From Bratty to Brave....by Thomas Putnam I'm afraid I've been a whiner the past few months. Being in a full-leg brace with a full-leg stocking underneath in 90 degree weather is just hard; so I'm afraid I've been whining about it. Trying to pick stuff off the floor whilst in a wheelchair? Waaa! Ever tried to sit down on a toilet with no handicapped bars and keeping your left leg completely straight? Yea, it's whine-able. Carrying a plate of food while walking with crutches. WAAA! I'm also working on a musical called MARY POPPINS and in this musical—on stage more than anyone else—are two bratty children. Jane and Michael Banks. In the film they were just kinda Disney cute; in the stage musical you feel like dropping them off at some animal rescue spot. They are brats. Whiners. They're sassy to nanny's and selfish about toys and patronizing to hired help. And did I say these two characters are on stage more than anyone in the cast? And they sing. And dance. And are brats. Where in the world (or Tioga County) would we find such youngsters? It's both the exciting part and the scary part of holding auditions; one never knows who might show up. We had about 10 kids audition. I thought there'd be more, but...one never knows. I cast two kids, one of whom I had worked with in CATS Jr this spring, and one I had never seen before. Give 'em the script and hope for the best. And the best is what we got. These two kids are nailing these characters. Sing? Like pop stars. Dance? Maybe not Fred and Ginger, but they work like crazy on all the moves Taylor Nickerson throws at them. British accents? Like Charles and Camilla. Bratty? Well, it took some time, since these two are just simply nice, cooperative kids; bratty is foreign to them. But now, those early scenes in the musical are filled with these two bratty kids. But then the Nanny arrives along with her host of angelic chimney sweeps who somehow help these kids—and all of us—realize that whining just doesn't cut it for anyone. There's a transformation (the stuff of any good script/story) and the eyes are opened. It's scary to realize that not all things are going to be rosy and self-serving and easy and good. Jane and Michael learn to be brave and face some pretty difficult challenges. And Adailya and Collin get it. How we were able to get these two young actors in this show has been a very welcomed blessing. They were brave to come to auditions. They have been brave to jump in a cast of almost all adults and learn three huge dance numbers. They sing a lot through the show; sometimes with the whole chorus, and other times solos! How many adults are brave enough to stand in front of thirty adults while singing solos? They have been brave enough to even imagine getting in front of a large audience (here's hoping!) and sharing the lives of these two characters as they move from being bratty to brave.
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ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN... by Thomas Putnam
There's a new song in the stage version of MARY POPPINS that was not in the film. It comes toward the end of the show and, in effect, summarizes the nanny's whole mission in life. She directs her mission primarily to the members of a family that is falling apart. Father, mother, two kids just don't know how to connect with each other. The nanny arrives and convinces them not to get bogged down with despair or pessimism, but to re-frame the situation realizing that anything can happen. “Anything can happen, raise the curtain. Things you thought impossible will soon seem certain...” Eight weeks ago I fell resulting in an operation on my leg and the news was that I should expect to lead a “boring” summer, staying off my leg, in a wheel chair or at best crutches. I'm fairly active throughout the year, but late spring and summer is full of outdoor activity for me. Add to that a large scale musical...and a day camp for kids exploring theatre arts. “Life is out there waiting, so go and get it...” Yeah, right. How the heck was I supposed to go and get it when I couldn't even drive or move any faster than a tentative creep? The realization that I simply could not accomplish most of what I had planned for the summer, and that perhaps the best route would be to cancel the camp and the musical. “Sally forth the way we're steering. Obstacles start disappearing...” I began asking individuals for help; to take just a portion of the whole—both in terms of camp and in terms of the musical. We had already had auditions and we had a good cast in place so I really didn't want to have to miss this show, or the camp. One by one people joined the project and took responsibility for various aspects of these two projects. One by one I realized that these people could actually fulfill that responsibility. Little by little I realized these things may actually happen. “Anything can happen...” Camp last week was wonderful. Nearly 50 kids all singing and dancing and acting and making connections and listening and growing. Anything can happen...especially with a committed staff who put together all the pieces of the puzzle. Last night we had our first full run-through of MARY POPPINS. It was an amazing experience. How the heck did this all happen? How did all the pieces of this puzzle fit into place? “Though at first it may sound clownish, See the world more upside-downish...” So far it's been a summer that I would not have imagined, but it's turning out to be not so bad. Hope you can share the joy of Mary Poppins next week at Straughn Auditorium at MU. “Anything can happen...if you let it.” THE HIGHLANDS FOR KIDS by Barbara Biddison I have been going to performances created during theatre camps for Hamilton-Gibson young people for many years now.. It is always a joy to see what can happen in such a short period of time. The June 2023 Theatre Arts Camp was at the Tioga County Fairgrounds during the last week of the month. It concluded with afternoon and evening performances featuring the 40-some kids in the highlands of Scotland. Quite a trip, wouldn't you say? From Tioga County Fairgrounds to the Highlands of Scotland! There were three "clans'" (each with 13 -15 individuals) and each clan "dramatized"a story. Titles for the 3 were for the audience to contemplate: "The Man Without a Heart," and "The Black Bull of Norroway," and "Rashie Coat." Frankly, there was so much action and story details as voiced by individuals to keep track of that I felt just pulled along to wherever the story would take me. The whole thing was great fun. The audience was full for the afternoon show. We sat with parents and friends and sponsors and anonymous donors and all were attentive and receptive and just thoroughly enjoying themselves. Thanks to Thomas Putnam who makes sure that this camp happens, and to all the staff and guest presenters who enrich and empower the lives of these kids. Many of these young people have never been on stage before, and some have given acting a bit of a try in HG shows and are game to try it again. Some will decide that this is fun and enriching and empowering and will go on to be in more HG shows and beyond that to adult theatre, on stage, or off as members of the audience. I was 16 when I first found myself on stage in a character totally unlike my own age or gender or place in a family. This older woman still holds that teenage experience as a vivid memory. Many of these kids will hold the Highlands in like thought of enrichment. WHAT'S A VILLAIN DOING IN A COOKIE SHOP? BY Barbara Biddison Here's the perfect reason to get off your feet following a full morning and/or afternoon. Plan to relax after exploring Laurel Festival activities and food and chatting with friends. Head for the Warehouse Theatre where you'll find "Melodrama at the Festival The Old Cookie Shop" in performance. It's a bit shorter than an hour, and I enjoyed my time at a dress rehearsal. The sweet Rosie O'Grady (Breeze-lyn Bronkoski) captures your heart from the very beginning, and you really don't like Mortimer Whiplash, the cruel banker (David Gordon), so that gets you started. And everything will be turned around and flip-flopped by the time the doctor (Herb Johnson ) arrives to explain it all. And Thomas Bishop as the "love-interest" has led the audience to believe that all will be well. There really isn't much to keep track of in this story, but that's how melodramas are.. This is Titus Himmelburger's second melodrama to direct during a Laurel Festival weekend. He has a real feel for the spirit of fun and simple story and stock characters, and the actors follow his lead. And the piano! Don't forget the piano which moves us right along in good spirit throughout the entire play. This show is appropriate for all ages. Even the very youngest will "get it" and an adult can easily prepare kids for the overacting which is part of a melodrama. All will also enjoy the "encouraged" audience participation. They can/should laugh and cry and cheer and boo throughout the play. I think it's fun for children/teens/adults to behave in ways that are usually considered rude or disturbing! Nobody can resist the invitation to, in a sense, be part of the play! So, c'mon...have a COOKIE. ALL GOOD THINGS by Barbara Biddison
Well, these good things are not, to my knowledge, coming to an end, in any permanent sort of way, but both have reached a point when we appreciate the "intermission" where we gather our thoughts and reflect on what we've accomplished. Always a good thing to do. Sunday afternoon, May 21, featured the HG Spring Choir at the Presbyterian Church. It was packed. I sat in the back row, could see perfectly and hear pleasurably. We heard CHILDREN'S CHOIR TOO, and these littlest ones are not only fun to listen to but lovely to watch as well. It is a joy to see children that young actually paying attention to their director. And we heard CHILDREN'S CHOIR (which is next up in age and the first group when HG kids began singing). And then the YOUTH CHOIR which is basically high school gals and guys. Such concerts always take me back to my own long-ago high school days in Mc Allen High School where we had an extraordinary director who rehearsed our ACapella Choir before school because so many football players wanted to sing and football practice was after school. Then he added the Methodist Church to his choir directing, and we all became Methodists for the time. These music experiences live for a long time with a person. Now for the other regular programming that has gone on break for the summer. Acting Up began in2002 and Larry and I began co-coordinating this idea in 2005. It is still going now with very few changes in concept. We get together and we read aloud. No memorizing. Just speaking with expression and listening. The basic format each 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month is simple. All who gather are invited to find and practice a short bit to offer to the group. Everyone listens to these offerings with interest and appreciation. Then whichever of the two of us is "in charge" provides copies of a short play or several poems or anything that "reads aloud well." We never know who's going to show up. Numbers range from 8 to 20, but about 12-18 is usual. Some stay with us for decades and others just show up and continue when they can. So now we are on break for the summer. We're meeting on the 2nd floor of the Deane Center now, in one of the smaller group rooms. It's handicapped accessible in every way. including elevator as well as stairs. This kind of reading and listening stays with a person for a long time as well. Good things. THE MOONS OF JUPITER ARE RISING by Barbara Biddison I've cared passionately about HGWP since we created it and named it in 2016. And here we are with a full length play featuring all genders in a large cast. I sat in on a rehearsal a few days ago, about a week before opening, and I was enchanted. I'm only somewhat familiar with the play, having read it and then having sat in on a 'read-around' with 20-some others, but I'm not involved in directing/acting/set-building/tech for the production. So it is all a treat for me! Lilace is directing and Jessie is working on the set, and my cast list has about 20 names on it. Keep in mind that about a week from opening almost anything could happen, which might include things that I didn't see. I'll just move right into a couple sets of characters that intrigued, and amused, me. Actors Dawn and Nikki and Yolie and Rachel jump right into the skins of Newton and Galileo and Einstein and Darwin. Who would have expected to see them there? And who could have guessed how clueless they are about some things? They don't seem to have many "life skills" as such, but they are great fun to watch. (It's sorta like going to see a Beatles concert assuming you will hear familiar tunes and discovering that they don't know how to tune a guitar.) And then there is Zeus and his amorous relationship. And three of his daughters, all goddesses. And you can't miss the astrophysicist!. Or Cody as son of the king of the gods. Many audience members will remember Diamond and Nikki and Megan from last year's INTO THE BREECHES.. Back to the overriding premise, the earth is running out of water!! We are talking about climate change here, and there comes the reason that one performance day falls on the real Earth Day on this real earth that we all live on. They have to substitute vodka for water at times. Staging is simple. Actually the total stage picture was not in performance-ready order when I sat in for an hour or so. But I did see a raised "mini-stage", and on it I saw an ornate "throne" belonging to Zeus (and perhaps to others when the whole story is told).. Now the Greek Chorus was not called to be present for this rehearsal, but I know that there is one and I look forward to such an addition. I heard that they even do some Beetles songs There are many twists and turns, so come to the show ready to pay attention, to laugh, to figure things out. It's in the Warehouse Theatre and plays April 21, 22, 23. Frost and Thompson and Brandt and Wordle by Thomas Putnam The NYT Wordle word the other day was “staid.” I mentioned on FB that I liked the word; it seems hopeful to me, even comforting. A person commented that it's in one of the songs that the Festival Chorus at MU is singing in a few weeks; lyrics a poem by Robert Frost with music by Randall Thompson. It's the last word in the last song of the song cycle called “Frostiana.” The song is “Choose Something Like a Star” and it ends like this: It asks of us a certain height, So when at times the mob is swayed To carry praise or blame too far, We may choose something like a star To stay our minds on and be staid. It could very well be my imagination, but it seems like there is increasing incidence these days wherein the “mob is swayed to carry praise or blame too far.” Public opinion seems to change direction as quickly as the climate-changed wind veers one way and then another way and then back again. We're producing a play this September called Elephant's Graveyard by George Brandt. It is a disturbing play. It is a play wherein the “mob is swayed to carry praise or blame too far.” I saw a play at the Geva in Rochester last week about Russian manipulation of American social media in a recent election. Oh, my. It seems evident that our American mob was indeed, swayed. Frost suggests we choose something like a star. Something steadfast. Something that can use language we can comprehend. This “something” does, indeed, ask a little of us here; we have some responsibility. But, oh to have something we can go to, depend upon; something “to stay our minds on and be staid.” I hope we can dialogue about this in the coming months. I urge you to join me at the Festival Chorus Concert in late April at MU. I urge you to get tickets to see Elephant's Graveyard in September. I urge you to stop and chat about it when you see me on the street. Heck, I even urge you to play Wordle every morning. And I invite you to “choose something like a star.” THE VERY FULL WEEKEND by Barbara Biddison I think Hamilton-Gibson, Mansfield University, and Cowanesque Valley HS all got together and said, "Could we all plan together and do a show on the same weekend, so that our theatre lovers would have a show every afternoon and every night?? And they all said YES, and we audience members obliged! So here's how I did it with family and friends. Friday, March 3. Opening Night for EXIT LAUGHING. Hamilton-Gibson. The threat of challenging snow had us all wondering if we would have it. Well, there was some snow and slush and rain, but the show went on and about 30 of us enjoyed laughing the stormy night away. When we got out, there was only a bit of rain and no significant snow accumulation. And the sound of 30 people laughing was enough to keep the cast of five going! We all stayed for the Opening Night party/gathering/food and conversation after the show. And, as far as I know, all got home safely. It's a really fun show with 3 who have been on the HG stage before, and 2 who are new to us. Thomas Putnam directs. There are three more shows, next Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and I plan to see it again on Sunday the 12th at 2:30. Saturday, March 4. In the middle of a March 2-5 run for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Mansfield University. I have seen lotsa shows in this Straughn Auditorium Theatre, and this time Straughn was packed!! Children, MU students, and community of all ages. The pre-show energy was high. The show was powerful. The singing was outstanding! And the dancing and blocking, and the dialogue, and the costumes, and... everything! And except for a few characters it was double cast. Peter Davis directed. Todd Ranney was music director. Alexandra Fisher and Rebecca Hawkinds were choreographers. And the chandelier was positioned to come down without frightening the audience under it! I think it's safe to say that we were all captured by the talent and dedication of everyone involved. Then there was Sunday, March 5. And off we went to see MATILDA THE MUSICAL produced by the Cowanesque Valley HS Drama Club. Our dear friend from past HG days, David Wert, is director of theatre there. Last year he produced CHICAGO and this year he has gone in a whole different direction with these young people and given them Roald Dahl's MATILDA. And they grabbed hold of it and ran with it. I just love to see young people do this. And I know that it takes that kind of director to get that kind of performance. They are fortunate to have an orchestra of local professional musicians to play with them, and the whole group sings well. I counted 37 "cast and crew bios" and I think only 4 of those are adults. The students really plug into this theatre experience and it is a joy to watch them perform. Yes, it sure was a good weekend. I'm full, for the moment. I'LL BET YOU'LL EXIT LAUGHING by Barbara Biddison On Wednesday night I saw a "next-to-final dress rehearsal" for this Hamilton-Gibson comedy called EXIT LAUGHING There were 4 of us in the chairs that we hope to have filled on Friday night. My favorite comments from two of them when the show was over were variations on "Now, that was funny!" The three bridge-playing women have been gathering together for years and they have come together to mourn the loss of the fourth She's gone , but her ashes have arrived and somehow found their way to the house where the foursome played together. We don't know what the fourth member was like, but we soon see how different the other three are. It makes for lively and crazy interactions .As well as for wondering how the deceased woman's ashes got there, and what to do about it. There is also the daughter who lives in that house, and she makes it clear that her lovelife is in shambles and there is no hope for her to ever have any kind of guy and everything is ruined! Then in walks a fellow who has taken on a pretty unusual job in order to earn money for his very ambitious future plans. These five carry the show with the help of a cat that we never see and one dead person's ashes. Now I'm just assuming and hoping that we'll have a fine night for opening on Friday and that this wonderful cast can play to a full house. I plan to be there. I should also mention that HG has gone back to two Sunday matinee shows instead of just one. I think I'll see it again on the second Sunday just to see what it's like, and because I like to see shows twice. This is a fine cast. It's been a while since we have seen Natalie Kennedy,, and it is a pleasure to see Deb Sawyer back on the HG stage again. And a couple first-timers too. I encourage all to step out for an evening of good humor. WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU HEARD PAUL MCCARTNEY DIED? By Thomas Putnam I can remember when the news broke about Paul McCartney's death. I had this huge wave of despair and emptiness and heavy sadness. I can remember where I was, lying on the couch in our living room. Somehow, however, I seem to remember it in the living room of my childhood and not the one of my high school years; somehow the dates don't match up. I know I couldn't have imagined such news, but how do the dates not match up? The rumor began, I think in '66 and really gained speed in '69. Radio and records were not really a big thing for me when I was growing up. The Beatles were certainly part of the landscape, and I clearly remember watching the Ed Sullivan Show in '64 and wondering why everyone was screaming, but thinking “Oh, that would be kinda cool to have everyone screaming for me.” Yeah...well...at that point I couldn't play guitar or drums or write songs; though I wasn't particularly thrilled with “Yeah, yeah, yeah” as anything of much worth. A whole host of forgotten memories have been flooding back the past few months as the HG Choirs prepare for an “All Beatles” concert on March 18 and 19. I'm not sure how the idea came about, but one morning as I was slowly waking up (slowly seems to be the operative word these days for my mornings) the thought kept wafting through my brain that there are so many incredibly good songs written by the Beatles that our HG kids ought to sing some of them. A REALITY CHECK hit me when I realized that some of these songs are nearly 60 years old. These kids weren't born yet. Heck, some of their parents and grandparents hadn't been born yet. I'm seeing this as an educational experience for these kids who love to sing. As I began to introduce the songs to them, a few kids admitted they had never even heard of the Beatles, let alone such haunting tunes and lyrics found in “Eleanor Rigby” or “Yesterday.” I asked them a few weeks ago what was the appeal of the song “Blackbird” and one of them said “It's comforting.” One said they could identify with Eleanor Rigby, “...wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door.” And “Ob La Di Ob La Da” sure is a lot of fun to sing. And what is the back story to these characters: Jude and Eleanor and Lucy and Desmond? Yeah, I remember when I heard that McCartney had died, but I'm so glad he didn't and I'm so glad that I can explore these songs with cool harmonies and haunting melodies and challenging lyrics with the HG singers. (Well, maybe not “yeah, yeah, yeah.”) Hope you can join us and Penny Eckman and Houston Baker and his band on March 18 and 19 at the Coolidge. |
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