Winter, 2007

Once again the changing of seasons means that some people very familiar as Playhouse participants are departing for other places to pursue new opportunities.  This quarter the list of outgoing faces includes Anthony Ascione (to college in Marquette), Elitza Nicolao (Ann Arbor), Heather Seidner, Tanya Donahue (persuing a master's degree at Michigan State), and a trio that are heading for Chicago (Justin Harris, Jamie Moyers, and Esme Bloomquist); they are looking to connect with Elise Curtis  (daughter of Kelly and Jeff), who works behind the scenes for the theater company that does Shakespeare on Navy Pier.  Before leaving, however, they have farewell appearances to make in current shows here (Jamie and Justin in TARTUFFE and Esme in a change of pace role in THE HEIDI CHRONICLES in the Studio).  While we say goodbye and wish them well, we also welcome new and returning performers, some of whom are coming from the very places that ambitious actor hopefuls are heading out to (L.A. and New York).  Kate Botello, who played Nickie in SWEET CHARITY, enjoyed a busy theater life in the Big Apple before recently relocating here, and Jamie Kramer (cast in 2 roles in THE HEIDI CHRONICLES), did background roles in several New York made motion pictures, after moving there several years ago (she had appeared in CHARLEY'S AUNT in the Studio and TONY AND TINA'S WEDDING over at the Park Place Hotel).  She was profiled in a Record- Eagle article about her pursuit of her dreams on the Great White Way a few years back.  From Stucco City we welcomed the returning Meg Parker, who promptly was cast as Ursula in SWEET CHARITY and the title role in THE HEIDI CHRONICLES.  She had worked in student films and done some theater, but missed her friends here.  She's new to the Playhouse, but did some musicals at Central High.  Among the other recently returned are Cari Burke, with her college degree in hand, who chose to pursue career opportunities in her hometown; we're waiting to see her at one of our auditions.  Also back is Eartha Melzer, daughter of local writer, Kate Trainor.  Both mother and daughter were involved with shows here for several years; Eartha might be remembered as Anybody's in the 1987 WEST SIDE STORY, or for her work in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, TOM PAINE, and OH, DAD, POOR DAD, the last two in the Studio.   *************************  Terry Lawrence's LAST CALL marked her final theater work here; she left town right after the show's debut.  She and her husband are now living in Florida, where she as returned to school to study technical theater.  Another Florida resident, designer Matt McCormick gave something back to his former community when he designed TARTUFFE's fabulous set by long distance.  ***************     SWEET CHARITY may not have been our best selling recent musical,  but everyone who saw it loved it.  Director Phil Murphy and music director, Joe Rice are a familiar combination, and they worked their magic here.  Brett Nichols and Kristina Godfrey in the lead roles were a cute couple both on and off stage ( I was reminded of Mark Williams and Pam Gomez, who played Lt. Cable and Liat in the the 1984 South Pacific, then carried their relationship into their personal lives; they, too, were cute together).  Kate Botello brought a delightful Noo Yawk brassiness to the role of Nickie, a role originated by Helen Gallagher of soaper RYAN'S HOPE fame on Broadway.  Jamie Cox had never played an Italian before but did a fine job as the film star, Vittorio Vidal, as did Dan Jablonski as Big Daddy Brubeck and Sherry (Brehm) White as Helene (and when, pray tell, is this attractive, talented, sexy lady going to get the top lead in something?).  Margaret Anne Slawson and I had some fun moments as an older couple in the first scene, and I was at my Eric Blore inspired best as Vidal's butler.  **********  ANNIE JR. was a cut down version of the Broadway hit ( my favorite number, "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" is chopped in half), but this was an excellent production, with standout performances by Abby Alexander, delightfully nasty as Miss Hannigan, and Rob Marsh, who brought maturity to the part of Daddy Warbucks (he's grown up a lot since CAROUSEL).  Geoffrey Wallace brought poise and dignity to his small role as the cop and is doing likewise as a stage crew person in TARTUFFE, dressed like a servant and helping actresses playing maids doing the between scene set changes.  Another mature portrayal was done by Rose Kranick as Grace Farrell; she is now cast in St. Francis' High School's first musical in several years, CINDERELLA, directed by Fred Szepanski, who did it previously at OTP.  ***********   An earlier TCCT production worth mentioning is THE LAST GLADIATOR, a fun little comedy that was performed for 2 evenings in the Studio last fall.  It was notable as giving character actress Tara Reidel an opportunity to play a girl; so often she plays male characters, both human and animal, and she brings great energy and animation to every role. ************  12 ANGRY JURORS, the NMC players production of Reginald Rose's 12 ANGRY MEN used the original hour long television script to present a short, but agreeable dramatic performance.  Busy theater wunderkind, Becca Walton (set designer for ANNIE JR., stage manager for TARTUFFE and the upcoming HAY FEVER, and actress in   LAST CALL, SWEET CHARITY, and THE HEIDI CHRONICLES) played the Henry Fonda role beautifully; Chelsea Wojes (excellent as a foreign born woman) has also done work at OTP in SWEET CHARITY and TARTUFFE;fellow jurors Philip Krull and Kevin Klute are in HEIDI CHRONICLES.  The recently renewed migration of NMC players to OTP continues with fine results.  ********   Jan Dalton did a delightful rendition of TARTUFFE that was quite pleasing to the opening night audience.  Mike Nunn was fabulous as the frustrated father, Orgon, and Chris Horvath brought amazing energy and interpretation to his heretofore best role (the title character).  His scenes with Jamie Moyers were a standout; her best (and last) role here as Orgon's wife, Elmire should lead to many other classical theater opportunities for her.  Maria McKane was excellent as Dorine, the chief servant; she and Elizabeth Stewart had a clever opening scene created by the director for this production, with Stewart incongrously using a cell phone and both of them speaking French before McKane went into the show opening spiel, thanking the underwriters, etc.; Robert (Wizard) Roush used to create fun openings like this for shows he directed, playing Lord Robert.   All the other roles were very well done; even nonspeaking parts like I. Lee Rockwell's lent the show a touch of atmosphere.  Rick Korndorfer's interpretation of Cleante was slightly more serious than his roles in other comedies, and I enjoyed seeing him be more the straight man this time around (his best role remains the murderous lead in WAIT UNTIL DARK in 1997).  ********************  Gillian Bell (LITTLE WOMEN and A CHORUS LINE) will graduate this spring from Eastman School of Music with a Master of Music Degree in Voice Performance and Literature.  She has found an interest in directing and served as assistant director/stage manager for Rochester's Mercury Opera Company for their production of ENTFUHRUNG.   The role of Emma Goldman in ASSSASSINS is also in her repertory.  Her Master's Degree Recital will be February 4 - the day before my birthday.  **********  The All That Jazz Beauty Salon recently added stylist Karen Wittig and massage Therapist Katie Slenk to their staff, both recently completed programs at Northwestern Michigan College in those fields.  Karen is hair chair for the season at OTP, and Katie has done lots of set work (often working with best friend, Toni Leaf) and is branching out into costuming.  We wish them great success in their new jobs.

Hedges Macdonald

hedges@chartermi.net