March Madness

For most, the term March Madness evokes images of basketball games. For us, 2013 March Madness was school plays.

The month began with seeing Seussical at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ. It was phenomenal! Some of the leads were played by Saint Ann School alumni. We look forward to continuing to go to Notre Dame productions to continue to see our stars become their stars.

The next day Ashley and I saw Guys and Dolls at Lawrence Middle School. The 7th and 8th graders did a good job with the tough material.

Ashley's friends from "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", "It's a Wonderful Life," and "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," were cast in Hillsborough High School's production of "Beauty and the Beast." It was so much fun seeing familiar faces on stage and hugging them afterwards. The production was amazing. You can see the number of hours they put into rehearsing. 



Then, all too quickly, it was time for the Saint Ann School production of "Willy Wonka." Auditions took place last December. Rehearsals began every weekend right after winter break. All of a sudden it seemed it was time for the show.

Ashley was cast as Mrs. Gloop -- Golden Ticket winner Augustus Gloop's mother. This role involved singing a small 2-line solo (her first) and speaking in a German accent. She says the toughest part was having to eat chocolate on stage. It is tough to be an actress.

The productions at Ashley's school are completely parent run -- from the directors, choreographers, costumers, set designers, set painters, back stage crew, ticket sellers, etc. You name it, a parent is doing the work. Well, a couple of alumni come back to help at the last minute.
I use my talents to take pictures of the cast during dress rehearsals, plus I sneak a few in during the show when they are wearing their full costumes. Don's work is ideally not seen, but very important. He works back stage moving sets and props. Ashley helped him during the fall production and said it was so hard, she won't do it again!
Saint Ann's is fortunate to have so many students involved with the show that they have two full casts -- which means twice as many rehearsals for the parent directors, etc. They had so many strong girls auditioning that they had four Wilhamena (Willy) Wonkas and four Charlene (Charlie) Buckets, which also added to the rehearsal schedule.

By the last curtain call, we were all a bit tired. I continue to cull my 1000 pictures down to a couple of hundred. These will be added to the DVDs that are given to each member of the cast and crew during the cast party. It is a labor of love and we love that so many parents are willing to give that love.

March might be over, but we continue to support our friends and family in shows.

Ashley as Lucy in "Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe"

For this entry, I'm trying something new. Click on http://pillspress.shutterfly.com to see a bunch of pictures from the Somerset Valley Players production of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (as well as other stray pictures, mostly ones from Ashley's school). I wasn't even trying very hard, yet I'm most pleased with how much I like the pictures. This is a testament to the quality of the lighting, costumes, and other details that make the show flow so magically.

The show runs through December 16. Tickets can be found at: http://svptheatre.org/Seasons/2012-45th_season/default.html .

The pictures tell the story of the classic C.S. Lewis novel.

I'm so proud of Ashley and all the hard work she, and the rest of the cast and crew, put into making this holiday show a must see production.

Opening Night "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"

Three and a half months ago Ashley auditioned for "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" at Somerset Valley Players in Hillsborough, NJ. This is the same theater where we had our stage debut four years ago in "It's a Wonderful Life." Like IAWL, LWW has been a magical experience.

Ashley was thrilled when the phone rang back in August and she was offered the part of Lucy, the little girl who discovers Narnia. Huge grins! The cast met for a read-through a few days later on what was supposed to be call-back night.

For the first two months the cast mostly rehearsed in the director's basement in Flemington, NJ. It seemed like a giant play date as Ashley bonded with Julia, the girl playing her sister, Susan. Julia is also the director's daughter, so rehearsals were in her house.

Last month, the cast moved to the theater. That's where the true magic takes place. Slowly the scenery, costumes, music and lighting were added. Two days before the invited dress rehearsal (SVP invites the local senior citizens to a free show) it seemed impossible that everything would fall into place. Anyone involved with theater will tell you this is normal. 

As if by Narnian magic, the show opened. Everyone was fully dressed. The lights and music were happening as they should. The audience breathed life into the show simply by reacting to the story as it unfolded on stage.

Opening night was a sell out! The theater only seats 100 people. The audience was mostly made up of family members, and theater friends. Afterwards they have an opening night party. We stayed for about an hour catching up with friends. Big grins were seen on the faces of the entire cast! Way to go, Narnians!

Here are a couple of teaser pictures from the play. Many more will be posted after everyone has a chance to see the production.

Tickets are selling quickly. They anticipate sell outs. You can order your tickets HERE. Autographs are available after the show. ;) 

Click here for Cast Photos

Movie Extra for "Poor Earl"

Earlier this month, I did something I have wanted to do for a long time. An older person might call this a "bucket list" item -- I was an extra in a movie. Well, "movie" is a bit of a stretch, I was an extra in a short student film called "Poor Earl." 

This story, as do most stories, has its roots in the past. 

Four years ago I took a similar leap into the unknown. I auditioned for a play with Ashley at Somerset Valley Players. We were cast as the bank examiner (Miss Carter) and the youngest daughter (Zuzu) in "It's a Wonderful Life." It truly was a wonderful time. Besides being on the stage of a community theater production (instead of in the audience), I made a number of friends and found a new home. Now it is Ashley on stage without me, while I work on writing grants and volunteering behind the scenes. 

Two years ago Brian, one of my cast mates, invited me to be a Zombie in his movie "Demon Hunters." Unfortunately the timing did not work out for me (it would have required 10-12 hour commitment 90 minutes north of us on a Saturday or Sunday of the movie director's choice). I even bought a Zombie outfit (clothes from Good Will that I don't care if they are torn or destroyed). Alas, the timing did not work out. I regretted not making it happen.


Fast forward to earlier this month. Along with the rest of the SVP email list, I was asked to be an extra in a student film that would take place at Somerset Valley Players. All I had to do was sit in the audience and pretend to like a show that was not really happening. 

I jumped at the opportunity.

The filming fit within the free school day hours. Don did work from home in the afternoon in case it took longer. I came home the same time as the school bus.

The day was fun. I saw theater friends Carolyn and Theresa. Theresa was the star, along with the actor who played Earl. Carolyn snagged a few lines as the mayor.

We redid each scene a number of times, then repeated each scene more times as it was being filmed with a single camera. 

As far as being an extra goes, this was easy work. We were inside all day sitting in comfy theater seats. The students gave us each one slice of pizza as thanks, and a promise to send us the final product. I hope he gets an A on his project.

Bugsy Malone

I cannot say enough nice things about the drama program at Ashley's school. The program is entirely run by parents, who volunteer many hours to make sure every child who wants to be in a play has that opportunity. After holding auditions, the core drama parents divide the students into two casts. This gives everyone a chance to shine on stage, while creating built in understudies. The parents work tirelessly to get the best performance out of each student. It is a lot of work, but everyone loves it.


I've become the official photographer for the show. They grant me full access to take pictures non-stop during the dress rehearsal. In exchange, I give them 300 of my best pictures for them to disseminate to the cast with a DVD of the show.


This year Don worked stage crew. With two casts, there are also two sets of parent volunteers. In theory he was backstage the nights Ashley was not in the show. It didn't quite work that way, but he was able to sneak out and see her whenever she was on stage.


Ashley shined as the police officer who wanted to be a ventriloquist.


"Bugsy Malone" is not a very well-known show. It was a 1976 movie starring a very young Scott Baio and Jodie Foster as kids who were gangsters. Instead of killing people, they splurged them. No one dies. Everyone sings and dances and (in the end) gets along with each other. 


In many ways it was a lot of fun because it is an unknown show. The directors decided to have some fun with the plot and added vaudeville acts to keep it light. A stroke of genius was giving each showgirl a solo dance in which she held a sign announcing where the action was taking place next. The girls loved their solos and the stage crew appreciated a few extra moments to make sure the set was in place.


No more shows in the plans for now. We'll see what the future brings.

"Good Old Days"

Last weekend Ashley and I were both in the cast of a world premier play! How cool is that! From now on anyone who wants to see how "Queen Juliette" should look or act will study my version. Anyone who wants to know how to be a member of the Cleaning Corps will study videos of Ashley and her friends.

From the start I found the experience (more than a little) intimidating. Not only was I the first one to ever perform this role, but it was written by the director and one of the leads. Surely they know every single line? Surely they have precise opinions as to how the role should be portrayed?

Well, if they did they were kind enough to let me have a lot of leeway in how Juliette should act and interact with the rest of the cast.

This was by far my largest role -- 85 lines, plus I was on stage for most of Act 2 (and a big scene in Act 1). It was also my shortest rehearsal time (2 months) and came while training for a half marathon, while we had two vacations planned, and the beginning of the school year. Complete recipe for disaster!

The show, while coming at a stressful time in our lives, ended up being a lot of fun.

I learned a few things along the way:

1) It is never too early to learn your lines.

2) When you are having trouble SCREAM, don't whisper, someone has been there before you and will be able to help.

3) Don't do community theater during the school year -- no one needs that added stress.

4) One show a year is more than enough for me (I was also in "George Washington Slept Here" this year).

Annie

Saturday night was opening night for Ashley's school production of "Annie." Ashley plays Orphan Kate, one of Annie's friends. She had a great time making new friends while singing and dancing to "It's a Hard Knock Life" and other famous tunes. It is a big commitment, but Ashley really thrives on stage.

After Saturday's show we went to local ice cream shop, The Purple Cow, for a celebration. All of Ashley's grandparents came to the show, along with theater friends: the Kubat and Levine families (plus Emily). It was great being able to visit with fellow actors and eat ice cream together.

The show continues again Friday night.

Life is Boring ... and I wouldn't have it any other way

When I started this blog I had grandiose ideas of updating it on a weekly basis with lots of great pictures and stories. Well, the truth of the matter is, our lives are not that exciting.

Ashley has been busy with school and play practice (Annie -- April 2 and 8). In her spare time she reads lots of books.

Don is working and waiting for warmer, drier weather so he can ride his bicycle to work on a more regular basis. He did attend a statewide bicycle summit meeting this weekend.

I'm writing articles for Lawrenceville.Patch.com and trying to build my miles in anticipation of May 1st 10 mile Broad Street Run.

Not much worthy of a photograph. So, I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of the cats.

Charlie napping on Ashley's bed.

Ariel wondering what Ashley is reading.

Another Opening

Tonight is opening night for "George Washington Slept Here," a funny play about a man pursuing his dreams by purchasing a house sight unseen in Bucks County, PA and trying to turn it into a home with the help of his wife, his daughter and a crazy assortment of characters. The play runs February 10-16 in Newtown, PA at the Newtown Arts Company.

I play Hester (the maid) with a secret. This is only my second show. As with my other role, this has been a real learning experience. I hope you can come out and see it.

Theater

2010 found us spending more time in theaters as Ashley was in a few more plays. She really sparkles when she is on stage and with her fellow actors. In February she was a Villager in the play “The Grumpy Princess” with the Newtown Arts Council. July she returned to Somerset Valley Players as Rose (a white flower being painted red) in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Most recently she was Dinah in “Arrest these Merry Gentlemen” at Saint Ann’s School. She is looking forward to being Orphan Kate in her school’s production of “Annie” in April.

In February I will be returning to the stage as Hester, a maid, in the Newtown Arts Council production of "George Washington Slept Here." The show is very, very funny. More will be posted as we get closer to opening night. www.georgewashingtonslepthere.webs.com

When not on the stage, we all enjoying seeing shows. Productions take on a new perspective when we know someone in them.