It’s officially autumn, but my summer was pretty busy with theatre! Last spring I was asked to direct Mike Kimball’s new play, PATIENCE BOSTON, a historical drama set in York, Maine and based on the lives (and deaths) of real people. PB tells the story of a Native American servant woman who claimed to have killed a child and demanded to be hung for the crime. But after she was sentenced, it was discovered that she was pregnant, so the Sheriff and his wife, as well as Pastors Samuel and Joseph Moody, were charged with caring for her until the…
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2016 has been a busy year, so busy that I haven’t been writing on this blog too much. Most of the work I have been doing involves upcoming events supporting veterans and their families. I’m thrilled to say that my traveling version of MAKE SURE IT’S ME will return to the Manchester Vet Center on September 29th. I will be joined there by a cast of 5 veterans to read dramatic scenes from Kate Wenner’s play, as well as VA Manchester clinicians to help me address questions about Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD. Then, on October 20th I will take…
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Last Thursday, October 8th, a group of veterans helped me present my traveling version of Kate Wenner’s MAKE SURE IT’S ME at the Manchester Vet Center in Hooksett, NH. With the help of counselor Mearlene Filkins, who joined me in reading the educational material about Traumatic Brain Injury, and the coordination of Team Leader Colleen Moriarty, we presented to a group of about fifty in the Vet Center’s welcoming, well-appointed conference room. This was my second time using the model of directing a group of volunteer readers nominated by the venue itself. The first time my readers were members of the student…
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Well, the cast and crew of Duck and Cover rocked audiences during opening weekend! In the midst of scorching temperatures and electric fans, Kim, Shawn, David, Jim, Alan and Michael elicited applause, cheers and even some appreciative catcalls and standing ovations. Here’s what the critics had to say: Seacoast Online review Portland Phoenix review Catch the show for the next two weekends, we close on September 20th! Visit playersring.org for details!
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This week has been hot hot hot, especially in the Player’s Ring in Portsmouth, which has a huge heart but no air conditioning! As we’ve prepared for tonight’s opening of Mike Kimball’s Duck and Cover, we’ve been working a number of oscillating fans into the theatre experience. We’ve also had to all pitch in to make the set happen. I’m not so effective with carpentry so I was doing set dressing acquisition much of the week, but finally our set feels like a little home. Congrats and thanks to Mike and his carpenter pal Alan, to Joe Dominguez for helping build,…
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Rehearsals for DUCK AND COVER are a total hoot and the show opens at Players’ Ring on September 4! Love these talented folks, plus my brilliant playwright Mike Kimball and couldn’t-do-without-her Stage Manager Kate Quisumbing. Pictured below, clockwise from top left: Shawn Crapo, Jim Manclark, Kim Holliday, Alan White, Michael Stailey and David Sullivan. Photo by Mike Kimball. Visit PlayersRing.org for reservations.
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Hello, all. I have been lured out of the shadow cast by my mother’s death to take over direction of Michael Kimball’s Duck and Cover at the Player’s Ring, where it will run September 4-20. This marvelous, award-winning show about an American family grappling with wars domestic and foreign on the eve of the Cuban Missile Crisis was last seen at WEST and I’m honored to be working on it now. Stay tuned for more details, I’ve got homework to do for tomorrow night’s rehearsal!
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I’m giddy to announce that I was nominated for Best Actress by the Seacoast Spotlight Awards committee for my performance as Dorothy Vaughan in Saving Portsmouth. Even better, my actor Eliot Johnston was nominated for Best Actor for his performances of Bernard One, Bernard Two and Michael Black in A Number! Congratulations to us, and huge thanks to everyone involved in both shows, and to our audiences (and patient loved ones) for all their support. I have a feeling we are each dark horses in this race, but it is marvelous to know that the panel thought so highly of our work…
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Kudos and deepest thanks to Robert Macadaeg and Eliot Johnston for their masterful performances in my production of Caryl Churchill’s A Number. Kate Quisumbing was my Stage Manager extraordinaire, Meghann Beauchamp designed impeccable lights and sound and Michele Macadaeg gave invaluable help with costumes. We had great houses that surpassed my expectations for such a peculiar, offbeat little show. And we were extremely well reviewed! This was a deeply satisfying directing experience for me and I’m sad to let these characters go. Best wishes to all, and I hope to work together soon. Next up for me: “Saving Portsmouth: The Preservation…
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Read the review of my production of Caryl Churchill’s A Number here. So proud of Eliot and Robert! So thrilled to watch the final three shows this weekend!