Swimming in the Spoon River

Well I'm soon to be swimming in the Spoon River. Not really though that could be something to try. What I mean by this is that a theatre colleague of mine, Alex Hewett (see the post called "Addicted") and I are going to working on a project we are tentatively calling "The Women of Spoon River".

This all came about when I was working on Watch, A Haunting back in October and one of the books that we used in the show as a prop was The Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters. She made a comment about how much she loved it and I told her how I loved it as well. All of a sudden things clicked and a project was born.

So we are going to start working on it now, identifying the poems we would like to work on, as well as recruiting two other actresses to work on the piece once we get into rehearsals. I'm directing, Alex will be acting and we both will be piecing together this piece, writing when needed, etc.

I'm really excited to start working on it! We do know that we will be running Halloween weekend and that we will be a part of Free Fall Baltimore at the Strand.

I'll keep you updated via this blog on our process and what we're doing. Generative work is what feeds my soul and I love that I've found a long term project to work on with an artist I respect immensely. Yes, I did say long term, so though the show goes up in October, that won't be the last time you see this piece.

Smoldering goodness.

So I already told you about the show I saw at Woolly this weekend...

What I neglected to tell you is that I also had a chance to partake in Julie Lewis' Smolder being performed at that Strand.

What a beautifully written play. I'm not usually a fan of plays that have a ton of characters (especially considering it's 75 minute run time) but damn can Julie write a play. I do need to disclose that I have also chosen to direct a short by her later this summer for BPF, but that was way before I saw Smolder or had a chance to meet Julie. In that short/one act she also has a lot of characters, but somehow she knows how to make it work. I envy that a little, though don't tell anyone. ;)

The acting was good, but I think it could have gone farther. There seemed to be a little bit of a disconnect between the two "versions" of Sylvia, like the two actresses needed more time with the director working on the connection between the two. Though their performances were true to what they were experiencing.

I also think that the decoupaging needed to go MUCH further. That room needs to represent Sylvia trying to hold onto the control that she once had over her life. These images she cuts out are her literally trying to piece her life back together to what she thinks it once was. These pictures cover up what has become the pit that Sylvia now lives in. As I was sitting there watching I even figured out how to do it, but hey it's not my show, I'll stop before I cross a line.

And I have one question... Was Reno supposed to be Latino? It threw me off a bit because there were references to Latino culture and the actor was obviously Caucasian.

Anyways, I think Smolder is worth seeing. You've only got one more weekend. You can get tickets here.

Bermuda @ The Strand

So Sunday I hopped on over to one of my favorite theaters in town, The Strand. It's a small theater in an old Victorian row home which resides in the Station North Arts District. Just up the street from the Everyman and the Charles Theater, it's a great little place to catch a show.

The show I saw was Bermuda by Noah Galuten (famous for his http://manbitesworld.com/ blog). It's a quick little piece, only about an hour long, but a lot happens in a short amount of time. It's about a new married man and wife who have the husband's brother over for dinner. As we all know, nothing ever good happens over the dinner table in theatre. So chaos ensues. The play kind of reminds me of a mix between "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and Dharma & Greg, but without the kookiness.

It's worth a look for sure. Well written and with a strong director. I think sometimes there was a slight disconnect with what the actors were saying, but I also over analyze any piece of theatre I see.

It runs until February 15th, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. More info at http://www.strandtheatercompany.org/.

Review: Watch, A Haunting

So we just finished up week two of our three week run and I think the press has been really good. Here are the reviews we've gotten so far. Please note that in Baltimore, unless you work for one of the "professional" (professional = union) stages, it's harder to be reviewed.


Read about the show from the City Paper's Goeffrey Himes.

Listen to YPR's Martha Thomas talk about Watch, A Haunting.

So let me know what you think! I think in general the reviews are positive. This is what I'm taking away from them:

Pros - genuine, simple, earnest, potential, minimalistic

Cons - sound effects, unrealized potential

So after this show closes, I'm on to the next. Not directing this time, but to Stage Manage for Cloud 9. Back @ Spots again, oh how I love that theatre! (And of course their AMAZING Artistic Director) This one is going to be a long one since we don't go up until mid-February. And then... a much needed break. I'll be back at Spots (of course) to direct another new work come next August. What new work you ask? I don't know, haven't decided yet since I'm the Baltimore Playwrights Festival rep for Spots and have a TON of plays to look through. I'm excited though.

An Update: Me & the AD are on great terms now. Back to how we were before we disagreed. :)

Watch, A Haunting - First Read-Thru

So tonight was the first read-thru for the show I'm directing at The Strand - Watch, A Haunting by Molly Rice. I've mentioned it before, but thought I'd say it again in case you forgot (or for my own vanity, who knows?).

I'm super happy with the casting choices I've made AND the girl that I cast as Jenny read the part of Granny. She did really wonderfully tonight and I think she's talented enough to handle the dual roles. So I'm pleased to say... I'M DONE WITH CASTING! :)

Casting done, check. Figuring out how to pull this all off, up next.

Also, super exciting! If you live in Baltimore, or within a reasonable distance, I invite you to make your Halloween plans now and attend the Free for Baltimore night at the Strand on October 31st (Yes, that's Halloween!). We will be putting on a free show of Watch at the Strand and will be having an old skool Halloween party. Think bobbing for apples, peeled grapes and wet spaghetti! Super fun and what better than a ghost story at a haunted theatre with fun festivities afterwards?

P.S. The Strand has a blog as well. Visit it, comment and keep up with whats going on at the Strand. So far it seems like a really great theater with a strong purpose and a strong mission, which I totally respect.