Briga-Bums 

Briga-Def Poetry Jam 

Briga-Diva 

Briga-Sway 

Briga-Busta Move 

Briga-Brandon 

Briga-Fan 

Briga - Baby 

Briga - Spaz 

Sopranos!! 

A Man with Vision

The Director - Mr. Manley

Thanks for the Memories

It's been a great run. Brigadoon has now faded into the highland mist. Thanks to all.

I'm Living in My Own Private Brigadoon

Today I am thinking about Iraq and Afghanistan and what we are doing over there. At some point someone is going to have to say "enough." This so reminds me of Viet Nam and we all know how that turned out. One of the things that I learned as Political Science/History major is that countries never learn from their mistakes. They always repeat them. It's really sad. We humans are so stupid in so many ways.

It's ironic that the U.S., the leader of the free world, is also the most destructive and war driven society that exists on our planet. With one hand we can feed the poor, aid psunami victims, and fight for civil rights and with the other hand we can drop nuclear bombs, fire bombs, and cluster bombs that maim and kill children. It's so strange, so confusing. And we always believe that God is behind our actions. God help us.

No wonder most ancient cultures have some form of their own Brigadoon. We need a place to dream of where people are united toward a common cause of love and peace. Maybe if we only believe enough, one day the world will become like Brigadoon. We can only hope.

Another Great Review for BRIGADOON

This one's from the Metro.

Review - Catch Foothill's delightful 'Brigadoon' before it fades away

Inside Bay Area - Bay Area Living

N TERMS of musical theater history, Lerner and Loewe's first Broadway success, the 1947 "Brigadoon," doesn't rate too high. But in the hands of director Jay Manley and his Foothill Music Theatre, it is a fun revival of a sugar-sweet fantasy love story. A lot of this is because of the supercharged choreography by Tyler Risk and the talented dancers who execute it. Add to this an inspired casting of singing actors and the show that opened last weekend at the Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills is another Jay Manley winner. The plot is taken from an old German fantasy about a village that falls under a spell and comes to life only one day every 100 years. Two New Yorkers happen to blunder onto the scene at the most recent appearance of the village. The culture and the clothing (costume design by Janis Bergmann) have not changed in the intervening centuries and Tommy Albright (Tim Reynolds) and Jeff Douglas (Ray Renati) soon realize they are in a time out of joint. Of course, complications set in: Tommy falls madly in love with Fiona MacLaren (Michele C. Johnston), whose sister Jean (Lisa Schwebke) is being married that very day to dashing Charlie Dalrymple. Meanwhile, Meg Brockie (Karen DeHart) has set her cap for Jeff and Jean's ex-boyfriend Harry Beaton (Steve Edlund) is jealously threatening to leave the village and, thereby, destroy the magic charm that keeps it suspended in time. Of course, Tommy is faced with a dilemma or there wouldn't be a play. Should he remain in this neverland throughout eternity with the greatest love of his life or return to his fiance and the modern day world of New York City? Come to Foothill College and find out. This is the fantasy upon which is hung some great Scottish dance steps and memorable tunes such as "Heather on the Hill," "Come to Me, Bend to Me," the catchy "My Mother's Weddin' Day," the beautiful "There But For You Go I" and the immortal "Almost Like Being in Love." There is excellent singing in this show. As the two lovers, Johnston has a beautifully lyrical musical theater voice that is very well matched by a powerful Reynolds. And DeHart is impossibly cute as irrepressible Meg Brockie. Matthew Brandon Hutchens, as the macho bridegroom Charlie Dalrymple, has matured from his enthusiastic teenage chorus dancing days to a level of acting and singing that, combined with his athletic dancing, lights up the stage whenever he appears. We may some day be saying, "We knew him when..." John Musgrave, as the highly respected village elder Mr. Lundie, reinforces my opinion that he is among the most professional of the Bay Area's character actors, with an astonishing range of stage personalities. "Brigadoon" doesn't come around too often, so this is your chance to catch it while you can. Keith Kreitman is a freelance writer. You can reach him by calling (650) 348-4327 or by e-mail at Rainykeith@aol.com.

BRIGADOON 2 for 1 Ticket Offer!

Artsopolis Weekly eSavers: "Brigadoon

Foothill Music Theatre

The masters of musical theatre, Lerner and Loewe My Fair Lady, created one of the world's most beloved musicals in Brigadoon. Set in the Scottish Highlands, Brigadoon is a magical tale of time travel and the enduring power of love. Its memorable score includes classics, such as The Heather on the Hill and Almost Like Being in Love. Award-winning Foothill Music Theatre has assembled a stellar cast of 50 singers, dancers and actors for this full-scale production, which will be accompanied by a full, live orchestra and all new settings and costumes.

Location: Smithwick Theater - Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Parking: Free parking in lots 1 and 5.
Offer Date(s) & Time(s):
Thursday, July 28, 2005, 8pm
Ticket Price(s):

Regular Price = $24
Your eSavers Price = 2 for 1
Ticket Contact Info:
Call: 650-949-7414. Advance orders only, please. No Walkups.
Use Promotion Code:
Artsopolis"

Two Lonely Hunters

Tommy and Jeff
Missing Brigadoon.

Brigadoon Rehearsal - Mothers's Wedding Day

Some photos from yesterday's tech rehearsal of Brigadoon.
Brigadoon Rehearsal - Mothers's Wedding Day

ESPN.com - OLY/TDF2005 - Lance retains lead as mate Hincapie wins stage

This has nothing to do with the theatre, but I have to mention since I am a huge cycling fan. Hincapie finally gets that chance to show what he's made of in the Tour. Maybe next year, Discovery will let him be the team leader. What a way to win - at the top of the Saint-Lary-Soulan, one of the legendary finishes of the Tour de France. Bravo Georgie!!!

ESPN.com - OLY/TDF2005 - Lance retains lead as mate Hincapie wins stage: "Hincapie wins hardest stage of Tour in Pyrenees
Associated Press

SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, France -- Lance Armstrong kept his overall lead and teammate George Hincapie won the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday, the hardest day of climbing in the Pyrenees.

The two friends beamed as they hugged each other after Armstrong finished more than five minutes behind his teammate. Armstrong gave a thumbs-up in reaction to the first stage win by one of his teammates since 1999.

'This is a dream for me,' Hincapie said.

Armstrong called it a 'perfect day.'

'He is my biggest guy, my biggest friend on the team,' the Texan said of Hincapie, the only teammate to be with Armstrong for all six of his Tour victories. They have known each other since they were teenagers.

Armstrong finished with Italian Ivan Basso, who jumped to second in the overall standings, but still trails the American by 2 minutes and 46 seconds. Mickael Rasmussen of Denmark fell back to third overall, now 3:09 behind Armstrong.

Jan Ullrich of Germany struggled on the final climb and now trails Armstrong by 5:58.

Hincapie was part of a group of riders that broke away from the main pack early in the sun-baked 127.7-mile stage from Lezat-sur-Leze to the ski station of Saint-Lary Soulan.

Hincapie and Oscar Pereiro fought for the victory alone on the final climb. The tall, genial New Yorker beat the Spaniard with a sprint finish, shaking his head in disbelief as he crossed the line."

MercuryNews.com | 07/14/2005 | Stephen Edlund

MercuryNews.com | 07/14/2005 | Stephen Edlund

Disocount on BRIGADOON Tickets

July 14, 2005

Hi Foothill patron:

Time flies, and "Brigadoon" is set to open one week from tomorrow on July 22nd.

If you haven't been checking out the blog, now's the time. We're posting lots of pictures from rehearsals, telling lots of stories and introducing you to the cast and staff. We're even giving you a peek at what Briga-dudes wear under their kilts!

http://fmtcurrent.blogspot.com

And of course we're offering a $3/ticket discount to all blog readers when you order online via TicketWeb. Get the code and the link to TicketWeb here:

http://fmtcurrent.blogspot.com/2005/06/online-discount-for-brigadoon-is-ready.html

"Brigadoon" is a Lerner & Loewe classic musical, featuring both beautiful romantic songs and some exciting, athletic dancing, both dramatic tension and comic relief. And it hasn't been done much in this area lately. Remind yourself why it's part of the golden era of Broadway.

And take a peek backstage at our blog:

http://fmtcurrent.blogspot.com

Best regards,

E

Elisa Camahort

Worker Bees: Buzz Marketing & More

elisa@workerbees.biz

See our new 'Site of the Week' every Friday at: http://www.workerbees.biz

http://workerbeesblog.blogspot.com

You have received this email because you provided your email address to the Foothill College Theatre Dept or to Foothill Music Theatre. If you wish to be removed from future Foothill College Theatre Dept. or Foothill Music Theatre mailings please reply to this email with the word "unsubscribe" in the Subject Line. Please note: we are merging two different lists and sincerely hope we eliminated all duplicates and caught all unsub requests from both lists. Again, please just reply and "unsubscribe" if you are receiving this in error.

JOSEPH at Broadway By the Bay

Robbie who is playing Joseph was LITTLE BROTHER last year in RAGTIME at Foothill. He has a voice from heaven and he can act with the best. It should be a great show.
Broadway By the Bay

THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? at American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco

Last night we sat in the front row at the Geary and watched THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA?. Albee is at his best here. He challenges our assumptions about who we are and what we choose. He makes us realize that at any moment chaos can strike in our lives. How we deal with it, in Albee's world, makes for riveting, disturbing and ultimately enlightening theatre. The play is a modern day heroic study. It is a MUST SEE, but not for the squeamish.
American Conservatory Theater - ACT San Francisco

The Movie Star

One True Scotsman

Notice: The hat, the stiff upper lip, the dignified pose. All the mark of an authentic Scotsman.

Dancers

Look at that Extentsion!

Brig-A-Awesome!

Briga-Singers

These guys should go on tour. They are that good!

Some Photos of the Cast of Brigadoon

Here is one of Matt mugging for the camera thinking I wouldn't notice!! Ha!

Brigadoon Rehearsal Photos

I took a bunch of photos last night at rehearsal. Enjoy.

brigadoon rehearsal photos

Electric Company: very live theatre - Vancouver, BC, Canada

Wow! Last night I saw the production of BRILLIANT! put on by the ELECTRIC COMPANY THEATRE of Vancouver, Canada. What a great show! Today was the last day of the run at San Jose Stage, but if you ever get the chance to see anything done by this company, by all means, do it.

Electric Company: very live theatre - Vancouver, BC, Canada

Kilt Sightings?

Now that I have Scotland on my mind, I have noticed that I actually see people wearing kilts!!! Anybody have any interesting kilt sightings?

World Premiere at The Pear Avenue Theatre

Here's one to put on your schedule. A brand new sizzling play showing next month in Mountain View at the innovative Pear Avenue Theatre. The show features Lance Gardner who attends Foothill's Conservatory and recently directed two of the plays at The Foothill New Works Festival.
What the Birds Carry

Latest News

It looks like I'll be very busy over the next few months. Right now we are rehearsing for BRIGADOON at Foothill which promises to be quite a show. Then I'll be playing the role of the PHARAOH in AIDA at Bus Barn. Then, faster than you can say "Aye" I'll be rehearsing for the role of Schrank in WEST SIDE STORY at AMTSJ. Following that, I'll be directing Pear Slices 2006 at The Pear Avenue Theatre in Mtn. View. I think I better go take a nap.

Foothill New Works Festival for HALF PRICE TONIGHT ONLY - Artsopolis Weekly eSavers

Here's your last chance to see the Foothill New Works Festival for HALF PRICE.
Artsopolis Weekly eSavers


The Foothill New Works Festival

Foothill College Drama Department

The Foothill College Drama Department presents an exciting, diverse collection of World Premiere short plays celebrating the quirks of our human identity from multiple perspectives. The Foothill New Works Festival celebrates the work of Northern California playwrights chosen from Foothill's playwriting program.

Location: Playhouse Theater - Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

Parking: Free during shows in lots 1 and 6. Lot 6 provides campus access w/o stairs.
Offer Date(s) & Time(s):
Thursday, June 9, 2005, 8pm
Friday, June 10, 2005, 8pm

Ticket Price(s):

Regular Price = $15
Your eSavers Price = $7.50
Ticket Contact Info:
Call: 650-949-7360. Advance orders only, please. No Walkups.
Use Promotion Code:
Foothill New Works

Actress Anne Bancroft Dies at Age 73

What can I say? She was so smart and so talented. She was on the last episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" last year with Mel. They were hillarious together. What a pair.

Actress Anne Bancroft Dies at Age 73 - Yahoo! News

Brigadoon PR Site with Photos

Here are some of the official press photos for Brigadoon. To see them all and the higher resolution versions, got to this site:

Carla Befera Public Relations




Tim Reynolds and Michele Johnston star in Brigadoon Meg


Foothill Music Theatre
presents
Lerner and Loewe's Musical Fantasy
BRIGADOON
JULY 22 – AUGUST 14, 2005

Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills

Opens: Friday, July 22
Press Opening: Saturday, July 23
Closes: Sunday, August 14

Performances: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm Sundays at 2pm

$24 general; $22 seniors; $18 students; $10 children under 12 (parental guidance suggested).

For tickets, please call the box office at 650-949-7360 (open Thursday-Saturday, 5-9pm; Sunday, 12-4pm), 24-hour charge-by-phone hotline at 650-949-7414, or visit www.foothill.edu/fa




Meg (Karen DeHart) is determined to make Jeff (Ray Renati)
the next "Real Love of Her Life"


Meg (Karen DeHart) sings to her adoring admirers (l-r, Shane Olbourne,
Steve Edlund, Matthew Brandon Hutchens, T.J. Kuster, and kneeling,Sean Fenton)
about "The Real Love Of Her Life!"





On Top of the World: Charlie (Matthew Brandon Hutchens)
is flying highin anticipation of his wedding

Justina Machado - MercuryNews.com | 06/06/2005 | Broadway bid propels acting career to new stage

She was the best thing about MAMBO KINGS and she's fantastic on SIX FEET UNDER. Here's an article in today's Merc about JUSTINA MACHADO.

MercuryNews.com | 06/06/2005 | Broadway bid propels acting career to new stage

Foothill Drama New Works Festival

This show is a blast!!! You will not be disappointed. Come to the show and bring your friends! Check this out - there is a great ARTSOPOLIS discount for this Saturday!


The Foothill New Works Festival

Foothill College Drama Department

The Foothill College Drama Department presents an exciting, diverse collection of World Premiere short plays celebrating the quirks of our human identity from multiple perspectives. The Foothill New Works Festival celebrates the work of Northern California playwrights chosen from Foothill's playwriting program.

Location: Playhouse Theater - Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Parking: Free during shows in lots 1 and 6. Lot 6 provides campus access w/o stairs.

Offer Date(s) & Time(s):
Saturday, June 4, 2005, 8pm

Ticket Price(s):

Regular Price = $15
Your eSavers Price = $7.50
Ticket Contact Info:
Call: 650-949-7360. Advance orders only, please. No Walkups.
Use Promotion Code: Foothill New Works

New Works Festival

The UTILIKILT

It has been pointed out that in one of my former postings I falsely advertised that I would be seen in a kilt in BRIGADOON. I sincerely apologize for having misled the public in this statement. I realize that this may gravely disappoint my fans(all 3 of you), and for that I truly apologize. But if you go to the show you will see lots of other manly men in kilts! So, please, please come!!!!!

THE MAMBO KINGS

We went to see THE MAMBO KINGS last week at The Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco. It's running for a couple of weeks out here before it's Broadway opening in mid-July. The female leads were fantastic. My favorite, Justina Machado, from the HBO smash hit Six Feet Under, toar it up! Christiane Noll of the hit Jekyll & Hyde was hillarious and she sure can sing! The audience seemed to love Albita, a Grammy Award-winning Cuban music star, as singer Evalina Montoya. The dancing was eclectrifying as were the sets, lighting and music. The script needs a few cuts here and there and the actors need to put more life into a few of the slower acting scenes. The male leads, NYPD Blue star Esai Morales and Mexican-born actor-singer Jamie Camil, need to work a little more on a couple of their songs. Both singers seem to be baritones but they are forced to often sing in that uncomfortable place between chest voice and falsetto. A little more practice should fix the problem. Both of them act the parts very well. If they get their stuff together by July, I bet it will do great on Broadway.

New Works Festival

I will be performing in Foothill's New Works Festival in June. The play I'm in is called "Fool". It's a 15 minute play dealing with a volatile relationship between a twenty year old woman and a man in his forties. There a seven other plays as well. I don't know what they are about but I heard that they are all well written and interesting.

New Works Festival

CBS 5: Making Everyday Folks Dance Like Stars

This is a piece that aired on Channel 5 a couple of months ago. It features Berle Davis of Broadway by the Bay and many of his students. If you look really closely I even got into one to of the shots (accidentally) for about 1 second.
CBS 5: Making Everyday Folks Dance Like Stars

Blogway Baby

I love this site! Find out all the details about NUDIE musicals produced on Broadway and lots of other wild and fun stuff.
Blogway Baby

Playbill News: 2004-2005 Tony Nominations Announced; Spamalot Garners 14 Nominations

The Tony Awards are in! I want to see SPAMALOT so badly!!! My son and I often put in the DVD of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and just watch our favorit scenes. I heard tickets are nearly impossible to find.

Playbill News: 2004-2005 Tony Nominations Announced; Spamalot Garners 14 Nominations

Diane Tasca in "The Belle of Amherst" at The Pear

I am proud to be a part of The Pear. I went and saw Diane perform last weekend in this 1 person, 2 hour show and it was riveting. Too bad it's over with. I hope she does it again some day soon.

Inside Bay Area - Bay Area Living

"Fred Pays His Dues"

Emile
You're very well endowed artistically, but you're not really ready for prime time as it were.

Fred
Not ready? I feel very ready.

Emile
Well... you need to learn how to kiss bums better.

Fred
How do you know? You never even watch me kis bums.

Emile
I know. It's just that..

Fred
What? Who told you my bum kissing was less than stellar? Someone told you. Who?

Emile
Um...

Fred
Was it Spanky?
Phillip?
Smithwick?

Emile
No...

Fred
Who?!!

Emile
Clintenesse. It was Clintenesse.

Fred
That poo poo head!

Emile
..and Marigold said something to Clintenesse as well.

Fred
Double Poo Poo Heads!

Emile
No need to get so soar. See this is what I mean. You are too quick tempered.

Fred
I know. I'm sorry. It just makes me weepy.

Emile
It's all right. We all have to pay our dues. Now bend over for your love spanking. It only takes a minute but it brings hours of relief.

Fred
Is that far enough? Should I touch my toes and work on my hamstring flexibility as you spank?

Emile
Yes. Perhaps that would be good.

Fred
Thank you Emile. Tough love is the best.

BBB's Cabaret 2004 Drawings by Danny Harper

Danny Harper, who is a very talented magician, artist and performer built this AWESOME web site. It features his drawings of the cast of 'Cabaret' from Broadway by the Bay's production last year. Check it out!
Danny's Drawings

"Dude" the Dog

I own a house in the Sierras. It's up in Gold Country. When I'm up there I like to take walks early in the morning. One of the pitfalls of this habit is that I often attract lost dogs that inevitable decide to follow me home. People up in these parts seem to let their hounds run free in the streets. This last weekend at the corner of Fir Drive and Hwy. 4, I encountered "Dude" the dog. "Dude", his collar indicating his name, is a young male, black and white Pit Bull. He likes to wait for cars to barely pass him before he chases their rear bumpers, each time nearly impaling himself. As he followed me home for about two miles, I watched him do this, each time I almost had heart failure. Finally we got home. I called his owner. His owner just told me to "put him back out on the street and eventually they would find each other." Realizing immediately that I was talking to one of the locals who believe in free range doggy maintenance, I called the SPCA. The SPCA told Mr. Local Yokel to get his dog or face a fine. After about forty five minutes the Local Yokel showed up to pick up the pooch. Yes, he drove a huge pick-up truck, yes he had many tattoos, and yes he had a mullet.

Grandma

The convalescent hospital is a strange place: crowded and quiet, except for the occasional yelp or whimper, vacant faces sitting in wheelchairs in the halls and in their rooms. Nothing to do but survive from one moment to the next probably thinking of the next meal or enema. I spent a few hours at one such hospital this week. My wonderful 94 year old grandmother, Santina Lotti, is there now waiting out the days before the inevitable. She believes in Christ, and heaven, and hell so maybe it's not so bad for her. She's been faithful to Jesus all her life, so I think that gets her a spot in paradise.

She was born Santina Giovana Archini in San Francisco California on November 1, 1910. Her parents were Angelo Archini and Elizabeta Olari, both from Berceto, Parma, Italy. My grandmother had five brothers and sisters that survived past infancy. I think three died during childbirth. That was common back then in the U.S.

I can't understand how we can put people in these places. It seems awful. The workers are saints and the one I visited was very clean, but if you're old and dieing, do you really want to spend your last days within arm's reach of a bunch of other old and dieing people? Maybe it's not as bad as I think. Maybe it's more of a spiritual experience for the residents than my forty three year old mind can comprehend. Maybe they have the sense that they're all in this thing together, waiting it out, together. They don't seem bothered by one another much.

Brigadoon

Ever wanted to see me in a kilt? Well, you will soon get the chance!! I'll be performing in Foothill Music Theatre's production of Brigadoon this summer. I'll be playing the role of Jeff Douglas. Jeff is the American buddy of Tommy Albright, the leading tenor in the show.

What is Brigadoon?

Brigadoon is a musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, first produced in 1947. It tells the story of a mysterious village in Scotland, which comes to life only once every hundred years. Two American tourists stumble upon the village by chance, as a wedding is about to be celebrated, and their arrival has serious implications for the village's inhabitants.

Songs from the show include Almost Like Being in Love, My Mother's Wedding Day and The Heather on the Hill.

The musical was filmed in 1954 with Gene Kelly, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse in leading roles. Vincente Minnelli directed it.

The original Broadway production opened March 13th, 1947, and starred David Brooks as Tommy, Marion Bell as Fiona, Lee Sullivan as Charlie, and Pamela Britton as Meg. It ran for 581 performances and shared a Tony Award for Agnes DeMille's choreography. It also won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, and has had many well-received revivals over the years.

Synopsis

New Yorkers Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas have traveled to the Scottish Highlands on a game-hunting vacation, only to get lost their first night out. While consulting a map and discussing Tommy's general ennui, they begin to hear music ("Brigadoon"); then they notice, in a valley nearby, a small village where the map says there should be nothing! Tommy and Jeff decide to visit it, if only to get directions back to their inn, and they walk off towards it...... read the rest here.

P.S. If you are in the market for a kilt, go here.

Metroactive Stage | 'Pear Slices'

Pear Slices got a great review in the Metro today!

"IN A NOVEL production called Pear Slices, Pear Avenue Theatre mounts eight 15-minute plays, moving quickly from one to another with an intermission in the middle. The eight mini-plot arcs create an enjoyable ride through contemporary bedrooms and kitchens, parties, barrooms and beaches-and a nebulous setting in "the stratosphere."........................"

Metroactive Stage | 'Pear Slices'

Great Review for Pear Slices 2005

Check it out. It's after the review of the San Jose Rep. show. The link requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Here it is..

Talk Back Live!!!!

We had our "talk-back" today. I succeeded in not talking! I wore my Mr. Farty Pants Socks and it still didn't draw enough attention for any questions to be posed of Mr. Director of 4 Plays. Perhaps my genius was overwhelming to the crowd. Or, perhaps my socks scared them away. They are somewhat disturbing. Gray with lime green Mr. Farty Pants guys looking as though they are having severe olfactory crises. I think that next time I'll dress less eccentric - a more approachable arteeeeeest.

Talk Back

Today we will have the audience talk-back after Pear Slices 2005. I am looking forward to it as I always find the question interesting. Sometimes you get very basic sort of amusing questions like, "how do you learn all those lines"?, and sometimes you get questions that are more complex and interesting. All of them are good. Lets see what happens.

Opening Weekend at The Pear

Well we did it. No one fell down, no one got hurt. Pear Slices 2005 is selling well even though it's Easter weekend. The show is really quite good. The audience on opening night seemed to be fully enjoying themselves. I am really happy with the finished product and for having the chance to work with Jane and all the actors and technical people. Ron's set is fantastic as his sets always are and the lighting is great thanks to Jossie and her husband.

Friday is the Day for The Pear

Come and see Pear Slices II at, fittingly, The Pear.
It's going to be a very fun show. I promise.

The Pear Avenue Theatre Presents
Pear Slices 2005

Written by Bill D'Agostino (Class of '94), Elyce Melmon (Happy Birthday), Paul Braverman (Pete's Place),Ross Peter Nelson (The Myth of Fingerprints), Sharmon Hilfinger (Best Laid Plans), Neva Marie (A Day at the Beach), Becky Schenone (Eclipse) & Margy Kahn (Packrat Gene)

Directed by Jane Geesman & Ray Renati

Performed by Liz Barbour, Katie Chaidez, Kevin Kennedy,
Meredith Hagedorn*, Fred Sharkey & John Sousa

Opening March 25, performances through April 10, 2005. (calendar)

Building on the success of 2004's Pear Slices, this potpourri of of short plays showcases
brand-new works by members of the Pear Playwrights Guild, performed by a talented acting ensemble.

*Member, Actor's Equity Association

Tech Week Haiku

Light and sound changing again
With commands from all sides
Making something from nothing
Precision timing
You do that with a Boom Box?

Bus Barn presents "Picasso at the Lapin Agile"

Go see this!!! It's going to be GREAT!!!!
Bus Barn presents "Picasso at the Lapin Agile"

Sight Gags!

So, I am directing four short plays at The Pear Avenue Theatre and one of them requires squirting bullet holes in the actor's chest/stomach area. I've come up with a way to do it (I think). It involves one of these and some of this . But I just now realized that if we use colored liquid it will stain the heck out of his entire costume each night! Also, I am worried that the actor who happens to run around a lot on stage will slip in the aforementioned liquid and break his neck. Maybe I should write to the smartest dude on the planet, Dr. Bill Wattenburg, about this problem. I am sure he will have a solution.

The Smartest Dude on the Planet: Dr. Bill

Come See James Monroe Iglehart in TAPESTRY: THE MUSIC OF CAROLE KING

AMTSJ - On Our Stage - TAPESTRY: THE MUSIC OF CAROLE KING

Keite Davis in Hedwig!!!

Keite Davis

Ruth E. Mullins & Sean O'Connor in 42nd Street

Sweeney Todd Cast members Ruth E. Mullins & Sean O'Connor in "42nd Street"

Sunnyvale Community Players

Sweeney Todd at Foothill

It's all over. What a great experience it was to be a part of this show. Sondheim is a genius that's for sure. What a great cast we had! The sound, the acting, the lighting the orchestra, everything was just magnificent. I will miss the music and the strangeness of the story and all the fun we had doing this amazing show.

Two shows - one day- I am bushed. Who every thought of that idea? I always get confused in the second performance. I have this constant feeling like I'm missing an entrance. It quite strange - just old age I guess.

Foothill Music Theatre's "Sweeney Todd" Review by Elisa Camahort

Foothill Music Theatre's "Sweeney Todd"

Pear Slices 2005

I am directing four short plays at The Pear Avenue Theatre. At the Pear we have a playwright's group that submits short plays to be performed as a regular part of the season. The night will consist of eight plays in total ranging in length from ten minutes to eighteen minutes. All the plays are directed by me and on other director and will be performed by 6 actors.

The Pear Avenue Theatre Presents Pear Slices 2005 Written by Bill D'Agostino, Elyce Melmon, Paul Braverman, Ross Peter Nelson, Sharmon Hilfinger, Neva Marie, Becky Schenone & Margy Kahn Directed by Jane Geesman & Ray Renati Performed by Liz Barbour, Katie Chaidez, Kevin Kennedy, Meredith Hagedorn*, Fred Sharkey & John Sousa Opening March 25, performances through April 10, 2005. (calendar) Building on the success of 2004's Pear Slices, this potpourri of of short plays showcases brand-new works by members of the Pear Playwrights Guild, performed by a talented acting ensemble. *Member, Actor's Equity Association

Me as Fogg

This is me as Mr. Fogg. The photographer (me) took the photo using a Palm Treo 600 with a standard lens. The style is novo-toilet with enhanced with a yellowized digital filterizer. The photo was taken in the men's room just moments before my entrance. (All Rights Reserved. Any use or reproduction of this fine piece of art must be approved by the artist himself. Violators will be persecuted.)

Talkin' Broadway Regional News & Reviews: San Francisco - "Sweeney Todd" - 3/3/05

Talkin' Broadway's review of Sweeney Todd

Talkin' Broadway Regional News & Reviews: San Francisco - "Sweeney Todd" - 3/3/05

Four AWARDS for Foothill's RAGTIME!!!!

Foothill's Ragtime wins 4 Bay Areat Theatre Critics Circle Awards!!

The Foothill Music Theatre Blog: "Congratulations to all the 'Ragtime' winners:

Paul Araquistain for Best Supporting Actor (Role: Tateh)

Cathy Snider for Best Musical Direction

Kurt Landisman for Best Lighting

Fumiko Bielefeldt for Best Costumes

Another "SweeneyTodd" Review

AISLE SAY San Francisco

SWEENEY TODD

Music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by Jay Manley
Presented by Foothill Music Theatre
At Foothill College Playhouse
Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Alto Hills, CA / (650) 949-7360

Reviewed by Judy Richter

It has been more than a quarter-century since Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" opened on Broadway to critical acclaim as "a staggering theater spectacle and more fun than a graveyard on the night of the annual skeleton's ball," according to Douglas Watt in the New York Daily News. As originally directed by Harold Prince, it was indeed a spectacle with its massive set, constructed from an old foundry from Rhode Island, and its large cast. It won eight Tonys, including Best Musical.

Over the years, it has seen numerous touring and regional theater productions. The San Francisco Symphony did a memorable 2001 concert version with George Hearn as Sweeney Todd, Patti LuPone as Mrs. Lovett, Lisa Vroman as Johanna, Davis Gaines as Anthony, and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. This production was videotaped for a later TV broadcast.

Now Foothill Music Theatre and its ever-resourceful director, Jay Manley, have taken on the challenges of this masterful musical and have proved once again how great the show is and how amazing this college-community company is. Moreover, FMT is staging it in its intimate Playhouse, which often puts the performers within literal reach of the audience. However, thanks to Joe Ragey's flexible set and Kurt Landisman's lighting design, along with Manley's direction and Joe Duffy's musical staging, the show works in this small space yet seems as grand as earlier versions. Costumes are by Amy Zsadanyi-Yale.

Based on Christopher Bond's adaptation of an old English thriller, which in turn was based on a true story, "Sweeney Todd" takes place in 18th century London. A barber, Sweeney Todd (James Monroe Iglehart), has escaped from a penal colony in Australia, where he was sentenced by the venal Judge Turpin (Mike R. Padilla), who lusted after the barber's wife and took in their infant daughter as his ward. Seeking revenge against the judge, Sweeney sets up shop above the pie shop of his former landlady, Mrs. Lovett (Diana Torres Koss). After missing a chance to kill the judge while shaving him, Sweeney embarks on a murderous spree that finds him slitting the throats of many of his customers and sending them tumbling into Mrs. Lovett's bakehouse, where they're converted into meat pies.

Horrible as this premise may be, Wheeler's book gives it a Dickensian flavor with implicit commentary on the plight of the lower classes during that time, and Sondheim gives it such a brilliant score and complex lyrics that the show takes on operatic proportions. He infuses it with arias that range from the hauntingly beautiful "Johanna," sung by Austin Ku as Anthony Hope, the sailor who befriends Sweeney and falls in love with his daughter, to the soaring "Epiphany," sung by Iglehart as Sweeney.

Then there are duets such as "Pretty Women," sung by Iglehart and Padilla, and "Not While I'm Around," sung by Koss and Sean Patrick O'Connor as Tobias, Mrs. Lovett's young assistant, as well as larger ensembles such as "Quartet," sung by Padilla, Ku, Keite Davis as Johanna and Martin Rojas-Dietrich as Beadle Bamford, the judge's henchman. Choruses include the dramatic "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" and "City on Fire." On a lighter note, there are the pun-filled "Priest," sung by Iglehart and Koss, "By the Sea" and "The Worst Pies in London," both sung by Koss.

The entire ensemble is excellent in the choral numbers, showing careful attention to diction, a credit to musical director-keyboardist Brandon Adams, who also conducts the five-person orchestra. Each person in the ensemble also creates realistic characters who stay fully involved, adding to the show's drama.

Manley has assembled a terrific cast, led by Iglehart as a formidable Sweeney and Koss as the wily Mrs. Lovett. Both are Equity guest artists. Ku as Anthony, Davis as Johanna, Padilla as the judge, Rojas-Dietrich as Beadle and O'Connor as Tobias also sing and act on a professional level. Also noteworthy are Lane McKenna as the crazed Beggar Woman and Joe Colletti as Adolfo Pirelli, barber and seller of a hair potion, extolled and condemned in "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir."

And so with "Sweeney Todd," Manley and his compatriots add to their impressive list of musical theater accomplishments.

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American Idol Bound

I think next year I will audition for American Idol. My first audition song will be Volare (the Dean Martin arrangement). Following that I will do my best rendition of My Uncle Used to Love but She Died, then Kung Fu Fighting followed and in the final rounds I will pull out my own arrangement of Edelweiss. I figure with this line up I can't lose.

The 77th Oscar Awards

My Thoughts on The OSCARS

• All right, I don't get it. What's the big deal about Clint Eastwood? He's fine as an actor I suppose. But why does everyone call him a genius? Even he looks confused when they do it. I suppose they could all just be kissing butt. I remember a few years ago it was the in thing to call Warren Beatty a genius.
• Jamie Foxx has got a lot of heart. I like that guy.
• Hillary Swank, what's with the plumber butt crack dress? Not that I minded it, mind you. From the front she looked like a nun, from the back she looked like well...heaven.
  
• Why did Beyonce get to sing every damn song? Not that I minded, mind you. And the make up!! She looked like the M.C. in Cabaret.
  
• Why does Antonio Banderas seem to get to do so much fun stuff? And what's with his hair? Is he trying to "out ugly" his wife?
  
• Yo Yo Ma seemed to be crying after playing the tribute music during the ode to all the fallen celebs. Now he's a genius!
  
• Chris Rock did much better than I expected. But I still wish he could have let loose. I think the Oscars should move to HBO so that our government will let Chris Rock say nasty things.
• Sean Penne looked like he put a bowl on his head and cut around it this morning. And Sean, lighten up, man!! Chris Rock is a comic. He makes jokes. He was making jokes!!
  
• Was Dustin Hoffman drunk? Methinks so.
  
• What about the poor saps who had to accept their awards while seated in row 65? What was with that?
  

Mrs. Lovett (Diana Torres Koss) and Sweeney Todd (James Monroe Iglehart) conspire as fellow Londoners look on.

Another Review Posted on TBA Web Site

This is an interesting review written by an audience member.

We had the best audience ever tonight! They sounded like a laugh track on I Love Lucy. It was awesome!

Theatre Bay Area

Theatre Bay Area Critics Circle Nominations Awards for 2004

The Theatre Bay Area Critics Circle Nominations for 2004 are here!

Ragtime at Foothill Music Theatre received ELEVEN nominations!!! Cabaret at Broadway by the Bay also got a nomination for Best Choreography!

One thing that I am really enjoying about Sweeney is the pre-show. We all mill around the theatre and mingle with the audience and each other, in character. It's fun to see the little improvisations that have developed and now seem to be carrying over from one night to the next. There's a certain character that happens to be an orange seller who is making quite a nice little living for herself! I am a policeman in the pre-show and one of the characters continually tries to get me to look for her lost cat. Others urge me to arrest the Orange Lady. One guy steels the oranges and I then proceed to chase him around the theatre making the eventual arrest. We have a tailor, a ratcatcher, a baker, a gypsey and others. It's a lot of fun and the audience really seems to enjoy the atmosphere it creates.

Palo Alto Weekly Review of Foothill's "Sweeney Todd"

Sweeney gets another steller review this time from The Palo Alto Weekly

We got a couple of good reviews for Sweeney!

San Mateo County Times
Step back in time with Foothill's delicious 'Sweeney Todd'


San Jose Metro
The proof is in the filling in Foot Music Theatre's delicious 'Sweeney Todd'

How does a guy name Benjamin Barker ( quite a common sounding name) decide to change his name to "Sweeney Todd"? I've never heard of the name "Sweeney". Is it really a name? I wonder.

Martin's Blog

Martin who is playing The Beadle in Sweeney has his own BLOG.

The Official FOOTHILL MUSIC THEATRE Blog

Here is the official BLOG for Foothill Music Theatre and all the latest information on Sweeney.

Well it looks like there is a good review coming soon for Sweeney. Read all about it here on Talkin' Broadway.

It's great to have a couple of days off from the show. Saturday I start rehearsals for 4 short plays I will be directing at The Pear Avenue Theatre.
It's called Pear Slices II. We have a very active playwrights group at The Pear and eitght of the authors have written 8 short plays. Another director is staging the other 4 works.

Today I am going to go visit my 95 year old grandmother who lives up in Gold Country. Her name is Santina and her parents arrived in San Francisco from Berceto, Italy at the turn of the last century. She's a wonderful person and my hero.

Sweeney is a hit. Last night the barber chair collapsed when one of the victims was being slashed but James and David (I think it was him?) made a bit out of it and it worked. On to the matinee now with headache in tow. I better take a bottle of Excedrin with me to the theatre.

We opened Sweeney Todd last night at Foothill. The audience seemed to really have a good experience of exciting theatre. I am so glad tech week is behind us. This has been the most exhausting experience. Sweeney Todd is not just another piece of American style musical theatre. It's also an opera. The music is difficult to learn and the staging is challenging. But if done well, I think it might be one of the best shows ever written for the American stage.

I believe that I may have the most costume changes of anyone in the show. Most of the ensemble wears one costume all night. A few wear two. But I have four! The difficulty presents itself when I have to run around the outside of the building to make entrances on the correct side of the stage. But that in itself is not really the issue. The crucial thing is to make sure the correct costume is there waiting for me. Last night, I left my policeman's hat on the wrong side just minutes before my entrance. So, I had to sprint around the building, find the hat, sprint back around and run on the stage in the nick of time.

Another moment of mirth emerged last night when Anthony, dropped the gun in Fogg's asylum. What is supposed to happen is that Johanna is supposed to pick it up and shoot Fogg (that's me). But when he dropped the gun, it broke into two pieces. Keite Davis, playing Johanna, slyly picked up the gun like nothing happened in it's two pieces, held them together and shot me anyway with the broken gun. I heard a few chuckles in the front row.

I think that many of us often forget what war is all about, so I created a site to help us remember. Here it is: http://www.rayrenati.com/iraq.htm

A MUST SEE Show!!
Alameda Times-Star Online - Bay Area Living

Sandy Meisner was argualbly the most influential Amerianc acting teacher in the last 50 years.
American Masters . Sanford Meisner | PBS

Great Site for Actors needing to learn a a dialect
IDEA - International Dialects of English Archive

Theatre Bay Area Critics Circle Awards for 2003
Alameda Times-Star Online - Bay Area Living

So, how do people find BLOGS? If this blog fell down in the woods, and there was no one there to hear it, would it have still made a sound?

Each One Reach One: Mentoring Youth through Theater Arts

Each One Reach One: Mentoring Youth through Theater Arts

I wonder if anyone ever even gets to this page!!!!

I realized this weekend how much I value discipline on stage. What I mean is the ability and desire to trust that the given circumstances of a script and your committment to playing an action toward an objective is so much more pure then forcing emotions: listen, respond and use your imagination. These are the cornerstones of acting for me.

Great site for monlogue ideas..
Script Archive: Full-Length Plays

Discover the Rap Sensation!!ARINAR - Gangsta Rapper