Highlights from the Newsletter

Apr, 2002

 

 
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Greetings, Players!

Little Women, Concord's passion play, opens this month, and will have twelve performances. The show dates are April 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, and May 3, 4, and 5. Friday and Saturday nights are at 8:00 pm; there are two shows on Sundays at 2:30 and 7:00 pm. This will be a very special production, and tickets are going fast; the Sunday matinees are already sold out. I'm told that the best tickets still available are for the Sunday evening performances. Call 978-369-2990 for tickets; what's left will be available at the Harness Shop starting April 1. Be sure to see this show, you won't get another chance for ten years!

Rik Pierce would like to let all members know that on Sunday, April 7th at 3:00 pm, we will be reading Mary Mary by Jean Kerr. It's quite a funny comedy from the sixties that ran for a couple of years on Broadway. There are good parts for three men and two women; all members are welcome. Scripts, munchies, and general good fun will all be provided. He would appreciate your letting him know if you think you might come at 978-371-7491, or <RikP@pobox.com>.

There will be a Showbus on Wednesday, May 15, to see Lend Me a Tenor at the Lyric Stage Co. in Boston. The bus will leave 51 Walden at 6:30 pm for a 7:30 curtain. The cost is undetermined at present, but will probably be about $40, and will include ticket, bus, and refreshments en route. Call Patricia Till at 978-369-3195 by May 1 if you'd like to go.

We'd like to acknowledge the three members who are joining the Board; they are Thomas Caron, Corrinne Kinsman, and Patricia Till. We certainly appreciate their willingness, as well as that of the other Board members, and committee members, to put in the time and effort to serve our wonderful organization and keep it running. Patricia will be chairing the new Play Selection Committee, whose other members are Charlie Atherton, Claiborne Dawes, Mike Fink, and Sean Kavanaugh.

PHYSICAL COMEDY & CLOWN WORKSHOP!!!

The Concord Players are delighted to sponsor a six-hour workshop that will focus on the skills of physical comedy and clowning. Led by Kenny Raskin, a professional actor and clown, the workshop will take place on Saturday, April 27th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Road, just behind 51 Walden. Class size will be limited to fourteen, and the registration fee is $75 for CP members, $100 for non-members. Participants should bring a bag lunch and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Kirsten Gould says: “I have known Kenny Raskin for many years, have taken courses from him, and have seen him perform. He is a unique talent and offers our membership a unique opportunity.” The first fourteen people to send checks made out to The Concord Players will get to work with Kenny. Send your checks to Kirsten Gould, 540 Thoreau Street, Concord, MA 01742. You'll have a blast. Here is some information about Kenny and the workshop: Kenny Raskin is an engaging actor and clown who has made a name for himself in the New Vaudeville movement. He originated the role of “Lefou”, the comic sidekick of the villain “Gaston”, in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast. Before coming to Broadway, Kenny also starred as the lead clown “Everyman” in Cirque du Soleil's universally acclaimed Nouvelle Experience, and recently filmed a 3D IMAX film with Cirque du Soleil entitled Journey of Man. He also appeared as the “Vaudevillian Comedian” in Barry Levinson's latest film, Liberty Heights. He has performed one-man shows in theaters, universities, cabarets, and festivals throughout the United States, South America and Europe. Kenny has also served as an adjunct faculty member in the theater departments at Boston University, NYU, Emory University, and the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Kenny says “This workshop will provide a chance for students to play in the world of physical comedy. We will explore the concepts of spontaneity, flexibility, and distractibility. We will follow our noses, and the rest of our senses as well, to find that un-selfconscious part of our selves. We'll also learn to create accidents, to see them coming, and to use them to our advantage ­ in a sense, to make them intentional. The comedy will become more surprising, to ourselves, and to the class as well. We will also explore arriving and leaving the stage in ways that are powerful and memorable. This workshop will be enlightening as well as fun. You'll find yourself being funny without even trying. What a relief!”

Michael Gowing has been cast as “Doc Baugh” in the Vokes Theater production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which is being directed by D Schweppe. Performances are every Thursday through Saturday beginning May 2nd through May 18th at 8 pm, with matinees on May 5th and 11th. For tickets call 508-358-4034.

Dave Sheppard is directing the Acme Theatre production of Butterflies are Free; the cast includes Gordon Ellis as Don Baker and Shana Dirik as Mrs. Baker. Production dates are April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 26, and 27. Call 978-823-0003 for tickets and information.

We are very sorry to learn of the death of long time Players member Bill Payne on March 21. Bill's wife, Jackie, passed away last June. We send condolences to his family. A memorial service will be held later this spring.

“If you believe that 'all the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players' then hopefully you agree that the Players are the thing that makes or breaks the stage!” This is Jean Devine's call to action: “To support CP's mission of delivering the highest quality theater to our community, we need more members to become more involved in behind-the-scenes activities. We welcome help on these committees: Membership/Volunteers; Marketing and Publicity; Finance; Computerization; Long-Range Planning; and Special Events. And for each play, we welcome help in: producing, stage managing, set design, sound, props, costumes, house, etc. The membership/volunteer committee is meeting on April 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the green room of 51 Walden. If you would like to join this or any group, if you have any ideas on building member involvement, or, if you want to bring your enthusiasm to a specific committee, please contact me (Jean Devine) at my work email: <jdevine@arqule.com>, or home telephone: 617-484-2802. We want you. Thanks!”

Please send your news to me at <sara@sb.org>, or to Sara Ballard, 34 Aurora Lane, Concord, MA 01742. The next newsletter deadline is April 19.