This Weekend in Theatre: February 9-12

February 9 - 12, 2017

Grab your valentine and head out for a date night at the theatre! I promise this list has prices to suit ALL wallets!

Oklahoma
37 Postcards - Jewel Box Theatre, Oklahoma City
***Thursday - Saturday 8:00 pm, Sunday 2:30 pm, tickets are $15-20 (but they have a wintertainment special: last three shows for $20...that's like two shows for free!)
Pippin - OKC Broadway (Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall), Oklahoma City
***Thursday 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 8:00 pm, Sunday 7:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2:00 pm, tickets are $39-100 (playing through February 12)
Assassins - Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City
***Wednesday and Thursday 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 8:00 pm, Saturday 2:00 pm, Sunday 5:00 pm, tickets are $25-62 (playing Wed-Sun through February 26)
Fences - Pollard Theatre Company, Guthrie
***Friday and Saturday 8:00 pm, tickets are $25 (playing through March 4, Sunday 2:00 pm matinees begin February 19 at 2:00 pm)
How Deep is the Ocean? - UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond
***one night only! Sunday 7:30 pm, tickets are FREE (plus my sweet friend Mackenzie Carpenter is in this and the UCO Jazz Lab is an AWESOME venue!)

Texas
An American in Paris - Dallas Summer Musicals (Music Hall at Fair Park), Dallas, Texas
***Thursday  - Sunday 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 1:30 pm, tickets are $25-105 (playing through February 12)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch - AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, Texas
***Thursday and Sunday 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2:00 pm, tickets are $29-99 (playing through February 12)

Rumors – Butterfield Stage Players, Gainesville, TX

Show 43 of 2016

Neil Simon’s work was a theme in my theatre adventures in 2016. I think I saw four of his shows if I remember correctly. The last one of the year was Rumors, produced by Butterfield Stage Players in Gainesville, Texas.

I really enjoy this theatre company. They are small, but very talented and I’ve enjoyed the shows I have seen there. Their theatre is located in an old Carnegie Library close to downtown. When visiting this theatre I recommend stopping through downtown for dinner and shopping as well. Gainesville is a town with lots of history and charm.

Rumors was the second show of their 2016-2017 regular season and included many new faces to the stage. The plot of the show centers on five couples who attend a dinner party at another couple’s Manhattan home only to find out that the wife is missing and the husband has been shot. Hilarity ensues.

I am not a huge Neil Simon fan, regardless of how many shows I saw this year, but the presentation at Butterfield was top notch. There was a lot of physical comedy with doors slamming, cops appearing, and mistaken identities. I certainly did not leave the theatre disappointed.

I am always excited when newcomers take the stage. Theatre is such a wonderful hobby and passion that is it great to see people get involved. There was also a real life husband and wife duo in the cast and I love that community theatre allows families to work together to put on a show.

The set was phenomenal. This theatre may be small, but when it comes to dressing a stage for a play they do a wonderful job. As the show was set in a single setting they were able to create a fairly elaborate apartment complete with stairs to a second floor. I love the illusion of apartments on stage. I had little doubt in my mind that the actors were indeed moving from room to room, though I went to a workshop a few weeks later and realized the tight quarters they were in when they were ‘in’ the upstairs rooms, yet during the show the set allowed for my imagination to take me away and into the story, doing exactly what good theatre should do.

This was not my favorite Butterfield production, not due to quality, just simply because Neil Simon is not my favorite, however my mom thought it was the best she’d seen (I was partial to Arsenic and Old Lace, which I will talk about soon). Overall I thought Butterfield did a great job with Rumors. It was extremely funny and entertaining and made for a great night of theatre.

This is our first year as season ticket holders at Butterfield, but I am glad to support another theatre close to my home. They have The 39 Steps opening in a few weeks and tickets are on sale now. This is another one of my favorite shows and I am excited to see their production.


For more information:
Production: Rumors
Company/Venue: Butterfield Stage Players
City: Gainesville, TX

This Weekend in Theatre: February 2-5

There is no excuse to be bored on the weekends! There is so much going on, especially in the theatre world. I am going to TRY to highlight shows that are coming each weekend on Wednesdays (we'll see how long I succeed!) These are the shows that have made it to my personal calendar of theatre, there are TONS more and as I get better at this I'll highlight more companies.

February 2 - 5, 2017

Oklahoma
37 Postcards - Jewel Box Theatre, Oklahoma City
***Thursday - Saturday 8:00 pm, Sunday 2:30 pm, tickets are $15-20 (but they have a wintertainment special: last three shows for $20...that's like two shows for free!)
Peter and the Starcatcher - Theatre Tulsa, Tulsa
***Thursday - Saturday 8:00 pm, Sunday 2:00 pm, tickets are $20-22
Steel Magnolias - Claremore Productions, Inc., Claremore
***Friday and Saturday 7:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm, tickets are $15-25

Texas
An American in Paris - Dallas Summer Musicals (Music Hall at Fair Park), Dallas, Texas
***Thursday  - Sunday 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 1:30 pm, tickets are $25-105 (playing through February 12, dark on Mondays)

2017-2018 Broadway Series Preview

Last Tuesday news broke that Hamilton, An American Musical was coming to Oklahoma City in the 2018-2019 season. Later that day news broke it was also coming to Tulsa and then on Saturday word got around that it would be coming to Dallas. All three venues announced that to have the best chance at getting this highly coveted tickets would be to become a season subscriber for 2017-2018.

Let me just say how brilliant I think this marketing tool is. Like, seriously, GENIUS. I love that this little, unknown show has brought about such a resurgence of musical theatre and theatre in general (not to mention history and politics).

That being said I live in a place where Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Dallas are all options for theatre. Oklahoma City is about an hour and a half away, Dallas two hours and Tulsa three hours, all of which are doable for a day trip for a matinee, though Tulsa is certainly better for a weekend trip.

As the show lists for the seasons came pouring in they just got better and better. I am going to highlight each of the seasons as well as Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth and the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas (though it will be actually added later because the season has not been announced, but they told me it would be within the next few weeks).

When I put the seasons on my calendar I realized just how easy it would be to see all the shows because if you have conflicts for one you can go to another city and see the shows within a few weeks or months of each other. Friends, it's a good time to be a theatre lover!

So if you are interested in snagging Hamilton tickets when it comes to town check out the seasons and determine which one you will enjoy the most. (I have not decided this for myself yet...)

Onto the shows!


OKC Broadway
Civic Center Musical Hall, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• The Little Mermaid - September 5-10, 2017
• Beautiful The Carole King Musical - September 26 - October 1, 2017
• Rent - November 7-12, 2017 (season add on)
• The Color Purple - January 2-7, 2018
• School of Rock - February 6-11, 2018
• Finding Neverland - March 13-18, 2018
• Book of Mormon - April 24-29, 2018 (season add on)
• An American in Paris - June 5-10, 2018
• Hamilton - 2018-2019 Season

Dallas Summer Musicals
Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas, Texas

• White Christmas - December 5-10, 2017
• The Color Purple - January 23 - February 4, 2018
• On Your Feet! The Emilio & Gloria Estefan Musical - February 27 - March 11, 2018
• Waitress - March 28 - April 8, 2018
• Les Miserables - April 24 - May 6, 2018
• The Lion King - June 13 - July 8, 2018
• Love Never Dies: The Phantom Returns - July 24 - August 5, 2018
• School of Rock - August 15-26, 2018
• Hamilton - 2018-2019 Season
• Aladdin - 2018-2019 Season

Celebrity Attractions
Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma

• The Little Mermaid - August 29 - September 3, 2017
• The Bodyguard - September 26 - October 1, 2017
• A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Marriage - January 23-28, 2018
• Finding Neverland - March 6 - 11, 2018
• The Sound of Music - April 3-8, 2018
• An American in Paris - June 19-24, 2018
• Hamilton - 2018-2019 Season

Broadway at the Bass
Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, Texas

• Something Rotten! - January 17-21, 2018
• Finding Neverland - March 20-25, 2018
• Waitress - June 19-24, 2018
• Love Never Dies: The Phantom Returns - August 7-12, 2018
• School of Rock - August 28 - September 2, 2018

Broadway Series
AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

• Coming soon! (But I hear it's a good one!)

I realize a lot of people will be purchasing season subscriptions in order to secure Hamilton tickets, but several of the groups offer mini packs or bundles to save you some money if you're seeing multiple shows, but not the whole season because you've purchased a season subscription elsewhere. I have been to all of these theatres and they are all fantastic venues and there really aren't bad seats. Season subscriptions are priced based on where you sit as well, so an orchestra seat is more expensive than a balcony seat. The one drawback at most though, is that you have choose which performance you will be seeing when you purchase (like the Tuesday evening or the Sunday matinee). I like my freedom and that feels too binding to me which is why I have stayed away from subscriptions before. I do believe most, if not all, have a ticket marketplace where you can exchange tickets. I have not used this before, as I have not bought a season subscription, so I cannot speak on how good or bad it is.

All the shows listed above (currently) are musicals. Plays do not tour to the extent that musicals do because of scenery issues, though it does happen and rumor has it one company will have a play coming.

Hopefully this helps you determine how you will make your Hamilton dreams come true! I welcome any questions in the comments or to the right through social media or email. If I don't know the answer I will get back to you as soon as I find out!

Carrie – Department of Theatre, Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa, OK

Show 44 of 2016

Carrie the musical, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, is known as one of the biggest flops to ever hit Broadway. It premiered in 1988, had 16 previews, and closed after only 5 performances. Remember when I mentioned the difference between show, production, and performance? This is one of the shows I was referring to.

It is a well known fact in theatre circles that Carrie the musical was not good. Let’s face it guys, it is a horror movie with lots of blood that they set to music. I mean, what? Despite horrible critical review Northern Oklahoma College embarked on producing this show in November. My sweet and wonderful friend Olivia White was cast as Margaret White, Carrie’s hyper religious mother, so clearly I loaded up, with two wonderful road trip companions, and headed four hours north to Tonkawa, Oklahoma.

This show reinforced why and how a director’s note can be important. The director, Chad Anderson, took the bull by the horns and mentioned the bad reception of the show initially and mentioned that it had been reworked Off Broadway and was now a favorite for high schools and I completely understand why. For those of you unfamiliar with Carrie it focuses on a girl who is relentlessly bullied for being different. She comes from a single parent family where pretty much everything is banned because it is considered sin. Among the supporting cast is a gym teacher with a soft spot for the underdog, Carrie, a mean girl or two, and one girl who tends to go with the crowd until her morality gets the best of her in the end.

Olivia was a standout. I am just a tad bit partial, but this girl is going somewhere in life, plus she’s pretty tenacious too (write her name down so you'll remember when you see her name in lights!). She was an incredible joy to watch. The only other part I have seen her in was last summer as Mrs. Corry in Mary Poppins which was a stark contrast to Margaret White. I love when actors can go from one character to another and are believable in all roles (I am not that type of actor so I greatly respect it).

Olivia mentioned when they were casting that the character list showed high school students who ‘die’ a little, which I pretty much found hilarious, though extremely accurate. I find it very interesting that this college has open auditions for their productions. Cast in the role of nice girl, Sue Snell, was a high school senior named Malerie Davis. I have to give this girl credit because she came into a college production and did a fantastic job. Another noteworthy performance was Grayson Webb, who played character, Tommy Ross, Sue's boyfriend. According to the program this was his first stage production ever and he did a phenomenal job. Overall the entire cast was ridiculously talented and did a great job putting on a show that most critics would balk at. The lighting for the show was also quite incredible. They have a very nice theatre, especially for a small college. I was quite impressed with the quality of talent they have pulled together and the quality of their facilities.

Coming up this February NOC will be putting on Shrek the musical which I have seen several times and I look forward to seeing again. Check out their website below and mark your calendars. I have heard the cast list and I am sure it will be fantastic!

 

For more information:

Production: Carrie

Company: Department of Theatre, Northern Oklahoma College

City: Tonkawa, OK

Theatre Thoughts: Show vs. Production vs. Performance

Before I continue with my 52 show wrap up I need to explain a concept: show vs. production vs. performance. These three are completely different and I know for a fact they will come up as I continue to write thoughts on shows from 2016 and going into 2017.

It is completely possible to absolutely loathe a show, but think it was a great production or enjoy an actor’s performance. At the same time there are some shows that I have loved and I have hated the production even in spite of performances from actors I adore. I think this is important to note because I am very particular and I don’t want people I care about to think I hate everything about a show that they have been a part of, even when I pretty much hated everything about a show.

So here is how I break down these types of analysis.

Show – When I am referring to a show I am looking at the show for what it is, the story, the characters, the music, the lyrics, basically what I would see and interpret if I picked up a script and read it. This takes away actors and directors’ choices that sometimes make or break a show. It is just completely bare bones. When I’m thinking about shows that I have seen that I have just really, really disliked most of the time they are interpretations of previous works such as a book or movie turned into a musical. Some things translate into musical theatre quite well (Peter Pan and Wizard of Oz are two easy examples of books and/or movies that turned out well). Other times we see shows where I think ‘who on earth would think THAT would be a good musical?’ and it actually works (recent examples being Hamilton and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812…I mean seriously, a founding father and War and Peace, who would have thought?). Then there is the third category: things that should have never been set to music or put on stage. I saw a few of those this year. My analysis of these shows will have to dive a bit deeper and try to out why the show, even being awful, was chosen and how it can be relevant today.

Production – My thoughts on production are what I see in front of me at that moment in time. This includes the direction of the show and choices the director made, the lighting, the sound, the set, the costumes, and a host of other things that make up the overall production of a particular show at a particular time. I have seen shows that I love with actors who I greatly respect completely ruined (in my humble, but rather loud) opinion by a terrible director with an awful ‘vision’. That does not take away from the brilliance that is the show itself or the talent I see stage, but the directing and technical elements can certainly ruin a show for me. Another note on production is that a production can be done with different actors. The blocking, lighting, and set would be the same, but with a different cast. The best example of this is professional tours or replacing an original Broadway cast. All the elements are recorded so that an identical show may be produced elsewhere while giving the audience the same show that was seen in New York or London.

Performance – This is all about the actors. I have seen shows that were not the best with little production quality, but had one or two stand outs that made me want the show to go on. I have a whole theory I call the ‘Jodie Sawyer Effect’ (more on that in a future post), but it is based on the ballet movie Center Stage and references a person that you cannot tear your eyes off of when they are performing, whether it is dancing, singing or acting, they just have ‘it’ and you want to watch them. I have seen this in dancers a lot throughout the years, but also in actors. A famous example for me is Sutton Foster, I just love her. I would pay really good money to see her in anything, including my least favorite musical of all time (Oklahoma! If you were wondering). There is just something about her stage presence that makes me want to watch. Clearly Ms. Foster is ridiculously talented, but this type of person does not have to be the best at what they do, but there is just something about them that draws your eye to them. Those are my favorite people to watch in a show. I think this quality is fairly rare, but it definitely exists. Sometimes performance is just the best person in a show.

All of this being said I will say my favorite pieces to see on stage are the type where you have a solid show, a wonderful production, and solid performances from an ensemble cast where no one really stands out (even though I love to see a Jodie Sawyer from time to time). This type is when you really win with theatre, the actual total package to make magic on stage.

The Ghostlight Project

I want to say how thankful I am for the beautiful theatre community locally, nationally, and throughout the world.

Today was an important day in our country's history, whether we particularly care for the individual who was inaugurated or not, it's still part of our story. I was upset in the days following the election. I was sad and scared for people I care for and how this administration and the followers it created could potentially hurt them. I left that Friday for a weekend of Broadway and some much needed away time in New York.

This was my crazy weekend of seeing six shows in four days. I saw beautiful faces who shared my concern come together to raise money for a wonderful charity (Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS...go check them out here). Even in the midst of the confusion, frustration, and fear of what would come next they ended up raising over $4 million dollars for this cause.

I stage doored, which I like NEVER do, and got to talk to these stars about how they gave me a break from the chaos that was going on in the world and to thank them for that. They shared my concerns, for friends, for family, for coworkers who become family. Even in a time that felt dark there was a light that was shared between us.

I listened to the cast of Holiday Inn explain Broadway Cares and why it is so important to the theatre community. I laughed for the first time at Sutton Foster's antics in Sweet Charity. I had a great conversation after the Great Comet with Denee Benton about Tony prospects and safety pins. In Transit reminded me that we don't have to agree with the people we care about to still care about them and that family can be found in different places. I marveled at the nonsense and talent of Cats. I remembered that we aren't alone during the moving song You Will Be Found during Dear Evan Hansen.

Theatre did what theatre does: it challenged my mind and my heart and renewed my hope and faith in humanity. It recentered me.

Last night the theatre community came together again for The Ghostlight Project. To quote their website:

Gathering outside of theaters on the eve of the Presidential Inauguration, people will join in a collective, simultaneous action, together creating “light” for challenging times ahead. Inspired by the tradition of leaving a "ghost light" on in a darkened theater, artists and communities will make or renew a pledge to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone--regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability,  age, gender identity, or sexual orientation.  

I love this connection to light in the darkness and being beacons of hope to those who need it regardless of what they are facing.

Many of my friends expressed their concern for the incoming administration by changing their profile photos to pictures of the Obamas. Many of my friends are marching in the Women's Marches across the country tomorrow. I am proud to have such strong friends. I will not be able to be at the OKC march because of previous plans and I opted not to change my profile photo to the Obamas. Instead I changed it a favorite ghostlight photo from last summer.

Theatre will be my beacon of light in the days coming. It will continue to be the bright spot when things get bad, whether that is in my country, in my state, in my city, or just in my own life. There will always be dark days and I am glad to have a community across the country that leaves a light on in the darkness.

I was thinking about this post all day and didn't know what I was going to write so I looked up some quotes about light and darkness. The two that popped into my head were Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dumbledore:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (aka J.K. Rowling)

But I also found this one and really liked it too:
Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance. Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

For the next four years and beyond I will strive to be the light in others' lives. I hope you will too, no matter who you voted for, we can all use a bit more light in our lives.

If you would like more information on The Ghostlight Project check it out here.

Leading Ladies – Jewel Box Theatre, Oklahoma City, OK

Show 45 of 2016

The Sunday of a very lazy Thanksgiving we skidded into the Jewel Box Theatre in Oklahoma City to see Leading Ladies three minutes after the show was set to start. We ran into traffic on the way to Oklahoma City and I really thought we were going to miss the show. I dropped my mom off at the door and went to park the car expecting a call that it was sold out or they had closed the doors.

Before I go much further let me just say a few things in praise of the Jewel Box Theatre. First off I feel like I should apologize to them because I always forget about their shows and thus in all my years of theatre going had only seen two shows prior to Leading Ladies. I am really sorry about this because this theatre is just darling. I kind of wish I had gotten involved with them when I was in Norman because they just appear to be a ridiculously solid community theatre (and quite possibly my favorite in the OKC metro if we are being honest). Jewel Box is a very small theatre in a little dome part of the First Christian Church of Oklahoma City. For the most part it is a theatre in the round. I really need a refresher on technical theatre terminology because I am choosing to not go any farther than that for fear of calling it the wrong thing (I’ll study up before the next show I see there!)

Back to the show, as I said we skidded in just before they started, but they were so gracious and held curtain a few moments for us to get settled. The Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival did this show during their summer season and my friend Dani raved about it so I very much wanted to see it when I found it playing again.

Leading Ladies was written by playwright Ken Ludwig. I was the assistant stage manager in Norman for another show he wrote, Moon Over Buffalo, several years ago and we had such a great time putting it on. Everything that I have seen of his has been top notch comedy and Leading Ladies did not disappoint.

The premise of the story is two down on their luck Shakespearean actors who have no money to their name and very little prospects of work. One of them reads in a local newspaper that a {very, very rich} elderly woman is on her death bed and just wants to see sister’s children, Max and Steve, one last time before she dies. The two men think they can pull off being her nephews, who were raised in England, until they learn the nephews were actually nieces. What are Shakespearean actors to do? Throw on their best female costumes and join the family!

This show had a small cast of ridiculously talented actors. It never ceases to amaze me the talent that come out of the woodworks when auditions happen, even in community theatre. The two men turned women spoke with flawless British accents (well flawless to this Okie!). The love triangles, squares, and pentagons in this show and the hilarity of physical comedy made for a perfect afternoon of theatre.

Due to the constraints of the theatre they had to work with a minimalist set. As I have said before and will say a million more times, minimalism in stage craft is my favorite. I find this absolutely hilarious because I am a photographer and realism of photography is my preferred form of art. That is what theatre does though, it challenges you to rethink what you thought you were certain of, and that may be my favorite part about it as I tend to be very set in my ways.

I have yet to see a show at Jewel Box that has been less than absolutely wonderful. They do a six show season and their shows run for three or four weekends which makes scheduling them in rather easy (as I type this I still wonder why I have not been to more). Their next production, 37 Postcards, opens January 19 and I believe they are running a special for tickets to their final three shows (which includes South Pacific!) for $20. Check out their website for more information and get yourself to a show at this ‘jewel’ of a theatre!

For more information:
Production: Leading Ladies
Company/Venue: Jewel Box Theatre
City: Oklahoma City, OK

GI Holiday Jukebox – Butterfield Stage Players, Gainesville, TX

Show 46 of 2016

GI Jukebox was the first of six Christmas themed shows I saw in 2016, excluding Holiday Inn which I saw in November. This show was put on by the Butterfield Stage Players in Gainesville, Texas. It was a heartwarming 1940s holiday music review. There was a loose storyline, but mainly it focused on holiday music of World War II. It was set in a USO lounge somewhere in Europe, though specifics were not given.

The show was ridiculously cheesy, which I mean with in the kindest way. It was corny humor and the songs of the era and it was completely perfect. The cast was made up of three male and four female singers, a pianist and a sheet music page turner (for lack of a better description). There were so many songs that you did not realize were all produced at around the same time. The 1940s is certainly one of my favorite time periods, from the music to the fashion to the hair styles and this show had all of that.

The show was set up in two acts with the first being the ‘rehearsal’ for their show and the second being the show itself. In Act I the actors were in military uniforms and in more formal wear for Act II. The actors were both extremely talented musically, but put up performances that seemed to be era appropriate. Most of the show they broke the fourth wall and spoke directly to the audience as if we were the troops they were performing to. They took a moment to acknowledge any active or retired military members at the performance.

In addition to the musical numbers, which were superb, there were also comedic sketches including the famous Who’s On First routine. This show makes me laugh every single time and the timing of the two actors in this show was no different. There was also a slide show towards the end of the production with photos from World War II. As a lover of photography and history I thoroughly enjoyed this little touch.

This was an addition to Butterfield’s season and since they have their own theatre they left the set from the previous show, Rumors, up for this show and make slight alterations to make it appear more time appropriate. As this is a community theatre I appreciated this simple detail. It required little prep for the theatre and the set provided them with everything they needed with little additional effort. It added very little, if any, additional cost making this show, which I believe was meant to be a fundraiser, even more effective.

A standout for the show was certainly the pianist. It would be unfair to classify him simply as an accompanist because he provided so much more to the show than just playing along to singers. The second act opened with a beautiful piano solo which was incredible.

I had an excellent December of holiday shows. Each were slightly different, but nonetheless they all served to put me in the mood for the season. Seeing shows at the holidays may be my favorite time of the year. I love new and original works, but there will always be something about classic stories and songs that will always warm the heart of the grinchiest Scrooge.

Note: Butterfield has one of my FAVORITE shows coming up in February, The 39 Steps, so make sure you check out their website to get your tickets!


For more information:
Production: GI Holiday Jukebox
Company/Venue: Butterfield Stage Players
City: Gainesville, TX

Elf – Dickson High School, Dickson, OK

Show 47 of 2016

My dear friend, Lisa Riggle is the vocal director in a small town outside of Ardmore. Lisa was my high school vocal director, where I did not sing, but came to love technical theatre. She gave me my first stage manager job my junior year of high school. She produces a musical with her high school kids every year (usually in the fall) and I pride myself on having seen them all except one (OU won the national championship that fall and my head was not right…I have no other excuse!). Their production includes several daytime performances for elementary school kids. I still remember being a kid and getting to go to the high school shows.

This year they put on Elf. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was kind of dreading seeing this show. I have seen the movie Elf once and was not a huge fan. I don’t care for Will Ferrell’s brand of comedy most of the time. I know a lot of people that consider Elf their go to Christmas movie, but I’ll keep White Christmas and Love Actually myself.

If you are unfamiliar with the story Buddy the Elf is a human who was raised in the North Pole and grew up thinking he was a giant elf. Finally Santa must tell Buddy the truth about his family: his mother died when he was a baby, but his father lives in New York. Buddy then embarks upon a journey to be reunited with his father and shenanigans ensue.

Buddy was played by Dylan Morrow, the younger brother of my sweet friend Katy. He was absolutely adorable. His sweet personality brought out the innocence of Buddy that I was blind to in the film. He was excited and peppy and every bit of what you would expect an oversized elf to be.

I must mention the talent that Lisa has at this small town high school. She tends to pull out the best there is wherever she is and this year is no different. It is fairly typical to have talented girls, but filling a cast with boys is always tricky. This cast had more talented boys than I can name. I was thoroughly impressed.

Though I walked in very skeptical I thoroughly enjoyed this show. I even almost went to the professional tour when it was in Oklahoma City the week after Christmas because I wondered how it was done originally (and I thought I needed a 52nd show!). I know it was a hit with the children they perform for and I know the students enjoyed putting it on, especially listening to them jabber on about what show they wanted to do next year. Lisa is a jewel and has brought the love of musical theatre to more students than we can probably count. I was so lucky to have her as a teacher a few (specifics are not necessary) years ago and am even more lucky to call her a friend as an adult.

For more information:
Production: Elf
Venue: Dickson High School
City: Dickson, OK

A Christmas Carol – Ardmore Little Theatre and Goddard Center for the Visual and Performing Arts Fundraiser, Ardmore, OK

Show 48 of 2016

Adapted from Charles Dickens’ classic novel by Angel Dewbre, Ardmore Little Theatre closed out 2016 with a Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol. This production was a joint fundraiser for ALT and the Goddard Center for the Visual and Performing Arsts. A Christmas Carol is a season favorite of many theatres in our area both in community and professional theatre. Dewbre grew up in Illinois and A Christmas Carol was part of their city’s holiday culture. As a member of the ALT Board of Director’s she wanted to bring this tradition to Ardmore.

I must start with the set, or rather, the lack of set. The set was very simple with only a few pieces of furniture to represent a room and I loved it. The trend in theatre lately are these simple sets which leave the audience member’s imagination to ‘fill in the blanks’ that are left by the set. I could go on for days about why I prefer simple sets to more complex sets, but that will be for another post. I am glad to see this trend coming to ALT.

Onto the performance, I will not lie, I was slightly concerned with her casting of Ebenezer Scrooge, local favorite Steve Brandenburg. Brandenburg is a veteran of the ALT stage and is known for his ridiculous antics and comedy, at which he excels. I was worried Scrooge would come off as caricaturish, however Brandenburg created a wicked and menacing Ebenezer Scrooge which I’m certain scared children four counties away! His frightening performance as Scrooge through the show was only outdone by his transformation into the jubilant new man he turned into at the end of the show. This start contrast certainly made the show for me. 

Newcomer to stage, Kregg Clemens, was fantastic portraying family man and Scrooge assistant Bob Cratchitt. Clemens only prior credit was as 3000 year old mummy (and my love interest) Yo Wut Sup in dinner theatre performance of How I Met Your Mummy. He has been an active part of the ALT family, at improv meetings and backstage since his lovely wife, Julie, 'voluntold' him to be. It was wonderful to see his talent showcased in this arena.

Speaking of the Clemens’ family, A Christmas Carol was a family affair indeed as all members were together on stage. One of my favorite parts of community theatre is when things like this happen and the whole family can get involved and spend time together creating  show, whether all on stage or some behind the scenes (we had the pleasure of having this wonderful family with us in Mary Poppins too!). I must mention the youngest Clemens, Lucy, and her spectacular portrayal of Fan Scrooge, Ebenezer’s sister, in the Christmas Past scenes. She was precociously adorable and I hear she was one of the first to be off book!

Another stand out in this production was ALT newcomer Terry Anderson as Scrooge’s former boss, Mr. Fezziwig. This jubilant bright character jumped out at you (literally!) and grabbed your attention. I must say his short scene was one of my favorite parts of the entire show. He made you want to go home and throw a grand and fun Christmas party!

Another aspect of this production that must be mentioned was the make up for this show. ALT is lucky to have one of the best makeup artists in their community. Elisa Griffith is so phenomenal that there are hardly words to describe. She transformed Steve Brandenburg from a XXish year old man (I know, but I’m too kind for numbers!) into an old miserly man. Jacob Marley, portrayed by John Pryor, was the epitome of a frightening ghost. Lisa Cowan was transformed into a sparkly and beautiful Ghost of Christmas Past. I must also mention another newcomer to the ALT stage, Dillon Miller, and his glitter green beard as the Ghost of Christmas Present (he swears he did not have to shave it to get all the glitter out!)

I could go on about stand out performances for this show since it is my home theatre, but as my goal is to be concise I will leave it there. Theatre around Christmas always makes me happy. There is something about well known shows that I’ve seen over and over being played out again that puts me in the holiday spirit and this one did not disappoint!

For More Information:
Production: A Christmas Carol
Company: Ardmore Little Theatre
Venue: Goddard Center for the Visual and Performing Arts
City: Ardmore, OK

Daphne and Jaren’s It’s a Beautiful Day – Ardmore Christian School, Ardmore, OK

Show 49 of 2016

Last summer I stage managed Mary Poppins at Ardmore Little Theatre in Ardmore, Oklahoma. We had such a great summer and I met some amazing people. We had quite a few kids in the show and I’m trying to make it a point to support them in their activities, especially all things related to the stage. One of our girls, Journee, was the lead in her school’s original production ‘Daphne and Jaren’s It’s a Beautiful Day.’

They had two performances and I was lucky enough to make my 9-5 schedule work around the daytime performance. Her grandmother told me that each year their principal writes and directs an original show. Let me tell you folks this did not disappoint! The show used all the students from this small Christian school with the older kids being the leads.

Daphne and Jaren were the hosts of a morning television talk show (think Regis and Kelly). They ‘produced’ a couple of shows during the performance. They had guests and a production manager barking out orders (and bribing the leading lady into interviewing a guest with an affinity to bugs!).  The older kids from the school played the guests ranging from a Ron Popeil style griller to a baker who brought the cutest ‘ugly sweater cookies’ (the preschool kids).

Sweet Journee played Daphne and was phenomenal. Her stage presence and commitment to her character were flawless throughout the production. It was so much fun to see one of our kids from this summer truly shine in a lead role. I have no doubt this will not be her final starring part!

The show also included a live choir and prerecorded commercials during the commercial breaks which were hilarious. The story focused on how we need to remember the true reason for Christmas and was heartwarming and would put anyone in the spirit for the holidays.

I was thoroughly impressed by this original work by principal, Manette Pinson. Not only was in heartwarming it was well thought out, concise, timely, and perfectly executed, especially when considering the number of children involved!

I would most certainly see another production that this small school puts on. I love that they value performance an have made it a priority in their curriculum when so many schools have cut the fine arts.

For More Information:
Production: Daphne and Jaren's It's a Beautiful Day
Venue: Ardmore Christian School
City: Ardmore, OK

Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker – Reduxion Theatre, Oklahoma City, OK

Show 50 of 2016

Truth time...this show had nothing to do with saltines or anything in their family. I was very silly and could NOT wrap my head around 'Christmas Cracker'. I just had to get that off my chest!

Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker, written by Erin Woods, was an interactive Christmas party featuring Jane and Cassandra Austen and many beloved characters from Jane Austen's novels. I am not very familiar with Jane Austen's work aside from the names of the books so I was glad to have my friend Paige along with me who is practically an expert in all things Austen!

The show took place in a rehearsal hall at the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall. There were refreshments for guests to indulge in. When the show 'started' Jane and Cassandra Austen welcomed us to the party and introduced us to some of the other 'guests'. Four novels, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, and Mansfield Park, were represented. Each novel had three to five characters.

In the four corners of the room scenes from the novels played out. Audience members were encouraged to mingle throughout the room and 'eavesdrop' on the conversations of Austen's other guests. Each conversation was repeated several times allowing the audience to see each of the scenes.

When a set of scenes completed audience and cast members returned to the center of the ballroom to engage in period dancing or games or Christmas carols. Cast members were in character through the entire performance and many audience members came in costumes as well (sometimes making it tricky to deduce who was in the cast and who was just watching!).

At the end of the performance the central love stories were resolved with Miss Austen wandering around the room writing in a leather bound book as though she was writing the books while at the party.

This was a fantastic evening of fun. It was such a different theatre experience and that's what made me enjoy it even more. The interaction of the characters with the audience members was incredible. Every single one stayed in perfect character in each interaction. Their improv skills had to be top notch because they couldn't always anticipate what an audience member might say or do and they did it flawlessly.

This was the second year for Reduxion to perform this show and I hope it continues to be a tradition. I do recommend you study up on your Jane Austen before attending or better yet, take a friend who knows it all with you to explain the characters!

I had three friends in this show, Chelcy Harrell, Isaiah Werner, and Korri Werner. All three of them are alumni of Oklahoma City University and were in the praise band at my church while they were in college. Chelcy and her husband lived and worked in Boston and New York before returning to Oklahoma City. Korri and Isaiah lived and worked in Chicago until recently moving back. Isaiah has an original production, Scissortail, based on the Murrah Building bombing that premiered in Chicago and will be produced by Reduxion this spring. I will post more information as I learn about it.

For More Information:
Production: Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker
Company: Reduxion Theatre
Venue: Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall
City: Oklahoma City, OK

A Territorial Christmas Carol – Pollard Theatre Company, Guthrie, OK

Show 51 of 2016

A Territorial Christmas Carol has been playing at the Pollard Theatre in Guthrie, Oklahoma for twenty-nine years. This adaptation, written by Stephen P. Scott, is original to the Pollard and is their annual best seller.

This show had all the charm of the original with a local twist, being set in the land run days of the Oklahoma Territory. I really enjoyed the production. You could certainly tell this was not their first rodeo as everything was flawless from beginning to end.

The show starts in a territorial family's home on Christmas Eve. They welcome some visitors who offer gifts. One visitor, an Englishman named Charles, does not have anything to offer the family for letting him stay so he offers a story instead. He sets up the classic Dickens tale and the cast pulls down floor to ceiling drapes to reveal the set for the rest of the show. This little detail was simple, but the timing and drama of it was fantastic.

I thoroughly enjoyed James Ong, who portrayed Scrooge. His portrayal of the character was not sinister, but almost had a comedic edge to his meanness. Timothy Stewart, playing Charles, the narrator, spoke with a flawless English accent and guided the audience through the tale alongside young William played by Michael James at the performance I saw. These characters were throughout the show which allowed the audience to remember this was a story being told. All of the actors played numerous roles which challenged them to develop distinct characteristics for each character.

As I have a technical background I can love the scenes being played out, but the technical aspects of a show will always make a break a show for me. The set was my favorite part of this show. The set changes were seamless. They employed two turntables which allowed for a stationary set to change from Scrooge and Marley's office, to Scrooge's home, to the Crachitt home, and so on. The use of two small scrims along with fantastic lighting highlighted the ghosts of Christmas Past and Present and the stories they showed poor Scrooge.

This show fell into the 'friend's show' category. Eli Fortney, the son of my college friend Amanda, was a member of the Cast A Children. Eli has done many shows and I look forward to catching this talented young man in many more to come.

Overall this was a fantastic show that would put even the coldest Grinch or Scrooge in the mood for Christmas. I will certainly see it again in the coming years and I would recommend it!

For More Information:
Production: A Territorial Christmas Carol
Company: The Pollard Theatre Company
Venue: The Pollard Theatre
City: Guthrie, OK