GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. DANCE

Sometimes, you get to see a little magic in this life. Not all that often- but I suppose that's what makes it all the more wondrous when it occurs. I've been directing a week long theatre camp this past week, which will culminate in a performance of an hour long stage version of Harriet the Spy. The age group is kids going into third grade to kids going out of sixth grade. So there can be moments that are a little trying- like when one of the younger kids went on a half hour long crying jag after losing at a game called Mafia- a charming game of imagination involving murder, trial, and execution. But now and then, when I am teaching the younger artists of this world, something happens that makes it all worthwhile- makes me so happy to be alive in a world that has human beings in it. I got two such moments on Friday.

First moment. We were rehearsing a scene where Ole Golly is saying goodbye to Harriet. Old Golly is Harriet's nanny/friend/adviser/teacher. She lives with Harriet's family, and she loves Harriet and Harriet loves her, and it's one of those goodbye's in life that mark a turning point. We have the kid playing Harriet carrying these binoculars, because Harriet is a spy. Go figure. Anyway, in the scene, Ole Golly and Harriet recite their favorite poem together, then hug, then Ole Golly walks out of front door and out of Harriet's life. As Ole Golly walks away, we play a little music, Harriet watches her go, then turns and goes to her room and writes in her journal. But on Friday, out of the blue, as Ole Golly walks away, the girl playing Harriet watched Ole Golly go, then held up her binoculars and watched for longer- as if Harriet wanted to hold onto her time with Ole Golly as long as possible, and watch her walk down the street and into the distance. It was a little thing- a choice the actor made that was spontaneous and appropriate. But it touched me. Made me think, wow- that kid knows a thing or too about acting in the moment.



Second moment. As the day wore on- and it wore on! Tech rehearsals with young actors can be, are usually are, long and tedious. But at the end of this long day, we were practicing the scene shift into the final scene of the show. The shift takes almost a minute, and while it's happening, we have the stage in blue light and play this song, "Once More with Feeling", by a group called Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. The lights went blue, the song began- and the entire cast, with hive-mind like precision- all ran up onto the stage and starting dancing around, silently, to the music while the stage hands moved scenery. They looked like elves or something, half shadows flitting in and out of the deep blue. Their joy at being on the stage, dancing in the dark, was like a wave of joy that you could feel roll through the theatre.

We perform the show at 6pm tonight.

On other notes- my upcoming show APRIL'S FOOL, which is having it's world premiere at the New York International Fringe Festival this August. Being starving artists, we are raising funds for this show via Indiegogo- if you have a minute to spare, please to HERE and then follow, share, and/or contribute to the cause.

Or click here: http://igg.me/at/AprilsFool/x/3385268

And I wish you all some magic.

FATE, IT SEEMS, HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR

That's the tag line for April's Fool. And I dig it. I've been writing this play for a little over a year, and I am in love with it. I am in love with all my plays, of course. When you write a play, it becomes one of your children- and you love it unconditionally. Whenever people ask me which play is my favorite, I truly can't say. I love them all.


April's Fool is set to have it's world premiere this August at the New York International Fringe Festival, and I am soooooo excited. The Fringe is where my first play, Last Call, premiered. It's where I became addicted to writing. It's my birthplace as a playwright- and something about this whole experience feels so right it's more than a little freaky-deaky. First off, the director- Bronwen Carson- gets me and this play like she's psychic or something. Second, the show is being produced by my great friend Craig Nobbs- who is just such an inspiration to me with his attitude and work ethic and general awesomeness. Third, we are performing in the Connelly Theatre, where I had one of the best theatrical experiences of my life playing Boxer in a puppet version of Animal Farm. Fourth, we just cast this sucker, and the cast is mind blowingly perfect. Fifth, the Fringe is good mojo. And beyond all that, my gut is telling me that this is going to be special.

Sometimes, when working on a play, you get this feeling in your gut that something magic is in the air. I remember when I was writing Last Call I had this feeling. I was in my apartment in Williamsburg, talking with good friend Jack Halpin about the show- and we both noted that there was something in the air, some sort of electric charge about the show. Something was happening that was going to change our lives, and somehow we knew it.

I feel that way about April's Fool.

And I just hashed out the ending- or new ending, as there have been several incarnations- and it feels right. Like something clicked and now I get it and there's the ending I've been wanting/needing/striving for- and now it all makes sense. It's weird, and exhilarating, and a little magnificent.

So get on board with me. Join the team. Enlist in April's Army, as a Fool, Magician, Lover, or Star. We are setting the course for points unknown- but we have a cosmic playlist, plenty of snacks, and an open road. For more info, click HERE.

And on another groovy note, my play RIDDLE LOST has just been published on Indie Theater Now. If you want to check it out, click HERE.

Onwards, and May the Fates Be with You.

FLOYD AND CLEA KICKING ASS AND TAKING NAMES

Why is it that every time I write about the theatre at the Fine Arts Center of Colorado, I start with
the words "yet again"? As in, yet again, under the direction of Scott Levy, the Fine Arts Center provides the best theatre in Colorado. It's really amazing- over and over and over, I have seen shows there- and always, they remind me why I love theatre: because, when done right, it's exciting, and fun, and relevant. I know there are those in the theatre community who bemoan the state of theatre in America- who complain about finances and donors and whatever else- but those people need to wake up and smell the coffee and get their collective butts to the FAC.

The theatre, I am happy to report- is alive and well and living in Colorado Springs. Case in point: the Colorado premiere of Floyd and Clea Under the Western the Sky. What a friggin' great show this is. Entertaining, moving, unique- this production shakes the dew out of your eyes and reminds you that you are a human being- frail and majestic, living in a world of beauty and sadness and connection and hope and loss and redemption. This show is like a breath of fresh air- new and exciting and hard to define in the boring old terms like musical or serio-comedy or whatever. It is beyond labeling. It's a work of art, alive and kicking and drawing you in like a great song you hear on the radio- the song the you never heard before but that is so good you have to keep the radio on until either you find out who it is singing or what the name of the song is, because you must- right away- buy that song and play it over and over until you know every word. It's part modern drama, part concert, part intimate musical- and one hundred percent engaging.

The plot follows Floyd- a singer/songwriter who at the start of the story is obviously in the middle of a downward spiral. He's clearly talented, and charming- but also an alcoholic with a talent for self-destruction. As Floyd, Jordan Leigh is a revelation- charming, infuriating, and sad. Floyd isn't into self pity, however. Simply self immolation via a flask he keeps filled with booze. While anyone destroying themselves is tragic- there is something doubly tragic in watching Floyd degenerate, because you can see glimpses of greatness in him- particularly when he's singing one of his plaintive songs about love and loss and loneliness. Fairly early in the story, he meets young Clea- a girl with dreams, talents, and an inability to take no for an answer. Clea is a firebrand, fiercely portrayed by the outstanding Chelsea Ringer. She lights up the stage the moment she enters- and when she sings  she has the voice of a angel. Watching Ringer and Leigh in a scene, or singing a duet, is a treat- a master class in style, grace, and agility. They listen to each other and play off each other so well, so naturally, so splendidly- it's mesmerizing. I don't want to say too much of what happens in the story- but it's not your average boy meets girl type of story. It's not a romance in the traditional sense. It's a very modern story about some classic problems with human beings- dealing with ourselves, figuring out who we are, what to do with dreams deferred or detoured, what to do with dreams come true- so much, and yet it's all crammed into about 90 minutes of stage time. The music, by David Cale & Jonathan Kreisberg, is amazing. It sounds like something T-Bone Burnett would produce- slightly rock-a-billy with and edge and lyrics as clever as something Elvis Costello would write. And the Band! Holy crap, what a band! Jim Christian on guitars, Bobby McGuffin on percussion, Jay McGuffin on Bass, and Jim Robertson on guitars, all under the music direction of Jay Hahn, are the tightest, rockingest, grooviest band I have ever heard in a show. Ever. When the performance is over, thye play a few songs while the audience ambles out. I highly recommend staying, and savoring every ounce of these music gods. I did.

Scott Levy directs this show at a perfect pace- moving action along when needed, and letting other moments develop their own quirky timing. There are a few scenes in a motel room that are just magnificent- quiet, simple, conversational- but with so much heart and emotion bubbling underneath the silent veneer, with so much unspoken tension between the two characters based on a need to express their true feelings and needs that you can't help but lean in from your seat watching them. The set by Christopher L. Sheley is outstanding- sparse, imaginative, and with a fantastic sky stunningly lit by light designer Holly Anne Rawls. And the costumes, by Janson Fangio, are perfect, natural extensions of both Floyd and Clea at the various stages of their lives as they both make a rather arduous journey.

If you haven't notice, I love this show.

And I love the Fine Arts Center.

On other fronts: my show APRIL'S FOOL- which had it's first ever public reading as part of the Rough
Writers Festival at the FAC, has been accepted into the New York International Fringe Festival- the largest performing arts festival in North America- and will have it's world premiere this August. We are crowd sourcing this production through Indiegogo, and would greatly appreciate it if you checked out the campaign- and if you like what you see, please share it via social media. You can find the campaign by clicking HERE.

So, to reiterate: Go see Floyd and Clea now! I myself plan on returning to see it a second time before the run is over.

SUMMER AT REEL KIDS

Hi there!

I'm writing this to let you know about some summer theatre/film camps I'll be teaching at Reel Kids in Superior. Would love to see you there. Here is the email we've been sending out:

Summer classes have officially kicked off here at Reel Kids, and we couldn't be more excited! Fresh off our closing performance of Dear, Edwina Saturday night, today was our first day of rehearsal for The Secret Garden (opening June ?), and our first day of class for production design. Secret Garden, one of the most beautiful musicals of the past few decades, is based on the classic novel of the same name, and performs June 27th, 28th, and 29th. We hope to see you at the show!

June 16-20, we are offering Hogwarts Film Academy- a week long class where students can film their favorite scenes from the Harry Potter Stories, casting themselves as their favorite characters. Students can write their own scripts, or use material from the screenplays. Click here for more information. For the more advanced, we have a film directing class in June- this class is an exploration of short film making, from beginning idea to shooting the film to post-production. For more info, click here.

In July, we go through the looking glass with our production of Disney's Alice in Wonderland. This is the stage version of the classic Disney film- full of great music and unforgettable characters like The Mad Hatter, The Cheshire Cat, and The Queen of Hearts. Rehearsals beginJune 30, and performances are July 25th, 26th, and 27th. Slots are still available- click here for more info. And if you have a young artist more interested in the design aspect of theatre, in working backstage, building sets, costumes, lights, etc. we have a production class connected to this show. For more info, click here.

Also in July we have several film camps. We start with Camp Half Blood, a two week camp based on the Percy Jackson books. If your young artist ever wanted to make a short movie involving Greek Gods, fighting monsters, and modern teen-agers, this is the camp for them! Click here for more info.  We also have The Hunger Games Film School- where students get to make their own short films based on The Hunger Games. Each student gets to direct their own short film, based on these very popular books. Click here for more info.

And, as if July wasn't action packed enough, we are also offering a beginning film makers class called "iMovie and Beyond" a one week camp exploring the field of digital video and video editing- perfect for any novice movie mogul. For more info, click here.

And in August, it's all about The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee- a hilarious musical for actors ages 12 and up. Smart, edgy, and heart warming, this 2005 show has become an instant classic. Slots are still available- for more info, click here. And if you have an artist interested in working on the production elements of this show, click here.

We'll see you at Reel Kids!

Kari, Kelly, Devin, Tara and Hunter!

25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE & DISNEY'S ALICE IN WONDERLAND

HEY YOUNG ACTORS IN THE DENVER/BOULDER AREA!
I'm directing two shows at Reel Kids this summer:
Disney's Alice in Wonderland &
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

If you like these shows, having fun, making friends, and living life to the fullest, you should join me.

I mean, imagine being in this number:

Or this one!

Yes, you will have to work hard. Yes, you will have to have fun.
Those are the two golden rules of theatre.
See you at Reel Kids.
For more info, click HERE.