The Bloginator Enjoys an OMG moment!

NOISES OFF!

OMG What a great time!!

Applause, applause for  the entire cast and crew; Anita Maynard-Losh (the wonderful, patient, inspired director); the stage manager - Erin Lowndes, who may get some sleep now; the designers - Chris Hershey - the set • Virginia Varland - costumes,  Zach Townsend - lights, Will Wacker - sound, whose breaking glass noise never failed to make me laugh.
The Blogster is giving you all a standing O in her tiny windowless office as we speak!

And to all the hardworking students who made this hysterically funny gem come together - coaches & carpenters & runners & costume construction... and the guys who turn the set around as a team - every one of you!

The audience howled last night - and you deserved every laugh. It was a funny funny night.

YOU GUYS ROCK!

Below are some cast photos taken by Madeline Lovegrove last night.

Dixon Cashwell, Madeline Lovegrove, John Curry, Elliot Duffy, Jackie Reynolds,  Justin Ahdoot, Jasmine Hammond, Richard Chan, & Lauren Davis in front,

 Noises Off runs tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30

Sunday at 3:00 

and next weekend Thursday - Sunday

at the Singleton Performing Arts Center.

Tickets - theatretix@vcu.edu

Do not miss this show - it will make you laugh... the Bloginator guarantees it

Attention all High School Seniors!!

Open House Schedule
October 13, 2012

Check In: 7:30 to 8:30am -Siegel Center, Lobby

School of the Arts Overviews: 10am

Theatre: W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Raymond E. Hodges Theatre

Department Overviews: 10:30 to 11am

Theatre Audition Prep Workshop: 11:45am to 12:45pm - 
Shafer Street Playhouse

This workshop is for students who are planning to audition for admission into the VCU Department of Theatre. The workshop will prepare students by providing information and preparation tips for the audition, as well as a question-and-answer session.

Avenue Q Rehearsals - Don't they look like a good time!

OH Those Salty SALTS... Tonight on the Shafer Stage

Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992
Written by: Anna Deavere-Smith

Directed by: Alina Collins-Maldonado
Assistant Director: Tiffany Byrd

FREE. FREE. FREE
Shafer St.Playhouse, Newdick Theatre
Friday September 21 8:00pm
Saturday September 22 3:00pm and 8:00pm

TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992 is a piece of documentary theatre in which playwright Anna Deavere Smith uses the verbatim words of people who experienced the Los Angeles riots to expose and explore the devastating human impact of the event. From nine months of interviews with more than two hundred people, Smith has chosen the voices that best reflect the diversity and tension of a city in turmoil: a Korean store owner, a white male Hollywood talent agent, a Panamanian immigrant mother,beaten truck driver Reginald Denny, civil rights activist Dr.Cornel West and other witnesses, participants, and victims. A work that goes directly to the heart of the issues of race and class, TWILIGHT ruthlessly probes the language and lives of its subjects, offering stark insight into the complex and pressing social, economic, and political issues that fueled the flames in the wake of the Rodney King verdict. 

Cast:
Eleanor Bellamy
Zach Brown
Rob Gibson
Anna Jones
Aquirra Lundy
Jeannie Melcher
Kendra Mosley
Nick Zubieta

Followed by 

Friday Night Live!!!

11:00pm - 2:00 am

2 for 1 tickets for All VCU/MCV faculty - One NIght Only!!

Theatre VCU Alumni!!! Catch up time

Andrew Hamm-

John Daniel Forslund Productions will be hosting a Cabaret showcase of Steppin' Out: Joe Jackson's Night and Day at the Underground in New York City on October 27, 2012 at 8:00 PM.

The show will feature NYC-based musical theatre performers as well as the core trio from the two previous iterations of the show: musical director/pianist Andrew Hamm, bassist Philip Hamm, and drummer Adam Young. A showcase rather than a full production, it will feature 45 minutes of Steppin' Out's best material, including Jackson favorites "Steppin' Out," "Breaking Us in Two," and "Real Men," as well as new classics "Love Got Lost" and "Stranger than You."
 
The Underground is located at 955 West End Ave., just off of Broadway on the Upper West Side. Seating in this intimate space is limited, so reserve your tickets now by emailing Reservations.SteppinOut@gmail.com. If there is enough demand, a second show may be added. I'm thrilled to be able to mount an iteration of the piece that Joe's many fans in the New York City area will be able to see. Let's pack the house and start getting some buzz for a full New York City production of the show!

The Steppin' Out cabaret is a must-see for devotees of musical theatre and Joe Jackson fans alike. Come see the acclaimed show that critics have hailed: "a hot evening of cool songs performed by a kickin’ band" ... "the concept is inspired and the performances are fabulous"  ... "pushing the creative envelope" ... "a great way to spend a summer's night." 

Jerry Williams - 

It's almost show time! This is your reminder that the first play I've directed since college, REGRETS ONLY, opens this week.

Here are 2 fun videos that I produced about the show:

GETTING GLAMOROUS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0UEZuQF0oU&feature=plcp

MEET THE CAST & CHARACTERS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3NBcqQFlQ0&feature=youtu.be

For tickets you can call 346-8113 or visit the website:
http://www.rtriangle.org/RTP_Purchase.html

I plan to be at most of the shows before we leave for Europe on 10/3, so let me know when you're coming. It's gonna be a hoot!

Aly Wepplo & 

Katrinah Lewis - 

September 13 – October 20, 2012
“The Marvelous Wonderettes” by Roger Bean
It’s the Springfield High School Prom, 1958, where we meet the Wonderettes, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives and loves, we are treated to classic 50’s and 60’s songs like “Lollipop”, “Dream Lover”, “Stupid Cupid”, “It’s My Party”, and more than 20 other classic hits. The Mill produced the holiday sequel to this show two years ago – now we bring you the terrific show that started it all!

Maura Cravey designed the fabulous costumes!
Location:
Swift Creek Mill Theatre
17401 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
P.O. Box 41
Colonial Heights,VA 23834

The Chicago Gang!

an oracle b^side production

The Alluvium Group, in association with Oracle Productions, is proud to present HAPPINESS: THE PURSUIT & OTHER TRAGEDIES. This world premiere musical parable is brought to life by seven performers and a live band through Oracle B*Sides. HAPPINESS: THE PURSUIT & OTHER TRAGEDIES opens October 5, and runs through October 19. Performances at Oracle Theatre are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8P, Sundays at 5P. There is a special performance Wednesday, October 17 at 8P. 

HAPPINESS: The Pursuit & Other Tragedies tells the tale of Proteus, an everyman, who journeys through a fantastical and dangerous dream world in search of everlasting happiness. Original music composed by James Manno. HAPPINESS is directed by Tony Santiago.

The cast will work with Janet B. Rodgers, former Head of Voice and Speech Training at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Kickstart our actors into their careers... or just enjoy this lively little video!

Click on THIS and see Byron Wigfall's wonderful vimeo of the Class of 2013!

What great energy... right through the bloopers - well done Byron!! 

Students and alums appearing around Richmond AND in the Lincoln Trailer

Opening Tonight!

Virginia Rep's The Hound of the Baskervilles at Hanover Tavern
Starring Matt Mitchell - Theatre VCU class of 2011
AND
Directed by Gary C. Hopper- Retired Asscociate Chair of Theatre VCU, and director extrordinaire (remember Spelling Bee?)

September 14 – November 4, 2012

At Hanover Tavern

Part of Virginia Rep's Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern
Adapted from Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel by Steven Canny and John Nicholson
Directed by Gary Hopper
A fast-paced spoof for the entire family!
If you enjoy Abbott and Costello, the Marx Brothers, Monty Python, or even just a zany night of entertainment, you’ll love this hysterical farce, adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous Sherlock Holmes story. Three actors take on more than twenty roles including Holmes, Dr. Watson, and themselves as they hilariously retell the story of the classic thriller with the killer dog! This highly theatrical comedy will have you howling with laughter.


Opening nest week

Richmond Shakespeare's KING JOHN McVey Theatre at St. Catherine's School Richmond, VA

Richmond Shakespeare's Interim Artistic Director Jan Powell directs Shakespeare's story of THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN. Combining steampunk, goth, and Kabuki-inspired staging with thrilling action, fast-moving political intrigue, zesty humor and poignant tragedy, this is a non-stop visual feast for the senses. When Richard the Lionheart dies, a vicious dispute ignites over John's right to the throne, leading to war between England and France. Richard's illegitimate son (Philip the Bastard) learns to tread a treacherous path between political forces. Shows are at 730pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and at 3pm for Sunday matinees, at the McVey Theatre on the campus at St. Catherine's School, 6001 Grove Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. Two preview performance are at lower prices, Thu & Fri Sep 20 & 21st, and the show opens Saturday, September 22, and closes Sunday, October 14. Most performances are rated PG: parents of children under 10 are cautioned for intense action, violence, and use of the word "bastard". The 90-minute abridged family matinee at 3pm Saturday, Sept 29, is rated G: appropriate for all ages. School matinees are on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays. CAST: Figure of Human Destiny: RYAN BECHARD King John: THOMAS CUNNINGHAM - MFA, Theatre VCU 2011 The Bastard: DAVID JANOSIK Queen Elinor of Aquitaine: PATRICIA ALLI Lady Constance: JENNIFER FRANK King Philip of France: JEREMY GERSHMAN Lewis the Dauphin: JOHN MINCKS Cardinal Pandulf: CHRISTOPHER DUNN Lady Blanch: LAUREL MAUGHAN Duke of Austria: JOHN CAUTHEN Hubert: THOMAS BELL - BFA Theatre VCU 2011 Prince Arthur: DAVID MILLMAN Pembroke: AXLE BURTNESS Salisbury: JAMES MURPHY - BFA current student Prince Henry: DANIEL KUNKEL

And then there's this!!!

LINCOLN! (go here to see the trailer)


Congrats to Drew Sease (he is in the trailer, BFA 2012), Kevin Inouye  (on horseback with a sword, MFA 2012) Nick Skliris (current BFA student),
Rainer Shine (alum! - BFA 197?), Matt Bloch (BFA 2012)
Mark Caudle (current BFA student) Ian Sterns (current BFA student)

Did I miss anyone? - email gmbrannan@vcu.edu

Speaking of Matt Bloch - Have you seen the Ntelos Dan & Dave commercial (it's been on since the Olympics) - yes that's Matt who didn't save all that money... unfortunately no portrait being painted for his character - but a great gig for one of our graduates! (Looking forward to seeing Matt as Happy in Firehouse's November production of Death of a Salesman)

Next blog - ALL about our Chicago alums!!

it's that time of year... excitement is building to the first mainstage!

The Noises Off set has gone from this:

To this:

The Noises Off rehearsal looks like this:

AND The Ave Q rehearsal puppets are here!

And we got to play with them!

Like I said excitement is building!

Big news! All Theatre VCU students half price ticket night Thursday Sept. 27!

Shine your shoes and pick out your snappiest outfit -

It's Opening Night for Theatre VCU students!

To celebrate Opening Night and all our students' hard work

we are offering a wonderful departmental celebration!!

If you are a theatre student this is YOUR night - and we want to see you there!

Come to the Theatre Box Office (open M-F 10 am - 4 pm starting Monday Sept.17th), give us your name (so we know you are one of the family) and pay $5.00 for a $10.00 Noises Off ticket.

We want to fill the seats... but don't wait too long... seats are sure to go FAST!

If you are in the playbill - you get one free ticket, two free tickets if you are in the cast and crew.

But for EVERY OTHER THEATRE STUDENT the tickets are half off!! $5.00!!

CAN YOU TELL I'M EXCITED?!

All the faculty will be there. The bloginator will be there. Will you be there?