FHS alumni Eric Magnus is currently appearing in the Object Collection production of THE GEOMETRY at The Chocolate Factory. Here is a summary of the avant-garde production appearing off-off-Broadway through April 3, 2010, courtesy of THE L MAGAZINE online.
"The Geometry
Thu-Sat at 8pm; $15
212-352-3101
Theater: Off-Off Broadway
In what sounds like a perfect high-low cultural mashup, this multimedia performance, musical and interactive installation by Kara Feely, Travis Just and composer Jennifer Walshe experiments with forms from chamber (and soap) operas grafted onto narrative techniques taken from vintage video games–Donkey Kong and Pacman among others. The suspended, multi-stage set features four distinct performance spaces that periodically transform into video booths where live and recorded video reveal the actors and live electronic musicians preparing for the show.
The Chocolate Factory
5-49 49th Ave., between 5th St and Vernon Blvd (map)
Long Island City
718-482-7069 "
Here is a link. a
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Director's notes for SWEENEY TODD
FROM THE FIRESTONE THEATRE PLAYBILL:
On the surface, SWEENEY TODD might appear to be simply a gruesome, Gothic freak show. Anyone who has seen the recent motion picture probably thinks SWEENEY TODD is a bloody, horrible mess. Some people might go as far to say that SWEENEY TODD is inappropriate for high school production.
While certainly on the edge of good taste, SWEENEY TODD is a daring piece of musical theatre with which all serious theatre students should become familiar. The musical is cited by many as Stephen Sondheim’s greatest score and by others as perhaps one of the best ever written. For me, the show is alittle like an onion in that we peel away layer after layer and there is always more to discover.
I am pleased to say that we are not the first high school to present SWEENEY TODD but I am even more satisfied that the dozen or more recent productions have generated no discernable controversy. A recent internet search reveals more than 50 American high schools have presented the play in recent years. According to MTI’s website, about 25 schools are contracted to present the play in the next 2 months. This list includes one middle school and several Christian or Catholic schools.
At its heart, SWEENEY TODD is grounded in good old-fashioned melodrama – not too far removed from the guy in the black hat with the handlebar moustache and the ready train tracks. The good and bad characters are clearly defined . . . and the bad characters are very very bad. They are motivated by simple things – Todd: revenge; Lovett: money, Johanna is the simple, beautiful damsel sought as a partner by both good and evil. Anthony is the whistle-clean hero with a pure heart and only the best intentions.
I think there is a lot of humor in SWEENEY TODD and we have tried to emphasize it. There is, of course, a dark humor running though the entire piece. Many comic moments are ironical or sarcastic and may easily slip by if one is not paying close attention. The recent movie mostly wiped these moments away and seemed to concentrate on mood and action. In our production, we instead look to the comedy and the beauty of the score to guide us.
Todd gets his in the end so there is no reason to fret over lessons learned. He pays his price twice; he must reconcile the fact that he has unknowingly killed his own wife and just about when he is done with that he is cut down by a character representing his own lost innocence. It is not a pretty story but it is a good one with important lessons to be learned.
On the surface, SWEENEY TODD might appear to be simply a gruesome, Gothic freak show. Anyone who has seen the recent motion picture probably thinks SWEENEY TODD is a bloody, horrible mess. Some people might go as far to say that SWEENEY TODD is inappropriate for high school production.
While certainly on the edge of good taste, SWEENEY TODD is a daring piece of musical theatre with which all serious theatre students should become familiar. The musical is cited by many as Stephen Sondheim’s greatest score and by others as perhaps one of the best ever written. For me, the show is alittle like an onion in that we peel away layer after layer and there is always more to discover.
I am pleased to say that we are not the first high school to present SWEENEY TODD but I am even more satisfied that the dozen or more recent productions have generated no discernable controversy. A recent internet search reveals more than 50 American high schools have presented the play in recent years. According to MTI’s website, about 25 schools are contracted to present the play in the next 2 months. This list includes one middle school and several Christian or Catholic schools.
At its heart, SWEENEY TODD is grounded in good old-fashioned melodrama – not too far removed from the guy in the black hat with the handlebar moustache and the ready train tracks. The good and bad characters are clearly defined . . . and the bad characters are very very bad. They are motivated by simple things – Todd: revenge; Lovett: money, Johanna is the simple, beautiful damsel sought as a partner by both good and evil. Anthony is the whistle-clean hero with a pure heart and only the best intentions.
I think there is a lot of humor in SWEENEY TODD and we have tried to emphasize it. There is, of course, a dark humor running though the entire piece. Many comic moments are ironical or sarcastic and may easily slip by if one is not paying close attention. The recent movie mostly wiped these moments away and seemed to concentrate on mood and action. In our production, we instead look to the comedy and the beauty of the score to guide us.
Todd gets his in the end so there is no reason to fret over lessons learned. He pays his price twice; he must reconcile the fact that he has unknowingly killed his own wife and just about when he is done with that he is cut down by a character representing his own lost innocence. It is not a pretty story but it is a good one with important lessons to be learned.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Who gets eaten and who gets to eat?
This question is answered tonight and tomorrow as Firestone Theatre presents Stephen Sondheim's classic musical thriller, SWEENEY TODD:THE DEMON STREET OF FLEET STREET.
Tickets remain for all three performances and can be purchased at the door or in the school commons from 11:00 a.m. to 1:oo p.m. today (Friday). The school is located at333 Rampart Avenue in Akron (44313).
These performances remain:
Friday, March 26, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 27, 2010, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Audience comments so far include . . . . "Awesome!!!!" . . . .
"Great show" . . . . "bloody good" . . . . "Yet another spectacular production" . . . .
You get to eat, too, at a special spaghetti dinner held at the school between the matinee and evening performances on Saturday. Patrons of either performance as well as people not attending the show are encouraged to partake of this delicious dinner option.
SPECIAL SPAGHETTI DINNER
Saturday, March 27, 2010,
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
This full meal includes pasta with meat or red sauce as well as a lettuce salad, a tasty three-bean salad, and a yummy dessert.
Single Meal -- $7.00
Couple's Meal -- $12.00
Family 4-Pack -- $22.00
See www.FirestoneTheatre.com for additional information.
Become a fan of Firestone Theatre on Facebook.
Tickets remain for all three performances and can be purchased at the door or in the school commons from 11:00 a.m. to 1:oo p.m. today (Friday). The school is located at333 Rampart Avenue in Akron (44313).
These performances remain:
Friday, March 26, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 27, 2010, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Audience comments so far include . . . . "Awesome!!!!" . . . .
"Great show" . . . . "bloody good" . . . . "Yet another spectacular production" . . . .
You get to eat, too, at a special spaghetti dinner held at the school between the matinee and evening performances on Saturday. Patrons of either performance as well as people not attending the show are encouraged to partake of this delicious dinner option.
SPECIAL SPAGHETTI DINNER
Saturday, March 27, 2010,
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
This full meal includes pasta with meat or red sauce as well as a lettuce salad, a tasty three-bean salad, and a yummy dessert.
Single Meal -- $7.00
Couple's Meal -- $12.00
Family 4-Pack -- $22.00
See www.FirestoneTheatre.com for additional information.
Become a fan of Firestone Theatre on Facebook.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)