Well here we are, friends. The season is closing and so I give you my final blog of Summer ’09. I realize I have lapsed in my entries and I do apologize to you readers out there. I know there are literally tens of you.
I’ve never stuck around for the season close up until now. It is a very strange sensation. We’ve already said goodbye to The Paul Mills Holmes who has returned to his post as PSM at Actors Theatre of Louisville. We’ve kissed goodbye to Zack and Mel, two interns who in the off season are co-eds at Evansville University in Indiana. We’ve wished a bon voyage to Sam, a local gal and our resident story teller who has headed down south to sunny Florida to begin a new collegiate year. And Michael 'hot legs' Domue our Production Manager has traded in his clipboard for booby tassels and will appear as a kit kat dancer in Trinity Rep’s upcoming production of Cabaret in Rhode Island. The rest of the staff is here until closing day of I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change! I hope you get down here to see the show. It’s like a musical on wheels, it never stops moving. There are 153 costumes, 47 costume changes, and 30 pieces of furniture set on 87 casters. And if that’s not enough excitement, it’s about Love! Amore! You can bring your main squeeze or come alone and squeeze a stranger it’s a lot of fun!
Now, besides the show playing on the boards, there is still work to be done. We still have to screw down the louvers, store the lawn furniture, and more importantly, make our staff sign. Now, it is one of our long standing traditions at Totem Pole that at the end of the summer, the staff makes a sign commemorating their year. There is always a theme and it’s filled with funny quotes and memories from that particular season. We hang them in the shop and so it has been done for decades and decades. TOTEM POLE FUN FACT: We give the Totem Pole summer camp kids a tour of the theatre every year and the shop portion of the tour is always the shortest because inevitably we get kids at a fourth grade reading level excitedly shouting, “I just read a dirty word!” and “Is that a butt?!”
Anyway…this year we’ve decided that “Under Construction” should be the theme for our staff sign. A tribute to the endless road work that was plaguing, I’m sorry I mean stimulating our economy on Route 30 in front of the theatre and in front of some staff housing. Also, a shout out to the ever evolving levees and trenches we built this summer to protect the theatre from flooding during all that rain. (Our Lighting Designer Michael Domuwitz thought God was smiting us for making him design Cotton Patch Gospel). We thought this theme also fit because this was Ray Ficca’s inaugural summer as Artistic Director and he encouraged us to try out loads of new things this year like Movie Night and this blog. That man is a genius, no?
I’d say the summer was a huge success. I know I’ve made memories and friends I will not soon forget. I hate goodbyes so I’ll say so long for now and thanks to everyone who made 2009 so special, detours and all.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Totem Pole goes to Arlington
I love Mondays, I really do. Most people dread the M-word. For most it means fun’s over, back to work, but for those of us working at the Playhouse it means a day off! We are so fortunate living in Fayetteville because we are close to so many great places. We are 45 seconds away from Bobby A’s (bar), ten minutes away from Scooter’s (another bar), and 20 minutes away from Gettysburg. This Monday, however, we went to Arlington, VA which in only an hour and a half away, for our annual Washington D.C. trip.
Nan and Ray Ficca, our always hospitable artistic director, are kind enough to host us in their lovely home and accompany us on our sightseeing excursions. In years past we have done the museums, the mall, and all the monuments. This summer we decided to do Mount Vernon, the beautiful and historic home of General George Washington. It is very exciting to visit places like this, seeing as how I am from southeast Louisiana. We don’t boast any presidential farms down there on account of all Mardi Gras, Drive-Thru Daiquiri Cafes, and general debauchery
Not only did we see Mount Vernon, but we went to Michael Domue’s (Production Manager/Lighting Designer/Barfly) favorite bar: The Fox and Hound. It’s one of those places where you don’t really want to put your purse down, or drink directly from the glass, or touch anything. It was great though, really. The beer was cold and the company was excellent. That’s what it’s really about anyway isn’t it? Drinking…sorry, I mean BEING with people you love. And I do love Totem Pole people.
It was a great weekend and we almost went the whole trip without getting into any trouble.
Then we drove home.
There is no need to go into detail here, but I would now like to take the opportunity to apologize to the woman in the parking lot of the Fredrick Sheetz.
Ma’am, I’m sorry, you had to hear what I said. That wasn’t intended for you. And thank you for not knocking my teeth out.
Well, back to the business of looking good. By that I mean the work week which begins for us on a Tuesday. But I love Tuesdays, which are like your Mondays, which are like our Saturdays,
which are like your Thursdays. Confused yet?
Have a great week, whatever you do and come see Queen of Bingo which opens TONIGHT!!! It is such a great time and you can even win a prize. That’s right; you the audience participate in a real bingo game! This one is fun for the whole family, especially you bingo queens and kings out there. We’ve got the balls, the cards, and the prizes. You just buy your tickets and I’ll see you at the Playhouse!
Nan and Ray Ficca, our always hospitable artistic director, are kind enough to host us in their lovely home and accompany us on our sightseeing excursions. In years past we have done the museums, the mall, and all the monuments. This summer we decided to do Mount Vernon, the beautiful and historic home of General George Washington. It is very exciting to visit places like this, seeing as how I am from southeast Louisiana. We don’t boast any presidential farms down there on account of all Mardi Gras, Drive-Thru Daiquiri Cafes, and general debauchery
Not only did we see Mount Vernon, but we went to Michael Domue’s (Production Manager/Lighting Designer/Barfly) favorite bar: The Fox and Hound. It’s one of those places where you don’t really want to put your purse down, or drink directly from the glass, or touch anything. It was great though, really. The beer was cold and the company was excellent. That’s what it’s really about anyway isn’t it? Drinking…sorry, I mean BEING with people you love. And I do love Totem Pole people.
It was a great weekend and we almost went the whole trip without getting into any trouble.
Then we drove home.
There is no need to go into detail here, but I would now like to take the opportunity to apologize to the woman in the parking lot of the Fredrick Sheetz.
Ma’am, I’m sorry, you had to hear what I said. That wasn’t intended for you. And thank you for not knocking my teeth out.
Well, back to the business of looking good. By that I mean the work week which begins for us on a Tuesday. But I love Tuesdays, which are like your Mondays, which are like our Saturdays,
which are like your Thursdays. Confused yet?
Have a great week, whatever you do and come see Queen of Bingo which opens TONIGHT!!! It is such a great time and you can even win a prize. That’s right; you the audience participate in a real bingo game! This one is fun for the whole family, especially you bingo queens and kings out there. We’ve got the balls, the cards, and the prizes. You just buy your tickets and I’ll see you at the Playhouse!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Cadi Corner: I Love I Hate Hamlet!
I Hate Hamlet is open yippee hooray! We have successfully survived another changeover. Oh, what’s that? You don’t know what a changeover is you say? You would like to hear about this fabled event? Oh, alright I’ll tell you all about it. "Changeover" or, "why Michael Domue drinks reason no. 59", is the transition period between shows here at the Pole. It is when we the staff take down the closing show, and put up the new show. We have roughly 24 hrs to get it all done and it encompasses several different phases. The first of which is the gypsy run.
If you were to stumble upon the rehearsal hall at 10:30 every other Sunday morning, you would find yourself at what we call a gypsy run which is our official kickoff to changeover. What is a gypsy run you may ask? Well, "Gypsy Run" is an old Broadway term for the final run before opening, at which they would extend invitations to fellow show people, usually gypsies (dancers), who would not get another chance to see the show.
At a Totem Pole gypsy run you will see all our designers and crew members, as well as visiting friends and cast members of the closing show, all squeezed into whatever space is left in and around our re-hall. The carpenters, painters, costumers, and sound wizards have been working tirelessly so the gypsy run can be as close to the final product as possible. Most of the I Hate Hamlet set was installed into the hall so that our actors could get used to sword fighting on a staircase and maneuvering around a suit of armor. The back porch becomes our "quick change" area. That is, if an actor has to change costumes in less than five minutes, they do it outside, but we don’t want them showing their breakfast specials to Caledonia golfers and park rangers, so we put up dressing screens for privacy.
After the gypsy run we enter phase two which I will explain in my next blog. Speaking of future plans, are you still trying to find the perfect way to celebrate this Saturday? Well, what better way to celebrate our country’s birth than to come to the theatre and watch a show about an American hatin’ on a sissy, tights -wearin’ writer from the motherland? This play is more exciting than a reenactment! We’ve got pyrotechnics, fire, swordfights, supernatural phenomena, and don’t forget –jokes! So show your patriotic pride and come laugh your firecrackers off at Totem Pole this Fourth of July! We’ve even got a good ole American discount! Buy two tickets for the July 4th or 5th shows for only $33. Two tickets for $33 in honor of USA’s 233rd birthday…get it? God bless totem pole, and God bless America!
If you were to stumble upon the rehearsal hall at 10:30 every other Sunday morning, you would find yourself at what we call a gypsy run which is our official kickoff to changeover. What is a gypsy run you may ask? Well, "Gypsy Run" is an old Broadway term for the final run before opening, at which they would extend invitations to fellow show people, usually gypsies (dancers), who would not get another chance to see the show.
At a Totem Pole gypsy run you will see all our designers and crew members, as well as visiting friends and cast members of the closing show, all squeezed into whatever space is left in and around our re-hall. The carpenters, painters, costumers, and sound wizards have been working tirelessly so the gypsy run can be as close to the final product as possible. Most of the I Hate Hamlet set was installed into the hall so that our actors could get used to sword fighting on a staircase and maneuvering around a suit of armor. The back porch becomes our "quick change" area. That is, if an actor has to change costumes in less than five minutes, they do it outside, but we don’t want them showing their breakfast specials to Caledonia golfers and park rangers, so we put up dressing screens for privacy.
After the gypsy run we enter phase two which I will explain in my next blog. Speaking of future plans, are you still trying to find the perfect way to celebrate this Saturday? Well, what better way to celebrate our country’s birth than to come to the theatre and watch a show about an American hatin’ on a sissy, tights -wearin’ writer from the motherland? This play is more exciting than a reenactment! We’ve got pyrotechnics, fire, swordfights, supernatural phenomena, and don’t forget –jokes! So show your patriotic pride and come laugh your firecrackers off at Totem Pole this Fourth of July! We’ve even got a good ole American discount! Buy two tickets for the July 4th or 5th shows for only $33. Two tickets for $33 in honor of USA’s 233rd birthday…get it? God bless totem pole, and God bless America!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Cadi Corner: Movie Night
Great news! We have added to a line of Totem Pole traditions: Totem Pole Movie Night! If you didn't make it Tuesday night, you must come next time, it was very exciting. Mister Ed provided us with popcorn and we had a plethora of candy and cokes, not to mention Totem Pole fun facts, and a history lesson from Shakespeare buffs Ray Ficca and Dr. Peggy Russo. To be honest, I can't believe we didn't think of this before. You get all the ambiance of being in the theatre except you can eat, drink, chew gum, and text your BFF because unlike live theatre, the actors can't see or hear you! This is a million-dollar-idea, I'm telling you - a movie in a theatre...this is gonna be huge!
We showed Hamlet so that everyone could brush up their Shakespeare before the opening of our next show (the soon to be Totem Pole favorite, I Hate Hamlet). As I mentioned earlier, Dr. Peggy Russo provided us with interesting Hamlet tidbits. For instance, did you know that after making Hamlet Mel Gibson swore he would never make another Lethal Weapon movie? Thank goodness he changed his mind and made two more. Peggy is an Assistant Professor of English at Penn Stage Mont Alto and she also provides us with dramaturgy for all our shows (pick up a program and check it out- there she is!). Ray Ficca helped break down in layman's terms what the characters were saying so that those of us unfamiliar with Iambic pentameter could follow along. Speaking of Iambic pentameter, or as the bard would say, "Speaketh of my lingo", it inspired me to quiz Totem Pole staff and patrons on their knowledge of the play and poet. Here are some of my favorite answers:
Q: Who wrote Hamlet?
A: Hamlet - Milo Groundskeeper
Q: Who stars in Mel Gibson's Hamlet?
A: "Uhh- I don't know" - Miller Assistant Technical Director
A: "Colin Farrell" - Christina movie go-er
Q: What is a fardel?
A: "A small fart" - Wil Love Shakespeare Historian/ Star of You Say Tomatoes
A: "Sounds like a fart" - Miller ATD
A: "A fart that Milo leaves while lying on his back" - Sue TPP Business Manager
A: "A special place I go to pass gas" - Milo Groundskeeper
Q: Finish the quote: "To be or not to be ......."
A: "How much is the bologna" - Wil Love Shakespeare Historian/ Star of You Say Tomatoes
A: "Did he just say how much for the blonde woman?" - Jeffrey movie go-er
Q: Hamlet is the Prince of what?
A: "Wales" - Mister Ed Star of stage and screen
A: "Wales" - Miller ATD
A: "Sherwood Forest" - Sue TPP Business Manager
A: "Drama" - Milo Groundskeeper
A: "New Jersey" - Wil Love Shakespeare Historian/ Star of You Say Tomatoes
A: "Denmark" - Shannon 13 year old whiz kid
Q: Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstein?
A: "The agents we get our plays from" -Sue TPP Business Manager
A: "Money lenders" - Mister Ed Star of stage and screen
A: "Two old drag queens" Wil Love Shakespeare Historian/ Star of You Say Tomatoes
And finally.......
Q: Can you spell Shakespeare?
A: "S-H-A-K-E-S-P-E-R-E" - Matt (Star of I Hate Hamlet)
Well folks, there you have it. Movie night was a success and I hope to see you all at the playhouse for the next one. Oh, and if you still don't know what a fardel is, come check out I Hate Hamlet opening this Tuesday June 30th. "The play's the thing"!
We showed Hamlet so that everyone could brush up their Shakespeare before the opening of our next show (the soon to be Totem Pole favorite, I Hate Hamlet). As I mentioned earlier, Dr. Peggy Russo provided us with interesting Hamlet tidbits. For instance, did you know that after making Hamlet Mel Gibson swore he would never make another Lethal Weapon movie? Thank goodness he changed his mind and made two more. Peggy is an Assistant Professor of English at Penn Stage Mont Alto and she also provides us with dramaturgy for all our shows (pick up a program and check it out- there she is!). Ray Ficca helped break down in layman's terms what the characters were saying so that those of us unfamiliar with Iambic pentameter could follow along. Speaking of Iambic pentameter, or as the bard would say, "Speaketh of my lingo", it inspired me to quiz Totem Pole staff and patrons on their knowledge of the play and poet. Here are some of my favorite answers:
Q: Who wrote Hamlet?
A: Hamlet - Milo Groundskeeper
Q: Who stars in Mel Gibson's Hamlet?
A: "Uhh- I don't know" - Miller Assistant Technical Director
A: "Colin Farrell" - Christina movie go-er
Q: What is a fardel?
A: "A small fart" - Wil Love Shakespeare Historian/ Star of You Say Tomatoes
A: "Sounds like a fart" - Miller ATD
A: "A fart that Milo leaves while lying on his back" - Sue TPP Business Manager
A: "A special place I go to pass gas" - Milo Groundskeeper
Q: Finish the quote: "To be or not to be ......."
A: "How much is the bologna" - Wil Love Shakespeare Historian/ Star of You Say Tomatoes
A: "Did he just say how much for the blonde woman?" - Jeffrey movie go-er
Q: Hamlet is the Prince of what?
A: "Wales" - Mister Ed Star of stage and screen
A: "Wales" - Miller ATD
A: "Sherwood Forest" - Sue TPP Business Manager
A: "Drama" - Milo Groundskeeper
A: "New Jersey" - Wil Love Shakespeare Historian/ Star of You Say Tomatoes
A: "Denmark" - Shannon 13 year old whiz kid
Q: Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstein?
A: "The agents we get our plays from" -Sue TPP Business Manager
A: "Money lenders" - Mister Ed Star of stage and screen
A: "Two old drag queens" Wil Love Shakespeare Historian/ Star of You Say Tomatoes
And finally.......
Q: Can you spell Shakespeare?
A: "S-H-A-K-E-S-P-E-R-E" - Matt (Star of I Hate Hamlet)
Well folks, there you have it. Movie night was a success and I hope to see you all at the playhouse for the next one. Oh, and if you still don't know what a fardel is, come check out I Hate Hamlet opening this Tuesday June 30th. "The play's the thing"!
Totem Pole staffers serve popcorn at Movie Night!
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Cadi Corner
Hello all you savvy Totem Pole web surfers! My name is Cadi and I am a production assistant here. From the first rehearsal to closing night I help out with all our shows in a season. Our fearless artistic director, the fantastic Mr. Ficca has decided it would be great if I started to blog to give you an insider's view of the goings on at Totem Pole Playhouse. So, here we go!
Yesterday we had our first rehearsal for our upcoming show, I Hate Hamlet. All of our first rehearsals start with a table read. All the actors sit around a table and read the play out loud for the first time. We do this so that our wonderful director Carl Schurr, along with all the designers can get a feel for the play without risking paper cuts. Also, our lighting designer, Michael Domue don't read good. The table read was just hysterical, we are all in for a treat with this play I can't wait to get it on its feet and start making some theatre magic!
In addition to our first rehearsal, we had two performances of our current show, You Say Tomatoes, or if you're from across the pond, You Say Tomatoes. The set for this show is rather large because Act I takes place in England, and Act II takes place in New York. To achieve both looks we (the crew) have to rotate 3 revolves at intermission (to take us to NYC) and before the curtain rises on each show (to take us back to England).
There are particular steps we all have to follow in an exact order to make the transition smooth. We must follow the instructions step by step so nothing bad will happen.
Something bad happened.
We turned one of the revolves out of order and so it got stuck on the English side. We tried by sheer man-power to move it and a piece of the set fell off and hit our assistant technical director, the brilliant Melissa Miller in the face! Who says theatre isn't a contact sport? Don't worry, she's ok. And we all learned an important lesson today about following instructions! This blog is brought to you by the letter W ( for worker’ comp).
(ATD Melissa Miller shows off her killer scar)
Sunday, June 14, 2009
2009 Season
Welcome to the Totem Pole Playhouse official BLOG!
We hope to use our blog as way to keep you informed about what's going on at Totem Pole Playhouse this season and we hope that you will comment as much as possible:) Throughout the season our blog will feature various people who continue to help Totem Pole succeed each year. Look for blog posts from our marketing director and artistic director to follow shortly.
Presenting the 2009 Season:
Cotton Patch Gospel
You Say Tomatoes
I Hate Hamlet
The Queen of Bingo
Tuesday's With Morrie
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
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