VENGEANCE IS THE LORD'S: Turkey Time

Kris Holmes serves up a feast

It's time for a family dinner. Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and Easter all happen onstage at the Huntington's production of VENGEANCE IS THE LORD'S. Read all about it on BU Today.

The Huntington Theatre Company's Production of Vengeance is the Lord's  is playing November 12 through December 12, 2010 at the Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston MA. For tickets and information click here or call our box office at 617 266-0800

Thanks for a great Evening with Sutton Foster!

contributed by Michelle Cicerano

Peter DuBois, Sutton Foster, and Michael Maso
celebrate following the show

On behalf of the entire Development team, I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone involved with the many pieces of the puzzle that all came together so beautifully for Monday night's fundraising events and performance of An Evening with Sutton Foster!

From the very beginning, several departments, along with our Board co-chairs Neal Balkowitsch, Anne Cucchairo, John Frishkopf and Debbie Lewis, pulled together to help conceive the event and to make it all happen, and I am extremely proud of our teamwork and grateful to have had the wonderful support of so many co-workers. We couldn't have done it without you, and everyone did such an outstanding job!

We are still tallying the financial results, but based on the raves we've been getting from guests, the evening was an overwhelming success. The dinner party guests had a fabulous time, and if you were in the audience last night, you know how truly spectacular Sutton's performance was. It was a very special moment for the Huntington to have her here with us!

There was a real warmth to the entire event and our guests sincerely enjoyed the various dinners and venues, the outstanding performance and, of course, the post-show reception with Sutton.

What did you you think of the show? I downloaded her album WISH from iTunes on the way home myself...

TCG: Stage Matters

contributed by Todd Williams

Here's a really interesting video about how/why theatre matter from some of our friends from around the country and right here in Boston. You might be surprised. Produced by our friends at TCG. It's a little small here - so I recommend you watch it full screen.


Stage Matters from Theatre Communications Group on Vimeo.


Why does Theatre matter to you?

Judgement Day: Richard III The Musical?

The actors of Propeller Theatre Company all do double duty, playing characters in both Richard III and The Comedy of Errors, the two plays that will be performed in repertory when Propeller visits the Huntington in the spring.  Jon Trenchard does triple duty; in addition to playing Lady Anne/Mayor in Richard III and Dromio of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors, he is also responsible for arranging the music for the plays. Below, he writes about the music of Richard III. To read his first blog about the music, click here

Judgement Day is nigh! We have just a day and a half left of technical rehearsal before our first preview in Coventry on Thursday. We still have lots of ideas for the play, and lots could change even now. For example, the soundscape of the show will become quite different now that we are rehearsing in a theatre: our new sound designer, David, can now add not only reverb effects to our voices, but also other recorded sounds – a feature that would controversially break from Propeller's tradition of producing all sound effects live from the stage! I think recorded sounds could be really effective for the eerie ghost scene in the second half... But the jury is still out on all these ideas, so good luck to Ed [Hall, Propeller’s artistic director] and the creative team who will be making final decisions this week to sort the wheat from the chaff!

RUINED Actor's Blog: Adrien Roberts

Ruined is currently in rehearsals at La Jolla Playhouse and will come to the Huntington in Boston. Actor Adrian Roberts offers an inside look at the process.

Greetings from the Congo,

We have been in rehearsal now for two weeks. It has been both inspiring and challenging. The cast and stage management staff have immersed ourselves in the world of this play. From doing choreography with Randy Duncan to dialect work with Robert Barry Fleming, we have begun forming our piece. The work has been fantastic and everyone is digging deep, but we have just begun to scratch the tip of the iceberg. Liesl [Tommy, the director] has created an environment that is both challenging and fun to explore and play in. Again, I cannot stress enough, by doing this kind of work and living in the culture, I am struck by how we are all connected. This story belongs to everybody. Until next time.

Best regards,

– Adrian, November 2, 2010

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds.” – B. Marley

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Adrien Roberts is playing Commander Ossembenga in Ruined. He previously appeared in the Huntington's production of A Raisin in the Sun. Other credits includeTough Titty (Magic Theatre), Playboy of the West Indies(Lincoln Center Theatre), Top Dog Under Dog(Sacramento Theatre Co.), and First Person Shooter (San Francisco Playhouse).

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The Huntington Theatre Company production of Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning Ruined plays January 7 - February 6, 2011 at the Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. For tickets and information click here or call our Box Office at 617 266-0800

Aiming High: The Richard III Requiem Mass

The actors of Propeller Theatre Company all do double duty, playing characters in both Richard III and The Comedy of Errors, the two plays that will be performed in repertory when Propeller visits the Huntington in the spring.  Jon Trenchard does triple duty; in addition to playing Lady Anne/Mayor in Richard III and Dromio of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors, he is also responsible for arranging the music for the plays. Below, he writes about the music of Richard III.

When Ed offered me Lady Anne in Richard III a few months ago, my first response was to stifle a rather girly "whoop" of excitement: it's a role I've always thought was really hard to play, and therefore a brilliant challenge for me! However, my next reaction was more down to business: what musical ideas did Ed have for the play? You see, for the last tour of The Merchant of Venice, I spent a significant proportion of the rehearsal process arranging music for the production when I really should have been learning lines, so this time around I wanted to get a musical head start...

Shirley, VT Young Artist Blogs: Gregory Pember

From Gregory Pember ("Jared" in SpeakEasy Stage Company's production of Body Awareness):

It’s hard to imagine that in two weeks I will no longer be a part of this amazing show or working so intimately with this creative and supportive cast.  This show holds a very special place in my heart and always will because it is about the love of a family and every night we get to reshape and tell this family’s story.  It also holds a special place because I get to be back in Boston, a city that throughout my four years at the Conservatory I grew to call my “home away from home.”  I feel very comfortable in this city and it’s been so awesome to have the opportunity to reconnect with those at school who have supported me so much in the past.

The show has definitely changed some shape throughout these past three weeks of performances and it’s always interesting and fun to compare audiences’ reactions to the show from night to night.  Some nights the show seems to almost ride this tidal wave of laughter whilst other nights the audience is much more subdued and sensitive to the issues that the four of us are dealing with onstage.  This is one of the things I like most about the play: Annie Baker does not tell the audience how to feel and she allows them many opportunities to form their own opinions about the characters and the situations at hand.  This has also taught me not to rely on any consistent audience reactions when performing the show, which really keeps me on my toes as an actor.  It has also been cool to share our backstage with the cast of Circle Mirror Transformation and to get to know some of their cast and hear about their process and how audiences are reacting to their show.  It is a very exciting festival to be a part of and I look forward to actually being able to see the other two shows this week!  I am also looking forward to two talkbacks that are happening after the show this Sunday as well as after next Saturday’s matinee.  We’ve already had one actor-audience talkback and it was awesome!  It was such a great chance to connect with the audience after the show and hear about what they thought as well as answer any questions that they had for us.  Honestly, I would love to do a talkback after every performance!  I think it is such a gift to hear an audience’s perspective firsthand and immediately following the show when everything is still fresh in their minds.  I would love for people to come participate in the talkbacks after these shows and share your experience of the play with the cast!  Thank you to everyone who has come to support SpeakEasy and this show and it has been an honor performing in Boston again.  I can’t wait for these next two weeks of shows!  See you at the theater!

My Night in Shirley

Meg Wieder

Contributed by Meg Wieder, education department manager
 

As most of my time is spent working with high school students, it’s always a great pleasure when I am able to utilize my teaching skills with a group of adults. Annie Baker’s Circle Mirror Transformation is currently playing, and I have just spent an incredible night in her world of Shirley, Vermont.
 

Our Marketing Department decided that it would be a nice touch, and great fun, if we offered pre-show theatre games for our patrons coming to see Annie Baker’s Circle Mirror Transformation, a play comprised mostly of these games. Knowing that it would help audience members connect to the play on a deeper level, we in Education were eager and happy to offer our services by leading the classes.
 

Annie Baker includes some incredible and important theatre games in her script. The Counting Game, Explosion Tag, One Word Story, and of course, Circle Mirror Transformation. We offered the pre-show class before 4 performances throughout the month of November, and I had the pleasure of teaching the one last night.

Shirley, VT Young Artist Blogs: Marie Polizzano

From Marie Polizzano ("Lauren" in Circle Mirror Transformation):

Marie Polizzano

So here we are, only ONE more week left of Circle Mirror Transformation. I have to admit, I am already feeling a bit blue! This experience has been incredibly special to me for so many reasons, and I keep learning something new (about the play, or about myself, or about the art of making theatre) with each performance we do.  I will miss the routine of going to the theatre each night and of seeing my fellow cast-mates and crew members.  But as this play so beautifully reminds us: Life is a circle. Things come and things go. Here's to a celebratory and exciting last week of the run! And to the hope that theatre will bring us another opportunity to work together again!

With only one week to go, I find myself reflecting on all the things I love about doing this show . . .
One of my favorite onstage moments in this play is when we are all onstage playing the game "Circle Mirror Transformation." This is the only part of the play that is unscripted. In other words, we play the game every night for real, and it is totally improvised and new each time. The spontaneity of this game is so exciting and refreshing! I look forward to it every night.

RUINED Actor's Blog: Adrien Roberts

Ruined is currently in rehearsals at La Jolla Playhouse and will come to the Huntington in Boston. Actor Adrian Roberts offers an inside look at the process.
 

The Ruined cast for the La Jolla Playhouse/Huntington Theatre Company/Berkley Rep production, directed by Liesl Tommy, gathered in NYC on October 14 for three days of table work before coming to the Playhouse for rehearsals. Meeting everybody for the first time was great; we all seemed to click right away. I think it’s really important for the cast to be close, not only because we’re going to be together for a long haul, but especially when dealing with the subject matter of this play.
 

Ruined deals with the complicated armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the war being waged against women with sexual violence. We started out by watching a few documentaries. The first was King Leopold’s Ghost, an adaptation of Adam Hochschild’s book about Belgian King Leopold the II. He looted the Congo of its natural resources in the late 19th century by enslaving the Congolese and wreaking all manner of human rights abuses and atrocities on them. His exploits paved the way for what is happening in the Congo today.
 

VENGEANCE: All in the family

contributed by Todd Williams

Roberta Wallach

Roberta Wallach, who plays mom Margaret Horvath in Vengeance is the Lord's, will soon be celebrating with her Dad - Eli Wallach. The occasion? An honorary Oscar celebrating Mr. Wallach's lifetime achievement - just in time for his 95th birthday. You know Eli - or I think you will as soon as you see the photos in this NY Times article (written by Mr. Wallach's nephew A.O. Scott).

Congrats!

The Huntington Theatre Company's Production of Vengeance is the Lord's  is playing November 12 through December 12, 2010 at the Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston MA. For tickets and information click here or call our box office at 617 266-0800

In the News: CIRCLE MIRROR... and VENGEANCE...

Contributed by Rebecca Curtiss, communications manager

With all that we've got happening at the Huntington these days, it's not surprising that we've been popping up in the news. In case you missed them the first time around, here are a few items you may want to check out.
Betsy Aidem (Marty) in Circle Mirror Transformation, photo by T. Charles Erickson

Regarding Circle Mirror Transformation, our offering in The Shirley, VT Plays festival, which closes this Sunday:

• Circle Mirror... director Melia Bensussen and the other Shirley directors discussed the festival and Annie Baker on "The Callie Crossley Show" on WGBH-FM (89.7).
• WBUR-FM (90.9) critic-at-large Ed Siegel gave a Circle Mirror... and the other plays terrific reviews.
• EDGEBoston.com ran a great review, too.
  
• A feature on the City's Best website ran about actress Betsy Aidem (Marty).

Larry Pine (Mathew Horvath) in Vengeance is the Lord's, photo by Bryce Vickmark

Regarding Vengeance is the Lord's, our upcoming world premiere that begins performances this Friday: The Patriot Ledger and sister Community/Tab newspapers ran a feature on playwright Bob Glaudini.

Watch out for The Boston Globe feature about Glaudini, director Peter DuBois, and the production in this Friday's paper.

Which media outlets or blogs do you rely on for your news about theatre?

Circle Mirror Transformation plays at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA through Sunday, November 14. Vengeance is the Lord's plays at the B.U. Theatre November 12 through December 12. Tickets are available online, by phone at 617 266-0800, or at the B.U. Theatre (264 Huntington Avenue) or Calderwood Pavilion (527 Tremont Street) Box Offices.

VENGEANCE IS THE LORD'S: from shops to stage

contributed by Rebecca Bailan

It’s nice to see how the puzzle pieces fit together to create something great. A week ago, the pieces of production for Vengeance in the Lord’s were still in their shops. But since then the staff have been busy making a masterpiece on stage. With dress rehearsal so soon, it’s no surprise that they've got their stuff together.

 

The costume designer has given a starting point, said Virginia Emerson. Now all that has to be done is to see how the costumes look on stage, or next to the set, or on the actors. Nothing is final. Since this is a modern show, there will still be changes made to the outfits as the designer and the director, Peter DuBois, see them on stage. Virginia has also been arranging the necessary paperwork to determine what quick changes will need to be done backstage.

The paint shop is on their way as well. They are currently trying to catch up with all the changes being made. Most of the things that I’ve seen them working on are already set up on stage and looking great. Now they just need to do the last minute jobs like working on the shelves for the kitchen, adding more exterior details, finishing up the bathroom door, and aging the windows and door knobs. After seeing how most of the set looks on stage, Pecan said that they decided to build an extra doorway with a curtain to hide the staircase. They are also working on the telephone poles to go “outside” for the play.

Props is in the same boat as the other shops. They are basically done with the big things—it’s just the little things that need work. All they plan to do, said Kris, is see what’s missing and see what everything looks like under the lights. At this point, it’s all about the details to help the director and designer further tell the story.

That’s it for now. I’m excited to see how the dress rehearsal goes and if any changes will be made once we see how everything looks on stage.

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The Huntington Theatre Company's Production of Vengeance is the Lord's  is playing November 12 through December 12, 2010 at the Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston MA. For tickets and information click here or call our box office at 617 266-0800