Goodybe to 2011, Part 2, The EEEPs

by Matthew Falduto

Last year, I created the EEEPs, which stands for Excellence in Exercising our Emotions Prizes. Just as we strengthen our minds and our bodies through exercise, emotional exercise strengthens our spirits. Experiencing theatre provides that emotional exercise. We need to feel joy and sadness and glee and fear and wonder and anger in order to thrive in this life. Theatre allows us a safe place to do that. So what follows are ten shows that have earned the 2011 Iowa Theatre Blog Excellence in Exercising our Emotions Prizes.

I do not pretend that this list is exhaustive of the great work done in our community over the past year. I am certain there are shows you believe should be on this list that are not. This is just my opinion. If you'd like to share your opinion, the comment section awaits!

All My Sons
Riverside Theatre

Thank goodness for Riverside Theatre. They so rarely disappoint. Their production of All My Sons was a masterpiece. Jody Hovland gave us a wonderfully heartbreaking portrayal of Kate Keller. As I think back on the show, it is her performance that stands out. Which is not to say the other actors were forgettable - far from it. Both Ron Clark and Scot West imbued their characters with pathos and passion, particularly in Act Two. This was simply a powerful production of a masterpiece of the American Theatre.

Art
Old Creamery Theatre



Sometimes it's just all about the actors. Such was the case with Art. Three immensely talented actors - Sean McCall, Tim Budd and Patrick Dulaney - using every bit of their skill and talent to create a funny and thought provoking play. From the review:

"Budd does needling well, but he also delivers when he has to verbally attack, using a vicious cadence and an unyielding posture."

"Dulaney's face is a canvas upon which he can create any expression, each more thought provoking or humorous than the last."

"McCall wring[s] out all of the humor and all of the pathos. His ability to reinterpret again and again the word "Yes" in one scene is truly masterful."

Are we not truly lucky to have the opportunity to watch master class actors ply their trade?

Eurydice
Theatre Cedar Rapids

Eurydice is the sort of show I absolutely love. It's a fantasy redrawn for a modern audience that offers a new and at the same time familiar examination of the father-daughter relationship. As the father of three daughters, Eurydice is the sort of strong heroine I want to see more often onstage. Powerful performances, strong direction, a simple set that offered the audience the opportunity to participate in its creation... this show was fantastic from beginning to end.

The Drowsy Chaperone
Iowa City Community Theatre

Last April I had the opportunity to see 42nd Street at a professional theatre company in Illinois. It was astounding. As we left the theatre, I lamented to my wife that you never see that kind of skillful tap dancing in our local productions. So color my shocked when a few weeks later I witnessed some of the most marvelous dancing in ICCT's production of The Drowsy Chaperone. Kudos to choreographer Jill Beardsley with a special "Wow!" to dancers CJ Jones and Adam Kopfman. Of course, the show had more to recommend it than the choreography. From the review: "This production also contains the single best lighting design and sound effects I have seen in any ICCT production...The set is... one of the most complex and sophisticated I have witnessed in a community theatre production. There will be times where you’ll see someone make an entrance and marvel at the ingenuity of the design." And of course, then there was the spot on comic timing, not to mention the strong singing. All in all, an excellent show from ICCT, the old kid on the block.

Henry V
Dreamwell

The Unitarian Universalist space was not Dreamwell's first choice for Henry V. They searched for something larger, but in the end returned to a space they knew well. Realizing an epic play required an epic space, Director Angie Toomsen bravely moved in a new direction, creating an amazing thrust space by utilizing the small stage as well as the main floor, while seating the audience in a horseshoe, just two rows deep. It was only the first of many impressively creative decisions Toomsen made in creating Henry V. She was fortunate to have a stellar cast, particularly K Michael Moore in the title role, Mark McCusker as Pistol, and James Trainor as the Dauphin. As with all Shakespearean plays, it's easy for our modern ears to lose our way, but this cast understood the words they spoke and emotions they embodied so well that every moment was clear from beginning to end. If this is what Dreamwell can do with Shakespeare, let's hope we see more of it soon.

Feet First in the Water
with a Baby in my Teeth
Riverside Theatre

It's hard for a show I did not personally see to make this list, but there were two shows friends would not stop talking about and so I had to include them. One was Megan Gogerty's solo show about motherhood. I have seen Megan perform many times in the past - she's fearless. It's clear from James Trainor's review that fearlessness continued in this show: "Gogerty's acting style is unabashed, heightened and resourceful... She throws herself completely into a bit, commanding the full stage with ease and energy." But it's not just her acting, but her writing that is fearless. In this show she dared to ask, "Is motherhood worth it? Do you regret it?" And according to one friend who saw the show, she did not provide a glib answer, but rather delved into the complexities of emotion involved in being a parent. Kudos to Riverside for providing such a unique artist a wonderful stage.

Hairspray
City Circle



Sharon Falduto began her review of Hairspray with one word: joy. It was the ideal descriptor for this theatre experience. The actors clearly enjoyed every moment of the show and the audience left the theatre tapping their toes and humming the songs. City Circle chose a perfect show to open their new performance venue, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. They brought back Chad Larabee, a favorite son director who has since gone on to the professional theatre world. They found an amazing cast lead by the immensely talented Elizabeth Breed, who was staggeringly good as Tracy Trueblood. If this is what we can expect of City Circle in their new home, the future for theatre is very bright in Coralville.

Rabbit Hole
Urban Theatre Project

Urban Theatre Project's Rabbit Hole is the other production I missed, but still included on this list. So many people commented on how wonderful this production was. As a lover of unusual theatre, I was delighted that they performed the show in an actual house. Creating theatre off a traditional stage is exciting and challenging, and it's part of UTP's ongoing mission. We've seen some excellent examples of that in our area, from City Circle's performance of Metamorphosis in a swimming pool a few years back to Dreamwell's Soldier's Daughter performed on a farm just last July. The mansion chosen by UTP fit the show perfectly. In addition, the talented cast-Leslie Chariper, Sarah Jarmon, Nick Ostrem, Cheryl Moon Thomason, and Jason Alberty-was well directed by Angie Toomsen. I am sorry to say I missed Alberty, one of our very talented comedic actors, in a dramatic role. Hopefully, we'll get the chance to see him stretch those drama muscles again. And UTP, don't make us wait another couple of years for your next show!

Pinocchio
Old Creamery Theatre

Ah, Pinocchio. A story we all know well. One that continues to captivate children even today in our tech heavy world. Two of my children, Rachel, age eleven, and Piper, age four, experienced this show. They both loved it, as did I. Old Creamery must be commended for creating their Theatre for Young Audiences series. What was truly magical about this production was the use of classic theatrical tradition of “Commedia dell’Arte.” The actors played actors in a troupe creating the story of Pinocchio using just masks, sound effects, and simple set pieces. This allowed the children to see behind the scenes of the show, encouraging them to create their own shows at home. An inspiring and fun performance, the actors dived into the action letting their inner children shine. Particularly fun was Andrew Bosworth as the Cricket. If you have children, or even if you just want to let your inner child out, check out the next season of Old Creamery's Theatre for Young Audiences series.

Summerland Project
Theatre Cedar Rapids

Of all the shows I saw this year, Summerland affected me the most. I think part of that was the fact that I was witnessing a brand new play and thinking this was as good or better than so many published plays I'd seen over the years. But more than that, the story of a man desperate to bring his wife back from death and of a women trying to understand her new self was riveting. So many questions arose from Summerland. Who are we? What makes us human? Our memories? Our emotions? Our bodies? Some combination of all three? The genius of Rob Merritt's play is that he offers no definitive answers, allowing the audience to leave the theatre asking these questions. Brian Tanner noted in his comments about 2011 that there were so many original shows offered by many different companies. This is definitely a strength of our theatre community. Summerland is an excellent example of the creative talent in our community.

So those are the ten shows I've chosen to receive an EEEP this year. Congratulations to all and Happy New Year! I am sure 2012 will be even better.


Matthew Falduto founded Dreamwell Theatre over 14 years ago. He has served on the board of the Iowa City Community Theatre and the board nomination committee for City Circle. For close to twenty years, he has produced, directed, and acted in many shows in the Iowa City area with many different companies. A playwright, he is also a member of the Black Doggers. Two of his shows, Pop Tart Hero and Soldier's Daughter have been produced in recent years. He started the Iowa Theatre Blog in 2007 because he felt the excellent theatre productions of our area were not getting the coverage they deserved.

Goodbye to 2011, Part 1

by Matthew Falduto (and friends)

I think this is my favorite part of this blog - the year in review. I get to reflect and recall the amazing theater we've experienced over the past twelve months. And I absolutely love hearing the thoughts of my friends and colleagues. Some of those thoughts are below. Thank you, Chris, Mike, Rob, Brian, and Kevin, for sharing your thoughts. Later on today, I'll post my final wrap up article.

Mike Moran, Goatsinger

The development of [Megan] Gogerty's piece (Feet First in the Water with a Baby in my Teeth) was a delight for me to watch. Her initial monologue performed at Riverside's Walking the Wire last Spring was fun, but the entire show in the Fall -- from the drive with future-husband out to Carhenge to the embarrassment of squatting beside the Depends at HyVee -- was funny, head-shaking, and inspired. She's a gem.



Another, I have to say -- and this is personal -- was the image of Brad Quinn playing Eros being chased by Elizabeth Breed playing Psyche over the ridge of a field in Dreamwell's outdoor production of Soldier's Daughter. Fun fun funny.



And finally, Kelly Garrett as Mary Warren, in the rather uneven Dreamwell production of The Crucible, was brilliant, bringing power and pathos to her performance that was, in the end, absolutely chilling.



Rob Merritt, Communications Director, Theatre Cedar Rapids

Henry V, Dreamwell – it was stunning that director Angie Toomsen could take a play of such sprawling size and depth and make it work in a small space like Dreamwell’s. Aside from the compelling performances – and there were many – the clever production choices often gave the Shakespearean classic all-new dimension. A PowerPoint presentation that explained exactly why Harry should attack France was both a modern touch, and a clever way to get the audience to understand what’s going to happen next. And the choice to stage the play in the round was inspired. Definitely one of my favorite shows this past season.



Rabbit Hole, Urban Theater Project – Brilliant and honest portrayal of a tragedy that happens far too often: The loss of a child. Staged in the living room of a house in Cedar Rapids – and with the audience seated just a few feet from the actors – the setting couldn’t have been any more real. And that reality was complemented by spot-on performances by the ensemble, particularly Leslie Charipar and Jason Alberty as grieving parents who are trying to move on with their lives. Once word got around, the show sold out quickly. It isn’t hard to see why.

TCR Underground New Play Festival, Theatre Cedar Rapids – In the interest of full disclosure, I was a playwright in TCR’s Festival. However, my own play aside, one of the things that excited me the most was seeing the overall reaction to a festival of this nature across the board – from actors, writers and directors all the way to audience members. From the huge amount of submissions, to the large turnout of auditioners, to the popular audience response, it seemed clear that this was an event the Corridor was hungry for. It was incredibly encouraging for the future. And that, for me, was what made this one of the most exciting and memorable theatre experiences I had all year.



Kevin Moore, President, Dreamwell Theatre

I thought this was a fantastic year for local theatre! City Circle's Hairspray leaps to mind - the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement of that production carried through to the audience in ways very rare in community theatre. Dreamwell's Henry V brought the power of Shakespeare back to the Iowa City downtown arena. Of course, the opening of the CCPA in Coralville is a landmark of local performance of all sorts.

Brian Tanner, playwright, actor, director

I think one of the great things about this year were all of the original works that were presented. We had the City Circle "New Play Fest 5", Riverside's "Walking the Wire", Dreamwell and City Circle's "All in a Day Play Festival 4", Dreamwell's Soldier's Daughter, and TCR's "Underground Festival". We have so much talent right here in the area and it's great that theatres across the area will take the chance to feature it. I was honored and privileged to have my own work included in many of these events.



I thought TCR's Sweeney Todd and Crimes of the Heart were an amazing example of how large Broadway style theatre and intimate, heartfelt drama can be done right here at home. At the same time, Dreamwell, can make use of a smaller venue to bring to us the larger than life stories of Stuff Happens and Henry V. The logistics of the space are unable to hold back live theatre's ability to take us out of a church basement and into the inner circle of the Oval Office and the halls of Agincourt.

One other standout for me was ICCT's The Drowsy Chaperone. So well done, perfectly cast, hilarious, and the dance routines were wild!

Chris Okiishi, Past President, City Circle

Cripple of Inishmaan--if for nothing more than Kristy Hartsgrove's revelatory performance, a master class in how to be a team player and still steal every scene.



Feet First in the Water with a Baby in My Teeth--the titular story sticks with me, the jokes still make me smile, and the veritable Megan Gogerty-ness of it all makes it specific in the way that makes it universal.

Soldier's Daughter--which I didn't see--but admire everything about it. Biggest loss of the year for me not seeing this.



Ah! Wilderness--shame, shame on the small, narrow-minded segment of the community that got up in arms when Riverside dared to program a summer show not written by the Bard. (Taking a small google-look-around proves that most Shakespeare festivals go waaaaay further afield--they do frigging Oklahoma or even Music Man, for heck's sake!) The purists missed out on a truly wondrous production with Jim Van Valen breaking hearts and the single most thrilling theater moment of the year: Ron Clark and Jody Hovland standing on stage, in character but not acting, reflecting on a life of love and devotion. Two Gents wasn't bad either (especially the bit with the sadly now-deceased dog), but Ah! Wilderness was pure and golden.

Hairspray--yes, I'm biased. Truth be told, I'm biased about every show above, written, directed, performed by friends. But I'm really proud of Hairspray--a show that we were told couldn't be cast, would never be ready, would not find an audience and would not be able open on time. Phooey. A dream team of collaborators found an ideal cast at the perfect time and through careful, constant work, willed it to life.

So, there you go. I'm also grateful to have worked on the Riverside Shakespeare Cabaret, West Side Story, Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Rocky Horror Show, Christmas Carol and our Holiday Cabaret, each of which had some "best of" moments: John Watkins singing Mumford and Son's "Sigh No More" with Tara Dutcher on Violin and Carrie Houchins-Witt and Patrick DuLaney on back ups, Ryan Shellady and Victoria Vaughn's Broadway Carols, Rod McCrea's entrance in "There's a Light (Over at the Frankenstein Place)", the Dance at the Gym, Josh Sazon as a very unique, almost-Buddhist Ghost of Christmas Past.



I also was very fond of Creamery's Art and TCR's Horatio's Purgatory.

It was a remarkably varied year, especially given our "culturally-challenged"* status.



*And let's hope that's the last Stephen Bloom reference ever.

Best of 2011?

Like last year, we're going to do a end of the year wrap up of the really amazing theatre we've seen in the last twelve months. But first we want to ask you, the Iowa Theatre Blog readers, to weigh in with your thoughts. What shows really blew you away? What made you gasp? What made you laugh so hard you fell out of your seat? What touched your heart? Answer in the comments below. Here are some pictures to jog your memory.

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

Dreamwell's War and Consequences

Dreamwell - For the last couple of years, Dreamwell has done "theme seasons," where every show relates to a common idea. In 2009, it was a "Season of Inciting Theatre." Their 2010 season, "A Taboo Bijou" was recently nominated for an Icky award for innovative theatre programming. Next we have their 2011 season, "War and Consequences," an exploration of works about the stages and effects of war, from situation room to home front to front lines. The January-through-July “mini season” transitions Dreamwell to a fall-to-spring programming schedule that follows the academic year.

“War and Consequences” kicks off with Last Train to Nibroc by Arlene Hutton, a love story set during World War II (and perfect for Valentines Day’s weekend.) The Associated Press calls Nibroc "…a gently charming little play, reminiscent of Thornton Wilder in its look at rustic Americans who are to be treasured for their simplicity and directness." They have planned a special performance of this show at the Oaknoll retirement community on February 14th.

The season’s April offering is David Hare’s Stuff Happens, a political (recent) history play exploring the often notorious events and decisions that led to the war in Iraq. With characters such as George Bush, Colin Powell, Tony Blair and Condoleezza Rice, this show is sure to spark discussion. The New Yorker calls it "an exhilarating account of the genesis of the current war in Iraq."

In June, Dreamwell ventures into the "vastly fields of France" – and their first-ever Shakespeare – with an imaginative re-telling of William Shakespeare’s most famous war play, Henry the Fifth. Auditions will take place in the beginning of February.

The mini-season concludes in July with Soldier’s Daughter (working title), an entirely original play about a soldier who shares with his daughter a series of stories about humanity. The play will be performed promenade-style, moving from location-to-location around the delightful spaces on a performance farm that has been home home to several wonderful shows this past year. In keeping with Dreamwell’s mission of collaboration, this play was written by members of the Black Doggers, a playwriting group with members from all over the Corridor.

Dreamwell’s play selection committee is currently reading plays for the 2011-2012 full season, to be announced in the spring.