And, we are done...

Am working on several future posts for this 'JOURNEY' blog, before setting it down for a little 'nap' while I develop the director's blog for my next show, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM with Springfield StageWorks. 

There are several more photos to come, as well as answering many of the messages and questions I have been posed by audience members of our SOLD OUT run! Look for these in the near future.  And, of course, any future information regarding cast and show will be touched on in the blog.

Just wanted to add the link to Grace Davis' Theatre blog, Thick Skin Required, as she has posted a review for our show this evening. 

REVIEW: Dependent Upon The Kindness of Others

Many thanks to Gracie for attending the show, as well as all who attended the show.   You were a joy to perform for. 

Weekend 1 down...

So, we closed a VERY successful weekend of performances, with two sell outs and a near sell out at the UNDERSTUDY show!  Fabulous!  We did fight for a third weekend, (or at the very least, an encore performance) but unfortunately, no dice.  Probably could have gotten the rights for an additional performance if application was made early enough... ah well.

Yes, we did have our share of mishaps this weekend... many injuries from Stanley losing control and hitting Juliet or Geoff or other actors... several damaged or broken pieces of furniture or props from overzealous rampages or lack of control on stage... A tub of icing (for re icing the cake each night) went MIA... But, overall, nothing terribly major. Just super annoying issues for me as I have made many attempts to correct these issues.  And, unfortunately, several audience members at the Saturday performance thought the main actor was the understudy (there were a lot of 'off moments' for him that night.)   Director's nightmare...   :-O

Really enjoyed watching my actors this weekend!  I saw some amazing performances ... Josh Katawick still amazes me.  I really don't think he realizes how naturally talented he really is.  Daniel Wilson's performance as Mitch just blows me away EVERY TIME I watch him!  This is so different from his  work in Titus Andronicus (where I met him) and I trust his performance completely!  Every time!  I am always terribly critical of Juliet Howard-Welch's performance, but she is truly beautiful in this role.  So many people have questioned my take on Stella, except for Juliet... and because she trusted me and tried what I asked her to .. it works.  My God, Geoff Moss can sing - I know he is just 'humming' compared to what he is capable of, but this young man is amazing. he has truly created a character, that others turned their noses up at.   And, he would be my first choice for a designer or collaborator in the future.

Also, my Stanley understudy, Austin Smith performed this weekend and was terrific.  Many people thought Austin was the main actor in the role and were impressed with his raw and honest handling of it.  Yes, he is young for the role (and less mature than Stanley should be), but for a young 22 year old, he carried it off beautifully!  And, he is SO directable, was never late for rehearsal and was always offering to get needed work done on the show.  My Blanche, Cassandra, brings about one of the most beautiful moments in the show for me -- her handling of Act 3.5 is her best scene in the show.  No flashiness to impress friends in the audience... just a beautifully broken woman... child like, scared, still grasping at her almost completely waned strength... I cry every time she looks at Stella and says she can't go in that room with 'those men'... I truly see what I wanted from Blanche at the end.  Realistically, ALL of them put out so much.  

Have two full days off until I have to think about the show, so will be making use of the time to work on unpacking from my move and cleaning my 'new' old house.

Will soon be opening my Director's Blog for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Springfield StageWorks.  Just can't bring myself to do it until Streetcar is entirely over, though.  Debating about whether Blogger or WordPress is the better venue...

My work is done...

My work is done here.

So, Opening Night has come and gone... An early sellout.  Tonight is also sold out.  XACT's fantastic future Executive Director, Jenni Lintz arranged for a wonderful after show Jambalaya fest for cast and crew, made by her son, Anthony.  So totally amazing!

Performance was a little off for 3 of the principals, but sadly it is not my problem now... They all have to take responsibility for their performances, as my job is done.  I am sure once they get past all the backstage 'distractions' and the 'star' complex, their performances may become more focused and show they have grown as actors and are a step above the 'amateur actor' syndrome they may have been living previously.  Well, let's hope so anyway.

Technically, Andy's lights are fantastic for the VERY limited power and lighting resources that the theatre has.  Sarah Ballenger has handled her cues professionally and is doing a great job (also making on the fly corrections), as is Harry Woosley with sound.  I completely trust these two amazing people.  Kelly Bennington is juggling her onstage commitments with Stage Management beautifully and I would definitely use her as an SM in the future!  Austin Smith, Daniel Wilson and Juliet Howard-Welch are making sure everything is where it needs to be at pre set, as well as putting 'out fires' some other actors cause.

And, the Ensemble and street characters... these people are the glue that work hard to make the principals look good and keep the entire cast ensemble together.  They are so consistent... so ready... so grounded.  I totally trust each and every one of them to get their jobs done, no matter what.  This is the group (crew and street characters) that clean up the 'messes' left by other actors.  Led by Geoff Moss (Pablo and Set Designer), this group of Josh Katawick (Young Collector and Musician), Joe Hochadel (Musician), Diana Hart (Mexican Woman), Brandon Saldivar (Sailor and general good guy), Jennifer Sivers-Shrader (Eunice) and Mike Frazier (Steve)...have made my job much easier than it could have been. 

Though I will continue to post throughout the run and beyond the show closing, now as it is time to let them all go and focus on my next project (Directing A Midsummer Night's Dream for Springfield StageWorks).  This is the hard part, as once the show is in run, everyone tends to forget about the thankless job of the director...  my job is done...


Some of Larry Coressel's (and another one or two of Lisa Bernheim's) photos from final rehearsal run...

Final Rehearsals

 Final Rehearsals -- Lisa Bernheim's shoot. 

I can't help your trembling, if you insist on trembling...

Only one more rehearsal until our preview performance.  It will be a tough final rehearsal as an understudy is covering for a principal tonight, but we will get through it.  The cast is utterly amazing and most have embraced my ideas and visions without any fear at all. 

Last night, we were lucky enough to have my friend, Larry Coressel back in the house to shoot some run photos of the first half.  We also had another talented young photographer, Lisa Bernheim there shooting, so we should have quite an online scrapbook by the end of this run!

I really should be scrambling around, trying to find last minute things, but it all 'seems' to be under control.  Still have a little work to do to get my second line umbrella, but even that task is on target. 

Will be making daily updates through the next few days and into the weekend, so keep an eye out!

Who said the 'M' word...

So, today has been a bit of a rollercoaster...

My fabulous and hard working Assistant Director / Stage Manager was in a car accident today.  Of course, we know very little, but hope she is OK.  She is just one of 18 amazing cast and run crew, whose talents are invaluable to us.  This is the third health related issue that has befallen my cast and crew (lost 2 ensemble members in the last 2 weeks) and we hope it will be the last.  Don't they say things come in threes?  We live in hope.

Tonight was a fairly productive rehearsal, aside from the usual drama of an actor not wanting to hear negative or corrective notes.  Other than that, I am thrilled with many of the scenes.  The intensity is powerful, the tone of some scenes poignant, and the overall show is amazing. 

But, whoever said that M word better keep their darn mouth shut from now on!

Directing directors...

 Here we go...

Well, we have almost made it through tech week and will officially move into production week on Monday.  A lot of tweaking and final molding will be taking place tonight in our final tech rehearsal and final dress and photographic rehearsals will take place Monday through Wednesday. 

There are still a few actor technique issues that need addressing, an actor performance that still needs to find a path of it's own (rather than borrowing from another actor), and an ego or two that needs taming... but for the most part, the bulk of the cast is pulling off an AMAZING performance.  It is likely time for a little reminder about why actors do what they do... why true artists 'love the art IN themselves, NOT themselves in the art...'  Yes, my students hear that all the time, as it is one of those quotes from Stanislavski that I attempt to inspire them with.  

One of my own personal challenges in this show has been directing other directors.  Three of my actors are also directors and I have been incredibly impressed with how they have adapted to my style of directing. One is quite young, while the other two are very seasoned, but all have worked professionally and really raise the bar for the cast I have assembled!  My style  is clearly nothing like how they would approach the show, but for the most part, they have respected my vision wholeheartedly.  I have appreciated all of their comments and input, much of which  I have tried. 

Their viewpoint and critical eyes see things I may miss, having, myself,  seen this show in rehearsal night after night...  I never want watching these scenes to get old, as there are so many beautiful and genuinely 'real' moments in the show, but my own eye is starting to tire...  But, I trust most of my actors to delve completely into this wonderful Williams' work and give me a fresh, yet consistent performance each night!

Tech Week Extravaganza...

Well, here we are in Tech week, working out all the lighting, costuming, prop and sound issues.  And, there are a multitude of those!  But, every run we do, we work out many more issues and the show slowly pulls together.  This show will be nothing like anything I (or from what I have been told, most other people) have seen at Xenia before!

I am currently working with an exhausted cast and crew, so have given them the day off tomorrow to rest up and get ready for a full 'as show' run on Thursday.  We have, sadly, lost two very valuable cast members in the last week... One to a serious gall bladder disorder, requiring surgery; and another, to a kidney issue, also requiring surgery.  While we are worried about and thinking of these wonderful girls, we know they wish us well on this production!  It is never easy to work around missing actors, but my amazing cast has pulled together and helped (or was bribed;)  )  fill the empty holes.  

It is at this time in the process that I must start letting go of the show... not easy for the co-dependent personality that I am.   I have lived and breathed STREETCAR solidly since May and giving up control shall be very difficult.  I am a perfectionist by nature, but now it is time to let go of those issues and details that can't be resolved, no matter how much I want them to be.  I have made major strides today, as I have looked away from some niggley issues that, a week ago, I would have spent hours trying to correct... well, not today!  Major progress! 

 I feel that it may be time to acknowledge my cast and some of the crew, who have done so much, and have inspired me beyond my own imagination.  I don't mention them by name much, but it is time they became known...

Cassandra Engber is my amazing Blanche -- This woman has not flinched once, at my sometimes unconventional, vision of Blanche.  Through our collaboration she is producing a Blanche that is just as I would play her... she is taking everything in and pulling the character I want out the other side. 

Juliet Howard-Welch is my Stella -- And, yes, my daughter.  I have NEVER had the pleasure of directing her in a principal role before.  There was always too much drama with parents of my previous company's members, that I never allowed myself to consider Juliet for a role like this.  This child told me before casting ... 'I will do anything in the show you need me to do...'  What an attitude for an Actor's Equity Candidate, with tons of professional experience.  I get far more 'diva' behaviour from those who have no reason to be 'diva.'  Even this time, though I felt she was the best for the role and had an amazing chemistry with the rest of the cast, I didn't want to cast her.  I was actually outvoted.  Juliet has pulled an amazing character out of the depths.  She played Blanche in High School (not a play I would have chosen for high schoolers to attempt) and was amazing in that, but I do feel her Stella is far more honest. 

Daniel Wilson is an amazing Mitch.  I first met Daniel when we were both in a production of Titus Andronicus -- he as Lucius and I as Tamora.  I was thrilled when he walked into my auditions. He just gave me a quality in Mitch that I had to have.  I didn't recognize his performance at all at auditions, as his style was SO different from Titus.  I realized why after some time working with him, but I am entirely besotted with his portrayal of Mitch.

Geoff Moss  has become one of my most valuable cast members and a very respected colleague.  Geoff is my set designer and plays Pablo in my show and for both of these instances of participation, I am very grateful.  He has created my set, just as I saw it, has added and adjusted everything I wanted... No, he wouldn't give me my hard wood floor, but, that is one of those things I really didn't need, now did I?  He has really stepped up and done everything I have asked of him as Pablo... he (as a director, himself) hasn't agreed with it all, but he has tried it all the same.

Josh Katawick is my Young Collector and most definitely one of the most naturally talented individuals I have ever met.  Sure, when I met him back in February at our first read thru of Titus Andronicus (where he played Saturninus), we couldn't stand each other.  But, over the course of that show, we became friends and I am thrilled to share the experience of Streetcar with him.  I didn't get him into rehearsals until 2 weeks ago, as he was working with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, but now it seems like he has been here the entire time.  He, like Geoff, needs only a little coercion to do what I want him to in the show.  His talents will make this show great.  I just have to make sure he auditions for my next show (Midsummer in Springfield). 

Brandon Saldivar is our very own 'Mr. Congeniality'... with his cheerful smile, good visual eye and excellent attitude, he makes a great ensemble 'glue', keeping us all together.  He makes friends easily and quickly and seems to know how to keep everyone in a good mood.  He is in my ensemble as the Sailor and a prostitute and he works just as hard as the most principal actor does. 

Diana Hart  is another incredibly positive influence gracing our cast.  She plays the Mexican Woman and a prostitute.  I am so happy to finally be able to work with her (I saw her in a show at Xenia a few months ago) and feels she is amazing as the Mexican Woman, one of those characters that are usually thrown away in other productions of STREETCAR I have seen.  But, her portrayal is pretty vital and adds so much to the show.  She has truly made a smaller role into something utterly meaningful. 

Jennifer Sivers-Shrader is a great Eunice. I first met Jenn in another show several months ago and love her shy, but sweet personality.  She also has done everything I have asked of her and really helped solidify the wonderful ensemble which has developed between my cast.  Jenn is one of the few people involved with XACT on a regular basis with professional experience.  Jenn is super sassy on stage and that is just what I want from my Eunice.

Mike Frazier literally 'walks through walls'... all the time.  I adore Mike.  I also met him several months ago and love working with him.  He and Jenn balance each other beautifully and should be a lot of fun to watch. Let the bickering begin.

Titus Wolverton is my Stanley and he has been my biggest challenge.  This young man is a vital piece of my Streetcar puzzle and has worked hard to create a character (perhaps not always my vision of the character) that will play on stage.  He has faced an impossible challenge with Stanley... trying to find something new in the role.  This task is not an easy one... with so much focus on Brando's portrayal out there, any actor could get caught up in the Gospel of Brando and will struggle to find something new and genuine.  But, he is still trying.

Austin Smith is my Stanley understudy and general factotum.  Austin was also in the same production of Streetcar that Juliet was in (playing Steve) and has grown immensely as an actor since.  He has stepped in for any actor that has not been there (and there hasn't been a rehearsal where he hasn't been used).  He has anticipated the show's every need.  This is a young actor that has been truly vital to the show.

Kelly Bennington is my Assistant Director and production SM and has truly kept me organized.  I met Kelly originally at a cast party for a show I did last autumn.  She has since become my friend and I thank god, that we still are after working together.  This attorney by day, has truly turned into a potential director.  I have really thrown her into the deep end, but she has popped right back up for more every time.  I know being involved with the show has been hard for her, but she has really stepped up and made my job so much easier.  She is now stepping into the role of the Nurse, as well. 

Joe Hochadel is well... one WOW musician.  Just met this gentleman a few weeks ago, but his music through my show has really brought the spirit of NOLA to us.   I have been friends with his wife, Cathy for some time now, but am thrilled to get to know, Joe, as well.  He has been very free with suggestions and ideas and given us such a sense and feel for the city. 

Having covered the cast, I also have a fabulous crew.  Will introduce them at a later time, but really wanted to acknowledge my wonderful cast.

This has indeed been a difficult show -- well, any show with this much emotional tragedy written in to it is bound to be wrought with stress and drama, BUT I have to say... far less stressful than any of the 40+ children's theatre productions I have worked on.  This ensemble cast has been a delight... yes, we have had disagreements, issues, stress nights... but, we have come out on the other side with a new idea or view or onstage situation to try. 

Now for a little amusement - found this odd little video on YouTube of cast member, Josh.  It shall leave us all wondering... 'what could it mean...'

Rest well, wonderful cast...

A frustrated director...

 Just a little update... These posts will be getting less profound and likely more immediate or personal, as the days progress..

Stress levels are running very high this week...

• Have lost my glasses twice (they were on my head), have lost my phone at least 3 times while wanting to text someone (I was talking on it), have left this room 4 times to do something but keep forgetting what it was by the time I reach the next room, and can't remember the simplest of words... old age, perhaps?

• Tech rehearsals start tomorrow, while I have spent the day dealing with trivial political garbage about the spelling of the word theatre... from the theater.  People should really know when to quit. All this while still moving, while still unpacking, working on the list of a million cues, while still doing PR that someone else dropped the ball on...  Wow, this reminds me of something... 

• We have lost a valued cast member due to illness and impending gall bladder surgery, so I will spend the next few days trying to replace her and rework her ensemble scenes.  AND, we still have another cast member in the hospital with kidney stones.   Wishing both of these girls a speedy recovery.

• We still have that never-ending list of niggly little props and niggly little details that have to be addressed, while reviewing the 'big picture' of the show, itself

• Have been told of an actor in the cast who wants to emulate another actor's interpretation and has said backstage that he will play his character any way he wants to when the time comes... hmm...

• AND, we are not done moving our household stuff from our old house yet...

Yep, a standard tech week!  Only only 7 more rehearsals.  

BUT, the show is coming along beautifully.  Only a tiny bit of cast drama (most of it is occurring outside of the protection of our cast and crew ensemble), set is amazing, costumes are coming along, we are well within budget (so far!), and lighting is underway today, as Andy is doing set and focus as I type (though he should be helping finish our move)...

Now, enough whiny nonsense.  Much to do before STREETCAR makes a stop in Xenia!

The journey to Elysian Fields...

Tennessee Williams crafted a famous allegorical line... 'Take a streetcar named Desire, Transfer to one called Cemeteries, ride six blocks and get off at Elysian Fields...'  Anyone with a shred of classical knowledge knows that Elysian Fields may refer to the 'heaven' of ancient classical culture - Elysium, Elysian Plains, or Elysian Fields.

When in High School, I often wondered exactly what Williams was trying to say.  Always looking for the story behind the story or hidden symbol, I struggled through scores of reference books trying to make sense of it all for an English paper.  Well, years later, here we are...  In my mind (and numerous others, I am sure), this wonderfully visual piece of text clearly shows the journey that Blanche is about to take (or is about to finish, as her life has been one long ride of desire and despair.)  The nature and consequences of DESIRE (of every sort, carnal or innocent) will surely lead the individual to the physical resting place of CEMETERIES, ultimately resulting in arrival at ELYSIAN FIELDS.  We see her haunted with a past filled with pain, while seeking love in every possible form... all leading to death and eventually, Peace... rest.  In some sad form, at the end of the play, Blanche may ultimately reach the peace and rest she needs and desires... we can feel that, if we don't think too hard about many of the techniques and 'explorations' of psychiatric medicine during this time period...

Now, as we are continuing the latter part of our text work, we are discovering many other aspects of Blanche's character and potential history to explore.  But, that takes us back to the original idea of this post... Elysian Fields... Is Williams' Elysian Fields really the restful 'heaven' Blanche seeks, when she finds her sister.  Well, in the current state, I would have to say no.  Even textually, Williams allows us the vision of a derelict, decrepit ruin, not far from the ruin of Belle Reve that Blanche just left.  Having visited New Orleans many times while playing parent to a Tulane University student, I went in search of 632 Elysian Fields.  This is what I found...

 These two buildings stand right next to each other at the point 632 would have stood... The white one on the left and the yellow on the right.  The photographs below depict other buildings on or around Elysian Fields.