Mid Hudson Valley Theater Blog

Last Performance of The Sound of Music

2009-05-20T21:30:00.004-04:00

Sunday was the last performance of 90 Miles Off Broadway's The Sound of Music. We had over 400 people in the audience! It was amazing. The show went really well and the energy was awesome. I'm thrilled we had a successful run, but am a little sad that it's all over. Our cast member who was injured on Saturday did end up with a fracture, so was in the hospital for Sunday's performance - she was missed.

The cast party was relaxing and a good time - a pot luck dinner and some time to wind down and say goodbye. I was given a beautiful collage of photos of the cast as did the director and musical director. I can't wait to find a place to hang it up. For your viewing pleasure - a photo collage of the show is found here. One of my favorite songs from our production is featured in the clip below.

Sound of Music - Performance Update

2009-05-17T09:10:00.003-04:00

Last night the show was the best it has been so far, which was awesome considering the way it started ... We had to hold and started 15 minutes late - we had one of our cast members fall, and she was taken away by ambulance. She was in good humor, other then being in pain, but still - not the greatest way to start a show.

I felt awful, as we had to start making plans for adjustments to the show as soon as I had made the 911 call, before she even left the building. It was rough emotionally on everyone as she is one of our rays of sunshine in the cast. Everyone was so helpful - thanks to the New Paltz Police and New Paltz Rescue for their speedy response, and to all the cast members who helped with the situation. I've not yet heard how she is, so my thoughts are with her.

The show ran really well in spite of what happened. I got chills at times watching, and many of the actors did such a great job - I saw the character instead of the actor ... they became the role, no longer someone playing a role. I got chills at times - kudos to the whole cast for such a stellar performance. All of my backstage work went really smoothly, set moved properly, my dresser duties (costume changes) done with lots of time to spare, my solo was the best I've done, I think - and the night ended on a high note with a "fan club" screaming my name at curtain call .... it made me smile - thank you, I needed that.

Today is bittersweet, the end of another show - I'll miss everyone terribly, yet I'm happy to get my free time back for a while. I'm anticipating our largest audience yet today and a stellar performance.

Second Weekend of Performances - The Sound of Music

2009-05-16T15:49:00.004-04:00

Last night was the beginning of our second weekend of performances. It went well, but was a little off, a little nerve wracking as we had to change the choreography a little to help the actor who had the issue yesterday. It looks good, just not quite what we had wanted... but it looks nice. We also had some interesting dropped lines and some good saves. Thank you to everyone who kept things pulled together.

The audience was very responsive and enthusiastic which made the performance easier and I received numerous compliments on how much they enjoyed the show. Tonight will be smoother - sometimes it gets a little rocky easing back into the second weekend of a run.

SOM - Brush up rehearsal

2009-05-14T23:00:00.001-04:00

Tonight we had a brush up rehearsal - it was a little silly and wild. Hope we got that out of our systems for tomorrow night.

We also had an actor collapse - I'm worried about him and will check up tomorrow.

Sound of Music - Second Performance

2009-05-13T22:15:00.000-04:00

Saturday night of the Sound of Music was great - lots of energy and a full audience. My parents and my Hubby came to see the show - as did a bunch of my friends. It always makes a performance especially nice when you know some people in the audience.

Not too many glitches Sturday - little things that we continue to correct as we go. Some of it relates to having a transient backstage crew - makes it more difficult as they sometimes make mistakes by going too fast, instead of focusing on efficiency. I didn't have any "extra" stage time when in my backstage blacks, so that was good.

Onstage the show continues to improve and grow - the audience had good energy and was very responsive to it. I think next weekend will be even better.

7 Tips to Improve your Audition

2009-05-10T15:30:00.001-04:00

Auditions can be a challenge for an actor. I know. Believe me, I know.

It's not easy being on the decision making side of the table either. Every time I participate on the production side I gain additional insight into what makes a successful audition. So I've pulled more tips on auditioning together to make it easier to audition.

1) Be Memorable (in a good way). Dress professionally, look like you take yourself seriously. This is an interview, think of it that way.

2) Be Prepared. Know what you are going to sing and practice it enough to be confident in singing it. Preferably without the words in front of you. It's better to sing well and la-la through some words, and show us you can connect with an audience, then to be hidden behind your sheet music.

3) Make a Choice. Don't be afraid to be strong and wrong. Show some sort of character personality when you read. It might not be what the director had in mind, but it will be more memorable then a vanilla reading. This is easier if you know the show. Check your library... many times you can find scripts for shows.

4) Don't Apologize mid song. We know your nervous. It's okay if you hit a wrong note or are slightly off tempo. It is really hard to judge your skill singing if you keep apologizing every time you take a breath. If you need a restart stop and ask to start again. Most times you'll be allowed to do so.

5) If you get Advice Take it. If a member of the production team gives you some sort of feedback .. sing louder, drop the accent, read it meeker, whatever ... take this gem - they like you enough to see if you could fit the vision of the show.

6) Be Truthful. If you won't do the show if you can't have part X, say so. Don't waste our time, and we won't waste yours. If you won't take a part if your BFF (or daughter, cousin, uncle, son) doesn't also get a role, that's fine too, just be upfront about it.

7) Choose a Role you Fit. This is probably the hardest thing to do yourself. Ask a friend, fellow thespian, music teacher, drama teacher for help. Audition for roles you fit and feel strongly about. For example - I'm nearly six feet tall, for me to play a love interest onstage there either 1) needs to be a really tall guy 2) or a director who makes atypical casting choices - so generally, I look for strong supporting character type roles. Play to your strengths when auditioning, both vocally and aesthetically.

Sound of Music - Opening Night

2009-05-09T16:11:00.002-04:00

The Sound of Music opened to a large audience last night over 150 people! It went well - smoothly for the most part. There was laughs for the first time on the lines that needed them, applause at the ends of numbers and cheering. That is just the way a show should open. Phil told me it looked amazing - I wish I could be in two places at once to see it.

I got some accidental stage time when I was adjusting the couch and the lights came up, and again during curtain call, as I was first and tried to set a fast pace ... well the next in curtain call took a while, so again I ended up with additional stage time. Some friends came to see the show and loved it.

Here we go again in less then a half hour is call for tonight's show.

Another Op'nin, another show ... Sound of Music

2009-05-08T17:00:00.000-04:00

Another op'nin, another show

In Philly, Boston, or Baltimo'
A chance for stage folks to say hello!
Another op'nin of another show.

I've always been drawn to the above lyrics by Cole Porter ... it explains clearly how I feel before a show starts. It's from Kiss me Kate one of the many local productions I've appeared onstage in. What is interesting about this show is that I've also seen it on Broadway - there's not many shows that I can say that about. Ah, Memories ...

So tonight we open The Sound of Music. We've worked out most of the kinks. We have some new things to try tonight, to fix other little things. I've updated my "cheat sheet"to include the places I must be .. to move set pieces, to help get people dressed. My costume is ready. Makeup case and suitcase of my things are ready by the door ... waiting.

It's exciting, exhilarating - indescribable. One of those moments you feel so alive, breathless ... in the moment. So to my cast ... Break a Leg!

To those of you in the area tonight ... come join us - tickets are still available. Austria, the von Trap Family and The Sound of Music awaits.

The Sound of Music
New Paltz High School Auditorium.
May 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m
May 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for Adultsand $12 for Seniors & Children.

Sound of Music - Dress Rehersal (Day 4)

2009-05-07T23:03:00.000-04:00

Tonight was our last Dress rehersal. We open tomorrow! It's hard to believe it's here.

The Sound of Music
New Paltz High School Auditorium.
May 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m
May 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for Adults
and $12 for Seniors & Children.

To reserve your tickets email Kim at Production@ninetymilesoffbroadway.com
or call Bright Beginnings at 845.256.9657.

Tech Week, General Overview

2009-05-07T22:35:00.000-04:00

For those of you who have never experienced a tech week, we gradually add complexity until the whole show is together. For Example:

Day 1: Set Pieces and Props start getting used. Answer the questions of where the set pieces go, when they get moved and by who. Props get set in specific places and actors start getting used to location and the actual use of the set pieces and props ... doors opening, height of chairs, couches & benches ... and fixing any blocking issues that arise from these additions. Technically make sure sound cues, music cues, and lighting elements are getting into place. Often this is just done as a "cue to cue" meaning, only the tranitions run (generally the start and end of scenes) so that the various cues get worked out.

Day 2: Add in additional props or missing items from the day before. Replacements for things that aren't working the way they should or overlooked items are often added. This is generally a full run with props and set transitions. Lighting is often added in at this point.

Day 3: Add in Costume changes - also known as a Dress Rehersal

Day 4: Add in Hair and Makeup in addition to everything above. Continue to work out any technical issues and transitions to make things flow as smoothly and seamlessly as possible.

Then it's time to open the show. On Broadway and in professional theater there is often previews - for several weeks and tech weeks instead of just one week to work everything out.

Sound of Music - Tech Week, day 3

2009-05-06T23:00:00.000-04:00

Tech Week, Day 3 has been completed for The Sound of Music. It's going so quickly, yet slowly at times as well. Tonight we did our first Dress Rehersal with everyone in costumes - or nearly everyone. (Mine is still being made as we speak) there were other exceptions a well. It went well with only a few mishaps.

The Von Trap Children have a difficult tranition at the very end for the festival scene a couple of people were late on entrances due to dressing issues, but we'll finish ironing that out tonight. It sounds wonderful - and is flowing pretty smoothly. There's still things to fix, but the majority of items have been checked off.

I'm working backstage as this point, as Maria's Dresser - helping her manage her (many! and some difficult) costume changes. I've created a checklist of what-change-in-which-wing so I know where to be and what costume to have ready. I'm also helping move set pieces so that's on my "Cheat Sheet" as well. We had a small mishap ourselves as we started a cosume change too early, and ended up having to reverse it ... so Maria could get back onstage. Her dress was inside out and she didn't have shoes on ... oops!

But the parts I was able to watch are lovely. I think the end result will be spectacular.

The Sound of Music

2009-05-06T22:25:00.000-04:00

The Sound of Music - it's a classic theater piece. Even non-theater people know and love this show. That's largely due to the movie - which is shown on TV at least twice a year.

Now the play and the movie are not exactly the same, and neither is completely historicly accurate - we'll go into historical inaccuracies some other time perhaps. But certain songs from the film are not in the show - and some of the songs from the play are not in the movie.

The Sound of Music is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Many songs from the musical have become standards, including the title song ("The Sound of Music"), "Edelweiss", "My Favorite Things", "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and "Do-Re-Mi".

The original Broadway production, starring Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, opened in November 1959, and the show has enjoyed numerous productions and revivals since then. It has also been made into an Academy Award-winning 1965 film musical. The Sound of Music was the final musical written by Rodgers and Hammerstein; Hammerstein died of cancer nine months after the Broadway premiere.

Sound of Music - Tech Week, day 2

2009-05-05T22:19:00.001-04:00

Day two of tech week is here. We're concentrating on all the details that make a show flow properly. Which means we have a lot of questions ...

Which side do props get set? Who needs help from a dresser? Who is going to move the flat, the couch, the patio furnature? What is that music cue? Why didn't that transition happen smoothly? How do we fix this or that?

All of which is normal tech week things. Getting used to the set and props. Figuring out the lighting. We add another layer of complexity tomorrow with everyone in costumes. We won't worry about hair and makeup until Thursday. Friday we open!

Don't forget to get your tickets!
The Sound of Music
at New Paltz High School Auditorium.
May 8,9,15,16 at 7:30 p.m
May 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for Adults and $12 for Seniors & Children.
To reserve your tickets please
email Kim at Production@ninetymilesoffbroadway.com
or call Bright Beginnings at 845.256.9657.

Sound of Music Opens this Friday!

2009-05-04T22:30:00.001-04:00

Well this is it ... Tech week for the Sound of Music. The backdrop is amazing. (Thanks to Richard Prouse) The costumes are just about ready. The props ... are all in place. The set pieces just need a few more finishing touches. The music is beautiful - the actors very tallented. Our Von Trap Children one word ... Adorable.

You can even see me onstage for the first time in about three years! (a small walk on role, I was talked into about three weeks ago)

The show opens this Friday night. I invite you all to come see 90 Miles Off Broadway's production of

The Sound of Music
at New Paltz High School Auditorium.

May 8,9,15,16 at 7:30 p.m
May 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for Adults and $12 for Seniors & Children.

To reserve your tickets please email Kim at Production@ninetymilesoffbroadway.com or call Bright Beginnings at 845.256.9657.

Sound of Music - Tech Week, day 1

2009-05-04T22:15:00.000-04:00

We had a couple people with conflicts tonight - it happens, college classes are ending soon and people have commitments. It does make it challenging to do a run through of the show. I was unaware of the conflicts so I was very suprised when I walked in and Phil, the director, asks me to play the Captain and Liesl for the evening.

I remembered most of the blocking, so most of the actors were able to interact around me - although I found it rather amusing to be standing on a bench singing "I am Sixteen" with Rolf, and later singing the "Sound of Music" with first the children, then Maria.

Tomorrow we should have everyone. Which means I can go back to my regularly scheduled role of Assistant Director and my small role in act two. Hopefully my costume will be done Wednesday for dress rehersal, but my mom only got the patern and materials Friday. She finished my blouse and I tried it on before rehersal tonight. It's pretty. The dress she'll be working on tomorrow night.

Sound of Music - Update

2009-05-02T21:15:00.000-04:00

Last Rehersal before tech week. We're looking good. Today, my dad stopped by to help our Captain with the Boatswain's whistle - my dad is a wealth of talents ... too bad I've not been able to talk him into a production.

My little one came with me to rehersal today. It made things interesting. We ran through the whole show, and I tried to keep track of notes of things we need to fix. We have lots of little details to polish, but the big picture is all there. I can't wait to see how it looks onstage!

Sound of Music - Rehersals

2009-04-18T20:30:00.003-04:00

Rehersals continue with the Sound of Music. They are going really well. I've finally gotten a few minutes with Maria & the Captain to finish and polish the choreography for the Laendler ... it should be beautiful when performed.

I'm really pleased how far we are with the show.

Sound of Music Rehersals March Update

2009-04-03T23:11:00.003-04:00

March was crazy ... Crazy and busy in a lot of really good ways. Work, The Sound of Music, Community Service, I'm serving on the board of one of my communities organizations ... lots of great stuff.

The Sound of Music is going well, we've finished blocking Act I and we are working our way through Act II. My favorite scene so far, is 'Sixteen going on Seventeen' ... and 'Do-Re-Me' ... well 'So Long, Farewell' is adorable also.

I'm thrilled with how it is working - not to say we don't have bumps on the road from time to time ... but it wouldn't be theater if there wasn't some drama. It is hard to believe that the show will open in a little more then a month. The time is passing so quickly.

We have rehearsal tomorrow afternoon, and I'm looking forward to that. It's a little harder going to rehearsals with a 21 month-old toddler instead of a 3 or 4 month old baby like when I did Rocky. But ... She is definitely enjoying the show, as well as spending time with the children in the cast and is being really good about it.

A 90 Miles Off B'way Caberet!

2009-03-12T22:37:00.002-04:00

Come to The Cabaret!

90 Miles Off broadway presents Cabaret & Dessert Night
(A fundraiser for the Reformed Church & it's Senior Choir Music Program)

Saturday, March 14th, 7:30 PM
The New Paltz Reformed Church, Social Hall

Come hear some of our favorite performers sing "Songs they've always wanted to sing", with sneak preview performances from 90 Miles upcoming May production, The Sound of Music & New Paltz High School's Footloose!

Plus... Comedy, Games, and DELICIOUS HOMEMADE DESSERTS!

ALL for ONLY $10! Tickets are available at Bright Beginnings (256-9657), The Reformed Church office, and after church in the Social Hall. Tickets will also be available at the door on a first come first serve basis. Seats are limited so get your tickets now!

Blue Mountain - Casting Notice for local Film

2009-02-18T23:43:00.000-05:00

CASTING CALL FOR SHORT FILM "Blue Mountain"

Frank, a small time crook is on the run from the gang he ripped off, and is left for dead in the mountains. He is nursed back to health by an old hermit until his old gang catches up with him in a catharsis of revenge and loyalty.

Roles being cast:

Frank Harlan (late 20s-early 30s): Always looking out for only himself, he has stolen money from his gang and is on the run.

Old Bill (60s-70s): A hermit with no family, he feels a sense of paternal pride when he
takes in the injured Frank.

Auditions will be taking place This Saturday!

For more information and to schedule your audition please email
bluemountainmovie@gmail.com or call 845-834-2489

You Gotta Have Heart Cabaret Review

2009-02-07T23:12:00.003-05:00

What a lovely evening! I just returned from Golden Stone Productions "You Gotta Have Heart" Cabaret & Silent Auction at Hillside Manor.

I has such a delightful time .... The songs were not your typical fare from your typical musicals. It was wonderful! There were some well known songs - "Love Song" from Forum, "You Gotta Have Heart,": from Damn Yankees, "Suddenly Seymour" From Little Shop. "Agony" from Into the Woods and "What I did for Love" from A Chorus Line

But it visited other less trodden paths as well. I especially enjoyed "Taylor, the Latte boy," his Response as well as "See What I Wanna See" and "Astonishing".

The performers were a number of my favorites from local productions - Kevin Archambault, Virginia Ferri, Vicki Howland, Esme Hyman, Patrick Kiernan, Lindsey Michaels, Olivia Michaels, Thomas Netter, Amanda Quiggley, Wendell Scherer, AnnChris Warren, Michael Werner and Jennifer Zell.

An excellent job was done by everyone in the cast, as well as the Emcee, who helped the different numbers flow from one to the next.

On Stage in the Mid hudson Valley - February 2009

2009-02-01T11:50:00.003-05:00

On stage this chilly month of February are some wonderful shows. Stay warm, and see some delightful local theater.

String of Pearls
February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 at 8:00 PM
February 15 at 2:00 PM

County Players
County Players Falls Theatre
2681 W. Main St
Wappingers Falls, NY
Call: (845) 298-1491

Gotta Have Heart – Musical Review
February 7 at 7:00PM

Golden Stone Productions
Hillside Manor
Rte 32, Kingston
Call (845) 687-4758

Murder's in the Heir
An Audience Participation Murder Mystery Comedy
February 13 & 14, 2009 at 8:00 PM
February 15, 2009 at 3:00 PM

From Stage to Screen Acting Studio
12 Vassar Street
Poughkeepsie, NY
Call: (845) 227 - 3620 or visit the website fromstagetoscreen.net

Gypsy
February 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 at 8:00 PM
February 15 at 3:00 PM

CENTERstage Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080

Engagement Rules
February 15 at 2:00 PM

The Pound Ridge Theatre Company
Conant Hall
Pound Ridge, NY

Veronica's Room
February 27, 28, Mar 6, 7 at 8:00 PM

Brewster Theatre Company
Brewster Public Library
79 Main St
Brewster, NY

Gotta Have Heart Cabaret

2009-01-25T11:03:00.004-05:00

On February 7, 2009 Golden Stone Productions is holding a valentine themed Cabaret "Gotta Have Heart" and silent auction at 7PM at Hillside Manor. Tickets are $30 individual or $50 for a couple. Entertainment and light refreshments (hot and cold hor d’oeuvres, desserts, and champagne) are included.

Performers include Hudson Valley favorites and Golden Stone regulars such as: Kevin Archambault(The Cat), Wendell Scherer(Seymour), AnnChris Warren(The Sour Kangaroo), and Jenn Zell(Millie).

To reserve tickets you can call Golden Stone at 845.687.4758 or order online via their website.

Golden Stone productions is the wonderful new theater company serving the Rondout Valley region of New York ( Ulster County) They have put on some wonderful productions including Once upon a Mattress, Little Shop of Horrors, Suessical, Thoroughly Modern Millie.

The Process: Sound of Music Call backs

2009-01-18T21:13:00.006-05:00

Sound of Music call backs were today despite the snow & bad weather. We had a few new people to audition as well. I am still amazed by the number of talented young people we had. Call backs ended up being just the children, as most of the adults just fell into place. It also didn't run over as much as both of our other audition days did - Mostly that was because we had fewer people.

Last night I had trouble falling asleep because I was thinking about the show and casting and all the amazing choices we had. I put together my thoughts on how I thought we should begin the really hard process of making some final decisions. This morning I was glad I had that time ... so I was able to offer my suggestions and things went smoothly and quickly today.

I think today went well - It was wonderful to get to spend more time with the candidates. Some stepped it up and were even more amazing then previously and others had a more difficult time then we expected. I'm sure part of it was being in a room full of people (instead of in a smaller room with just five of us. Friday & Saturday it was just the director, myself, the stage manager, the musical director and an accompanist) Today was in front of all of us, the parents and the other candidates. That can be harder or easier, depending on experience and comfort level. Personally, I like it, because it gives me as an actor an audience, and I love an audience. However, I know it can make things much more scary for others.

It also went a lot more in depth, looking at harmony and if people could hold a part. There's a lot of harmony in this show, so holding parts is essential. We tried many many different combos of children - trying to spend as much time as we could with each and giving them an opportunity to shine. Today was easier in a lot of ways because I felt we were better able to concentrate on each candidate. It still ended with lots of difficult choices and discussion, but I'm pretty confident in the final result. I think we will have an absolutely amazing cast, and I am looking forward to getting to know everyone better, as well as working with such wonderful talent.

Everyone who auditioned will be responded to shortly, if they haven't heard already, and the cast will be announced on the 90 Miles Off Broadway website.

I want everyone that auditioned to know that I want to see them again at the next audition - every one! I wish the Von Trapp family had 20 children, so we could have cast more - unfortunately there is only 7 called for in the script.

The Process: Sound of Music Auditions

2009-01-17T21:39:00.005-05:00

I am absolutely speechless.

We have had nearly 100 people come to auditions for the Sound of Music in the last two days. I wanted to write an update last night, but got home much too late and much too tired to do so.

We have had some absolutely amazing talent. Almost every single audition was breathtaking in one way or another. We had enough to cast several shows. I wish we could cast more people since we would have no trouble doing so. Today after auditions we decided on callbacks.

Deciding was very difficult. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and taking another look at our choices. We'll be doing more vocal work since harmony is so important in this show, and readings. Tomorrow will end with more really difficult choices.

That's the hardest part of the process on the production side for me. I always wish we could cast more people then we can.

However, given the caliber individuals we have for the cast, this production of Sound of Music should be incredible.

I want to say thank you to all the amazing, energetic, talented people that came to audition. I'd love to see you all at future auditions - and I'm sure I will.