Sweeney Todd

William was good enough to plan an evening for us all to see the national tour of Sweeney Todd. So Michelle, Will, Michael, his friend, and (a last minute) Phil all sat down to see John Doyle's vision of the murderous barber of Fleet Street. In this minimal production, the musical is set in an asylum where every prop is symbolic, mostly due to the fact that all of the performers provide their own accompaniment and are carrying around instruments.


I saw Doyle's production of Company and the instruments really added to the relationships of the characters. I think it was more successful because it is a more intimate show with a small cast and no spectacle. Okay, back to Sweeney:

So let's just begin by saying that everyone on stage was very talented. Playing in between singing while acting is perhaps one of the most difficult things I've seen on stage and yet, they made it look effortless. I really liked the production overall.

I've seen video recordings of past productions, the movie and a stage version of it at school. So seeing this production was like watching the "bonus features" at the end of a movie. It was a new way of looking at the characters and highlighting different things in the plot and score. I would have missed a lot if I had never seen the show before, though. The amount of people that he kills, the big bake ovens, and the full sound of the opening number are just a few things that this production lacks.

Anyway, the show was good and left me singing "A Little Priest"... mmm shepherd's pie.

Just Venting

A Small Bit of Background:

So I am replacing someone for the last weekend on a new musical. I've known about this since January. No one provide a schedule of when I should attend, or when my rehearsals would be. I showed up to one of the music rehearsals to learn the music, and then to one where they were supposed to be doing choreography. They ended up doing character work... which was awkward since I was supposed to participate with the group. Then I was called and told not to attend rehearsals in fear of making the other girl feel uncomfortable as she developed her character. All I wanted to do was sit in the back and watch.

So as the show got closer, I asked the director (there is no stage manager) when I would get rehearsals with the cast, or choreographer or be able to go over the music. He informed me that I might get one rehearsal the week of the weekend I am supposed to perform. I wrote an e-mail to him explaining that that was not enough. Especially since:
A.) I've been not allowed in on the process at all.
B.) I'm closing their show, performing 4 times.
C.) It's a 6 part harmony 2 hour show with dancing.

He told me I would get 2 rehearsals with the cast the week of the show, and that he would work with me on music or anything else once the show opened. So that was all I was gonna get.

Since then, I actually got to do a run... their first full run, at tech because the other girl had to leave. I did it on book, as not to mess anybody up, and because I was told 20 minutes before that I was needed to fill-in.

That is the gist of the situation.

Today:
I went with the director, who also happens to be the musical director and pianist (that's another story all together) to pick out a costume. In the end, I told him I had some clothes that I thought would work, and I would bring them to my rehearsals. He told me to bring them earlier because he "might" not be able to be at my rehearsals... this means no music. I asked how I would work on the music, and he said "CDs, karaoke style." WTF!?! I told him that this was NOT okay. He told me how this has been so hard, and all of these things are going on (including that fact that he was cast in some show out-of-state, which he would be missing my rehearsals for), and that we just need to make it work. We left on not the best of terms. Ten minutes later he did call to tell me that he would be at my rehearsals.

So I'm glad he will be there, but as usual, I feel bad about going in to work. I feel like an inconvenience to everyone, and I want to feel good about doing this show. Long story short, I'm stressed out and this didn't help.

HURRY UP!

VOTE PEOPLE!!! IT'S LES MISERABLES FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!

Les Mis

Thanks to this guy, I got to go see opening night of Les Mis at Marriott Theater Lincolnshire. To be honest, I was dreading having to go. I've seen this musical a few times in my life. I know pretty much every word, staging, that the first act is almost 2 hours on its own, and that everyone dies in the end.

I think Les Mis does better on a big stage, scaled big because it's so melodramatic and epic. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this little production. It had some great actors in it who had some great voices. The entire production was scaled down for the space very nicely.

Instead of focusing on special effects and a lush full sound, it focused on the story. The through lines of all of the characters, even the small ones, where fully developed. I noticed things I hadn't seen before, and really got to know all of the individuals on stage. It was nice that time was spent on the scenes between songs and the story that each song told.

After the show, we went to the after party for wine and food. I saw lots of people I knew there, and got to meet some people who I'd like to know. I had some wine, spring rolls, and chocolate covered strawberries. Seriously, what could be bad? Nothing.

I love theatre. I should probably keep doing it.

Defiance

I recently saw John Patrick Shanley's Defiance at Next Theatre with some people from my cast. I have to say, I thought this was an early work, but it was actually brand new. What I liked so much about Doubt, was that Shanley chose to show us only the scenes that are interesting on the stage. I cannot say the same for this play. This play's plot sorta never got going, and then it ended. So basically exposition, one scene of build, small climax/ending.


The acting was good overall. The Chaplin and the Colonel were excellent. Otherwise, there was a lot of acting that involved finger pointing...literally, the pointing of a finger. I wished some of them were more in their body because it really could have made some of the scenes explosive.

The set was very smart, and conveyed the mood and time of the entire play. The transitions were also very crisp and moved the play along.

This production was very good, but the play itself just bored me.

Absurdists

These are just some short thoughts on two pieces I recently saw and read:

After falling asleep twice, I finally got through The Rise and Fall of Mahagonny featuring Patti LuPone (that bitch needs to be named first), and Audra McDonald on PBS. The four of us reunited...hey, did anyone else just notice they both have two capital letters in their last names?....weird. So this is Brecht (playwright) at his finest, and perhaps John Doyle (director) at his finest as well. The singing: outstanding , the staging: stunning, and the writing: poignant.


Okay, next piece of work: Seascape by Edward Albee. After several breaks at work, I finished reading this play. It is a tame play for Albee. It seems restrained, but still gets all of his points across. It's kinda like a Shaw play, very didactic with almost no action. I liked it, though. It was a nice read. I dunno how it would work on stage. I will have to keep my eye out for a production of it.

A Night Out: A Post of Links

On Wednesday after work, I got a haircut. That is always fun because I love the guy who cuts it, and I feel like a rock star right afterwards. I drove downtown to the Apollo Theater to see The Sparrow with this guy I met through theatre stuff. My family had two free tickets from an auction somewhere so free plays are always great! The show was really innovative, some very good acting, some okay acting, and some Sufjan inspired original music. At intermission I ran into a few people from Cherubs, which is always fun. Everyone sorta keeps up with everyone which is great because it's all theatre networking stuff.

After the show we headed to i.O. to see "TJ and Dave." Since we had some time to kill we got a beer at Bar Louie next door. I wish I remembered the name of the beer we had cause it was like a better version of a Blue Moon. We sat down and the place was pretty packed. We ordered Duvel, which I didn't really like all that much. It kinda tasted like a more bitter, richer Hoegaarden.

The show was pretty funny, but more importantly Jeff Garlin sat right behind me! I had heard that he was going to be there, and I had just listened to him on the radio that morning. He laughed his distinct laugh through the whole show, and it made it all that much better. Afterwards I told him that I saw him and his movie at the Musicbox and how much I enjoyed it. He seemed genuinely touched that I like his film. So whether or not he did, he was still very nice.

Overall, the night was theatre and beer-filled and it was great. It was also 15 degrees and that sucked.

DSG: Reviews

Mostly positive reviews:
Broadwayworld.com
TimeOut Chicago

Chicago Reader
Goldstar.com
Centerstage Chicago

Not-so-positive reviews:
Chicago Critic
Chicago Tribune

Charlie Brown Reprise

I am in a SHOW!!! I have been typecast into playing PEANUTS™ characters. Now I am playing a teenage Marcie in Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead.


She and Tricia (Peppermint Patty) go around being gossipy and slutty and it'll be fun. To refresh your memory, she is Patty's tag-along nerdy friend who calls her 'Sir'. The show is pretty raunchy, and depressing... but also very funny! So if you want to see the whole gang grown-up come see it!

It's playing Nov. 15th - Dec. 15th at the Oracle Theatre with the Rubicon Theatre Project.

Lookingglass Alice

It's a rare thing to walk away from a theatrical production smiling. Lookingglass Alice had me laughing, gasping and clapping throughout the entire show. This production was just so much fun to watch.

The actors (who also were skilled gymnasts, circus artists, and singers) were all fabulous. There is a small cast of 5-6(?) and they play various characters throughout the play. Every visual image is captivating, and the movement is all incorporated to bring out new dimensions of the story. The lights, costumes, sound and props are all well-thought out and used to create something even more magical.

More than anything else, there is an element of surprise to everything. I kept thinking "how did they just do that without serious injury?" It is amazing that they can do that much physical work every night they do the show.

So, if you can go get tickets -- DO IT! You will not regret it. You can go 2 hours early for student rush tickets that are $20. Here is the link for more info:

http://www.lookingglasstheatre.org/productions/alice07.php

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in a rather scornful tone," it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many things."

"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master -- that's all."

Bragging Rights

The Chicago Reader review came out today for our show.

The last bit said:

"La Costa Theatre Company's vibrant, well-sung production is impressive in terms of confidence and polish, especially given the troupe's youth and shoestring budget. The standout is bubbly Anna Schutz, playing Charlie Brown's dizzy kid sister, Sally." --Zac Thompson

So far, so good! Yeah!

Chris Jones

I got my first Chicago review! It's one sentence towards the end, and it's positive :)

Yeah, he likes me!

Kids' Show

Today we performed a 15-20 minute version of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago. There were only three kids well enough to make it to the room where we performed, but they videotaped us and broadcast it to 50-70 kid's rooms.


The hospital is so well thought out for children. The colors, the rooms, the facilities and the staff were all amazing. I was so glad we got to do something to entertain those kids for even the short amount of time that we did. When I get the photos back of us I will post them.

Miss Sally Brown

I'm so excited!

It's Reefer Madness!!!

In a good way, though! This show is so funny and the songs are fun and catchy. My roommate's production of it was fabulous! His direction brought the fun, wit, and themes to the forefront of the show and it was stellar. I am just beaming with pride. My parents and sister made it in to see it and they loved it as well. The acting and singing are perfectly fit to the style of the piece, and the tech is wonderfully kitchy (sp?). The show is great on its own, but the music adds so much to it, rather than being put on top of it. Anyway, if you read this and live in town, go see it at midnight or tomorrow at 7:30, cause it's awesome and FREE!!! Also, there are brownies.

Spring Break is Evil

Everyone is always making plans to go places during Spring Break...like weeks in advance. I dread breaks from school. Especially one as deceptive as a week long break during the Spring. I know that I will take a few days to move-in, relax, busy myself with seeing people I need to see and doing errands that are easier to do at home than at school (i.e. laundry, hair cuts). Then I am finally ready for a break, and I already have to think about going back to school.

I avoided making any plans for as long as I could, until I was informed by my roommate it would be too late. So I booked a trip for literally 1.5 days to NYC to meet up with him to see some shows and some friends. I did this because



A. There was a great benefit show I wanted to see with such lovely ladies as Lea Salonga, Liz Calloway, and Maureen McGovern;












B. To see some of my good friends who live in NY; and finally









C. To break up the monotomy of me being frustrated with my parents and boredom at home.










Anyway, it turned out to be great. I also got to see "Company", which was fabulous. I returned with enough time to devot to family and friends, errands, auditions and a bit of relaxation. Look at me multi-task!

Today, however was the first day back at school. It was hard. Truly, it was. We didn't do too much in class, but we did discuss all the things we still need to do. All through break I just kept thinking about how after Showcase I will be done, and life will be grand. Oh my goodness. I just want to graduate and live in my parents basement and get an acting job and/or day job that will pay me enough to let me move out on my own. Okay list of stuff do to:

1.) TV/Film Class scene
2.) Fight Certification
3.) Showcase
4.) Recital
5.) Bob's project
6.) Little in-class assignments


Let's do this thing.

P.S. I am trying to figure out how to do different text with my MAC... any ideas as to italics, bolding etc?