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 An original musical version of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale-with a twist: In 1465, Aurora is put under a magic sleeping spell, and awakens 500 years later in 1965. Groovy, Baby! Tie-dye shirts and mini-skirts reign supreme. Hilarious fun for the entire family. Tickets are on sale now! Click here for more information about the show
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| North Park Vaudeville and Candy Shoppe presents one of America's edgiest playwrights!  Suzan-Lori Park's riff on The Scarlet Letter. A raw look at poverty and Reservations: 619-220-8663 |
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PAT HAS TWO COLUMNS THIS WEEK - Read Pat's Full Column © 2007 PATTÉ PRODUCTIONS, INC. Email Pat Pat's Website San Diego Theatre Scene Newsletter
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Filming in San Diego: § ABC is scouting for the second season of a reality show called Here Come the Newlyweds which would begin shooting in September. MTV will be here again for a month to film an episode of Made. A new game show called Trivial Pursuit will be filming around our city and county including the Embarcadero, North Park and other icon locations with questions not so different from the popular board game. Better sharpen your skills in case you get approached! § We must thank all the hotels that answered our email alert for competitive room rates. You came to our rescue and offered great rates that saved several productions that had tight budgets. Stay tuned for more and check out our website at www.sdfilm.com
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Hello everyone. Summer is really here now it seems, a great time for those wonderful outdoor productions at the Old Globe, and Moonlight, and NVA and so on. Speaking of New Village Arts, I’m previewing their new production Golden Boy in this column. Lovely news from Wendy Waddell, she and her Brad are engaged. Congratulations to you both! And this weekend, Trina and Ted Kaplan celebrate 60 years of marriage. Wow, they must have been married at 5, they both look so young and fit! They are a dear couple in our theatre community. Congratulations!! I’ve been working outside San Diego much of this past week so not able to see any productions. However, there is some great fare on our stages. Do not miss Shakespeare & Friends at The Avo Playhouse on June 30 at 7:30pm. This star-studded cast lead by Jonathan McMurtry will provide a stellar evening in this third annual play reading series WordsWork, directed by Alex Sandie. And it’s free! If you want an evening of intelligent humor, then do not miss Robert Dubac’s Male Intellect: The 2nd Coming, playing at the Lyceum through July 13. Dubac is not only a clever writer who captures the nuances of the male/female relationship he performs a variety of roles with panache and perfection that allow him to make pertinent social and political commentary. It’s a clever 90 minutes that will have you looking differently at the world, and laughing kindly at your most intimate relationships. If you want to escape the heat this Saturday, go to Cygnet at 2pm for a reading of Science 2 presented by Write out Loud. The Hit at Lambs in Coronado is by all accounts, a hit comedy running through July 13. We unfortunately had to miss opening night. Amanda Sitton & Michael Zlotnik I asked NVA founder Kristianne Kurner why NVA chose Golden Boy and she told me: “As a graduate of the Actors Studio, Golden Boy is one of those shows that you have to produce at some point in your career. Originally created by the Group Theatre in the 30s, it is an amazing ensemble-driven show that is a true American classic. Every role in the play is a complete experience for an actor, and all those roles put together tell a wonderful story. NVA is known for the strength of its Ensemble, and we felt that this was the perfect play to showcase that strength. It is also a story that we are thrilled to share with our audience. The opportunity to re-create 1930's NYC? What could be better!” This is a “big” show, so I asked Johnson about the challenges of staging it? “It's enormous and it wants to stay that way! It's a large cast and a play with an equally large spirit.. Even the set wants to be huge! All of the characters are on fire as well - the whole thing is simultaneously natural and larger than life! The same things that make it challenging make it exciting and irresistible!” Odets is a heady playwright, known for his Awake and Sing, and Waiting for Lefty among other great pieces, who has often been compared to Chekhov. What is Johnson’s draw to this playwright who died too young (aged 57, of stomach cancer)? “This is my first time directing Odets. It's easy to be drawn to Odets because he really is, for good reason, one of America's greatest playwrights. His plays are written from the gut, from the streets - and yet there is such a polish and witty poetry that springs from his writing. There is an evident push and pull between the dirt and the beauty of humanity that I find extremely compelling. Not to mention that Golden Boy is a play about boxing in 1930s New York! Does it get any more exciting!?” Odets was a member of the American Communist Party, and his work was based on his deep sympathy for the working classes. His characters in Golden Boy are quirky, with the central figure being torn between two worlds, those of music and the boxing ring, so I wondered if Johnson has been challenged by the writing: “I wouldn't call the writing a challenge as much as an inspiration. These characters are so well drawn, so interesting on the page that they beg to jump off it and onto the stage. It's more of a gift to the director than a challenge!” I asked Johnson why he thought Odets wrote this play? “Odets, like all good writers, seems to write about what he was surrounded by, about what he knew. Golden Boy is no exception in that it is positively soaked in it's time and place: New York in the 1930s. At that time as well, boxing was a big deal and had taken on a life of extreme public, and even political attention. I'm not aware of what Odets knew and didn't know about boxing when he sat down to write Golden Boy but I do know that it is a quintessential Odets play. All the wonderful characters, the struggle between where and who you are and where and who you want to be, the beauty and the dirt of humanity, of New York, of America in the 1930s - these were always huge themes in Odets' work. Golden Boy seems to spring forth from that same well within Odets.” As far as I can remember, Golden Boy hasn’t been produced in San Diego recently. I asked Johnson if there could be a reason for this? “I can't say exactly why no one else has touched it for a while. The production is huge, for sure, so there's that. It's not the kind of play you just "toss out there". It's an enormous and intimidating production. But I suppose at the same time, that's what we do here at NVA. It's not uncommon for us to take on a project that scares us, that demands us to be at the top of our game.” So, was this a challenge to cast and design? “The casting was basically done through a series of auditions and callbacks, as usual, with a couple of our ensemble members coming in as readers and players. The difference this time I would say was the sheer size of the needed cast and how there are at least a dozen male actors needed and only two women. But I couldn't be happier with the way the cast turned out. And the auditions themselves were amazing. The lobby seemed to be buzzing with excitement during the casting process - it was thrilling, actually, to see that room filled with such energy and enthusiasm. The design team was put together through a series of recommendations, emails and table meetings. I think one of the most exciting things that happened was that after a series of meetings, Kristianne just couldn't stop thinking about the possibilities for the set. She started bringing sketches to work and soon it just became obvious that she should take the lead position! The main thing is that there seems to be a contagious excitement and enthusiasm for this project from cast and crew to design and production - and the right people seem to be falling right into place.” So I had to ask Kristianne how this production might differ from other productions of Golden Boy? “I think all productions really come down to your director and your cast. In the case of our director, Joshua has such an intimate knowledge of acting and the process that actors go through that he is able to lead this very large group of people to the best performances that they each can give - which then tells the story in the most complete way. As for the cast - it really is unbelievable to me. We had people come in for auditions that we had never seen at NVA before - it was like someone put out a call for men who looked like they stepped out of the 1930's - and they can act, too! Our "golden boy", Michael Zlotnick, is new to San Diego and I think we are going to see a lot more of him in the future. NVA Ensemble members Amanda Sitton, Manny Fernandes and Joshua help to anchor the cast - I really don't see a weak link in the show and for a cast of 13 men and 2 women, that is saying a lot.” I wanted to know the challenges and pleasures of the rehearsal process? Johnson responds: “I love rehearsals. Love them. The huge cast here is both a challenge and a pleasure. We also have begun to really develop our style and process as an ensemble theatre company and it's absolutely thrilling to share our process with so many actors that are new to our stage. For example, it's really neat to watch the cast watch the way I interact with ensemble members Manny Fernandes and Amanda Sitton. For some of them it's very different and it's so cool to watch the cast get on board this fast-paced, very alive process we have here at NVA. We must have ten actors in this cast that have never been on stage at NVA and to watch them jump on board is extremely gratifying! There's definitely the sense in the room that something is really happening, moving, growing!” So it sounds as though the audience is in for a dynamic experience? “We want them to be soaked, just as the play is, in 1930s New York. And also to fly on the coattails of Mr. Odets' wonderful story. It's a three-act play with 12 scenes and by the time we are done with it we want the experience to be seamless - to pick you up from moment one and not let you rest until the curtain falls!” Golden Boy runs at New Village Arts through July 13. And that’s it from me for a little while. On June 27, Kim and I are off to Iceland and return to San Diego on July 14. There will be plenty to see on our stages when we return. Stay well. Enjoy summer. Love, Jenni |
by
Jenni Prisk
And now to Golden Boy by Clifford Odets, directed by Joshua Everett Johnson, opening at New Village Arts on June 21 at 8pm. There is great excitement mounting at the theatre over this new production!|
The True Tale of Sleeping Beauty rings true The True Tale of Sleeping Beauty, set in 1465, achieves the difficult task of entertaining children and adults equally. Adriane Coros and Kate Barrett’s delightful musical take-off on a children’s classic is saturated with puns and language twists. Director Pamela Rotta and her family have been intimately involved in the show since its premiere in 2002. It is Princess Aurora’s (Noelle Chaanine) birthday. The family, King Ethlered (Alexander Oval) and Queen Emaline (Lauren Turner), and retainers have all kept her away from the dreaded spinning wheels. Alas, evil fairy Hemlock (Gabe Lazard) presents her with one. She spins off to sleep for five hundred years, while she and Hemlock sing a duet, “Spin A Little Dream.” Mrs. Busybum (Daniella Fierro), the head of the household staff, attempts to keep everything under control and almost succeeds. While Prince doesn’t get Aurora, Christopher does. The Waves (Carson McCalley, Allison Edmonds, Caroline Kvass and Jacob Gardenswartz) sing “Surfboard Baby.” The princess joins The Royals, her new group from the 15th century with “A World Without Walls.” The company tops the charts with “It’s a Groovy Day.” Rounding out the cast and usually playing more than one role are Dalton Dobey, Chelsea Chenelle, Kaitlyn Baker, Allie Lehr, Micaela Applebaum, and Sofia Gardenswartz. The True Tale of Sleeping Beauty is fun theatre, a nice Sunday afternoon diversion. Jennifer Kindschi’s costumes were just right. Expect for the royalty, the 15th century dress was drab, which contrasted perfectly with the intense colors of the 20th century. The imaginative script allows a director and choreographer (Juliana Rotta) to stretch their young cast. With a cast of forty, performances vary. Beck commanded the stage. Director Rotta took full advantage of the punderful script ensuring that her cast was very clear on what they were saying. Alas, this did not carry well into song. This is partly the fault of direction in that, with the exception of Beck and the lovely fairies, the cast did not project their songs beyond the first row. This has been a problem at the playhouse since the rebuilding. There are no monitor speakers on stage, making it almost impossible for a cast to hear their recorded accompaniment . . . a frustration for both audience and cast. Bring the kids, reserve early for the final weekend, and hope for a front-row seat. The cast’s energy will charge your kids and you’ll enjoy the play on words. The show plays through June 29th, 2008. For reservations call the Box Office Phone: 619 435-4856 or go to the website: www.coronadoplayhouse.com Don’t Miss: The New Perspective Festival is playing at Swedenborg Hall, 1551 Tyler Avenue. This is the final weekend. Last weekend was mostly sold out. Their website is www.perspectivefest.com. 24 one act plays featuring some of the finest actors in San Diego. One of the joys of seeing eight short plays in an evening is that you are sure to see some you’ll absolutely love. If you don’t like one, you are confident it will be over in just a few minutes. Here’s your chance to see the newest works, some being premiered.
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TWO WEEKS WORTH OF COLUMNS THIS WEEK!
6-17-08 Hey Everyone! Now that school is out, SATs, ACTs, and Finals are at last over, it is definitely the perfect time to start planning your summer theatre outings! There are so many fun things going on in the theatre world this summer! And great ways to get cheap tickets too! The best part I think for summer is being able to be out side every minute of the day. If you’re the outdoorsy type, don’t even bother being inside to see a show, go to one of the many amphitheatres offering pieces! The Old Globe is producing their annual Shakespeare festival starting July 14 otherwise known as Bastilles Day to the French! Go into school strongly polished knowing these famous shows and totally get an A+ on those Shakespearean reports. The Bard’s plays were not to be read, but to be seen, and are way more interesting and easier to understand if you actually watch them. The plays in the festival this season include Romeo and Juliet, All’s Well that Ends Well, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. You can get cheaper seats to these shows if you go during their preview nights and or if you gather a huge group to go! To buy tickets you can go online to www.oldglobe.org! Two other great theatres’ that take place under the stars include Starlight and Moonlight, where huge, outrageous musicals are being performed! Starlight’s season consists of Crazy for You, Nine, Into the Woods, and My Fair Lady. You can get tickets by going to www.starlighttheatre.org! Moonlight’s season consists of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Guys and Dolls, and Les Miserables. You can go online to www.moonlightstage.com for more info! All of these musicals have amazing scores and are not to be missed! The best part is that tickets are as low as $10! Totally affordable! Go to your work at Jamba Juice for two hours, buy a ticket, and have money left over for hot chocolate! The perfect deal! A show in this Festival, that I am actually directing, is Paradise a play by Glyn O’Malley and tells the powerful story of the Palestinian and Israeli Intifada through the eyes of teens. Featuring a rock star cast, with Charlotte Ostrow, Ryan Murphy, Gaby Espinal, and Daniel Myers Paradise runs from July 31st through August 3rd. There are student tickets priced at $12. All you sci-fi and fantasy fans, The Listener is now playing at the Moxie Theatre! The Listener’s job is to detect signs of life beyond Junk City, but when life detects her, the rag-tag survivors find that humanity is just a voice in the dark. Freaky huh? Totally into Star Trek, this could be that special show for you! And low on that flow of cash, bought too many sandals and swimsuits? There is a pay what you can night June 24! So you have no excuse not to go! Tickets are as low as $15, you can check out www.moxietheatre.com for more information! If you are looking for a show to bring your little children, search no more! Really Rosie starting on June 27th is the show for you. Written by the Maurice Sendak the author of Where the Wild Things Are, these performances are sure to keep you laughing and your children learning, at San Diego Junior Theatre who is celebrating their 60th Anniversary Season! Ticket prices range from 8-13 dollars, go to www.juniortheatre.com for more information! Last but certainly not least, this summer Tony Award Winner Spring Awakening is coming to San Diego! This is one of my personal favorite shows that I have ever seen, in my whole life! I actually saw the Tony Award winning cast in New York City last May. This rock and roll score retelling the 1850’s banned German play by Frank Wendekind, tells the story of teenagers growing up and dealing with peer pressure, suicide, death, sex, abortion, pressing school work, and adults. This show won 8 Tony Awards last year including “Best New Musical.” But what is really exciting about this musical is that teens and adults are able to help market this utterly unprecedented piece! You can hand out flyers, work on community events, just spread the word, and by doing this you can win Spring Awakening prizes such as paraphernalia, t-shirts, and opportunities to actually meet the cast! How magnificent is that!?!?! If you are interested in becoming a helper or a “Guilty One” as they are being called, you can e-mail guiltyones@broadwaysd.com! If you just want see the San Diego road show, it runs August 15-31 at the beautifully refurbished Balboa Theatre near Horton Plaza, and there are tickets priced at $12.50 available. This is a totally teen event you won’t want to miss. 6-26-08 RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! NEW LIFE FORMS ARE COMING DOWN FROM A NEW EARTH! A sci-fi mystery thriller is now playing at the Lyceum Space downtown by the Horton Plaza, produced by the creative team at Moxie Theatre Company. This tale takes place in Junk City, The Listener, focuses on those people left behind on Earth after consequences such as global warming have made it uninhabitable. While worshipping the incredible “Tech” and “Sam the Uncle,” these forgotten souls try to recreate their own society. Playwright Liz Duffy Adams, who wrote Dog Act, also recently produced by the Moxie Theatre, created an enthralling piece. My sister and I were on the edges of our seat watching with wonderment as to what would happen next to these characters. Listener was played by Jo Anne Glover, who captivated the audience with her stoic presence, taking the crowd on her journey. Her pleas to find others outside of junk city are desperate and filled with emotion. Glover constantly pushes the show forward, finding the different levels in her idealized job, though having to deal with the hardship of loneliness. The Finders of the junk, used to recreate the civilization were played by Tim Parker and Rachel Van Wormer both always amusing to watch with their never-ending energy bouncing all over the place, and portraying the dumb, undereducated part of the City’s society. Walter Murray played the Namer, who names all the things that, the Finders find. But what interrupts the monotony of this constant circle, is that a new human being from the planet Nearth, is found wandering around and ultimately the chaos of what ensues around him. Steven Lone played the new alien is who was excellent in all the different emotions as his character kept changing. The set was absolutely incredible. A mountain of “junk” reaching up to the top of the theatre with platforms concealed where the actors would perform. Designed by Amy Chini and filled with so much detail, the set was fabulous. The set also lead to the props placed around and used in the show designed by Missy Bradstreet. Costumes were designed by Jennifer Eve Thorn and Sheri Kraus pulling the audience into this futuristic land. Eric Lotze designed the lights and Tom Jones designed the sound. Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, there is only one word to describe this show, AMAZING. The theme may seem little familiar but if you enjoyed reading The Giver by Lois Lowry or are currently awaiting the release of the summer movie Wall-E, The Listener is exactly what you are looking for. The show plays through June 29th and you had better be there or be square (or maybe left to wither on Earth when we finally collapse). It’s a short run, so you have to go NOW!!! Call (619) 544-1000 or go online to www.moxietheatre.com for more information! Go to the theatre! |
Can’t wait for those presidential elections later this year? Want to be a part of some political action and change? At the newly renamed Compass Theatre, the Resilience of the Spirit Festival starts June 26th! With plays all about overcoming political turmoil and all about social justice, you can feel the turbulence and experience the power these plays hold. This is the second year of the Festival and features 15 shows all about this resilience of the human spirit! To find out more and purchase tickets you can go online to
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