Opening Weekend is over.
As a director, I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.
The cast and crew were great.
The audience loved it.
I've heard nothing but good things about our show.
Thank you everyone for surprising me with the cake and song.
I appreciate it.
This show has been the best birthday present.
There have been ups and downs and backstage drama, but, overall, this has been a great show.
I would work with everyone again, and I hope everyone comes to audition for me and other directors in the future.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Opening NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT! It's OPENING NIIIIIIIIGHT!!!
Yes my friends.
We have made it!
Today is, indeed, March 27th.
Tonight...
Is Opening Night for our show, my dears!
I am very proud everyone, cast and crew.
This past week, the show developed and became something to be proud of because of you guys.
The show was/ is entirely in your hands, cast and crew.
You guys made it work, and I have full confidence that you will continue to do so.
I sincerely love you all for all the hard work and effort you have put into this show.
Thank you.
We have made it!
Today is, indeed, March 27th.
Tonight...
Is Opening Night for our show, my dears!
I am very proud everyone, cast and crew.
This past week, the show developed and became something to be proud of because of you guys.
The show was/ is entirely in your hands, cast and crew.
You guys made it work, and I have full confidence that you will continue to do so.
I sincerely love you all for all the hard work and effort you have put into this show.
Thank you.
Danielle's Review of our show!!!
Review Roundup: Round Town’s Treasure Island Contains Hidden Gems
by Danielle Filas
In some ways, Round Town Players’ production of Treasure Island shows the typical earmarks of most small town theatre offerings: it’s low on production value, but overflows with a sense of the community’s love and commitment to the play. Sometimes, though, these sort of family run theatres serve as breeding grounds for raw talent. And director Tahrea Maynard certainly unearths some diamond-in-the-rough young actors who make this play watchable, in spite of some pacing problems (Wednesday’s dress rehearsal clocked in at 160 minutes) and occasional lapses in focus from some of the youngest pirates. (And in defense of those cute young pirates with itchy knees and a case of the onstage yawns, the audience will most certainly forgive them!)
Proof that great actors can shine in even the smallest parts, young Faith Arni stands out in her scenes, even though she plays extra roles (a guest at the inn and a nameless pirate) that have no dialogue. Her characters’ inner thoughts and desires still come through crystal clear, thanks to Arni’s unshaken focus and active listening. Other small speaking roles showcase even more young talent. Jessica Rippetoe commands the stage as the cantankerous blind bully, Blind Pew. Kayla Theis dives into her pirate character, the ironically named George Merry, creating a dynamic and cruel foil to lead Flynn Shannon’s likeable character, young Jim.
Not all of the talent comes in the form of pre-teens, however. Ben Gunn, played by a lovable and energetic Tracy Kawasaki, breathes laughs and life into the top of the second act, enjoying a welcome return to put a tuneful cap on the end of the show. The few adult actors, in fact, dive into the play with a childlike enthusiasm that no doubt infects the child actors who dominate the cast.
Brandon Richardson’s Long John Silver, however, sparkles brightest in this Circleville treasure chest. When I first saw the infamous one-legged pirate lurch on stage , I thought Maynard had found a one-legged actor. In fact, Maynard told me, she had planned to fashion a fake wooden leg for Richardson, but the young 19 year old actor laughed, flipped his leg back, and asked, “Why don’t I just do this?” You really must see his physical performance to believe it, as Richardson leads his minions, fends off attacks, and even bounds up stairs. In addition to his acrobatics, he does a fine job of portraying a lovable bad guy character more than twice his age. Tri-cornered hats off to this young man! We will see him again, to be sure.
All in all, this imperfect but warm and radiant production will no doubt entertain and enchant Circleville audiences. Directors and casting directors from the region, however, may also want to attend in order to find fresh faces for future productions at larger venues. Aarrr! Thar be real talent in that thar town!
Round Town Players: Treasure Island
Performances: March 27, 28 April 3, 4 at 7:30pm
Sunday March 29 and April 5 at 2:30pm
Round Town Players Memorial Hall
165 E. Main Street
Circleville, OH 43113
for tickets, call: 1-740-474-5856
Adults…$8.00
Students…$5.00
by Danielle Filas
In some ways, Round Town Players’ production of Treasure Island shows the typical earmarks of most small town theatre offerings: it’s low on production value, but overflows with a sense of the community’s love and commitment to the play. Sometimes, though, these sort of family run theatres serve as breeding grounds for raw talent. And director Tahrea Maynard certainly unearths some diamond-in-the-rough young actors who make this play watchable, in spite of some pacing problems (Wednesday’s dress rehearsal clocked in at 160 minutes) and occasional lapses in focus from some of the youngest pirates. (And in defense of those cute young pirates with itchy knees and a case of the onstage yawns, the audience will most certainly forgive them!)
Proof that great actors can shine in even the smallest parts, young Faith Arni stands out in her scenes, even though she plays extra roles (a guest at the inn and a nameless pirate) that have no dialogue. Her characters’ inner thoughts and desires still come through crystal clear, thanks to Arni’s unshaken focus and active listening. Other small speaking roles showcase even more young talent. Jessica Rippetoe commands the stage as the cantankerous blind bully, Blind Pew. Kayla Theis dives into her pirate character, the ironically named George Merry, creating a dynamic and cruel foil to lead Flynn Shannon’s likeable character, young Jim.
Not all of the talent comes in the form of pre-teens, however. Ben Gunn, played by a lovable and energetic Tracy Kawasaki, breathes laughs and life into the top of the second act, enjoying a welcome return to put a tuneful cap on the end of the show. The few adult actors, in fact, dive into the play with a childlike enthusiasm that no doubt infects the child actors who dominate the cast.
Brandon Richardson’s Long John Silver, however, sparkles brightest in this Circleville treasure chest. When I first saw the infamous one-legged pirate lurch on stage , I thought Maynard had found a one-legged actor. In fact, Maynard told me, she had planned to fashion a fake wooden leg for Richardson, but the young 19 year old actor laughed, flipped his leg back, and asked, “Why don’t I just do this?” You really must see his physical performance to believe it, as Richardson leads his minions, fends off attacks, and even bounds up stairs. In addition to his acrobatics, he does a fine job of portraying a lovable bad guy character more than twice his age. Tri-cornered hats off to this young man! We will see him again, to be sure.
All in all, this imperfect but warm and radiant production will no doubt entertain and enchant Circleville audiences. Directors and casting directors from the region, however, may also want to attend in order to find fresh faces for future productions at larger venues. Aarrr! Thar be real talent in that thar town!
Round Town Players: Treasure Island
Performances: March 27, 28 April 3, 4 at 7:30pm
Sunday March 29 and April 5 at 2:30pm
Round Town Players Memorial Hall
165 E. Main Street
Circleville, OH 43113
for tickets, call: 1-740-474-5856
Adults…$8.00
Students…$5.00
Sunday, March 22, 2009
"Line?"
Friends.
The time has come upon us.
TECH WEEK.
*OMINOUS MUSIC-DUN-DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN*
lol
Everyone, remember to breath and take it one step at a time.
Oh, and study those lines!
Today, at 4:30, we shall begin the show and run it through, non-stop.
I think we shall allow everyone to have a script for the first run through, just to see how long it would be IF everyone knew their lines and didn't have to stop and call for "LINE?"
We are going to get through this production week, and we are going to have a fantastic show.
You are all working hard.
We know it.
I am overwhelmed by all the help we've received from parents and cast members alike.
Thank you guys!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Cruch time....
We are getting there.
We are.
Everyone still needs to work on their lines and projection.
That is why, Saturday, we are going to work on lines, lines, lines.
We are going to make this show happen.
I'm still pumped about it, and I hope everyone else is too.
2:30 on Saturday.
I don't know what time we will be finished.
We just need to pound out lines and work on projection.
Saturday's "rehearsal" will seem more like a workshop at times.
James and I care too much for everyone to not try our hardest to make the best production we can HAPPEN.
We, unfortunately, can't force memorization into every cast member's head.
That has to come from the individual.
And it will.
:o)
We are.
Everyone still needs to work on their lines and projection.
That is why, Saturday, we are going to work on lines, lines, lines.
We are going to make this show happen.
I'm still pumped about it, and I hope everyone else is too.
2:30 on Saturday.
I don't know what time we will be finished.
We just need to pound out lines and work on projection.
Saturday's "rehearsal" will seem more like a workshop at times.
James and I care too much for everyone to not try our hardest to make the best production we can HAPPEN.
We, unfortunately, can't force memorization into every cast member's head.
That has to come from the individual.
And it will.
:o)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Crunch time!!!!
Monday...
We had a few hiccups.
Last night was much better.
Tonight we are going to start at 6, and just GO.
I'm debating on whether to start with Act II, and, if we have time, go back over Act I or just start at Act I again....
I think we're going to do the former rather than the latter, just becaue we've started with Act I for the past couple of nights.
The majority of the cast has the majority of their lines down.
HOOOORAH!
With the exception of a few props and needing to finish painting the front of the stage, the set is ready to go.
Some time either tonight or Saturday, I need to get the BACK of back stage cleared out and organized so that all the clutter isn't seen by the audience.
We will have a rehearsal on Saturday from 2:30 to whenever.
I honestly have no idea how long the show is going to be and I don't know if we are going to have to cut some scenes or lines.
We will do whatever to make it work.
Everyone is doing a splendid job and should be proud!
We had a few hiccups.
Last night was much better.
Tonight we are going to start at 6, and just GO.
I'm debating on whether to start with Act II, and, if we have time, go back over Act I or just start at Act I again....
I think we're going to do the former rather than the latter, just becaue we've started with Act I for the past couple of nights.
The majority of the cast has the majority of their lines down.
HOOOORAH!
With the exception of a few props and needing to finish painting the front of the stage, the set is ready to go.
Some time either tonight or Saturday, I need to get the BACK of back stage cleared out and organized so that all the clutter isn't seen by the audience.
We will have a rehearsal on Saturday from 2:30 to whenever.
I honestly have no idea how long the show is going to be and I don't know if we are going to have to cut some scenes or lines.
We will do whatever to make it work.
Everyone is doing a splendid job and should be proud!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Week 5....
This week was the last of rehearsals to be on book.
our set is 90% complete.
Costumes are being done.
Lines are being memorized.
We have entered the home stretch.
This coming week, rehearsals are Monday-Wednesday, 6:30- 8:30.
THEN, starting on Sunday the 22nd, we've got Tech Week.
*OMINOUS MUSIC!!!!!*
Sunday at 4:30, then Monday-Thursday, with a 6:00 call time.
THEN, the show opens on the 27th.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!
Please study your lines and blocking guys!!!!
our set is 90% complete.
Costumes are being done.
Lines are being memorized.
We have entered the home stretch.
This coming week, rehearsals are Monday-Wednesday, 6:30- 8:30.
THEN, starting on Sunday the 22nd, we've got Tech Week.
*OMINOUS MUSIC!!!!!*
Sunday at 4:30, then Monday-Thursday, with a 6:00 call time.
THEN, the show opens on the 27th.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!
Please study your lines and blocking guys!!!!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Hizzah!
WE.
HAVE.
A.
MAST!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
Tonight we covered the combat scenes again, perfecting them (of course.)
Tomorrow we'll go over Act I.
Wednesday will be Act II.
Hizzah.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Set building Saturday and Week four: Night one
Set Building Saturday was a smash.
Everyone really came together and worked together to make this show happen in a big way.
The dads who showed up were above and beyond with the set.
Some of the moms went up and helped figure out the crazy costume mess in the green room.
Some were painting and helping with parts of the set.
A few were brave enough to help clean the restrooms.
Yikes.
Cast members were EVERYWHERE, helping with every kind of odd job.
It was a beautiful thing.
Once everyone left around 5:30, James and I started on painting the stage.
We finished the stage floor around 8- something and called a quits.
I popped in Sunday Evening and painted parts of the front of the stage myself, and touched up on a couple of spots we missed the previous night.
Last night, I started painting parts of the set.
I was elated to see a couple dads come back to finish working on the set during practice.
A-Mazing!
Rehearsal-wise, last night, we went over Act II.
I say "we" even though I missed most of it because of the board meeting.
Argh.
I apologize for not being in a stellar mood last night.
It'll be better tonight, I promise, when we go over Act I.
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