Playing The Barn

Fishing For Laughs

2012-02-28T08:16:00.003-08:00

If time flies when you’re having fun, then it’s no wonder that the three-week run of Whose Wives Are They Anyway? has flown by so fast. I have thoroughly enjoyed being in this show. Every night is a new opportunity to make people laugh. We even get a few titters with the pre-show announcement that warns patrons to “Have fun … or else.” Once the characters are introduced and the plot is set, the audience is quickly engaged in the action. The laughter builds slowly as the seemingly straight-laced characters begin to lose their inhibitions and engage in increasingly outrageous behavior. We get some chuckles and giggles at first. By the time “Mrs. McGachen” – played by Geoff Wehner – is revealed, the snickers and snorts have turned into hoots, chortles and cackles. The audience loosens up as the characters lose their decorum. Before long, the sustained laughter swells throughout the theater, and as actors, we have to hold … and hold … and hold some more until the laughter finally ebbs enough to say our next lines.

Some of my best laughs are induced by my reactions or “takes” to what other characters are saying or doing. My character Wilson, a cantankerous old handyman, is often in the wrong place at just the right time to witness many of the shenanigans. My signature line is “I don’t believe it!” which I say – or silently mouth – no less than 18 times. Getting the biggest laugh often depends on split-second timing. Comedy is like fly fishing: You have to start with a good lure, garner attention through movement, land your line at the perfect time, and punch the right word to set the hook. Then you can reel them in. Once the feeding frenzy begins, the laughter builds and become contagious, and the audience swallows the jokes “hook, line and sinker” and keep on laughing till it hurts. After the show, a number of patrons have said to me “My face hurts from laughing so much!” That kind of laughter is certainly music to my ears.

Whose Wives Are They Anyway? has three more performances: Thursday March 1, Friday March 2 and Saturday March 3. Don’t let the last laugh be on you! Get your tickets before they’re gone at www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

WWATA? LOL or ROTFLYAO!

2012-02-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Laurel Stroud, Maureen Mansfield and Mary Ann Tweedie
during rehearsal for Whose Wives?

While this headline may look like some cryptic text message from your teenage daughter, what I am saying is that Whose Wives Are They Anyway? (“WWATA?”) will definitely leave you Laughing Out Loud (“LOL”) or more likely, Rolling On The Floor Laughing Your Ass Off (“ROTFLYAO”).

Tonight (Friday February 17) is opening night, and the cast and crew are excited to finally bring this American farce to the Barn stage. The set has eight doors or entrances and the eight actors are constantly flying in and out of them so fast that your head may spin trying to follow all the action. (My character, Wilson, has 25 entrances alone and Mrs. Carlson, played by Mary Ann Tweedie, has 21.) The two beds, couch and chair get plenty of “action” too, with actors falling all over the furniture and on top of one another in this comedy of errors. And did I mention that there is plenty of cross-dressing and under-dressing just to keep things interesting?

The basic premise is that two male executives go off for a golf weekend without their wives, only to bump into their new boss, who confides that “No one like that will ever work for me.” So, the guys have to produce “wives” on short notice. They might just get away with it too, but their real wives show up unexpectedly and their scheme starts to unravel from there. As John Boufford’s character David McGachen laments, “Things are really getting out of hand!”

If final dress rehearsal is any indication, there will be plenty of laugh out loud moments for the audience. The fast pace, "sexual shenanigans", surprising twists, and physical comedy will keep people guessing – and laughing – all night long. And you definitely won’t want to miss the two Mrs. McGachens and the three Mrs. Bakers. As Wilson, says, “I don’t believe it. Now there’s three of them. And I thought I’d seen it all!”

Whose Wives Are They Anyway? opens Friday February 17 and runs through Saturday March 3. To make sure you “see it all,” get your tickets at www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

Acting My Age

2012-02-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Carlson (Mary Ann Tweedie) implores
Wilson (Tony Targan) to "Fix These Phones!"

Self-image is an illusion. When we look in the mirror, “we are vain and we are blind,” to quote David Byrne of the Talking Heads. We tend to see ourselves as we want others to see us. But if we are being honest, despite all our attempts to keep the ravages of time in check, none of us is getting any younger.

When auditioning for plays, actors are usually asked to provide their age range on the audition form. I am often told that I look much younger than my actual age (50), so I routinely list my age range as 25 to 55. In fact, in my last play (A Christmas Carol), I was cast as Clarkson Stanfield, a 32 year-old painter friend of Charles Dickens. When I auditioned for Whose Wives Are They Anyway?, I read for John Baker, a 30-something business executive. So when I was cast in the part of Wilson, a 60-something handyman at the Oakfield Golf & Country Club, I was a bit surprised at first.

Although I am closer to my 60s than my 30s, I just don’t see myself as the “old guy.” Wilson is grouchy, sarcastic, cantankerous, and a hypochondriac … you name it, he suffers from it. He even complains that a carbuncle – one of his many ailments – “could have been caused by running.” Ironically, I love running: I can still run 10K races at a sub-7:00 minute pace and I am currently training for my 12^th marathon. But to play the part of Wilson, I must “act my age” and affect the characteristics of a grumpy old man. It took me awhile to develop his character. At first, I adopted a gravelly voice and grew a scraggly beard. Soon, my posture slouched and my walk slowed to a shuffle. The finishing touch: I hiked my belt up above my navel in the quintessential old-guy fashion statement.

To be a good actor, you have to commit to the part. That means going all the way, not half-way. Not necessarily over-the-top, but all-in. You have to check your ego at the door and not worry about what people will think. You really have to become the character and react to people and situations as he would react. The closest analogy I can think of is when I studied French in high school and I finally got to the point where I was actually thinking in French, rather than translating words from English to French. So now, I have to become Wilson, not just play him. So during the next month, if I appear more cynical and sarcastic and move slower than usual, you’ll understand why.

Whose Wives Are They Anyway? opens Friday February 17 and runs through Saturday March 3. For tickets, go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

Dennis Broadhead: Director, Conductor ... and Cattle Wrangler?

2012-02-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

Director Dennis Broadhead

Directing comedy is like conducting a marching band. Everyone plays their own instrument, but ultimately it’s up to the director to make sure everyone’s marching to the same beat. Add blocking and timing issues and you begin to understand how complicated comedy can be. And if it’s a farce, it’s like the marching band is running in formation through revolving doors. Director Dennis Broadhead understands the unique challenges presented by Whose Wives Are They Anyway? “My role as the director is one of a trainer, teacher, jokester and a little bit of a cattle prod.” Dennis’ main goal is the give the cast direction on certain scenes, “so that they will understand my vision for the show.” In Whose Wives, instead of revolving doors, the characters play musical beds: People are constantly running in and out of bedrooms and falling on top of one another in compromising positions. They overhear and misunderstand dialogue, particularly when the telephone system in the golf club goes haywire.

Dennis is in charge of herding all the actors and says that in “a show like this, the biggest challenge is the split-second timing that is required in many of the scenes.” This comedic timing requires a lot of trust among the actors, the equivalent of falling backwards and hoping that someone is there to catch you in time. Dennis observes that “this cast is seasoned and they all work well together. It will be a joy to put this show on with such a talented group of people both on the stage as well as backstage.”

Dennis is no stranger to the director’s chair, but the last show he directed was “Fools” when the new Barn was still under construction. This past fall, Dennis returned to the stage as “Judge Taylor” in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Doing comedy, especially farce, is one of his greatest joys in theater: “The thing I enjoy the most about directing a comedy is when the cast can do a ‘comedic bit’ correctly so that everyone, including myself, cracks up laughing. I wanted to do this show because nothing is more pleasing than hearing an audience laughing at something that I had a hand in creating.”

Coming Home to the Barn

2012-01-27T13:32:00.000-08:00

Diana McSweeney plays Karly McGachen

The McSweeney name is synonymous with the Farmington Players. For years, Bob and Emily McSweeney have been permanent fixtures at the Barn. When Bob passed away last year it was a huge loss for the Farmington Players and our theater family. Their daughter Diana has been living in Arizona for years, but recently decided to move back home for a time, to be closer to family after her father’s passing.

It’s been 16 years since Diana last graced the Barn stage, but she hasn’t missed a beat. Last October, she produced 3 Men and a Tenor, which only whet her appetite to get more involved. Next, she contributed to the ‘lights’ team for A Christmas Carol which inspired her to carry on the family tradition and hit the stage again. Diana says, “It is remarkable to work with such a talented and supportive group of volunteers.”

In Whose Wives, Diana plays Karly McGachen, the scheming wife of David McGachen, played by John Boufford, who is determined to get revenge for her husband’s suspected infidelity. As Diana says, “Karly is confident, quick thinking and decisive. She is a little entitled, self-absorbed and can be manipulative, but with good intentions. She is just used to getting her way, all the time.” Karly is the perfect counterpart to David because they both are constantly maneuvering and persuading others to go along with their half-baked schemes. Diana likes that Karly is “focused on trying to push David’s buttons instead of really understanding the situation. Her one mindedness sets her up for outrageous behavior.”

Diana wanted to be in Whose Wives because “I just love a good farce. Fast paced, demanding, yet fun and worth every minute spent preparing. Each person has to be able to step outside themselves and get absorbed into their character, no matter how absurd they act at times … I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of this show and forge some new friendships in the process.” Welcome home, Diana!

Mary Ann Tweedie and Mrs. Carlson: Separated at Birth?

2012-01-23T08:11:00.000-08:00

Mary Ann Tweedie plays Mrs. Carlson

When I auditioned for Whose Wives Are They Anyway?, I was impressed by the talent of my fellow actors. But one “character” stood out above all others as a natural for her part. There was no question that Mary Ann Tweedie was Mrs. Carlson. As Mary Ann acknowledges, “I enjoy the fact that Mrs. Carlson is so much like me in real life. This part has been a no brainer for me!”

“Mrs. C” as she is often referred to by my character Wilson, is loud, outspoken, full of righteous indignation, and just a little bit full of herself. Now, I’m not saying that Mary Ann also possesses those qualities, but I will say that it hasn’t been too hard for her to get into character for this play. Mary Ann describes Mrs. Carlson as “the moral compass of the golf club. She is a straight laced, by-the-book kind of gal and is going to make sure there are no ‘sexual shenanigans’ taking place in her club!”

Mary Ann’s main challenge with playing Mrs. Carlson is “to make her likable at the same time as making her irritating …. I also love farce and the challenge it presents to an actor. Timing is always very important with farce and it is very fun to watch a show like this come together. I was in Noises Off a few years ago and it was a similar kind of show and I had a great time with that.”

Mary Ann “found this play a few years ago when I was the head of the play reading committee and I remember thinking it would be great fun to bring these characters to life.” In her typical self-deprecating fashion, she adds, “I am so glad we are able to do this show before I was too old to be in it!”

A Barn member for 21-plus years, some of her past favorites include Noises Off (Dotty), State Fair (drunk pickle judge), The Man who Came to Dinner (Lorraine), The Female Odd Couple (Olive), Sylvia (Kate), Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (Bernice), Light Up the Sky (Irene) and You Can’t Take It With You (Penny).

No Small Wonder: Alisha Gellin Gets Big Laughs

2012-01-19T08:02:00.001-08:00

Alisha Gellin as Tina

While her previous roles with the Farmington Players have been smaller parts (Frenchy in Sweet Charity and Delores in Gypsy) that might have escaped your notice, you won’t be able to miss the diminutive Alisha Gellin in Whose Wives Are They Anyway? Alisha plays Tina, the receptionist at the Oakfield Golf and Country Club, who gets talked into playing “Mrs. Baker.” Despite her initial reluctance, Tina has an easy time embracing her role and a hard time keeping her clothes on!

Alisha describes Tina as follows: “She is a sweet girl but has backbone. She will only let things go as far as she feels comfortable with…. At the end of the day she’s just a nice girl trying to do the best she can …. Basically she’s just trying to help these two guys out and trying to make it through one uncomfortable situation after another.” Alisha has a lot in common with Tina: “We are the same age, heck, we even have the same occupation even though she works in hospitality and I’m in medical.” Despite these similarities with Tina, Alisha thinks “This makes it hard to play sometimes. Personally I find it’s much easier to play your opposite than someone similar to you.” And though she holds a theatre degree from Eastern Michigan, Alisha feels that “Comedy is hard. It’s much harder to play than drama is. It’s all about timing and playing off each other and doing just enough but not too much…. Finding a balance can be difficult because sometimes playing it as seriously as you can makes it ten times funnier than playing up any type of shtick.”

Like Tina, Alisha is playful and a good sport at rehearsal, and her positive energy rubs off on everyone around her: “Theatre brings a joy to my life that nothing else seems to compare. Being in this play has helped bring happiness and laughter back into my life. I can thank my fellow cast members for that!”

Maureen Mansfield De-Lights as Dragon Lady

2012-01-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

Maureen Mansfield as D.L. ("Dragon Lady") Hutchison

In Whose Wives Are They Anyway, Maureen Mansfield plays D.L. Hutchison, who she describes as “a type-A personality … a smart, self-assured woman who is ready to kick some butt when she takes over as President” of the Ashley Maureen Cosmetics Company. To her new male subordinates, D.L. stands for “Dragon Lady” when she interjects her overbearing personality into their personal lives. But make no mistake: there is nothing Down Low about D.L. She is right up front, in your face, and anything but shy when it comes to asserting herself and her opinions.

Maureen enjoys playing D.L. because the role puts her in the center of the action in this fast-paced farce. “My biggest challenge is to play the ‘straight guy’. My natural inclination is to try and make people laugh and I have to fight it for this role. It's harder than I thought it would be!” Always the boss, D.L. tries to influence the behavior of all those around her, even the reluctant honeymooners that she encourages to perform their marital “duties.”

For years, Maureen has been busy behind the scenes of The Farmington Players on the casting committee, and now as a board member and our Director of House. She also was the stage manager of Red White and Tuna and directed A Christmas Story. Maureen's first show at the Farmington Players was Sylvia, directed by Dennis Broadhead, so when she heard that he was directing Whose Wives, she knew it was time to return to the stage: “I haven't actually been on stage at the Barn since the new theater’s opening show, Present Laughter [in 2003]. Knowing that Dennis was directing was just the push I needed to audition. ... Dennis does a fabulous job with physical comedy. He just knows what's funny. I've directed John Boufford and Geoff Wehner and they both have an incredible sense of comedic timing.”

Maureen also shared some interesting facts about the Whose Wives cast and crew, which contains: four current and three past board members; three past and one current Torchbearer; and at least nine directors or assistant directors. With so much experience, Whose Wives is certain to De-Light audiences!

Will the Real Mrs. Baker Please Stand Up?

2012-01-11T07:20:00.000-08:00

Laurel Stroud is the "real" Mrs. Baker

The hallmark of Whose Wives Are They Anyway? is disguise, deceit, and mistaken identity … all in the name of job preservation. To give you an idea of how crazy this show is, there are three characters that all claim to be “Mrs. Baker.” Laurel Stroud plays Laura Baker, John Baker’s “real wife,” but she is upset to learn that there are others apparently vying for his affections. According to Laurel, “Laura is a sweet, simple, dare I say innocent housewife. Her life is neatly defined and she can't imagine anything upsetting it. Nor does she have the tools to deal with it when it does” go awry. Laura Baker can’t cope with John’s suspected infidelity, but she is a likeable character because “she really cares about her marriage and her husband and takes steps to get him back. She is very trusting, even though it gets her in some sticky situations,” according to Laurel.

Laura spends much of her time onstage in tears, so Laurel’s biggest challenge is to be a crybaby without whining: “Laura cries a lot, and it's a challenge for me to keep that funny and not annoying. There's not a lot of depth to Laura, but I need to make sure she's not completely one-dimensional.” In rehearsal, Laurel strikes the right balance between being a basket case and keeping her head on her shoulders. She makes Laura a sympathetic character that audiences will surely love to laugh at, while still rooting for. Laurel “wanted to be in Whose Wives because I've always wanted to be in a farce. Good comic timing is very hard, and I want to learn to do it well. I also love it when audiences laugh.”

Laurel has jumped right back on the Barn stage after just completing her role as Catherine Dickens in A Christmas Carol. Other favorite Barn roles include Mom in Leaving Iowa, Essie in You Can't Take It With You, and a tap-dancing showgirl in The Producers. Offstage, Laurel is a Board member and serves as Director of Communications and Education.

Who's On Farce?

2012-01-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

In Whose Wives Are They Anyway?, the fun begins when two executives arrive for a golf weekend and unexpectedly run into their new boss. When the boss comments that “no one who went golfing for a weekend without his wife would ever work for me”, the guys have to produce “wives” on short notice because their real wives are away for the weekend … or so they think! This crazy farce includes many comedic situations with people running in and out of bedrooms, plenty of double entendre, and a heavy dose of sexual innuendo.

In this Farmington Players’ production, I play Wilson, a 60-ish handyman at the Oakfield Golf and Country Club. Wilson is a curmudgeon and a hypochondriac, constantly citing imagined ailments as an excuse to get out of work, and he is never far from the comedic action. In studying for my character, I got to thinking: What is it that makes comedy funny? Is it the material itself, funny actors, or the situation? For example, in Abbott and Costello’s classic comedy routine, “Who’s On First?”, the dialogue is straight-forward and delivered straight-faced. In response to Costello’s barrage of questions, Abbott’s rapid fire answers are mostly one-word, often just “Yes.” The answers are not funny, but the situation (Costello’s growing exasperation) is. The audience shares in the joke, but neither character is trying to be funny.

To gain insight into what makes a good farce, I interviewed Michael Parker, the author of Whose Wives. Mr. Parker said, “Our philosophy of farce is that if you put unreal characters in unreal situations, the result is trite and silly. The characters must therefore remain very real and the actors must never be allowed to go over the top. The minute anyone starts trying to be funny, the play is dead in the water. So no comedians, just good actors. … I urge everyone again to keep the characters real, and do not become caricatures.”

Just as with Abbott and Costello, timing is everything in comedy. In Whose Wives, there are times when several people are all talking at once on the telephone. Mr. Parker suggests that “The telephone sequences must be fast and slick. Practice, practice, practice. If someone screws up, there is no way to recover. If done correctly, it will bring the house down.” To find out whether we can pull it off, come check in at the Oakfield Golf and Country Club and check it out for yourself.

Love Letters

2011-12-19T11:11:00.000-08:00

After 13 performances in 17 days, A Christmas Carol has successfully completed its whirlwind run. I’d like to use my final post about this show for some personal reflections. (I’ll try not to get too sappy or sentimental.) The holiday season is a time to celebrate, rejoice and give thanks. But it is also a time to remember, and sometimes the loss of a loved one can be especially poignant at this otherwise festive time of year. If I can speak for the cast and crew of A Christmas Carol, we are especially thankful that our performances touched members of our local community in so many ways. It was nice to hear patrons’ positive post-show comments, and nicer still to have some of our youngest audience members approach us for autographs. But it was two letters we received that meant the most to us.

Marian Myles sent us the Snoopy card pictured above, along with a handwritten note that read (in part) as follows: “I enjoyed your barn and the play so much!! … I was so excited to be there and it got me out of my winter-holiday blues. I miss my sister Nancy so much but I know God is taking care of her with his angels. She would want me to be happy and celebrate her life every day. … What a miracle performance. It lifted my heart and soul. I felt like Scrooge [dancing] in that London attic, my spirit lifted. … P.S. I had to give each cast member a big kiss for a very enjoyable play! It felt great.”

Gillian Faust (originally from London, England) expressed the following sentiments: “I want to express a sincere and hearty ‘Thank You’ for a most delightful evening earlier this month. My husband, a huge fan of the original movie, enjoyed the different interpretation of the story and I was thoroughly delighted with the polished performances and especially impressed with the young actors who were as professional as any I’ve seen on the stage. The English accents, especially the East End cockney dialect, were ‘spot on’ and the English Country dancing was brilliantly choreographed and perfectly executed. Without exception, the actors were talented and I particularly enjoyed and was moved by that beautiful duet performed by the two young lasses. With many thanks, and the best of British luck for a continued successful run. … Happy Christmas and God bless us, every one.”

To paraphrase Scrooge, the true happiness cannot be measured out in dollars. As a Carol cast member, I am more than glad to be paid in smiles.

For information on upcoming shows in 2012, go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

When Amy Lauter Sells Out, Audiences Buy It!

2011-12-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

Amy Lauter plays Mrs. Stanfield
and all the single ladies

When Charles Dickens hands out the roles in our version of A Christmas Carol, he asks Mrs. Stanfield, played by Amy Lauter, to portray “all the young and available ladies.” Amy embraces this task with enthusiasm: selling it, selling out, and never selling herself short. For example, when director Nancy Cooper first encouraged Amy to play her Charwoman character as crazy, Amy admits that her characterization was not working well: “So I was trying to think of a way to be uninhibited and ‘drunk’ is what came out. Nancy words were, ‘if you are gonna play it that way – give it your all – sell it,’ so that is what I have been working towards.” Amy has been so convincing as a drunk that even an accidental fall on opening night seemed so in character that the audience didn’t even catch on.

Amy’s other characters are equally charming, playful and distinctive. She plays hide-and-seek as Bob Cratchit’s daughter Martha. As Mrs. Stanfield, she teases husband “Stanny” by plucking away his violin bow, claiming that “several alley cats would disagree” that he plays a fine fiddle. And she practically steals the show as Mrs. Fred’s Sister, whose infectious laughter is as unique as her name is generic. Amy came up with Mrs. Fred's Sister's giddy laugh at Nancy’s suggestion and made it her own: “The laugh is a little contagious – once I got it, I got it, and love doing it. Fred’s parlor scene started out feeling like a bit of a ‘throwaway’ – but has blossomed into one of the most enjoyable scenes in the show.”

Amy’s favorite character is Belle, who was engaged to the young Ebenezer Scrooge: “I really like playing Belle, as she is pivotal in the ultimate destruction of Scrooge’s personality and lifestyle. I can relate to her on a better level than the other characters as well… so I find her a little easier to understand.” Amy’s portrayal of Belle as a young woman who is torn between her love for Ebenezer and her need to stay true to herself is truly one of the most poignant moments of the play. We begin to understand how the loss of that love transformed young Ebenezer into bitter old Scrooge.

To watch Amy on stage, it is easy to believe that she is really having fun: “I have been having a ball on stage – this is truly an ensemble show – and we have a very solid cast and crew. In terms of the overall experience, I have really enjoyed being a part of this cast – and can honestly say it has been one of the best casts I have been a part of in terms of chemistry and balance. We are all constantly laughing and enjoying each other’s company backstage – I think we can all say that. I have also appreciated the way the kids have all been treated as well – all of the adults in the show have treated them as equals – cast mates.

As Bob Cratchit would say, “That’s a high compliment indeed,” as Amy is a veteran of several Barn shows, including Gypsy, Proof, Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma and It’s a Wonderful Life. She recently produced To Kill A Mockingbird and has also directed shows including Miracle on 34^th Street and Chapter Two.

Tickets for the remaining performances of A Christmas Carol (December 15^th through 18^th) are available at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

A Christmas Carol Calls To All Creeds

2011-12-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

Armand Banooni (far right) as Young Ebenezer
dances with Belle as Scrooge looks on.

So what’s a nice Jewish boy doing in a play like this? Armand Banooni might not be the most likely actor ever to be cast in A Christmas Carol, but he fits right in with the Farmington Players’ production of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Armand says, “When I was given the chance to be a part of A Christmas Carol I wanted to be in it not only to improve my English accent under the expert tutelage of our own Joan Boufford, and not only to have another chance to work with Nancy Cooper as my director, but also to be part of a Christmas show for the first time.”

Like most actors in the show, Armand plays several characters, starting with Frederick Dickens, Charles Dickens’ nephew: “Fredrick is the kind of person who enjoys a good laugh and has a good sense of humor. He enjoys the ‘theatricals’ Charles Dickens often has them perform.” Frederick is charged by Dickens to play a number of characters, including Fred, Peter Cratchit, Young Ebenezer, Ole Joe, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

Armand’s favorite character is Fred, and observes that “though his uncle Scrooge is less than cordial to him, Fred still has nothing bad to say about Scrooge and won’t give up on him. He has a slightly irreverent attitude, which I tend to have as well, as he makes fun of his uncle. But he cares about the people in his life and enjoys being the consummate host.”

Even though Armand is Jewish, he finds the message of A Christmas Carol to be universal: “It is a play about redemption and repentance. We find ourselves rooting for Scrooge as he is given the chance to examine his life and see how and where it went astray. Scrooge is given a unique chance to change how he lives his present life and thanks to a glimpse of his possible future, change the dire outcome that could befall him. We are shown that it’s never too late to change ourselves for the better.”

Opening weekend was a great success, so remaining tickets (through December 18^th) are selling fast. Buy yours today at www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

All the Creatures Were Stirring ... It's Opening Night!

2011-12-02T09:31:00.000-08:00

The Cratchit Family, observed by Scrooge.

There is nothing like the excitement, anticipation and trepidation of opening night. I imagine it is what a tightrope walker must feel when he first performs without a safety net. As Roger DeBris said to Carmen Ghia in The Producers, “Will they love us? Will they hate us? The anticipation is killing me!” Unlike The Producers, which was an over-the-top, anything-goes comedy, A Christmas Carol is more about the story than the gags. Don’t get me wrong. There are still plenty of amusing moments, and even some slapstick comic relief, but A Christmas Carol’s brand of humor is clever and witty, not crass and crude. The strength of this performance is the genuine warmth and creativity that the actors bring to the stage in this holiday classic.

Most people know the basic story line: Ebenezer Scrooge, a hard-hearted miser, thinks that Christmas is for fools who should be “boiled in their own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through their heart.” He is visited by various ghosts who show him glimpses into his own past, present and future. Scrooge is humbled, redeemed, and truly transformed by the experience, and ultimately becomes a generous and gregarious celebrant of the Christmas holiday.

What you might not know is that the Farmington Players’ production of A Christmas Carol begins not with Scrooge, but with the tale’s author Charles Dickens (both enthusiastically played by Dorne Lefere). When Dickens’ family and friends gather for a Christmas Eve celebration in his home, instead of telling them all a story, Dickens puts his guests to work in performing the tale that we now know as A Christmas Carol. This play-within-a-play context shows the family members creating their own magic with various accents, despite limited costumes and props. The 10 actors portray over 40 characters and are also onstage observers of each other’s performances, which helps bring the audience into the action.

We hope that you come out to Barn to see what we have created. Some tickets remain for opening weekend and other dates (through December 18^th) are selling fast, so buy your tickets today at www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

This Lemon’s Not Sour

2011-11-28T14:11:00.000-08:00

Jim Pierce pulls no punches as...

.... the real Mark Lemon

When Jim Pierce tells people that he is acting in A Christmas Carol, “everyone I know immediately assumes I am Scrooge.” Despite this self-deprecating self-assessment, Jim is no miser when it comes to spreading goodwill and holiday cheer. Jim’s main character is Mark Lemon, who in real life was a close family friend of the Dickens’ and editor of the humorous publication “Punch.” While Jim enjoys playing Lemon because he “possesses a sharp and biting wit and is slightly hedonistic,” Lemon is actually a softie, affectionately known to the Dickens’ children as “Uncle Porpoise.” As Lemon, Jim also plays all the roles that are the “most well-rounded,” including the First Portly Gentleman, Mr. Fezziwig, and The Fat Man. Jim is well cast in these parts and his sardonic wit and quick sense of humor never cease to entertain his fellow cast members.

Jim often works on the technical side of shows, but he relished the opportunity to act for director Nancy Cooper. He believes that the main themes of A Christmas Carol – “greed, lack of empathy and redemption” – are just as relevant today, as so “many people still have their minds fixed on the almighty buck.”

Jim feels that the cast help one another raise each other’s game: “Not only has it been challenging to live up to the vision and expectations of the directors, but raising and maintaining one's level of acting skills to match that of the other cast members is daunting. Since this production begins with historical characters who interact before the play within the play unfolds, a true ensemble developed quickly. Everyone has brought to life a myriad of distinct characters.”

A Christmas Carol opens this Friday December 2^nd. For tickets, go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

Amy P Debuts as A.D. in A.C.C.

2011-11-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

Amy Poirier

To those who remember seeing Amy Poirier onstage, it might be a little hard at first to take her seriously as assistant director of A Christmas Carol. Amy debuted with the Farmington Players as the sassy stripper Mazeppa in Gypsy and most recently played Shirley (“Keep It Gay”) Markowitz and other hilarious roles in The Producers. Amy’s willingness to throw herself into new and edgy roles makes her well-suited to the challenges of assistant director. Plus, as a technical training project manager for GM and a very busy mom to three kids, Amy is a natural at teaching and organizing.

While Amy is quickly finding her own “voice” as assistant director, she credits director Nancy Cooper with being a strong mentor: “Not only have I have learned a lot about production and directing from Nancy, we have had so much fun working together. Nancy is continually looking at each of the characters and coming up with different ways to help make them more interesting to the audience. … Nancy reinforced to me how important character development is, especially in this play where everyone plays so many different roles.”

What does Amy see as the main difference between directing and acting? “With directing you feel more pressure upfront to put an entire show together – you are responsible for more than just yourself and it can be a little daunting, but also more rewarding. I’ve also really enjoyed being able to watch the show at each rehearsal from the audience’s viewpoint, something as an actor you’re not able to do when you’re actually in the show.”

Amy believes that the lessons of A Christmas Carol still ring true today: “This story allows us to still have that hope that people who seem mean will change. The notion of the holiday spirit being a redemptive one and everyone being able to surrender to it is something that can appeal to most individuals. … And isn't that what Christmas is all about – at least one day of the year when all is right with the world, and God has blessed us "every one"!”

To win free tickets to opening night of A Christmas Carol for a friend or family member, send an email (deadline extended to November 27th) to AChristmasCarol@farmingtonplayers.org and tell us why they are deserving. (Scroll down to my November 1st blog entry for full details.) But don’t wait to buy your own tickets, which are going fast. Go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

A Magical Day at the Barn

2011-11-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

The Wonder Merchants:
Craig Alan, Andrew Dakota, Bruce Florek and Pooch

Saturday November 19th will be an action-packed day at the Farmington Players Barn Theater. Come early, stay late, and enjoy all the festivities. The fun starts at 2:00PM with The Wonder Merchants. Four fabulous magicians and humorists are ready to mesmerize families. This event is fun for all ages and all proceeds support The Farmington Players! Tickets are only $10 presale or $12 at the door. Call 248-553-2955 or buy online at www.farmingtonplayers.org. The “Wonder Merchants” include Craig Alan, actor, magician and mind reader with more than 15 years of performing experience from coast to coast; Andrew Dakota, an international award winning magician, consultant to top entertainers, and inventor of some of today's most startling magical illusions; Bruce Florek, skilled at dipping into his “bag of tricks” to dazzle children and transport them to a place of wonderment; and “Pooch,” whose mission is to astound and delight audiences of all ages. The event is sponsored by McCabe Funeral Home of Farmington Hills.

Next, the Chili Cook-off will begin at 6:00 pm. We currently have NINE entries of original, fresh, delicious homemade chili! Come and support our cooks: Emily/Diana McSweeney, Tim Timmer, Jason Wilhoite, Mike Smith, Vicki Grulke, Margaret Gilkes, Guy Copeland, Laurel Stroud and Amy Lauter. Who will win? Only you can decide!

At 7:00 is the membership meeting, immediately followed by the premiere of an original script written and directed by Anne Craft, One Last Chance, starring Mike Smith, John Lauter, Tim Timmer, Jan Jacobs, Val Knol, Marilyn Zerlak and Ellen Doman.

Last but not least will be the long awaited farewell to the Fraternal Order of Pop Men.

As reported in the November issue of Barnstorms: “This highly secretive order has been likened to the Masons, but with fizz and without buried treasure. Originally convened as custodians of the late, lamented soft-drink dispenser, the order has unfinished business:

Initiation of its final pledge, Tim Timmer.”

Stephen King Scares Me

2011-11-15T14:27:00.000-08:00

A Stephen King by any other name...

... would still be very scary!

When you’re named Stephen King, you’d better be able to command attention and respect. Like the legendary horror movie writer with the same name, our Stephen King is not someone to be trifled with. Steve is an accomplished martial artist with over 30 years experience, having earned his 6th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He also teaches at Olympian Tae Kwon Do in Canton and has studied fight choreography at The Action Film Academy in New York.

In A Christmas Carol, Steve’s main character is John Forster, Charles Dickens' best friend and confidant, who is a bit full of himself. In turn, Forster’s specialty is playing a number of ghosts, some of which are very scary indeed. Steve says “my favorite to play is The Ghost of Jacob Marley. I get to really let it loose and tell Scrooge what he is facing.” Other ghosts include the more jovial Ghost of Christmas Present, and silent yet scary Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. In addition, Steve portrays the Second Portly Gentleman (who solicits Scrooge for a donation), Dick Wilkins (young Scrooge's apprentice friend) and the Man with Handkerchief (an unsympathetic mourner).

Steve is well-suited to his roles and debuts with the Farmington Players after a 10-year absence from the stage. “A Christmas Carol is still very relevant today because there are a lot of ‘Scrooges’ out there in our world. Charles Dickens is saying you could still be well off but don't forget about the little guy. If it wasn't for Bob Cratchit, Scrooge couldn't operate.” Steve practices what he preaches as the Ghost of Jacob Marley: “I've always wanted to be an actor and can relate to Jacob Marley when he talks about remorse. But it's never too late to do what you want!”

To win free tickets to opening night of A Christmas Carol for a friend or family member, send an email by November 19^th to AChristmasCarol@farmingtonplayers.org and tell us why they are deserving. (Scroll down to my November 1^st blog entry for full details.) But don’t wait to buy your own tickets, which are going fast. Go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

Laurel Stroud Can't Miss As "Mrs."

2011-11-10T10:42:00.000-08:00

Laurel Stroud plays Catherine Dickens among other "Mrs."

Christmas wreaths made of laurel and other evergreens symbolize strength, as evergreens last throughout the harshest of winters. Like her namesake, Laurel Stroud is both strong and enduring. In A Christmas Carol, she plays many mothers and wives whose strength of character is important to the story. As Mrs. Cratchit, she hides her tears and says, “I would never show weakness to your father.” She’s also outspoken in expressing her disgust for Scrooge, something her humble husband Bob would never do. Mrs. Cratchit is Laurel’s favorite character: “She has the biggest range of emotions, and the most lines.”

Laurel also plays Mrs. Fezziwig, Mrs. Fred (Scrooge's nephew's wife), Mrs. Dilber (a laundress who steals from the deceased), and Catherine Dickens, Charles' wife. Laurel sees Catherine as “very proper and frustrated dealing with her husband's games during a dinner party. But she is a good sport and plays along.”

Laurel is also a good sport, serving in many different capacities at the Barn. Offstage, she is on the Board, as Director of Communications and Education. She was last seen onstage in the chorus of The Producers, as a tap-dancing showgirl. Her other favorite Barn roles include Mom in Leaving Iowa, Essie in You Can't Take it With You and Jennie in Chapter Two.

Laurel truly understands the message behind A Christmas Carol: “The main theme is to not get so focused on the day-to-day business of life that we lose sight of what we do all that business for. There are people in our lives we love and who love us. That should not be taken for granted. Another thing I hope is brought out is the idea that there are people around us who need help, and most likely there is something we can do to help them.”

To help a friend or family member win free tickets to opening night of A Christmas Carol, see my November 1^st blog entry. But don’t wait to buy your own tickets, which are going fast. Go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

Like The Dickens

2011-11-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

Dorne as...

Dickens

It is hard not to like Dorne Lefere, who plays both Charles Dickens and Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. At rehearsals, Dorne’s devilish sense of humor keeps everyone on their toes. He can be simultaneously self-deprecating and self-promoting. And he never met an innuendo he didn’t like. But behind all his frivolity is a serious actor with an amazing ability to memorize lines and capture the essence of his characters. A Christmas Carol is his tenth adventure at the Barn.

I first met Dorne during The Producers, when he was Max Bialystock and I was Carmen Ghia. Now, as the mild-mannered Bob Cratchit, I face the full brunt of his wrath as the mercurial Scrooge. Dorne enjoys the role because “It is fun to transition the character throughout the play from despised to (almost) beloved.” He also loves the portrayal of Dickens as a “fun-loving and frustrated thespian” and the challenge of playing two characters who are so vastly different: “The story is so timeless and uplifting that you can’t watch it without coming away feeling good. I also liked that Dickens and his guests actually perform the story.”

Dorne credits director Nancy Cooper with excellent casting: “In all seriousness, after our first rehearsal I couldn’t imagine anybody else in each of the respective roles. Everyone is perfect.” But with typical unseriousness, Dorne adds, “Even Forster, who frankly seems a little too much at home wrapped in chains. I don’t even want to go there.”

Audiences are in for a real treat when they come to see A Christmas Carol, but if you take Dorne too literally, you might not want to sit in the front row: “Of all the versions of this classic I have seen, I think that Donald Duck really nailed the Scrooge character best. I plan to introduce some slight spitting and drooling as an homage to his rendition.”

Tis the Season to Win Tix to A Christmas Carol

2011-11-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

This year's holiday show is a twist on Charles Dickens' classic tale, A Christmas Carol. This is not your grandfather’s Christmas Carol. In our version, Charles Dickens' beloved ghost story comes to life in a whole new way, as seen through the eyes of Dickens himself. The author gathers his family and friends for a Christmas Eve celebration and draws them into the process of creating the classic tale. As the people in Dickens' life are transformed into the familiar characters of A Christmas Carol, we are reminded of the real meaning of the holiday season, which is not only a joyous time spent with family and friends, but also a time of providing for those in need. As the First Portly Gentleman says: "it is a time when want is keenly felt, and abundance rejoices."

To encourage this spirit of giving, The Farmington Players is giving away one pair of free tickets to A Christmas Carol for opening night, Friday, December 2nd at 8:00PM. To win the tickets, send an email to AChristmasCarol@farmingtonplayers.org and tell us in 100 words or less why your friend or family member deserves a free pair of tickets. Reasons can include hardship, that they love the tale, or could use a good laugh. The best (most thoughtful, humorous or poignant) entries might even be posted here, in future blog entries of Playing The Barn, so be creative.

Entries must be submitted by November 19 (one per household, please). Winners will be notified by email by November 25. Please include your name and hometown with your email.

For tickets, go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook at "Farmington Players" http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000154976336

This Bird Has Flown

2011-10-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

A.D. Tony Targan and Director Michael Schacherbauer giving notes at rehearsal.
Photo by Dave Ewick

Now that To Kill A Mockingbird has closed, I want to share some personal reflections from the past four months. We really didn’t know what to expect at auditions in June, but we got an amazing turnout of 60 actors, including many newcomers to the Barn. We were very lucky to have such talented kids try out, and Nina White, Patrick Vietor and Nicholas Zupancic quickly stood out as Scout, Jem and Dill. Rehearsals started in July with table work and once the actors got on their feet, things really started to click. August and September were challenging with rehearsals four nights a week, but everything came together by opening night. As word of mouth spread in October, we closed to enthusiastic audiences and full houses by the last weekend.

Mockingbird was my first experience as an assistant director. I learned so much just by watching director Michael Schacherbauer: How to block movement so that the focal point is on the right actor; How to use lighting and sound to strike the right mood; How to organize all the moving parts that need to come together. But most of all, I learned to trust my own instincts. On an interpersonal level, I learned what each actor needed from me to do their best, whether it was praise or correction. Sometimes it was just being there. Kandi Krumins told me that I was her security blanket … Just seeing me in the front row every night during rehearsals checking lines gave her confidence.

Mockingbird was a bit risky as a choice for a fall production, but the play was successful by any measure, including financially. I am also proud to work with so many fine African-American actors, including Grover McCants, Vanessa Davis, James Hodges, Camille Jamerson, Elizabeth Hemmingway and Adrienne Kelly-Webb. I have so much respect for their professionalism in dealing with the racial themes of the play. Like Jean Louise Finch, we will always remember our time together in Maycomb, Alabama.

For more information, go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook at "Farmington Players" http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000154976336

Kandi’s “Can Do” Attitude Makes Mockingbird Fly

2011-10-19T13:56:00.000-07:00

Kandi Krumins: Photo by Jan Cartwright

Kandi Krumins plays Jean Louise Finch, the adult Scout, and serves as the onstage narrator of our play. Originally cast as Miss Maudie, Kandi quickly embraced her new role when the initial Jean Louise dropped out unexpectedly. Kandi willingly jumped in with both feet and made a seamless transition to Jean Louise. She even dyed her blond hair brown to match Scout.

Kandi feels that the use of a narrator “really helps the audience better understand the play, and I think the narration adds great depth to the story. The characters are introduced as young Jean remembers them, which adds some levity to this otherwise ‘heavy’ story.” As the youngest of six children, mother of two, and long-time middle school teacher, Kandi felt well prepared for this role: “I'm guessing that most people go back in time and try to make sense of their childhood -- particularly with the things we didn't understand and crave resolution with. I know I've done it many times. I can relate to Jean Louise, and feel very comfortable playing her role.”

Kandi says she has gained some valuable life lessons from Mockingbird:

“(1) Remember, your children are watching you. At some point they WILL question what roads you travelled in life. When that time comes, hopefully you can look into their eyes and feel good about your answers.

(2) The people you choose to spend time with affect who you are. Choose your friends based on the content of their character...not the color of their skin, height, weight, age, etc.

(3) Many hardships are really blessings in disguise. Sometimes it just takes a while to see it.”

She also has some great insights into the directors’ roles in making Mockingbird hum: “It's the fine-tuning of good directors that makes the whole thing RUN, like a machine. All the parts need to mesh together, or we break down. The funny part is, we people on stage get most of the credit, individually. It's kind of like thanking the individual parts of a fine car for its performance, instead of recognizing the brilliance in the mechanics that put it all together.”

Kandi’s warmth and sense of humor comes through onstage as Jean Louise and she deserves kudos for her fine performance in this show, which includes three more performances on October 20, 21 and 22. Get tickets while they last at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook at "Farmington Players" http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000154976336

This Boo Wouldn’t Say Boo

2011-10-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

Nina White (Scout) and Dave Ewick (Boo) clowning around at rehearsal.

The reclusive Boo Radley is a central figure in To Kill A Mockingbird. Jem Finch first describes him like an animal: “Judging from his tracks, he’s about six and a half feet tall, eats raw squirrels and all the cats he can catch. His teeth are yellow and rotten, his eyes pop out and most of the time, he drools.” In the course of the play, we come to learn that this pre-judgment of Boo – like most prejudices -- is far from accurate.

I asked Dave Ewick his impressions about the challenge of playing multiple roles in Mockingbird, including Boo Radley. Dave describes his characters as follows:

“My first character is Nathan Radley [Boo’s older brother]. My take is that he's a guy who thought he was "free" of Maycomb, only to be brought back through his sense of responsibility to his family when his father died and Boo needed a caretaker. Nathan isn't necessarily happy, but he is resigned to his fate. He sometimes resents having to come back home, so can be a little short with folks, but he's a good man. I see him as more educated than most in Maycomb.

“My second character is the nameless "big man". I see him as a typical '30's redneck, farm boy; part of the background of the town. Due to his size, he's a bit of a bully and likes to throw his weight around. Due to a lack of education, and a typical southern home life; he's a bit of a racist. He likes to go out with the boys for a drink or two, then enjoys the rowdy things the guys do. While he doesn't like Bob Ewell any more than most, he willingly drinks with him and hangs out with him in the group.

“My final character is my favorite. Boo Radley isn't seen on stage until the very end, but his presence is felt throughout the play. The descriptions of him really push the audience into thinking he's almost a monster. … My view is that Boo is a gentle soul, and that he was over-protected by his family …. Boo loves to watch Jem and Scout at play. He feels safer with children than with adults or older kids, who scare him. … To me, Boo represents innocence and his actions show that he wants to protect the innocence of others. While the kids have been afraid of him, his only thoughts have been affection and curiosity for them.”

Dave’s thoughtful character studies help him bring these characters to life, and he has certainly made the most of his few lines in the play. For example, Nathan Radley’s first line, a terse but simple greeting of “Afternoon,” always brings a laugh from audiences. Dave really helps us see these characters as more complex than we might assume based on first impressions: “I've been using these thoughts to guide me in my reactions. There are so many ways to see "the other" and to realize how it can affect our lives - this is just one facet of so many ways to see it.” Well said, Mr. Boo.

Every Night Is Opening Night

2011-10-02T09:03:00.000-07:00

Grover McCants as Reverend Sykes and townspeople Elizabeth Hemmingway and Adrienne Kelly-Webb observe the trial from the "colored" balcony with Jem, Scout and Dill. Photo by Tom Bigwood.

To Kill A Mockingbird finally opened this weekend. I say “finally” because it has been months in preparation since auditions in June, and rehearsals that ran from mid-July through September. It was very gratifying to see all our hard work pay off. On opening night, every actor had a little extra pep in his step. Lines were delivered with more energy and enthusiasm. Cue pick-ups were tight. And despite a few glitches that only the directors would notice, the show went off without a hitch.

Every audience is different, and as director Michael Schacherbauer likes to point out, “Every night is opening night for that audience.” He encouraged the cast to keep their focus and to perform with the same energy level in every show. Each audience reacts in its own way. Friday’s opening night crowd was in the mood to laugh, and found humor in the eccentric characters that make up Maycomb, Alabama, the fictional setting of the play. The first act is relatively light compared to the heavier themes of the courtroom scene. But even Sheriff Heck Tate’s announcement of someone’s death drew incongruous laughter, perhaps because it was unexpected.

By comparison, Saturday night’s crowd was more subdued. They were clearly engaged in following the play, but less vocal in their responses. I sat with friends who absolutely loved the performance, but it was just not a laughing matter to them. Given the play’s serious themes of racism and prejudice, this is not surprising; it just reinforces how every audience experiences the play differently.

When my friends asked me if seeing the play as assistant director was like “giving birth” to my creation, I responded that “It is more like seeing your daughter go off to college. You know that she is ready, but it is still a little hard letting go.” This cast is certainly more than ready to deliver another top-notch performance, so I encourage you to come see another “opening night” real soon.

Tickets are available at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook at "Farmington Players" http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000154976336

Dress For Success

2011-09-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

Atticus Finch dispensing some fatherly advice to Jem, as Dill and Scout look on.
Photo by Tom Bigwood

Dress rehearsal for To Kill A Mockingbird was a real success. Playing before a preview audience of about 50 people, the cast really rose to the occasion. The narrator – the adult Jean Louise Finch played by Kandi Krumins – was especially animated in bringing the audience into the story and setting up each transition. Her younger self, Nina White as Scout, got several laughs with her innocent deadpans. Everyone was high energy and the emotional impact of the play was palpable. And the minimalist set served as the perfect backdrop.

As assistant director, I found it very gratifying to see our months’ of hard work finally come to fruition. Director Michael Schacherbauer has given the cast a solid foundation on which to build and develop their characters. But he encourages each actor to bring their own personalities into their roles. For example, the Finch neighbors include: Miss Stephanie Crawford, the town gossip, who is delightfully played by Blythe Philip; Miss Maudie Atkinson, played by Pat Rodgers, who is a maternal influence on the Finch children; and Corinna Weber who is gloriously grumpy as old Mrs. DuBose as she scolds the kids incessantly.

Audiences are in for a real treat when the play opens this weekend. Opening night is Friday September 30, and tickets are available at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook at "Farmington Players" http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000154976336

Speeding is Fun

2011-09-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a speedline rehearsal for the cast of To Kill A Mockingbird as we gathered at the Barn to review the script. The goal was to recite lines as quickly as coherently possible, with overlapping cues, to test the actors’ memories and build some momentum going into the last few rehearsals. The usual Southern drawls and deliberate pacing were replaced by staccato monotones as actors spit out the words in a fast-paced rhythm.

The three youngest actors (Nina White as Scout, Patrick Vietor as Jem, and Nicholas Zupancic as Dill) displayed an amazing facility for the speedy wordplay. They amused themselves and the rest of us with how differently the lines sounded when read like a legal disclaimer at the end of a TV infomercial. As assistant director, there was a method to my madness in running this speed drill. I told the cast, “Hear how flat and plain the script sounds by itself. It is amazing what you are doing as actors to breathe life into the script by adding your own emotions, inflections and characterizations.”

I am very proud of this cast: Their dedication during countless hours of rehearsal and their attention to detail in developing their characters will definitely show in their performances. We have three more rehearsals to fine-tune the play, and am I am confident that audiences will be pleased with the end result when the show opens this Friday, September 30^th.

Tickets are available at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook at "Farmington Players" http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000154976336

Go. Set. Ready.

2011-09-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

Organized chaos: Mockingbird set scene change
Photo by Tony Targan

I run a lot of road races. At the starting line of every race, the starter’s commands are always “On your mark. Get set. Go!” Ordering events in this manner is universal and expected. You must get ready before you can set yourself to go. In fact, how could you do it any other way? When I was on the Mockingbird set yesterday during our seven-hour tech rehearsal, it occurred to me that staging a play actually reverses that process. We GO with just the words at the first read-through and do our initial blocking in the lobby. Then we design and build the SET as we continue rehearsals while walking through imaginary doors. We aren’t finally READY to stage the play as it will be seen until a few days before opening night. It is an amazing process to see the playwright’s words come to life, the action take shape, and the set, costumes and props give context to the play.

On tech day, this all came together in a very tangible way. The crew (director, assistant director, technical director, producer, stage manager, costume designer, sound designer and props manager) met in the Barn lobby at 10:00 a.m. We flipped pages through the entire script, identifying every light cue, sound cue and noting necessary props. The director’s vision was balanced against the technical director’s assessment of the feasibility of creating certain effects. At 2:00, the cast arrived to walk through the cue-to-cue, an abbreviated run-through that tests the timing and effectiveness of all the lighting and sound cues. We finished around 5:00.

Our staging of Mockingbird is somewhat unique in that there is no main curtain. Therefore, except for one 15-minute intermission, the action is continuous. This means that every scene or set change must take place in full view of the audience. There is no time to stop the action and get ready for the next scene before we go. The most imaginative transformation is the conversion of the Finch home and neighborhood into the Maycomb courthouse for the critical trial scene. Steve White’s creative set design and technical director Tim Timmer’s impeccable set construction have made this seamless transition possible. But to experience the full effect, you have to GO see the SET for yourself. We’ll be READY by September 30th!

Tickets at www.farmingtonplayers.org or call 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook at "Farmington Players" http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000154976336

Christmas in September?

2011-09-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Although we are still two weeks away from opening night (September 30^th) of To Kill A Mockingbird, tomorrow will be Christmas at the Farmington Players Barn Theater! (No, I haven’t come unstuck in time, although my personal space-time continuum is feeling a bit warped these days due to seemingly non-stop rehearsals.) I am talking about auditions for A Christmas Carol, which are scheduled for 2:00PM Saturday September 17th (registration at 1:30) at the Barn (32332 West Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334).

This version is not your grandfather’s Christmas Carol. In our adaptation, Charles Dickens' beloved ghost story comes to life in a whole new way, as seen through the eyes of Dickens himself. The author gathers his family and friends for a Christmas Eve celebration and draws them into the process of creating A Christmas Carol. As the people in Dickens' life are transformed into the familiar characters of the classic tale, we are reminded of the real meaning of the holiday season.

Each actor will need to create a number of characters from the classic tale, as well as portray members of the Dickens family (for complete character descriptions, see the audition notice at http://www.farmingtonplayers.org/documents/ACCauditions_000.pdf). Readings will be selections from the script. A British dialect will be required. Email any questions to AChristmasCarol@farmingtonplayers.org.

Dickens’ London bears little resemblance to Maycomb, Alabama in 1935, so it may seem incongruous to hear British accents on the Mockingbird set, but no more bizarre than holding auditions for A Christmas Carol in mid-September! Tickets at www.farmingtonplayers.org or call 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook at "Farmington Players" http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000154976336

This Mockingbird Will Sing

2011-09-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

Patrick Vietor as Jem, Nina White as Scout, and Greg Bowman as Atticus.
Photo by Tom Bigwood

The Farmington Players' production of To Kill A Mockingbird opens Friday September 30th and runs through October 22nd. If early rehearsals are any indication, this play is going to be a real treat for audiences of all ages. Most of us have either read the book in school or seen the movie, but Christopher Sergel's adaptation of Harper Lee's classic is unique. Jean Louise Finch, the adult Scout (warmly played by Kandi Krumins), has returned to Maycomb Alabama 30 years later and serves as the narrator of our play. The audience observes the action through her recollection of Scout’s childhood memories and even becomes the jury during the climactic trial scene. The lead role of Atticus is played by Greg Bowman, who many will recognize as a radio broadcaster on WWJ Newsradio 950. Greg says, "I'm honored to be able to bring Atticus to life on stage. I think we would all like to be like him, a real hero and someone who, as the story says, can be trusted to do the right thing." The three child actors in our performance – Nina White as Scout, Patrick Vietor as Jem, and Nick Zupancic as Dill – display a maturity and sense of comic timing beyond their years. The falsely accused Tom Robinson is convincingly portrayed by James Hodges and Camille Jamerson is emotionally charged as his distraught wife Helen. Over 25 talented cast members ensure that this Mockingbird will not only sing, but will leave audience members with much to think about. Tickets at www.farmingtonplayers.org or call 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook at "Farmington Players" http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000154976336