Calling all actors - Kinetic Imaging Dept. wants YOU!

Do not miss Henry V

S.A.L.T. presents...

Henry V by William Shakespeare

Directed by Anna K. Kurtz and Kerry McGee

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE!!!!

TODAY at 2 pm and 8 pm
FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE!!!!

 

 

Not only did the actors rehearse in Shafer, but they also experienced  a rigorous day-long boot camp,  described here by Ted Carter:

 

The boot camp weekend was designed to give the actors a brief, intensive experience that would give them some basic military knowledge and meet some of Kerry and Anna's goals for ensemble building.

We met Friday evening and divided into three squads based on their roles in the show (Nobles, Merry Pranksters, French). Squad leaders were appointed and Mark served as the platoon leader for the weekend. Over the course of the next 24 hours the actors participated in a series of activities designed to expose them to the following elements of military training: Drill & Ceremony, Individual Movement Techniques, Physical Training, Patrolling, Squad and Platoon Infantry tactics, Tactical Camouflage, Enemy Prisoner of War Searches. 

 

The actors worked together to build their own weapons for the show. They ran in formation and sang in cadence at 6:00am Saturday morning through Monroe Park. The platoon patrolled through Oregon Hill to Belle Isle where they executed a tactical movement course. Although they learned several specific skills, my goal as the military coordinator for the weekend was to create a physically and psychologically demanding weekend that would give the actors a glimpse of the fatigue, discomfort, and frustration that are part of military training. These elements are perhaps more important than the skills learned in the training because it is through surviving these hardships that soldiers gain the confidence and self-awareness that best prepares them for combat. It was my hope that 24 hours of being truly cold, weary, and stressed-out would give them some insight into how a soldier in battle feels every day.

 

Photos to follow - when the server becomes available.

SETC preview in the upper lobby - come see some pretty costume, scene and lighting design...

... then buy a brownie!!!

manana, dude...

What's going on tomorrow and the weekend?
Well...
First things First

Bake Sale - Lobby - 10:30 am until every cupcake is gone!
Every cent goes to our fantabulous
Black & White Masquerade Ball.

Stop by and celebrate the end of the week with a brownie, or a Shaun McCracken muffin.
While your here wish the Theatre Auditioners Good Luck - they'll be here from 11am - 6pm tomorrow, auditioning, interviewing, sweating nervously... you remember....

And then there is Henry V at Shafer Street!

Location	Shafer St. Playhouse 221 N. Shafer Street Richmond, VA
Created By	Mauricio Marces, Anna Kurtz, Kerry McGee
More Info	S.A.L.T. presents... Henry V by William Shakespeare Directed by Anna K. Kurtz and Kerry McGee FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE!!!! Feb. 24 & 25 at 8 pm Feb. 26 at 2 pm and 8 pm FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE!!!! Doors open 30 minutes before show starts Handicap accessible bathrooms located in Shafer Court Dining Center Stage Manager: Nikki Malloy Fight Choreographer/Military Consultant: Ted Carter Dialect/Vocal Coach: Stacey Cabaj Costume Designer: Jenny O’Donnell Dramaturge: Augustin Correro Cast: Justin Ahdoot, Micheal Bertoni, Caitlin Carbone, Mark Caudle, Patrick Clark, Debora Crabbe, Bryan Hall, Carla Joseph, Greg Joubert, Bryan Lamorena, Mauricio Marces, Zachary Page, Evan Redd, Austin Seay, Tyler Weaver, Miranda Webster, and Cat Wheelehan

Cupcake anyone?

For those of you waiting with bated breath to hear
the latest plans, schemes, inspirations,
and fund-raising triumphs  for the

Your wait is over...

We raised $58.00 last Friday at our first Bake Sale.

AND we are having another Bake Sale this Friday, February 25, 2011.
We are in need of more goodies so this Friday's sale can be an even GREATER success...
Please get in touch with Ms. Brannan at gmbrannan@vcu.edu and let her know what you can bake in your Easy-Bake oven. (we have muffins from Ms McCracken, mystery baked goods from Ms. Bonnie, cookies from the cookie monster) Are there brownies out there? Hungry auditioners and their parents need those sugar soaked carbs to get through the day.

As for the Masquerade Ball - It is still May 7th, curtain up at 7:30, and yes, it will be fabulous.
Tickets will go on sale in April for $7.00 and with each ticket you will receive a mask.
Yes, you may invite a guest from outside of the department.
We're looking for two Master of Ceremonies - are you one of them?

Check this wonderfulness:

 Also - Hot off the SALT presses:
We are now accepting proposals for next
seasons's/ Fall 2011 SALT season! Proposals are due by March 22nd.
Proposal forms for directors will be located on the SALT website:
http://shaferalliancelabtheatre.webs.com/
and hard copies will be held
on the callboard in PAC.


Here's a word about last weeks No-Shame:
Greetings from No Shame Headquarters!
         I am proud to report last Friday's show was our first injury-free show of 2011! ...That we know of. The short, but sweet, show featured some wonderful singers (Alex Fulton, Josh Marin, Katie Ford), a great mid-winter health update from Nurse Shirley and some borderline offensive white-boy rapping (thanks, Alan Vollmer) as well as a myriad of other entertaining acts that kept us up to the wee hour of 12:10am. Whew. What a night! The (brave) Josh Chenard even made a surprise appearance and reportedly "had a ball," though it's impossible to say whether or not that had anything to do the crisp $100 bill he was handed before the show. We'd like to remind our faithful audience that next week's show (March 4th) will be our "No Tech No Shame" edition, meaning if you show up with so much as a CD to play during your act, you will be laughed at. But seriously folks, it'll be an open-mic night without the mic!
Love,
Your benevolent leader
Tommy "T-Money" Callan

Alex singing

Lauren, Demetor & Austin

Josh and the guys

Josh Marin

Tommy & Bizzy

Legacy of Light - Beautiful, magical, funny romantic... the film says it all...

oh so much...

It's Audition Time at Theatre VCU - which ramps the theatre  department nervous energy up just a bit....


Here's a great paragraph or two or three about the senior's trip to LA last week, as shared by Tommy Callan.

Photos are at the end of the blog

What a week! My fellow seniors and I just got back from sunny and warm Los Angeles, California participating in about 18 workshops with all types of industry professionals working in television and film. Between agents, managers, casting directors for every type of medium, we were inundated with quite the fantastic educational experience. The trip was organized for us by Actor's Connection and our Senior year professor Lorri Lindberg, who was gracious enough to join us for the entire week.

The average day went like this: we'd wake up for our first workshop which would usually begin at 10am. We'd gather as a group and do individual interviews with the guest artist before the official instruction began. Every casting director would, after interviewing us, assign us television scenes (aka "sides") that they felt fit our personalities (often with striking accuracy) and pair us up with a partner. We'd have about 10 to 15 minutes to prepare our scene before going back into the room and presenting them to the group. The casting director would most times give very helpful feedback and often redirect us (to see how well we handled direction) and, after everyone in the group had presented, offer a helpful Q & A.

The Q & A sections were, by far, the most informative. After spending four years training, we were all very able to cold read sides and present them with well-crafted choices so those were often not too terrifying. The Q & A sections, however, would give us all valuable opportunities to tear down the pre-convieived notions about "Hollywood" and what it's really like to live and work as an actor out there. If we did learn anything, it's that to work in LA is, in some ways, easier than it is in New York but in others, much harder. It boiled down to what seems to be a lifestyle choice and, while some of us still prefer the East Coast, just as many are absolutely psyched to possibly call Los Angeles their home in a few months. We're so grateful that TheatreVCU offers us this opportunity and hope that the partnership between Actor's Connection and TheatreVCU only grows over the coming years.

Tommy Callan, Class of 2011

In & Out Burger, Yes!

Darling Donzell!

The usual suspects in front of Universal Studios!

A stand-up Blast!!

John Porter just left a message with the bloginator that his Stand-up Comedy class is performing at 1:00 pm at the Newdick Comedy Club at the Shafer Street Playhouse.

If you are in need of a laugh, stop by for an afternoon giggle and support some very funny stand-up!

A brief interview with Maggie Horan and Martha Johnson who are appearing in Barksdale's Legacy of Light

Maggie Horan

1. Tell us about your role and how the rehearsal process is different (or similar) for you as compared to productions you've worked on in the past.
Maggie: I am playing Pauline who is the young and naive fifteen year old daughter of Emilie du Chatelet. This rehearsal process has been a great learning experience for me because it is the first period piece I have ever done (taking place in the 1700s). 

Martha: I play Millie. She is a young adult hoping to relieve her and her brother from financial debt by serving as a surrogate mother for a couple she meets. The rehearsal process for the show so far has been short and sweet. I appreciate how much is left up for the actors to decide, a kind of responsibility and accountability is laid upon us and it is very refreshing to be treated in a professional manner.



2. What is it like to be working alongside both fellow students as well as community actors?
Maggie: I really enjoy working with both the VCU students and the professional actors. I have learned so much from just sitting and watching the non-VCU actors and I am inspired by them to keep doing what I'm doing. I have also really enjoyed working with the VCU students because they are all just as inspiring to me because of their passion and dedication to their work.

Martha:  I have never been cast with my peers and I had not met  met the other actors in the production until we started rehearsal. I have been able to take the opportunity to observe how more experienced actors work, and attempt to follow in suit. This production is helping me to see what professionalism is, and what steps I must take everyday in rehearsal to work towards that. The cast has been warm and welcoming, it has been a lovely time.


3. Please go into detail on what Legacy of Light means to you. What would you consider to be the soul of the play?
 Maggie:I cannot really answer this question at the moment because I feel that I am still looking for the appropriate answer. I feel that there are many different meanings and themes to the play that everyone will (and should) interpret differently.

Martha:  This show has a myriad of themes interwoven into it. Spirtuality, women's roles, creation, intelligence, intimacy. This show has a lot of heart. I am learning everyday what this show stands for. Karem Zacharias had a clear vision, and it becomes revealed to me more and more as we go along.


4. Describe Bruce Miller's process as a director. What is it like working with him? 
Maggie: I really enjoyed working with Bruce Miller as a director. He has such an amazing eye for directing and he is so passionate about what he does. He trusts his actors and is always very clear on what he is looking for in a scene. He also keeps a positive outlook on the show which makes the experience a lot more enjoyable. 

Martha: Bruce is one of the most knowledgable directors I have worked with. He is able to think and speak clearly and quickly, which is wonderful for the actor. I have never been challenged the way Bruce has challenged me before. I am very appreciative of this. He speaks so relatably and sets examples that feel so familair, that the actor does not have much left to do but merely follow. It's been a pleasure to work with him.
 

Richmond times Dispatch loves the work of our students, current and past!

Shakespeare's work a holiday gift

"Romeo and Juliet" is Richmond Shakespeare's Acts of Faith Festival offering, but more to the point, it's a Valentine's Day gift to Richmond.

Playing with "original practice"— the idea that Shakespeare is best presented the way it was in the Bard of Avon's time, with general lighting, acknowledgement of the audience, minimal scenery, etc. — director Grant Mudge tweaks the beloved play in ways that make it new again.
Some of those tweaks seem to take us off on tangents, but some result in intriguing dynamics. Mercutio, played with brio by Joey Ibanez, could just as easily have been one of the drunken wingmen in a buddy movie; that leaves him less heroic than he might be, so it feels less tragic when he is accidentally slain by Jeffrey Cole's Romeo.
Lines directed to audience members by Cole increase the humor; in fact, the young lovers are played largely for laughs at the outset, examples of teenage silliness. It is the skill of Cole and his Juliet, Liz Blake White, that enables them to turn almost on a dime after Mercutio dies, becoming first terrified and whiny and then actually tragic as they fling themselves into life and death.
Mudge focuses unusually strongly on Juliet's nurse, played in a gender-bending tour de force by Thomas L. Cunningham, who steals big hunks of the show with his breathtakingly comic performance. It often seems that the story might have turned out fine if not for the overly romantic meddling of the nurse and, perhaps, that of Freddy Kaufman's Friar Laurence. Kaufman makes Laurence shrewd enough to know better, yet carried away by Romeo's passion.
The minimal scenery, alas, might have been better if minimized still more, but the beautiful costumes by Rebecca Cairns and Ann Hoskins are tremendous assets to the production. And the fighting is excellent, with no less than five people credited for it: Gregg Lloyd for fight direction, Ryan Bechard as his assistant, and Bryan Austin, Foster Solomon and Ibanez as fight captains.
There are more standout performances: Solomon as Capulet, alternately shallow and shattered; David Janosik as a foppish Paris; Jake Allard as a clever Benvolio; Ryan Bechard as Tybalt (his strong but restrained performance made me wish he had more to do). With the 13 actors doubling to cover 30 roles, the energy is astounding and the language, of course, lovely and stirringly spoken.

Never a dull moment: Auditions for Back of Throat AND Video Game Theatre performance!!

Bryan Garbriel Lamorena jumped up and down in front of the bloginator so that this vital information could go up this morning!
Back of Throat auditions
Monday, February 28 at 6:00pm - March 1 at 11:30pm
AUDITIONS FOR
BACK OF THE THROAT
By Yussef el Guindi
Directed by Bryan Lamorena
Run for the show is April 15th-17th

I will be auditioning for 4 male parts and 1 female part for the show.


AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28th from 6pm to 10pm with callbacks IMMEDIATELY AFTER. Additional callbacks will be held on Tuesday the 1st, if necessary

SIGN UPS FOR AUDITION SLOTS ARE POSTED ON THE CALL BOARD!!!

I will be auditioning for 4 male parts and 1 female part for the show.

Please prepare one, ONE to TWO MINUTE, CONTEMPORARY monologue and be prepared to read from the script.


If anyone would like a copy of the script, please email me at lamorenabg@vcu.edu

Video Game Theatre

Thurs., Feb. 18 & Fri., Feb. 19 at 8:00pm - Sat., Feb. 20 at 2:00pm

Newdick Theatre, Shafer Street Playhouse

 

Video Game Theatre is a brand new Theatre experience, debuting at the Shafer Street Playhouse.
Conceived and Directed by Aaron Willoughby, Video Game Theatre aims to combine the interactive nature of video games with the immersive nature of live performance.
Exploring the FPS, RPG, Rhythm and Dance, Horror and Platformer genre's VGT is guaranteed to be a whole new experience. 

 

The show doesn't start and stop on stage. Stay tuned for details regarding how VGT is going to bring you into the show. If you don't feel like waiting, the best way to find out is by going to see the show when it's up:

February 18th and 19th, 8PM.
February 20th, 2PM.

Each night is going to be different than the last, so consider seeing all three.

Hearts, invites, events & dates to remember

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY ALL Y’ALL

now give yourselves great big hugs.
done.

(notice hearts to the right... my favorite? bottom center: Let’s read.)

Let’s read???
what candy heart proofer let that fly?

Happy Valentines day - LET'S READ!

The Black &White Masquerade Ball is now a big-time Facebook Event!

AND there will be a meeting in the Student Lounge this Wednesday at 5:00 pm - please - everyone who is interested in this potentially spectacular end of the year celebration - please - be there... there will be special Blogster cookies as a bribe (and a thank you). BUT - If there are only five lonely Theatre VCU students at this meeting, then we will know you are not interested in an evening dedicated to you guys... and the bloginator will be forced to eat all the cookies. 15 minutes... Wed. 5:00... c’mon.... be there.


Tomorrow
“Wine in the Wilderness” by Alice Childress - A staged reading created by Margarette Joyner, Directed by Brandon Room 301, Shafer Street Playhouse Feb. 15th, 7:00pm

Wednesday

There is a sign-up sheet on the red board on the PAC second floor lobby for those Design/Tech students who were snowed out of their Fall semester portfolio review. Grab a time slot for Wed. after 1:00 pm and strut your stuff.


Monday, Feb. 21st
We invite all Theatre VCU students to meet with the last of the three Professor of Acting candidates. Your input is very important to everyone involved. (sorry, no cookies) - Monday, Feb. 21 • 3:00-4:00 pm • B-072.

Just remember - it’s Valentine’s Day - LET”S READ!!

Let's take a moment to brag about our Ms. Penny Ayn Maas

The talented Ms. Maas went missing for a couple of days from Theatre VCU last week  to choreograph "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" for three Broadway actors: Jose Llana, Coleman Domingo & Ward Biellson, for the 6th annual Broadway benefit - Broadway Backwards. Co-produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and the LGBT Center, it played for one evening only, Monday, Feb. 7th, and earned over $280,000.

She reported it was a wonderful night, and that she dearly misses the days when she was the associate director & choreographer for the whole show. Just 2 years ago she choreographed Whoopi Goldberg in "Gee, Officer Krupke". How much fun do you think THAT was!?

Penny with Hinton Battle, winner of three Tony Awards!

Speaking of talent here's  a snapshot of Penny's career - her first Broadway show was Crazy for You. She left that after three years to join Damn Yankees (with Jerry Lewis) for a year or so, rejoined Crazy and then went on to a few years in Cabaret at Studio 54. That's 3 major Broadway musicals in 10 years, boys and girls. Don't forget her four years with Swing Time Canteen.... singing, dancing and playing a clarinet.

We've got her now... and for a limited time only! Penny brings Broadway to her voice lessons and movement classes, and we're proud and pleased to have her in the MFA Movement Track.

This Show is just too fabulously funny!!

Les Precieuses Ridicules (Two Precious Maidens Ridiculed)

The bloginator and the entire audience laughed out loud for one lovely ridiculous hour. Don't miss this Valentine's confection created by Josh and his company of pranksters for all of us!!

Friday, February 11th, 8:00PM
Saturday, February 12th, 2:00pm & 8:00PM
Sunday, February 13th, 2:00PM
Raymond Hodges Theatre, Singleton Performing Arts Center

Event is FREE, but seating is limited! House opens 30 minutes before curtain.

Directed By Josh Chenard

Assistant Directors: Jenn Catton & Katie Ford

Featuring: Celine Daubresse, Jason Francis, Curt Gavin, Trey Harrison, Matt Lipscomb, Courtney McCotter, Ariel Shine, and Sean Wyland.

Costumes - Elizabeth Ensminger

Lighting - Michael Farmer

Wigs - Matthew Armentrout

First Warning: Auditions for Fall 2011 & Description of 2011/2012 Mainstage Season

Audition Requirements:

R&J – 1 minute Shakespeare monologue

Grease – 1 minute contemporary monologue AND 16 bars of a 1950s song




Schedule:

Thursday, April 28th, 2011:

6:30-8:30pm - R&J Female auditions in Hodges Theatre (1 minute Shakespeare monologue)

8:30-10:30pm - R&J Male auditions in Hodges Theatre (1 minute Shakespeare monologue)

6:30-11pm - Grease auditions in B-72 (1 minute contemporary monologue and 16 bar 1950s song)




Friday, April 29th, 2011:

7-10pm - Grease dance callbacks in B-72

Evening - Callbacks for Female R&J in B53

Evening - Callbacks for Male R&J in B57

Note: As some actors will be called back for multiple shows, the stage managers will help coordinate the actors who are double booked.




Saturday, April 30th, 2011:

10am / 11am until done - Grease callbacks in B-72 (Please let me know what time)

Time TBA - Callbacks for Female R&J, if needed

Time TBA - Callbacks for Male R&J, if needed


As a Reminder Here is

NEXT YEAR'S MAINSTAGE SEASON

SEPTEMBER 2011
Shakespeare’s R & J - Audition April 28 - 30
Adapted by Joe Calarco
Female cast directed by Keri Wormald  • Male cast directed by Stephen Fried
When a group of students at a repressed Catholic school discover a forbidden copy of Romeo and Juliet, they are transformed from mocking adolescents to soulful re-enactors of Shakespeare’s gripping story. Performed in rotating repertory, Theatre VCU will present two different casts on an alternating schedule.  Stephen Fried, is a directing faculty member at The New School of Drama and former Resident Assistant Director at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C whose recent work includes All’s Well That Ends Well, The Comedy of Errors,  and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ.  Keri Wormald is an award-winning director and VCU alumnus whose work has been produced locally with Barksdale Theatre and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

NOVEMBER 2011
Grease!- Audition April 28 - 30
Written and arranged by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey • Directed by Patti D’Beck
Winner of 7 Tony Awards, and everybody’s favorite movie musical, Grease! is a nostalgic 1950s celebration. Set at Rydell High School, “greasers” and “pink ladies”  rock out to classic songs such as “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “Greased Lightning” and “You’re the One that I Want.”  Join us as the romance unfolds between Sandy (a nerdy but cute new student) and Danny (the cool greaser king), summer lovebirds from drastically different high school cliques.  Under the direction of Patti D’Beck, who served as Associate Choreographer for the original Broadway production with Rosie O’Donnell, Grease! will prove to be an evening of music, dancing, comedy, romance, and fun!

FEBRUARY 2012
Arabian Nights - Audition Fall Semester 2011
In collaboration with Barksdale Theatre, performed at the Willow Lawn Theatre
Adapted by Dominic Cooke • Directed by Casey Biggs
Persian rugs, caves of jewels, and sensuous belly dancers: a bold visual feast accentuates the magic of storytelling and its power to transform people in this RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) award-winning script.  When King Shahrayar discovers his wife in another man’s arms, he vows to ruthlessly murder every virgin in his kingdom.  His brutality is interrupted only by the brave and wise maiden Scheherezade, whose captivating stories just might save her life.  This imaginative show of high adventure, low comedy, peril, death, and life lessons is directed by well-known film, television, and stage performer Casey Biggs, artistic director of the Greene Arts Foundation and member of the directing faculty at The New School of Drama in New York City. Audiences may remember his five seasons as the leader of the Dardassion race on “Star Trek Deep Space Nine”.

An Evening of Stand-Up Comedy
Directed by Stephen Rosenfield
Nationally reknowned comedian, writer, coach and Director of the American Comedy Institute, Stephen Rosenfield, will work with Theatre VCU students to develop two weekends of stand-up comedy  in the Hodges Theatre.  Rosenfield has produced, written and directed comedy shows at Caroline’s on Broadway, Stand-Up New York, The Comic Strip, Don’t Tell Mama and The Improv as well as directed and co-authored the Obie Award-winning musical comedy review, The Present Tense. His students have appeared on The David Letterman Show, The Conan O’Brien Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Last Comic Standing. Both performances  will also feature the best comic/Improv talent from central Virginia as guest artists. Comedy Fans circle these dates!

APRIL 2012
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Audition Fall Semester 2011
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman with music and lyrics by William Finn • Directed by Gary C. Hopper
A hilarious tale of six geeky adolescent overachievers vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime, this Tony Award winning musical is both tender and quirky. Simple and sweet, “Spelling Bee” features a wide range of misfits varying from a liberal young girl with gay dads, to a slightly obnoxious speller who uses his “Magic Foot” to spell out the words, to a girl whose parents never seem to notice her. Directed by former Theatre VCU faculty member and award-winning director, Gary Hopper, this fast-paced production will end our season and capstone the Theatre VCU April Alumni weekend celebration (April 21, 2012)!

Legacy of Light "excels with a breathless, exhilarating lack of sef-conciousness."

What a great review from Richmond.com of Legacy of Light! Take note of our students - doing great work with an equity theatre.

By Liz Jewett | Richmond.com

Legacy of Light Review

Published: February 09, 2011

“Legacy of Light,” a time bending, suspension of belief testing, magical realism infused play written by D.C. native Karen Zacarias really shouldn’t work.  It is a testament to Zacarias and to the work of all involved with the current production at Barksdale Theatre that it absolutely does. It works and it sings.

The play, set in both Enlightenment-era France and modern-day New Jersey, focuses primarily on two women, the real life 18th-century historical figure Emilie du Chatelet and the fictional Olivia. Both women are brilliant scientific minds, capable of processing the minutia of the universe, yet who struggle to balance their intellect with maternal demands. At the onset of the play, du Chatelet, the sometimes lover, intellectual equal and perpetual friend of the renowned thinker, Voltaire, learns that at 42 she is pregnant with the child of her young lover, St. Lambert. Knowing full well the peril of childbirth, Emilie resolves to leave her academic mark on the world before it is too late.

In another era, the astrophysicist and cancer survivor, Olivia, discovers both an embryonic planet in another universe and her own need to have a child with her teacher husband, Peter. Unable to conceive on her own, the couple turn to a surrogate, the sweet and affable, Millie, who in turn is struggling with her own choice between familial obligations and professional ambition.

What follows is a time shifting, science infused, dazzlingly complex narrative, as both Emilie and Olivia attempt to reconcile science with motherhood and professional drive with motherly instincts or lack thereof.

As I mentioned before, “Legacy of Light” shouldn’t work yet, miraculously, it not only works but also excels with a breathless, exhilarating lack of self-consciousness. The writing helps, but it would be impossible without the solid and capable direction of Bruce Miller. Despite some, at times, awkward staging, the majority of the play is seamless and that is a notable accomplishment when there are characters alternately breaking the fourth wall, traveling through time and dimensions and giving extended talks on elaborate matters of physics.

The scenic design by Betsy Muller is simple but manages to bridge the gap between a high-class French estate and a contemporary middle-class New Jersey world. Lynne M. Hartman’s lighting plays a hugely important role, as light and the properties of light are nearly as important as any of the characters are to the story. J. Theresa Bush’s costumes are lush and textured, particularly the extravagant wardrobes of the French characters. Yet the much humbler modern day clothes are equally detailed and wonderfully attuned to character.

As the principle women, Tamara Johnson (Emilie), Patricia Duran (Olivia) and Martha Johnson (Millie), are all exceptional. Tamara Johnson shows a weathered but unyielding optimism and light in Emilie, traits that would be the basis for Voltaire’s famously hopeful Candide. Her crackling intellect is made all the more poignant by the fact that the audience is aware that, unlike Voltaire, du Chatelet would never receive the same kind of fame or recognition. Duran plays the well-worn role of a modern woman divided between work and family without a trace of cliché. And Martha Johnson is so natural and buoyant as the young and earnest Millie that she steals almost every scene she is in.

Larry Cook as Voltaire is not the central protagonist, but his witty, confident presence infuses every aspect of the show. It’s difficult to play a famous historical figure without seeming like a caricature. It is a testament to the actor that his role feels lived in and honest. Ricardo Melendez is incredibly likeable and charming as Olivia’s husband, Peter. Maggie Horan as Emilie’s teenage daughter, Pauline, and Ian Stearns as Millie’s brother, Lewis, have smaller roles, yet each brings a noticeable presence each time they’re on stage.

At the end of “Legacy of Light,” one of the characters makes the statement that “everything changes, but nothing is lost.” It is a mark of the beautiful intricacy of the script that this ties into both the scientific aspects of the play and its emotional core. “Legacy of Light” is a smart, challenging, multi-layered play, but it works because while it is all of those things, it is also earnest and hopeful. It’s a show that spends a great deal of time talking about the properties of energy and the cosmos, but it never feels academic. Instead, every scientific fact, every historical detail brings the characters, as well as the audience, closer and closer to a place of love, humanity, and light.


Liz Jewett is a freelance writer, nursing student and local theater lover. To find out more about Liz check out her blog at http://lizramsay.blogspot.com or follow her or on Twitter @lizj843.

Les Precieuses Ridicules (Two Precious Maidens Ridiculed)

Fun!! Beautiful!! Goofy!! And FREE!!

Sounds like the perfect Valentines Date to me!

Moliere's 17th century satire on high culture and snobbery! A classic play with a contemporary edge. Best described as Moliere with a dash of Mel Brooks, a splash of Benny Hill, and a twist of Monty Python, come prepared to laugh!

Directed By Josh Chenard

Assistant Directors: Jenn Catton & Katie Ford

Featuring: Celine Daubresse, Jason Francis, Curt Gavin, Trey Harrison, Matt Lipscomb, Courtney McCotter, Ariel Shine, and Sean Wyland.


Friday, February 11th, 8:00PM
Saturday, February 12th,2:00pm, 8:00PM
Sunday, February 13th, 2:00PM


Raymond Hodges Theatre • Singleton Performing Arts Center

Event is FREE, but seating is limited! House opens 30 minutes before curtain.

Jack & the Beanstalk at Richmond libraries this weekend

VCU Players Present:

Jack and The Wonder Beans

An Appalachian Musical

Touring Richmond Libraries and Schools

Gayton Library: February 12, 2011 10:30 AM

Twin Hickory Library: February 19, 2011 10:30 AM


Adapted by Larry E. Snipes

From the book by James Still


Directed By Meghan Kelleher


Additional Choreography by Marie Boyette

Musically Coached by Richard Chan

All is well for Jack and his Mam. They have their home roof, a patch of land, and a cow. One spring, when the cow goes dry life on Wolfpen Creek has to change. In hard times no one wants to buy a cow “dry as a hat”. Jack trades his bossy to a Gypsy for “seeds”. And Jack is in for trouble. His adventures with the High Tall Giant Woman and her husband teach him that “the simple life is right for Jack.” Audience participation is invoked in the nick of time!


Featuring: Justin Bell, Brandon Butts, Tiffany Byrd, Madeline Bryan, Richard Chan, Byron Mitchell, Kate Poisson, Jaqueline Reynolds, & Joe Winters

According to the director, Meghan Kelleher, MFA Performance Pedagogy: 

I have a love for theatre for young audiences and have worked professionally around the country at various children’s theatres. Currently I am company manager and summer education director at Roanoke Children’s Theatre in Roanoke, VA.
Next week, nine undergraduate students and myself will be touring a simple Appalachian musical version of Jack and the Beanstalk, based on James Still’s children’s book Jack and the Wonder Beans.  The simple and flexible set allows us to tour a variety of locations. For example, we are going to two elementary schools and 3 libraries, performing for over 500 Richmond kids.  It is a delightful show based on a great children’s book, and using blue grass music to tell the story.  VCU theatre recently, has not toured shows geared towards children, but we decided to take on the project in hopes of reaching out to the community, particularly to young readers, to get them excited about reading and the arts.

The best part? It is Free!  We are able to offer the program free of charge, because our actors are students who are hoping to get the experience of performing for young audiences and sharing theatre to young viewers.  These students are learning about the gift of theatre as a way to teach and entertain.  And we wanted the show to accessible to anyone who would have us, because many schools are having trouble affording the arts these days.

It is isn’t too often that you hear about college students taking a break from their social lives and really giving back to the community, especially to kids, and I am really proud of these undergraduates.

Alumnus Dan Bishop wins top award!

Mad Men's Dan Bishop Wins Top Prize at Art Directors Guild Awards

The Art Directors Guild held its annual awards show last night, and Mad Men pulled off a four-peat. The ADG named Mad Men the Best Single-Camera Television Series for the fourth consecutive year, honoring production designer Dan Bishop for his work on the Season 4 premiere, "Public Relations." In order to pull off the win, Mad Men had to defeat True Blood (HBO), The Tudors (Showtime), 24 (Fox), and Glee (Fox)


Dan Bishop - 
A Theatre VCU alumnus

CONGRATULATIONS!!

CONGRATULATIONS to the Theatre VCU  Design/Tech students who won recognition for their work at the 2011 KCACTF Region IV Festival Design Tech competition this last weekend in Florida.


HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Barbizon Award for Theatrical Design Excellence in Costumes:
Joshua Quinn, VCU

The Barbizon Award for Theatrical Design Excellence in Lighting Design:
Sam Updike, VCU


AWARDS:


Region IV Awards in Technical Design and Craft:
Mackenzie Millan, VCU

Region IV David Weiss Awards for Design Excellence in Costumes:
Joshua Quinn, VCU

Region IV David Weiss Awards for Design Excellence in Scene Design:
Chris Raintree, VCU

You guys are awesome!

You need to know -

The grad students who are running this great day of workshops are now opening the day to VCU students. You won't find a more inspiring, informative way to spend a winter's Saturday.

Get in touch with Ms. Anna Kurtz - she can tell you more!

Dog Sees God - Firehouse - Theatre VCU students - need I say more?

Another wake-up call to Theatre VCU students!!

An urgent shout out to all students!!!

This afternoon at 3:00 in B-072 PLEASE come and meet the next Professor of Acting candidate!!

Yeah, I know...

you're busy

you've got rehearsal

you're graduating and really don't care.

Well that's just great....

This is the future of Theatre VCU.

Are you saying that you can't find an hour of your day to help decide the future of this department?!

You really care that little?!

Your thoughts, your input, your commitment is what will make this a better university for you and for the students that come after you.

Show up. Do the right thing. And then tell us what you think about all three candidates who are competing for this position.

C'mon guys. Make a difference.

How about this Rave Review of SALT's production of Angels in America

The Commonwealth Times had nothing but wonderful things  to say about last weekend's production of Angels in America directed by Phil Vollmer, such as "(this production) was so thick and vivid with movingly-rendered human conflict that its audience never grew restless"  and "gorgeous, ethereal choreography".

Take a look here for the entire review.

Congratulations Phil and cast - well done!