The Review of ACC

Here is the link: http://utahtheaterbloggers.com/7798/a-simple-and-sweet-christmas-carol-in-springville/
Here is the text. Highlighting is me. (grin)

PRINGVILLE —  Throughout the annals of literature, there have been few texts more influential than Charles Dickens’ immortal classic, A Christmas Carol.  Originally published in the Christmas season of 1843, this insightful tale has permeated popular culture to the highest levels.  Themes and storylines from A Christmas Carol can be found, re-imagined in countless stories from nearly every culture worldwide.  It’s truly a story of simple, eternal truth.
This was my first experience at the Little Brown Theater in Springville.  The theater is a converted office space, which makes for tight quarters.  There are some physical limitations of this location that are difficult to overcome and have intense impact on the aesthetics of an evening there.  As I prefer to focus on the theatergoers overall experience in my reviews, I would be remiss to not point a few out glaring flaws with the facilities.  Separating the front of house and the backstage areas from the theater portion of the space are only thin curtains.  I found myself yearning for a wall or two to muffle noise and keep that fourth wall intact.   Also, as my 5-year-old daughter was my date for the evening, intermission meant a trip to the restroom, which sadly necessitated a walk through the actors’ area. We saw the cast of characters sitting, joking, half in costume, and complaining. I thought this was quite destructive to the illusion of the production to a young mind.  I absolutely understand the limitations imposed by the space, but I would have loved to see the cast remain in character while audience members were present.   That aside, I feel that this small company of players is doing the best they can with meager circumstances.
When we arrive, we have no difficulty getting our seats.  In fact, we were the first there.  Owing to the fact that this was but 15 minutes before the proverbial curtain was set to rise, I was nervous that this was to be a very intimate evening of theater.  I was quite relieved, as we got closer to show time and a number of other audience members arrived. As we near the planned start time of 7:30, a small group of players, clad in 1850’s attire trot out, sit down and begin a discussion about carols they ought to sing.  I was a little confused at this in the beginning, but soon caught on to the gimmick.  This troupe actually set a nice tone for the evening.  After four songs, they retired backstage and the intrepid director, Cara Baker, took to the stage for the introduction.  After her brief thanks, the show begins and we’re shown the layout for the evening ahead.
A narrator in the form of a goodly grandmother, played by Lora Beth Brown, surrounded by little children will be laying out the details of the tale we’ll hear tonight.  Brown’s ability and natural inflection is that of a well-weathered storyteller.  Certainly, hers is a voice that has carried many a child to sleep over the years.  The children at her side are adorable and I’m drawn to this method of narration immediately. The scene transitions to live action and we’re introduced to Scrooge and Cratchit, in their dank counting house.  Right away I note that Bill Brown, portraying Scrooge, is having a very difficult time remembering his lines.  He is tripping over phrases and saying entire lines out of order, then repeating them in the proper place.  This unfamiliarity leads to a cardboard, static and uncomfortable character – not the miserly, confident skinflint that we’re all so familiar with.  Sadly, this is a theme that continued on throughout the entire evening.  Brown certainly looked the part, but I found his portrayal to be extremely flat and disinterested.  I could actually see him waiting for his next chance to speak, instead of listening to and reacting to the business with his fellow performers.
Baker chose (wisely, given the limited space) to utilize the same performers to present numerous characters throughout the show.  Mont Connell plays Bob Cratchit, Dick and “Gentlemen.”  I found him to be by far most effective as Dick, Scrooge’s old co-worker.  He had an easy, light-hearted air that was effective for that role.  As Cratchit, I was underwhelmed with Connell’s performance.  I didn’t feel that he adequately captured the gravity of vital moments in the script. During the evening, we’re next introduced to Eric Ramaekers who will be filling the shoes of Fred – Scrooge’s plucky nephew, Young Scrooge and Joe – the “businessman” who purchases Scrooge’s personal effects.  Ramaekers was certainly one of the stronger players; particularly as Joe.  He stank of smarmy, greasy evil during those moments and it was quite enjoyable to watch.
Adam Cannon and Craig Mustoe next enter as a pair of social workers seeking donations to help the poor.  Mustoe seemed very uneasy on stage and it lead to very poor choices; namely, he spent most of his first scene with his back full on to the audience.  He later portrayed the role of Fezziwig, opposite his actual wife (Jennifer Mustoe), and settled into that role much better.  Cannon brings us both the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Future.  He shines as the larger than life, chuckling Ghost of Christmas Present.  Casting Cannon as the Ghost of Christmas Present was a near-perfect decision. The Ghost of Marley is played by a young man named Gabriel Nicholas.  The choice was made for him to constantly pace throughout the scene.  I respect that the story calls for Marley to never rest, but I felt this lead to blocking choices that were difficult to watch.  He lacked motivation in his many vocal outbursts, but was very committed to them.
As the show progressed I noticed another disheartening trend, in that the narrator would be reading the story while the actors were performing those events, but they wouldn’t match up.  Just little things that would have been quite easily remedied; such as a nightcap being specifically called for, but not physically manifest.  Also, emotional connections spoken out by the reader but completely lost on the performers – Scrooge in particular.
The clock strikes one and we’re graced by the Ghost of Christmas Past, skillfully laid out by Dana Anquoe.  She was very believable in this role and brought a real sense of decorum to the stage.  She takes us back to old Fezziwigs’ store where we meet our final key players of the evening; Alyssa Christensen as Belle and Jennifer Leigh Mustoe as Mrs. Fezziwig.  Christensen, while perfectly satisfactory as Belle, was brilliant as the cockney launder selling off Scrooge’s personal effects late in the show.  I wish she’d have had more stage time as this character as it was an absolute joy to watch!  Mustoe, meanwhile, gives us the dramatic zenith of the evening as Mrs. Crachit, whose impassioned agony at the loss of Tiny Tim was palpable.  The supporting cast gave even, textured portrayals that supported the direction of the show well.
Everything associated with Christmas has the benefit of personal connections.  These are the characters, themes, and stories that we’re brought up repeating and enjoying year after year.  They soften our hearts and help us achieve “the spirit of the season.”  I would not say that I was surprised by anything I saw on the stage of the Little Brown Theater that night.  It is a simple space, wherein a simple group of amateur performers told a simply complex story.   The message, so clearly set down by Charles Dickens: Give Love.  I appreciate very much the cast and crew for their efforts to promote such a simple, world altering message.  God Bless us…every one.

Keep Playing!

A Christmas Carol, after New Years

All in all, my experience in ACC was a good one. Yes, I struggled with a few cast members. Yes, it was difficult to be in a show with my husband on the night that we were lovey dovey onstage and in a horrible fight backstage. I kept thinking of all those Russian ice skaters that had married and divorced their skating partners and still skated in every Winter Olympics. Tough gig...

I will say, being in a show about Christmas that played until six days before Christmas plus doing Santa and Mrs. Claus visits was really hard on our real holiday. We had our annual Christmas party on 'the night before the night before Christmas' (Dec 23rd.) The party was hilarious. ~Ahem~ None of my fellow actors from ACC, or any other show for that matter, came to the party. Thank goodness for family and close friends, especially from band!

We had our cast party the Saturday before closing night. It was a tough party. I am not a Band video game person, and I was so tired after the show. I was worried about Caden, but it turned out that he had a blast, even though he had struggled in the show, being the only teenager.

The highlights of the show:

• When Craig played Bob Cratchit for one night. He flubbed some lines, but he did so well! And all the Cratchit kids pitched in and helped him. It felt so right after having to play the loving Mrs. Cratchit opposite a guy who loathed me. (Can I act or what?)
• Having the best line in our sole review about me. Review will be posted in another blog post. Also, seeing my friend Steve Dunford, who reviewed the show. LOVE Steve!
• Working with my son as my son Mark (aka Martha in the novel) in the show. It was synergistically amazing.
• My kids in the show. I loved them like a mother would. Truly loved them.
• Remembering that purple is a good color on me.
• Using my own grief at Nathan's death to aid me in the Tiny Tim is dead scene. It actually helped me as a person to cry so often for Nathan. It had been a long time since I'd done any real crying over my son's death.
• Solidifying my friendship with Adam, making a new friend of the director, Cara Baker, another new friend in Lora Beth, the narrator, another friend in Kandi, strengthening my friendship with Sarah.
• Doing Caden's 'Mark' scene with Sarah when Caden had a concert. She cried along with me! Yeah Sarah!

Lessons Learned:

• I can act with people I don't like and feel unsafe around.
• I can be nice to my husband onstage when I'm furious with him.
• I can cry on demand.
• I can learn my lines quicker than I thought.
• I have good friends who came to my show.
• I can sing solos no prob. (Except the last night when I went flat. I had run out of gas by then.)
• I like nutty kids.
• I can take direction and only feel grateful for the input. And implement those suggestions.
• I like twirly long skirts.
• I need to be much more careful with my blogs. 
• I love Dickens.

Let's put it this way--I liked this so much I hope my guys and I can do a Christmas show together every year. 

Keep Playing! And God bless us, every one!

Some photos from the show

Caden and I

Craig and I

Happy Mrs. Cratchit

Caden, me, and Craig

My dapper son, Caden

My handsome guys

We make good Victorian English persons, don't we?

This may be my favorite photo of us ever.

Our director, Cara Baker, as a Cockney

The sad scene--Nathan, you are here

Most of my posts are happy, silly, excited, and yes, a few are complaining.

This one is really about sadness. And fear.

I will cry during the typing of this blog.

I am rehearsing the scene in ACC where the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge that, because of Scrooge's selfishness and cruelty, Tiny Tim dies. I will be talking about my son, Tiny Tim Cratchit's death.

My own son died. Nathan Kelly. Almost three years ago. How can I talk about Tiny Tim's death and not wail for the death of my own son? In the scene, my husband, Bob Cratchit, is also supposed to sob. I'm not sure about the young man who's cast as Bob. Not sure he has the capacity as an actor to cry. But my husband will be playing Bob for one performance. Though Nathan isn't Craig's natural son, Craig has felt Nathan's loss, too. How can Craig and I get through this scene?

Acting is living for me. I take my experiences from my life and put them into my characters onstage. I wish this wasn't a scene I could pull such agonizing pain into it. Nathan's death haunts me. It always will. And he, too, died from others' selfishness, including my own.

I have some time to memorize the lines. I have some time to put this into perspective. But I know Mrs. Cratchit's pain.

I am going to ask God to please ask Nathan to be with us during our performances. Whatever Nathan is doing in heaven, for those nights, I need him with me.

Keep playing. And loving. And healing.

Gingko Biloba, here I come!

This will be a short blog. Why?

We were told on Tuesday that ACC is no longer going to be a reader's theater. I saw this coming. All the costume changes and moving around set pieces. I saw it, but didn't want to believe it.

Oh, don't get me wrong. The show will be a ton more awesome. If, that is, I can remember my friggin' lines. So I am memorizing, and Caden is going to record them for me so I can listen to them on my Ipod.

How I will get through the scene when The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Tiny Tim as already dead I d not know. If I were holding a book, I think I could do it without completely breaking down. Now? Answer: Xanax.

Oh, and I was kinda whiny at the rehearsal when they told us this, and my fellow cast members are serious champs and offered to help me. Love them!

So here I go, memorizing.

Keep Playing! (and remembering!)

Second rehearsal of ACC (A Christmas Carol) and Nov 2011 SFCT Board meeting

I liked that we were getting things started with blocking tonight. Unfortunately, it seemed I was the only one in the scene. My Cratchit husband is far too busy goofing off, making jokes, and then not doing his lines. My 'kids' are not very experienced and though the director basically said, Go, my kids didn't. They stood there until I ushered them around. I guess I really am their mother.

I got another part--a Cockney one, for the several nights that one of the actresses can't be there. Yeah for me, but crap. We should have a full cast for each performance.

Mont and the girl who won't be there seem to be flirting. Ugh.

I like the project, though in this show, around Mont, I--I, the funny witty person, have become the prim nerd that says things that are completely lame. It is the only way I seem to be able to keep myself from telling him to shut his stupid mouth and stop acting like an idiot. Well, actually start acting and stop being an idiot.

The Spanish Fork Community Theater meeting was really interesting. I so don't feel like I fit in, but seem to actually have some kind of acceptance. Good!

Two things I found interesting:
1. Adam said Eliza Doolittle does not have to be Audrey Hepburn's twin (meaning she doesn't have to be thin) and can be older. Older? Hmm. I'm older. And not thin.
2. It's between a ball and a garden party for fundraising. Garden party sounds much easier. Have some entertainment, throw the kids some crumpets and send them home.

Keep Playing!

First Readthrough of A Christmas Carol--random musings

~I like things to be fair, though they hardly ever are.
It may be that I'm not as funny as I thought. Or maybe I just like things to go smoothly. Maybe I'm more polite than I thought. See, I think it's remarkably rude for people to talk over someone else when they are reading through their lines in the first read through of a script.

~Mr. Scrooge is a Republican.

~I think it's hilarious that I play two wives and one husband is my own husband and one husband is young enough to be a very young son of mine. Cougars in Dickens? Yes!

~Mrs. Cratchit would have a lower voice than Mrs. Fezziwig. Mrs. Cratchit aka Mother has worked hard her whole life, has lived in a place that probably has dubious flues on the chimneys, making smoke in the room from October to June. Talk about a smoker's cough! Mrs. Fezziwig is silly and loving. Her voice will be higher, and more cultured.

~If you know you can't make it to rehearsals and performances, you shouldn't audition.

~I need to learn how to sew well.

~It's clark, not clerk.

~Sometimes seating charts are necessary for adults. To keep the distruptive ones separate.

~It is invaluable to have a good friend in the same room with you.

Keep playing!

Santa and the Missus

My husband, the heretofore high school English teacher/Renaissance Man, now actor, has decided to be Santa this holiday. So far:

• He has secured the suit, just needs a belt
• Has the beard growing on his face--I bought the white stuff to spray on his beard so he will be a whiter, brighter Santa
• Has me to advertise
• Has me to be the younger, slightly Trophy Wife to Santa

What alien abducted my husband and left this semi-hammed up dude?

Keep playing!

The new play--a surprise blessing!

I went to an audition for a reader's theater production of A Christmas Carol on Thursday. As usual, fewer men than women. Some friends were there, who I was happy to see except as an actress. This was a theater I wanted to work for before but scheduling conflicts prevented me from auditioning for their debut production.
Theater: Springville's Little Brown Theater--very cozy (read--small) black box theater. I LOVE IT.
So, the audition--lots of talent in the females. The men--the young man I'd seen in The Importance of Being Earnest and he was good. The other man showed up in a puffy black wig that had a long braid down the back. Reminded me of when I used to be in Indian Maidens and we all wore black yarn wigs. He had a cowboy hat on this wig and those aviator type sunglasses. I thought he looked like a rather lame terrorist. When he read, he talked like a cowboy. Instead of a clipped British accent, as he read the lines he said things like, "We are goin' to the circus." I don't say this to be mean. I say this for what happened next.
I went home and told my husband, a high school English teacher, that it would be great if he read. The show needs help. My husband, needless to say, has never heretofore expressed any desire to perform. But this is Dickens we're talking about, and he's been reading in front of a bunch of teenagers for 33 years. What does he have to be afraid of? If he can face that every school day, a reader's theater is nuthin'.
Long story short--he came, he read, he got cast! I am as stunned as you are. He is playing Mr. Fezziwig to my Mrs. Fezziwig (we kiss! how cute is that?) and another smaller male part. I also play Mrs. Cratchit. We are already thinking of character development. What kind of hairstyles did they wear in the Victorian Era? Will Craig need to trim or shave off his beard? How will I do my hair?
THIS. IS. AMAZING. I have been dancing sillily all weekend.
Our son, an amazing actor, was not cast--too young to be Young Scrooge and too old to be a Cratchit kid. Caden will sing in the choir, do tech (which he yearns to do), and perhaps play the guitar and the French horn. I admire him that he is completely okay without having a speaking part. He said, grinning, "I don't always have to have the lead."
THIS. IS. AMAZING.
Merry Christmas to us!
I have reserved everything I can get my hands on that deals with A Christmas Carol--the library's copy of the novel, the novel on CD to download, several versions of it on film.
The heck with Thanksgiving. 
God bless us, everyone!
Keep playing! (And keep the faith that miracles like this with me will happen to you!)