The power of networking

If the economy doesn't substantially turn around by January I definitley want to dive back into the wonderful world of summer stock theatre. I had an amazing experience at the New London Barn Playhouse two summers ago and I have like a part of me has died because since I graduated from NEC I haven't really gotten the change to tech many community shows.. though I have ushered at a few.

I have been doing tons of networking talking to friends and friends of friends who have worked at other theatres in New England based on the research I have done so far here are the theatres that I may want to work at.
Top 4
1. Summer Theatre in Meredith Village Obviously I have TONS of connections there. Nancy Barry was my boss at the Barn Playhouse and between this year and last year 10 or 12 people from my intern company have worked for her. If I apply there I may have a definite shot at getting a job there but I don't want to sound outwardly cocky.
2. Maine State Music Theatre I have been talking to a friend of my friend Maggie's from the Barn Playhouse who worked there and he said he had a pretty good experience there. Not to mention he is a fellow NLBP alum having worked there in 2004. :) Will Porter worked there too... let's just say he's unavailable for commentary.
3. Ogunquit Playhouse Let's just say I love Maine! I went to see a show @ OP in 2005 when my family used to rent a summer home in Wells. I really liked the show I saw there despite the fact that it is not one of my favorite musicals (CATS)
4. Papermill Theatre Brady Lynch worked here a couple of summers ago. She had had a pretty good experience there and said that out of this theatre and Barnstormers it's the better theatre to apply for an internship at.

We shall see where things end up.

Money makes the world go around ( and the economy throws a monkey wrench into things)

The economy is such a pain. I was planning on going to go see eight shows at community theatres this summer but it has been cut down to do due to an insanely tight budget

Shows I was planning to see
* The Producers New London Barn Playhouse
* Guys and Dolls Ogunquit Playhouse
*Almost Maine Arundel Barn Playhouse
* Grease Summer Theatre In Meredith Village
* Sound of Music Summer Theatre In Meredith Village
* The Drowsy Chaperone Maine State Music Theatre
* Little Shop of Horrors Peterborough Players

Due to budgetary reasons and the fact that I STILL haven't found a job yet my boyfriend and I have had some discussions and while you can't win em all I am satisfied that we are going to go see Grease at the Summer Theatre in Meredith Village (July 12th) and Little Shop of Horrors at Petreborough Players (August 9th for my 24th birthday). I did stage crew two summers ago for Little Shop of Horrors two summers ago when I interned at the New London Barn Playhouse and ever since then I have been addicted to the soundtrack and got the movie for a graduation present (1986 remake not the 1960 original but I still want to see the original because that is the version of the movie the play is based on.) I look foward to seeing Little Shop again and after I see it I'll probably write a comparison entry comparing the two diffrent versions of the show I saw.. though other than the people playing the characters on stage there won't be too much of a difference.

2009-2010 theatre viewing season opens up new doors for me locally. Upon getting more money in my bank account I plan on hoping to seeing at least 2 Milford Area Players shows, 2 shows @ Concord Community Players and 2 shows at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
I am anxious for the schedules for Concord Community Players and The Palace Theatre to come out.
I have Milford Area Player's schedule somewhere in my email so I have to look for it.
Other then going to see the Open Door show on Alumni weekend I see myself drifting away from going to see shows at NEC since a majority of my close friends from the department graduated with me, my best friend Cooper gradauted last week and my other close friend Nate is transferring.

If I don't find a substantial paying job by January I plan on applying for theatre tech jobs for the summer. I have already jumped on sending Nancy Barry my resume to hopefully work at her theatre in Meredith next summer but here are some theatres in Maine and NH. If anyone who reads this blog has worked at any of these theatres or can reccommend theatres to add to this list please leave me a comment. If the theatre name it is in bold it means it is a definite choice to apply to.
NH
Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth
Papermill Theatre in Lincoln
Seacoast Rep in Portsmouth
Peterborough Players in Peterborough (nice and close only 30 mins from my house)
Mount Washington Valley Theatre in North Conway
Maine
Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick
Hackamatack Theatre in Berwick
Arundel Barn Playhouse in Arundel
Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit
Massachuetts
Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield
.

Later
Janine

Summer Theatre Viewing Schedule

FINAL UPDATE FOR SHOWS I PLAN TO SEE THIS SUMMER


July

• July 9th or 11th Alice In Wonderland and Grease- Interlakes Theatre

August

• August 1st Guys and Dolls Ogunquit Playhouse
• August 9th Little Shop of Horrors Peterborough Players
• Late August Almost Maine Arundel Barn Playhouse
  
  
  
  September
  September 15th (tentative) American Idol Tour Concert Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester.

Time Warp to The 20s and Dance til Your Diva is Through

It's been awhile since I last wrote. Things have been hectic between job searching and my busy day of traveling yesterday. Two shows to cover today

First is The Boyfriend  performed by the Riverbend Youth Company at the Boys and Girls Club of  Souhegan Valley.    This was a very fun play with lots of lively and catchy tunes. The play is set in the French Rivera in the 1920s at a boarding school for young girls.  It was one of the most touching love stories I've seen in awhile. There were moments when I felt the pain of  the characters that were so  in love especially the main character Polly  played  by Souhegan High School sophomore Aly Mcknight and some points when I could stop laughing.  Truly an enjoyable show and lots of songs are definitely worth the download to my ipod once more money is added to my account.

Friday was  the annual  Evening of Dance at my high school.  My sister is on the dance team so  I went mainly to support her and the dance team but there were a lot of good performances.  There is so much talent among the Souhegan High School population it was quite impressive. With the exception of a few   I've been to  every single Evening of Dance since I was a freshmen in  High School.  I wish  I had half  the talent  as some of the people I went to school with and  the people I saw on Friday night do.

Favorite Dances

Monica and Tammanna Ghandi  Traditional Bollywood Songs

 Danielle Wilson  I've Got Your Remedy

Dance Company  Single Ladies  This dance  was neat because it was all done  with shadows.. quite the concept.

All numbers by SHS Dance Team

  1 2 Step     Middle School  Students Chereographed for Jayme Rae Ward's Senior Project.

Congrats to all  involved in Evening of Dance  on an amazing show.

I'm taking a month hiatus from going to see shows because of money issues. The summer will definitely be busy.

July 10th or 11th     Grease at Interakes Summer Theatre.   I really would like to see my friend Brandon's directorial debut of the Junior Intern Show Alice in Wonderland but I have to see what day everyone else wants to go.

Last week of July  The Producers at NLBP.  My friend Cooper has a friend from high school who is in the intern company this summer so I have to find out  if and when he is planning on coming down to  see the show so that way we can go  as a group me him Matt Erin and Heather.  If this doesn't work out our back up plan is either Little Shop of Horrors at Peterborough Players or Sound of Music at Interlakes Theatre. 

August  Almost Maine @ Arundel Barn Playhouse

List of Tony Noms/ My predictions

Please note: The only show I have seen out of the ones nominated is HAIR so my opinions may be really biased toward that musical and I don't know much about the plays but I do not think Waiting For Godot will do very well. SO excited for June 7th so I can see how well these predictions turn out!



Best Score
Billy Elliot
Next to Normal
Shrek
9 to 5
Top 2 Billy Elliot and Shrek Billy Elliot to win
Best Musical
Billy Elliot
Next to Normal
Rock of Ages
Shrek
Top 3 Rock Of Ages, Billy Elliot Shrek Billy Elliot to win
Best Book of a Musical
Billy Elliot
Next to Normal
[title of show]
Shrek
Top 2 Title of Show Billy Elliot Billy Elliot to win
Best Leading Actor in a Musical
David Alvarez/Trent Kowalik/Kiril Kulish- Billy Elliot
Gavin Creel
Brian D'Arcy James
Constantine
J. Robert Spencer
Top 3 Constantine, Creel,D'Arcy James Creel to win

Best Leading Actress in a Musical
Allison Janney
Sutton Foster
Alice Ripley
Stockard Channing
Josefina Scaglione
Top 3
Channing, Foster,Janey Foster to win


Best Featured Actor in a Musical
David Bologna Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gregory Jbara Billy Elliot, The Musical
Marc Kudisch 9 to 5: The Musical
Christopher Sieber Shrek The Musical
Will Swenson Hair
Top 3: Kudisch, Swenson, Sieber Swenson to win


Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Jennifer Damiano Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne Billy Elliot, The Musical
Karen Olivo West Side Story
Martha Plimpton Pal Joey
Carole Shelley Billy Elliot, The Musical
Top 3 Plimpton, Gwynne, Olivio Olivio to win
Best Play
Dividing the Estate Author: Horton Foote
God of Carnage Author: Yasmina Reza
Reasons to Be Pretty Author: Neil LaBute
33 Variations Author: Moisés Kaufman
Top 2: 33 Variations, Reasons To Be Pretty 33 Variations to win

Best Revival of a Play
Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Mary Stuart New Version: Peter Oswald
The Norman Conquests
Waiting for Godot
Top 2 MAry Stuart, The Norman Conquests Mary Stuart to win

Best Revival of a Musical
Guys and Dolls
Hair
Pal Joey
West Side Story

HAIR and West Side Story will be top contenders. HAIR will win.
Best Theatrical Related Event
Liza's at The Palace
Slava's Snowshow
Soul of Shaolin
You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush
Top 2: You're Welcome America ; Liza at the Palace Liza at the Palace to win

Best Lead Actor in a Play
Jeff Daniels God of Carnage
Raúl Esparza Speed-the-Plow
James Gandolfini God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush Exit the King
Thomas Sadoski Reasons to Be Pretty
Top 2 Sadoski and Esapaza Esapaza to win


Best Lead Actress in a Play
Hope Davis God of Carnage
Jane Fonda 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden God of Carnage
Janet McTeer Mary Stuart
Harriet Walter Mary Stuart
Top 3 Fonda, Davis, Walter Fonda to win
Best Featured Actor in a Play
John Glover Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier 33 Variations
Stephen Mangan The Norman Conquests
Paul Ritter The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Top 3 Grenier,Glover Mangan Glover to win

Best Featured Actress in a Play
Hallie Foote Dividing the Estate
Jessica Hynes The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland Reasons to Be Pretty
Angela Lansbury Blithe Spirit
Amanda Root The Norman Conquests
Top 3 Hynes; Foote;Lansbury Lansbury to win
Best Direction of Play
Phyllida Lloyd Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Matthew Warchus God of Carnage
Matthew Warchus The Norman Conquests
Top 3 Norman Conquests, Mary Stuart, God of Carnage Mary Stuart to win
Best Direction of a Musical
Stephen Daldry Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Greif Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus Hair
Top 3: Paulus, Daldry,Hannigi Paulus to win
Best Choreography
Karole Armitage Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling Billy Elliot, The Musical
Randy Skinner Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Top 2 Amritage; Darling Armritage to win
Best Orchestration
Martin Koch Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt Next to Normal
Danny Troob and John Clancy Shrek The Musical
Top 2 Troob/Clancy, Koch Troob/Clancy to win
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Dale Ferguson Exit the King
Rob Howell The Norman Conquests
Derek McLane 33 Variations
Michael Yeargan Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Top 3 Howell, McLane, Ferguson McLane to win
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Robert Brill Guys and Dolls
Ian MacNeil Billy Elliot, The Musical
Scott Pask Pal Joey
Mark Wendland Next to Normal
Top 3 Macneil,Brill, Pask Pask to win
Best Costume Design - Play
Dale Ferguson Exit the King
Jane Greenwood Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward Mary Stuart
Top 3: Greenwald,Pakledinaz, Ferguson Ferguson to win
Best Comstume Design - Musical
Gregory Gale Rock of Ages
Nicky Gillibrand Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley Shrek The Musical
Michael McDonald Hair
Top 3: Gillibrand, Hately, McDonald Mcdonald to win
Best Lighting - Play
David Hersey Equus
David Lander 33 Variations
Brian MacDevitt Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Hugh Vanstone Mary Stuart
Top 3 Hersey,Lander, Mcdevitt, Vanstone Hersey to win
Best Lighting - Musical
Kevin Adams Hair
Kevin Adams Next to Normal
Howell Binkley West Side Story
Rick Fisher Billy Elliot, The Musical
Adams and Binkley will be top contenders. Adams will win for HAIR

Best Sound - Play
Paul Arditti Mary Stuart
Gregory Clarke Equus
Russell Goldsmith Exit the King
Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Top 2 Lehrer/Rothberg and Clarke Clarke to win
Best Sound - Musical
Acme Sound Partners Hair
Paul Arditti Billy Elliot, The Musical
Peter Hylenski Rock of Ages
Brian Ronan Next to Normal
Top 2 Acme Sound Partners and Arditii Acme Sound Partners to win

And when I opened up my eyes I saw the sign

The quote from the 80s song I Saw The Sign by Ace of Base perfectly seems to fit the title of this post as I just returned from my college's theatre and dance department's annual movement concert Signals. They do a movement concert every year at the end of the year. Honestly out of the movment concerts I've seen since I was a freshmen this was clearly the best one. Every movement concert has had its claim to fame ...for example last years was the Queen Montage and the year prior was the Beatles Montage.. but this year the show was an overall top rated show. The show title is based off of the idea that most of the ideas behind the dances are inspired by street signs which I thought was a very creative idea.
My favorite dances were:
Men At Work?
Over/Under
O Come O Come
Opposites Attract

but all dances were equallly awesome and I truly enjoyed myself. Congrats to everyone involved on such an amazing show


I LOVE NEC THEATRE!!

Tony Noms are out!!

Tony nominations were announced earlier this morning

For the complete list go here: http://www.broadway.com/2009-Tony-Award-Nominations-Announced/broadway_news/5026757

Notable Shows with multiple nominations

Billy Elliot  15

Best  Musical, Best Performance by a leading actor, Best performance by a featured  actor  (2), Best performance by  a featured actress (2), Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Book, Best Score, Best Orchestration, Best Scenic Design, Best  Costume Design, Best Lightning Design

HAIR 8

Best Revival, Best Performance by A Leading Actor,Best  Performance By A Featured Actor,Best Direction, Best  Choreography,  Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design, Best Costume Design

YAY YAY YAY!!  I hope a majority of these awards are won for this show especially   leading and featured actors  Creel and  Swenson were phenomenal!!! :)

 Shrek  The Musical  8

Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor, Best Performance by a  leading actress, Best performance by a  featured actor, Best Original Score, Best Orchestrations, Best Costume Design

 West Side Story 4

Best Revival, Best Performance by a leading actress, Best performance by a featured actress,Best Lighting Design

9 to 5  4

Best Performance by a leading actress, Best Performance by  a  supporting actor, Best Original Score, Best Choreography 

Short list of Tony Nom Predictions

Tony nominations will be announced on  Tuesday. Here are my predictions

I have not seen very many musicals except for HAIR and Hair was amazing. I think the top contender in the best revival catergory besides Hair will be West Side Story. I know nothing about any of the plays. I tend to be more a musical person any way.

Top Contenders for leading actor in a musical 

Hair 

West Side Story 

Billy Elliot
Top Contender for leading actress in a musical Billy Ellliot

 West Side Story 

Shrek
Top Contenders for best scenic design 

HAIR

Billy Elliot

 A Tale Of Two Cities
Top Contenders for Best Choreography 

Billy Elliot 

HAIR

 9 to 5

Best Supporting Actress 

West Side Story

 9 to 5

 HAIR
Best Supporting Actor 

Billy Elliot 

HAIR West 

Side Story 

13
Best Costume Design 

Shrek

13 

Billy Ellliot

Backstage tour @ HAIR pictures

Been so busy lately so I finally got around to posting these pictures from my backstage tour at HAIR. There are not a whole lot of them.

Top to Bottom:  Me and Jay, Jay's Dressing Room, 2 pics of the set

The Underground Tour a successful endeavor

L

Top to Bottom Chris Michaud, Permanent Holiday and the tshirt with the list of bands

Upcoming Events

May 8th- Signals An Evening of Movement and Dance NEC Annual Movement Concert
May 9th The Boyfriend Riverbend Youth Company ( see below post for preview article)
mid may Evening of Dance at Souhegan High School
June 5th- Benefit concert my sister is doing for Ethics Forum to raise funds for a school they are building in Sierra Leone.
June 11th-17th *exact day we are going to see the show to be determined* Straw Hat Revue @ NLBP


Today I went to the spring carnival at my college. It was nothing too exciting.. it was actually quite a lot better last year. My friend Steph Murphy has her own radio show called The Underground and she organized a concert as part of the spring carnival called The Underground Tour which is actually still going on as we speak. My boyfriend and I had to leave early just because of the fact we had a long day of travel and have a busy couple of days ahead of both of us. The Underground Tour consisted of local bands and musicians from New Hampshrire and Masschuetts and there was one band who played that was from upstate New York. The bands and muscians that performed/ are stilll perfoming are as follows: My Favorite Ex, The Yellow Team, Famous, Project 27, Permenant Holiday, As We Look To The Sky and Chris Michaud. The three performances we were able to see were Permanant Holiday, My Favorite Ex and Chris Michaud. Permanant Holiday was pop rock and they were pretty good. My Favorite Ex was more alternative and they were pretty decent as well. Chris Michaud was an an acoustic guitarist and I think he was my favorite out of the three because his songs were really easy for me to relate to and very enjoyable for me to listen too.

Great job Steph for organizing such a fun event I look foward to coming next year!

Recent Milford Cabinet Article

The BoyFriend to bring a taste of the 20s to audiences

By Janine Leffler

The Riverbend Youth Company, a program of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, is proud to present their spring musical production, The Boy Friend, at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts.
The light hearted musical, based in the 1920’s, was written by Sandy Wilson. The production staff consists of Bruce Williams (director and choreographer), Susan Reilley(Musical Director) and Toby Tarnow (Producer).
This lively and entertaining musical takes place at a girl’s finishing school in the South of France during the 1920s. During that time, girls were sent to finishing schools to become elegant hostesses and wives, but first they had to find Boy Friends! The Boy Friend is a fast moving spoof of the musicals of the 20s with period costumes, plenty of catchy songs and wonderful dance numbers that include the Charleston, the Tango and the Hot Potato! Bring the family to this pleasant trip to the Riviera!
The cast consists of Katie Hammes, Aly McKnight, Nicholas Hammes, Ruth Kemmner, Arienne Stearns, Andi Aiken, Emi Sano,Annie Riely, Patrick Quinn, Joesph Harris, Lucas Nevrla, Katrina Feraco, Jon Hamel, Patrick McKinght, Elly Bannon, Harry Granfors, Hannah Vaccaro, Kent Meggelet, Haley Aiken, Paige Craven, Emma Griggs, Tess Karlon, Brenna McClain, Kayla Worral and Issac Nevrla.
A majority of the cast members previously worked together in the One Act Play Festival in March. According to the cast, the best part of this play has been being able to work together again. Aly McKnight, a sophomore at Souhegan High School, also added that she enjoys the fact that she gets to work with students from different schools such as Milford, BG and Wilton Lyndeborough.
Learning the dance styles of the 20s has been the biggest challenge. Joe Harris has found it difficult to learn how to waltz while Aly McKnight says that she is not used to being the leader in dance numbers. Other challenges cast members have faced include memorizing lines and mastering the various foreign accents.
Ruth Kammelar says the thing she likes the best about playing her character, Maize, is that Maize is boy crazy just like Ruth is in real life. Joe Harris said the thing he likes best about playing his character, Percival Browne, is that he is really stuck up and snobby, a personality that is unlike his own.

Performances are May 8, 9 & 15 at 7:30pm; May 10, 16 & 17 at 2:00pm. NOTE: SATURDAY MAY 16TH PERFORMANCE AT 2:00pm. 56 Mont Vernon Street, Milford New Hampshire. Tickets are $12 for Adults and $8 for Seniors and Students and are for sale now at Toadstool Bookstore in Milford or by calling 672-1002 x 20. Group rates available.