Time to get all artsy...and watch some big, big explosions!

Good afternoon, friends of the Little Theatre-

On Monday, I posted a short clip of Richard Foreman's recent play with the Ontological-Hysterical Theater (which he founded about four decades ago.) The response to the clip was surprising- it proved to me that we should all take a moment now and then to get overly-artsy. Beret or no beret.

You want more Foreman? Click HERE for a great, candid interview about his beginning in theatre and what exactly he thinks he's doing. More theatre people should talk as simply and honestly as he does about his work. Click HERE to check out the Ontological-Hysterical Theater.

Foreman's work a little too busy for you? Click HERE to check out a clip from Einstein on the Beach, the 1984 collaboration between director Robert Wilson and composer Philip Glass. Can't tell you why, but even after listening part of the opera for nearly 20 years, I'm still filled with deep sadness every time it plays. Perhaps I will watch THIS tonight to cheer up.

Want to see when what happens when a visionary is given a black box theatre and several million dollars? Click HERE to see what's going on in Robert LePage's head. Clearly, he's awesome.

Have you seen the stage version of The Lion King yet? If not....I understand. It's only been around for about 15 years. Click HERE to check out what director Julie Taymor can do when she's not screwing around with unbelievably beautiful animal puppets. Click HERE to see what she can do with 75 million dollars. I really don't care what anyone else says. I think it looks awesome.

Lastly, I leave you with the artist who has, arguably, the most significant impact on the way we see the world in the last decade. I halfway wish I was joking. Click HERE to go BOOM! And BOOM! And BOOOOOM!

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

A revolutionary, an artist, a hunchback, and that dude who kills the six-fingered man: Mandy Patinkin is ridiculous.

Happy Wednesday friends of the Little Theatre,

Short but sweet middle-of-the-week-actor-worship today- the work speaks for itself. 

Check out what Mandy Patinkin can do:

Click HERE to see him destroy Somewhere over the Rainbow on an early 1980's David Letterman show.

Click HERE to see him in Sunday in the Park with George, directed by James Lapine. (He enters the song at about 3 minutes, but the thing is well worth watching.)

Click HERE to watch the performance of The Secret Garden from the 1991 Tony Awards. Look closely at the actor playing Dicken (he sings Wick.) Does he looks familiar? He's a bit hard to recognize without THIS WIG.

Last, Mr. Patinkin, thank you for THIS.

Have a great day, everyone,

-Kevin

The GUTHRIE has no shortage of white men, RICHARD FOREMAN will blow your mind, and Jonathon Pryce's eyes looks different....

Happy Monday Friends of the Little Theatre!

Dinner with Friends enjoyed another wonderful weekend of performance to near sold-out crowds. Have you seen the show yet? Get your ticket by clicking HERE. The production plays for 2 more weekend and then will be gone!

BOOM!, directed by Brent Keast (and assistant directed by Blake Williams) had a great first read-through and continues with rehearsals this week. To find out more about this play, click HERE. To get your tickets, click HERE. To find out more about Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s latest play, Bob, click HERE.

Be sure to check back this week for exciting audition announcements and sneak peeks of what’s coming up in our 2012-2013 season!

THEATRE DIVERSITY ALERT! Once again, a large regional theatre has been thwacked for choosing a season completely devoid of diversity. This question is always pops up when choosing seasons (to what extent are theatre companies responsible for choosing seasons which reflect the diversity of their potential audience/community.) This issue becomes a lot more complicated when you’re choosing a season for THE GUTHRIE, one of the largest and most visible regional theatres in the country. Check out the controversy HERE.

This reminds me of another FAMOUS THEATRE CONTROVERSY involving Equity, Jonathon Pryce, and creative make-up in the original Broadway production of Miss Saigon.

Check out this amazing clip of RICHARD FOREMAN’S work. No one ever accuses him of not promoting diversity. Mostly because no one can figure out exactly what they’re looking at. It’s okay: as he admits in this interview, he’s not exactly sure, either.

 Happy Monday, everyone!

-Kevin

The Board of Directors will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, April 25th at 6pm at the Little Theatre.  View the Agenda

My goodness, what handsome actors!

For those of you who weren't up before sunrise, KSBY did a very piece on our current production Dinner with Friends. Click HERE to see our wonderful cast and director up close and personal!

Happy Thursday, everyone!

-Kevin

This blog is understated. Very, very understated.

It's the middle of the work week- time to focus in on a specific actor who may have something to teach us. Last week, we reveled in the surrealistic tantrums of Alan Cumming. This week, something a little...quieter.

I first became familiar with Bob Newhart watching his self-named sitcom Newhart from 1982-1990. 

(I was 7-15 years-old during this period, not to mention the syndication, so, these were prime TV-watching years.) I couldn't take my eyes off of Newhart as he deadpanned his way around a symphony of outrageous characters, including Tom Poston as his idiot handyman, and Larry, his brother Darrell, and his other brother Darrell. It the late 80's I found several of his comedy albums from the 60's at a local thrift shop; I spent days trying to find his specific rhythm...the pause, the timid questioning tone, and most importantly, the subdued, hidden exasperation.

Newhart is one of my comedy heroes (along with other famous dead-panners Jack Benny, Leslie Neilson, and Johnny Carson. Steve Carrell's characterization of Michael Scott on The Office could not exist without these pioneers proving to the world that doing "nothing" can be hilarious.)

For those of you who aren't familiar with his work, here are a few great clips.

Click HERE to see one of Newhart's appearances on The Smothers Brother's Comedy Hour. 

Click HERE to see an incredible clip from Newhart in which Newhart has to try to host a low-rent talk show and interview a dude with a small horse. Watching how he handles the phone situation near the beginning shows you everything you need to know about deadpan comedy.

Click HERE to watch Newhart roast Don Rickles.

Lastly, HERE'S an extended clip of a 1994 interview between Tom Synder and Bob Newhart. 

Long live Newhart, a true king of comedy.

Have a great week, everyone!

Kevin

Another look back, Adam Blaze talks improv, and Del Close lives on through a bunch of lovable idiots.

Happy, happy Tuesday friends of the Little Theatre,

As we're putting together our 2012-2013 season (our 66th!) I find myself rummaging through old folders and reminiscing about some of the wonderful productions we've produced in the last few years. Here are some great memories from 888 Morro Street:

The Clean House, directed by Adrian Balbontin

How to Succeed in Business...directed by Natalia Berryman

Intimate Apparel, directed by Anet Carlin

Anyone out there interested in improv? If so, check out Will Hines new series where he interviews some of the best improv artists working today. In THIS article, he talks with Adam Blaze (head writer for SNL's Weekend Update) about his improv history, his obsession will Del Close, and his early career with Adam McKay (writer/director of Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and the co-founder of the comedy website Funny or Die.)

Another group of funny people, currently in residence at Improv Olympics (West), has launched their own comedy website, Burgess TV. The website is named after Bryan Burgess, an Iowa alum who was one of the most unpredictable, brilliant comedy performers I ever met. Bryan died in Los Angeles a couple of years ago. You can read his obituary from Bitter Lemons HERE.

Bryan's spirit and chronic irreverence lives on with Burgess TV. They recently released a short titled Rambo which some of you saw through a facebook link. HERE is the link to part 2 of Rambo. (NSFW---the film has some language in it--- but, very, very funny. If you haven't seen part 1 of Rambo, please start HERE.) You may also recognize Ken Peterson in the short- Ken came up to the Little Theatre last November to teach improv workshops. 

If you're interested in the Little Theatre hosting more improv workshops, please email me at kevinharris@slolittletheatre.org. 

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

-Kevin

DINNER WITH FRIENDS, Roberson's anniversary, and why we should all stop whining. This week at the Little Theatre!

Good morning friends of the Little Theatre,

Dinner with Friends had a wonderful opening weekend- the incredibly talented cast and crew rocked it. We’re all looking forward to a very successful run. Look for Joan Crowder’s review in this Thursday’s ticket. If you missed Anna Weltner’s great article in last week’s NEW TIMES, check it out HERE. Dinner with Friends also mark an important anniversary for one of our favorite Little Theatre volunteers: Michelle Roberson worked on her first show (M. Butterfly) 4 years ago. Since then, she has become one of our most trusted technicians, stage managers, and Little Theatre volunteer. Congratulations, Michelle, and everyone on a fantastic opening!

Michelle Roberson and Pam Hester

in their natural environment.

Auditions for BOOM! take place tonight (Monday, April 16^th) at 6:00 PM. Click HERE for more details.

Rehearsals for The House of Blue Leaves begin tonight! Welcome to Jill Turnbow and her great cast. House of Blue Leaves opens on May 25 and plays through June 17. For tickets or more information, click HERE.

Theatre organization/clean-up day is coming up next Saturday, April 21^st. Interested in helping out? Click HERE to find out what we’re planning!

NO SHAME is coming up on April 27. If you haven’t found NO SHAME CENTRAL COAST on Facebook, click HERE. If you’d like to find out more about the NO SHAME movement and its history, click HERE.

Lastly, here are two great articles by Jason Rohrer and Dylan Southard about why theatre is important and why we should stop whining so much. They are both correct. And they both have cooler last names than most of us. Click HERE for Dylan's article and HERE for Jason's.

Have a great Monday, everyone!

-Kevin

OPENING NIGHT!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Dinner with Friends, which opens tonight at the Little Theatre.

Thank you for all of your hard work- it is a beautiful show. Now, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that if THESE TWO BUFFOONS can pull off an opening night, you four will be just fine.

See you tonight!

-Kevin

DINNER WITH FRIENDS gets written up by Weltner...

Thank you to Anna Weltner from the New Times for the early article on Dinner with Friends, directed by Lisa Woske. Click HERE to find out what Anna thought of the production. Thank you to Steve Miller for his awesome photos, as well.

You can get your tickets to Dinner with Friends by clicking HERE.

We have our first audience tonight! How confident am I in this incredible cast and wonderful director? I'm calmer than THESE KIDS.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

-Kevin

Middle of the week Actor Worship: Cumming and going...

It's that time of week again. Here comes Cumming:

Most friends of the Little Theatre first took notice of this chameleon when he played the Emcee in Sam Mendes' groundbreaking 1996 revival of Cabaret. Click HERE to see why they took notice.

Many people my age, however, will remember him from his manic performance as Boris Grishenko in the 1995  James Bond film, Goldeneye.  Click HERE to see him totally flip out. He totally needs those codes.

He was also in Spy Kids. Let's move on.

My favorite film that featured Alan Cumming is the somewhat indulgent, overacted, most-improvised pet project: The Anniversary Party. To watch an incredible ensemble of actors on the top of their game improvise their way through 100 minutes of digital video is a delight. Click HERE to see the trailer.

Currently, Cumming is filming the bio-pic Dali, based on the life of the surrealistic painter. This will be his second foray into surrealism on film. Click HERE to see the first. You're welcome.

Have a great Wednesday, everyone,

-Kevin

Warm weather makes me think of Christmas...

What a beautiful Tuesday. The theatre is full of volunteers helping Dave Linfield, our TD, putting the finishing touches of the set for Dinner with Friends. (The design is magical.) 

 

The preliminary budget for our 2012-2013 season is finished (just the first run at it---several versions to follow.

And we're ready to jump into the third dress rehearsal tonight. During times like this, I like to take a step back and remember what was happening in the space just a few shorts months ago. The Little Theatre produces about 14 productions a year, each with their own artistic team, cast, crew, and process. On this warm, Spring day, let's remember our Holiday production, A Christmas Story, directed by Chrys Barnes.

(All photos courtesy of Wade Tillotson and Redzuan Adbul Rahim.)

Speaking of A Christmas Story and magical sets...remember when THIS was Peter Billingsley's day job?

Happy Tuesday, everyone,

Kevin

Little Theatre birthdays, DINNER WITH FRIENDS opening, and Tom Stoppard's crazy hair.

Good morning Board, staff, and Artistic Teams of the Little theatre,

Dinner with Friends has four more rehearsals before opening this Friday, April 13. Get your tickets now for this wonderful show. To watch Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Donald Margulies, talk about the play that changed his life, please click HERE. To reserve your tickets for our production, please click HERE.

Happy, happy birthday to Jill Turnbow, the director of our upcoming production of The House of Blue Leaves! HERE is a quick instructional video for blowing out your birthday candles. You’re welcome, Turnbow. The cast of Blue Leaves is getting ready to begin rehearsal soon. The production opens on May 25 and you can get your tickets by clicking HERE.

Auditions for BOOM! Take place one week from today at the Little Theatre. The Ubu’s Other Shoe presentation is directed by Brent Keast, and all audition details can be found HERE. Ubu’s Other Shoe, the readers’ theatre series at the Little Theatre, is a fantastic way to get involved with a minimal time commitment. Most productions rehearse 7-10 times, and actors are not required to memorize their lines. It’s a great opportunity for local actors, directors, and technicians to work on wonderful plays which may not fit into our regular mainstage season. Check out this great video of Tom Stoppard (playwright of our upcoming presentation of Arcadia) by clicking HERE.

We’re getting ready to announce our 2012-2013 season- stayed tuned to see what we have in store for the Central Coast during our 66^th season.

Have a  great week, everyone!

-Kevin

Hey, look who's in New York!

Check out Little Theatre regulars Pam Hester and Lester Wilson in the big, big city! Come home soon, Pam and Lester! We miss you!

Also, please wash your hands after touching Nick Jonas.

Lester Wilson, ready to go on 

in case the entire cast 

simultaneously twists their ankle.

Macaulay Culkin learning that two dangerous 

bandits have escaped prison and 

have been seen lurking around New York. 

Be careful, Pam and Lester!

Have a great weekend, everyone! I leave you with a wonderful video comment left by longtime theatre buddy Tony Porter in response to Wednesday's Gary Oldman profile. Thanks for sharing, Tony.

GARY OLDMAN CAN DO ANYTHING, INCLUDING SELL SUBWAY SANDWICHES

Have a great weekend, everyone! 

-Kevin

DINNER WITH FRIENDS photoshoot

Don't miss the Pulitzer Prize-winning Dinner with Friends, directed by Lisa Woske. This beautiful play opens on Friday, April 13. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

-Kevin

ACTOR WEDNESDAY!

Hello Little Theatre friends,

Every Wednesday I'd like to focus on a well-known (or not-so-well-known) actor who warrants some investigation. As theatre artists, it is vital that we continually study other artist's work in order to keep our own, individual approach to acting fresh and vital. Today, I would like to focus on one of cinema's greatest chameleons, Gary Oldman. 

Three links to hear about Oldman's approach to a character and how he prefers to work:

#1: Oldman is interviewed by Teri Gross on WHYY's Fresh Air. A nice discussion of past roles and Tinker Tailor. Click HERE to listen.

#2. Oldman play "Not my Job" on NPR's Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me. A very funny interview in which Oldman pokes fun at his on-screen persona. Click HERE to listen.

#3. Video interview with Oldman shortly after he played Lee Harvey Oswald in Oliver Stone's JFK (1991.) Click HERE to watch.

#4. Lastly, here's Oldman in the climatic scene of Sid and Nancy. Oldman's brutal portrayal of Sid Vicious was his breakout role. Click HERE to watch.

Have a great Wednesday, all,

Kevin

It's that time of year again!

Theatre cleanup and maintenance day is coming up. Looking for an easy way to get involved with the Little Theatre? This is it- on Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, the staff will be leading a theatre clean-up day in order to get our space ready for the big summer season.

We will have jobs for everyone (high impact, low impact, no impact!) This is a great chance to meet some great people and begin your adventure with the Little Theatre.

Interested? Please RSVP on FACEBOOK or by emailing me HERE. We would like to have an accurate head count so that we can plan accordingly and make the best use of everyone's time.

Thanks, everyone!

-Kevin