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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Backstage

Vote for this Picture!! I took it of the multi-talented actress - Nichole!

// posted by Ray @ Tuesday, March 20, 2007 0 Comments Links to this post

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Lauren Ambrose to star in Romeo and Juliet

One of my favorite young actresses, Lauren Ambrose, will be starring in Rome and Juiet with The Public Theatre  in their annual Shakespeare in the Park event.  Lauren  was absolutely wonderful on Six Feet Under, possibly the best series that HBO hosted for a few seasons. It's great to see her success there begin to give her these kind of stage opportunities. Not only is she beautiful, she's immensly talented. I'm going to have to get out there for a weekend this summer to see this and a couple of other shows. I think she has the ability and charisma to become one of our next big stars.


// posted by Ray @ Wednesday, March 14, 2007 0 Comments Links to this post

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Nominations for Foothill!

Almost every year Foothill Music Theatre  receives multiple Bay Area Theatre Critics Award nominations.

This year is no exception.

Urinetown was nominated for outstanding entire production; Robert Brewer, male principal performer; Jessica Lynn Carol, female supporting performer; and Catherine Snider, musical direction.

Annie Get Your Gun, FMT’s summer musical, included nominations for Jessica Raaum, female principal performer; Jay Manley, director; Catherine Snider, musical director; Tyler Risk, choreographer; Joe Ragey, scenic designer; and Janis Bergmann, costume designer.

Congratulations to all!


// posted by Ray @ Tuesday, March 13, 2007 0 Comments Links to this post

Bay Area Critics Circle Award Nominations

The annual nominations are in and here they are:

DRAMA

ENTIRE PRODUCTION

PRINCIPAL PERFORMANCE, FEMALE

PRINCIPAL PERFORMANCE, MALE

SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE, FEMALE

SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE, MALE

DIRECTOR

SET DESIGN

SOUND DESIGN

LIGHTING DESIGN

COSTUME DESIGN

ORIGINAL SCRIPT

ORIGINAL SCORE

CHOREOGRAPHY OR FIGHT DIRECTION

SOLO PERFORMANCE

ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

MUSICALS

ENTIRE PRODUCTION

PRINCIPAL PERFORMANCE, FEMALE

PRINCIPAL PERFORMANCE, MALE

SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE, FEMALE

SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE, MALE

DIRECTOR

MUSIC DIRECTOR

SET DESIGN

SOUND DESIGN

LIGHTING DESIGN

COSTUME DESIGN

CHOREOGRAPHY

ORIGINAL SCRIPT

ORIGINAL SCORE

ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

TOURING PRODUCTIONS:


// posted by Ray @ Tuesday, March 13, 2007 0 Comments Links to this post

Monday, March 12, 2007

"Pippin" at Foothill

Pippin (Nathan Baynard) and Catherine (Alicia Teeter) In 1973 we were all traumatized by the Viet Nam War which was finally coming to an end, and by Watergate which was just erupting. What did Broadway do in response? They gave us the frivolity we so desperately desired. Take a look a the shows that were nominated for Tonys that year: Pippin, A Little Night Music, The Sunshine Boys and Much Ado About Nothing. All these plays try to address serious issues in very subtle ways, but are careful not to whack the audience over the head with anything too heavy or emotional.

In Foothill Music Theatre's recent production, the choreography by Joe Duffy was excellent with just enough Fosse to pay tribute to his legacy. Jay Manley's direction was fantastic as always, and Catherine Snyder's music was excellent. But, what really struck me was how Pippin reflects the social atmosphere of the early 1970s.  Much of Pippin is whimsy. We were worn out as a nation and we needed to feel unencumbered. There is no gut wrenching conflict in the first act of Pippin. It's mostly light humor and fun.

Sometimes when I watch a musical, I get the feeling that the writers create a first act that exists merely to fulfill an audience's desire to just listen to nice music and watch people dance. Then once they have them in the seats, they give them Act II. Act II often is the musical they want people to see. This for me was the case with Pippin. Act II turned out to be something much more touching and personal. The thrust of the second act revolves around Pippin's (Nathan Baynard) growing love for Catherine, a charming and beautiful peasant woman played wonderfully by Alicia Teeter. He is in conflict over his love for her and his own self perception. He sees himself as a prince that could never live the life of a farmer. The scenes between the two are written with humor and love and the actors really were excellent in bringing it to life. Mr. Baynard and Ms. Teeter create some wonderful moments in the second act that made me both laugh and cry a little.

More than anything, Pippin made me think of life in the early 1970s. It made me remember our need for innocence. It made me think of how in 2007 we are in another war that looks all too similar to Viet Nam. And, it made me long for a time when we could hum along to songs of hope as the flower children we were, or wished we could be.

 

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// posted by Ray @ Monday, March 12, 2007 1 Comments Links to this post

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Arcadia at The Pear Avenue Theatre

The Pear Avenue Theatre is currently showing a wonderful production of Arcadia written by Tom Stoppard. Stoppard's play is truly a modern masterpiece. The direction by Rebecca Ennals is superb and the acting is excellent.

I hear that the show is completely sold out for the remainder of the run. I think you can possibly get in if you arrive early and get your name on the waiting list. There are often a couple of no-shows. Come by yourself if you can, there is almost always at least one empty seat for a walk-up.

Where: The Pear Avenue Theatre in Mtn. View

When: February 23-March 18, 2007

Tickets: $10-$25

Info Phone: 650-254-1148

Official Web Site


// posted by Ray @ Tuesday, March 06, 2007 0 Comments Links to this post

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