Monday, February 27, 2006
Time to Get DIRTY
Now that we've put ancient Roman whores behind us, it's time to go contemporary and seemingly a bit dirtier. Yes, that's right, where do you go after the world's oldest profession? You check out one of the more recent incarnations of carnal entertainment, the porn industry.
Don't worry, we're not going to subject you to a surly embittered man in a wheel chair wrapping himself in the American flag and a pair of Depends. Nor will it be a doddering svengali in a smoking jacket and permanent head rush from ambient peroxide. Instead, we're embracing the comic genius of Elaine May, our own penchant for the prurient and and everyone's fascination with the people that help us to get it up or off and bringing "Adult Entertainment" to Lansing for its Midwestern debut.
March 24, 25 31 and April 1 we'll be transforming the Creole stage into a public access cable show for Heidi-the-Ho, an ambitious young porn star with a love for the camera from every angle. Joining her in a memorial service for acclaimed director Marty Aikens are his underachieving brother Guy, the semi-legit Frosty Moons with her stories of what it was like to act in a sit com and the pill-popping, stud with the banana hammock Jimbo J.
After a brief bit of tribute for Marty, the troupe decides that they can create their own artistic films and make more money. So, they set out to make an artistic porno with Guy's script and direction, but they all quickly realize that maybe they aren't equipped for writing dialogue beyond "Oh, take it." So, they recruit the Vixen Fox to join in the filming and a public access cable guy with grandiose dreams to spice up and punch up the script.
All hell breaks loose as they go from discussing who is going to be in the group scenes, to discussing their reading assignments of Dostoevsky, Yeats and Dylan Thomas. Can porn stars learn about art? What happens when we learn about the pristine beauty of art and it illuminates our flaws and inabilities? They all struggle to find meaning, make money and create an artistic porno.
Join us for an evening of "Adult Entertainment."
Friday, February 17, 2006
Miles Gloriosus
At the risk of becoming a character out of a Plautine satire, I'd like to take a moment and be grateful for the numerous recognitions that continue to role in for "Lake of Fire".
For the uninitiated, "Lake of Fire" is a play by Graham Farrow, which we had the pleasure of giving its world debut almost a year ago. As if that wasn't gratifying enough, folks at the City Pulse enjoyed it enough to nominate it for a number of Pulsars, including Best Lead and Best Direction.
Well, a great surprise and amazing tribute recently was given to the poster for that production. You may recall my mentioning that Chris absolutely rawks! when it comes to poster design. Well, it seems I'm not the only one that thinks so. Not only did his poster get a "Gold Addy" at the Lansing Advertising Clubs annual awards, it took "Best of Show!"
That's right, above all the other amazing things put out by an extremely creative, yet unsung group, Chris's poster stood out and was recognized.
Congratulations, Chris.
Well, that's enough for now.
Stay tuned for the next episode of Blather and Blather. A crimefighting duo whose secret identity is as clueless pundits on Fox News (hmmmm... is that redundant?).
For the uninitiated, "Lake of Fire" is a play by Graham Farrow, which we had the pleasure of giving its world debut almost a year ago. As if that wasn't gratifying enough, folks at the City Pulse enjoyed it enough to nominate it for a number of Pulsars, including Best Lead and Best Direction.
Well, a great surprise and amazing tribute recently was given to the poster for that production. You may recall my mentioning that Chris absolutely rawks! when it comes to poster design. Well, it seems I'm not the only one that thinks so. Not only did his poster get a "Gold Addy" at the Lansing Advertising Clubs annual awards, it took "Best of Show!"
That's right, above all the other amazing things put out by an extremely creative, yet unsung group, Chris's poster stood out and was recognized.
Congratulations, Chris.
Well, that's enough for now.
Stay tuned for the next episode of Blather and Blather. A crimefighting duo whose secret identity is as clueless pundits on Fox News (hmmmm... is that redundant?).
Monday, February 13, 2006
The Morning After
Ah, the tussled hair, smell of sweat and a feeling of completion that comes after the first weekend of show. Whew, we did it. We didn't end too soon, we didn't pull any punches we simply plunged ahead again and again. (Maybe I shouldn't have taken that viagra before I started writing?)
Truculentus opened on Friday and things went quite well. There were a few a surprises and gaffs, but I won't mention names to protect the innocent.
A happy accident was a wardrobe malfunction that led to an entire scene around an errant mustache. The actor covered it so well that afterwards I was approached by a discerning theatre goer that asked if it had been a planned part of the show.
Pat Hepfer again came through with the minimal set requirements we had and made the show pop. Though I say minimal and this time he created a sign certain to dazzle. Equally dazzling were the costumes provided by my lovely wife. They were as coarse and bold as needed for this broad and bawdy satire.
I can't wait for the second weekend!
Truculentus opened on Friday and things went quite well. There were a few a surprises and gaffs, but I won't mention names to protect the innocent.
A happy accident was a wardrobe malfunction that led to an entire scene around an errant mustache. The actor covered it so well that afterwards I was approached by a discerning theatre goer that asked if it had been a planned part of the show.
Pat Hepfer again came through with the minimal set requirements we had and made the show pop. Though I say minimal and this time he created a sign certain to dazzle. Equally dazzling were the costumes provided by my lovely wife. They were as coarse and bold as needed for this broad and bawdy satire.
I can't wait for the second weekend!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Once More into the Breach
No, I'm not talking about a rebirthing process.
It's time to take a look at another member of our miscreant band performing in Truculentus, Robin Harris. Robin's yet another member of the ensemble that has a writer trapped inside fighting to get out. In fact, he will become a produced playwright at the end of our season when we perform his script as part of our "One Night Stand" evening of one acts.
That said we often cast him as the muscle in our shows. I'm not sure if it's his past career as a bouncer or the fact that he is the only one that doesn't get winded walking stairs that earns him the honor. Though his debut for us was as geeky scientist with a desperate need to know and a penchant for adjusting himself on stage in "Weird Romance, he then went on to become the uncomplicated soldier in "Caligula". After that we let him explore his softer side as a mysogonistic [sic] doctor in love for "Closer". He really explored his softer side in our Cure for the Valentine's Hangover playing both a Valentine's Fairy and a walking EPT strip.
Robin quietly does his job acting like he's not worried about it. But if you're paying attention there isn't a moment during rehearsal that he isn't tweaking or trying something. For this show, I lent him a book which talked about the (warning, painful academic balderdash to follow) the archetype that he was playing for this show. Well, I know he read it, because the nuances and choices he has made since all lend tribute to the historic progress of the braggart soldier.
Like so many in the ensemble, I can't say enough good things about Robin. He is great to sit down and have a beer with and even greater when you get him talking about things he thinks about. His off-kilter, devil may care aplomb always make the day a little more enjoyable.
Oh yah, in this show he gets to play the soldier Stratophanes who is returning to his mistress after ten months away. Though quickly he wishes he was back on the battlefield dodging hot lead.
It's time to take a look at another member of our miscreant band performing in Truculentus, Robin Harris. Robin's yet another member of the ensemble that has a writer trapped inside fighting to get out. In fact, he will become a produced playwright at the end of our season when we perform his script as part of our "One Night Stand" evening of one acts.
That said we often cast him as the muscle in our shows. I'm not sure if it's his past career as a bouncer or the fact that he is the only one that doesn't get winded walking stairs that earns him the honor. Though his debut for us was as geeky scientist with a desperate need to know and a penchant for adjusting himself on stage in "Weird Romance, he then went on to become the uncomplicated soldier in "Caligula". After that we let him explore his softer side as a mysogonistic [sic] doctor in love for "Closer". He really explored his softer side in our Cure for the Valentine's Hangover playing both a Valentine's Fairy and a walking EPT strip.
Robin quietly does his job acting like he's not worried about it. But if you're paying attention there isn't a moment during rehearsal that he isn't tweaking or trying something. For this show, I lent him a book which talked about the (warning, painful academic balderdash to follow) the archetype that he was playing for this show. Well, I know he read it, because the nuances and choices he has made since all lend tribute to the historic progress of the braggart soldier.
Like so many in the ensemble, I can't say enough good things about Robin. He is great to sit down and have a beer with and even greater when you get him talking about things he thinks about. His off-kilter, devil may care aplomb always make the day a little more enjoyable.
Oh yah, in this show he gets to play the soldier Stratophanes who is returning to his mistress after ten months away. Though quickly he wishes he was back on the battlefield dodging hot lead.
