So, here’s the poster for the show I am directing (hence the lack of posts). I always forget just how much time directing eats up. We are two weeks out from opening … and I think we are going to have a kick ass show. If you’re in the area the first two weekends of June, you should come see us get our “thriller” on.
Theater
New Adventures in Theater
The next theatrical endeavor is looming on the horizon. Auditions for “Deathtrap” (performing in June) are this coming Sunday and Monday at the theater. I somehow stumbled into directing two main stage shows this year (the second will be the fall musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee“). Originally, I was set to direct “Strangers on a Train” in this slot, but the rights fell through and now we are doing Ira Levin’s fun and twisty thriller. I am actually pretty happy things worked out this way as I have always had a fondness for it.
This will be the second time HART has done “Deathtrap.” The first time was back in 1989. I remember going to see it and being very disappointed in the production. All the black humor and plots twists were all handled in very heavy handed and obvious way with lots of “camp” humor. Ugh. Plus, the homosexual element had been removed entirely. That’s kind of a big deal. Those of you who know the show know what I am talking about. Also, some of the more technical challenges of the show were skipped leaving the climax of the show muddled, awkward and a little confusing.
So, I am hoping to get a good cast, defeat those technical challenges and have a great show that people really like. We’ll know when the show opens on June 3rd. [Crossed Fingers]
Design Time: “I Love You …” Poster
Design Time: “Shipwrecked!” Poster
HART’s 2011 season is about to go crazy all over the place. Here is the first of the seven main stage posters I will be doing this year. I am not sure that I like this one …
Some Theater History
While we were working on “The Little Foxes,” one the fellas who was new to our theater started quizzing me on what shows I had been involved in and just how many total I had done. So, I got curious (as I can’t remember it all off the top of my head) and complied the following list. The acting and tech credits are not in chronological order. And the super sad thing is that I am sure I am probably missing a show or two …
DIRECTING:
Rumors: A Farce (1999)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (2001)
Rope (2003)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Baber of Fleet Street (2004)
Closer (2005)
Little Shop of Horrors (2005)
The Full Monty: The Musical (2006)
Cabaret (2007)
Floyd Collins (2008)
Rabbit Hole (2009)
Seussical (2010)
ACTING:
Camelot (Ensemble)
Witness for the Prosecution (Carter)
Annie (Ensemble)
A Christmas Carol (Ensemble)
The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Bazzard)
Charley’s Aunt (Charley Wykeham)
Oklahoma! (Ensemble)
The Rainmaker (Sheriff Thomas)
Annie Get Your Gun (Charlie Davenport)
Diamond Studs (Ensemble)
The Secret Garden (Ensemble)
Lettice and Loveage (Surly Man)
Carousel (Ensemble)
Into the Woods (Jack)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Brother)
Treasure Island (Ensemble)
The Diviners (C.C. Showers)
Lend Me A Tenor (Bellhop)
South Pacific (Ensemble)
The Elephant Man (Ensemble)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Ensemble)
A Little Night Music (Henrick)
Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood (Logan)
Children of Eden (Ensemble)
The Three Musketeers (Ensemble)
Titanic: The Musical (J. Bruce Ismay)
The Fantasticks (Bellomy)
Cryano (Ragueneau)
Guys & Dolls (Benny Southstreet)
Parade (Leo Frank)
Oh Coward! (Ensemble)
Ragtime: The Musical (Ensemble)
Orpheus Descending (Dog)
Showstoppers (Ensemble)
Bat Boy: The Musical (Dr. Parker)
HONK! (Drake)
The Producers (Roger Debris)
The Little Foxes (Horace Giddens)
Art (Yvan)
Coyote on a Fence (Bobby Reyburn)
Minor Demons (Deke Winters)
Early One Evening at the Bar & Grille (Shep)
Glengarry Glen Ross (Williamson)
Antigone in New York (Policeman)
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
The Complete History of America (Abridged)
Social Security (David Kahn)
Wit (Jason Posner, M.D.)
Only Human
TECH CREW:
Foxfire (Sound Operator)
Brighton Beach Memoirs (Lighting Operator)
The Diary of Anne Frank (Stage Manager)
The Crucible (Stage Manager)
Steel Magnolias (Sound Operator)
A Streetcar Named Desire (Sound Operator)
Ragtime (Lighting Operator)
The Gin Game (Sound Operator)
Raney (Tech Director)
The Sisters Rosensweig (Lighting Operator)
An Inspector Calls (Lighting Operator)
The Sound of Music (Lighting Operator)
The Women (Lighting Operator)
Working (Mulitmedia Operator)
Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Stage Crew)
Grace & Glorie (Stage Manager, et al)
Painting Churches (Lighting Operator)
Picnic (Lighting Operator)
Ordinary People (Stage Manager)
Blithe Spirit (Stage Manager)
Walking Across Egypt (Lighting Operator)
The Vagina Monologues (Lighting Designer)
Hedda Gabler (Lighting Operator)
Some “Foxes” Photos
We finished up “The Little Foxes” yesterday. It was a good run with a great cast. The director gave us photos at the cast party which you will find below. The first one is the cast and crew. The second one is a “portrait” of the happy and loving Giddens family.
Day Late, Dollar Short
Sheesh.
Been one crazy week or so here in the mountains. We completed the final week of rehearsals for “The Little Foxes” this past week and opened last Friday. People seem to like the show and it’s great to finally be up and running in front of an audience. Two reviews have popped up so far … one on the Mountain Express Theatre Blog and the other in print today in The Guide (the local cheesy entertainment paper).
I shouldn’t really say “cheesy” as the reviewer had this to say about me:
“A major player in scope and script is the part of Regina’s sickly banker husband, Horace. Veteran HART actor Charles Mills nails it, as usual.”
Talk about ego inflating …
Meanwhile .. in weather news:
We had our first snow of the season over the weekend (November 6th to be exact)!!! Of course, everyone is freaking out that this means we might be in for another super snowy winter.
I say, “Bring it!”
The view from the back deck this past Saturday morning.
Design Time: “Dracula” Poster
Here a look at the poster I designed for the now dead (pun intended) production of “Dracula” that was supposed to have taken place later this month in Asheville. Bad thing about a dead show is there’s no pay for the poster designer. Oh, well.
Dave will immediately know from whence the “inspiration” came.
Design Time: “The Little Foxes” Poster
HART‘s season is winding down. The fall musical is running and the final show (Lillian Hellman’s “The Little Foxes” … which I am in) is currently in rehearsals. This poster was fun to do … especially looking at 1900-style lettering and working up the logo for the show.
Movin’ Forward
“Seussical” is now done … which means moving forward onto the rest of the work of the season (posters, banners, newsletters, ads, website updates, etc.). How the hell did I ever get in this deep? Yikes. I remember the good ‘ol days of just doing the posters. Speaking of which … here’s the next one, fresh from approval by the man in charge.
Quickie Update
“Seussical” cranks back up on Friday for a final three performance grab for glory. Then it can be put to bed and you all can be “Thank God. He’s done whining about this one!”
Past that, the grass in the yard is getting taller and I am becoming more and more convinced about just how much life in general sucks.
“Seussical” Reviewed
I know I shouldn’t look good press in the mouth, but this is one of the blandest positive reviews I think I have ever read.
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Theater review: – ‘Seussical’ a delight
Frothy fun at HART with eye-popping color
JIM CAVENER – TAKE5 CORRESPONDENT – PUBLISHED APRIL 30, 2010 12:15 AM
WAYNESVILLE – With a cast of 30, and captivating young actors on stage, “Seussical” is a busy show, with lots of action – to the delight of kids.
The Broadway musical team of Lynne Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty concocted this musical from the works of Dr. Seuss, pleasing for its energy, color and melody. With the imagination of the cast and crew of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, led by director Charles Mills, the company has built a commendable production of trivia and froth.
The costumes and Technicolor backdrops are bold, with in-your-face color. The high-definition color of the jungle is wondrously bright and uplifting. Costumes are by Johanna Lewis, Kathy Garris, Christine Martin and Kelly Hunt, and are dazzling.
Dance numbers were designed by Ricky Sanford, Trevor Perry and Ben Sears, who is a standout as a Wickersham Brother, one of Seuss’ monkey characters.
Other stellar turns: Trevor Perry as Horton the Elephant, Strother Stingley as The Cat in the Hat, and Jacob Hunt as JoJo. Shanda Jacobs as Mayzie La Bird and Clara Burrus as Gertrude McFuzz are notable.
Chuck Taft leads a pit band in a range of tunes. Enough tension is woven in to allow for resolution and a feel-good departure after two raucous hours.
“Seussical” is running at 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through May 9 at the Performing Arts Center, 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville. Tickets are $22, $20 seniors, $10 students. Call 456-6322 or visit www.harttheatre.com.
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Yet More “Seussical”
For those of you who are adventurous, you can find an ass-load of “Seussical” (on stage, back stage and opening night) related photos here.