Working on new projects, or even finishing them, should have been a slogan of some kind for 2020.
Yet I've seen to come across more projects than finishing the previous one. It's been a fun journey though. Beginning new tales, working on old writings. Getting canvas and paints from various locals, setting to making a personal masterpiece.
While finishing projects is the bane of my existence, or rather, it causes too much remorse to leave a project in which I've been immersed, beginning them is a sport I've mastered.
Here is a paragraph from something I began working on while re-watching "The Mandalorian". It sort of started out as one thing, then morphed into another, before realizing it wanted to be science fiction.
The theatre was relatively small. It was a front for other businesses that rented out the various rooms and boxes. It had been transformed into a market place. A boost for the local economy and smaller businesses.
She lived in the confines of the massive structure.
Hiding.
She operated a small business of her own from one of the enclosed boxes. It was easy to lock her wares up for the night, rather than bringing them back and forth each day. She kept a small bunk for easy use at the end of the day, making her "shop" into her home. She hid it as a pallet she sat on while selling her wares. Hiding it in plain sight from the overbearing managers.
Share what you've been up to, and I'll see you next week!
Today's Book Nook is a little novella from a series I actually haven't read yet. To be fair, I didn't realize until it hinted at other things that had happened and such forth.
After reading this little bit though, I am thorougly interested in finding the other novels and giving them a good read through.
Title: A Cue to Kill
Series: Stage Door
Author: Lilian Watts
While performaing their Halloween production of Bone Chiller, one of the ensemble is targeted by someone out to get her! Being pushed down the stairs before Act One, the cast is wondering whether or not it's her imagination running wild.
Until she is nearly strangled.
With a cast who smuggled alchol onto set and are having a roaring time, it's up to Kath to find the killer before curtains!
It's a short story, but full of love and wit. Check it out!
Now I know today would normally be Book Nook, or Classic Corner, but in I've decided to change it up. Because I can.
Tonight I was invited my a friend to come see her show at Southside Theatre Guild in Fairburn. It was the final dress, so I was lucky enough to see it before the masses.
Title of the Show: First Things First
By: Derek Benfield
This Production by: Lane Teilhaber
Cast:
Sarah: Elisabeth Allen
Pete: Mike Boylan
Margot: Janet Granski
George: Gregory Fitzgerald
Jessica: Katie Brown
Alan: Jonny May
(Quick note, I almost typed in Johnny Depp there. It's an honest mistake.)
What makes this show even better (for me) is that I know 5/6ths of the cast, and have had the opportunity to work with them on a previous performance.
I don't want to give too much away, which means I'm really just giving the show a plug. (It's how theatre people support each other.)
To quote the playbill, ahem:
"These unlikely events take place in Pete's and Sarah's house in the suburbs of a big city."
The show is currently playing at Southside Theatre Guild.
I know, I know, I did a book review last week. But hear me out, I've got a (loose, extremely loose) plan for this blog going forward.
The first week is up for grabs right now. Maybe I'll do a post about a comment or something the readers choose. Right now, it's up for grabs.
Second week will be a Book Review. Books will range from classics to new, young adult to .... regular adult (seriously, is it only the ages that make these books different?). Expect a lot of murder mysteries (Cozy Mysteries), as that is the major genre I read currently.
Third week will be a WIP on projects I'm working on. These will either be one of the many stories I've got running, one of the crafts I'm trying to get together for a business I'm running (Zaney Designs!), or a piece of art.
Fourth week will be Obscure Film Review week. Because there are tons out there that did not garner enough "media coverage" or what not. These could also be films that I enjoy watching and hope you might take a gander at them as well. Again films will range from the Silent Era to present. I will try and review movies not in theaters - or ones that you can either check out at the library or RedBox, or stream.
Whew! Now that the housecleaning is done, here is my Book Review for the week.
Book: Eyes Like the Stars
Series: Theatre Illuminata, #1
Author: Lisa Mantchev
As many of you know, I am a HUGE theatre nut. So you can imagine all of my bundled excitement, thrill, astonishment, and over bounding joy when I saw this series on the shelf. I couldn’t burst out about this, being inside the library and all, but when I got outside with my shiny book I whooted (cross between a woo-hoo and a hoot….).
But, I digress.
This book series takes place inside the Theatre Illuminata, a playhouse in the city (unnamed). The entire series surrounds the life of Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, Bertie for short. She lives inside the theatre, onstage using varying sets for her bedroom, cafe, and other. The entire series is her trying to find out who her parents are and why they left her at the Illuminata.
This first book sees Bertie trying to prove she's helpful to the cast and crew. So she set sets out to re-stage the production of “Hamlet”.
Let’s not forget - every character from every single play is alive and well, living backstage too. At curtain call they all come to life to repeat their lines. When not onstage they roam the backstage areas, talking, chatting, living their lives. Only they cannot leave the theatre...
What’s keeping them all there? The Book. The Book contains every play performed, all of their lines, and their lives.
Among those friends of Bertie’s are Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mustardseed, and Moth (those mischievous fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Nate (a dashing pirate from The Little Mermaid) and, though often more mischievous Ariel (the sprite from The Tempest).
With all the excitement going around, it’s difficult to keep up with the Book, the current shows going on, and having to re-stage Hamlet in a whole new setting! What’s a girl to do?
Dying her hair a vivid blue, plunging on ahead, and writing her own script is what!
This is a book series that I highly, highly, recommend!
What's a book you'd like to see me review? Leave a few titles in the comments below.
- OR How I Became a Theatre Major instead of a Scientist
Way back when I was in elementary school I was part of the Girl Scouts. For one of our "outings" we got to go up to Georgia Tech for a day of activities, spending the day in the city, and taking over the classrooms. Sitting in a college classroom was exciting. The room was huge! And the chairs swiveled around while you sat on them - best part of college life!
I know - basing a whole career on how much fun a swivel chair is isn't the best method of life decisions. Though in retrospect, I did far better in math and science after that. They were fun classes for me - exciting and engaging.
But somehow along the way, things sort did the one-two-switch-a-roo. The right side of my brain became more prominent. I became a far better writer (sometimes you can't tell), slightly better with my drawing, and far more prominent in singing and what-not.
Then came "The Phantom of the Opera".
Now, I had seen the book before, I owed a few copies, done a couple projects on the musical for French class. When the movie came out December '04, it took me until the following February to finally see it. And the day after to begin reading the novel for the first time.
Theatre became an intregal part of my life since then. It is my place to go when things are down and depressing. I got my Associate's in Fine Arts, loving every single moment of it. Though it is difficult to "break into the business", I kept up with it by working on community productions. Mostly I keep backstage, far more comfortable there. Although I did try my hand at acting a few times (utterly terrifying, but kinda sasfictory after the fact).
Now I Volunteer Usher at the local theatre while working online from home.
It's been a long time coming to this point in life, but I feel grateful for all the many people I've had the opportunity to work with. I think it's good for people to try theatre at least once. It's a good way to test yourself, to make new friends, to learn how to be an electricial (okay, a super amature one), work with sound, among other things. It's a great learning process that can improve how you come at problems.
If you want to learn about the bounds and leaps you can take, go volunteer at your local theatre. Ask to tackle any task that comes your way - you will not only learn so many new things, but you will have a blast!
(Oh, and if you volunteer at your local theatre, you can see the show for free! Pratically, you have to pay for parking and gas, but still a $100 plus show ticket for nothing! GO! GO NOW AND DO IT!)
Have a wonderful week.
I'm going to usher "The Phantom of the Opera" a few times this week before it leaves. Because I am a Phan and darn proud of it.
Last Saturday I was able to usher a show that I've been waiting to see for a few years. Literally. Each year it came I was out of the state, so I was already hyped up when I heard it was coming. I will do my best to find some decent pictures from online (no photography at live productions!), and a few videos from the Broadway production.
"The Little Mermaid."
When the movie came out in 1989 it sent a wave through all little girls. The music was sung often, the lines were quoted often.
18 years later it would open on Broadway, featuring stunning sets, costumes, and new musical numbers.
Though it has been reworked since it's opening, some new songs added others taken away, it has seen a while new touring company. Reaching various fans around the world.
With innovating new designs, see that ship! It's amazing!! It easily managed to capture the magic of the movie in a whole new prospective.
Not to mention the wigs that must be used to make a wonderful sea witch. (And the actress playing her always manages to nail it!)
Oh - and have I mentioned how amazing Chef Louis is? This entire scene takes the hidden crab to a whole new level.
Oh - and Prince Eric? He has not one but TWO! That's right, TWO solo numbers all to himself. When I first heard the soundtrack I was floored. It finally gave some depth and added more character to the sea-faring prince. (And makes you love him just a lot more.)
Though it has been reworked (no more wheelie shoes!) to a final story, the stage version of this movie still manages to capture the essence of the Disney Movie.
Go take a swim and find a local production near you!
As a bonus, here are some of my favorite songs from the show (in English and Dutch!).
And Eric's other song - complete with visuals!
(I do not own any copyright, nor is infringement intended. Honestly Disney, I just love the musical more than the movie and want to help promote it .... for free.....)
Today I wanted to go over a few things that I do in my personal life.
While there is plenty of time for random videos based around the internet (I'm looking at you, YouTube), or looking at other things, there are other things which can occupy that time as well.
One of the things I was glad to begin back in the fall of 2015 was being a volunteer at one of the theater's in Atlanta. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to share my time and help out.
While ushering isn't a "glorified" job in any theatre, I find it a unique opportunity to help others .... and the benefit of seeing the show for free is the best reward imaginable. While volunteering my time - arriving two hours before the show is supposed to begin - it's a fantastic way to do something that I love while meeting new people.
I have also volunteered time at local theatre groups around my town, helping backstage with moving sets, props, and costumes into place. The techies and stage hands do most of the work for a show, making sure that the actors have everything they need and keeping them on time with their cues. They are the cogs of the show that you never see, but know are working.
During the summer our local library has a Summer Reading Program. Throughout the two months of no school, there are events for all age groups ranging from magicians, to reading with a rescue cat, to movies each week, and writing groups. Helping out at those events not only relieves stress from the librarians (who often have to go it alone without help). And who doesn't want to be a Librarian nowadays?
There are dozens of ways that you can volunteer your time. If you don't know where to start, ask your neighbor, or church leader. Guaraenteed there is someone close to you who knows of a project that needs extra hands helping.
What would you do if you had an entire day to yourself?
Shopping - day at the movies - hiking - sports - relaxing with a good book - ?
I think my ideal day would be spent in a mixture of things that I find relaxing.
I would start out the day with a light breakfast, to get myself going. Foods would include: apple, water, maybe a waffle or two.
Next would be some shopping, going out, walking around the mall (a great way to exercise by the way), getting various little things - or simply enjoy window shopping. Planning out things to purchase later on. This can also be done on the internet, if you don't want to go out.
For lunch I'd find a nice little spot either indoors or someplace shady outside. I would probably have just a baguette, some honey and cheese, and cranberry juice. With maybe a few Hershey kisses for dessert.
The afternoon would be spent out walking, or exploring one of the many gardens around the city. Taking pictures of the flowers, or some candid pictures of friends. I love taking photographs, so this would be ideal. Maybe I could convince then to make a short video or something.
I'd make it back in time to clean up and get ready for a night out.
I'd have a nice, brief dinner before heading to an 8PM show. Either a play or musical that interests me. Ideally it would be Phantom. Theatre is my favorite thing.
What would you consider an 'Ideal Day'?
A spa trip?
A long drive?
Leave a comment below describing how you would spend your day.
This past Sunday the theatre community celebrated our favorite Award's Ceremony.
Named after an actress from the 1940's, the Tony Awards have come to be one of the biggest events for live theatre. It's a time to celebrate new performances, old shows, new presentation, lighting, sound, costumes, music, and the endless amount of time and talent it takes to make eight shows a week.
This years award show - the 70th annual - had a few returning shows, and some new ones that knocked it out of the park. While I could go on and on about the current season, let's take a delve back into the origins of the ceremony.
When the Tony's first began, it wasn't a big song and dance, televised spectacular.
The first award night was a gala dinner in New York with barely around 1,000 people in attendance.
The next 18 years the venue would change to include the ballrooms of the Plaza, the Waldorf Astoria, and the Aston.
Back then the awards were broadcast over the radio - television coverage wouldn't begin until 1956, when it was first cast locally.
During it's first few years on TV entertainment was provided by various artists including: Joan Crawford, Shirley Booth, Carol Channing, Joan Fontaine, Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, Robert Goulet, and Henry Fonda.
Rough waters were ahead when the chairwoman, Helen Menken, passed away before the 1966 awards. Instead of a lavish affair, it was a simple ceremony in the Rainbow room.
When Isabelle Stevenson assumed the reigns the following year the ceremony went back to being a lavish gala - but there was a new difference.
Not only would the gala resume, continuing to be broadcast on live television, but the League of New York Theatres (now known as The Broadway League), were invited to co-present the awards in 1867.
By today's standards an award ceremony of any kind is at least three hours, not including the Red carpet walk.
Fun Fact: the first combined broadcast of the Tony's was only ONE HOUR long.
One hour! Can you believe that?
CBS didn't start carrying the ceremony until 1978 - and has claimed the Tony's as it's own ever since then.
In 1997 it was aired beneath a unique partnership with PBS. A PBS special covered 10 awards, followed closely by the CBS broadcast.
Beginning in 2003 - CBS gave an entire three-hour time slot to the Tony's (which still isn't enough because my DVR decided to cut anything after that mark this past week - meaning I missed the last quarter of the awards. I'm not bitter. .... mostly.)
There was a milestone for the Tony's in 1997 - when the ceremony moved away from Broadway for the first time in three decades. All but one years between 1997 and 2010 was held at the Radio City Music Hall.
Since 2011, however, it had either been held at Radio City Music Hall, or the Beacon Theatre on Manhattan's Upper West Side (which is a small venue compared tot he Radio City Music Hall).
In 2000 IBM joined the game and launched TonyAwards.com - which became a definitive resource for information about the Awards.
The last thing I'm going to go over for you is the brief history of the Medallion - the award - the statue with a spinning disc that so enthralled Cyndi Lauper back in 2013 for "Kinky Boots".
Now - when we first started there was no official "Tony Award". It was a scroll with either a gold money clip for the gents, or a compact for the gals. Nothing too fancy.
In 1949 the United Scenic Artists sponsored a contest for a more suitable award.
The winning award is the one we see today - designed by Herman Rosse. The Medallion depicts the Greek comedy and tragedy masks on one side, and the profile of our wonderful lady who inspired the awards - Antoinette Perry - on the other.
Since 1967 - the medallion has been mounted on a black pedestal with a curved armature.
After the ceremony is over, and before all the parties begin, each one of the awards is numbered for tracking purposes, and engraved with the winner's name.
I hope you enjoyed our little trip into the world of the Tony Awards. Now for your viewing pleasure, some videos of my favorite performances (in no specific order as that would be too much to decide):
BONUS: This is the video they discuss before Josh comes out - the entire performance can be found on youtube. BEST. HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION. EVER.
I love the 20's.
Still upset with the guy, but can't hate the show.
From the novel that gave us, "You've Got Mail", the musical that it also inspired!
Who knew Steve Martin could play the banjo....?
From Ghosts of Tony's Past!
Ooooo, didn't mean for that before this one.......okay, maybe.
And - from the people who brought you, "Into the Heights", I give you, "Hamilton"
Note: I am not paid for any name dropping, reference, or anything like that. (Wish I was though.)
For those of you in the theatre industry, today is a day to
be remembered.
Or vastly quoted to the chagrin of our coworkers and family
members.
It’s a day that was foretold by a soothsayer to Julius about
being cautious. In honor of the death of Julius Caesar, here are some fun
little facts about the fabled Ides of March.
#1. The date of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC
It had
to be done. Might as well be number one, right? We all only know of this day
because of the infamous stabbing in the courts. Et tu Brute?
#2 Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times, but only one of them
was fatal.
This
was due to the conspirators being amateurs at murder. None of them were
soldiers, so they didn’t know how to properly stab someone.
#3 He was stabbed in a golden chair
Despite
popular belief, and wonderful movies, Caesar was not standing up, or running
while being stabbed. He was seated for the tribunal of the Senate at Teatro di
Pompeo. One of the reasons the conspirators chose this setting was because some
of them were already standing behind the chair, all set to stab Caesar in the
back. (ouch)
#4 Thick togas
The
fabric used to make the popular toga of the day was often built in thick folds
of wool. Because of this, the daggers took a bit longer to penetrate through
the fabric and reach their mark, it also helped them to conceal the daggers
until the time.
#5 Five Details
There
are five written accounts of Caesars death. Plutarch, Suetonius, Appian,
Cassius Dio and Nicolaus of Damascus. How’s that for being popular. The only other
person to have multiple accounts written about them was Christ. (Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John.)
#6 Smart Killers
The men
responsible for the assassination were all rational and highly educated men.
Brutus and Cassius were praetors, and Casca was a tribune of the people.
#7 “Hail Caesar!”
There
have been counless Caesar’s in cinema history. Among those that can claim to
have been stabbed are: Claude Rains, Rex Harrison, Kenneth Williams, Fritz
Leiber, Timothy Dalton and the great John Gielgud.
So, in honor of the Ides of March we kindly ask you to
refrain from large groups and knives.
