Gremlins" were joyful little gems. "Dust" dealt with finding your place in the world, and "Gremlins" was a very juicy poem about jealousy and heartbreak, which blended quite well into Doug Elliott singing "King of Pain."
Some of the best moments were actually the most raucous. "Here's Looking at You" starts with a very funny premise as Adam Witte is using an instructional CD (read by David Bolt) to learn how to tie a tie. It twists the premise when the reader diverges into a bitter rant about the suffocating, monotonous corporate environment the young man is looking forward to. David's delivery is priceless and Witte's physical performance fleshes it out marvelously. Also a blast was SPT's version of R.E.M.'s "Stand," in which they recreated the classic video.
The band was great as always. Particularly enjoyable was Ron DeWitte's precise, exquisite guitar work throughout all manner of rock and blues songs. His vocal solo, "Dangerous Mood," had a great feel.
David Bolt and Cherryl Moon Thomson were great guests as well, portraying babies in the nursery, old folks in the nursing home, and everything in-between. Both performers have a wealth of experience and a variety of talents, and it showed onstage.
"Pain in the Neck" has one more performance tonight. Sadly, this show is sold out, according to SPT's website. The next "Tales from the Writer's Room" is "Bottoms Up" on April 1st.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Combined Efforts and SSRO perform at the Senior Center
Iowa City - Local writers, musicians and actors join members of Senior Standing Room Only (SSRO) and Combined Efforts drama to celebrate a muddy post-Valentine's Day. The show is called Tentative and Tardy Love. There is one performance only, Saturday, February 26 at 1:30 in the Conference room at the Senior Center. The show is free, open to the public and appropriate for all ages.
Hopefully, if you've been reading this blog, you have heard of Combined Efforts. But what is SSRO, you ask? They are a theater troupe of between ten and fifteen people that performs at the Senior Center and throughout Johnson County. The group is open to anyone over 50 years of age. Using a "Readers' Theater" format, SSRO performs original works and popular standards of the theater.
Experience an American classic at WCT
by Matthew Falduto
Washington - What an amazing theatre they have in Washington, Iowa. Beautiful stage, fly rigging, lights, raked seating... it's a great place to perform. Apparently, a gift from Washington residents and theatre lovers Dick and Sara McCleery made it all possible back in the 70s when the theatre was built. If you've never had a chance to check out the theatre, I highly recommend you do so. And what better way to do that than by attending one of the remaining performances of an American classic, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck?
Of Mice and Men tells the story of two farmhands looking for work during the Great Depression: George, played by Tim Johnson, and Lennie, played by Don Hughes. George is a smart man who takes care of Lennie, who despite his great size and strength, has the mental faculties of a child. George and Lennie arrive at the ranch with the hopes of making a big enough stake so they can buy their own place. Unfortunately, this story is a tragedy and Lennie's combination of an amazing strength and an utter lack of understanding leads to a death that forces George to make a terrible decision.
WCT's production has many wonderful aspects to it. Before the show began, we were treated to some excellent harmonica playing. The music really set the mood for the show and was a welcome distraction during intermission and set changes. And what a great set it was! Every location was perfectly and realistically rendered, from the bunkhouse to the giant haystack in the barn.
Three actors really stood out in this production. Don Hughes perfectly captured Lennie and all of his moods. For the show to work, we have to feel a great empathy for Lennie and Hughes did an excellent job of evoking that emotion. He also had excellent chemistry with Tim Johnson's George. Another performer who truly stood out was Alicia Smith as Curley's Wife. In the book (and the play), the character is never named. Her purpose in the story is to further the tragedy of Lennie. However, Smith's portrayal added depth to the character which in turn added to that tragedy. Finally, Andrew Cole did a fine job as Crooks, the African American farm worker with the crooked back. He provided some much needed humor in his one main scene.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the four-legged actor, Stitches. Performing the role of The Old Dog, Stitches really got into character when it was time for him to go off stage and be "killed." He refused to go, fighting every step of the way. That's some powerful acting from our canine friend.
I realize many of my readers are in the Iowa City/Coralville area. It's definitely worth the 50 minute drive to check out this theatre. If Of Mice and Men does not interest you, their next show is Man of la Mancha, which will be directed by a name familiar to many Iowa City area theatergoers: Josh Sazon.
I enjoy the new and innovative shows that are being done, but it's always important to remember that classics are classics for a reason. Of Mice and Men is a novel I read every few years. This production is a great way to experience this truly American story.
Hey Teens, do you have the Will Power?
Iowa City – Teenage poets and sonnet writers are invited to grab their pens and crack open their thesaurus to write an original poem or sonnet for the Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival’s annual Will Power Poetry and Sonnet Contests.
Will Power, the festival’s educational outreach program, was launched in 2000 with support from Midwest One Bank. The What You Will Poetry Contest is open to students in 7-8 grades and the Will Power Sonnet Writing Contest is open to students in 9-12 grades.
Poetry contestants are to write an original poem inspired by Shakespeare and sonnet contestants should shape their inspiration into this classic poetic form.
Winners will receive tickets 2 free tickets to the special Will Power Performance of Two Gentlemen of Verona on June 23 at the Festival Stage in Iowa City’s Lower City Park, a cash prize, have their work printed in the Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival playbill, and displayed at the Iowa City Public Library and Midwest One Bank.
Entries are to be submitted to: Will Power Coordinator, Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA 52245.
Entries are due March 1, 2011.
Full contest details are available at www.riversidetheatre.org/getinvolved
At the conclusion of the contest Riverside Theatre will send out notifications to the winners of the contest and the winning entries will be listed on Riverside Theatre’s website www.riversidetheatre.org
Thursday, February 17, 2011
SPT examines A Pain in the Neck
Cedar Rapids - SPT Theatre is back with another of their Writers Room evenings. This series was nominated for an Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance Innovation award (Icky). Pain in the Neck will be performed February 18 & 19 at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Guest artists include David Bolt and Cherryl Moon Thomason. Musical guests are Ron DeWitte, Greg Kanz and Dave Ollinger.
For more information about the show or to order tickets, contact SPT at sptcontactus@spttheatre.org. 
(A look inside the Writer's Room; photo by Mary Sullivan)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Washington presents Of Mice and Men
Washington - Washington Community Theater is one of two theatres we have added to the roster of theatres we will cover in this blog. (The other is Starlighters in Anamosa.) WCT has three shows scheduled for 2011. Later this season, you will have a chance to catch Man of La Mancha (June) and Church Basement Ladies (October). Of Mice and Men, directed by Thom Sobota of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, opens on Thursday and is showing for one weekend only.
The play is a stage adaptation of the classic novel by John Steinbeck. Two drifters, George and his friend Lennie, with delusions of living off the "fat of the land," have just arrived at a ranch to work for enough money to buy their own place. Lennie is a man-child, a little boy in the body of a dangerously powerful man. When Lennie's brute strength threatens to get out of control, George has to make difficult decisions.
The show runs:
Thursday, February 17 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 18 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 19 - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 20 - 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 students (high school & under). Call 319-653-5175 for tickets.
Cast List:
George - Tim Johnson
Lennie - Don Hughes
Candy - Terry Phillips
The Boss - Henry J. Eicher
Curley - Dalton Christner
Curley's Wife - Alicia Smith
Slim - Richard Mickelson
Carlson - Henry H. Eicher
Whit - Shane Schwartz
Crooks - Andrew Cole
Old Creamery offers summer theatre camp
Amana - The Old Creamery’ s Theatre for Young Audiences is bringing a week-long theatre camp to Amana this summer. Camp Creamery: The Legend of Blackbeard's Gold is a week-long workshop for children interested in exploring the exciting world of theatre. The camp is designed to give children ages 7 and up the unique opportunity to work and perform with three professional actors from The Old Creamery Theatre while they rehearse and present a play. The Legend of Blackbeard's Gold is a brand new musical full of pirates, damsels in distress, and plenty of fun! It’ s a great way for girls and boys to have a theatrical adventure this summer!
Camp Creamery: The Legend of Blackbeard’s Gold will be held at The Old Creamery Theatre in Amana July 18th through 22nd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Cost is $65 per child and includes the workshop and a T-shirt. No prior experience is needed but the cast is limited to 60 actors and participants must be able to attend rehearsal every day. Registration is first come, first served and everyone that signs up will be cast in the show. Final performance of the show will be on July 22nd at 7:00 p.m on The Old Creamery’s Main Stage.
For more information or to register visit www.oldcreamery.com or contact Jackie McCall at 319- 622-6034 or jmccall@oldcreamery.com. Scholarships will be available for those in need thanks to the generosity of this year’ s camp sponsor, AEGON.
The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in
1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 40 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Starlighters II Announces Acting Class
Anamosa - Starlighters II Theatre in Anamosa will be offering its “Acting 102” class. It begins Wednesday, February 23rd and runs for 6 consecutive Wednesdays from 7 PM to 10 PM. The deadline for registration is February 19.
This is a 6-week acting class that is designed to be a follow-up class to "Acting 101." However, it is NOT mandatory that a person has taken "Acting 101" before taking "Acting 102." "Acting 102" is aimed at those who would like to act in mainstage shows with Starlighters II Theatre as well as other theatres, but who have held back because they thought they needed better acting skills before they were ready. It is also aimed at young actors who have been involved in youth acting programs and high school theatre, and who want to be challenged on the next level, and move on to performing more demanding roles in mainstage productions. The class will be taught by directors Bob Furino (Delhi) and Rick Sanborn (Stone City) who are part of the Starlighters II Education Department.
"Acting 102" is based upon the Stanislavski System. It will include some review from "Acting 101," and also features such elements as ensemble development, trust, scene study, scene work, dialect, movement, voice/breath, character development, and character analysis. "Acting 102" is open to anyone 14 years of age or older.
There will be a $30 registration fee, payable at the first class session on February 23rd. The class will be held in The Studio on the third floor of the Starlighters Theatre, 136 E. Main Street in Anamosa.
Those interested in signing up for this "Acting 102" class may register simply by calling Starlighters II Theatre at 319-462-4793 Ext. 813 or by sending an e-mail to bfurino@mchsi.com. Include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if you have one).
Fee assistance scholarships are available for those with financial difficulties. Inquire by e-mailing us at bfurino@mchsi.com or calling us at 319-462-4793 Ext. 813.
Casting Call for "Spread" MTV Pilot
Iowa City - Bluebox Limited Films is casting lead and supporting roles for an upcoming pilot to be shot in Iowa City. E-mail spreadcasting@blueboxlimited.com with your name, contact info, headshot and resume by February 21.
Details available here.
ITAC announces 2011 Season
Amana - The Iowa Theatre Artists Company will open its 4th Season on April 29 with Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class, a new one woman musical by Dan Goggin, the man behind the extraordinarily successful musical comedy, Nunsense and its series of sequels. This new spin-off by Goggin has been described as “A One Nun-sense Musical” and will feature popular area performer, Molly Hammer, best known for her portrayal of country legend Patsy Cline, in The Old Creamery Theatre’s record-breaking production of Always, Patsy Cline. “We are delighted to have Molly Hammer appearing in the first production of the ITAC 2011 season,” states Meg Merckens, one of ITAC’s co-producers. “The show is funny and has some great songs. It’s a perfect fit for her.”
In addition to Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class, ITAC will be producing three new shows, re-mounting their history show of communal Amana, entitled Remain True and producing a two week run of The Lady With All Answers, a popular production from the ITAC 2009 Season, before it heads north to the St Croix Festival Theatre in Wisconsin. There will also be guest theatre companies and artists using the ITAC stage for their productions throughout the year, including singer/actress Lynne Rothrock who will be bringing her Christmas Cabaret to Amana the second week of December.
“Finding just the right shows and then getting all of the ‘pieces of the puzzle’ to fit into one schedule can be quite a challenge,” explains Tom Johnson, ITAC co-producer. “But that made it even more exciting when it all finally came together. We can’t wait to share this season with our audience,” finished Merckens.
Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class
By Dan Goggin
April 29 – May 22
The season opener is a celebration of Nunsense nonsense and song. Sister Robert Anne ‘teaches’ you how to put together your own cabaret act. Featuring the very talented Molly Hammer who earned standing ovations in multiple seasons as Patsy Cline.
Remain True: Stories of Old Amana
Adapted by Tom Johnson and Meg Merckens
May 18 - July 2
The second season of our original telling of Amana’s story done in a way you’ll never forget. This one-hour, live presentation will enrich your Amana experience. It’s also being offered as “show & tour.” Bus groups can take a privately guided tour of historic sites following the show. Call the Amana Heritage Museum for group tour information at 319-622-3567. See website for weekly performance times or call the ITAC Box Office. (Show Only: $10 / Show & Tour: $15)
The Lady With All The Answers
By David Rambo
June 17 - 26
Back by popular demand before heading to the St. Croix Festival Theatre in Wisconsin, Meg Merckens returns as Ann Landers, the renowned advice columnist who answered countless letters from lovelorn teens, confused couples and a multitude of others in need of advice. No topic was off-limits, including nude housekeeping, sex in a motorcycle helmet, the proper way to hang toilet paper, and sibling rivalries.
Woody Guthrie’s American Song
Songs & Writings by Woody Guthrie
Conceived & Adapted by Peter Glazer
August 12 - 28
An exuberant musical celebration, Woody Guthrie's American Song tells the life of the rambling folk singer through his words and music. This show has traveled the country to rave reviews. The New York Times said it "...manages to find both the high beauty and the earthly humor of Guthrie's love affair with America." From the Dust Bowl to California and east to New York City, it includes over two dozen songs, including This Land is Your Land, So Long It’s Been Good to Know Yuh, Hard Travelin’ and Bound For Glory.
The Kitchen Witches
By Caroline Smith
October 14 – November 6
Isobel Lomax and Dolly Biddle are cable-access cooking show hostesses who have been at odds with each other ever since Stephen Biddle Sr. dated one and married the other. When circumstances pair them up on a TV show called “The Kitchen Witches” the insults are flung harder than the food! Dolly’s long-suffering TV-producer son Stephen tries to keep them on track, a losing battle, as the show becomes a rating smash as Dolly and Isobel top both Martha Stewart and Jerry Springer!
A Southern Exposure
By Kelley Kingston-Strayer
November 11 - 27
Callie Belle Hurt has fallen in love and she wants her grandmother, Hattie, and her two doting and slightly dotty aunts, to know it. But Hattie decides “she ain't buyin' what Callie Belle is selling.” This funny and touching story is about love, sacrifice, and the everlasting bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter. Don’t miss the Iowa premiere of this new comedy featuring Cherryl Moon Thomason, Marty Norton and Meg Merckens.
Lynne Rothrock’s Christmas Cabaret
Lynne Rothrock & Friends
December 9 - 11
Lynne's Christmas show has become an annual tradition in Iowa, playing to sold-out houses at the ARA Gallery and the Museum of Art in Cedar Rapids, the Campbell Steele Gallery in Marion and Riverside Theatre in Iowa City. Join Lynne and special guests, Ron DeWitte, Cory Johnson and Meg Merckens in Amana for holiday music, comedy & more in her first Cabaret on the ITAC stage.
The ITAC Box Office will open March 21 and reservations and/or information can be obtained by calling: 319-622-3222. The Iowa Theatre Artists Company is also announcing a change in ticket pricing. A regular Adult ticket will be $20.00, five dollars lower than ticket prices in 2010.
“We know that times are hard right now and that dollars spent for entertainment are limited,” explains Johnson. “It’s always been our goal to make theatre accessible to as many as possible, so our hope is to get more people into the seats, which will make up for the shortfall of the lower ticket price.”
Merckens adds, “We’ve also got plans for some technical innovations which will help lower costs. But one thing is certain. A reduced admission price will not mean a reduction in our high artistic standards.”
Performances will continue to be offered Friday through Sundays. Further details are available on the ITAC website: www.iowatheatreartists.org
Free Preview of School Tour Show on Sunday
Amana - The Old Creamery’ s Theatre for Young Audiences kicks off the 2011 school tour with a free preview of What a Difference a Play Makes, Sunday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in Amana.
The Old Creamery offers this chance for the community to see What a Difference a Play Makes before it begins traveling to schools throughout Iowa with positive messages incorporated in a thoroughly entertaining show. Stories and songs in the show are based on materials submitted by children in grades 1 through 6 as part of the accompanying writing contest.
Although geared to school aged children, adults will find What a Difference a Play Makes just as much fun as the kids. “Always the highlight of our school year,” said a teacher from Horizon Elementary School of a previous school tour. “ The kids and adults enjoy the performances equally.”
Sean McCall, artistic director at The Old Creamery Theatre said this year’s show will be highly theatrical while focusing on ways we all can make a difference in the lives of others and our planet. “Not only is it exciting to once again partner with Character Counts in Iowa to remind everyone that each one of us can make a real difference, but this particular show is going to be a delightful way to celebrate 40 years of The Old Creamery Theatre bringing its particular blend of entertainment and education to Iowa students and educators,” he said.
The cast consists of Tom Milligan and Deborah Kennedy of East Amana; Kamille Zbanek of Ely; Nicholas Hodge of South Amana, and T.J. Besler of Manchester. No reservations are needed for the free preview.
The Old Creamery is offering performances of What a Difference a Play Makes, to
schools from Feb. 21 through May 13.
Friday, February 11, 2011
City Circle looking for a few good ... shows
Coralville - Just got this request from our friends at City Circle. Check it out. You know what you've always wanted to do is direct!
City Circle is very excited about our upcoming season. Our first BIG show in our new Theatre has already been announced, but we would like to hear from theatre-loving leaders: ie. Directors! We are still looking for a big musical and a comedic play to round up our season and would love to hear your ideas. Please contact the Artistic Core Representative, Megan Keiser, to schedule a time to come in a pitch us some shows that you would like to see and direct up on our brand new stage. Contacts may be emailed to megan@citycircle.org
And Then There Were None entertains
by Andrew Juhl
Iowa City - “The show must go on.”
Ouch. What a cliché way to begin a community theatre review. I ought to apologize for my hack-hackity-hackness right now. Trouble is, I think in this case “the show must go on” is about as apropos as I’ve ever witnessed. The rehearsal schedule for ICCT’s And Then There Were None suffered from sprained limbs, strep throat, pneumonia, a hefty blizzard, a collapsed roof, and more. Yet, while many community-based troupes would have thrown up their hands and walked away from the production, this group of dedicated actors stuck it out, pitched in, and put it on.
And after witnessing a somewhat shaky preview of the show, I am glad they did.
Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None is a well-crafted piece of writing, even amongst Christie’s own oeuvre. Ten 
characters, strangers to another save for a married couple, are invited to an island resort. After a round of somewhat callow introductions, the group prepares for supper — excuse me, dinner — only to be surprised by a recorded voice accusing each partygoer of a specific heinous crime. It becomes readily apparent that not only have they been marooned on the isolated island, but that a murderer stalks amongst them, planning to kill them all according to the outline of the poem “Ten Little Solider Boys.”
The plot, while seemingly far-fetched, holds steadfast in the wake of direct scrutiny, a testament to the meticulous plotting skills of its authoress. The characters’ motives for sojourning at a queer, unknown location are passably explained, as are the tales behind their aforementioned accusations. Additionally, the setting of an island cutoff from communication is one that has aged exceedingly well since its 1930s creation.
ICCT’s And Then There Were None cast is, perhaps, the most age-appropriate cast I have ever seen for the play. Sometimes done in high schools or smaller communities, the actors have to stretch their years through costume, makeup, and voice; the ensemble in the current production is believable on their own merits. There are a few standouts, though. Richard Paulus performs fantastically as ‘General MacKenzie,’ bringing credible gravitas to the role of a shameful old vet that few younger actors could muster. Caroline Oster’s portrayal of ‘Emily Brent’ was similarly on-mark, 
proffering a perfect example of the ruthlessly religious, self-righteous, and judgmental older woman. Matthew Falduto (‘Captain Lombard’) and Tracy Schoenle (‘Vera Claythorne’) carry two of the show’s larger roles with aplomb, and a special nod goes to James Anderson (‘Anthony Marston’) for conveying exceptional sliminess in what is a smaller but important role.
Director Patti Mott has obvious experience with the story. Early scenes contain several dozen entrances and exits, though none noticeably infringe any others, and even when the entire 10-person ensemble is on stage, it doesn’t feel crowded or over-busy. I also applaud the decision to not have the cast attempt English accents. I’ve seen this done with an English-set play before, and it can be painful. It takes nothing away from the performance or the story to hear these lines delivered in the hearty cadences of lifelong Midwesterners.
Night-before-opening, there were still a few handfuls of dropped or trampled lines of dialogue, but no one instance that would derail an actual show. Besides, this is why dress rehearsals exist, no? My measure of the cast is that they are an exceptionally committed group of actors, and whatever shortcomings appeared last night will be rectified come this evening.
My primary criticism coming away from the preview was that several characters lacked any true sense of urgency throughout their performances. People were dying around them, and they could—
would—be next, yet several seemed not only okay with that fact, but almost bored by it. I have to say, if the guy on the stage doesn’t care that he’s about to be drowned, I’m not going to be all that concerned about it, either. Again, though, I have hopes that a jolt of opening night adrenaline will inject some much-needed energy into these performances.
Either way, Christie’s original story should keep you entertained, especially if you’ve never seen it before. I was lucky enough to have a 9-year-old along with me for the review, and she — a little girl who can barely sit through an episode of over-stimulating Disney Channel tripe before getting bored - sat motionless and riveted throughout the entire final act. Well done, Agatha and ICCT. Well done, indeed.
ICCT’s And Then There Were None is running this weekend only (Feb. 11-13); the Friday and Saturday shows are 7:30pm, and there is Sunday matinee at 2:00pm.
Last Train to Nibroc is Thought Provoking
by Meghan D'Souza
Iowa City - World War Two. We hear stories from our relatives all the time. It was a time when women were encouraged to work in factories. A time when U.S. citizens learned to live on rations. Dreamwell's production of Last Train to Nibroc follows a different type of story during that war involving a young man and woman struggling on the home front.
While I found the dialogue repetitive at times, the play in its entirety was 
enjoyable, thought-provoking and, in Dreamwell's true nature, certainly taboo. May, played by the talented Ottavia DeLuca, found herself newly single and the victim of shattered dreams. To be single at her age, the early 20's in the 1940s, certainly did make a lady an old maid in that time. She was disappointed in her former fiancé and upset that her plan to become a missionary could not become a reality, now that she was not getting married.
Raleigh, played by K. Michael Moore, was facing a harsh reality of his own. He had been discharged by the army due to an illness. Specifically, epilepsy, a misunderstood illness that scared everyone in that era. He felt shame and guilt, wanting to serve his country and not being allowed to do so. He felt that people didn't understand why he wasn't overseas like their brothers and sons were.
Though simple, the set was creatively designed to accommodate the three scenes that make up this play. With dark blue walls covered in posters circa the 1940s outlining the stage, Raleigh and May met on a train, so they sat on a cushioned bench, with the whole stage lit.
To change to the next scene, which took place just over a year later on a park bench, they simply removed the cushions from the bench, but kept the lighting the same. For the final scene, they added a chair and tossed a blanket and pillows on the bench to give the feel of a front porch.
The storytelling was helped along by the costumes Moore and DeLuca wore. In Scene One, they donned an army uniform and a typical 1940s dress. In Scene Two, back in Kentucky where they're from, Moore had changed into overalls and a button-down shirt and DeLuca added gloves and a hat to her dress. Ladies never went outside without gloves and a hat in the '40s. Scene Three took place on May's porch after dinner. Here, Moore wore a shirt and tie with khakis. May had a different dress on with socks and white shoes, but no hat or gloves.
The most important part of the play was the acting and it was splendid. The whole 80 minutes was on the shoulders of Moore and DeLuca and they carried it effortlessly. They two took us through three different years. We watched them grow, carry heavy burdens, accept change and forge ahead.
DeLuca won me over in the most serious scenes. I usually try to separate myself from a show when things get too tense, but I simply couldn't do that with her on stage. She had some harsh lines to deliver and she did it well. Moore responded perfectly, making the whole event believable. With the use of facial expressions, good voice tones, perfect reactions to one another and an even flow of conversation, this twosome put on an excellent performance.
It's a play that makes you think and makes you talk. It's performed in a way that will have you immersed. This show runs Friday and Saturday only so do not miss it!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Dreamwell announces cast for Stuff Happens
Iowa City - Dreamwell Theatre announces the cast for David Hare’s Stuff Happens, a political (recent) history play exploring the often notorious events and decisions that led to the war in Iraq. Ryan Foizey directs. Performances will be April 8, 9, 15, 16 at the Unitarian Society building in Iowa City.
The "Actor(s)" - Justin Mangrich* and Tracy Schoenle*
George W. - Justin Braden
Colin Powell - Kevin Moore
Tony Blair - Rob Merritt
Condoleezza Rice (Condi) - Nicole Reedy
Dick Cheney - Brian Tanner
Donald Rummsfeld (Rummy) - Scott Strode
Paul Wolfowitz (Wolfie) - Mark Nidey*
Hans Blix - Alex Schulte*
Kofi Annan - Kobi E. Reese Sr.*
The Company:
Meg Dobbs
Beverly Mead
Ariane Parkes-Perret
Jordan Running
Aaron Brewer
Roxy Running
Paul Freese
Name*= Also a member of the company.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
And Then There Were None Opens Friday
Iowa City - On Friday, the Iowa City Community Theatre will present And Then There Were None, a suspenseful mystery written by the best-selling author Agatha Christie.
Christie’s brilliant writing weaves the story strategically into a twisted plot that leaves the audience tripped up, pointing the blame in all the wrong places. The play is based on the 1939 book, formerly titled Ten Little Indians. The show runs for three nights only, February 11 and 12 at 7:30 pm and February 13 at 2 pm. All performances are at the Englert Theatre, 221 East Washington Street. Tickets are available through this web page.
Award-winning director and active member of the community Patti Mott is directing the play. Mott has been involved in theatre since she was three, once captivated by her father’s love for the arts. Surprisingly enough, at a young age she did not think she was going to be a director. Mott has been an actress and a costume designer, and has started many theatre productions across Iowa City. She directed her first play at City High, and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Theatre Arts. Mott finds the process and growth of a play to be the most fulfilling and enjoyable part about directing. She describes Christie’s play And Then There Were None as never boring and “different from all the mysteries we know and love…[it] keeps the audience engaged until the very last scene.”
The story takes place in 1944, on an island off Devon in Southwest England. An interesting assortment of people with different backgrounds receive an invitation from an anonymous source to spend the weekend at the luxurious mansion. As each guest arrives, they gather around at dinner to realize that each has no idea why they have been invited, or who invited them. They become even more suspicious when they realize that a storm is on its way and any chance of leaving the island has been completely dashed. With no telephone or source of communication with the outside world, the apprehensions begin to rise when the guests realize that they were invited to this mansion to die. As the bodies begin to pile up, the tension between the guests grows, making them paranoid and painfully nervous, asking the obvious question: Who done it? This two act play will leave the audience gripping the edge of their seats along with the characters, wondering what will happen next.
Mott believes she has a cast of extraordinary talent. She enthusiastically describes them as “kind of a dream to get a wonderful cast and crew of people that mold together so beautifully.” The cast includes Iowa City theatre veterans Gerry Roe, Richard Paulus, Caroline Oster, Nelson Gurll, David Priebe, John Crosheck, Susan Manuel and Matthew Falduto. Newcomers Josh Megget and Tracey Schoenle round out the cast.
Auditions for Present Laughter
Coralville - City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will hold auditions for Noel Coward’s comedy Present Laughter Friday, February 11 from 6-8 pm and Saturday, February 12 from 2-4 pm at the Iowa Children’s Museum in the Coral Ridge Mall, 1451 Coral Ridge Avenue.
The wit and wordplay of Noel Coward will be on display in Present Laughter, the final production of City Circle’s current season. The action follows a few days in the life of a narcissistic actor and the women who love him. Director Rachael Lindhart says the wry comedy features "the kind of witty things you wish you would have said."
Men and women of all races and physical types are encouraged to audition. Particularly sought are one woman age 18 and one woman age 60 or more. No preparation is necessary – actors will be asked to do cold readings from provided scripts. Information on specific roles is available at www.citycircle.org.
Auditionees who are unable to attend are encouraged to contact the director, Rachael Lindhart at LINDRACH@aol.com. Rehearsals will begin February 20. Performances of Present Laughter will be held at the Iowa Children’s Museum Theatre April 8-17.
Want to be a disc jockey?
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City - Theatre people tend to have the right personality for this type of work, so if you're interested in becoming a disc jockey, see below.
A Fine Affair is seeking Disc Jockeys for their rapidly expanding wedding DJ business. Experience is not necessary. We will be happy to train the right person. Position is part time, no health benefits are offered. DJs work mostly on Saturdays, and occasionally Friday evenings or Sundays. This job is perfect for a student or someone with a 9 to 5 that is looking to make extra money on the weekends. You can pick and choose when and how often you work. Average shift is approximately ten hours.
We are looking for DJs, NOT wedding planners. However, our DJs do more than just play music. Ours is a very hands-on approach that involves working with the client and their other vendors throughout the evening to ensure that the event is flowing smoothly.
This is a REALLY fun job. Our clients are wonderful, fun people, and, yes, you're basically getting paid to play music and go to a party. We are a very accommodating company to work for, and we will put a lot of effort into training the right person and making sure they are comfortable before they do events on their own. However, this job also carries a very high level of responsibility and can be very high pressure at times. Compensation is $10 an hour while training, and $20 an hour once you're on your own.
Job description:
·Contact client the week of the event to run through event plans and introduce yourself.
·Pick up equipment, deliver to event location, and set up.
·Run sound and light equipment for duration of event.
·Coordinate activities throughout the course of the event.
·Pack up and return equipment at the end of the event.
Qualifications:
·Exceptional communication skills a MUST. Successful candidate will be highly articulate, very professional, personable, courteous, and comfortable speaking in front of large crowds.
·Must be very organized and willing and able to follow instructions.
·Must handle pressure well, be flexible, and be able to think on your feet.
·Must have driver's license and transportation, and be willing to drive up to 80 miles (travel time for events is paid).
·Must be able to lift 50 pounds or more.
·Must provide own dress wardrobe, at least for your first several shifts. For guys this means dark suit, dress shoes, and subdued solid colored shirt and tie. For girls this means modest black cocktail or party dresses.
·MOST IMPORTANTLY: YOU MUST BE RELIABLE. We can not stress this enough. This is not like other jobs, where if you call in sick there are several other people to pick up the slack. If you call in sick here, you have RUINED someone's wedding and done irreparable damage to our company. We CAN NOT tolerate missed shifts. If you are scheduled you HAVE to show up, no matter what.
Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to contact@afineaffairdj.com. Professional references are also a requirement.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Marriage Can Be Murder at the Ox Yoke Inn
Amana - Beginning February 11th, The Old Creamery Theatre will present Marriage Can Be Murder, a comic murder mystery dinner show by James Daab, at the Ox Yoke Inn.
The show runs from February 11th to February 27, beginning at 6:30. Tickets are $40 and includes the cost of dinner. For reservations, call the Ox Yoke Inn, Amana at 800-233-3441.
Ushers Ferry Presents Dancing at Lughnasa
Cedar Rapids - Beginning February 10th, Ushers Ferry Theatre Company will present Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa.
Dancing at Lughnasa is set in Donegal, Ireland, in the time between World War I and World War II. The narrator, Michael Evans, recalls a summer spent with his aunts when he was seven years old.
The play will be presented at St. Wenceslaus Church, 1230 5th St SE in Cedar Rapids. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children & students, and can be purchased by calling the Ambroz Rec Center at 319-286-5731. The play runs seven performances: February 10-12, 18 and 19 at 7:30, February 13 and 20 at 2:30. Tickets are half price on February 10th.
Last Train to Nibroc opens Thursday
Iowa City - Dreamwell is producing a mini-season for the first half of 2011. They're calling it "War and Consequences." Each show will deal with the effects of war, whether they be on the battlefield or the homefront. Their first show deals with the latter. For one weekend only, Dreamwell presents Last Train to Nibroc by Arlene Hutton, February 10th, 11th and 12th at 7:30 p.m. at the Universalist Unitarian Society, 10 S. Gilbert Street in Iowa City. Rachael Lindhart directs. Ottavia de Luca and Kevin Moore star.
The play follows two young people who meet on a train in Kentucky, both facing disappointments. She expected to be married, he expected to ship off for war. Thus ensues a relationship that builds over repeated encounters between 1940 and 1943, a time of great change in America. This show offers a wonderfully rich examination of the ways the two people cope and grow as human beings, both individually and together, in a time of upheaval.
For reservations, go to www.dreamwell.com or call 319-541-0140. $12 general, $10 senior, $8 student.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Cornell presents Pirates One Weekend Only
Mount Vernon - The Cornell College Lyric Theatre will present a production of the perennial favorite The Pirates of Penzance. The Gilbert and Sullivan musical comedy is directed and choreographed by guest artist Steven Smeltzer with musical direction by Cornell professor Jonathon Thull. The production will run Feb. 3, 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for non-Cornell students. Faculty, staff, and students of Cornell are admitted without charge.
The Pirates of Penzance has enjoyed a long and successful history; since its premiere in 1879 it has been widely produced throughout the world and is among the best remembered of the comic operas of its creators. Pirates is a colorful and romantic story with a number of well known characters, including the upright Modern Major-General and the Pirate King. The story deals with Frederic, an honorable young man nearing the end of his apprenticeship to a band of famous pirates. Naturally complications ensue when Frederic falls in love with the beautiful daughter of the Major-General, and finds himself torn between his desire to marry Mabel and live an honest life and his obligation to the pirates who raised him.
Cornell College’s Lyric Theatre is a semi-annual collaboration between the Theatre Arts department and the Music department at the college.
The fanciful Victorian setting is beautifully realized by costume designers Jenny Nutting Kelchen and Cornell senior Risa Alecci. In addition the college is working with professional guest artists Christopher Domanski and John Dunkle, Scenic and Lighting Designers, respectively.
In addition The Pirates of Penzance features a talented cast of Cornell students. Frederic and Mabel, the young lovers are played by Senior Alex LeFebrve and Freshman Taylor Sedlacek. Other student actors include Josh Atcher as the Pirate King and Jonathan Nadolny as the Major-General Stanley as well as Katie Cutler as Ruth, Frederic’s nursemaid turned pirate maid-of-all-work. Pirates of Penzance is a classic adventure story of pirates, beautiful girls, romance and comedy. Tickets can be purchased at the box office by calling in advance at (319) 895-4293, or at the door.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
All My Sons is Exquisite
by Matthew Falduto
Iowa City - Tom Brokaw called them "The Greatest Generation." They were heroes who fought for our freedom. They sacrificed so that all of us could have a better life. They lived the American Dream. And all of that is true... to a point. One of the most powerful American plays, All My Sons, by Arthur Miller, paints a more realistic picture of this generation, illuminating the fact that like every generation, they were just people, some doing the best they could and some failing miserably. This play was the first success of Miller's career and, in many ways, it may be his best. We in Iowa City are very fortunate to have the talented artists at Riverside Theatre present this wonderful story for us.
Riverside's cast has many familiar faces, beginning with Ron Clark and Jody Hovland as Joe and Kate Keller, the parents of two grown children, Chris and Larry, who before the play begins went missing in World War II and is presumed dead. Hovland, in particular, creates a believable and heartbreaking character. Clinging to the belief that Larry is still alive, she imbues every action and every word with a palpable feeling of desperation that rises and falls depending on the moment. Clark is also strong throughout, but particularly at the end of the play when Joe's life begins to unravel. As he justifies his actions late in the play, it is only because Clark has carefully crafted a sympathetic character that we feel empathy for Joe.
Cristina Panfilio, who you may remember from Romeo and Juliet last summer, plays Ann Deever, the catalyst for the action of the show. She has excellent chemistry with all of the other actors, particularly Scot West, who portrays Chris.
West, as the surviving son, also crafts a character that allows for a big pay off during the play's dramatic ending. West's Chris is confident and self assured, certain he knows the answers to his life's major questions. Yet he seems almost too calm and too self assured and when all hell breaks loose late in the play, Chris' confidence cracks hard. Again, what's really wonderful about these portrayals is both Clark and West take us on a journey that rings true because of the echoes from early in the play.
This is also the strength of the writing. Miller's play is masterfully created; every word matters and every action builds. Director Mark Hunter has done a wonderful job bringing this story to stage. A simple and elegant set and excellent use of color and lighting set the moods of various scenes. Kudos to Scenic Designer Paul Sannerud and Lighting Designer Courtney Schmitz Watson.
Supporting characters are wonderful as well. Kristy Hartsgrove's portrayal of neighbor Sue Bayliss did remind me of her character Mrs. Van Daan from Riverside's The Diary of Ann Frank. Both characters had a certain amount of humor in them... until the one pivotal scene where Hartsgrove delivers the emotion. She's an expert at that pivot and it's clearly why she is chosen for these sorts of roles. Tim Budd as her husband is effortlessly good as usual. As neighbors Frank and Lydia Lubey, Kehry Lane and Heather Michele Lawler provide a nice contrast to the turmoil of the Keller home.
This is an excellent production from start to finish. The first weekend sold out, so I'd recommend you order your tickets soon. This is a powerful play, exquisitely rendered by an impressive cast and crew.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Stuff Happens Auditions postponed
Iowa City - Due to the snowpocalypse blowing through our area, Dreamwell's auditions for Stuff Happens tonight have been canceled. There will be auditions Thursday, Feb 3 at 6 pm and the Iowa City Public Library.
TCR Announces Eurydice Cast
Cedar Rapids - Theatre Cedar Rapids has announced the cast of Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. The classic Greek myth of Orpheus is re-imagined through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and poetic dialogue, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.
Cast:
Scot Hughes - Father
Scott Humeston - Nasty, Interesting Man/Lord of the Underworld
Emmy Palmersheim - Little Stone
Hannah Spina - Eurydice
Nick Walters - Big Stone
Mike Wilhelm - Loud Stone
Alex Williams - Orpheus
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