A Great July 4 Weekend

•July 12, 2009 • Leave a Comment

We had a great July 4 weekend in PA with “Da Boiz”. The whole gang was there and we alternated between Mark & Paul’s place and Matt & Patrick’s. Chickens were roasted on a spit, ribs were devoured, margaritas were guzzled, hot tubs were enjoyed, and the weekend ended with a great afternoon at the new pool courtesy of Matt & Patrick’s homeowners association.

Some pics I stole from Matt’s Facebook page! :)

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Da Boiz: (l to r) Jim, Chip, Mark, Brian, Paul, Bill, Patrick, and me.

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We sneakily gathered around a sleeping Ray to take this pic, but Ray opened his eyes a second before this was shot!

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Our good friends (and gracious hosts) Paul and Mark.

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With Mark and Paul.

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Patrick and Matt.

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Melissa and Nate.

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Chip.

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Bill and Jim.

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A Sleeping Ray.

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Brian and I chilling.

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Those crazy boys bought animal hats!

Blast into the Past

•June 6, 2009 • 1 Comment

This afternoon I was lucky enough to join the Bridgeport Historical Society for an exploration of the two mammoth old theaters on Main Street that have been deteriorating for decades. The Poli Palace and Majestic Theaters apparently were built in the 1920s, started with live stage shows and then in the ’30s transitioned to movies. By the late ’60s it seems things came to an end, except for a period in the ’70s when the son of the then owner attempted a revival, showing movies again. I’ve heard many people who saw movies in these buildings say that they were really something else, and I think you’ll be able to tell from these photos which I took.

It’s sad that the buildings have been left to rot, but they really are a thing of the past. I can’t imagine what the use for the buildings could be – certainly not live performance – except maybe a church like we have in Brooklyn. For something like this you could preserve the wonderful architecture and have a regular use for the venue. Seems unlikely to happen in Bridgeport, though…

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Here’s what I saw when I first entered the Poli Palace (3000+ seats) through tarp at the back of the orchestra level.

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Organ pipes.

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View of the stage from the balcony.

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Chandelier and dome above the balcony in the Poli Palace.

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Above the proscenium is a mural depicting Marie Antoinette.

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The balcony in the Poli Palace is massive! This photo only shows up to a railing, but there’s a whole other section beyond. I haven’t been in a lot of these kinds of theaters, but I remember The 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle is huge like this. The air was thick with dust so photos taken with a flash (which you had to use because there were only a couple generator-powered lights in the place) mostly show light reflecting off all the dust in the air.

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Here’s another mural; this one is in the balcony.

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Yikes! Everything is rotting.

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Side balconies or box seats.

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Detail from the plaster work on the front of the side balconies.

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Heading back up to the lobby of the Poli Palace.

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Check out that ceiling, the mirrored walls, and the marble staircases in the lobby!…

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…and the chandelier!…

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This door goes from the inner lobby to the ornate passage that goes out to Main Street.

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Looking back into the inner lobby.

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Wow…this place is something else…

SO…as if the Poli Palace wasn’t enough of an experience for one day, right next door is the Majestic Theater:

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Slightly smaller than the Palace, but just as ornate, the Majestic has a fancy drop flown in that makes the place feel even more antique than it actually is…

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Closer look at the incredible painted drop at the Majestic.

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This is the real thing!

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Interesting backstage signage…

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In the lobby of the Majestic.

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The upstairs lobby of the Majestic.

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After an hour-and-a-half of inhaling god knows what in these old buildings, I was ready to make use of this decrepit exit!!!

Touring these old buildings was very interesting and fun. I remember before they demolished all the old Vaudeville/Broadway theaters turned movie theaters on 42nd Street to make way for all the Disney development that Fiona Shaw gave a dramatic reading of T.S. Eliot’s “The Wasteland” in one of the soon-to-be-torn-down theaters. It made a big impression on me. It would be so cool to give a performance of some sort in one of these old theaters…what I wouldn’t give for a production of Follies or Terrence McNally’s Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams in there… Can you imagine???!!! :)

It’s Official: Yank! Will Be Off-Broadway in 2010!

•May 18, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Here is a link to The New York Times‘ announcement of the Off-Broadway production of Yank! A New Musical at The York Theatre Company in February/March 2010:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/theater/18arts-INTHEWINGS_BRF.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1242604814-vxAbHl0Efqqesdt2IfZM4g

I am very excited! Working with The York on the production are Producers Pamela Koslow, Stuart Wilk, and Maren Berthelsen, with whom I am working as Associate Producer. Stay tuned for news of the creative team, casting, tickets, etc.!

Edit 5/18: Here are links to the Playbill.com, TheaterMania.com, Broadwayworld.com, and AM New York announcements of Yank! at The York:

Playbill
TheaterMania
BroadwayWorld
AM New York

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The Wiz That Was

•May 18, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Things have been so crazy busy the past month and a half that I haven’t had a chance to post anything. But this afternoon The Wiz closed after its run of 13 performances, so I’m going to get everything updated!

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The cast of The Wiz at Playhouse on the Green. Photo by Michael Daly.

The Wiz is one of the most popular shows of all time, and our Bridgeport-themed production at Playhouse on the Green was no exception. Our sales and attendance for this show surpassed even last fall’s The Rocky Horror Show! Of course, having a cast of 31 didn’t hurt ;)

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LaWanda Black and Rajane Brown as Aunt Em and Dorothy in The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.

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Kevin Thompson as Tin Man and Jessica Rahrig as a Winkie in The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.

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Sampson Denny (right) as The Wiz in The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.

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Jessica Ferraday as Evillene in The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.

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Rajane Brown as Dorothy in The Wiz. Photo by Michael Daly.

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A sold out audience at The Wiz. Photo by me.

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Me interviewing William F. Brown, author of The Wiz following a performance.

The Wiz

•March 21, 2009 • Leave a Comment

I haven’t posted in a while, but that’s because I’ve been busy putting together a really big show: The Wiz. We started rehearsals last week (show opens April 24) and we have a cast of…32! Everyone is great and I think it’s going to be a really exciting show. The design team is terrific; David Withrow’s costumes in particular are going to be really fun and interesting. Beth Fauerbach, co-director and choreographer, has great experience with kids and large groups, which definitely helps since we will have both filling our little Playhouse stage. :)

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The cast of The Wiz. Photo by Mark Graham.

Our Dorothy, Rajane’ Brown, is the real thing: a great singer and charismatic actor/dancer who is the right age, 13. Kevin Thompson from Rocky Horror is back as the Tin Man, and Rocky alums Jessica Ferraday and Brian Riley are back as Evillene and Lord High Underling. Going all the way back to my first show here, Six Degrees, Kitty Robertson is back as Addaperle.

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Rajane’ Katurah Brown as Dorothy surrounded by (l to r) Kevin Thompson as Tin Man, Andy Kepka as Lion, and Cameron Phillips as Scarecrow. Photo by Mark Graham.

We already are selling very well, so if you can come check it out, get your tickets sooner than later!

Opening Tonight: Twelve Angry Jurors

•February 6, 2009 • 1 Comment

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It’s been amazing working on this great play a second time. Once again, talented actors have come up with colorful, interesting characters, and once again Reginald Rose and Sherman Sergel’s dynamite drama works like gangbusters. We had a preview audience this evening, and the comments to me following the show were very encouraging.

Carl Tallent did a spectacular job on the set! Working with a shoestring budget, he completely realized the original design he had for our production one year ago, and it is very impressive. Meredith Neal again has made everyone look terrific and she has made significant contributions to telling the story of these characters. Don Rowe has come up with a subtle lighting design that is exactly right.

Come check it out!

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The Drama of Obama

•January 20, 2009 • 1 Comment

Being a man of theater and drama, I am very excited this AM at the incredible, theatrical display of the changing of the guard at the White House. It seems virtually operatic: the vision of an African-American family taking over the leadership of our country with its terrible history of slavery and racism; the dramatic exit of the Bushes with a crowd of millions waving a not-so-fond goodbye to their helicopter; the striking metaphor of Dick Cheney leaving the White House in a wheelchair. The ceremony seemed particularly powerful and meaningful. May this break with the past yield wonderful things for the U.S.A. and the world.

You have been summoned!

•January 15, 2009 • 1 Comment

Rehearsals for Twelve Angry Jurors are coming along very nicely, with each character coming more into focus each day. This is a terrific cast, and if their hard work continues, the show is going to be in fine shape for our February 6 opening.

We’re also starting to get some publicity! Here is a link to a great article in a local paper which focuses on Lucy Babbitt and Mark Frattaroli, the two actors playing Jurors No. 4 and No. 8, who happen to be a couple offstage.

Joanne Rochman’s article on Twelve Angry Jurors for the Hersam-Acorn Newspapers

Also, here is an article which appeared this past week; may it sell many tickets!
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Twelve Angry Jurors…again!

•December 23, 2008 • Leave a Comment

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Exactly one year after the production I directed for St. Bart’s Players, I am going into rehearsals for Twelve Angry Jurors, the mixed-gender version of the classic Twelve Angry Men. For Playhouse on the Green, we have a terrific cast of Connecticut actors, and based on the first readthrough this past weekend, it’s going to be a great show!

I’ve never directed any show more than once…until now. It’s going to be an interesting process – easier in some ways because I already am aware of what some of the issues are, and there may be some interesting moments where I have to really let go of certain ideas from the previous production in order to let new ideas with this current group develop organically.

Rehearsals begin January 5 and the show runs February 6-22. Come check it out!

A Very Sedaris Christmas

•December 9, 2008 • Leave a Comment

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The holiday double-bill of The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!! by popular humorist David Sedaris opened at the Playhouse this past weekend. It’s been a real pleasure working with both the fantastic actors who are both out there nailing their respective solo shows. Scott R. Brill (pictured above) has them in the palm of his hand from minute one, and the next hour sails by as he vividly evokes each of the wacky characters Sedaris has come up with.

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If Santaland is the bigger of the two jobs in terms of length, Season’s Greetings is the more difficult of the two in terms of content. Kim McGrath is matching Scott’s solo-show prowess in the second piece, and has a different kind of challenge – true black comedy! This is strong stuff even for the most cynical among us, but it’s coming off exactly right, I think, and brava to Kim for having the guts to get out there and give it all she’s got!

The shows run through 12/21 – Get your tickets!