Penobscot Theatre

League of Historic American Theatre's Conference

2008-07-17T09:35:00.001-04:00

Greetings from Atlanta. I'm here in the South this week at the 32nd annual League of Historic American Theatre's conference (of which we are a member). Most of the theatres that are a part of the league are different than us (they present work and rent, but don't produce).

I find us to be very unique...a professional theatre company that owns a historic building.

The sessions so far have been eye-opening and head-splitting (try figuring out the process of getting Tax Credits...if you do, I'll give you a prize!)

As I write this, I'm sitting on a bus awaiting take-off for a four-hour tour of small communities in Georgia that have historic theatres that have recently been renovated and restored. Perhaps these theatres we see today will be more like the Bangor Opera HOuse than our host theatre (the FABULOUS Fox theatre in Atlanta, 4000 seats!!!) is.

More later,
Scott

PS I'm really excited that tonight I will be leaving my conference mates and going to check out Actor's Express' production of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. Thanks to artistic director Freddie Ashley for hooking me up with tix.

National Performing Arts Convention

2008-06-13T22:31:00.002-04:00

It's been 6 months since my last blog posting. Sorry.

Mostly, that's because the spring season at the theatre was so chock full of activity that there was no time. In the end, the 2007-2008 season was the most successful (biggest audience) in the theatre's 34-year history. Thanks to all of you for making that happen.

I seem to have time to write now as I am sitting in my 28th floor hotel room in Denver after the third day of the National Performing Arts Convention. Every year around this time, TCG (theatre Communications Group) holds a national conference, and that's whats happening now. Except this year 1/2 of the time is spent with just the theatre folk (artistic and managing directors, board members, other staff and a FEW individual artists from all around the country), while the other 1/2 is combined with the orchestras, choruses, dance companies, operas, etc.

There are about 3,500 people here from all over the country and so far it's been somewhat overwhelming, somewhat inspiring, and oftentimes relevant to thinking the big thoughts.

In the end, I feel like I will leave here with a better sense of how theatre needs to be relevant to the community its in. Our growth in box office suggests that we are already doing that and I look forward to creating new initiatives and deepening the relationship with our already existing programs in the coming year.

More Soon. Happy Summer.

--Scott

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-29T12:31:00.000-05:00

After three solid weeks of performances, both at the Bangor Opera House and at various venues across the state of Maine, it's nice to have a little break before 2008 starts!

Here's a quick update of recent events:

PETER PAN wowed critics and audiences alike and after 17 performances, many sold out, it is clear that a new holiday tradition has embarked in Bangor.

THE SANTALAND DIARIES had 13 performances, both in Bangor and in Houlton, Camden, Gardiner, Stonington and Ellsworth. Nathan Halvorson was hysterical as Crumpet and audiences and critics loved the work that Joye Cook-Levy directed. The return of SANALAND was a welcome anti-holiday treat.

As I write this from Iowa (where I'm spending christmas), the Bangor Film Festival is in residence at the Opera House. Word is that almost 150 people showed up for the first screening last night and they're showing movies all day today.

And, a couple of weeks ago, we received word from Jane's Trust, a regional foundation, that we have been granted $128,000 for the fabrication and installation of the new marquee that will adorn the facade of the Bangor Opera House. It's really something to see what's happening behind the scaffolding! I'll post pictures real soon of all the great work which has commenced and going full steam ahead.

And on to 2008. Our new Youth Theare for children ages 8-14 starts on January 12th and rehearsals for our next mainstage production, LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS by Neil Simon starts on the 14th.

And I've been reading a lot of plays as I begin to settle on the shows we will present in the 2008-2009 season. Stay tuned here for more updates!

And if by chance you saw a performance of PETER PAN and/or THE SANTALAND DIARIES, we'd love to hear what you thought about it. Write a review, by clicking the comment link below.

Happiest of Holiday Seasons and Happy New Year!

--Scott

Casting in New York City

2007-11-09T09:01:00.000-05:00

Greetings from the Big Apple, where it's just as cold as it is in Bangor. I'm surprised at that really.

About 3 or 4 times a year, we come to NYC to audition actors for upcoming shows. Today we're casting roles in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS. We schedule about 40 people a day, rent a studio, have actors come in for about 5-10 minutes and then move on to the next one.

It's fun, tiring, and always good to meet new talent. And a nice little break. Following the huge success that TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE proved to be, it's good for me to be out of the office for a few days before rehearsals for PETER PAN begin on Monday (27 actors, oh boy!).

Following auditions, I remain in NYC this weekend for a TCG conference. TCG (Theatre Communications Group) is the national organization for non-profit theatres, of which we are a constituent member. About 120 artistic directors and board members from around the country will talk about innovations in fundraising, audience development and art over 48 hours. It's wonderful to be able to network with other theatres around the country and to tell everyone about the wonderful work going on in the Bangor Opera House.

But, in the end, I really can't wait to get back home to Bangor and begin the work on Peter Pan. Photos of the process will follow in subsequent posts.

Happy November everyone!

--Scott

"The Allergist's Wife is nothing to sneeze at!"

2007-10-29T13:51:00.000-04:00

That's what Kristen Andresen wrote in the Bangor Daily News on Friday about our production of Charles Busch's THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE and audiences seem to agree!

It's been a while since I have been able to report that we've sold out a performance, but we did, Saturday at 5.

Which means if you haven't bought tickets for this week's performances, I suggest you do it soon as the phone has consistently been ringing off the hook. This naughty and hilarious comedy for adults is making people in the Queen City buzz with excitement.

A great set, great costumes, music and lights only aid the 5 amazing performances with AJ Mooney as the Allergist's Wife leading the ensemble.

This is the kind of show people want to see more than once. So come on down.

--Scott

WOW!

2007-09-19T20:37:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all of you who have come to DRIVING MISS DAISY so far and enjoyed the show so much that you have graced us with standing ovations each and every night.

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, thanks to the audience and critical response, we've decided to extend the show a week, through September 30th. So you have plenty of time to see what The Maine Edge calls "a can't miss" and what the Bar Harbor Times "thoroughly recommends any day or night.

Tickets to all performances start at $15, and we have $10 student rush tickets available beginning an hour before each performance.

Come see us and Miss Daisy at the Opera House soon!

--Scott

DAISY gets driven to Bangor

2007-09-14T10:52:00.001-04:00

It's Opening Night!!!

Once again, the season is really in full swing and we're thrilled that DRIVING MISS DAISY has already proven to be a bona fide hit! If it's opening night, what do I mean by that?

Here at Penobscot Theatre, official opening night is not the first time we perform a play in front of an audience. We actually started on Tuesday, with our final dress rehearsal that we open up to limited audience members who pay what they wish at the door.

Wednesday and Thursday we perform preview performances, meaning that the director of the play (in this case, me) is still taking notes and working with the actors on moments in the play based on the how the audience reacts.

And now, it's set. We're ready to open! Tonight at 8. With a party in the lobby to follow.

It's an exciting time as the 33rd season of Penobscot Theatre really begins.

And don't forget, if you've seen Driving Miss Daisy we'd love your own personal review of it. Click the comment button below!

--Scott

Starting The Drive

2007-08-24T11:16:00.001-04:00

That's a costume sketch that our illustrious scenic and costume designer, Lex Liang, has created for the character of Daisy in Driving Miss Daisy, played by Sofia Wilder.

We started rehearsing on Wednesday. It's wonderful to be back in the rehearsal room. This one is different, because there are only three actors. We are already discovering that the play is very much a character study, which allows us to nuance who these three people are as we watch them mature over a 25-year period of their life.

Seeing the vision that the costume designer has for the characters helps us find who they really are. And as you'll see in the upper left hand corner of the image, Lex has even provided fabric samples - because texture is just as important as color and style.

Corrie, our costume shop manager will now see if we have anything close to Lex's vision in our extensive costume stock and pull items that might work. When Lex arrives in town next week, he'll be able to choose from the many items that Corrie has pulled, and if nothing works then we start shopping or building costume pieces.

It is always fun to look at the original sketch and compare it to the costume that ends up on the stage. You can do the same, when you see a performance, starting September 12th.

--Scott

COMMENTS PLEASE!

2007-08-05T09:40:00.000-04:00

This blog is for you too. At the bottom of this post, you'll note a little highlighted word that says "comments". Click there and leave your own thoughts about our production of ANYTHING GOES.

Perhaps you'll write about your experiences on Friday Night when we started out in Pickering Square and saw lightening and heard thunder approaching and then stopped the show 15 seconds before the heavens opened up. And then we hustled and close to 200 people followed us up to the Opera House, where 10 minutes later, we picked up right where we left off! The Show Must Go On! Drenched costumes and all!

Or perhaps you'll write about the show last night, when the weather was beautiful and singing was spot on.

Or maybe you'll write about what you think you'll expect when we do the show one more time this evening, at 6 PM. The weather will be absolutely gorgeous - a perfect way to end our fun-filled weekend. So, come on down, whether you've seen the show already or not. And let us know what you thought of your experience!

And, be sure to click here and read the article about the process of the show from Friday's Bangor Daily News.

All Through The Night

2007-07-30T21:43:00.000-04:00

"It's getting late" sings Reno and that's how I'm feeling right now. After a long and adventurous day I can hear the harmonies that Nathan and Joye are singing in their duet "All Through The Night".

A two week process of learning all the music, choreography, short bits of dialogue and staging is a bit of a challenge. But we're in the thick of it. And the music sounds beautiful.

I'm excited for Wednesday Night when we add all of our musical theatre campers into the mix who have been rehearsing the work during the day. And then off to Pickering Square we go.

I'll keep reminding you here this week, but I do hope you join us for ANYTHING GOES this Friday, Saturday and Sunday outside. Perhaps some of the humidity will leave this corner of Maine soon, but no matter the temperature as the day winds down at 6 PM this weekend, I guarantee a fun time will be had by all.

--Scott

Welcome To The Blog!

2007-07-27T12:00:00.001-04:00

Today marks the first time that many people who visit our website are aware of our blog. So if you are just joining us, welcome. And if you are reading this and not on our email list, send your email address to info@penobscottheatre.org and we'll make sure you get all the information you need about all of our upcoming shows and events!

ANYTHING GOES begins performances a week from tonight. One of the songs, PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE, which we worked on last night features really "tight" 4-part harmony (and will probably be performed a-capella). Come on down and hear all the great Cole Porter songs!

Have a great weekend!

--Scott

And The Great Work Begins...

2007-07-25T16:01:00.000-04:00

Maine Fire Protection showed up today to begin installation of the sprinkler system through the whole Opera House. As you may know, we recently received monies from the city of Bangor to help with life safety, code and general improvements to the building. The facade is being restored to its 1920-splendor. But first, the sprinkler system. It's exciting to have the work truly begin.

Here's a recent picture of the Bangor Opera House:

I'll post the artist's rendering of what it will look like when restored as soon as I scan it in.

Also, today marks the last day for our technical director Joe Donovan. He has been a great asset to the theatre and has been on staff since I arrived in Bangor in 2005. He is going off to be the technical director and teacher of stagecraft at the University of Maine in Orono. We wish him well and it's great that he's only going up the street. This really isn't goodbye at all. We're having a farewell/goodluck toast to him at Paddy Murphy's at 5 PM today...if anyone would like to join us.

Rehearsing and Grantwriting

2007-07-24T12:39:00.000-04:00

We had fun last night. Under the musical direction of Andrew McCormick, the adults performing in ANYTHING GOES (including myself, Joye - my wife and director of education, and Nathan Halvorson - also directing the staged concert) worked our way through about 3 1/2 of the group numbers. It's always a challenge to learn 4-part harmonies, and when learning each individual part it doesn't sound like its neccesarily going to make sense, but once you put it all together and add the piano - it's simply magic. We're making music. And having fun doing it.

I've been spending most of my daytime writing grants - and am taking a break from a big NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) grant right now in order to post this blog. Tomorrow morning I go to City Council chambers here in Bangor to defend a recent grant we wrote to the cultural commission asking for $25,000 to help support Penobscot Theatre moving to a new shop space. The result of the move would allow us to offer the Opera House more frequently to outside rentals. This would benefit all of us, especially the community - being able to attend lots of different arts events here in the Opera House. We are currently limited in this regard because without an adequate shop space we are forced to build our sets on the stage, making the stage unavailable for weeks before one of our productions.

The NEA grant is actually for the 2008-2009 season (yes, we have to think that far ahead!) Our plan is to produce the 1946 Pulitzer Prize winning play STATE OF THE UNION in late October/Early November, 2008. The play, written by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, is basically about the making of a presidential candidate in America. It's a wonderful comedy and the dialogue that the 17 cast members engage in feels very much like Aaron Sorkin's writing from THE WEST WING. My goal is to combinie the production with various discussions and symposiums regarding the 2008 elections, which will be held during the run of the production. I also plan to have voter registration tables in the lobby of the theatre, and to create study guides regarding the show and the state of politics in America to school groups.

I'd love to blog all day, but the NEA is calling. The grant is due August 13th and there are lots and lots of attachments that I need to create. More soon.

--Scott

Anything Goes

2007-07-23T18:47:00.001-04:00

What a perfect time to start the Penobscot Theatre blog! In about 10 minutes, our first rehearsal for ANYTHING GOES begins. This is our annual outdoor summer staged concert musical, which will be performed in Pickering Square on August 3rd and 4th. Show starts at 6 PM! You don't want to miss it!

We had so much fun doing CAROUSEL last year. The music of Rodgers and Hammerstein (and the whole show was set in Maine!) featured some wonderful professional actors who were backed up by our musical theatre campers. This summer, the best of Cole Porter will shine through in this classic musical, first written in the early 30's, revived in 1962 and again in 1987. In fact in doing the research for the show, we've discovered that every time ANYTHING GOES has been produced, the songs have changed, the book has changed, even character's names have changed.

I'll report more on the first rehearsal tomorrow and I hope you will continue to check our blog and leave your own comments about our work. Let's make this a forum of everything Penobscot Theatre and the rest of the arts in Bangor.

I'm thrilled that the fine folks at Sutherland Weston have used their efforts to help update our website and add this new feature. It seems to be a trend, this blogging. Who knows? Maybe we'll be able to create some theatre through the blog too!

--Scott