Sat & Sun, March 29 & 30 - OFF
Mon, March 31
7:00 – 7:15 Orin – 8, 13
7:15 – 7:30 Add Seymour
7:30 – 7:50 Seymour, Plant – 11
7:50 – 8:20 Audrey and Plant – 19
8:20 – 8:50 Plant – 16, (21)
8:45 – 10:00 Skid Row-nettes
Tues, April 1 - Lee Willard's Birthday (He will be older than me again)
6:00 - Tuesday at Jimmy's - Join us for dinner
7:00 – 10:00 Skid Row-nettes WITH:
7:00 – 7:20 Seymour, Audrey – 15
7:20 – 7:50 Seymour, Audrey, Mushnik – 7
7:50 – 8:10 Seymour, Mushnik – 5
8:10 – 8:25 Seymour - 17
8:25 – 8:50 Audrey, Plant – 19
Wednesday April 2
7:00 – 10:00 – Still TBA - We will announce following Tues Rehearsal
Thurs, April 3 - OFF
I am attending W-S Little Theatre's Jekyll & Hyde $10.00
Email me if you plan to go.
Fri & Sat, April 4 & 5 - OFF
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Bobby Bodford Directs Jekyll & Hyde
The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem presents Jekyll & Hyde – The Musical beginning Friday, April 4 at the Arts Council Theatre (610 Coliseum Drive in Winston-Salem). Performances will be held at The Little Theatre April 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 @ 8:00 pm and April 6, 13 and 20 @ 2 pm.
Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for senior citizens and $18 for students. Thursday, April 3rd at 8:00 pm is a Sneak Preview performance, with open seating at $10. Box Office hours Monday-Friday from noon to 5:30 pm. For reservations call (336) 725-4001.
Guys & Dolls and Little Shop Director Bobby Bodford is directing this production.
I plan to go on Thursday, April 3rd. Anybody interested in joining me? Send an email ASAP if you want to go.
Jennifer
jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
1st Rehearsal
Hi All,
I'm not sure when I've seen Michael smile so much at a first music rehearsal. We did lots of work - particularly with the ladies (The Skid Row-nettes) and the cast sounds fabulous!
And Tuesdays at Jimmy's kicked off again. All are welcome! Join us next Tuesday at 6:00.
Can't wait to see this show develop.
Schedule for the next couple of days....
Wednesday March 26
7:00 – 7:30 Seymour, Audrey - 14, 15
7:30 – 8:00 Seymour, Audrey, Mushnik - 7
8:00 – 8:35 Seymour, Mushnik - 9
8:35 – 10:00 Seymour - 4, 10, 13, 17
Friday March 28
7:00 – 10:00 Skid Row-nettes (using the name to see if it sticks)
Jennifer
I'm not sure when I've seen Michael smile so much at a first music rehearsal. We did lots of work - particularly with the ladies (The Skid Row-nettes) and the cast sounds fabulous!
And Tuesdays at Jimmy's kicked off again. All are welcome! Join us next Tuesday at 6:00.
Can't wait to see this show develop.
Schedule for the next couple of days....
Wednesday March 26
7:00 – 7:30 Seymour, Audrey - 14, 15
7:30 – 8:00 Seymour, Audrey, Mushnik - 7
8:00 – 8:35 Seymour, Mushnik - 9
8:35 – 10:00 Seymour - 4, 10, 13, 17
Friday March 28
7:00 – 10:00 Skid Row-nettes (using the name to see if it sticks)
Jennifer
Looks Like The Guys Are Ready To Go!
I think Bobby and the Michaels are ready to start! Mal, I think they need a little help!
Sorry about the ad at the beginning - it's short!
Don't send a lame eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!
Sorry about the ad at the beginning - it's short!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Little Shop Rehearsal Schedule for 1st Two Weeks
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Tentative Rehearsal Schedule
Tuesday March 25
7:00 – 7:30 – Company Meeting – Full Cast
Followed by Music Rehearsal until 10:00 w/ musical numbers in the order listed
ALL – 21, 2
ALL (except Mushnik, Orin, Plant, Audrey) – 17
Do-Wops – 1, 3b, 5, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21
Wednesday March 26
7:00 – 7:30 Seymour, Audrey - 14, 15
7:30 – 8:00 Seymour, Audrey, Mushnik - 7
8:00 – 8:35 Seymour, Mushnik - 9
8:35 – 10:00 Seymour - 4, 10, 13, 17
Friday March 28
7:00 – 10:00 Do-Wops
Monday March 31
7:00 – 7:15 Orin – 8, 13
7:15 – 7:30 Add Seymour
7:30 – 7:50 Seymour, Plant – 11
7:50 – 8:20 Audrey and Plant – 19
8:20 – 8:50 Plant – 16, (21)
8:50 – 10:00 TBA
Tuesday April 1
7:00 – 10:00 Do-Wops WITH:
7:00 – 7:20 Seymour, Audrey – 15
7:20 – 7:50 Seymour, Audrey, Mushnik – 7
7:50 – 8:10 Seymour, Mushnik – 5
8:10 – 8:25 Seymour - 17
8:25 – 8:50 Audrey, Plant – 19
Wednesday April 2
7:00 – 10:00 – Do-Wops and Others TBA
Sunday April 6
7:00 – 10:00 – Full Cast TBA (Sing-through?)
Monday April 7
7:00 – 10:00 - Full Cast – Music and Read-Thru
TBA = To Be Announced
Have questions? Call Jennifer at 882-2542 or email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org
Tentative Rehearsal Schedule
Tuesday March 25
7:00 – 7:30 – Company Meeting – Full Cast
Followed by Music Rehearsal until 10:00 w/ musical numbers in the order listed
ALL – 21, 2
ALL (except Mushnik, Orin, Plant, Audrey) – 17
Do-Wops – 1, 3b, 5, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21
Wednesday March 26
7:00 – 7:30 Seymour, Audrey - 14, 15
7:30 – 8:00 Seymour, Audrey, Mushnik - 7
8:00 – 8:35 Seymour, Mushnik - 9
8:35 – 10:00 Seymour - 4, 10, 13, 17
Friday March 28
7:00 – 10:00 Do-Wops
Monday March 31
7:00 – 7:15 Orin – 8, 13
7:15 – 7:30 Add Seymour
7:30 – 7:50 Seymour, Plant – 11
7:50 – 8:20 Audrey and Plant – 19
8:20 – 8:50 Plant – 16, (21)
8:50 – 10:00 TBA
Tuesday April 1
7:00 – 10:00 Do-Wops WITH:
7:00 – 7:20 Seymour, Audrey – 15
7:20 – 7:50 Seymour, Audrey, Mushnik – 7
7:50 – 8:10 Seymour, Mushnik – 5
8:10 – 8:25 Seymour - 17
8:25 – 8:50 Audrey, Plant – 19
Wednesday April 2
7:00 – 10:00 – Do-Wops and Others TBA
Sunday April 6
7:00 – 10:00 – Full Cast TBA (Sing-through?)
Monday April 7
7:00 – 10:00 - Full Cast – Music and Read-Thru
TBA = To Be Announced
Have questions? Call Jennifer at 882-2542 or email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org
Some Easter Trivia
I've heard so many people discussing over the last week that Easter had come way too early. Well thanks to MaryAnn Luedtke, I now know why.
From Honey's Buzz (the internationally known newsletter for the Luedtke family)
Do you realize how early Easter is this year? As you may know, Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20th). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on the Roman calendar.
Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier than it was this year (March 22) but that is pretty rare. Here's the interesting info.
This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see for the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!).
And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts...
1. The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be in the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you are 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!)
2. The next time is will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!
Thanks for clearing that up MaryAnn. Personally I don't care when it is, as long as it is as pretty as it was this weekend.
It could be worse - we could live close to this guy!
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!
Jennifer
From Honey's Buzz (the internationally known newsletter for the Luedtke family)
Do you realize how early Easter is this year? As you may know, Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20th). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on the Roman calendar.
Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier than it was this year (March 22) but that is pretty rare. Here's the interesting info.
This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see for the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!).
And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts...
1. The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be in the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you are 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!)
2. The next time is will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!
Thanks for clearing that up MaryAnn. Personally I don't care when it is, as long as it is as pretty as it was this weekend.It could be worse - we could live close to this guy!
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!
Jennifer
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
We Love New Company Members!
The bevy of beautiful ladies in the picture to the left all made their HPCT debut in GUYS & DOLLS. Most HPCT shows have appx. 50% new company members and these women and the 19 others who joined us for the first time helped us continue that tradition. Thanks again to the GUYS & DOLLS cast for a great show!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Happy Birthday Michael Dougherty!
Some of the HPCT Board joined Michael's friends from Wesley Memorial UMC (chief party planners were Leslie Ann and other members of his handbell choir) to celebrate his 37th. He's close to my decade - oops by the time he gets there, I'll be in the next one! Dang it!Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Little Shop of Horrors Cast List
On behalf of the artistic staff of Little Shop of Horrors, I would like to thank all those who auditioned. What a great turnout! I'm sorry that we couldn't use all of you but hope that you will audition again for a future production.
The first rehearsal/company meeting for Little Shop will be held on Tuesday, March 25th at 7:00 pm in the room where you auditioned. We will have a schedule for the first few weeks of rehearsal at that time.
Please click on the link to email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org signifying that you have seen the cast list and, if cast, are accepting your role. Please send the email as soon as possible but definitely before Friday at 10:00 pm.
Little Shop of Horrors Cast:
Seymour – Timothy Metzner
Audrey – Kate Smith
Mr. Mushnik – Mickey Hyland
Orin - Skyler Brown
Audrey II – Puppeteer – Noah Eckert
Audrey II – Voice – Gareth Stearns
The “Greek Chorus” of Doo-Woppers
The lines of Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon will be done by this group:
Ally Austin
Cara Bacon
Clara Burrus
Rebekah Carmichael
Mary Margaret Coble
Tashia Dorsey
Bridget Kilcourse
Heather Moorefield-Lang
Carissa Pinckney
Wino #1 – Michael Martinez
Wino #2 – Andrew Bosworth
Customer – Josh Jones
Mr. Bernstein – Andrew Bosworth
Mrs. Luce – Heather Moorefield-Lang
Skip Snip – Michael Martinez
Patrick Martin – Jim Simonds
The first rehearsal/company meeting for Little Shop will be held on Tuesday, March 25th at 7:00 pm in the room where you auditioned. We will have a schedule for the first few weeks of rehearsal at that time.
Please click on the link to email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org signifying that you have seen the cast list and, if cast, are accepting your role. Please send the email as soon as possible but definitely before Friday at 10:00 pm.
Little Shop of Horrors Cast:
Seymour – Timothy Metzner
Audrey – Kate Smith
Mr. Mushnik – Mickey Hyland
Orin - Skyler Brown
Audrey II – Puppeteer – Noah Eckert
Audrey II – Voice – Gareth Stearns
The “Greek Chorus” of Doo-Woppers
The lines of Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon will be done by this group:
Ally Austin
Cara Bacon
Clara Burrus
Rebekah Carmichael
Mary Margaret Coble
Tashia Dorsey
Bridget Kilcourse
Heather Moorefield-Lang
Carissa Pinckney
Wino #1 – Michael Martinez
Wino #2 – Andrew Bosworth
Customer – Josh Jones
Mr. Bernstein – Andrew Bosworth
Mrs. Luce – Heather Moorefield-Lang
Skip Snip – Michael Martinez
Patrick Martin – Jim Simonds
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Little Shop Auditions Sunday and Monday
High Point Community Theatre will hold auditions for the final production of its 2007-2008 season, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, at the following times:
Auditions – Sunday, March 16th at 2:00 pm and Monday, March 17th at 7:00 pm
at the HPCT rehearsal space at the Enterprise Center, 305 North Main Street, Suite 322. Parking and entrance is in the rear of the building off of English Street.
Those auditioning should prepare a short audition piece and bring sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist will be provided. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will be directed by Bobby Bodford with musical direction by Michael Dougherty and choreography by Mallory Graham. Production dates are May 15 – 18, 2008 at the High Point Theatre.
Casting will be done for the roles of:
Florist’s Clerks, Seymour and Audrey
Their Boss, Mr. Mushnik
The Evil Dentist, Orin
The Plant, Audrey II – Puppeteer and Voice
Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon – The “Greek Chorus”
In addition the following roles may be played by Orin or may be cast separately: A Voice not unlike God's, Wino #2, Customer, Radio Announcer, Mr. Berstein, Mrs. Luce, Skip Snip, and Patrick Martin
For further show information about LITTLE SHOP, visit the Music Theatre International site at http://www.mtishows.com/show_home.asp?ID=000188
For further information about our production, call (336) 882-2542 or email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org
Auditions – Sunday, March 16th at 2:00 pm and Monday, March 17th at 7:00 pm
at the HPCT rehearsal space at the Enterprise Center, 305 North Main Street, Suite 322. Parking and entrance is in the rear of the building off of English Street.
Those auditioning should prepare a short audition piece and bring sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist will be provided. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will be directed by Bobby Bodford with musical direction by Michael Dougherty and choreography by Mallory Graham. Production dates are May 15 – 18, 2008 at the High Point Theatre.
Casting will be done for the roles of:
Florist’s Clerks, Seymour and Audrey
Their Boss, Mr. Mushnik
The Evil Dentist, Orin
The Plant, Audrey II – Puppeteer and Voice
Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon – The “Greek Chorus”
In addition the following roles may be played by Orin or may be cast separately: A Voice not unlike God's, Wino #2, Customer, Radio Announcer, Mr. Berstein, Mrs. Luce, Skip Snip, and Patrick Martin
For further show information about LITTLE SHOP, visit the Music Theatre International site at http://www.mtishows.com/show_home.asp?ID=000188
For further information about our production, call (336) 882-2542 or email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org
Friday, March 14, 2008
This would be so much fun!
Click here for one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
Wouldn't this be fun to do in the middle of Furniture Market?
Thanks to Karen Gooding for sharing the link.
Wouldn't this be fun to do in the middle of Furniture Market?
Thanks to Karen Gooding for sharing the link.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Arts Advocacy Alert
Dear Friends,
Earlier this month, the Congressional Arts Caucus co-chairs circulated two separate letters to all House members asking them to support an increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and an increase to the Arts in Education program at the U.S. Department of Education. We ask for your help in contacting your Representative's office and urging them to "sign-on" to these Dear Colleague letters .
The first letter states, "We are requesting $176 million to support the NEA's core mission and expand popular initiatives like the Challenge America program. The NEA was last funded at this amount in 1992, and has never recovered from a 40 percent budget cut in FY1996." Last year saw historic increases for the NEA. With your help, we hope to continue to build on the momentum of last year and restore the NEA to its 1992 appropriation.
The second letter, on arts education, supports an increase of funding to $53 million, from the current level of $35.3 million. Over the past six years Congress has approved incremental funding increases which have resulted in approximately 160 awards to school districts in 180 Congressional Districts throughout the country despite the President's yearly attempt to eliminate the program.
There is no time to lose! The deadline for signatures is this FRIDAY, March 14, so please ask your House Member to sign-on to the letters as soon as possible. To get started, simply click here.
Earlier this month, the Congressional Arts Caucus co-chairs circulated two separate letters to all House members asking them to support an increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and an increase to the Arts in Education program at the U.S. Department of Education. We ask for your help in contacting your Representative's office and urging them to "sign-on" to these Dear Colleague letters .
The first letter states, "We are requesting $176 million to support the NEA's core mission and expand popular initiatives like the Challenge America program. The NEA was last funded at this amount in 1992, and has never recovered from a 40 percent budget cut in FY1996." Last year saw historic increases for the NEA. With your help, we hope to continue to build on the momentum of last year and restore the NEA to its 1992 appropriation.
The second letter, on arts education, supports an increase of funding to $53 million, from the current level of $35.3 million. Over the past six years Congress has approved incremental funding increases which have resulted in approximately 160 awards to school districts in 180 Congressional Districts throughout the country despite the President's yearly attempt to eliminate the program.
There is no time to lose! The deadline for signatures is this FRIDAY, March 14, so please ask your House Member to sign-on to the letters as soon as possible. To get started, simply click here.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
From The High Point Enterprise 3/9
REVIEW ---
‘Guys and Dolls’ provides 2 love stories
BY JOSEPH ROSENBLUM
SPECIAL TO THE ENTERPRISE
HIGH POINT – High Point Community Theatre opened on Thursday night the second production of its 2007-08 season with an exhilirating revival of the 1950 musical “Guys and Dolls.”
Most musicals offer one love story. “Guys and Dolls” provides two. Miss Adelaide (Steffanie Vaughan), the well-known fiancee, has been engaged to Nathan Detroit (Gary Stirewalt) for 14 years, and this prolonged non-matrimonial state has given her a cold. She bemoans her plight in two delightfully rendered laments, aptly punctuated by sneezes. Vaughan is equally enchanting as she entertains the denizens of the Hot Box with “A Bushel and a Peck” and with her modest striptease for “Take Back Your Mink.” Stirewalt’s Detroit is an adorable Damon Runyonesque grifter who prefers a game of craps to marriage. He loves his doll; he just prefers hanging out with the guys. But love triumphs in the end.
To bankroll the longest established floating craps game in New York City, Detroit bets the high-rolling Sky Masterson (Dusty Lucas) that Sky cannot get Lieutenant Sarah Brown (veteran actress Sheri Masters) of the Save-a Soul mission to accompany him to Havana. And so begins the second romance. Lucas conveys the louche yet suave air of his character, who clearly affects Masters at their first meeting. But they face in opposite directions, and a kiss is quickly followed by a slap. Sky eventually uses his gambling skills to save her mission, which he joins as her husband.
Sally Hord’s tough-as-shoeleather General Matilda B. Cartwright wants to close down that mission for lack of converts. She uses her limited stature to full comic effect, especially when she clings to a lecturn that all but hides her.
Nathan’s raffish cohorts Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Lee Willard, another HPCT stalwart) and Benny Southstreet (Gareth Allan Stearns) are as heart-winning as he. They also sing well in their lively numbers.
Charlie Waller as tough Lieutenant Brannigan keeps trying to lock up these gamblers, but odds are eight-to-five he won’t succeed.
Adelaide is well supported choreographically by the Hot Box dancers, a lovely, enchanting crew. Sarah Brown receives fine musical and spiritual assistance from Jim Corey’s fatherly Arvide Abernathy, Peggy Clapper’s Agatha and Elissa Bober’s Martha.
“Guys and Dolls” is a sure thing. Put down your dice box and remote control, and see it this weekend.
JOSEPH ROSENBLUM teaches library science and literature at The Universitiy of North Carolina at Greensboro.
‘Guys and Dolls’ provides 2 love stories
BY JOSEPH ROSENBLUM
SPECIAL TO THE ENTERPRISE
HIGH POINT – High Point Community Theatre opened on Thursday night the second production of its 2007-08 season with an exhilirating revival of the 1950 musical “Guys and Dolls.”
Most musicals offer one love story. “Guys and Dolls” provides two. Miss Adelaide (Steffanie Vaughan), the well-known fiancee, has been engaged to Nathan Detroit (Gary Stirewalt) for 14 years, and this prolonged non-matrimonial state has given her a cold. She bemoans her plight in two delightfully rendered laments, aptly punctuated by sneezes. Vaughan is equally enchanting as she entertains the denizens of the Hot Box with “A Bushel and a Peck” and with her modest striptease for “Take Back Your Mink.” Stirewalt’s Detroit is an adorable Damon Runyonesque grifter who prefers a game of craps to marriage. He loves his doll; he just prefers hanging out with the guys. But love triumphs in the end.
To bankroll the longest established floating craps game in New York City, Detroit bets the high-rolling Sky Masterson (Dusty Lucas) that Sky cannot get Lieutenant Sarah Brown (veteran actress Sheri Masters) of the Save-a Soul mission to accompany him to Havana. And so begins the second romance. Lucas conveys the louche yet suave air of his character, who clearly affects Masters at their first meeting. But they face in opposite directions, and a kiss is quickly followed by a slap. Sky eventually uses his gambling skills to save her mission, which he joins as her husband.
Sally Hord’s tough-as-shoeleather General Matilda B. Cartwright wants to close down that mission for lack of converts. She uses her limited stature to full comic effect, especially when she clings to a lecturn that all but hides her.
Nathan’s raffish cohorts Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Lee Willard, another HPCT stalwart) and Benny Southstreet (Gareth Allan Stearns) are as heart-winning as he. They also sing well in their lively numbers.
Charlie Waller as tough Lieutenant Brannigan keeps trying to lock up these gamblers, but odds are eight-to-five he won’t succeed.
Adelaide is well supported choreographically by the Hot Box dancers, a lovely, enchanting crew. Sarah Brown receives fine musical and spiritual assistance from Jim Corey’s fatherly Arvide Abernathy, Peggy Clapper’s Agatha and Elissa Bober’s Martha.
“Guys and Dolls” is a sure thing. Put down your dice box and remote control, and see it this weekend.
JOSEPH ROSENBLUM teaches library science and literature at The Universitiy of North Carolina at Greensboro.
An Open Love Letter to my Guys and Dolls
To Bobby, Michael, Michael, Mallory, Cara, The Fiercesome Foursome, And our Magnificent Cast, Crew and Orchestra:
From my first meeting with Bobby; through the auditions with such an incredible turn-out; into rehearsals with some of the most generous people who shared their talent and time as well as their support of each other; into "the hell" of tech week where you all brought a great amount of patience and good spirits (not to mention lots of food to share); and finally to the performaces where the hard work of each individual, and the ensemble you had become, were so evident by giving truly entertaining performances; I ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
It's been a long time since we have had a cast where so few of you knew each other before we all joined together to create the show. You truly became a company, caring for each other onstage and off - it was evident that each one of you wanted the show to be the absolute best it could be and wanted great success for each one of your fellow cast members. I gotta tell you, after all these years, that's why I do this. When it works - it's a joy to watch.
And on top of all the warm, fuzzy, community-building things that happened, we built an INCREDIBLE show, with some of the best performances and moments that I have seen in any production of this show EVER.
I hope that you are all as proud of yourselves as I am, and I hope that you will do it again. It's never the exact same - but it's always special.
On a personal note, some of you know what my life has been in the last year, losing my dear sister and then my big brother very unexpectedly less than 6 months apart. The last 6 weeks have been the first in a long time of complete and total joy (yeah, I know, I know, you are shocked that that was my "joy" face - I am still striving for a sweet voice like Michael's). Coming to rehearsal was a pleasure. I knew that every single night, we would get plenty of work done on a beautiful production, but that there would also be plenty of giggles (mostly irreverent). Oh - and lots of treats! It has helped heal my heart and I thank you all for that!
I hope to see all of you soon - and remember after a week or two break, Tuesdays at Jimmy's will resume. You are all welcome! And if you are not working in some capacity on Little Shop, mark your calendars for Friday, May 16th. That is "Actors' Club Night for Little Shop with sigificant ticket discounts for members of the HPCT Family - Actors and Crew Members. Watch the blog.
Love you all!
Jennifer
From my first meeting with Bobby; through the auditions with such an incredible turn-out; into rehearsals with some of the most generous people who shared their talent and time as well as their support of each other; into "the hell" of tech week where you all brought a great amount of patience and good spirits (not to mention lots of food to share); and finally to the performaces where the hard work of each individual, and the ensemble you had become, were so evident by giving truly entertaining performances; I ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
It's been a long time since we have had a cast where so few of you knew each other before we all joined together to create the show. You truly became a company, caring for each other onstage and off - it was evident that each one of you wanted the show to be the absolute best it could be and wanted great success for each one of your fellow cast members. I gotta tell you, after all these years, that's why I do this. When it works - it's a joy to watch.
And on top of all the warm, fuzzy, community-building things that happened, we built an INCREDIBLE show, with some of the best performances and moments that I have seen in any production of this show EVER.
I hope that you are all as proud of yourselves as I am, and I hope that you will do it again. It's never the exact same - but it's always special.
On a personal note, some of you know what my life has been in the last year, losing my dear sister and then my big brother very unexpectedly less than 6 months apart. The last 6 weeks have been the first in a long time of complete and total joy (yeah, I know, I know, you are shocked that that was my "joy" face - I am still striving for a sweet voice like Michael's). Coming to rehearsal was a pleasure. I knew that every single night, we would get plenty of work done on a beautiful production, but that there would also be plenty of giggles (mostly irreverent). Oh - and lots of treats! It has helped heal my heart and I thank you all for that!
I hope to see all of you soon - and remember after a week or two break, Tuesdays at Jimmy's will resume. You are all welcome! And if you are not working in some capacity on Little Shop, mark your calendars for Friday, May 16th. That is "Actors' Club Night for Little Shop with sigificant ticket discounts for members of the HPCT Family - Actors and Crew Members. Watch the blog.
Love you all!
Jennifer
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Spring Forward
Don't forget to change your clocks!!!
Call is 12:30 with warm-ups at 1:00 and curtain at 2:00.
Also - Don't forget to turn in your erased scripts.
Enjoy a couple of more scenes below. Again, sorry for the cue calling - although I included one section because I thought you would enjoy hearing my "Come On, Michael!" during the scene change into Havana. You guys were ready first this time!
See you tomorrow!
Jennifer
Friday, March 7, 2008
Another Wonderful Performance!
No signs of "secondnightitis" at the High Point Theatre on Friday! Great job all.
A couple of things to think about...
I will have the photos CDs tomorrow. Please bring $5. I will have them after warm-ups Saturday or Sunday or at the cast party (at Armadillo Grille) on Sunday.
I will need all scripts back on Sunday - completely erased with the exception of your name and script number from the front page.
On Sunday, the time changes. Make sure that you change your clock one hour forward - and remind your friends/family that are coming to the show.
See you at 6:30 for call - 7:00 for warm-up with an 8:00 curtain on Saturday. Remember that Sunday's performance is a matinee - 12:30 call - 1:00 warm-up and curtain at 2:00.
See you at the theatre. Enjoy a couple of more scenes from Guys and Dolls below.
A couple of things to think about...
I will have the photos CDs tomorrow. Please bring $5. I will have them after warm-ups Saturday or Sunday or at the cast party (at Armadillo Grille) on Sunday.
I will need all scripts back on Sunday - completely erased with the exception of your name and script number from the front page.
On Sunday, the time changes. Make sure that you change your clock one hour forward - and remind your friends/family that are coming to the show.
See you at 6:30 for call - 7:00 for warm-up with an 8:00 curtain on Saturday. Remember that Sunday's performance is a matinee - 12:30 call - 1:00 warm-up and curtain at 2:00.
See you at the theatre. Enjoy a couple of more scenes from Guys and Dolls below.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Congrats to the Guys & Dolls Cast
What a night! Congratulations to the Guys and Dolls cast on a wonderful opening night! Beautiful performances, great energy and lots of fun!!!
See samples below. Sorry that you can hear me calling cues during them.
Tell all of your friends - this show is NOT TO BE MISSED!
Call for tomorrow is 6:30 with a warm-up at 7:00 and curtain at 8:00.
I have arranged late service at Armadillo Grille for post-show tomorrow if anyone would like to go there. Hey Alex K. - remember that margarita that you owe me?
See samples below. Sorry that you can hear me calling cues during them.
Tell all of your friends - this show is NOT TO BE MISSED!
Call for tomorrow is 6:30 with a warm-up at 7:00 and curtain at 8:00.
I have arranged late service at Armadillo Grille for post-show tomorrow if anyone would like to go there. Hey Alex K. - remember that margarita that you owe me?
From The High Point Enterprise 3/6
The guys and dolls make musical a theater staple
By Vicki Knopfler
High Point – There’s a reason the 57-year-old musical “Guys and Dolls” is such a regular in theater groups’ rotations. The easy explanation is that it’s fun, said Bobby Bodford, who directs the High Point Community Theatre production that opens tonight. Look a little more closely, and “Guys and Dolls” is a stellar example of one of the best structured musical comedies of all time, he said.
It mixes elements about which most of us know little – colorful, lovable 1940s’ New York gangsters and the women who love them – with the universal favorites of love stories and fun Broadway songs by Frank Loesser.
“Guys and Dolls” is based on a Damon Runyon story. To raise money for his floating craps game, Nathan Detroit bets big-time gambler Sky Masterson that he can’t take the first girl he sees on a trip to Havana, Cuba, which at the time was a playground for gambling and decadence.
As luck – and a twisting story line – would have it, Masterson focuses his efforts on Sarah Brown, a dedicated sergeant with the Save-a-Soul Mission.
Detroit, meanwhile, has been engaged for 14 years to Miss Adelaide, a performer at the Hot Box nightclub.
“It’s really a colorful group of characters. They’re basically likeable gangsters, not bad guys, but they do bad things,” Bodford said. “Then you’ve got the complete opposite with the Save-aSoul Mission. And of course, anything that’s going to be successful has to have a love story, and this has two.”
Bodford, who is from Winston-Salem and lives in Pilot Mountain, has more than 35 years of experience as a director. He has a degree in theater arts from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and he’s worked in theater in New York and Los Angeles and on television series.
This is his debut with High Point Community Theatre and his first time directing “Guys and Dolls.”
“I’m a firm believer in making people laugh,” he said. “So when I do a musical comedy, I take that comedy seriously. Since this show is character driven, it’s not one-liners. The humor comes from the characters and the situations they find themselves in.”
The Community Theatre production features a full orchestra, period costuming with men wearing fedoras and a stylized, bigger-than-life look. Bodford expects the audience to have fun, and for the younger members to learn something. “If you’re young, that’s good,” he said. “You need to see what Broadway was like in the ’50s, to get to experience a musical of the ’50s and compare it to the way musicals are today.”
By Vicki Knopfler
High Point – There’s a reason the 57-year-old musical “Guys and Dolls” is such a regular in theater groups’ rotations. The easy explanation is that it’s fun, said Bobby Bodford, who directs the High Point Community Theatre production that opens tonight. Look a little more closely, and “Guys and Dolls” is a stellar example of one of the best structured musical comedies of all time, he said.
It mixes elements about which most of us know little – colorful, lovable 1940s’ New York gangsters and the women who love them – with the universal favorites of love stories and fun Broadway songs by Frank Loesser.
“Guys and Dolls” is based on a Damon Runyon story. To raise money for his floating craps game, Nathan Detroit bets big-time gambler Sky Masterson that he can’t take the first girl he sees on a trip to Havana, Cuba, which at the time was a playground for gambling and decadence.
As luck – and a twisting story line – would have it, Masterson focuses his efforts on Sarah Brown, a dedicated sergeant with the Save-a-Soul Mission.
Detroit, meanwhile, has been engaged for 14 years to Miss Adelaide, a performer at the Hot Box nightclub.
“It’s really a colorful group of characters. They’re basically likeable gangsters, not bad guys, but they do bad things,” Bodford said. “Then you’ve got the complete opposite with the Save-aSoul Mission. And of course, anything that’s going to be successful has to have a love story, and this has two.”
Bodford, who is from Winston-Salem and lives in Pilot Mountain, has more than 35 years of experience as a director. He has a degree in theater arts from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and he’s worked in theater in New York and Los Angeles and on television series.
This is his debut with High Point Community Theatre and his first time directing “Guys and Dolls.”
“I’m a firm believer in making people laugh,” he said. “So when I do a musical comedy, I take that comedy seriously. Since this show is character driven, it’s not one-liners. The humor comes from the characters and the situations they find themselves in.”
The Community Theatre production features a full orchestra, period costuming with men wearing fedoras and a stylized, bigger-than-life look. Bodford expects the audience to have fun, and for the younger members to learn something. “If you’re young, that’s good,” he said. “You need to see what Broadway was like in the ’50s, to get to experience a musical of the ’50s and compare it to the way musicals are today.”
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Little Shop of Horror Auditions
High Point Community Theatre will hold auditions for the final production of its 2007-2008 season, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, at the following times:
*Pre-Audition Workshop - Friday, March 14th at 7:00 pm
Auditions – Sunday, March 16th at 2:00 pm and Monday, March 17th at 7:00 pm
at the HPCT rehearsal space at the Enterprise Center, 305 North Main Street, Suite 322. Parking and entrance is in the rear of the building off of English Street.
Those auditioning should prepare a short audition piece and bring sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist will be provided.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will be directed by Bobby Bodford with musical direction by Michael Dougherty and choreography by Mallory Graham. Production dates are May 15 – 18, 2008 at the High Point Theatre.
*The pre-audition workshop is not mandatory but it is a good chance to run through your audition selection with the accompanist and to find out information about the rehearsal and production schedule and process.
A down-and out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!
One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a house-hold name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who redefined the animated musical film with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty And The Beast” and “Aladdin.” Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS never fails to entertain.
Casting will be done for the roles of:
Florist’s Clerks, Seymour and Audrey
Their Boss, Mr. Mushnik
The Evil Dentist, Orin
The Plant, Audrey II – Puppeteer and Voice
Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon – The “Greek Chorus”
For further show information about LITTLE SHOP, visit the Music Theatre International site at http://www.mtishows.com/show_home.asp?ID=000188
For further information about our production, call (336) 882-2542 or email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Photos for the HP Enterprise
Some or all of these photos will run in this Thursday's High Point Enterprise...
Photos by David Holston
Photos by David Holston
And We're Off!
Hi All,
Great first rehearsal in the theatre! It's going to be a great show.
Call for the first dress tomorrow (Monday) is at 6:30. We will start as close to 7:00 as we can.
With his horrible cold and after opening three shows in three weeks, David certainly "enjoyed" tonight's rehearsal...
Great first rehearsal in the theatre! It's going to be a great show.
Call for the first dress tomorrow (Monday) is at 6:30. We will start as close to 7:00 as we can.
With his horrible cold and after opening three shows in three weeks, David certainly "enjoyed" tonight's rehearsal...
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