Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday, October 19, 2008
It Feels Fantastic!
I was asked by a columnist to describe how things FEEL at the theater during the first weekend of Rehearsal for Murder. Here's what I can say about the "Broadway 1962" experience and the play:
Extra lighting is strewn outside the theater, with play posters and a grand reopening poster painted by Leah Klostermann on display. Patrons are greeted by New York City folk like James Kellermann and daughter Tara, with son Sean as the shoe shine boy. Each patron receives a free"Extra! Extra!" edition of the Sentinel, thrust upon them by newsboys Brandon Ratermann, Josh Albers and Mason Kuper (Madeline will also greet you to show you her go-go boots). Get your tickets from Ticket Girl Jennifer Klostermann, and check out her sparkling silver go-go boots, and her top-hatted husband Steve, the theater Doorman. Check out the vintage cars outside the theater, donated by the Stratmans and Winters (next week, John will make an appearance as a Rebel Without a Clue, and Deb will also be in dress doing tours).
Inside, buy yourself a treat for the show from Candy Cigarette Girl Mary Helen Otrembiak, and get your 50/50 ticket from Street Hustler Dustin McSparen in his lime green hat and floor length fur (well, it would be floor length on anyone esle; you know how tall he is). Nora's Famous Coffee, as featured in the play, is available for only a quarter as Scarface Sabasteon Shane shows you to your seat. I worked the room at my James-Bond-best, in my tux and hat, bouncing from the house to backstage to the booth upstairs.
Building Committee members Charlie and Mike Huelsman and Pat Kreher tell the story of how far we've come and how far we have yet to go, as patrons walk through a display of theater artifacts, photos and clippings and the Best of Frank Sinatra fills the airwaves. The warm color of the freshly-painted walls and the soft glow of the new light fixtures help people settle in comfortably, even though temporary seating from the park stage has to suffice for now.
When the show starts, the actors are high energy, they know their lines, the tech and stage crews pull off the effects without a hitch, and the transformation back to Broadway in the year 1962 is complete. Patrons laugh heartily, and then ooh and gasp through the twists and turns of the mystery. When it is over, they greet the cast out front of the Avon, smiling and shaking their heads saying, "I never saw that coming!"
I believe that we have succeeded in providing an experience (Broadway 1962), a play (Rehearsal for Murder) and an event (the grand reopening of the Avon) that people will remember as a great time in the history of the Clinton County Showcase. The show goes on Friday and Saturday October 24 (my birthday) and 25 at 8pm, with a 2:00 matinee on Sunday the 26th. Of course, the number for tickets is 618-526-AVON; visit www.ccshowcase.com to see photos.
Extra lighting is strewn outside the theater, with play posters and a grand reopening poster painted by Leah Klostermann on display. Patrons are greeted by New York City folk like James Kellermann and daughter Tara, with son Sean as the shoe shine boy. Each patron receives a free"Extra! Extra!" edition of the Sentinel, thrust upon them by newsboys Brandon Ratermann, Josh Albers and Mason Kuper (Madeline will also greet you to show you her go-go boots). Get your tickets from Ticket Girl Jennifer Klostermann, and check out her sparkling silver go-go boots, and her top-hatted husband Steve, the theater Doorman. Check out the vintage cars outside the theater, donated by the Stratmans and Winters (next week, John will make an appearance as a Rebel Without a Clue, and Deb will also be in dress doing tours).
Inside, buy yourself a treat for the show from Candy Cigarette Girl Mary Helen Otrembiak, and get your 50/50 ticket from Street Hustler Dustin McSparen in his lime green hat and floor length fur (well, it would be floor length on anyone esle; you know how tall he is). Nora's Famous Coffee, as featured in the play, is available for only a quarter as Scarface Sabasteon Shane shows you to your seat. I worked the room at my James-Bond-best, in my tux and hat, bouncing from the house to backstage to the booth upstairs.
Building Committee members Charlie and Mike Huelsman and Pat Kreher tell the story of how far we've come and how far we have yet to go, as patrons walk through a display of theater artifacts, photos and clippings and the Best of Frank Sinatra fills the airwaves. The warm color of the freshly-painted walls and the soft glow of the new light fixtures help people settle in comfortably, even though temporary seating from the park stage has to suffice for now.
When the show starts, the actors are high energy, they know their lines, the tech and stage crews pull off the effects without a hitch, and the transformation back to Broadway in the year 1962 is complete. Patrons laugh heartily, and then ooh and gasp through the twists and turns of the mystery. When it is over, they greet the cast out front of the Avon, smiling and shaking their heads saying, "I never saw that coming!"
I believe that we have succeeded in providing an experience (Broadway 1962), a play (Rehearsal for Murder) and an event (the grand reopening of the Avon) that people will remember as a great time in the history of the Clinton County Showcase. The show goes on Friday and Saturday October 24 (my birthday) and 25 at 8pm, with a 2:00 matinee on Sunday the 26th. Of course, the number for tickets is 618-526-AVON; visit www.ccshowcase.com to see photos.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Kudos
You could feel the excitement in the air Friday nite, as the newly renovated Avon Theater opened its doors to begin the fall season. The Clinton County Showcase honored the reopening of the Avon and its first production this fall (Rehearsal for Murder) by a recreation of "Broadway 1962." The entire theatrical experience was dramatically enhanced due to the collaborative efforts of this community theater and its many volunteers.
-Patrick Kreher
PS: Check out www.ccshowcase for photos and much more
-Patrick Kreher
PS: Check out www.ccshowcase for photos and much more
A SMASH!
The newly-renovated Avon Theater was welcomed back with a bang, with lots of laughs and with a smash: Rehearsal for Murder. The cast, crew and audience took the theater and the Clinton County Showcase to new heights on opening night of what will be one of the Showcase's most memorable events and performances. Four stars for sure!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
One Day More!
One Day More!
The cast and crew of Rehearsal for Murder are 100% ready for opening night! The group knocked the ball out of the park during final rehearsals, and is ready for blast off opening night! Thanks to everyone who pitched in to make our production amazing and our theater remarkable! Break a leg!
The cast and crew of Rehearsal for Murder are 100% ready for opening night! The group knocked the ball out of the park during final rehearsals, and is ready for blast off opening night! Thanks to everyone who pitched in to make our production amazing and our theater remarkable! Break a leg!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Schedule for tech week, performances and parties
It’s Tech Week! The Home Stretch!
Opening night is just a week away! Final preparations are underway. Don’t’ forget:
Saturday, October 11th, 9:00 a.m. Finish the set
Sunday, October 12th: Tech rehearsal, 7:00 p.m. Full tech and props
Monday, October 13th and Tuesday October 14th: Full tech and dress rehearsals. 7:00 call; 7:30 show. Monday media night photos.
Wednesday, October 14th and Thursday October 15th: Full tech, dress and makeup rehearsals. 7:00 call; 7:30 show. Wednesday morning WCXO radio appearance 9:20 a.m.
Friday, October 17th: Opening night! 7:00 call; 8:00 performance
Saturday the 18th, Sunday the 19th: Show nights; 7:30 call; 8:00 performances
Thursday, October 23, 2008: Pick up rehearsal. Unlike most shows, our pickup rehearsal is very important and therefore is required! It will be Greg Streetman’s final run-through as understudy before taking the stage Saturday as Lloyd!
Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th: Show nights. 7:30 call; 8:00 performance
Sunday, October 26th: Closing matinee. 12:30 call; 1:00 show. Set teardown afterward.
Cast party update: The official RFM cast party is Friday the 24th (Director’s birthday) at Frankie’s Sundown in Beckemeyer immediately following the show. Music by Corey Knapp will be provided.
Sharon would also like to offer up her place for a gathering (she lives just four blocks from the theater), for viewing the DVD of the original made-for-TV version of Rehearsal for Murder starring Robert Preston as Alex, Vanessa Redgrave as Monica, and Jeff Goldblum as Leo! Oh, and let’s not forget that Bella is played by a man! Saturday the 18th was suggested, but any night will do.
What other ideas for gatherings—particularly for opening night—do people have?
Opening night is just a week away! Final preparations are underway. Don’t’ forget:
Saturday, October 11th, 9:00 a.m. Finish the set
Sunday, October 12th: Tech rehearsal, 7:00 p.m. Full tech and props
Monday, October 13th and Tuesday October 14th: Full tech and dress rehearsals. 7:00 call; 7:30 show. Monday media night photos.
Wednesday, October 14th and Thursday October 15th: Full tech, dress and makeup rehearsals. 7:00 call; 7:30 show. Wednesday morning WCXO radio appearance 9:20 a.m.
Friday, October 17th: Opening night! 7:00 call; 8:00 performance
Saturday the 18th, Sunday the 19th: Show nights; 7:30 call; 8:00 performances
Thursday, October 23, 2008: Pick up rehearsal. Unlike most shows, our pickup rehearsal is very important and therefore is required! It will be Greg Streetman’s final run-through as understudy before taking the stage Saturday as Lloyd!
Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th: Show nights. 7:30 call; 8:00 performance
Sunday, October 26th: Closing matinee. 12:30 call; 1:00 show. Set teardown afterward.
Cast party update: The official RFM cast party is Friday the 24th (Director’s birthday) at Frankie’s Sundown in Beckemeyer immediately following the show. Music by Corey Knapp will be provided.
Sharon would also like to offer up her place for a gathering (she lives just four blocks from the theater), for viewing the DVD of the original made-for-TV version of Rehearsal for Murder starring Robert Preston as Alex, Vanessa Redgrave as Monica, and Jeff Goldblum as Leo! Oh, and let’s not forget that Bella is played by a man! Saturday the 18th was suggested, but any night will do.
What other ideas for gatherings—particularly for opening night—do people have?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Rehearsals on the Avon Stage!
The Avon Theater renovations are far enough along that the cast and crew of Rehearsal for Murder can begin practicing at the theater starting this Tuesday, 9/23
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