Saturday, September 27, 2014

Brick Street Theatre Company Playwright Workshop 1

Today I workshopped two plays - "Fly Loft" (Full Length) & "Blood & Water in Topeka" (1 Act). I was able to get good criticism and feedback to move the plays to the next stages of rewrites. 

I am writing two one act plays for the 365 women a year: a Playwriting project. I am creating a one act about Henrietta Lacks and a one act about Michelle Obama. 

It's great to hear your writing spoken, to finally hear the critiques move down to more nitpicking changes than large adjustments. "Blood & Water in Topeka" will most likely be a fringe festival submission. 

More next week. 


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Twitter: @365womenayear

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Our Town at KC REP

I normally don't review KC REP since I like to keep reviews to the smaller venues, but I have to talk about this one. 

I lost it while ushering, before it started. I overheard two parents tell their kids "I played the organist in my high school production" and another said "I wanted to play Emily but my friend Susie got the role." This play is a United States cultural phenomenon. Everyone has had to read it or act in it. (Myself included, I was the milk man.) 

This production brings it into modern dialogue, modern dress, and lighting just like what you'd see in a high school gym. The actors are wearing street clothes. This is exactly what our high school productions of Our Town felt like. Simple. No costumes. No accents. Horrible canned lighting. You can see the audience because it's in a gym. Absolutely nostalgic in the most insane way possible. 

Being able to see the audience across the stage was brilliant and also a killer. Couples, parents and kids, friends were all leaning into each other, whispering, and pointing out different parts of the play. This play is familiar to everyone in the audience and they are reminiscing with the show. I could hear a woman next to me whisper to her girlfriend "this is my favorite scene" when Emily and George started talking to each other through the windows. Then, she started to cry. An older gentleman right in the front row on the floor aisle had to take out a handkerchief to wipe his eyes. We were all absolutely losing it. 

The ending I can't reveal to you without ruining the surprise. They've done something amazing with it. You have to see this show. This is an event. The audience is 110% with the production, everyone is a mess because they love it, and the ending will absolutely slay you. 

Kcrep.org

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Unicorn Theatre Season 41 : Opening Night Amazing

They have a new roof, the newly christened Levine stage, and they are incredibly gracious and giving to their patrons. There was a snack meet and greet after the show. Cynthia Levin is amazing and I definitely want to be as brave and amazing as her when I grow up. 

What an opening night to Hands on a Hardbody. Sold out show, rocking music, champagne toast. 

Here's to the local KC theatre that now OWNS their own space. 

Here's to new improvements, including a new roof!

Here's to more new plays by new playwrights. 

Here's to 41 more amazing seasons!

My review is as simple as my Facebook update "omg I wanna make out with this show."

Www.unicorntheatre.org

See this. Get season tickets. Go!



Spinning Tree Theatre : Ghost Writer

The night after Ghost Writer (Thursday) I was so wound up I couldn't sleep until 2am. It was a great show and my dates, Lorraine and Katie, were fantastic fun. I've had the privilege of seeing great theatre lately, and I am amazed at everything in Kansas City. I've got to be careful to balance my theatre events, my family, and my school work. There is just so much going on! So many Kansas City premieres!

After watching "Hope and Gravity" a couple of weeks ago at Creede Repertory Theatre, I was extremely interested in how Michael Hollinger's writing would differ in this production. This playwright is a writer. He deals in the same wheelhouse as David Mamet: simple, heartbreak, missed chances, tragedy, and almost-could-have-beens. Words, not flash, are his medium. 

Both productions I've seen discuss writing and its pains; the waiting for inspiration, the rapid flow of words, the re-writes, the discussion about writing of others, critiques. Writing, the art and work; teaching about life itself. 

As Myra Babbage, (Katie Kalahurka) explains, you wait for the words. They can come quickly like rain, or not at all for long periods. 

Franklin Woolsey (Robert Gibby Brand), and wife Vivian (Jeannie Blau), bring nuance to the pain of loss, of pining for someone you cannot have, and losing someone's love, even before they've passed away. 

This production, however, showcases Katie Kalahurka* in all the range and delivery that this production requires. Hers is a dangerous performance; too weepy or melancholy, it would've dipped into something ridiculous, not funny in the right places, the pain wouldn't have been sharp enough. She delivers with humor, and heartache, and it is perfection. 

Sean Glass has created a lighting design that is its own character. Having to slip us between times, between Franklin Woolsey (Robert Gibby Brand) being alive and a ghost, was cued beautifully by the lighting. Harsh when Vivian (Jeannie Blau) was on set, softer when Franklin Woolsey and Myra Babbage were working, or dancing, I had to divide my attention between the beautiful design and the acting. I'll be sure to volunteer usher in the future so I get the chance to see Spinning Tree's future productions more than once. There is a lot to see, and much they should be proud of in their 2014-2015 season. 

Please note: support them by buying season tickets. Visit www.spinningtreetheatre.com

Some (professional) reviews that tell it like it is:



*To the patron who decided to eat a bunch of candy and play with wrappers during Katie's last speech: if I find out who you are, I will drop a typewriter on your foot. 


Thursday, September 4, 2014

Spinning Tree Theatre : You're silly if you don't get season tickets

Tonight (or, last night) I had the privilege of seeing my first Spinning Tree production: Ghost Writer.

I'll get you a more detailed review later, but keep your eyes on Michael Grayman and Andy Parkhurst. They're bringing Kansas City three regional premieres this season: Ghost Writer, Violet, Black Pearl Sings and classic musical Fiddler on the Roof. 

Get your tickets now for Ghost Writer at www.spinningtreetheatre.com and purchase season tickets. 

Tomorrow night is a Premiere night for Hands on a Hardbody at The Unicorn.