Playscripts For Kids

“Spring brings 'Spring Awakening'” plus 1 more

2011-03-16T07:21:00.001-07:00

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“Spring brings 'Spring Awakening'” plus 1 more

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:05 AM PDT

Published: Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 8:00 AM

How fitting that a production of "Spring Awakening" will arrive in New Jersey soon after spring has awakened around the state.

A lucky 13 days after the new season arrives, a new touring company of the 2007 Tony-winner for best musical comes to Middlesex County.

The musical by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater tells of an adolescent affair that leads to tragic consequences. Although the show is set in 1890 Germany, the writers decided to provide Frank Wedekind's classic play with a rock score. Kids often take microphones out of their inside jacket pockets before they start singing.

"Spring Awakening" plays April 2 at 2 and 8 p.m. at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. Tickets are $32 to $67. Call (732) 246-7469 or visit statetheatrenj.org.

'Pray' Day

Financial problems have forced the Actors Shakespeare Company of Jersey City to postpone its production of "The Tempest," which was scheduled to open next weekend.

But that has freed Colin Ryan, the troupe's most valuable player, to take a role in a play that was written 399 years later.

It's "How to Pray," the winner of the 2010 Susan Glaspell Award for best new play written by a woman. Michelle Carter's drama tells of a man and wife who cannot have children, which leads them to ask his sister to be a surrogate for them. "How to Pray" receives its world premiere April 1 to 17 at Centenary Stage Company, Lackland Center, 715 Grand Ave., Hackettstown. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Special matinees take place on April 1, 6 and 13 at 2:30 p.m. Call (908) 979-0900 or visit .

And then there were four

The judges at Premiere Stages in Union didn't mind that we had so much snow this winter. They were holed up in their homes anyway — reading more than 300 scripts that were submitted for its seventh annual New Play Festival.

Now they've narrowed their selections to four. As is Premiere Stages' custom, that quartet of plays will now be shown to the public at staged readings. After each play is read, the audience will get to give its views on each work. Audience opinions will help narrow the selections — two plays will continue being considered for a production this summer, while the two others will walk the plank.

The four plays: "Floodplains" by Gabe McKinley (to be read tomorrow at 7 p.m.) tells of a staunch army man whose daughter disappears in Iraq, forcing him to balance his views as a champion of the war and a father. "Transit" by Kait Kerrigan (Friday at 7 p.m.). deals with a transit worker who's confronted by a reporter about his connection with the death of a Muslim woman. "Egyptian Song" by James Christy (Saturday, at 7 p.m.) has a young gifted singer and her sensitive brother struggle to bridge social divides. "Follow Me to Nellie's" by Dominique Morisseau (Sundayat 3 p.m.) examines five women who deal with segregation in 1955 Mississippi.

Premiere Stages is at Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave., Union. Tickets are free, but reservations are recommended. Call (908) 737-4092 or visit kean.edu/premierestages.

And one more new play

Martin Dockery was an office temp, but he wasn't content to lay low. Dockery decided to go to Africa and trek from the Atlantic to the Sahara. En route, he hoped to find an epiphany.

Whether or not he did is the subject of "Wanderlust," his one-man show. It plays Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. It's all part of the Passage Theatre Company Solo Flights Series taking place at the Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front St., Trenton. Tickets are $20. Call (609) 392-0766 or visit passagetheatre.org.

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St. John students get taste of Hollywood

Posted: 15 Mar 2011 03:16 PM PDT

Published: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 4:50 PM Updated: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 9:40 PM

In a classroom at Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School on Monday, a trio of movie industry professionals tried to get a scene just right: "Face the camera," "Quiet on the set," "Background actors can't talk," "Put the snacks down!"

"This isn't play. This is for real. You have to rehearse," Angelique LaCour, of Jaq's Acting Studio, finally told the actors, fifth-graders at the school.

The students were filming a 22-minute movie. The making of the movie will be featured in "16 Weeks," a show Jaq's Acting Studio will help students put together.

O.J. Breech, River Region Multicultural Chamber of Commerce chairman, said she hopes the issues covered -- education and the challenges of a rural community -- will appeal to a producer who might want to make a reality show or documentary about the students' first taste of the movie industry.

"We plan to pitch it to different TV studios and distributors -- pitch the concept to them in the hope of them coming in and filming the project," Breech said.

Three schools in St. John the Baptist Parish -- Garyville/Mt. Airy, West St. John High School and West St. John Elementary School -- are participating in the project. Each school is filming its own mini-movie. This summer, the students will participate in a red-carpet premiere, viewers will vote on the best movie and the winning production will be filmed using the top talent from each of the three schools.

The project is being funded through a $300,000 grant awarded to RRMCC's Yes We Can 21st Century Community Learning Center this year by the U.S. Department of Education, as well as contributions from the chamber's community partners.

Breech calls the filming, as well as dancing and music classes and field trips, a crafty method of getting the 350 students participating in the program to learn.

"The filming is a sneaky way of trying to get them to do things that need to be done," she said.

That's because students, identified as at-risk by school administrators, can participate in the fun aspects of the after-school program only if they also attend twice-weekly LEAP tutoring.

"The principal and administrators identified kids who needed extra tutoring," Breech said. "They have to come every day to go on the field trips. It's not just about coming for the fun stuff."

And in the last big push before LEAP testing begins, Breech has upped the ante. Tutoring has been expanded from two to four days a week, extra sessions have been added for problem areas and students are required to raise their hands in class and ask a question at least three times to participate in the program's other components.

Breech said lessons are snuck in in other ways as well, such as working on literacy by reading and writing scripts.

The program also seeks to expand students' horizons beyond rural St. John Parish and expose them to cultural opportunities they might not otherwise experience.

"In our rural area, it's generational. You have some people who have never been to New Orleans, much less out of the state," Breech said.

Students who participate in the program all week qualify for Friday field trips. The students have traveled to New Orleans for a riverboat cruise, a visit to Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club, a sit-down dinner in their "Sunday best" when they went to see "The Color Purple" and a Hornets game.

Parents also are invited.

"If we don't take the parents, who will they share it with when they get home?" Breech said. "Some parents tell me they've never done anything like this."

But Breech said it was when the RRMCC brought in Jaq's Acting Studio that the program went to a whole new level. The Metairie business is owned by Jaqueline Fleming, an actress who most recently finished filming "Contraband," shot in the New Orleans area, with Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale. Fleming plays the best friend of Beckinsale's character.

Fleming brought in her staff and started teaching the students how to operate cameras, edit film, take still shots, act and do makeup and wardrobe.

"These are jobs," Breech said. "Last year, Louisiana shot more movies than L.A. and New York. And all the behind-the-scenes people are brought in from other places."

Fleming said she wants to expose students to every aspect of the movie industry, from pre-production to post-production.

"If you train them young, that means the jobs stay in Louisiana. The money stays in Louisiana," she said.

Garyville/Mt. Airy fifth-grader Austin Scioneaux said he could envision a career in the movie industry. It took the 10-year-old three days to write the script for his school's movie.

"I keep them (the actors) on track, make sure they get the angle right and make sure they say the right words," he said. "I like to be creative. I'm just that kind of kid."

Breech said she has already reapplied for the grant to expand the program to more schools in St. John.

"It's educational, but it also gives them something to aspire to," she said. "A lot of these kids are at-risk. This gives them dreams."

•••••••

Jennifer Boquet can be reached at jboquet@timespicayune.com or 985.652.0952.

Best Bets: Kid stuff, an ode to robots, saxy sounds

2011-03-15T07:40:00.001-07:00

Best Bets: Kid stuff, an ode to robots, saxy sounds

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 12:12 AM PST

Family fun

Not really so bad

Saturday. Think again. First impressions aren't always correct in "Madeline and the Bad Hat," playing at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Presented by ArtsPower, the original play is based on Ludwig Bemelmans' book of the same name. Madeline, the little Parisian schoolgirl, is dismayed when her new neighbor, Pepito, turns out to be a terror. But when Pepito gets himself in trouble, it's up to Madeline to help him, and she discovers he's not as bad as he seems. 1 p.m. Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood; 303- 987-7845. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10.50 for students and seniors, $8 for kids ages 3 to 12. For more information, visit artspower.org. Kathleen St. John

Kid stuff

Saturday-Sunday. All about 'em. The Colorado Convention Center becomes a kids paradise during the All About Kids Expo. While parents wander through the exhibitor booths, youngsters can join in all sorts of activities: bowling, train rides, mini golf, a climbing wall, jump castles and more. Radio Disney sponsors the entertainment stage, featuring the "Radio Disney Rockin' Road Show," the Never Land Pirate Band, dance performances and magic. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St.; 303-228-8000. General-admission tickets are $10; buy in advance at ticketswest.com or call 866-464-2626. Learn more at all-about-kids.org. Kathleen St. John

Garden of youth

Saturday. Dig it. After a quiet winter, the Mordecai Children's Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens reopens on Saturday. First opened last August, the Children's Garden is a 3-acre mini-park where little ones can run around, explore and learn about Colorado's plant ecosystems. Stroll along Springmelt Stream, play biologist at Pipsqueak Pond, and drop in to guided programs. Perhaps the coolest part: a digging pit where little earthmovers can get to work. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St.; 720-865-3500. $12.50 for adults, $9.50 for seniors and military, $9 for students and youth ages 4 to 15. Visit botanicgardens.org to learn more. Kathleen St. John

Tales of growing up

Saturday. Kids concert. Kids get a concert of their own when Bill Harley brings his silly, family-friendly show to Golden. Grammy Award winner Harley and his guitar tell tales of growing up, from "Monsters in the Bathroom" to "50 Ways to Fool Your Mother." Grown-ups can expect some chuckles too: Harley also works as a storyteller and National Public Radio contributor. (He's putting on a show for adults at 7 p.m. Saturday.) Family show: 10 a.m. Saturday. Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 W. 32nd Ave., Golden; 303-279-5282. Tickets are $5 for kids, $10 for a family. For more information, visit billharley.com or jefferson unitarian.org. Kathleen St. John

Women's Day 5K

Sunday. Run/walk. The 100th annual International Women's Day is officially Tuesday, but the weekend isn't too early to start celebrating: Pound the pavement in a 5K run/walk at Washington Park to benefit needy women. Proceeds from race registration will go to support a microloan program that helps women start their own small businesses and escape poverty. Bring along some used sneakers to donate too. The Women's Day celebration continues on Tuesday with speakers, music and an expo at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. 5K registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; the run starts at 9 a.m. Washington Park, South Downing Street and East Louisiana Avenue. Registration is $25 in advance, $30 the day of the race. Register and learn more at internationalwomensdaydenver.org. Kathleen St. John

Theater

An original ode to robots

Through March 26. Modern marvels. Theatre Company of Lafayette is a tiny community theater that has made a niche for itself by presenting

(Madge Montgomery, Theatre Company of Lafayette)

annual, topical short-play festivals. This year the troupe marks the 90th anniversary of the first use of the word "robot." This year's festival, "Machines Like Us," is actually made up of two productions running on alternating nights — the world premiere of "Getting Betta," a full-length comedy by Don Fried, and "Robots Like Us," six short comic commissioned playlets, all written by local writers. With this year's offerings, the company has now debuted 35 original scripts in just the past 36 months. 7:30 p.m Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays at the Mary Miller Theater, 300 E. Simpson St., 720-209-2154 or tclstage.org. John Moore

Visual art

Through blind eyes

Through the weekend. Photography. There is more than one way to see. That is the idea behind "Sight Unseen: International Photography by Blind Artists." The traveling exhibition opened Thursday at Metropolitan State College of Denver's Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe Drive, and runs through April 9. Free. 303- 294-5207 or metrostatecva.org. Kyle MacMillan

Classical music

Saxy sounds

Saturday. No strings attached. The string quartet might be the king of classical foursomes, but it doesn't hold a monopoly. Another family of intruments — the saxophone — also works well in that combination. As evidence, look no further than the internationally touring Amstel Quartet, composed of four Dutch saxophonists who met in 1997. The group will appear at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, performing works by composers ranging from Richard Wagner to Michael Torke. $26. 303-987-7845 or lakewood.org/culturalcenter. Kyle MacMillan

“Vidushi Mehra trying to carve niche with small roles” plus 1 more

2011-03-11T07:28:00.001-08:00

“Vidushi Mehra trying to carve niche with small roles” plus 1 more

Vidushi Mehra trying to carve niche with small roles

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 06:29 PM PST

New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) She started off her career in Bollywood by playing supportive characters in movies like 'Aisha', 'No One Killed Jessica' and 'Saat Khoon Maaf', but actress Vidushi Mehra is not complaining. She says her priority is to play small but important roles rather than 'big' yet insignificant parts.

'Every character in a movie - be it a supporting actor or someone who has a small screen space - is very important if that character helps in taking the narrative forward. And such roles are very important to me because they have substance,' Vidushi, who is married to designer Nikhil Mehra of designer duo Shantanu-Nikhil, told IANS.

'In Bollywood, the pressure is always on a lead actress because she is battling against age and hence has to cash on maximum hits and fame with a limited career span of six-seven years. So they don't have a shelf-life, unlike Bollywood actors,' she said.

For the 29-year-old, veteran actor Anupam Kher is a perfect example of a 'complete package actor'.

'Anupam Kher has been in the industry for decades now and he has enjoyed stardom and success in a beautiful manner without playing lead roles. He plays a pivotal role in a movie and is recognised for that. I do aim to be someone like him,' she said.

For many, Vidushi's identity was being the better half of Nikhil. So was the decision to foray into films a way to create a niche for herself?

'I never felt a need to prove a point to anyone,' said Vidushi, adding that she has equal share in her life partner's success on the fashion front. 'I have seen him (Nikhil) growing, I would like to take equal responsibility and credit for what he is today and can proudly say he is there because of me.

'He takes a lot of pride in me and enjoys me being in the limelight. He is very secure and supportive. He is someone who reads my scripts and suggests to me to take it or not. So, there is no competition... there are two different individuals doing their own things,' she added.

Being a mother of three-and-a-half-year-old twins, how does she manage to maintain her personal and professional life?

'I have a support structure at home. And at the same time, both my kids are too excited whenever they see me on screen. In a way it is also a lot of encouragement for them. When kids see their parents doing well, they get a sense of self-belief,' she said.

Vidushi is basically from theatre and candidly says it can't provide sustainable livelihood and so artists moving to Bollywood is the next logical step.

The Delhi-based actress' tryst with theatre began when she was just four years old and later actively participated in school and college plays.

An investment banker by profession, she decided to do theatre after spending nine years juggling with numbers.

'I went to theatre again at the end of 2008 because that's where my heart was. I did so because all these years I had fulfilled all wishes of my parents as a daughter,' she said.

Currently she is busy reading scripts. What is her criteria for choosing a script?

'There are no such rules and regulations. I want to move ahead, stay humble, continue to work in the industry. I am just a newcomer and don't have too much of deliberations. But, yes, a good story, director and cast are a must,' she said.

'I am here for a long run, to do a variety of roles and just not get tapped in any stereotype. I am comfortable in my own skin and I don't feel competition,' she added.

PHS student-written play this weekend

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 07:40 AM PST

February 17, 2011

Rusty Nixon, Correspondent

Rebecca Brumbaugh, PHS Assistant Principal Ken Olson, Andrew Youst and PHS Counselor Aimee Portteus form the perfect nuclear family in a scene from "A World of Words" showing Friday and Saturday at the PHS Auditorium, each night at 7 p.m.

PLYMOUTH — It's a becoming a tradition that nobody wants to end.
Several years ago the Plymouth High School theater class — tired of buying scripts that they eventually ended up re-writing anyway — decided to write their own play and put it on stage. It's something that has taken on a life of its own.
For the third year, the class presents a show they've written called "A World of Words" Friday and Saturday at the PHS Auditorium. Show time each night is 7 p.m.
"Several years ago, we bought a script with a bunch of sketches in it and we liked about half of them," said Jane Faulstich, who teaches the class at Ply-mouth High School. "We used those and then re-wrote a bunch to fit our kids. We decided we could do a better job writing sketches to fit ourselves and we've done it ever since."
So far, she hasn't been disappointed.
"I don't want it to stop," she said. "It's such an exciting process. Yes, it's difficult and when we come up with the overall concept the kids have that really kind of frightened look. But then they start bringing back scripts around Christmas time and we start putting things together and it all seems to fit when we get done."
Members of the class are given a concept and then in a creative process that resembles Saturday Night Live begin writing sketches, working on concepts and then bringing them in to audition for a place in the show.
Many of the sketches come from true experience. Just ask Christina Chipman, a junior in the class who wrote and performs in several sketches in the show, including one she penned titled, "The 12 Top Reasons I'm Glad You Dumped Me."
"There were some names I would have liked to put in the sketch," she said with a laugh. "I decided to keep it confidential."
The process is an exciting one for the students as well as their teacher.
"I think it's really cool for me to see what I've written get put up on stage," said Chipman. "I'm in the journalism class and I could see myself continuing on in writing. I've won essay contests and things like that. Writing for the stage is a lot harder. You have be very conscious of writing something that your audience is going to enjoy."
The Advanced Acting Class is; Sam Compton, Jordin Cook, Austin Craft, Sarah Craft, Jessie Gibbs, Stephanie Gorka, Lauren Kelso, Tayler May, Allasyn Slater, Dalton Van Dusen, Emily Walden, Rebecca Brumbaugh, Christina Chipman, Michael Gray, Olivia Hilliard, Christina Krozel, and Kelsey Shaffer.
Lighting technicians are Billie Carothers, A.J. Ruffing, and Dennis Watson. Sound Engineers are Jordan Knapp and Cody Langdon. Wing Managers are Cody Benjamin and Shaylee Vice. The backstage crew is Emily Blake, Amanda Bottomley, Andrea Bottomley, Meagan Fisher, Timothy Gomez, Colton Honeycutt, Amanda Irwin, Phil Iwinski, Christina Krozel, Sarah Mann, Daren Miller, Ashton Morrow, Trisha Neidlinger, Kori Potoczky, Stephanie Rosas, Ben Shortt, Dalton Van Dusen, Tyler Vermillion, Michael Yoder, Andrew Youst.

“Acting troupe shares love of theater” plus 1 more

2011-03-10T07:08:00.001-08:00

“Acting troupe shares love of theater” plus 1 more

Acting troupe shares love of theater

Posted: 09 Mar 2011 07:24 AM PST

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Heidi Desch photo Keith Meyers, center, shares a laugh with Miranda Raab, left, and Monica Raab. The mother and daughter both had parts in the play.

Chris Rock: Broadway play gives me jokes

Posted: 07 Mar 2011 01:32 AM PST

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The 46-year-old is the latest comedian to be drawn to the famous New York theatre district, joining Robin Williams, Ben Stiller and Kathy Griffin.

Chris Rock: Broadway play gives me jokes

2011-03-07T07:38:00.001-08:00

Chris Rock: Broadway play gives me jokes

Posted: 06 Mar 2011 05:00 PM PST

Chris Rock says he scribbles jokes on his Broadway script.

The 46-year-old is the latest comedian to be drawn to the famous New York theatre district, joining Robin Williams, Ben Stiller and Kathy Griffin.

The stand-up star is set to showcase his talents in The Motherf**ker With the Hat, which begins previews on March 15. Chris stars as an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor in the play, which is a dark look at a relationship that is plagued with drug and alcohol addiction. It focuses on a long-term couple whose romance is tested when one becomes sober and the other remains addicted.

He has admitted that whilst rehearsing for the show he has been jotting down notes for consideration later on, although his main focus is on his upcoming Broadway venture.

"A lot of the play is about relationships, and, yeah, I'm writing some jokes on my script," he told USA Today. "I've pretty much suspended all other operations. I'm waiting for some scripts to come in. And I wouldn't mind dabbling in some stand-up this summer, after the play's over — seeing if I still have a fastball, as they say. But for now, this is it."

The show has allowed the comedian to spend more time with his wife and two daughters Lola, nine, and seven-year-old Zahra. It has enabled Chris to be more flexible with his family time, as his stand-up work takes him all over the world.

"Stand-up is fun, but you have to travel. I wanted to do something in New York," he said. "I do that many shows when I'm on tour, and I have to fly every day. Now I'll be able to take my kids to school, eat with them some days, even take them to an activity. And I'll be home in time to watch Letterman."

Chris has been enjoying the new process as it's such a new experience. He explained the writer is not always the most favoured person when making a movie, but that is completely different when it comes to plays.

"It's an amazing process. You really take your time and break down the script. And you don't make a move without consulting the writer. When you're doing a movie, they hate the writer. I know, having written a movie or two. It's like, 'Thank you — goodbye,'" he laughed.

Lime Kiln Middle student's play earns recognition

2011-03-06T07:33:00.001-08:00

Lime Kiln Middle student's play earns recognition

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 11:42 AM PST

Lime Kiln Middle School seventh-grader Michelle Wong cannot talk with the animals, but she can imagine what they might say, and she figures few would have kind words about last year's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

She recently wrote a short play about a few sea creatures affected by the spill that was submitted in the Arena Stage 12th Annual Student 10-Minute Play Competition. With more than 800 entries submitted from area middle and high schools, Michelle didn't figure she had much of a chance at winning.

But those at the Washington-based production center were impressed with what Michelle had to say. They named her play "Responsibility — Fatal or Not?" among the competition's eight winning entries.

"When I first heard about the oil spill, I looked it up, and people posted some really sad videos and pictures of birds and turtles," said Michelle, the only seventh-grade student among the eight winners. "I realize they couldn't speak or anything, so I just wondered if I could be their voice."

She and the other winners will attend classes and work with Arena Stage officials to develop their plays, which will be performed by professional actors at Arena Stage's Keeger Theater next month.

Michelle is one of two students at the Fulton school whose entries were honored. Seventh-grader Amanda Bachman received Middle School Honorable Mention for her play "The Principal's Office." The honorable mention plays were read at Arena Stage two weeks ago.

Stacey Stewart, director of education, school and professional development at Arena Stage, said that Michelle's play "really stands out" among the more than 800 entries submitted.

"It's got a really strong point of view," said Stewart. "You see in reading it that this is a writer with a real passion for the subject, and it's done in a really inventive and creative way."

The play involves two main characters, a seagull named Seymour and a turtle named Tara. The play begins as Seymour notices a dark substance in the nearby water, and he implores Tara to go in to investigate.

Moments later, Tara reaches the water and notes that it's never been so dark; Seymour likens the material to very thick ink and bemoans that the sea life population will be gone soon.

"It's oil!" Seymour says. "This will kill a lot of our wildlife. Human engineering. So irresponsible! I bet they're spending all the time blaming each other for this spill instead of rescuing some of us!"

Michelle said she wrote her first play in fourth grade, which prepared her for her recent work. "I took a while to think about the voice of the two [main] characters, how much they would know, how they would feel," she said.

Haley Miller, seventh-grade English teacher at Lime Kiln Middle, volunteered in the education department at Arena Stage and worked in the center's media relations department. She saw scripts develop from written form to stage performances, and is helping prepare Michelle for the transformation she might see from her original work.

"That's definitely one of the biggest concerns," Miller said. "They assign the kids dramaturges and directors that say, 'Have you thought about this?' or 'What if this could happen?' It's making students aware of the fact that in order for the play to be the best it can be, there have to be revisions and edits and ways to improve it.

"Michelle and I had a conversation separately to prepare her for that, and not to take offense at it but to realize that this is an excellent opportunity," Miller added.

But Michelle, who is busy revising the play for production, said she relishes the opportunity to learn more about the stage, noting that her script work is much different from the videos that kids her age place on networking sites such as YouTube.

"On YouTube videos, you get to edit all the films and put background that's not really there," she said. "In theater, you have to use the drama, what the actors can do, so they can portray the characters and setting and the main point that's getting across."

joseph.burris@baltsun.com

'Summers Of Fear' Looks Back On Polio Vaccine Controversy

2011-03-05T07:33:00.001-08:00

'Summers Of Fear' Looks Back On Polio Vaccine Controversy

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 02:03 AM PST

Posted: Mar. 4, 2011 | 2:03 a.m.
Updated: Mar. 4, 2011 | 10:10 a.m.

C'mon people, time to do one scene.

Six times.

"We have a new script?" asks one actor in Rehearsal Hall 206.

"Aren't you up on the times?" jokes another, stretched out on the floor, as fellow cast members insert, discard and reshuffle green, white, blue and pink pages, reflecting constant updating, in their rainbow-hued scripts.

"All of you in scene 30, up on your feet," announces the stage manager.

"Let's revisit this," director Brad Carroll says. Time and time and time and time and time and time again. ...

■ ■ ■

Drama is finding its footing at the Fine Arts Building of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. History, too. Their guest director sprinting from one end of the hall to the other to confer with actors, alternately laughing and instructing, Nevada Conservatory Theatre's "Summers of Fear" cast is coalescing.

Authored by NCT's artistic director, Robert Benedetti, and telling a tale largely unknown now beyond historical records and old print accounts, "Fear" documents the creation of competing polio vaccines by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. It also chronicles the scientific community's petty rivalries and jealousies, heartbreaking setbacks and stunning successes in the 1950s, battling the horrifying epidemic that crippled, paralyzed and killed masses of people, mostly children. Many who survived became trapped inside iron lungs.

Worldwide during the 1940s and '50s, polio paralyzed or killed more than half a million victims every year. In the United States, when a few states began counting victims in the early 20th century, New York alone reported 9,000 cases in 1916. Burgeoning after World War II, the numbers hit more than 20,000 a year between 1945-49 and peaked in 1952, when 58,000 cases were reported, killing 3,145 people and paralyzing 21,269.

"It peaked my interest in polio," says Carroll about "Fear" after Benedetti sent him the script. "I got the first two books I could find and poured through them like they were spy novels -- the information, the science, the technology, the philanthropy, the March of Dimes (which raised funds and delivered the vaccine) and F.D.R. (Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was stricken with polio and spent most of his presidency in a wheelchair)."

Judging hero and villain is complicated, given the enigmatic Salk and arrogant Sabin, openly hostile to Salk and upset that he could eclipse him as a polio researcher in the status-climbing competition of the scientific community.

Though Salk's vaccine was initially lauded and used, the federal government switched to Sabin's until they returned to recommending Salk's. By then, Salk -- who had no interest in profiting from his vaccine -- had died in 1995, a broken man, bypassed for the Nobel Prize and undone by profit-minded motives.

"It involves the impact of corporate and Washington politics on public health policy," Benedetti writes in notes about his play.

"Salk's vaccine was withdrawn and Salk discredited by a smear campaign orchestrated by the pharmaceutical industry, the AMA (American Medical Association) and the right wing of the Republican Party. The March of Dimes, run by F.D.R.'s former law partner, was regarded as 'rank socialism.' Despite its success, reducing polio by 96 percent in five years, the Salk vaccine was withdrawn in favor of the Sabin vaccine. The AMA was happy to see the administration of the vaccine taken out of the nonprofit hands of the March of Dimes and given to doctors as a paid service."

However, as the play demonstrates, Salk did sabotage himself among colleagues, declining to publicly credit his staff and putting his name on their reports because they came out of his lab.

■ ■ ■

"We're here as stage props, mere window dressing," says actor George Cohen, rehearsing as disgruntled Sabin, looking on in a re-creation of the 1955 news conference announcing Salk's vaccine was effective and potent. "Seems like instant divinity for St. Salk," he practically spits out. "It will fall on him like a curse."

Portrayed by Steve Rapella, Salk steps forward to address the press, lab workers gathered to the side waiting for Salk to express his gratitude, which never comes, their faces collapsing. "No mention of your staff at all?" asks actor Mike Thatcher as Salk's colleague, Dr. Thomas Francis. "No names? No credit? What the hell is the matter with you?"

Moving onto the next scene finds the conflicted Salk, stung by the criticism and equally confounded by his newfound celebrity, with his wife. "There have been four movie offers to do the Jonas Salk story and Marlon Brando wants to play the lead," says actress Lauren T. Mack as Donna Salk. "The mayor of New York wants to throw you a ticker-tape parade. ... All this adulation, it's vulgar."

Interrupted by Salk's colleagues, they hear the grim news that several children have been paralyzed or died while taking the vaccine in a severe setback. Head down, body stiffening, looking convulsed in agony, Rapella seems almost in prayer, as if hoping to pray away the news.

■ ■ ■

"This guy was pretty much a control freak, he kept his emotions in check and didn't let people close to him, but if you read what he wrote, he was infinitely compassionate," Rapella says during a rehearsal break, likening "Summers of Fear" to "Amadeus," comparing the Mozart/Salieri rivalry to Salk/Sabin.

"We're really timely with this piece. I hope this spawns productions that go from university to university because kids don't know about this. They don't know what a scourge this was."

Or that among those fighting it, jealousy, pettiness and human failings created a disease all its own.

Contact reporter Steve Bornfeld at sbornfeld@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0256.

“Best Bets: Kid stuff, an ode to robots, saxy sounds” plus 1 more

2011-03-04T07:17:00.001-08:00

“Best Bets: Kid stuff, an ode to robots, saxy sounds” plus 1 more

Best Bets: Kid stuff, an ode to robots, saxy sounds

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 12:12 AM PST

Family fun

Not really so bad

Kid stuff

Garden of youth

Tales of growing up

Women's Day 5K

Theater

An original ode to robots

Through March 26. Modern marvels. Theatre Company of Lafayette is a tiny community theater that has made a niche for itself by presenting

(Madge Montgomery, Theatre Company of Lafayette)

Visual art

Through blind eyes

Classical music

Saxy sounds

Lime Kiln Middle student's play earns recognition

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 11:42 AM PST

But those at the Washington-based production center were impressed with what Michelle had to say. They named her play "Responsibility — Fatal or Not?" among the competition's eight winning entries.

She and the other winners will attend classes and work with Arena Stage officials to develop their plays, which will be performed by professional actors at Arena Stage's Keeger Theater next month.

Stacey Stewart, director of education, school and professional development at Arena Stage, said that Michelle's play "really stands out" among the more than 800 entries submitted.

"It's got a really strong point of view," said Stewart. "You see in reading it that this is a writer with a real passion for the subject, and it's done in a really inventive and creative way."

Moments later, Tara reaches the water and notes that it's never been so dark; Seymour likens the material to very thick ink and bemoans that the sea life population will be gone soon.

"Michelle and I had a conversation separately to prepare her for that, and not to take offense at it but to realize that this is an excellent opportunity," Miller added.

joseph.burris@baltsun.com

Our Oscar connection: 'Average kid from Belleville' is executive producer of 'The Kids Are All Right'

2011-03-01T07:08:00.001-08:00

Our Oscar connection: 'Average kid from Belleville' is executive producer of 'The Kids Are All Right'

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 09:58 AM PST

Science fiction and action movies and John Wayne westerns.

"When I was older, we'd go to the drive-in, the Skyview. Half of us were probably in the trunk of the car sneaking in."

The Belleville native is executive producer of "The Kids Are All Right," a film nominated for four Academy Awards. He heard the news last month while staying at his parents' home in Waterloo. He was visiting his mom, Norma, and dad, Ira, who is ill.

"Early in the morning, a distributor in Poland e-mailed congratulations," he said. "I figured it was nominated."

Steven, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Hollywood Studios International, lives a life that's hard to imagine - sometimes even to himself. He has been knighted by a prince and blessed by Pope John Paul II.

His conversation is peppered with terms such as "creative financial models" and "international distribution."

One minute he's talking about attending Camp Ondessonk as a grade-schooler, the next about having Saudi princes as financial backers.

"As a kid, I probably knew that Hollywood was in California," said Steven, who grew up mostly on Belleville's 17th Street. "California and the movies were way beyond any dreams I had."

He attended St. Mary's Grade School, played Little League baseball and Little Devils football, rode dirt bikes and raced motorcycles at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds.

"I had to go every Sunday and watch him," said his sister, Karen Saxton, three years young.

Their father was a blue-collar Chrysler worker.

"I used to go fishing with my dad to all of the little local lakes and strip mines," said Steven. "There was a power plant on one of them, Glendale Lake in southern Illinois."

After a year at Althoff Catholic High School, Steven switched to Belleville West.

"I didn't have a car," he said, "and Althoff was a long, cold bus ride away."

Soon after graduating, he moved away.

"Part of the reason I left Belleville (after high school) was I was about to get a job at a coal mine," he said. "I am extremely claustrophobic."

He took off for Houston where he worked as a motorcycle mechanic, then moved to New York City where he got a job selling motorcycles and cars. He sold a car to the president of a brokerage firm who sponsored Steven to get his brokerage license.

He was a broker in Dallas, and became president of a small oil company. He got interested in the movie business more than 20 years ago after brokering a deal to finance a movie for a Hollywood producer.

"Hollywood has red carpets and premieres," he said. "In Texas, we had barbecue sandwiches. It was hot. The movie business was much more exciting, the creative aspects of it all."

Now, Steven rubs shoulders with directors, writers, stars and money men around the world.

"We did a movie (`Beyond A Reasonable Doubt') last year with Michael Douglas," he said, "It was fun to meet him. ... Some stars have that special it factor."

Steven lives in Sunset Plaza, near Beverly Hills, with his girlfriend, Katherine Guevara, 21, who accompanied him to Belleville.

"The last two years, my parents have spent Christmas at my house," he said. "I have an amazing swimming pool. We have nice weather 300 days a year in California."

But he's not always there to enjoy it.

Steven travels the world, drumming up financing, checking out potential movie locations and networking at film festivals.

"In the last five years, I've made 40 to 50 international trips," he said, ticking off Qatar, Kuwait and Costa Rica, Singapore, London and Paris.

"It's the most competitive business in the world. It's a very difficult business, very serious business, too, We're structuring the financing of a movie."

A movie can cost $40 million or more to make.

"To put together that capital is quite difficult," he said. "It's great when it happens like this and your little movie goes from being a little movie to the biggest thing at Sundance."

His little movie was produced for $4.4 million. Released last summer, it grossed just over $20 million at U.S. box offices.

The film, directed by Lisa Cholodenko, is about a lesbian couple whose two children, conceived by artificial insemination, bring their birth father into the family, changing its dynamics. Annette Bening and Julianne Moore play the couple. Mark Ruffalo is the birth father.

It was nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress (Annette Bening) and Best Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo).

"For me and for this company, this is actually the first film we have produced," said Steven, whose company integrates distribution, production and artist management. "It's a very good start for a new company."

Joel Newton, his vice president and right-hand man, described the film's success as a combination of extreme luck and the educated wisdom to choose the right project.

"We are making art," said Joel. "You cannot predict or have a formula to know what's going to be successful ... We decided out of a thousand scripts. That's the one we took the risk with and got behind ... It's an intelligent process."

Joel and Steven have worked together for seven years.

"Steven's one of the most tenacious, persistent people I have ever met," said Joel. "Nobody has the patience and drive he has."

A week ago, Steven was trying to arrange tickets to attend the Oscars. If he couldn't, he planned to go to Oscar parties the night before.

"As a child growing up, Hollywood was inconceivable," said Steven. "At some point, it became my dream."

School Notes 2/28/2011

2011-02-28T07:35:00.001-08:00

School Notes 2/28/2011

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:27 AM PST

Abington Heights

J.C. Show has turned his love of basketball into a way of giving back.

The freshman was asked to help coach second- and third-graders in the Holy Cross Recreation League in December. The team gets together on Sundays to play and work on fundamentals like layups and moving the ball downcourt. J.C. has been playing basketball since he was small and said spending time with the elementary-schoolers brings back a lot of memories. "The hardest part is getting the kids to listen," he said. "But I love interacting with them."

enissley@timesshamrock.com

Blue Ridge

Sarthak Patel went on a monthlong trip to India to visit family and tour various sites, including the Taj Mahal, Delhi, Jaipur and the Ganges River, among others.

Sarthak said, "We have a lot of family over there that we visited."

Another highlight of Sarthak's trip was participating in the Kites Festival. He stood on top of a roof with other participants, and he said the goal was to keep your kite in the air the longest without someone cutting it, while at the same time, trying to cut the string of others' kites.

Following graduation, Sarthak is interested in becoming a doctor, possibly a neurologist.

amead@timesshamrock.com

Carbondale Area

Zoe Zazzera was one of several students who helped create centerpieces for the recent Blue Ribbon Gala fundraiser benefiting Marley's Mission.

"It was a lot of fun because I really like art, and I was glad to help such a worthy cause," the seventh-grader said.

The artwork was displayed throughout the gala, held Feb. 19 in Scranton to raise money for the equine-based children's therapy center in Lake Ariel. Art teachers Carol Vitzacovitch and Barb Pilcavage worked with the students to design centerpieces with the theme "Horses Helping Children."

cheaney@timesshamrock.com

Dunmore

Senior Torre Mitchell recently designed a wine glass for a local event held by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Students entered their designs in a contest, and Torre's was chosen to be painted on all wine glasses for the event.

Her image includes grapes with a breast cancer ribbon. Once chosen as the winner, Torre and her fellow art students painted Torre's design on the glasses.

As the winner, Torre received a certificate and was invited to attend the function. "At the event, a lot of people came up to me and told me how nice my work was. I was extremely happy and excited to see people using my artwork," she said.

Torre is involved with the high school art club and intends on studying art education at Keystone College.

smcconnell@timesshamrock.com

Elk Lake

Chelsea Karabin, a senior, taught a self-defense class to girls ages 8-14 for her senior project.

"I had known that I had wanted to do something along the lines of self-defense, but I decided on my age group and for it to be only girls, when I experienced a situation this past summer that could have escalated into something violent. I knew how scared I was, and I know what I'm doing, so thinking of a young girl in that situation was really the push," Chelsea said.

She's active in volleyball, key club and national honor society. Chelsea plans on attending Marywood University for Spanish translation in hopes of studying abroad.

lzaccagnino@timesshamrock.com

Forest City

A dodgeball tournament a senior ran in the fall helped raise money for the nonprofit group To Write Love on Her Arms.

Dustin Preitz set up the tournament and raffle for his senior project and raised $135 for the organization, which helps people fighting with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicidal thoughts.

"I know a lot of people who have suffered from self- injury and suicidal thoughts and depression, so I thought this would be the best way to be able to help in some way," Dustin said.

cheaney@timesshamrock.com

Lackawanna Trail

For Rachel Clark and her classmates, telling others to say no to drugs and alcohol has paid off - with iPod Shuffles.

She, along with Russell Lauzon, Maxwell Myers and Kaylah Woodcock, created a short public service announcement talking about how to avoid peer pressure over drugs and alcohol and entered it into a contest sponsored by Penn State. Rachel said her group listened to several examples of public service announcements before writing their own scripts and recording them on a computer. They were told they won just last week. The prize? An iPod Shuffle for everyone in the group's class.

"We had to decide what we were going to say, how long it should be," she said.

enissley@timesshamrock.com

Lakeland

When Jessie Kozlosky read about the financial trouble Griffin Pond Animal Shelter was having, she decided to mail them her life savings.

But she knew that $23 was not enough to make much of a difference for the animals who lived at the shelter, so she decided to see if the community would help.

The seventh-grader brought piggy banks to local businesses so people could donate their pocket change. After a few weeks, she had raised $350.

"I didn't think I would raise that much," Jessie said. "It felt good to do it."

enissley@timesshamrock.com

Montrose

Sophomore Amanda Rucker will be aiming for her third win of the year at a Poetry Out Loud competition.

Amanda will be traveling on March 14 to the governor's residence in Harrisburg for the state competition, where she will be reciting three poems. She had previously secured top prize in both the local competition on Jan. 20 and the regional competition on Feb. 11. On competing at the local and regional levels, Amanda said, "It is a liberating experience that allowed me to just go out there and tell a story with a lot of emotion and express exactly what the poet was feeling at that moment."

amead@timesshamrock.com

Mountain View

Eighth-grader Jacob Baranski knows a thing or two about competing in contests. He has participated in the Knowledge Master Open and Math Counts, among others.

Jacob said that for the Knowledge Master Open, "a couple kids go as a group, and we answer common-knowledge questions." Math Counts takes place at Penn State Worthington Scranton campus, and Jacob said it mostly consists of pre-algebra and algebra questions. Jacob has competed for three years, and this year, he took ninth place out of 95. Jacob's plans after high school include doing something in the medical field.

amead@timesshamrock.com

North Pocono

Three North Pocono students competed this month at a bridge-building competition in Dickson City.

Freshmen Court Van Brunt and Austin Ely, and junior Anthony Castellano, constructed miniature bridges and competed against students from 19 counties throughout the region.

Austin and Anthony's bridge held 18 times its weight while Court's bridge held 24 times its weight.

smcconnell@timesshamrock.com

Old Forge

Second-grade students at Old Forge Elementary recently learned about kindness by helping animals in need.

As part of a "Kindness Project," students from three second-grade classes collected items on the wish list for Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, which has experienced an outpouring of community support in response to financial difficulties.

lnelson@timesshamrock.com

Riverside

Junior Sean Ritter will be honored for an alcohol-awareness poster he submitted to a state contest sponsored by the state Liquor Control Board.

Sean was one of 47 students chosen out of more than 900 entries to the contest, which focuses on preventing underage drinking. He will be honored in Harrisburg on April 20 at a cermony at the Capitol.

lnelson@timesshamrock.com

Scranton

Scranton High juniors Lauren Beppler, Kaycee Crofton, Samantha Weiksner and Bree Kohut organized "Cheer Your Heart Out" as their graduation project. The event, a cheering clinic for local elementary students, was held at Weston Field in December, and all money raised was donated to the Jessica Reap Heart Foundation. Jessica was a graduate of Scranton High School.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Scranton Prep

Even though Jeff Ryan is taking his first art class at Prep during his senior year, he believes in the phrase "better late than never."

"I always knew I liked it, but this is really my first opportunity to take an art class," Jeff said. "I love it."

The Scranton resident has done sketches and drawings, printmaking and stained-glass work. He is now working with spray paint.

While he does not have enough in his portfolio to get accepted to school for art, he hopes to explore his options at either Temple University or Loyola University Chicago.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Valley View

Michael Matchesky is busy working on not only his portfolio for college but also sets for the upcoming school musical.

The senior, who also was recently named homecoming king, has been helping create the backgrounds for the school's March production of "The Phantom of the Opera."

"We worked together to get an awesome set going on," he said.

"We're trying our best to be original with it," Michael said.

Michael, who enjoys painting and working with charcoals, plans to pursue a degree in art education after graduation.

cheaney@timesshamrock.com

Wallenpaupack Area

For Music In Our Schools Month, Wallenpaupack South Elementary School in Newfoundland will start it off with a music program on March 7.

First-graders will perform several acts that will feature Dakota Quinn and Lucas MacDonough on rhythm sticks; Wyatt Peifer on cymbals; Nicholas Hussung on tambourine; Aaron Toryak and Anastasia Ioppolo on drums; Olivia Edwards, Alexis Jantzi and Sierra Demuysere on triangles; Christian Feliciano on tambourine; Michael Shepps on maracas; and Liam Giraldo and Adam Pfleger on cow bells.

Show time is 6:30 p.m. in the school's cafetorium. The event is open to the public.

smcconnell@timesshamrock.com

Wayne Highlands

Because of the efforts of Damascus Area school student Anthony DeGori, a leukemia patient will receive $850 to help with expenses.

Anthony was inspired by an article he saw about the plight of 13-year-old Heather Mustavs in the newspaper.

The donations were raised through a high school basketball tournament and a basket raffle.

Anthony is a fifth-grader.

smcconnell@timesshamrock.com

Western Wayne

Senior Tara Hedden was named a distinguished finalist of the 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community Award.

Tara was one of 29,000 applicants nationwide and one of only eight distinguished finalists in the state.

Her senior project, in which she raised money for the Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis Walk at Nay Aug Park in Scranton in June, also included organizing a Mother's Day brunch and a dress-down day at the school, and placing coin jars throughout the community.

"Since I was diagnosed with Crohn's when I was 15, I've seen what a devastating effect the disease can have, and I wanted to do something to help," she said. "It was powerful to see how many people turned out and worked to raise money."

Tara intends to major in nursing at East Stroudsburg University.

smcconnell@timesshamrock.com

Neil LaBute: 'I put heavy things on my audiences. I love it'

2011-02-27T07:10:00.001-08:00

Neil LaBute: 'I put heavy things on my audiences. I love it'

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 04:13 PM PST

[fivefilters.org: unable to retrieve full-text content]

Neil LaBute has killed at least two children. He smothered one; another he drowned in the penguin pool at the zoo. He's implicated in a fatal homophobic beating, a gang rape and a number of borderline criminal deceptions. He even tortured and immolated Nicolas Cage – though perhaps we'll forgive him that final misdemeanour. The crimes are all fictional, of course, buried like bodies in the ...

“PHS student-written play this weekend” plus 1 more

2011-02-25T07:50:00.001-08:00

“PHS student-written play this weekend” plus 1 more

PHS student-written play this weekend

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 07:37 AM PST

February 17, 2011

Rusty Nixon, Correspondent

Fremont's Showcase a fun-for-all

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 10:09 AM PST

[fivefilters.org: unable to retrieve full-text content]

Every year Fremont High School students put on a performance known as the Center Stage Showcase -- but this isn't just your average high school play. Everything from the scripts to the costumes to the set design in Center Stage Showcase is made by the students. This may seem like a risky move by the drama director, but with firsthand experience, I can say that the final production is pretty ...

Four women wrote this

2011-02-24T07:22:00.001-08:00

Four women wrote this

Posted: 23 Feb 2011 09:56 AM PST

Just call them A, B, C, D. That's what the playwright calls them — or, rather, that's what her play calls them.

When the lights go up, all four are discovered in a sterile-looking sort of waiting room/classroom. The younger of the two couples, A (male) and B (female), sit with arms around one another. Not so with the older, more uptight couple. D (male) paces the room impatiently while C (female), his wife, just sits and broods.

All four are waiting to be individually red-lighted or green-lighted as a consequence of certain computer-generated intelligence tests. A deus ex machina simply identified as "Efficient Woman" is on hand to elucidate the results.

The play is "Selection" — as in Darwin's "natural selection" — and it is the one I liked best of the four one-acts by four women presented together under the rubric "A Girl Wrote It." The playwright is Kris Montgomery of Shelton, Connecticut — whose day job, as it happens, is installing computer software.

When the results for A, B, C, and D come in, the green light flashes three times, the red light flashes once. Now what? Who gets the intelligence test's thumbs up to bring that baby into the brave new world of the day after tomorrow — and who does not?

The admirably concise "Selection" contains overtones not only of Aldous Huxley and Orwell, but of early and late Albee ("The Sandbox," "The American Dream," "The Play About the Baby") as well as of a scary futuristic Ira Levin novel called "This Perfect Day" (1970) — right down to ID touch pads at every turn.

"This play," says Montgomery, "has been done a number of places, starting in 1999, and then thrown away, It was rediscovered last fall by my 16-year-old daughter Erin — the youngest of my three daughters — when she was looking for a one-act play she could direct next year in school. Then I got a notice from the Dramatists Guild about this company, Wide Eyed Productions, that was looking for one-act scripts by women."

Plays have to get conceived and brought to birth, just like human babies. This one, says its mother — whose three flesh-and-blood daughters are, as it happens, adopted — was spurred into life "by discussions I used to have with friends about whether some people ought to have to get a license to give birth to a child. Alcoholics, welfare mothers, low-IQ's, et cetera. That's not exactly genocide, but a gray area."

From this play, her play, "Selection":

EFFICIENT WOMAN: This is interesting. The computer print out says that this is one of the highest greens we've ever had.

A: Meaning?

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They almost passed the red [this particular green's partner] just because the green was so high.

B: So, why don't they do that? We want to have kids together.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They didn't do it because if they start making exceptions, the whole system falls apart.

A: Isn't that what the Nazis did? You're trying to get rid of a whole group of people.

B: This is genocide.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: No, it isn't. No one's being killed here. We just don't let everyone reproduce. There's a big difference….

All the above — indeed, all of "Selection" — represents, to Montgomery "a kind of argument with myself — and it's my hope that it will elicit discussion and/or argument elsewhere."

Montgomery, who says she was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, "somewhere in the last century," and that she is "married to a woman named Lisa," has an acting/singing career alongside playwriting. She has widely toured as the Eva Peron of "Evita," and — in nice happenstance parallel to her present Red Room connection — plays keyboard and sings with a band called Those 4 Girls.

Which takes us to another Kris — or, to be more exact, Kristin Skye Hoffmann — the co-founder (with Liz White and Sky Seals) of Wide Eyed Productions. It is Hoffmann who had the idea of putting four short plays together under the heading "A Girl Wrote It," and is the director of one of those four, Lisa Ferber's farcical film noir bar room Western, "The Return of Toodles Von Flooz."

Directing is Hoffmann's passion, starting back at the University of Northern Colorado, from where she and a number of theater-minded pals came straight to New York to try to do their thing. Wide-eyed is what they knew they were.

Her directing of an exciting 2007 "Medea" for the Hudson Shakespeare Company was rehearsed "for a really long time," but got "only four performances — all outdoors, all free — which seemed a pity to me."

Perhaps it could be done again, and better, and indoors. "If I do it again," she said to her buddies, "will you guys stick with me?"

Yes, they said, yes.

After much search, she found "a very nice man named Richmond Shepard," who made his East 26th Street theater available to her without a deposit — and a second "Medea," again starring Amy Lee Pearsall, was on its wide-eyed way.

"Everybody lent us stuff, and somehow we even managed to come out in the black. This is now our 13th production and our second evening of one-acts. In all 12 of those shows, we had never done anything written by a woman, and I thought that was crazy.

"We did a call for scripts by a woman, posted it all over the place. Received 388 submissions, and I read all 388." This was chopped down to 50, and then to the four at Red Room: "Clementine," by Lynda Green; "Plight of the Apothecary" by Elizabeth Birkenmeier; "The Return of Toodles Von Flooz," by Lisa Ferber; and "Selection," by Kris Montgomery.

A, B, C, D. Red light, green light. Stop and Go in The Red Room. Keep your eyes wide open.

A GIRL WROTE IT

Four one-act plays by women

A Wide Eyed Productions presentation by Horse Trade Theater Group

Through February 20

At The Red Room (85 E. 4th St. btw. Second Ave & Bowery. Third floor; no wheelchair access)

For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-868-4444

Visit wideeyedproductions.com and horsetrade.info

“Four women wrote this” plus 1 more

2011-02-23T07:43:00.001-08:00

“Four women wrote this” plus 1 more

Four women wrote this

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 12:25 PM PST

Just call them A, B, C, D. That's what the playwright calls them — or, rather, that's what her play calls them.

From this play, her play, "Selection":

EFFICIENT WOMAN: This is interesting. The computer print out says that this is one of the highest greens we've ever had.

A: Meaning?

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They almost passed the red [this particular green's partner] just because the green was so high.

B: So, why don't they do that? We want to have kids together.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They didn't do it because if they start making exceptions, the whole system falls apart.

A: Isn't that what the Nazis did? You're trying to get rid of a whole group of people.

B: This is genocide.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: No, it isn't. No one's being killed here. We just don't let everyone reproduce. There's a big difference….

All the above — indeed, all of "Selection" — represents, to Montgomery "a kind of argument with myself — and it's my hope that it will elicit discussion and/or argument elsewhere."

Perhaps it could be done again, and better, and indoors. "If I do it again," she said to her buddies, "will you guys stick with me?"

Yes, they said, yes.

A, B, C, D. Red light, green light. Stop and Go in The Red Room. Keep your eyes wide open.

A GIRL WROTE IT

Four one-act plays by women

A Wide Eyed Productions presentation by Horse Trade Theater Group

Through February 20

At The Red Room (85 E. 4th St. btw. Second Ave & Bowery. Third floor; no wheelchair access)

For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-868-4444

Visit wideeyedproductions.com and horsetrade.info

The 'Shameless' kids: Jeremy Allen White on playing Lip Gallagher

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 10:03 AM PST

Part one of four in ShowTracker's "The 'Shameless' Kids" series.

Jeremy Allen White is doing his part to keep a stiff upper Lip.

The 19-year-old actor plays tough, protective brother Phillip "Lip" Gallagher on Showtime's "Shameless." It's hard standing out in a dysfunctional family, especially one helmed by an alcoholic patriarch, but Lip manages to do it. He is the sibling with good grades -- which he exploits by taking SAT tests for money -- and the one who is least likely to rat you out if you have a file of homoerotic pictures stashed in your room.

"He's quite the brother," said White, who opted against a phone interview and visited The Times because "I don't like talking on phones."

Read on to learn how White prepared for his role, what he thinks of the relationship between Lip and dad Frank (William H. Macy) and what lies beneath Lip's tough exterior.

You had auditioned to play Ian and Lip. Whom do you prefer?

Originally, I kind of liked Ian a little bit more. I thought he was a little more interesting. I felt like I had read Lip; I felt like I already knew who he was. I thought I already had him pegged down. Then I gave it a few more reads and I realized I was being an idiot. I really had no idea. I hate reading scripts and being like "I know you. I've seen you before in movies and on television." But I learned that I'm constantly finding out more about Lip. That's what's really fun. I'll be sitting in my apartment and reading a book and I'll be like "Oh ... I just thought of something about Lip." It's a cool thing for my head to be in that space all the time, no matter what I'm doing.

How do you even prepare for a role like this?

I went to a few Al-Anon meetings in New York. I just kind of listened to some stories. Thankfully, my family is, you know, dysfunctional ... but in their way and not in the Gallaghers' way, so I couldn't really draw from personal experience. I went to those meetings and listened a lot. It's pretty powerful just to imagine not having your father supporting you. For me, just to imagine having that taken away, it was quite shocking and really affected me a lot.

What struck you most about the relationship among the siblings?

I think, in a way, their patriarch, Frank, has given them a gift in that they're forced to grow up really, really quickly. He's given them a real sense of independence and strength. They're incredibly strong characters and it's really inspirational. It's a lot to deal with. It's a survival story. I think it's compelling for people to watch because so many people have a hard time every single day and it goes unnoticed. I think, in a way, it's sort of uplifting to see them struggle because, at the end of the day, they're still there. They're still living life.

Talk a little bit about the relationship between Lip and Frank.

Lip, he's really smart and at a really early age he learned how to compartmentalize his relationship with his father and know what he has to take seriously and know when he has to tell him to ... off and not even have to think about it. He's had a decent amount of success doing it, at least where we pick up with the first few episodes. But, you know, Frank definitely tests Lip's sensitivity to him and it gets harder and harder for Lip to ignore him these things he's doing are having a greater and greater affect on the family. But then there's the other part — Frank is a really intelligent character. He's almost Shakespearean. He has these monologues where he's commenting on culture and love … you laugh, but he's not always wrong. There's something that Lip, as a son, has to admire — there's moments of admiration no matter how brief they may be where Lip really turns his head and is like … there's small moments where he's like, "maybe you're not the biggest ... "

Do you think they'll be able to deal with him wanting to be sober at some point?

There's an episode that actually addresses just that. Lip is affected by it the most. He doesn't think it's fair, I think, that Frank can turn the switch off and on. He doesn't think it's fair to the family because it's not right to see a father sober who is an alcoholic because its only going to be worse when he starts drinking again. So, it's almost like you can always count on Frank to be drunk. You know what to expect because he's very thorough in the way he is. I think it's incredibly off-putting when he stops drinking for a short period of time. We don't -- it's confusing. It's like "The Twilight Zone." And it's scary because my younger siblings might have their hopes crushed — it's only for so long and it will just hurt them even more once they get a taste of what a loving father can be when he's not drinking.

Looking in, what puzzles you the most about the family?

It's interesting because I always think, would we be happier if Frank left too? But I've sort of thought of that: Why hasn't Frank left yet? I suppose the only reason he could stick around is because there has to be some sense of love for the family and also he has the twisted sense that he's still the father figure. He thinks he's still this world's greatest dad. So it's like, "Why would I leave? I'm doing such a great job raising these kids." So because of his own twisted mind, I don't think he could imagine leaving cause he wouldn't have anything to talk about.

Will we get a peek into how Lip is dealing with all this? He's has this tough exterior …

I think he's been able to remain pretty levelheaded. But I think he feels like he had his childhood taken away from him and now he's forced to kind of fill his father's shoes in a way. I think it's incredibly unfair and there's something definitely bubbling in Lip — a lot of anger that's been withheld and false trust in who his father could be. There's nothing worse … he's forced to grow up so quickly. Fiona was still pretty young when he was young. And he's managed to remain so levelheaded and just hold it and hold it and hold it all in. But you can only do that for so long.

Do you think Lip cries at night?

It's possible. He would make sure that no one else was in the house. He could definitely shed a few tears when no one is around, I think.

Which character, other than Lip, do you sympathize for?

I think maybe Debbie's character. She has such a false trust in her father. She really thinks he'll pull through in the end. There's nothing sadder than seeing — especially a little girl or a little boy — having such a sense of false hope. Just believing it so thoroughly and then to be let down is terrible.

When do you think Lip gave up believing that his father could change?

I don't know if he ever had that much hope. He's always been really, really smart. He might have figured it out so early on. He might not have been able to verbalize it, or understand it, but he might have known before Debbie's age. Or he's still harboring some of it. I think Debbie's character is the worst. But we all — somewhere deep inside — hope that Frank will get his ... together.

How important is the relationship between Ian and Lip in terms of survival?

Lip's usually there more for Ian than Ian is there for Lip. Lip's the older brother and he's usually giving advice. And I'm sure that gives him great comfort even though he's not getting it in return. I think he enjoys putting things in perspective for others. But I think he also wishes someone was to do the same for him.

And we'll see the mother returning at some point, right? What can we expect?

It's hard. I don't want to say too much about it. It's just another person that failed us miserably. One is bad enough. It's hard having two to see every day.

And what's it like working with William H. Macy? Intimidating? Does he offer advice between takes?

It's not very deep. It's like, "Jeremy, memorize your lines." Ah, words of wisdom from Bill Macy. He's such a smartass: "The scene's a lot easier when you know all your lines." But I learn a lot without him giving advice; just watching him work is plenty.

Amy Smart will be guest-starring. Anyone else you'd like to see stroll through?

I'm a big fan of Sam Rockwell. I think he could definitely have a cool little part on the show.

[Check back tomorrow for an interview with Emmy Rossum, who plays Fiona]

--Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

Photo: Jeremy Allen White as Phillip "Lip" Gallagher on Showtime's "Shameless." Credit: Showtime

“Four women wrote this” plus 1 more

2011-02-22T07:44:00.001-08:00

“Four women wrote this” plus 1 more

Four women wrote this

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 04:55 PM PST

Just call them A, B, C, D. That's what the playwright calls them — or, rather, that's what her play calls them.

From this play, her play, "Selection":

EFFICIENT WOMAN: This is interesting. The computer print out says that this is one of the highest greens we've ever had.

A: Meaning?

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They almost passed the red [this particular green's partner] just because the green was so high.

B: So, why don't they do that? We want to have kids together.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They didn't do it because if they start making exceptions, the whole system falls apart.

A: Isn't that what the Nazis did? You're trying to get rid of a whole group of people.

B: This is genocide.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: No, it isn't. No one's being killed here. We just don't let everyone reproduce. There's a big difference….

All the above — indeed, all of "Selection" — represents, to Montgomery "a kind of argument with myself — and it's my hope that it will elicit discussion and/or argument elsewhere."

Perhaps it could be done again, and better, and indoors. "If I do it again," she said to her buddies, "will you guys stick with me?"

Yes, they said, yes.

A, B, C, D. Red light, green light. Stop and Go in The Red Room. Keep your eyes wide open.

A GIRL WROTE IT

Four one-act plays by women

A Wide Eyed Productions presentation by Horse Trade Theater Group

Through February 20

At The Red Room (85 E. 4th St. btw. Second Ave & Bowery. Third floor; no wheelchair access)

For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-868-4444

Visit wideeyedproductions.com and horsetrade.info

PHS studennt-written play this weekend

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 07:23 AM PST

[fivefilters.org: unable to retrieve full-text content]

PHS student-written play this weekend

2011-02-21T07:31:00.001-08:00

PHS student-written play this weekend

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 07:37 AM PST

February 17, 2011

Rusty Nixon, Correspondent

Four women wrote this

2011-02-19T07:38:00.001-08:00

Four women wrote this

Posted: 19 Feb 2011 06:26 AM PST

Just call them A, B, C, D. That's what the playwright calls them — or, rather, that's what her play calls them.

From this play, her play, "Selection":

EFFICIENT WOMAN: This is interesting. The computer print out says that this is one of the highest greens we've ever had.

A: Meaning?

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They almost passed the red [this particular green's partner] just because the green was so high.

B: So, why don't they do that? We want to have kids together.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They didn't do it because if they start making exceptions, the whole system falls apart.

A: Isn't that what the Nazis did? You're trying to get rid of a whole group of people.

B: This is genocide.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: No, it isn't. No one's being killed here. We just don't let everyone reproduce. There's a big difference….

All the above — indeed, all of "Selection" — represents, to Montgomery "a kind of argument with myself — and it's my hope that it will elicit discussion and/or argument elsewhere."

Perhaps it could be done again, and better, and indoors. "If I do it again," she said to her buddies, "will you guys stick with me?"

Yes, they said, yes.

A, B, C, D. Red light, green light. Stop and Go in The Red Room. Keep your eyes wide open.

A GIRL WROTE IT

Four one-act plays by women

A Wide Eyed Productions presentation by Horse Trade Theater Group

Through February 20

At The Red Room (85 E. 4th St. btw. Second Ave & Bowery. Third floor; no wheelchair access)

For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-868-4444

Visit wideeyedproductions.com and horsetrade.info

PHS studennt-written play this weekend

2011-02-18T07:20:00.001-08:00

PHS studennt-written play this weekend

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 07:23 AM PST

[fivefilters.org: unable to retrieve full-text content]

PHS student-written play this weekend

2011-02-17T10:51:00.001-08:00

PHS student-written play this weekend

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 07:37 AM PST

February 17, 2011

Rusty Nixon, Correspondent

Lime Kiln Middle student's play earns recognition

2011-02-16T07:35:00.001-08:00

Lime Kiln Middle student's play earns recognition

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 11:34 AM PST

But those at the Washington-based production center were impressed with what Michelle had to say. They named her play "Responsibility — Fatal or Not?" among the competition's eight winning entries.

She and the other winners will attend classes and work with Arena Stage officials to develop their plays, which will be performed by professional actors at Arena Stage's Keeger Theater next month.

Stacey Stewart, director of education, school and professional development at Arena Stage, said that Michelle's play "really stands out" among the more than 800 entries submitted.

"It's got a really strong point of view," said Stewart. "You see in reading it that this is a writer with a real passion for the subject, and it's done in a really inventive and creative way."

Moments later, Tara reaches the water and notes that it's never been so dark; Seymour likens the material to very thick ink and bemoans that the sea life population will be gone soon.

"Michelle and I had a conversation separately to prepare her for that, and not to take offense at it but to realize that this is an excellent opportunity," Miller added.

joseph.burris@baltsun.com

“Fremont's Showcase a fun-for-all” plus 1 more

2011-02-15T07:33:00.001-08:00

“Fremont's Showcase a fun-for-all” plus 1 more

Fremont's Showcase a fun-for-all

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 10:09 AM PST

[fivefilters.org: unable to retrieve full-text content]

Four women wrote this

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 07:56 AM PST

Just call them A, B, C, D. That's what the playwright calls them — or, rather, that's what her play calls them.

From this play, her play, "Selection":

EFFICIENT WOMAN: This is interesting. The computer print out says that this is one of the highest greens we've ever had.

A: Meaning?

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They almost passed the red [this particular green's partner] just because the green was so high.

B: So, why don't they do that? We want to have kids together.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They didn't do it because if they start making exceptions, the whole system falls apart.

A: Isn't that what the Nazis did? You're trying to get rid of a whole group of people.

B: This is genocide.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: No, it isn't. No one's being killed here. We just don't let everyone reproduce. There's a big difference….

All the above — indeed, all of "Selection" — represents, to Montgomery "a kind of argument with myself — and it's my hope that it will elicit discussion and/or argument elsewhere."

Perhaps it could be done again, and better, and indoors. "If I do it again," she said to her buddies, "will you guys stick with me?"

Yes, they said, yes.

A, B, C, D. Red light, green light. Stop and Go in The Red Room. Keep your eyes wide open.

A GIRL WROTE IT

Four one-act plays by women

A Wide Eyed Productions presentation by Horse Trade Theater Group

Through February 20

At The Red Room (85 E. 4th St. btw. Second Ave & Bowery. Third floor; no wheelchair access)

For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-868-4444

Visit wideeyedproductions.com and horsetrade.info

Four women wrote this

2011-02-14T07:42:00.001-08:00

Four women wrote this

Posted: 13 Feb 2011 11:56 AM PST

Just call them A, B, C, D. That's what the playwright calls them — or, rather, that's what her play calls them.

From this play, her play, "Selection":

EFFICIENT WOMAN: This is interesting. The computer print out says that this is one of the highest greens we've ever had.

A: Meaning?

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They almost passed the red [this particular green's partner] just because the green was so high.

B: So, why don't they do that? We want to have kids together.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They didn't do it because if they start making exceptions, the whole system falls apart.

A: Isn't that what the Nazis did? You're trying to get rid of a whole group of people.

B: This is genocide.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: No, it isn't. No one's being killed here. We just don't let everyone reproduce. There's a big difference….

All the above — indeed, all of "Selection" — represents, to Montgomery "a kind of argument with myself — and it's my hope that it will elicit discussion and/or argument elsewhere."

Perhaps it could be done again, and better, and indoors. "If I do it again," she said to her buddies, "will you guys stick with me?"

Yes, they said, yes.

A, B, C, D. Red light, green light. Stop and Go in The Red Room. Keep your eyes wide open.

A GIRL WROTE IT

Four one-act plays by women

A Wide Eyed Productions presentation by Horse Trade Theater Group

Through February 20

At The Red Room (85 E. 4th St. btw. Second Ave & Bowery. Third floor; no wheelchair access)

For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-868-4444

Visit wideeyedproductions.com and horsetrade.info

“Four women wrote this” plus 1 more

2011-02-12T07:21:00.001-08:00

“Four women wrote this” plus 1 more

Four women wrote this

Posted: 11 Feb 2011 09:10 AM PST

Just call them A, B, C, D. That's what the playwright calls them — or, rather, that's what her play calls them.

From this play, her play, "Selection":

EFFICIENT WOMAN: This is interesting. The computer print out says that this is one of the highest greens we've ever had.

A: Meaning?

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They almost passed the red [this particular green's partner] just because the green was so high.

B: So, why don't they do that? We want to have kids together.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They didn't do it because if they start making exceptions, the whole system falls apart.

A: Isn't that what the Nazis did? You're trying to get rid of a whole group of people.

B: This is genocide.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: No, it isn't. No one's being killed here. We just don't let everyone reproduce. There's a big difference….

All the above — indeed, all of "Selection" — represents, to Montgomery "a kind of argument with myself — and it's my hope that it will elicit discussion and/or argument elsewhere."

Perhaps it could be done again, and better, and indoors. "If I do it again," she said to her buddies, "will you guys stick with me?"

Yes, they said, yes.

A, B, C, D. Red light, green light. Stop and Go in The Red Room. Keep your eyes wide open.

A GIRL WROTE IT

Four one-act plays by women

A Wide Eyed Productions presentation by Horse Trade Theater Group

Through February 20

At The Red Room (85 E. 4th St. btw. Second Ave & Bowery. Third floor; no wheelchair access)

For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-868-4444

Visit wideeyedproductions.com and horsetrade.info

GISS presents student-written play

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 10:13 AM PST

Mobile Edition

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“Lime Kilm Middle student's play earns Arena Stage recognition” plus 1 more

2011-02-11T07:28:00.000-08:00

“Lime Kilm Middle student's play earns Arena Stage recognition” plus 1 more

Lime Kilm Middle student's play earns Arena Stage recognition

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 12:09 PM PST

But those at the Washington-based production center were impressed with what Michelle had to say. They named her play "Responsibility — Fatal or Not?" among the competition's eight winning entries.

She and the other winners will attend classes and work with Arena Stage officials to develop their plays, which will be performed by professional actors at Arena Stage's Keeger Theater next month.

Stacey Stewart, director of education, school and professional development at Arena Stage, said that Michelle's play "really stands out" among the more than 800 entries submitted.

"It's got a really strong point of view," said Stewart. "You see in reading it that this is a writer with a real passion for the subject, and it's done in a really inventive and creative way."

Moments later, Tara reaches the water and notes that it's never been so dark; Seymour likens the material to very thick ink and bemoans that the sea life population will be gone soon.

"Michelle and I had a conversation separately to prepare her for that, and not to take offense at it but to realize that this is an excellent opportunity," Miller added.

joseph.burris@baltsun.com

Four women wrote this

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 01:38 PM PST

Just call them A, B, C, D. That's what the playwright calls them — or, rather, that's what her play calls them.

From this play, her play, "Selection":

EFFICIENT WOMAN: This is interesting. The computer print out says that this is one of the highest greens we've ever had.

A: Meaning?

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They almost passed the red [this particular green's partner] just because the green was so high.

B: So, why don't they do that? We want to have kids together.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: They didn't do it because if they start making exceptions, the whole system falls apart.

A: Isn't that what the Nazis did? You're trying to get rid of a whole group of people.

B: This is genocide.

EFFICIENT WOMAN: No, it isn't. No one's being killed here. We just don't let everyone reproduce. There's a big difference….

All the above — indeed, all of "Selection" — represents, to Montgomery "a kind of argument with myself — and it's my hope that it will elicit discussion and/or argument elsewhere."

Perhaps it could be done again, and better, and indoors. "If I do it again," she said to her buddies, "will you guys stick with me?"

Yes, they said, yes.

A, B, C, D. Red light, green light. Stop and Go in The Red Room. Keep your eyes wide open.

A GIRL WROTE IT

Four one-act plays by women

A Wide Eyed Productions presentation by Horse Trade Theater Group

Through February 20

At The Red Room (85 E. 4th St. btw. Second Ave & Bowery. Third floor; no wheelchair access)

For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-868-4444

Visit wideeyedproductions.com and horsetrade.info

“AWOL presents sisxt annual hip-hop play” plus 1 more

2011-02-10T07:45:00.001-08:00

“AWOL presents sisxt annual hip-hop play” plus 1 more

AWOL presents sisxt annual hip-hop play

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 09:28 PM PST

All Walks Of Life Executive Assistant/Theater Arts Director Lakesha Green is a miracle worker. She has taken 46 youthful performers, ranging in age from 7 to 19, and created a professional acting, singing and dancing troupe.

Together, they're going to present, "Situations: The Trials and Tribulations of Youth," AWOL's sixth annual hip-hop play, on Friday and Saturday at Trustees Theater. Green wrote the script, which is based on sonnets by William Shakespeare, and is directing the performance.

"This is entirely based at a counseling center," she said. "Miss Johnson is a new teacher and there's a bitter site director who has her own issues."

The performers play students who have come to the counseling center with all types of situations going on in their own lives. "Miss Johnson tries to teach them how to cope with life," Green said.

Rehearsals started in September. "They didn't get the scripts until the end of October," Green said.

The performers underwent intense training. "They learned who Shakespeare is and learned about his sonnets," Green said.

Why Shakespeare as the inspiration for the hip-hop plays? "I love it," Green said. "Besides me loving it, Shakespeare is easy to relate to and teach. It's easy to translate and adapt to become contemporary.

"Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets," she said. "I chose 16 sonnets and created a story around them."

Green is originally from Montgomery, Ala. She saw her first play, "Romeo and Juliet," at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

It was a life-altering event. "I saw a Shakespeare play at the festival every year after that," Green said. "When I got to college, I got bit by the theater bug."

After earning a master's degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Green had to make a choice. "First, I love directing, second acting and third costume design," she said.

Green loves her job with AWOL because the program changes children's lives. AWOL provides arts and technology education for at-risk youth.

Although auditions for the hip-hop play are held every fall, Green only makes recommendations. "They have to earn everything," Green said. "What you see is what they've earned, what they wanted. A lot of them want to continue to pursue theater in college."

Some of the performers are extremely talented, seeming much older as they sing, dance and act on the Trustees stage. "I don't treat them like kids, I treat them like professionals," Green said.

"I don't do kiddie shows," she said. "They train like professionals, they train like actors. Their commitment and motivation is wonderful."

Performing is good for young people, Green said. "It's given them the opportunity to express themselves, not just during the show, but in dealing with their lives," she said. "Theater is a discipline and I have low tolerance, but they're amazing."

So is Green, who has already written next year's play. "I have Shakespeare up on the walls and they love it," she said. "Every year they come and explore something different. It's exciting."

Green hopes the community turns out to support AWOL. "It takes a lot to get up here on the stage and perform," she said. "The beautiful part of theater is we have the power to entertain everyone on common ground. And it's fun!"

IF YOU GO

What: "Situations," AWOL's sixth annual hip-hop play

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St.

Cost: $20

Information: 912-525-5050 or www.scadboxoffice.com

Churchill production presents 28 excuses to avoid being in a play

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 07:21 AM PST

Students at Churchill Junior High are putting on a play tonight and Friday about, well, why you should never audition for a play.

"It's not a story, it's actually 28 small skits that give reasons from obscure to it makes sense reasons why not to audition or waste your time being in a play," said Nancy Dillard, the drama director at both the high school and junior high.

The two- act show, "28 Reasons Not To Be In A Play," features 30 students in the cast, eight backstage and six high school students who are filling in the roles as director, set designer and stage manager. They also are mentoring the younger students in some of the positions.

"The stories vary. Simplest one is 'plays stink.' The longest is a campfire story — a horror campfire story — where the kids act out the reason in the scene behind the storytellers," Dillard said. "Everyone has lines — you might be a grandma in one skit and a tree in another."

This is the third year for the junior high drama club to present a program, Dillard said.

This "non-play" was selected by Dillard after reviewing numerous scripts.

"During the summer I sit and I read lots of skits and plays and I order them in," she said. "I read 15 plays this summer for the junior high and this is the one that stuck. It's different than what we've done the last two years because it doesn't have a story line or set characters. It gives the kids opportunities to do lots of different things."

She said the "non-play" is a good and different way to use the varying experience levels of junior high talent.

As part of the talent share between the high school students and junior high thespians, the eighth-grade students are invited to audition for the high school spring musical about Huck Finn's life.

High school sophomore Evan Kelly typically finds himself in an acting role.

Under the talent share, he is in the role of co-assistant director of the junior high production.

"It's just been a real nice experience," he said. "I don't typically get to direct because I'm on stage. It's given me a different perspective."

The show is at 7 p.m. today and Friday in the Churchill Junior High auditorium. Cost is $5.

mailto:lcoon@register-mail.com

“A Great Russian Playwright Rediscovered as a Great Screenwriter” plus 1 more

2011-02-08T07:32:00.001-08:00

“A Great Russian Playwright Rediscovered as a Great Screenwriter” plus 1 more

A Great Russian Playwright Rediscovered as a Great Screenwriter

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 06:57 AM PST

John Freedman

A new book entitled "Nikolai Erdman/Film Scripts" sheds new light on the legacy of a major Russian playwright.

Nikolai Erdman's comedy "The Suicide" tells the story of a forlorn, unemployed man whom a bunch of creeps, thugs and morons convince to try to commit suicide in order to further causes that they support.

The play was written in the late 1920s, was banned by Stalin in the early 1930s, and Erdman never wrote another play for the theater again.

As Mikhail Bulgakov noted so presciently, however, manuscripts do not burn. And "The Suicide," along with Erdman's first play "The Warrant" (also known in English as "The Mandate"), came roaring back to international fame in the 1970s and 1980s.

After something of a cooling off in the 1990s, the current era of economic crisis and blatant political manipulation of individuals has brought about a renaissance for "The Suicide" around the world. My own translation of the play has been performed at four different theaters in the last year. A reading of Richard Nelson's translation was held at the Red Bull Theater in New York in January. In recent seasons, significant adaptations of the play have been produced in London (Moira Buffini's "Dying for It") and New York (Robert Ross Parker's "Goodbye, Cruel World").

Okay, so Erdman's fame is definitely secure. He is, after all, the author of "The Suicide," a classic text of Russian comedy.

But that's where we have to think again. And a young woman by the name of Anna Kovalova has given us good reason to do so.

Kovalova just published an eye-popping collection of the film scripts that Erdman wrote between 1927 and 1970. Printed by SEANS in St. Petersburg, it bears the simple title of "Nikolai Erdman/Film Scripts."

As Kovalova notes in her introduction, Erdman, as one of the quintessential authors for theater in the Soviet Union in the 1920s, did not "come to cinema" – he merely "stopped by" once when passing. And yet, because of the banning of "The Suicide," and because Erdman was exiled to Siberia for three years while former friends and colleagues were arrested and shot during the Great Purges and after, it just so happens that cinema became this writer's refuge for the remainder of his life.

By the time he died in 1970, Erdman had written over 50 screenplays of all kinds. He wrote the scripts for two of the Soviet Union's most popular and famous musical comedies – "Jolly Fellows" (1933) and "Volga-Volga" (1938). He wrote melodramas – "The Actress" (1943) is still shown regularly on television today. He wrote fairy tales – "Cain the 18th" (1963), based on a play by Yevgeny Shvarts, and "Morozko" (1964) are just two films that still can be seen on television every month or two.

Some of the animated films made to Erdman's scripts are among the most loved cartoons of Russian children even today. The gently lyrical and tartly satirical tales of "Golden Throat" (1954) and "Island of Errors" (1955) have entertained numerous generations of both young and old.

In old encyclopedias (and new ones on the internet) you can still find phrases like, "Nikolai Erdman, broken by Stalin and the Soviet machine, quit writing for the theater in the 1930s and whiled away the rest of his life writing hackwork for films."

Declarations of this kind are unconscionable and just plain wrong. Anyone who has seen the films made to Erdman's scripts knows that very well.

Now, the publication of "Nikolai Erdman/Film Scripts" makes that abundantly clear for all to see.

This collection of 12 scripts provides some astonishing reading. Not only do we see Erdman's extraordinary ability to create action and living images with words, but we also see that this writer repeatedly spoke out in his work about the state of the world in which he lived.

In both feature films and cartoons, Erdman was attracted to stories that pitted tyrants against defenseless individuals.

In "The Free City of Artisans" (1966), based loosely on a story by Tamara Gabbe, we encounter evil soldiers and secret policemen laying siege to a medieval city of artists and artisans.

"According to my intelligence," the head of the secret police declares, "the last crust of bread has been eaten and the last drop of water has been drunk."

But the inhabitants of the city refuse to surrender, and soldiers in the attacking army shout: "Death to the artisans!"

"Golden Throat," written as The Thaw was getting underway after the death of Joseph Stalin, commences with unmistakable references to that historic movement that took place in the mid-1950s in the Soviet Union.

The camera, Erdman indicates, shows "a field covered in snow, but already black and green spots can be seen everywhere."

As the wintery scene continues to thaw, a chubby partridge awakens, spreads her wings and calls out to the other birds who are still fast asleep: "It is time! It is time! It is time!"

"Immediately," Erdman writes, "the entire Flock comes to life."

"Flock," I must add, is capitalized in Erdman's script, surely emphasizing that he intended to provide a metaphorical reference to the notion of a society or nation of individuals waking up as if from a long slumber.

I should also point out that "Golden Throat" develops into the story of how this mother partridge becomes a heroine for taking in the children of other birds who died or were killed in the course of the winter.

For those whose knowledge of Soviet history is fuzzy, I provide this reminder: The problem of children orphaned by the death of parents in the Siberian labor camps was an acute social issue at this time.

No less impressive in this collection of scripts is the sheer quality of the writing.

Erdman was a master-builder of character and situation.

In the script for "Mitya" (1927), Erdman describes the scene as the hero slowly approaches a snowman, made by some street kids, which now teeters precariously on the cover of a telephone distributor box.

"On the street corner stands a boy of 14," Erdman writes. "The boy's face is apprehensive, a frown is on his brow. He looks toward Mitya. Mitya stands near the distributor box. He digs into his pocket. Pulls out a key. (Close-up). The boy's face. Two fingers in his mouth. The boy whistles. From the right and left sides of the street, from behind gates, the dirty mugs of eight boys appear."

Erdman was also a master of paradox, who could find philosophy in simple descriptive contrasts.

Consider the first sentences of his script for "On the Boards" (1956), a cinematic version of the famous 19th-century Russian vaudeville "Lev Gurych Sinichkin."

"An expansive Russian landscape. The top angle of a long narrow triangle of train rails runs up against the foggy line of the horizon."

What an image! The great Russian expanses, in which a narrow road rams up against the foggy wall of the horizon.

Erdman, who was arrested and exiled to Siberia but spared an early death, knew everything there was to know about Russia's expanses and the foggy horizons that hung over them.

Thanks to "Nikolai Erdman/Film Scripts," we now see with clarity how Erdman continued to write about that with talent and vision throughout his life.

Anna Kovalova has published a major book that makes it possible to reevaluate one of the most important and enigmatic writers of the Soviet era.

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Remembering Uncle Al, Skipper Ryle And Other Kids Shows

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 07:59 AM PST

[fivefilters.org: unable to retrieve full-text content]

You won't see any of Cincinanti's kids' TV show stars on "Pioneers of Television" show Tuesday (8 p.m., PBS) , but you can read about them on our website. Here's a link to my story about Cincinnati's local children's TV pioneers — "Uncle Al" and Wanda Lewis, "Skipper Ryle" and "Mr. Hop." The daughter [...]

Smyrna actors learn greater appreciation for Shakespeare

2011-02-05T07:04:00.001-08:00

Smyrna actors learn greater appreciation for Shakespeare

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 01:02 AM PST

Ryan Thornburg has read William Shakespeare's works in English classes at Smyrna High, but on-stage performances gave him a greater appreciation for them.

"When you rehearse those lines over and over and you do it in great detail, it starts to make so much more sense and those words have so much more meaning," said Thornburg.

He's one of nearly 70 students who have had a hand in producing an adaptation of "Macbeth." The play opens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, with additional performances Thursday and Saturday at the same time.

English teacher Natalie Quinn wrote the adaptation, which mostly consisted of shortening some of the monologues and changing some of the words to correctly reflect the gender of the students performing. The students got their scripts before Thanksgiving break.

"Some of the words that (Shakespeare) used then are obsolete. The hardest thing about performing Shakespeare is conveying the meaning of the words, but these are smart kids. They've done a good job," Quinn said.

Students and their families have contributed significantly. Fathers built the set during a Sunday afternoon and Austin Fulwilder constructed the armor for his character Ross, the bearer of bad news during the play.

"It's the first time I've ever done anything like this. My friend talked me into it and it's been a blast," Fulwilder said. "Ross carries a sword, he's got the right number of lines and he gets choked. Acting that out is fun."

Sarah Potts is in charge of costumes. She plans to study film at Watkins College in Nashville this fall and said handling costumes gives her a way to contribute without being on stage.

"I've never been a great actress, but I do dance. Anytime I had a costume, my mom would make them but she got tired and taught me how to sew a couple of years ago," Potts said.

Potts made a couple of items totally by hand, including Lady MacBeth's costume and bloomers for other cast members.

Macbeth is also known as The Scottish Play. Many involved in theater consider it to be a cursed play and refrain from saying Macbeth in an auditorium or theater. Some say the three witches' lines are actual spells, while others say an actor died during the premiere of the play because a real dagger was used instead of a prop.

Quinn said she's not superstitious, but noted this production has had issues of its own.

"Hannah Bleam, our Lady Macbeth, has been stuck in a snowstorm in the Midwest and missed many flights before making it back home. Various members of the cast have been out with the flu and we've had five snow days," she said. "I think that'll be hard for people to see when we perform because these are top-notch kids."

Arnold Schwarzenegger Looking at Three Scripts

2011-02-03T07:22:00.001-08:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger Looking at Three Scripts

Posted: 16 Jan 2011 10:33 PM PST

January 17, 2011

Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to return to the movie business and told Krone.at (via TheArnoldFans.com) that he is looking at three possible scripts. Here's a translation of the quote:

"Currently I'm reading three scripts. One topic/script, which I considered a long time ago before governor, is delighting me particularly. In it I would play an older [German] soldier, who gets the order at the ending of the war to kill a bunch of kids. But he doesn't do it and get them to safety at the risk of his life and it has all kind of adventure. This script is based on a true story!"

TheArnoldFans says the movie that Schwarzenegger is describing is With Wings as Eagles, which was written by Randall Wallace (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers).

The story is based on the true life story of a German officer who doesn't agree with his Nazi party and instead helps the American POWs escape.

There is no confirmation on what the other two scripts are.

Arnie joins With Wings of Eagles

2011-01-31T07:24:00.001-08:00

Arnie joins With Wings of Eagles

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 09:57 AM PST

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to play a soldier in his return to acting.

The 'Terminator' star took a break from the big screen to concentrate on his political career - working as the Governor of California from November 2003 to January 2011 - but is now looking over scripts for new movies and 'With Wings of Eagles' is the front-runner.

He said: 'Currently I'm reading three scripts. One topic/script, which I considered a long time ago before governor, is delighting me particularly. In it I would play an older soldier, who gets the order at the ending of the war to kill a bunch of kids. But he doesn't do it and get them to safety at the risk of his life and it has all kind of adventure. This script is based on a true story!'

The 63-year-old actor also revealed he is no longer able to do all the action roles that made him famous.

He said: 'In the future I have to adapt my roles to my age. Clint Eastwood also has done it in the same way. Extreme fighting or shooting is not possible anymore. I want to be more encouraged as an actor and I believe that I can manage this challenge. I am like a sponge, which is absorbing all the knowledge and always be willing to learn all new things.'

Arnold Schwarzenegger Looking at Three Scripts

2011-01-30T07:18:00.001-08:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger Looking at Three Scripts

Posted: 16 Jan 2011 10:33 PM PST

January 17, 2011

Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to return to the movie business and told Krone.at (via TheArnoldFans.com) that he is looking at three possible scripts. Here's a translation of the quote:

TheArnoldFans says the movie that Schwarzenegger is describing is With Wings as Eagles, which was written by Randall Wallace (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers).

The story is based on the true life story of a German officer who doesn't agree with his Nazi party and instead helps the American POWs escape.

There is no confirmation on what the other two scripts are.

What is it like to play Peppa Pig?

2011-01-26T07:24:00.001-08:00

What is it like to play Peppa Pig?

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 03:58 AM PST

Peppa Pig has overtaken Thomas the Tank Engine as the highest selling pre-school toy.

Harley Bird plays the voice of Peppa on the animated television series, and actress Morweena Banks is Mummy Pig.

What's it like to be Peppa? Harley tells BBC Radio 5 live: "My friends think it's very cool."

"The stories, the scripts are truthful and properly funny," Banks explains to Shelagh Fogarty and Nicky Campbell on 5 live Breakfast.

"All kids like to jump in muddy puddles!" adds Harley.

You can hear other BBC Radio 5 live highlights by visiting the Best Bits section on the website.

5 live Breakfast is broadcast Monday - Friday, 06:00 - 10:00 on BBC Radio 5 live.

Terminator - Arnold Schwarzenegger Joins With Wings Of Eagles

2011-01-23T07:38:00.001-08:00

Terminator - Arnold Schwarzenegger Joins With Wings Of Eagles

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 01:56 AM PST

Actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to play a soldier in new movie 'With Wings of Eagles' in his return to acting.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to play a soldier in his return to acting.

He said: "Currently I'm reading three scripts. One topic/script, which I considered a long time ago before governor, is delighting me particularly. In it I would play an older soldier, who gets the order at the ending of the war to kill a bunch of kids. But he doesn't do it and get them to safety at the risk of his life and it has all kind of adventure. This script is based on a true story!"

The 63-year-old actor also revealed he is no longer able to do all the action roles that made him famous.

He said: "In the future I have to adapt my roles to my age. Clint Eastwood also has done it in the same way. Extreme fighting or shooting is not possible anymore. I want to be more encouraged as an actor and I believe that I can manage this challenge. I am like a sponge, which is absorbing all the knowledge and always be willing to learn all new things."

'Astonishment' review: Play finds humor, and poignancy, in the aging process

2011-01-21T07:32:00.001-08:00

'Astonishment' review: Play finds humor, and poignancy, in the aging process

Posted: 21 Jan 2011 04:55 AM PST

Published: Friday, January 21, 2011, 7:50 AM

Here's a terrific change of pace for two of Jersey's most youth-oriented acting troupes.

Both Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre in South Orange and the Theater Project in Cranford have made their reputations by presenting solid productions of trendy off-Broadway hits. Now both companies' artistic directors have collaborated on a play that's aimed at substantially older people.

Theatergoers who were born during any of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administrations — or before them — will find "Astonishment" poignant, funny and true.

Dreamcatcher's Laura Ekstrand has edited the 46-page book that Maplewood resident Jan Slepian wrote when she reached her 88th birthday in 2008. Slepian both celebrated and mourned the number, but with an emphasis on the former. Even from her title —"Astonishment" — one can see her attitude is one of wonder. How did I get to be so gosh-darn old?

"Astonishment" is a primer — if primer is an apt term for a work aimed at the elderly — on how to survive and keep the tarnish off the golden years. "The adventures of aging" is the euphemism of choice here.

Noreen Farley, Terri Sturtevant and Daaimah Talley, under the fine direction of the Theatre Project's Mark Spina, hold their scripts and more often than not stand and read from them. The implication is not that the three actresses are too old to memorize lines or move too much. Ekstrand and Spina frankly admit that they've developed a show that can be staged at a moment's notice at community centers or assisted living facilities. Give them a call, and they'll round up three actresses and send them your way. They've also limited the show to a 70-minute running time, for an overly long play could overtax a theatergoer's aging gluteus maximus.

Last weekend at Dreamcatcher, an audience that consisted mostly of seniors chortled and guffawed. The Reader's Digest they used to read (in the regular-sized print edition) taught them that "Laughter Is the Best Medicine." But the best comedy is always the comedy that's most true, and that's the level on which Slepian always operates, making observations about things such as losing one's glasses and finding new pains.

Much deals with life in a retirement community, "where," says Sturtevant, "we're comrades in arms in a different kind of war." Adds Talley: "We laugh at what we can, and look out for one another."

When one resident is taken to a hospital, the bad news spreads faster than a NASCAR competitor. That everyone automatically becomes overly worried is just another reality for "late-life friends."

Had Barbara Harris, the star of "A Thousand Clowns" and "Freaky Friday," not retired, she might have turned out to be Terri Sturtevant.

She has the same bubbly demeanor that age has not flattened. Those who remember Jack Benny will also be impressed by Sturtevant's imitation. It's spot-on in both voice and gesture.

If Sturtevant provides the spice, Farley contributes the salt. Her no-nonsense attitude is right for such doleful observations as "A stamp now costs more than a movie did when we were kids." What hurts even more is a trip to the bathroom mirror every morning. "Your appearance just doesn't match what's inside," says Farley, through a grim line of a mouth.

Talley provides the dignity. She's most moving when noting that prejudice against the old starts when we're young. After all, every fairy-tale witch is always portrayed as an ancient crone. "And yet, she was once a girl," Talley says gently, as if she's not blaming us for never having thought of that.

But near show's end, Sturtevant points out that senior citizens still have one asset squarely in place. "Our curiosity is still intact," she says.

Is yours? Then get to the Theatre Project this weekend, when "Astonishment" moves to Cranford. It only plays two performances and, as any golden-aged citizen knows, time waits for no one.

Astonishment

Where: The Theatre Project, Union County College, Springfield Avenue, Cranford

When: Through Jan. 22. Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m.

How much: $15; call (908) 659-5189 or visit thetheatreproject.org.

Arnold Schwarzenegger joins With Wings of Eagles

2011-01-20T07:18:00.001-08:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger joins With Wings of Eagles

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:21 AM PST

Actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to play a soldier in new movie 'With Wings of Eagles' in his return to acting.

20 January 2011
Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to play a soldier in his return to acting.

The 'Terminator' star took a break from the big screen to concentrate on his political career – working as the Governor of California from November 2003 to January 2011 – but is now looking over scripts for new movies and 'With Wings of Eagles' is the front-runner.

The 63-year-old actor also revealed he is no longer able to do all the action roles that made him famous.

Arnie joins With Wings of Eagles

2011-01-19T07:26:00.001-08:00

Arnie joins With Wings of Eagles

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 10:10 AM PST

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to play a soldier in his return to acting.

The 63-year-old actor also revealed he is no longer able to do all the action roles that made him famous.

“Terminator - Arnold Schwarzenegger Joins With Wings Of Eagles” plus 1 more

2011-01-18T07:37:00.001-08:00

“Terminator - Arnold Schwarzenegger Joins With Wings Of Eagles” plus 1 more

Terminator - Arnold Schwarzenegger Joins With Wings Of Eagles

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 01:56 AM PST

Actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to play a soldier in new movie 'With Wings of Eagles' in his return to acting.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to play a soldier in his return to acting.

The 63-year-old actor also revealed he is no longer able to do all the action roles that made him famous.

Arnold Schwarzenegger joins With Wings of Eagles

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 04:00 AM PST

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to play a soldier in his return to acting. Skip related content

The 63-year-old actor also revealed he is no longer able to do all the action roles that made him famous.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Looking at Three Scripts

2011-01-17T07:32:00.001-08:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger Looking at Three Scripts

Posted: 16 Jan 2011 10:33 PM PST

January 17, 2011

Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to return to the movie business and told Krone.at (via TheArnoldFans.com) that he is looking at three possible scripts. Here's a translation of the quote:

TheArnoldFans says the movie that Schwarzenegger is describing is With Wings as Eagles, which was written by Randall Wallace (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers).

The story is based on the true life story of a German officer who doesn't agree with his Nazi party and instead helps the American POWs escape.

There is no confirmation on what the other two scripts are.

“Narnia in Northport” plus 1 more

2011-01-14T07:22:00.001-08:00

“Narnia in Northport” plus 1 more

Narnia in Northport

Posted: 13 Jan 2011 12:33 PM PST

Fiona Muller, a freshman at Northport Public School, will be transformed tomorrow morning into Polly Plummer — a key character in the school's production of The Magician's Nephew.

The play is based on a novel by English author C. S. Lewis, and is the sixth in his Chronicles of Narnia series. Muller said the class chose the story because students are familiar with the Chronicles series, and the story is a prequel.
QUEEN JADIS (Olivia Kinker) pushes Uncle Andrew (Johnny Petoskey) (above) during rehearsal for the Northport High School production of The Magician's Nephew being performed this weekend.
"It sets up how Narnia came into being, how Queen Jadis came to be in Narnia," she said.

The story is set in London 1900, when Polly met Digory Kirke and the two preadolescent teens play in a central garden in a row of terrace houses. They explore Kirke's Uncle Andrew's home, making their way up to an attic where they mistakenly enter Uncle Andrew's study. The uncle, a magician of sorts, tricks Polly into touching a magic ring, and she vanishes. He then convinces Kirke to bring her back.

Polly and Digory wind up in a frozen, barren world where they come upon Queen Jadis, who is frozen in stone sitting on a throne. Digory dares Polly to ring a bell sitting on a pedestal in front of what they think is a statue of the queen.

Polly rings the bell, bringing Queen Jadis back to life. She demands to be taken back to their world where she makes plans to take over the world, even though her magic doesn't work here. Polly and Digory attempt to get rid of her with their magic rings once, but end up taking her, Uncle Andrew, a cabbie and his horse and carriage into the world that becomes Narnia. They meet Aslan, there is a battle, and the stage is set for the Chronicles of Narnia.

"We thought it would be a lot of fun, so we ordered the script for the story on-line. When we got the scripts, we didn't like them, so we decided to make our own," Muller said.
Digory Kirke (Elena Mosher) argues with Polly Plummer (Fiona Muller) about ringing a bell that would awaken the statue of Queen Jadis in the background.
The play involves 10 main characters, all played by high school students in Donna Wilson's humanities class, and some middle and elementary school students. "The high school students took about 21/2 weeks to go through the book and develop their own script. We got a paperback version of the book and literally tore it into four sections so the students could piece together a script," she said.

Muller said putting the script together was a challenge, but it helped that there was a lot of dialogue. "It made it easy to decide which lines to put in the script," she said.

The class started working on the production in November, after each part was cast. Muller got the role of Polly because: "no one else wanted it," she said, with a smile. Muller has warmed up to her part as Polly.
"I like how she is the good one. She tries to stop Digory, who is usually the one who gets into mischief, but almost never does."
AUNT LETTY (Mikela Wilson) scoffs at the demands of Queen Jadis (Olivia Kinker) during rehearsal Monday for Northport High School's production of The Magician's Nephew.
The 10 main characters are Polly; Digory, played by Elena Mosher; Queen Jadis, played by Olivia Kinker; Aslan, played by Mickey Wanageshik; Aunt Letty, played by Mikela Wilson; Uncle Andrew, played by Johnny Petoskey; the Cabby, played by Jake Kristiansen; and C.S. Lewis, played by Elizabeth Gasco. Austin Miller and Samson Raphael are the play's technical crew, along with a slew of volunteers from the Northport Community Arts Center.

Wilson said the students and volunteers are working hard. "I told the students there are no set hours they have to put in to help with the play. Everyone has stepped up. I have a couple of students who are putting in three to four hours a night after school. The kids are coming in on the weekend as well, they are really putting in a fantastic effort," she said.

In one scene, Cabby's horse is transformed into a winged horse so Digory and Polly can fly to the highest mountain in Narnia and pick magic apples. "Obviously we couldn't really do a flying horse, but wait until you see Aslan's mask. Mickey Wanageshik is Aslan and the mask we have made for him, it's amazing," Wilson said.

Students have picked up English accents to suit their characters.

Wilson spoke at the Northport Board of Education meeting Monday night. She is hoping that Narnia will lead to bigger and better productions, which is why she sought limited paid-for seating. In the past all school productions have been free admission. While general admission is free, Wilson is hoping to raise funds through reserved seating. "I want people to get used to the idea of paying for a ticket to see a school production. The next play I want to do is expensive and we need to raise money," Wilson said.

The Northport High School sophomore class will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser immediately following the Sunday performance. Teacher and class advisor Kate Stevens said the cost is $6 for adults, $4 for Northport students and free for children five years old and younger. Proceeds will help pay for the Class of 2013's Senior Trip. The dinner will be held in the small gym.

This entry was submitted by - Chris Olson

Missoula Children's Theatre visits Oakland school

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 06:56 AM PST

In a little red truck packed with costumes, scripts and a stage set, Brandon Price and Mandi Jung parked outside Oakland's Hillcrest School on Monday afternoon intent on pulling off the seemingly impossible: produce a full-length musical start to finish with a cast of nearly 60 children.

And they'd have one week to do it.

That might sound mad to outsiders, but the nonprofit Missoula Children's Theatre actors have done it before and they have the routine down to a science.

The Montana theater company's play-in-a-week recipe was developed over three decades, with actors like Price and Jung traveling the nation to schools starved for singing, dancing and performing arts.

Schools, with little money and time taken up with test-driven basics, don't have the luxury of offering such programs on a regular basis anymore. Pop-up performing arts, like that offered by Missoula Children's Theatre, is more manageable, even under the time constraints that come with producing a play in one week.

"Missoula doesn't underestimate children," Price said as students filed into the public K-8 school's multi-purpose room to try out for a part.

"They definitely have it figured out," Jung added.

Four-point formula

The energetic 24-year-olds, with the curtain rising today on a musical version of "Treasure Island," launched into their four simple steps:

-- Audition some 90 children, ages 5 to 11, in precisely two hours.

-- Cast 56 and send 34 often teary-eyed kids home.

-- Rehearse lines, songs and dance moves with the cast for about 18 hours over five days.

-- Put on two performances.

The Missoula program has come to Hillcrest to do a play in a week three years in a row.

"I started bringing them in because there's no drama in schools," said parent Sarah Weld, who spearheaded the effort to bring the Missoula program to the school.

Her two children won roles in the play.

The service costs Hillcrest about $3,600 for the week. Parents of each cast member pay $60 to cover the fee, although financially needy students are exempt.

The cost varies from region to region, and schools elsewhere pay for the program by charging admission to performances, applying for art grants or using PTA funds, Weld said.

Each year, 30 to 50 Missoula teams of two visit 1,200 schools or other sites across the country.

Rehearsals can be grueling, with students staying until nearly 8 p.m. after a full day at school.

"While it's going on, it's insane," said fifth-grader Naomi Weld, adding it was worth every minute. "I wanted to be a pirate because pirates get to say, 'Aargh!' "

The auditions, however, are gut wrenching and sure to offer a harsh life lesson for, say, 7-year-olds too wiggly or painfully shy to be cast.

The audition

Jung and Price started the two-hour audition asking each student to say their full name and age as if they were "really happy," then sad, and finally as a drama queen (or king).

The would-be actors were then asked to sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," with Jung and Price walking by each child to hear his or her voice.

Clear enunciation, enthusiasm and the ability to follow directions earned high marks.

"If you did not get a part in the show today, it doesn't mean that you smell bad or you're ugly or we don't like your shirt," Jung told the students before announcing the cast.

There were tears nonetheless as those with that special something got their roles.

It helps that Jung and Price have no knowledge about the children. They don't want to know. That way a classroom troublemaker, for instance, might be allowed a fresh chance to shine, Jung said.

That is what theater is all about, she said.

"Within each MCT cast, girls and boys are equal; the disabled become able; the shy experiment with bravery; the slow are rehearsed to perfection; and the gifted become part of the whole," according to the nonprofit's mission statement. "The lesson they learn is that all of them are necessary for the show to go on."

Tonight, after the final curtain falls, Jung and Price will pack up the little red truck and head to Danville to start all over again Monday at another school, and then again each Monday thereafter at schools in Southern California, Las Vegas and Boise, Idaho, to name a few of the 40 or so on their list.

Forty weeks, 40 auditions, 40 musical productions.

"Working with kids, you just couldn't ask for anything better," Price said. "You just have to get through day by day."

One week at a time.

This article appeared on page C - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle

“Canadian playwright Melissa James Gibson comes home” plus 1 more

2011-01-12T07:08:00.001-08:00

“Canadian playwright Melissa James Gibson comes home” plus 1 more

Canadian playwright Melissa James Gibson comes home

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 01:38 PM PST

Marsha Lederman

Vancouver — From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Published Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011 4:30PM EST

Last updated Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 1:43AM EST

Melissa James Gibson is often identified as an American playwright (at the bookstore, for instance, and until a few days ago on Wikipedia) and while it's true that she lives in New York and obtained U.S. citizenship a couple of years ago so she could vote there, she was born in Ottawa, spent most of her childhood and teen years in the Vancouver area and is the daughter of former B.C. politician Gordon Gibson.

"I have very clear memories as a child saying to my father: 'What religion are we?' And his answer was: 'Canadian,' " Gibson says.

Gibson, who now carries two passports, recounts this during an interview at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre, where her acclaimed play This will have its Canadian premiere on Thursday, marking the first time that one of her plays has been produced in the city she still considers her hometown (an earlier play of hers, [sic], has also been produced in Canada).

Her parents, siblings, other family members and childhood friends will be among those in the audience. "Many, many members of my family and extended family have never seen a play of mine," she says. "So that's a particular thrill."

Gibson, who turned 46 on Tuesday (she shares a birthday with Sir John A. Macdonald), moved from Ottawa to Vancouver at the start of Grade 4, and to North Vancouver two years later. At 17, right after high school, she left to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

Ultimately, though, she switched her attention to writing, rather than performing. "I was very attracted to theatre always, but there was this growing realization that I just felt this enormous sense of relief as soon as I left the stage and that didn't seem to be the way it should be," she says. "Plus, believe me, I'm not God's gift to acting."

Gibson's writing is a different story. Her plays, including [sic], Suitcase or, those that resemble flies from a distance and, most recently, This, have been lauded by critics. In December, 2009, influential New York Times critic Charles Isherwood called This "the best new play to open Off Broadway this fall." She has received numerous awards and honours, including a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship.

"For me, the best writing comes from grappling with something – often on a very unconscious level – grappling with something on the page," Gibson says. "I'm definitely attracted to writing that really sits on the edge of comic and deeply painful. That, to me, is where life exists most fully. So that's the edge I'm most attracted to exploring."

This examines urban existence in midlife, including parenthood, loneliness and adultery. In the play, Jane (Megan Follows) is a widowed mother whose well-meaning friends try to fix her up with an eligible bachelor.

"I thought I wanted to write a play about adultery," Gibson says, "but then really discovered that I was writing about mortality and grief and, yes, middle age, and what we all live with."

Gibson's own midlife involves a serious juggling act: The wife of a lighting designer and the mother of an 11-year-old girl and eight-year-old boy, she works full-time as a college counsellor at the Brooklyn school her children attend and does her writing late at night after the kids are in bed and very early in the morning before they're up. At the moment, she has several scripts on the go.

"It's insane," she says. "And I'm too long in the tooth for it."

This opens at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre on Thursday, and runs until Jan. 29 (vancouverplayhouse.com).

'Lost in Yonkers' review: Cast can't rescue script

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 12:31 AM PST

Ken Friedman

Bella (Deb Fink) makes Arty (Noah Silverman St. John, left) and Jay (Zachary Freier-Harrison) swear to keep a secret in Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers."

Lost in Yonkers: Drama. By Neil Simon. Directed by Nancy Carlin. Through Jan. 16. The Jewish Theatre San Francisco, Kanbar Hall, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St. Two hours, 25 minutes. $20-$39. (415) 292-1233. www.jccsf.org/arts.

Everyone's afraid of Grandma and it's easy to see why in the rare local staging of Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers" that opened Saturday at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. It isn't just the icy command with which the diminutive Naomi Newman rules her clan. It's the effects of her maternal care as personified by her grown kids.

Bella (Deb Fink) is a 35-year-old with the mind of an addled child, either the result of infant scarlet fever or of getting brained with a cane every time she said something "stupid." Gert (Carolyn Howarth) can't speak without inhaling half of each sentence. Eddie (Greg Alexander) is a nervous wreck, and Louie (Søren Oliver) is a macho mob flunky who still brags about defying his mother - and quakes in her presence.

If good acting and deft direction could overcome a weak script, the Jewish Theatre San Francisco would have a hit on its hands. Sadly, "Yonkers" betrays the considerable effort that's gone into this production.

Simon seldom receives professional stagings in the Bay Area, due to the formulaic quality of most of his scripts, which represent the kind of commercial work the founders of most not-for-profit theaters didn't want to do. In that sense, for the former experimental Traveling Jewish Theatre to stage "Yonkers" might be a radical act. But the result looks more like pandering.

The only full production in the cash-strapped company's season - in association with the Eugene & Elinor Friend Center for the Arts - "Yonkers" is one of Simon's late memory-play attempts to be taken seriously. Set in a run-down flat above Grandma's candy shop at the beginning of World War II (fine set and costumes by Patrick Toebe and Eli Magid), it's the story of two teenage boys who have to live with Grandma for 10 months.

A widowed Eddie parks his sons Jay (Palo Alto High junior Zachary Freier-Harrison) and Arty (Berkeley High freshman Noah Silverman St. John) with Grandma while he goes on the road to pay off his debts. Though the boys are personable, and almost always onstage, they're fairly superfluous. The central action is Bella's discombobulated rebellion against her mother in search of love with a family of her own.

It's a story told in an ill-sorted blend of caricature and realism, with Simon's characteristic one-liners and long, poorly integrated dramatic speeches. Director Nancy Carlin smartly underplays the comedy, with company co-founder Newman grounding Grandma's ferocity in the pain of her German Jewish childhood and only Oliver providing real comic relief.

The approach pays off in Fink's heartfelt showdown with Newman, but it's not enough. When the Broadway production came here in 1992, it left critics wondering how the play won both the Tony and Pulitzer Prize for '91. Two decades later, "Yonkers" doesn't enhance the prestige of either award.

This article appeared on page E - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle