produced by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota School of the Arts
playwright: Jane Martin
director: Gary Diomandes
cast: students from Saint Mary's University
set designer: Tim Schmall
costume designer: Caitlin Murphy
lighting designer: Ben Jarrett
Eleven monologues by eleven different female characters.
#####
I will fully admit that I wasn't looking forward to an evening of eleven different monologues. I expected it to be about as entertaining as an evening of clipping toe-nails. I happily admit that I was wrong. This was a splendid, well-performed, beautiful production.
The monologues themselves varied, creating a wonderful assortment. Some of the performances were rather pedestrian but some were absolutely outstanding, keeping me tuned in to the entire evening. The two strongest performances came from the character who was dressed as a character from the Oz books. The costume was tremendously fabulous and the performance was appropriately edgy and touching.
(As a point of information...I no longer identify student performances in my blogs.)
But the most outstanding performance was the young lady in the monologue titled "Audition." It was either the most brilliant piece of type-casting, or one of the best acting performances I've ever seen. (I learned later, in speaking with the director, that this was not typical for the actress.) Making the performance even more challenging, the actress had to deal with a live cat on the stage. The combination of 'ditzy' and intensely wise was wonderfully played, leaving the audience to have to choose which one the character actually was.
The scenic and lighting elements were simple but effective. Costuming was in line with the rest of the show (the Oz character costume was brilliant).
Overall...I'm glad to have gone, and it managed to force me to admit that my initial expectations were totally wrong.
Brilliant production.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
2010 SECTION 1-A ONE-ACT PLAY FINALS -- Saint Mary's University
The top two winners of the various Sub-Sections compete for the ONE spot to perform at the State level.
Competing schools and their directors were:
Cannon Falls -- Joseph Burns
Kasson-Mantorville -- Melissa Ferris
Rushford-Peterson -- Forrest Musselman
Spring Grove -- Sarah J. Holland
St. Charles -- Theodore Derby
Stewartville -- Nick Johnson
Triton -- John Schreiber
Wabasha Kellog -- Cris Medina
Plays performed were:
"The Swimmer" by F. Xavier Hogan
"The Bald Soprano" by Eugene Ionesco
"All I Really Want to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum
"A Play With Words" by Peter Bloedel
"The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" by Don Zolidis
"Deus Ex Machina" an original production
"Everyman in the Circus of Life" by Travis Tyre
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving
#####
A long day of high school drama.
I'd seen "The Swimmer" a couple of weekends earlier, and it hadn't improved much. Some interesting concepts, but some strangely added sexual references did nothing for the play.
I love the play "The Bald Soprano" but this has to be the worst production I have ever seen. Clumsy direction, sloppy set, challenging acting, and added lines not part of the original script. Again, there was some interesting concept here, but I don't think it went far enough.
The production of "All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" was remarkably wonderful. It could easily have gone over-board and gotten 'sappy,' but it didn't. The direction was incredibly clean, with perfect transitions between scenes.
Like "The Swimmer," I had already seen "A Play With Words." The larger stage environment didn't help this production. It's jokes and jabs needed a more intimate setting.
"The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" is gaining in popularity at high school play contests. It allows for one or more really out-going students to shine. Personally, I find it annoying. This production was fair. The one I saw one or two years ago was fantastic.
"Deus Ex Machina" was clearly the crowd favorite. High energy and fast action really keeps the audience excited. Story-wise it's ... well... "story?"
I'd also seen "Everyman in the Circus of Life" before. I just don't like the play. It's didactic and dull. Given that, the cast did a fine job of moving through the morass of the dialog.
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" had one of the nicest looks of the day, but the actual performance suffered from under-rehearsed acting and too much reliance on one boys 'evil' laugh.
My choices for the competition:
1st place-- "All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"
2nd place-- "Deus Ex Machina"
the absolutely shocking and asinine result:
1st place-- "The Swimmer"
2nd place-- "The Bald Soprano"
Clearly the judges have little to no training in theatre.
Competing schools and their directors were:
Cannon Falls -- Joseph Burns
Kasson-Mantorville -- Melissa Ferris
Rushford-Peterson -- Forrest Musselman
Spring Grove -- Sarah J. Holland
St. Charles -- Theodore Derby
Stewartville -- Nick Johnson
Triton -- John Schreiber
Wabasha Kellog -- Cris Medina
Plays performed were:
"The Swimmer" by F. Xavier Hogan
"The Bald Soprano" by Eugene Ionesco
"All I Really Want to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum
"A Play With Words" by Peter Bloedel
"The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" by Don Zolidis
"Deus Ex Machina" an original production
"Everyman in the Circus of Life" by Travis Tyre
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving
#####
A long day of high school drama.
I'd seen "The Swimmer" a couple of weekends earlier, and it hadn't improved much. Some interesting concepts, but some strangely added sexual references did nothing for the play.
I love the play "The Bald Soprano" but this has to be the worst production I have ever seen. Clumsy direction, sloppy set, challenging acting, and added lines not part of the original script. Again, there was some interesting concept here, but I don't think it went far enough.
The production of "All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" was remarkably wonderful. It could easily have gone over-board and gotten 'sappy,' but it didn't. The direction was incredibly clean, with perfect transitions between scenes.
Like "The Swimmer," I had already seen "A Play With Words." The larger stage environment didn't help this production. It's jokes and jabs needed a more intimate setting.
"The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" is gaining in popularity at high school play contests. It allows for one or more really out-going students to shine. Personally, I find it annoying. This production was fair. The one I saw one or two years ago was fantastic.
"Deus Ex Machina" was clearly the crowd favorite. High energy and fast action really keeps the audience excited. Story-wise it's ... well... "story?"
I'd also seen "Everyman in the Circus of Life" before. I just don't like the play. It's didactic and dull. Given that, the cast did a fine job of moving through the morass of the dialog.
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" had one of the nicest looks of the day, but the actual performance suffered from under-rehearsed acting and too much reliance on one boys 'evil' laugh.
My choices for the competition:
1st place-- "All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"
2nd place-- "Deus Ex Machina"
the absolutely shocking and asinine result:
1st place-- "The Swimmer"
2nd place-- "The Bald Soprano"
Clearly the judges have little to no training in theatre.
ALMOST, MAINE -- Viterbo University
produced by: The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre
presented by Viterbo University NexStar season
playwright: John Cariani
director: Laura Gordon
cast: Steve Haggard, Elizabeth Ledo, Gerard Neugent, Deborah Staples
In a remote, 'almost' town in Maine, residents find themselves falling in (and out) of love.
#####
Disappointing.
Really, there isn't much more to say about this. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but really, I went in to this knowing nothing other than that it had been a prize winner and was supposed to be funny and touching. What I found was not a play, but a series of vignettes that relied WAY too much on a punch-line which was often a physical, literal interpretation of a metaphorical saying ("waiting for the other shoe to drop" would be the most obvious).
Was it amusing? Yeah, sort of.
Was it touching? Yeah, sort of.
Was it memorable? No.
Was it worth the $35 a seat? No.
presented by Viterbo University NexStar season
playwright: John Cariani
director: Laura Gordon
cast: Steve Haggard, Elizabeth Ledo, Gerard Neugent, Deborah Staples
In a remote, 'almost' town in Maine, residents find themselves falling in (and out) of love.
#####
Disappointing.
Really, there isn't much more to say about this. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but really, I went in to this knowing nothing other than that it had been a prize winner and was supposed to be funny and touching. What I found was not a play, but a series of vignettes that relied WAY too much on a punch-line which was often a physical, literal interpretation of a metaphorical saying ("waiting for the other shoe to drop" would be the most obvious).
Was it amusing? Yeah, sort of.
Was it touching? Yeah, sort of.
Was it memorable? No.
Was it worth the $35 a seat? No.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
2010 SECTION I-A ONE-ACT PLAY FINALS -- Saint Mary's University
Eight high schools that took first and second places at a previous competition face off for the chance to perform at the State level.
Schools (and directors) participating were:
Cannon Falls -- Joseph Burns
Kasson-Mantorville -- Melissa Ferris
Rushford-Peterson -- Forrest Musselman
Spring Grove -- Sarah J. Holland
St. Charles -- Theodore Derby
Stewartville -- Nick Johnson
Triton -- John Schreider
Wabasha-Kellogg -- Cris Medina
Judges were:
Theresa Luther-Dolan
Pat Sween
Mike Tillmann
Plays performed:
The Swimmer by F. Xavier Hogan
The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco
All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
A Play With Words by Peter Bloedel
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis
Deus Ex Machina -- original production
Everyman In The Circus of Life by Travis Tyre
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, dramatized by Kathryn Schultz Miller
#####
The Swimmer was an interesting theatrical piece -- part theatre of the absurd, part philosophical treatise. It was performed well, but the direction seemed to meander.
The Bald Soprano. This is a much too popular high school piece that has been done extremely well recently. Unfortunately, this was NOT done well. My kudos to the director for trying something new and for a unique theme to the production, but I felt that the acting was sub-par and the theme not carried through particularly well.
All I Really Need to Know... was a fabulous production. The direction was impeccable and the acting above par. Only one scene was slightly less than perfect as an actress was hard to hear. However, you could have heard a pin drop in the packed theatre as everyone there was leaning forward to hear what she was saying -- that's how caught up the audience was with the production.
A Play With Words was unremarkable.
The Brothers Grimm... is another play that has been done a little too much lately. This production was slightly above average, but still lacked a cohesive, group perfromance.
Deus Ex Machina was a clear audience favorite. A cast full of energy that never seemed to stop. The story was somewhat hackneyed and contrived, but it was well directed and performed.
Everyman in the Circus of Life ... oh, what to say. This play is just dull. It has nothing to do with the actors or the director...it's just full of talk with little action. Why would anyone want to perform it? A tough play for a talented cast to overcome.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was another, unremarkable play. At least one actor seemed to be completely lost on stage. I hope, for his sake, that he had just joined the cast as a replacement.
My rating:
I had this as a tie for first place between All I Need to Know... and Deus Ex Machina and I would have given the edge to All I Need to Know... Third place would have been a tie between The Swimmer and Everyman... based solely on the acting. All else gets ranked as fifth place.
Actual winners (good grief!):
1st place: The Swimmer
2nd place: The Bald Soprano
The fact that these two directors have won this competition for the past eight years has nothing to do with it, right?
Schools (and directors) participating were:
Cannon Falls -- Joseph Burns
Kasson-Mantorville -- Melissa Ferris
Rushford-Peterson -- Forrest Musselman
Spring Grove -- Sarah J. Holland
St. Charles -- Theodore Derby
Stewartville -- Nick Johnson
Triton -- John Schreider
Wabasha-Kellogg -- Cris Medina
Judges were:
Theresa Luther-Dolan
Pat Sween
Mike Tillmann
Plays performed:
The Swimmer by F. Xavier Hogan
The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco
All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
A Play With Words by Peter Bloedel
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis
Deus Ex Machina -- original production
Everyman In The Circus of Life by Travis Tyre
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, dramatized by Kathryn Schultz Miller
#####
The Swimmer was an interesting theatrical piece -- part theatre of the absurd, part philosophical treatise. It was performed well, but the direction seemed to meander.
The Bald Soprano. This is a much too popular high school piece that has been done extremely well recently. Unfortunately, this was NOT done well. My kudos to the director for trying something new and for a unique theme to the production, but I felt that the acting was sub-par and the theme not carried through particularly well.
All I Really Need to Know... was a fabulous production. The direction was impeccable and the acting above par. Only one scene was slightly less than perfect as an actress was hard to hear. However, you could have heard a pin drop in the packed theatre as everyone there was leaning forward to hear what she was saying -- that's how caught up the audience was with the production.
A Play With Words was unremarkable.
The Brothers Grimm... is another play that has been done a little too much lately. This production was slightly above average, but still lacked a cohesive, group perfromance.
Deus Ex Machina was a clear audience favorite. A cast full of energy that never seemed to stop. The story was somewhat hackneyed and contrived, but it was well directed and performed.
Everyman in the Circus of Life ... oh, what to say. This play is just dull. It has nothing to do with the actors or the director...it's just full of talk with little action. Why would anyone want to perform it? A tough play for a talented cast to overcome.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was another, unremarkable play. At least one actor seemed to be completely lost on stage. I hope, for his sake, that he had just joined the cast as a replacement.
My rating:
I had this as a tie for first place between All I Need to Know... and Deus Ex Machina and I would have given the edge to All I Need to Know... Third place would have been a tie between The Swimmer and Everyman... based solely on the acting. All else gets ranked as fifth place.
Actual winners (good grief!):
1st place: The Swimmer
2nd place: The Bald Soprano
The fact that these two directors have won this competition for the past eight years has nothing to do with it, right?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
DEUS EX MACHINA -- Rushford-Peterson High School
playwright: Forrest Musselman
director: Forresst Musselman
High school students rehearse a play in this farcical comedy.
#####
A wonderful, high-energy production that prominently features a Coke machine.
director: Forresst Musselman
High school students rehearse a play in this farcical comedy.
#####
A wonderful, high-energy production that prominently features a Coke machine.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
SUB-SECTION 1A ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL -- Rushford-Peterson High School Theatre
Five area high schools vie for the two positions that move on to the Sectional competition.
Schools participating, and their directors, were (all southeastern Minnesota):
Spring Grove -- Sarah J. Holland
Rushford-Peterson -- Forrest Musselman
Houston -- Amalie Niethammer
Mabel-Canton -- Lindsey Harman
Fillmore Central -- Jackie Whitacre
Plays competing were:
"The Real Inspector Hound" by Tom Stoppard
"Take Five" by Westley M. Pederson
"A Play With Words" by Peter Bloedel
"Deux Ex Machina" - an original production
"The Day Grandma Got Mad And Squashed the Tomatoes" by Bradley Hayward
Judges were: Kathy Keech, Mark Reisetter, David Stadum
#####
I enjoy going to see the high school one act plays. I like seeing how young talent is nurtured and given an appreciation of the arts.
In general, we are not supposed to know which school is performing, and frankly, I can't remember, though at the time, I was aware of who was performing.
The first show of the day, Tom Stoppard's "The Real Inspector Hound," struggled. Stoppard's humor is not always direct, and it takes a lot of attention to the script to capture it. Stoppard is tough to produce at the high school level, and I don't think this school was up for the task.. Simple, basic acting and directing skills plagued the production. Stumbling over lines, lack of focus, not staying in character. More rehearsal time and more attention to detail would have helped, followed by a better understanding of what Stoppard was doing with his script.
"Take Five" by Westley M. Pederson is a commonly produced play in the high school one act competitions. It takes place on a stage, presumably before a rehearsal, but ultimately during a performance. Audience members come on stage and stage hands become actors. Lots of wackiness and zany opportunities. It is generally a crowd pleaser. This school has some strong actors, and generally good direction, though perhaps a lack of consistency. If the male lead actor is going act over-the-top, his 'wife' should be equally over-the-top. Instead, she came across as very real. Generally a good thing in any other circumstance. The 'audience member' character brought the production down with a very laid-back, slow style that had no enegry.
I like the general idea of "A Play With Words" by Peter Bloedel, although it really was nothing more than 30 minutes of puns and plays on words. The actors did a very good job, but the direction seemed lacking to me. Why have one character deliver every pun out to the audience? No one else acted in that style. Good choices of costumes, except...why put 'The Creeps' in bright, day-glow colors? Aren't they supposed to be 'creepy' and not fun?
"Deux Ex Machina" was a mixture of styles, poking fun at a lot of the types of plays that we generally see in the high school one acts. It centers around a school that's rehearsing a show, but their theatre has been converted to a teacher's lounge, so they have to work around the soda machine and the occasional teacher on break. Generally fun, it lacked a cohesive story, or even a cohesive idea. Is it about these students wanting to rehearse a show? Is it about product placement? Is it about a pop machine going rogue? Is it about none of these things? The cast was high energy and fully committed to their parts, which was wonderful.
Bradley Hayward is a relative newcomer in the high school theatre circuit. His "The Day Grandma Got Mad and Squashed the Tomatoes" was a new play to me, and sadly it was a bit weak. Some of the jokes didn't quite carry, or seemed forced. While the acting and directing weren't very strong, the script didn't help (unlike "Take Five" in which, the script carried the production).
If I were to judge this competition, I would have given first place to "Deux Ex Machina" with a tie for second place between ""Take Five" and "A Play With Words." I think I would have given the edge to "A Play With Words" because the students had a more consistent acting presence, even though I might have enjoyed "Take Five" more.
Actual winners were:
1st Place: "Deux Ex Machina"
2nd Place: "A Play With Words"
Schools participating, and their directors, were (all southeastern Minnesota):
Spring Grove -- Sarah J. Holland
Rushford-Peterson -- Forrest Musselman
Houston -- Amalie Niethammer
Mabel-Canton -- Lindsey Harman
Fillmore Central -- Jackie Whitacre
Plays competing were:
"The Real Inspector Hound" by Tom Stoppard
"Take Five" by Westley M. Pederson
"A Play With Words" by Peter Bloedel
"Deux Ex Machina" - an original production
"The Day Grandma Got Mad And Squashed the Tomatoes" by Bradley Hayward
Judges were: Kathy Keech, Mark Reisetter, David Stadum
#####
I enjoy going to see the high school one act plays. I like seeing how young talent is nurtured and given an appreciation of the arts.
In general, we are not supposed to know which school is performing, and frankly, I can't remember, though at the time, I was aware of who was performing.
The first show of the day, Tom Stoppard's "The Real Inspector Hound," struggled. Stoppard's humor is not always direct, and it takes a lot of attention to the script to capture it. Stoppard is tough to produce at the high school level, and I don't think this school was up for the task.. Simple, basic acting and directing skills plagued the production. Stumbling over lines, lack of focus, not staying in character. More rehearsal time and more attention to detail would have helped, followed by a better understanding of what Stoppard was doing with his script.
"Take Five" by Westley M. Pederson is a commonly produced play in the high school one act competitions. It takes place on a stage, presumably before a rehearsal, but ultimately during a performance. Audience members come on stage and stage hands become actors. Lots of wackiness and zany opportunities. It is generally a crowd pleaser. This school has some strong actors, and generally good direction, though perhaps a lack of consistency. If the male lead actor is going act over-the-top, his 'wife' should be equally over-the-top. Instead, she came across as very real. Generally a good thing in any other circumstance. The 'audience member' character brought the production down with a very laid-back, slow style that had no enegry.
I like the general idea of "A Play With Words" by Peter Bloedel, although it really was nothing more than 30 minutes of puns and plays on words. The actors did a very good job, but the direction seemed lacking to me. Why have one character deliver every pun out to the audience? No one else acted in that style. Good choices of costumes, except...why put 'The Creeps' in bright, day-glow colors? Aren't they supposed to be 'creepy' and not fun?
"Deux Ex Machina" was a mixture of styles, poking fun at a lot of the types of plays that we generally see in the high school one acts. It centers around a school that's rehearsing a show, but their theatre has been converted to a teacher's lounge, so they have to work around the soda machine and the occasional teacher on break. Generally fun, it lacked a cohesive story, or even a cohesive idea. Is it about these students wanting to rehearse a show? Is it about product placement? Is it about a pop machine going rogue? Is it about none of these things? The cast was high energy and fully committed to their parts, which was wonderful.
Bradley Hayward is a relative newcomer in the high school theatre circuit. His "The Day Grandma Got Mad and Squashed the Tomatoes" was a new play to me, and sadly it was a bit weak. Some of the jokes didn't quite carry, or seemed forced. While the acting and directing weren't very strong, the script didn't help (unlike "Take Five" in which, the script carried the production).
If I were to judge this competition, I would have given first place to "Deux Ex Machina" with a tie for second place between ""Take Five" and "A Play With Words." I think I would have given the edge to "A Play With Words" because the students had a more consistent acting presence, even though I might have enjoyed "Take Five" more.
Actual winners were:
1st Place: "Deux Ex Machina"
2nd Place: "A Play With Words"
Saturday, January 16, 2010
THREE RIVERS ONE ACT CONFERENCE -- Wabasha-Kellogg High School
A prelude to the Minnesota High School League competition, with schools in the Three Rivers Conference competing with one act plays.
The Swimmer -- F. Xavier Hogan, St. Charles High School
Take Five -- Westley M. Pederson, Fillmore-Central high School
The Inventor's Daughter -- Eddie Cope & Carl L. Williams, Lewiston-Altura High School
The Loathsome Lady -- Jane Jeffries & Jim Jeffries, Kingsland High School
Deux Ex Machina -- Forrest Musselman, Rushford-Peterson High School
For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls -- Christopher Durang, Southland High School
Everyman in the Circus of Life -- Travis Tyre, Wabasha-Kellogg High School
#####
A very interesting mix of plays, with the usual variations of accomplishments.
The Swimmer was an interesting play, with some touches of theatre of the absurd. it was well performed, though I felt, at times that there were too many occasions of sexual innuendo that weren't written in the script. It seemed to lack some focus.
Take Five is a commonly performed play at these high school competitions, and when done with some competency, will usually get quite a laugh. Unfortunately this production lacked some cohesion and some of the actors seemed to have difficulty understanding their characters.
The Inventor's Daughter was a new play to me, but also lacked some focus -- kids saying lines without seeming to know why.
The year of comedy, apparently ... The Loathsome Lady seemed to be a comedy of the King Arthur era. This production, unfortunately, was flat.
The new play, Deux Ex Machina, was the most polished play of the day. Well rehearsed with non-stop action and humor, this play was the hit of the day, and well deserving of being the winner.
Durang is always an interesting choice for high school as he seems a bit mature most of the time, and For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls was an interesting piece ... full of dry humor and some subtleties that the kids actually seemed to understand. Still, it was a piece strange enough to leave us wondering just what the heck it was all about.
Wabasha-Kellogg tends to do some very unusual and theatrical pieces, and Everyman in the Circus of Life was no exception. This was full of theatricality and some lofty introspection. What it didn't have was pace or energy.
These days of play competitions are long days, but I enjoy the efforts.
The Swimmer -- F. Xavier Hogan, St. Charles High School
Take Five -- Westley M. Pederson, Fillmore-Central high School
The Inventor's Daughter -- Eddie Cope & Carl L. Williams, Lewiston-Altura High School
The Loathsome Lady -- Jane Jeffries & Jim Jeffries, Kingsland High School
Deux Ex Machina -- Forrest Musselman, Rushford-Peterson High School
For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls -- Christopher Durang, Southland High School
Everyman in the Circus of Life -- Travis Tyre, Wabasha-Kellogg High School
#####
A very interesting mix of plays, with the usual variations of accomplishments.
The Swimmer was an interesting play, with some touches of theatre of the absurd. it was well performed, though I felt, at times that there were too many occasions of sexual innuendo that weren't written in the script. It seemed to lack some focus.
Take Five is a commonly performed play at these high school competitions, and when done with some competency, will usually get quite a laugh. Unfortunately this production lacked some cohesion and some of the actors seemed to have difficulty understanding their characters.
The Inventor's Daughter was a new play to me, but also lacked some focus -- kids saying lines without seeming to know why.
The year of comedy, apparently ... The Loathsome Lady seemed to be a comedy of the King Arthur era. This production, unfortunately, was flat.
The new play, Deux Ex Machina, was the most polished play of the day. Well rehearsed with non-stop action and humor, this play was the hit of the day, and well deserving of being the winner.
Durang is always an interesting choice for high school as he seems a bit mature most of the time, and For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls was an interesting piece ... full of dry humor and some subtleties that the kids actually seemed to understand. Still, it was a piece strange enough to leave us wondering just what the heck it was all about.
Wabasha-Kellogg tends to do some very unusual and theatrical pieces, and Everyman in the Circus of Life was no exception. This was full of theatricality and some lofty introspection. What it didn't have was pace or energy.
These days of play competitions are long days, but I enjoy the efforts.
Monday, December 14, 2009
HAPPY HOLIDAYS: WINTER CONCERT -- Rushford-peterson Middle School and High School Bands
A band concert featuring Middle School and High School bands.
6th Grade:
"Frosty the Snowman" -- J. Edmonson
"Jingle Bells" -- A. Balent
"Timpatico" -- J. Kinyon
"Brother Two" -- J. Kinyon
7th & 8th Grade:
"Torero!" -- M. Williams
"March Rock" -- C. Tyler
"Away in a Manger" -- A. Balent
"The First noel" -- L. Norred
"Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" -- C.P. Herfurth
High School Band:
"Christmas Declaration" -- Robert W. Smith
"A Jammin' Caribbean Christmas" -- arr. Chris Sharp
"The Virgin Mary Has a Baby Boy"
"Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella"
"Go, Tell It on the Mountain"
"White Christmas" -- arr. John Moss
"A Carol Triptych" -- Pierre La Plante
"Silent Night"
"We Three Kings"
"Sing We Now (sic) of Christmas"
#####
An absolutely FANTASTIC concert!
As one would imagine, the bands got better with the years of experience. The high school band absolutely wow-ed the crowd.
6th Grade:
"Frosty the Snowman" -- J. Edmonson
"Jingle Bells" -- A. Balent
"Timpatico" -- J. Kinyon
"Brother Two" -- J. Kinyon
7th & 8th Grade:
"Torero!" -- M. Williams
"March Rock" -- C. Tyler
"Away in a Manger" -- A. Balent
"The First noel" -- L. Norred
"Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" -- C.P. Herfurth
High School Band:
"Christmas Declaration" -- Robert W. Smith
"A Jammin' Caribbean Christmas" -- arr. Chris Sharp
"The Virgin Mary Has a Baby Boy"
"Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella"
"Go, Tell It on the Mountain"
"White Christmas" -- arr. John Moss
"A Carol Triptych" -- Pierre La Plante
"Silent Night"
"We Three Kings"
"Sing We Now (sic) of Christmas"
#####
An absolutely FANTASTIC concert!
As one would imagine, the bands got better with the years of experience. The high school band absolutely wow-ed the crowd.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A KLINGON CHRISTMAS CAROL -- Commedia Beauregard
Director: Sasha WallochPlaywright: Christopher O. Kidder & Sasha Walloch
Translators (to Klingon): Laura Thurston, Bill Hedrick, Chris Lipscombe & Christopher O. Kidder
Based on the book by Charles Dickens
This is the familiar Dickens story, with Scrooge a Klingon with no honor. The spirits visit him to show him the true Klingon way.
#####
It is possible that this is the nerdiest thing I've ever done. ...But perhaps not.
When I heard about this production and read some of the synopses, I was very intrigued, and so grabbed a friend who also happens to like theatre and Star Trek and off we went.
I knew we were in for a nerdy evening when we walked in to the theatre lobby and I saw the ticket-taker dressed as if he'd just come from a Star Trek (TNG) convention. The ushers were also dressed in their full Klingon (also TNG) regalia (one as a Star Fleet officer and one as a Klingon warrior).
My over-all impression of the show is: I like the idea. I like the performances. But it felt like a skit that was being performed at a Star Trek convention (yes, I've been to more than one).
With a running time that barely reached an hour (and yes, there was an intermission half way through), it could easily have been done in one sitting. It definitely relied on a prior knowledge of A Christmas Carol (but who doesn't have that?).
The performances were quite good. Michael Ooms as SQuja' was occasionally a bit over the top, but generally quite likeable. Brian Watson-Jones as vreD was delightful, and of course, how can you go wrong with any show that includes an Orion Woman?
What I didn't enjoy about the show was the inside jokes. Those little comments tossed in to get a laugh or snort from the dedicated Star Trek fans. I am likely to chuckle as much as the next Trekker, but I did feel that rather than adding to the show, it brought it down a notch -- hence the feeling that it was a skit rather than a play. A 'for-instance' would be the Vulcan commenting on the production and saying a word in Klingon and then having that word translated on the screen and we find that it means "red shirt" ... which of course gets a laugh from the Trekkers because we know that it means someone is doomed. But was it necessary? Did it further the story? No.
I liked the idea of the Vulcan narrator and that the performance was being put on by a troupe of Klingon actors. Certainly it didn't need this, but it seemed like a nice touch to creating a reality. But I go back to the 'jokes' then that took the 'reality' of the piece away.
If I were to see it again, I would hope that they have the opportunity to expand on the story. Treat it like a real work of literature, rather than a Star Trek quirk (pun intended).
My favorite parts of the show ... the beaming effect, and the fact that the Ghost of Klingon Christmas Past was dressed as the old style Klingon (from the Original Series -- pre head-ridge).
Bottom line. I'm glad I went, but I'd like to see it become something more.
Friday, November 20, 2009
EAST SIDE STORY -- Theatre du Mississippi
director: Daniel Munson
sets: Shari Schuh & Erica Thibodeaux
costumes: Cynthia Jennings
lights: Fluffy Blake
sound: Daryl lanz
Winona, Minnesota, 1918. Two teenagers want to be together, but their families are from counties which are now at war.
#####
Held at the Masonic Lodge in Winona, this play features some of the beautiful scenic drops that have been featured in the "Drops & Drama" productions. The art is fantastic, and their condition is 'fair.'
The play also featured two rotating houses. The design was simple but effective. The 'balcony' scene elicited a chuckle from the audience who were probably not expecting 'Juliet' to appear in the upstairs window of her house.
The costumes seemed fine. Nothing stood out as inappropriate or too wild.
The lighting was quite attractive. I've seen Fluffy Bake's work before and it's always been a notch above the rest.
The story seemed ... non-compelling. I'm not sure whose story was being told. Of all the characters and stories, the most intriguing was that of 'Josephine' and hers was incomplete. The difference between the fathers and their 'showdown' at the end of the first half was strong, but it didn't develop or go anywhere (and ended too neatly at the dance).
The performances all seemed quite strong, particularly for a community theatre-type performance. A remarkable assortment of talent.
A fun show, worth seeing.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
DOGSBREATH DEVEREAUX, THE DASTARDLY DOCTOR, OR NURSES! FOILED AGAIN!! -- R-P Drama Club
playwright: Billy St. John
director: Forrest Musselman
A melodrama/farce about a doctor trying to get rich.
#####
A rather typical farce from a high school. A little over-acting, lots of wackiness and plenty of fun.
Not a classic, but not intended to be. Just fun for the sake of fun.
director: Forrest Musselman
A melodrama/farce about a doctor trying to get rich.
#####
A rather typical farce from a high school. A little over-acting, lots of wackiness and plenty of fun.
Not a classic, but not intended to be. Just fun for the sake of fun.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
LOVE SONG -- Winona State University
playwright: John Kolvenbach
director: Siobhan Bremer
scenic & lighting design: Peggy Sannerud
costume design: Ruby Oian
cast: Ethan Jensen, Molly Daun, Justin Atkinson, Samantha Heaver, Corrin Carlson
A woman tries to find the love she had with her husband, while her brother finds love in a most unusual place.
#####
I found the actual script for this piece rather pathetic. There is no real dramatic conflict and the changes in the characters come about rapidly, without any real build. And while I am not offended by 'strong' language, I did find the "f"-word to be used much more than was necessary. I understand that it's supposed to be 'real' language, but it felt forced, not real. Perhaps this was, in part, the actors' uncomfortability with the language, but I do think it's primarily the writing.
The character of "Molly" was much too indistinct. While it's part of who she is (indistinct), she created more confusion than she prompted discussion. Joan and Harry's relationship never seemed clear enough to follow and neither was really likeable enough to care about. Only Beane seemed worthy of following.
I 'get' the concept of why this is called "Love Song," but still, it seems weak. A real stretch.
I thought the set was nice and the costumes appropriate. The best actor was probably the waitress. She just seemed honest in the role and didn't try to create something that wasn't there. Beane was my next favorite. He did seem to understand who the character was and worked well within the framework that the playwright had given him.
Overall, this was not a play I would choose to see again.
director: Siobhan Bremer
scenic & lighting design: Peggy Sannerud
costume design: Ruby Oian
cast: Ethan Jensen, Molly Daun, Justin Atkinson, Samantha Heaver, Corrin Carlson
A woman tries to find the love she had with her husband, while her brother finds love in a most unusual place.
#####
I found the actual script for this piece rather pathetic. There is no real dramatic conflict and the changes in the characters come about rapidly, without any real build. And while I am not offended by 'strong' language, I did find the "f"-word to be used much more than was necessary. I understand that it's supposed to be 'real' language, but it felt forced, not real. Perhaps this was, in part, the actors' uncomfortability with the language, but I do think it's primarily the writing.
The character of "Molly" was much too indistinct. While it's part of who she is (indistinct), she created more confusion than she prompted discussion. Joan and Harry's relationship never seemed clear enough to follow and neither was really likeable enough to care about. Only Beane seemed worthy of following.
I 'get' the concept of why this is called "Love Song," but still, it seems weak. A real stretch.
I thought the set was nice and the costumes appropriate. The best actor was probably the waitress. She just seemed honest in the role and didn't try to create something that wasn't there. Beane was my next favorite. He did seem to understand who the character was and worked well within the framework that the playwright had given him.
Overall, this was not a play I would choose to see again.
Friday, October 30, 2009
MOVIES & MUSIC -- Rushford-Peterson Senior High Band
Rushford-Peterson High School Theatre
An assortment of band music with a movie theme.
"Jazz It Up!" -- arr. Victor Lopez
"Sing Sing Sing" - Louis Prima
"It Don't mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing)" - Duke Ellington
"La Suerte de los Tontos" - Juan Ricardo Cascales
"The Jazz Police" - Gordon Goodwin
"Bella's Lullaby" -- arr. Edward lee
Selections from The Rolling Stongs -- arr. Michael Story
"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
"Get Off of My Cloud"
"Ruby Tuesday"
"Paint It Blck"
"I Can't Get no Satisfaction"
"JAI HO" -- arr. Michael Brown
"COLDPLAY ON STAGE" -- arr. Michael Brown
"Clocks"
"Lost!"
"Viva La Vida"
"THE DARK KNIGHT" -- arr. Douglas Wagner
"Taylor Swift In Concert" -- arr. Michael Brown
#####
Some exciting music, moderately well played.
It's early in the school season and it seems that nearly half the band is made up of freshmen, so it wasn't the highest quality, but still a fun program.
An assortment of band music with a movie theme.
"Jazz It Up!" -- arr. Victor Lopez
"Sing Sing Sing" - Louis Prima
"It Don't mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing)" - Duke Ellington
"La Suerte de los Tontos" - Juan Ricardo Cascales
"The Jazz Police" - Gordon Goodwin
"Bella's Lullaby" -- arr. Edward lee
Selections from The Rolling Stongs -- arr. Michael Story
"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
"Get Off of My Cloud"
"Ruby Tuesday"
"Paint It Blck"
"I Can't Get no Satisfaction"
"JAI HO" -- arr. Michael Brown
"COLDPLAY ON STAGE" -- arr. Michael Brown
"Clocks"
"Lost!"
"Viva La Vida"
"THE DARK KNIGHT" -- arr. Douglas Wagner
"Taylor Swift In Concert" -- arr. Michael Brown
#####
Some exciting music, moderately well played.
It's early in the school season and it seems that nearly half the band is made up of freshmen, so it wasn't the highest quality, but still a fun program.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
TWO BY TWO - Winona State University
music: Richard Rodgerslyrics: Martin Charnin
book: Peter Stone
based on the play The Flowering Peach by Clifford Odets.
The story of Noah and the ark, slightly modernized, with music.
#####
Although I'm fairly familiar with MANY musicals, especially those by familiar musical-makers, this was not a show that I was aware of. And there are reasons for it.
The music was generally fun, with a nice assortment of ballads and quickly moving songs, humorous and dramatic. Though even so, none of the songs were particularly memorable. nothing that makes one sing it again on the car ride home.
But the music wasn't the problem.
The problem here is the story. There's no real climax, which isn't surprising, since there's no real conflict. We know how the story is going to end before we go into it, and while they try to introduce a few little plot twists, it generally doesn't pan out to much.
The performances here at Winona State University were generally pretty good. No one stood out as not being able to carry their role, and in fact some were quite outstanding. The directing was a bit weak. The actors seemed to wander around the stage for no purpose.
And while I'm glad to have seen it, I'm not likely to seek it out should it be playing anywhere near.
The music was generally fun, with a nice assortment of ballads and quickly moving songs, humorous and dramatic. Though even so, none of the songs were particularly memorable. nothing that makes one sing it again on the car ride home.
But the music wasn't the problem.
The problem here is the story. There's no real climax, which isn't surprising, since there's no real conflict. We know how the story is going to end before we go into it, and while they try to introduce a few little plot twists, it generally doesn't pan out to much.
The performances here at Winona State University were generally pretty good. No one stood out as not being able to carry their role, and in fact some were quite outstanding. The directing was a bit weak. The actors seemed to wander around the stage for no purpose.
And while I'm glad to have seen it, I'm not likely to seek it out should it be playing anywhere near.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
DALLAS BRASS: AMERICAN MUSICAL JOURNEY -- Gale-Ettrick High School
Gale-Ettrick-Tremepealeau Performings Arts Center, Galesville, WIMichael Levine - trombone/director
Brian Neal - trumpet
D.J. Barraclough - trumpet/alto horn
Charles Porter - trumpet/alto horn
Clint McCanless - tuba
Jeff Handel - percussion
An evening of wonderful music, wonderfully played. One number was played with the G-E-T Middle School Band and one number played with the G-E-T High School band.
*****
This was an absolutely delightful evening of music. The Dallas Brass are definitely accomplished musicians, but they set themselves apart from other talented brass groups in a couple of ways.
First, they work and perform directly with students. Perhaps this isn't totally unusual, but there is definitely a sense that these performers really enjoy working with the youngsters. Michael Levine phrased it very nicely when he reminded the audience that each of them had once been students with band teachers who encouraged them as well.
Second, the addition of percussion really added a nice element to the music. I think that it actually helped us hear the tuba more as the tuba wasn't totally relegated to the role of keeping the beat.
But the addition of percussion wasn't the sole factor that worked well here. The fact that Jeff Handel was the percussionist is what added to the show. Mr. Handel truly seemed to enjoy making music. His enthusiasm was infectious, and we couldn't help but enjoy ourselves because we could see how much he was enjoying playing.
A real delightful evening.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
FALLEN ANGELS -- Saint Mary's University
playwright: Noel Coward
director: Judy Myers
set designer: Kit Mayer
light designer: Kirstin "Fluffy" Blake
costume designer: Caitlin Murphy
cast: Caitlin Murphy, Jhardon Milton, Claire Murphy, Andrew Russell, Allison Fisch, Rick Baustian
Two, well-to-do, married women come unglued when they get word that Maurice, a man with whom they both have had an affair with (prior to being married) is in town and wants to meet with them.
#####
Although this isn't the most popular of Coward's plays, there's still an obvious Noel Coward-ness about it, which is what makes it work. And what is that Noel Coward-ness....? The ability to work the English language with delightful characters in a comedy of manners.
The production was fine. The set was gorgeous, and the lighting appropriate. The acting was generally fine -- about average for a college production. The young women did quite an admirable job and really held their own. The men playing their husbands were much too feminine to be believable -- I still don't know if that was intentional ... to suggest reasons for the marriage troubles (and I have read that some suggest that the men were having their own affair with each other), or if it is a result of the actors who were cast. In either case, it wasn't helpful.
Still...a delightful production of a rarely seen play.
director: Judy Myers
set designer: Kit Mayer
light designer: Kirstin "Fluffy" Blake
costume designer: Caitlin Murphy
cast: Caitlin Murphy, Jhardon Milton, Claire Murphy, Andrew Russell, Allison Fisch, Rick Baustian
Two, well-to-do, married women come unglued when they get word that Maurice, a man with whom they both have had an affair with (prior to being married) is in town and wants to meet with them.
#####
Although this isn't the most popular of Coward's plays, there's still an obvious Noel Coward-ness about it, which is what makes it work. And what is that Noel Coward-ness....? The ability to work the English language with delightful characters in a comedy of manners.
The production was fine. The set was gorgeous, and the lighting appropriate. The acting was generally fine -- about average for a college production. The young women did quite an admirable job and really held their own. The men playing their husbands were much too feminine to be believable -- I still don't know if that was intentional ... to suggest reasons for the marriage troubles (and I have read that some suggest that the men were having their own affair with each other), or if it is a result of the actors who were cast. In either case, it wasn't helpful.
Still...a delightful production of a rarely seen play.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
THE VELDT -- Rushford-Peterson High School
Rushford-Peterson High School Theatre
script: Ray Bradbury
director: Forrest Musselman
cast: Andy Mackenzie, Shelby Norstad, Alex Courrier, Kate Mackenzie, Stephanie Wick, John Klungtvedt
A 'Twilight Zone'-ish story where man gets what he deserves when relying on technology to to raise his children. George Hadley buys the latest technology, a room which brings forth whatever the user in the room can think of. The room becomes the nanny for the spoiled Hadley children
#####
I thought that this performance went well. The technology used seemed to time out well and not be too distracting.
Some of the acting was still a bit weak. Understandably, these are still high school students (at least one a junior high student), but they still need to know the basics -- being audible, don't mumble, and don't upstage yourself.
Some of the performances were surprisingly strong. At least two were too weak, which could hurt them in competition.
An enjoyable evening of theatre, though.
script: Ray Bradbury
director: Forrest Musselman
cast: Andy Mackenzie, Shelby Norstad, Alex Courrier, Kate Mackenzie, Stephanie Wick, John Klungtvedt
A 'Twilight Zone'-ish story where man gets what he deserves when relying on technology to to raise his children. George Hadley buys the latest technology, a room which brings forth whatever the user in the room can think of. The room becomes the nanny for the spoiled Hadley children
#####
I thought that this performance went well. The technology used seemed to time out well and not be too distracting.
Some of the acting was still a bit weak. Understandably, these are still high school students (at least one a junior high student), but they still need to know the basics -- being audible, don't mumble, and don't upstage yourself.
Some of the performances were surprisingly strong. At least two were too weak, which could hurt them in competition.
An enjoyable evening of theatre, though.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
SHAKESPEARE FOR YOUNG ACTORS: Season 2 -- Winona State University
Twelve teenagers, under the leadership of Andrew Carlson and Nick Minas, perform scenes from William Shakespeare's work.
Great River Shakes sponsors as part of an educational setting.
Scenes and monologues from:
As you Like It
Cymbeline
Henry IV, Part I
Julius Caesar
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello
Richard III
Romeo and Juliet
Twelfth Night
The Winter's Tale
#####
These extremely talented youth put on a great show. Some of the kids were a little bit stronger than others, but over-all, it was very impressive! A delight to see!
Great River Shakes sponsors as part of an educational setting.
Scenes and monologues from:
As you Like It
Cymbeline
Henry IV, Part I
Julius Caesar
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello
Richard III
Romeo and Juliet
Twelfth Night
The Winter's Tale
#####
These extremely talented youth put on a great show. Some of the kids were a little bit stronger than others, but over-all, it was very impressive! A delight to see!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
DROPS & DRAMA V: Tales of Shaharazad -- Theatre du Mississippi
Masonic Lodge, Winona, MN
In five scenes, twenty-two historic, hand-painted drops are displayed. Readings from Shaharazad, and belly dancing, tie the story together.
#####
The drops are fascinating and absolutely fabulous. The detail is incredible, and seems almost a shame that they were 'hidden' -- used for Masonic rituals, rather than for public theatre performances.
The story put together to display the drops is generally pointless, though I do understand that most people won't just sit to look at the art. Still, a little more time to see the drops withOUT overweight belly dancers blocking the view might be nice, too.
In five scenes, twenty-two historic, hand-painted drops are displayed. Readings from Shaharazad, and belly dancing, tie the story together.
#####
The drops are fascinating and absolutely fabulous. The detail is incredible, and seems almost a shame that they were 'hidden' -- used for Masonic rituals, rather than for public theatre performances.
The story put together to display the drops is generally pointless, though I do understand that most people won't just sit to look at the art. Still, a little more time to see the drops withOUT overweight belly dancers blocking the view might be nice, too.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
CANADIAN BRASS -- Minnesota Beethoven Festival
Somsen Auditorium, Winona State University
Charles Daellenbach, tuba
Eugene Watts, trombone
Jeff Nelsen, horn
Manon Lafrance, trumpet
Joe Burgstaller, trumpet
The talented brass quintet performing from their excellent repertoire.
Claudio Monteverdi: Orfeo Suite
Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzona per Sonare
Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Bramwell Tovey: Santa Barbara Sonata (Cakewalk on a Tightrope; Preacher on the Pier; Magic Horn Tango; State Street Stomp)
Luther Henderson and Christopher Dedrick: Tribute to Louis Armstrong
Beatles: Penny Lane; Yesterday; Come Together
Ludwig van Beethoven: Pathetique Sonata, Op. 13, 2nd movement
Peter Schickele: Hornsmoke, A Horse Opera in One Act
#####
The French woman, Manon, was not with the group this evening, instead, a young man who looked barely out of college was the second trumpet player. He was quite good and seemed to be getting a workout, playing many of the more difficult trumpet pieces, with Joe Burgstaller taking a lesser role.
While the young man was very good and definitely held his own among this group, I missed Burgstaller's amazing speed and finesse.
The evening was delightful, as expected, though there were fewer 'comic' moments. We had taken the kids this time, as we regretted NOT taking them two years ago. I think that everyone appreciated the evening, even though the boys generally won't admit to enjoying anything.
Charles Daellenbach, tuba
Eugene Watts, trombone
Jeff Nelsen, horn
Manon Lafrance, trumpet
Joe Burgstaller, trumpet
The talented brass quintet performing from their excellent repertoire.
Claudio Monteverdi: Orfeo Suite
Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzona per Sonare
Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Bramwell Tovey: Santa Barbara Sonata (Cakewalk on a Tightrope; Preacher on the Pier; Magic Horn Tango; State Street Stomp)
Luther Henderson and Christopher Dedrick: Tribute to Louis Armstrong
Beatles: Penny Lane; Yesterday; Come Together
Ludwig van Beethoven: Pathetique Sonata, Op. 13, 2nd movement
Peter Schickele: Hornsmoke, A Horse Opera in One Act
#####
The French woman, Manon, was not with the group this evening, instead, a young man who looked barely out of college was the second trumpet player. He was quite good and seemed to be getting a workout, playing many of the more difficult trumpet pieces, with Joe Burgstaller taking a lesser role.
While the young man was very good and definitely held his own among this group, I missed Burgstaller's amazing speed and finesse.
The evening was delightful, as expected, though there were fewer 'comic' moments. We had taken the kids this time, as we regretted NOT taking them two years ago. I think that everyone appreciated the evening, even though the boys generally won't admit to enjoying anything.
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