November Notes

The Dramatic News
Southern Colorado's theatre newsletter

Published in cooperation with
the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild
at www.pueblopag.org

Oct. 2006

Our motto: Have fun, or have fun trying, because you're paying the 19% interest anyway, right?

Dear Fellow Dramatic Types,

Much theatre info this month and little non-theatre time, so let's get to it. Read and enjoy.
----------------------------------------------------------
Remember Eli Cranson? Remember him as a funny guy, cool improve comedy actor and karaoke singer-with-no-fear-at-all who now works a job that won't let him come play theatre with us at night?

Well, you must now work "high school drama coach" into your descriptions of the previously-indescribable Dr. Eli. He is currently helping the kids at East High School in Pueblo do a show, having gotten the word from a friend and feeling at he could be of some service.

He says the show will be HERE COMES THE BRIDE and it will go up Nov. 9 and 10 at the school. He has little else to add yet, having just started, except.

"I like to eat shredded cheese with my bare hands... it makes me giggle..."

How true.
----------------------------------------------------------
And now, our Upcoming Stuff section...

SHOWS:
- A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, by the Impossible Players, Oct. 6-7 and 11-14 at the Impossible Playhouse at 1201 N. Main in Pueblo.
- SOUTH PACIFIC, by The Damon Runyon Repertory Theatre Company, at the Runyon Theater Oct. 13-15 and 20-22 at 6th and Main streets in Pueblo.
- THE OUTSIDERS, by the Steel City Theatre Company, Oct. 20-21, 26-28 and Nov. 2-4 in Hoag Theater at Pueblo Community College.
- I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, by the Rep at the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, Sept. 28 through the month of October.

AUDITIONS:
- Auditions Oct. 3 and 10 for Righteous Reign theatre group's Christmas pageant. Contact Amanda D. Swearingen at divamanager@hotmail.com.
- Auditions Oct. 2-3 at for Steel City group's production of NUNSENSE. Contact Joey Gonzales at joey_sctc@yahoo.com.
- Sept. 29, 30 and Oct. 1 for Fremont Civic Theater's LIFE IS SHORT, at 3 p.m. in the basement of Fremont Center for the Arts (515 Macon
Street, Canon City).

- Auditions Nov. 14 for Damon Runyon Rep. group at 6:00 p.m. in the Runyon Theater. Roles available in DYSKOLOS, MONSTER BASH, THE CLOCK STRIKES DEAD, and WIZARD OF OZ. "WIZARD auditions are for age 16 and older. Children will be auditioned at a later time."

OTHER:
- Impossible Players 40th annual banquet for members and the public,Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Rosario's in Pueblo. Features real and real silly awards. Contact Rick Mattoon at rickmattoon@lycos.com.
- Deadline for submitting short films and videos is Oct. 16 for the CHECK OUT MY SHORTS film festival, to be held Nov. 11 at the Life Sciences Auditorium at Colorado State University at Pueblo.

----------------------------------------------------------

And for a more extensive explanation of I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT.,we turn to Director Cory Moosman of Pueblo.

"Hello all! Okay, now I officially plug my next big project- I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. It's a great musical that...well, I'll let you read the description below. This is my first directing gig in Colorado Springs at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, and I'm very proud of what we've created. So please, everyone get out, get up, and see this show! It's a great evening of musical theatre, and I know you'll laugh yourself...um...well you get the idea. For ticket information, go to http://www.csfineartscenter.org/theatre.asp.

You can get all the info you need, as well as purchase tickets!
Anyway, here's the official blurb from the Fine Arts Center:

'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, September 29 - October 22, 2006 (Fri-Sat evenings, Sun matinees). The REP tackles the diverse moods and modes of romance, marriage, fidelity and infidelity in this widely acclaimed revue that has had audiences laughing and proposing in the aisles. This show, the longest running Off-Broadway revue in history, has garnered a host of awards including the 1997 William Inge Festival
Award for New Voices in American Theatre. Fresh and witty, this celebration of the mating game takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as "the relationship."'

Hope to see you all there! - Cory Moosman"

----------------------------------------------------------

The Damon Runyon group held its annual Annies Awards ceremony Sept. 23, and we are pleased to pass on the results. Scott Whited and Paulette Stuart both served as some of the several presenters, giving us awards for.

Direction - Rebecca J. Work (The Complete History of America (abridged))

Leading Actor - Brent Ritter (Most Happy Fella)

Leading Actress - Judith Cook (History of America.)

Supporting Actor - James Padilla (Arsenic and Old Lace)

Supporting Actress - Mary Alice Cowen (Arsenic and Old Lace)

Character Actor - Jack Gornick, Jr. (Arsenic and Old Lace)

Character Actress - Brianne Robles (Arsenic and Old Lace)

Best Male Vocalist - Jay Shannon

Best Female Vocalist - Jennifer Ritter AND Rebecca J. Work

Set - A Year with Frog and Toad - Justin Briggs

Light Design - Jesus Christ Superstar - Sean P. Briggs

Best Non-Musical - The Complete History of America (abridged)

Best Musical - Annie

Best Boy - Jared Padilla

Best Girl - Lindsay Moran

Pride Award for Excellence - Bette and Jim Lunn

Most Valuable Person - Bill "Bro" Setser

Life Time Achievement Award - Carol Cartmell, costume designer

Congratulations everyone.

----------------------------------------------------------

James Winget has announced dates for auditions and a $20 sword-fight workshop for TREASURE ISLAND.

He writes:

"Auditions for Treasure Island will take place Nov. 12 and 13 at 7pm each night. The auditions will be held at the Impossible Playhouse.
Full rehearsals will begin early March, 2007 and the show opens April 27, 2007

We are thinking outside of the box with Treasure Island. Most shows don't hold auditions until just before rehearsals begin, normally a couple of months before opening.

Treasure Island has many roles with special needs. Long John Silver must tie up a leg and still move smooth, we want to give the actor time
to build into this. Jim Hawkins is a big role with a lot of lines and action. The actor who plays this role will be young and likely in school. We want to give him the time to make this work with the typically busy life of a teenager. Other roles require swinging live steel around the stage. A little time spent learning how to do it means no real blood will appear in tonight's performance.

We will be reading for all roles, not just the special needs parts. We want to fully cast the show at this time. We have speaking roles for 12+ males and one female

Auditions are open to the community and all are welcome. Anyone interested in being part of the crew, stage crew that is, come on down and let us know. There are many positions open and we would love to see the techie types have their day. You know you've always wanted to be a
pirate. Live the dream.

Anyone with questions can contact James N. Winget at threeboar@aol.com. Use the subject line, "Treasure Info".

Next on the list of events comes the Treasure Island Stage Combat, basic swords, workshop and fundraiser.

The workshop will take place at the Impossible Playhouse on November 25, 2006, beginning at 9am and ending at 1pm. The workshop is chance to learn a new acting skill and to help bring Treasure Island to life. We are asking each participate for a $20 tax deductible donation to cover the costs of the workshop and help fund a great show.

The workshop will be taught by James N. Winget, Dale Shepherd and Craig Smith. These three have over 50 years of combined experience
working with swords, armor and live theatre. Learn how to safely use live steel on a stage.

The workshop is open to any interested performers. You do not need to audition for or even consider being in Treasure Island. Because space is tight we must limit the workshop to 10 participates.

We will fill the workshop on a first come first served basis. Reservations can be made by calling 542-4082. If there is enough interest we are will do a second workshop.

There are more special events in the planning stage, do you like rum? Pirates do. Keep a weather out for more Treasure Island information and be part of the fun.

Treasure Island, Action Adventure Pirates and Parrots"
----------------------------------------------------------
And Tanya Gatlin tells us from out Canon City way.

"Fremont Civic Theatre is holding auditions for LIFE IS SHORT by Craig Pospisil. The show consists of eight one act comedies directed by
Kathy Herrin. Auditions will be held September 29 at 7:00 pm, September 30 and October 1 at 3:00 pm. All auditions will be in the basement of Fremont Center for the Arts (515 Macon Street, Canon City).

The show will run two weekends. Opening weekend for the show are set for October 27and 28 at 7:00 pm and October 29 at 3:00 pm. The final weekend will be November 3 and 4 at 7:00 pm and November 5 at 3:00 pm. For more information, please call FCT at 275-8989 or visit their website at www.fremontcivictheatre.org."

----------------------------------------------------------

No, there's more! The Star Bar Players in Colorado Springs have a show going up soon, NIGHT AND HER STARS, at the Lon Chaney Theatre in downtown.

The show runs Oct. 13-14, 20- 22, 27-28 and Nov. 3, 5, 10-12.

Directed by Mark Hennessy, it is said by the Players to be "A scathing, ruthless exploration of avarice and the alarming fragility of human character in the face of temptation, the slimy underbelly of mass media and the soul-eroding nature of fame, profit and power. This beautifully written, piercing work is based on the real and shattering events surrounding the Congressional investigation of the explosive Quiz Show scandals of the 1950's.

Call 573-7411for more information or tickets.
----------------------------------------------------------

And we must report that Pueblo pro Kennedy Pugh is back on his feet and has left to start work on HOT MIKATO back east. He held a
birthday/hello/goodbye party Sept. 22 and looked well after exhaustion and a subsequent blood infection forced him to drop out at the last
minute from what ended up being a poorly-reviewed production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Carousel Dinner Theatre in Fort Collins.

But he recovered in time to get a role in the MIKATO production, which he might not have been able to participate in if he'd remained healthy in
SUPERSTAR, which closes tomorrow, Sept. 30, so there ya go. The MIKATO show runs till mid-November, he says. Strangely, he did not offer to fly any of us out to see it.

Best wishes, and let us know how it goes...

----------------------------------------------------------

Tom Massmann has started a new video production company, having left his previous company. He sends us all this.

"Award-winning local Producer / Director, Tom Massmann has left the helm of Reel Focus Productions to form Take 2 Entertainment, LLC. When asked why Massmann left the company that he co-founded three years ago, he stated that while he is proud to see his former company develop and have successes, and that "further creative growth opportunities and a chance to explore new production avenues that didn't necessarily come to fruition (with his former company), now exist with this move".

"While Take 2 Entertainment will spotlight its attention on creating original and innovative industrial videos and affordable, yet high quality radio and television commercials, it also plans to focus on the development of locally produced television shows and full length feature films. "This is the direction that Take 2 Entertainment, LLC plans on taking", says Massmann, "The talent in this town is as good as any I've seen anywhere. For years now, I've wanted to produce feature films and television projects here in Pueblo, using local talent and experienced local crew. Take 2 Entertainment, LLC and Pueblo's outstanding talent and production crews will be the catalysts for these projects to occur".

"Massmann has been in the film and video production business for over 25 years and has a well-rounded repertoire of production experience
ranging from film and television actor, writer, talent agent, and award-winning producer and director. He has memberships with the National Association of Television Production Executives, the Writer's Guild of America (West), and is a recognized producer with the Discovery Channel and PBS."
----------------------------------------------------------

And now, you may remember that we asked a while ago how YOU, our loyal and occasionally feisty reader, memorize your lines for a show. ..

"What's your favorite and/or best way to memorize lines for a show? We've heard of people using both electronic and just-paper-and-time methods, including...
(a) reading the script silently before bed, allowing it to silently infiltrate your mind,
(b) taping the cast read-through and then listening to that a whole bunch of times while you're driving sullenly to work,
(c) just taping the cue lines and leaving a blank space on the tape (or CD) for your line, and then rehearsing with the tape,
OR , (our years-long favorite)
(d) giving a friend or unlucky relative the script and just guessing at the lines again and again until (1) we learn them or (2) the friend or relative loses patience and tells us they have pressing business in Grand Junction."

Well, we got some local replies and want to share them.

JENN "Will Sing For Gas Money!" RITTER - "Hey James - Great question! My personal method is to tape both my cue lines AND my lines (in character, of course) and then listen to the tape ad nauseum in my car, 'cause that's where I spend almost all of my waking hours (and even a few of my sleeping ones!). This method will usually have me completely off-book in a matter of days."

KATHY "Kaydee On Stage!" JOHNSON - "I record the read-through or a very early rehearsal. Then I listen almost constantly from my Discman or my car player. I even bought a new digital recorder so I can edit and then burn to a CD......when I can, I read the script along with the recording to give my brain 2 kinds of input..."

LETA "Tickle Me!" LANGDON - "OK..... What I do is... Almost a combination of the above.... I usually look over the script before bed and sleep with it under my pillow after I learn most of the lines, that way I am easily able to wake up in the middle of the night and make sure I'm saying the lines right in my sleep. (yah, I'm a freak like that). I also have someone in the Familia run lines with me in the car, on the couch, on the porch, in the kitchen, while their sleeping.... (they get really annoyed with that one). But I go over certain sections at a time, and if I mess up, then I start that section over until it is alllllllllll perfect! I have in the past written my big monologues out over and over and over (not typing mind you)... But we all know I hate monologues like... I hate calories. And in certain plays I have used OTHERS recordings and listened to them in the car ... I am way too lazy to actually record the show myself.

There ya go."

AMANDA D. "For Drama!" SWEARINGEN - "umm yes all of the above.i also use a ball. i bounce the ball on the wall while saying my lines--not only does this get my lines memorized, but it helps with movement of the lines--such as i throw the ball harder when im angry--or slower when im
sad--etc. recording them is a great way, cause then u can listen while u do other stuff--the whole osmosis thing. trust me it works great.
taylor says reverse osmosis--he keeps the script as far away as he can until his mind taps into it--im not sure exactly how that works--talk to
him!!!!"

CATHY "Zookeeper? OK, Maybe I Am." SPANGLER - "I've tried all of them and after a while something works."

JOEY "Just J., For Efficiency!" GONZALES - Like most performers, I don't have any specific "technique" kind of a mixture of all. I'm really not into the whole "A" thing (just makes me sleepy, but good on a restless night). "B"ing it never works for me with dialog but highly effective with musical lyrics. Trying the "C" works well for me when I'm not multi-tasking (which is unusual). And I find that if "D" it with fam and friends, they end up learning the show better than I do and it gets way too distracting watching them mouth the dialog through the whole freaking show. I really like lighting a candle and meditating with the script in my lap until the information absorbs into my higher chakras. NEVER FAILS!"

RICK "I'll Raise You $47!" MATTOON - "I use a combination of methods 1 and 4. What I'm not good about is learning the cue lines, so frequently
during rehearsal I can be heard spouting out my next line any time there is a gap in the dialog, because I assume the lack of sound means I
should be giving my next line. During times I'm off stage I can be seen in the parking lot behind the theater wandering aimlessly reciting my
lines over and over because I memorize them better if I do it with the same volume and inflection I use on stage."

Us too, sir, us too. The neighbors can hardly wait for tech week.or closing.

Thanks to those that replied. Next month, or whenever we get to it, the best ways to publicize your show?...

----------------------------------------------------------
That's it again for this month. Send your own news, thoughts and photographic proof of scandalous indiscretions, yours or someone else's,
because we're a skeptical lot, to jamos@comcast.net.

Till next month - James Amos

Stories of September

The Dramatic News
Southern Colorado's theatre newsletter

Published in cooperation with
the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild
at www.pueblopag.org

Sept. 2006

Our motto: We know that watching 'Flav 2' may be a tick mark against our souls, but we live on in the hope that maybe, through struggle and earnest goodwill, we can make up for it a little by recycling newspapers or something.


Dear Fellow Dramatic Types,


This month we present both the latest in area theatre news and a request for you, our Faithful-And-May-We-Also-Say-Piercingly-Astute Reader.

We are asking, how you memorize your lines for a play or musical? To find out, we started the ball rolling by sending some folks the following survey:


"What's your favorite and/or best way to memorize lines for a show? We've heard of people using both electronic and just-paper-and-time methods, including...
(a) reading the script silently before bed, allowing it to silently infiltrate your mind,
(b) taping the cast read-through and then listening to that a whole bunch of times while you're driving sullenly to work,
(c) just taping the cue lines and leaving a blank space on the tape (or CD) for your line, and then rehearsing with the tape,
OR , (our years-long favorite)
(d) giving a friend or unlucky relative the script and just guessing at the lines again and again until (1) we learn them or (2) the friend or relative loses patience and tells us they have pressing business in Grand Junction."

So what do you do? If you have a better idea, or a worse one, send it in for publication next month, cause it'll be informative either way, no?

And now, on to the news. Read and enjoy.

----------------------------------------------------------
The show that refuses to die, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, is happily in rehearsal at the Impossible Playhouse at 1201 N. Main in Pueblo.

Postponed from last spring, and now with a mix of old and new cast members, the show remains under the direction of Kennette Oldham. The
assistant director remains Marv Hays, and the producer is Laurel Wright.

The show is scheduled for Oct. 6-7 and 11-14, and by gummy it'll go off, all involved say, if we have to do it with sock puppets. But sadly,
or non-sadly, depending on your perspective, it does not appear the sock puppets will be needed, because the humans are in fine shape.

Oldham updates us thusly.

"So you want to know what's new with Forum. We are having a blast. I have the best cast a director could want. Everyone is too funny, and
very talented. I sometimes wonder why I'm there. Marv and I have been laughing since day one. We have decided to go with a small quartet for
our instrumental music. It won't overwhelm the theater, and will be more cost effective. We got the idea from (Steel City Theatre Company).
Thanks Cory for all your help in leading us in the right direction. Jill Townsend is our music director and she is key to our musical's success.
Leta Langdon is doing our choreography, and it's a good thing because I don't know nothin about no choreography. So make sure you all come join in our fun."

OK, so who's in the show now? A fair question, and one Oldham answers this way:

"Pseudolus: James Amos
Hysterium: Clay Fitzsimmons
Domina: Heather Thompson
Senex: Jim Ripperger
Hero: Chris Weidner
Philia: Jenni Barrett
Milo: Wesley Bennett
Marcus Lycus: T.J. Cordova
Proteans: Kay Dee Johnson, Jill Mattoon, Geneva Mattoon
Courtesans: Tamara Trujillo, Tracy Gardner, Jamie Fiedeldey,

Leta Langdon, Alicia Croshal, Sarah Gilbert.

----------------------------------------------------------

The Damon Runyon Reparatory Theatre Company also are working on a show, rehearsing SOUTH PACIFIC over at the Runyon Theater at Sixth and Main Streets.

Cathy Spangler, chief of doing lots of stuff there, says the cast is:

"Nellie" - Rebecca Work
"Emile" - Brent Ritter
"Cable" - Scott Young
"Bloody Mary" - Judith Cook
"Liat" - Alexis Catalano
"Billis" - Bradley K. Ritter
"And a cast of thousands, or at least a couple dozen more," Spangler adds.

The show goes up Oct. 13-15 and 20-22. with evening and some matinee performances.

----------------------------------------------------------

The Runyon group also will present two reader's theater performances Sept. 29 and 30 at 7 p.m.

The show is called A SLIGHT CASE OF MURDER and will feature DRR actors reading from the script.

----------------------------------------------------------

And the folks at the Steel City Theatre Company are in rehearsals too, preparing THE OUTSIDERS, a play being produced in conjunction with
the Pueblo City-County Library District for the All Pueblo Reads program.

No cast list was available for the show, which goes up Oct. 20-21, 26-28 and Nov. 2-4 in Hoag Theater at Pueblo Community College.

Co-directing are Jean Fish-Davis of PCC and Cory Moosman.

----------------------------------------------------------

This brings us to the fact that a few of our own Pueblo folks are working out of town right now. Two of them, Joey Gonzales And Cory
Moosman are involved with I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE at the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs.

Moosman directs the show and Gonzales has one of the four principal parts.

When we asked what it's like, Gonzales wrote back to us, saying .

"I can't tell you how excited I am to be a part of (the show). Regretfully, it did mean that I could not accept the role of "Hero" in FORUM with the Imps. A sad sacrifice, but the monetary compensation and a chance to show "The Springs" what an average Joe from Pueblo can do, makes it all worth while.

"For those not familiar with the show, it is an anthology of male-female relationships comprised of comedic skits and energetic musical numbers. I play everything from a overly-cautious-about-sex young man to an eagerly flirtatious older gentleman.

"The best thing is that I get to work with one of my best friends, Cory, who is directing the show. Since our first show together ten years
ago a reviewer stated that we'd definitely go places together. Who'd have thought how right he was.

"The show opens on September 28th and plays through the month of October. It would be great to see friendly familiar faces out there."

----------------------------------------------------------

Our other traveling Pueblo professional, at least as far as we know, is Tiana Woodruff. She's working in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Carousel Dinner Theatre in Fort Collins.

We asked how it's going, and if she's getting paid, and she writes.

"The show is going great. We are doing JCS with a cast of 15, unheard of yes, but a fun challenge none the less. I am an ensemble
member but as the cast is small. I have 5 costume changes and am basically everything including one of the "Supreme Like Soul Girls" as
John Moore from the Denver Post put it. The show Dates are Aug. through Sept. 30th (7 week run). We do 4 shows a week Thursday-Sunday and are moving to 5. We've added a Saturday matinee due to demand...awesome huh. I am loving it. And yes I am getting paid. $50 a show in fact and because it is Dinner theatre actors have the choice of waiting tables which is awesome because the patrons love it and tip well. I average $80 a night in tips so as you can see with my show money and tips I am doing quite well for only having to work 4 day's a week and in a theatre it is so awesome. They are also putting me up too. It is a great gig. I encourage Puebloans to come and see a great show and the food is good too which is unheard of in dinner theatre."

For tickets, call 970-225-2555.

And "If you give my name tickets are $35.00( including dinner, show, dessert, soda, and gratuity), otherwise tickets are $39.00 and only
include dinner and show, everything else is extra. We are about sold so if anyone is planning on attending make reservations ASAP."

That's "Tiana Woodruff", your sister and mine when we call to make reservations, right?.

---------------------------------------------------------

Kennedy Pugh still continues to recover from health problems that halted him shortly before his opening in the same production of JESUS
CHRIST SUPERSTAR.

He is staying with relatives in the Denver area and his sister, Pat Pugh, citing the overwhelming number of calls from his Pueblo friends, said he is staying isolated in order to recover from the effects of exhaustion and a bout with a blood infection.

The Pueblo actor had recently been in THE FULL MONTY at the Arvada Center and toured with INTIMATE APPAREL. He also serves as co-artistic director and board member of the Steel City Theatre Company in Pueblo.

We wish him the best and hope to see him again soon.

----------------------------------------------------------

The Impossible Players will be having their 40th annual banquet Nov. 4 at Rosario's, with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

All former, current and even potential Imp members are invited. The membership plans to award the mostly-coveted Precious Pretzel awards and perhaps the even-more-coveted Impy Award.

The Pretzels are a delightful ceremony mixing the good, game and God-awful moments of the past year, immortalized with small hand-crafted
awards that you know NO ONE else on earth will have. So, good luck, Pretzel candidates.

----------------------------------------------------------

And the Runyon group has their awards gala coming up too, even sooner.

The Annies awards will be presented Sept. 23, with dessert at 6:30 p.m. and the ceremony at 7 p.m., at the Runyon Theater on Main Street.

Good luck nominees, especially those in line for the darned-coveted Spam awards, actual cans of Spam awarded for on-stage bravery and pluck, because they also make great conversation pieces.

----------------------------------------------------------

In another vein, the Imps want YOU to help out this next year. President Rick Mattoon says. "We are looking for a few good directors, Assistant Directors and Producers for next year's season."

This means you, folks, and do not let a lack of experience keep you from applying. All you need is the aforementioned pluck and the gritty
determination of someone who has been told in the past that they are full of gritty determination. It also can be fun!

Shows still needing directors during 2007 will be:

- COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN (Tryouts Jan 8 & 9; Performances February 23 thru March 3)
- CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Tryouts July 30 & 31; Performances September 14 thru 22)
- THE BUTLER DID IT (Tryouts Sept 24 & 25; Performances November 9 thru 17)

Contact Mattoon at rickmattoon@comcast.net if you're interested.

----------------------------------------------------------

And the Imps are not the only group looking for people interested in directing.

The Fremont Civic Theatre in Canon City held a director's training workshop on Saturday and has put the word out that folks interested in directing should contact them.

If you're intrigued, write to the group at theatre@ris.net.

----------------------------------------------------------

The first Imps show of 2007 is "up and running", according to it's chief, James Winget. The show is TREASURE ISLAND and will run April 27-
28 and May 2-5.

Winget happily tells us the following.

"Exciting things are happening everyday. My house is starting to look like an arsenal, full of swords, flintlock pistols and muskets. A childhood dream come true.

Of course swords are not toys. So we are planning a free, four-hour 'Use of the sword on stage' workshop and audition.

In addition the workshop will be an audition of sorts. We are hoping to find 4 to 8 actors who will form the core of the Treasure Island
fight scenes. This group will get together about once a month before the regular rehearsals begin in March. This will give us the time to work out some great fighting without giving up any day jobs.

We will also hold readings/auditions for two of the principal roles, Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins. We want to cast these roles early because both have some special needs. Young Jim has a lot of lines to learn, not easy for an adult actor let alone a young kid with all the
time pressures of modern life. Long John needs to learn to move about the stage like a bold sea lion with one leg missing. It's not as easy
as it seems.

If we don't find the people we want at this time we'll do it again until we do. We will still hold a general audition for all other roles sometime in March.

If a person wants to attend the workshop but isn't interested or able to do Treasure Island they will still be welcome."

The dates of those auditions are not set yet, Winget said.

"At the moment we can only provide tentative dates, there are a lot of great shows happening here in Pueblo and we want to work with them.
We are looking at the third week in October. We need to clear these dates with all the powers that be. As soon as we are firm on the dates
we will send out the information. If anyone has questions they are welcome to contact me by email, use the subject line Treasure Island, at
Threeboar@aol.com."

We asked Winget and his crew who is directing the show, and he said that (a) he doesn't want to say and (b) "Titles are so confining and most often don't really mean much."

"I believe to do a great show all you need to do is find talented people and let them do what they do best. Don't try to make someone fit
a standard title, make the title fit the person. With that in mind for the time being we won't be using the normal titles you find in programs.
We decided to use something a little different. Here's our production staff so far:

James N. Winget Admiral of the Fleet

Michael Lynch Fleet Commodore

Dawn Thompson Ship's Captain

Maurice Christophe Master Shipwright

Dale Shepherd Master of Arms

Alicia Croshal Master Sailmaker

T. J. Cordova Midshipman

Craig Smith Powder Monkey

"This is just the beginning," Winget said. "We have lots of berths to fill so if you are interested in signing on let us know. We will find the best place to use you and make up a title for you too."

----------------------------------------------------------

A film festival for anyone who's shot something interesting on film, videotape or digital media will be held Nov. 11 at Colorado State University at Pueblo.

The "Check Out My Shorts" Film Festival is open to anyone and the deadline for submissions is Oct. 16.

Submissions should be 20 minutes or shorter and must be submitted on DVD. Mail them to James Amos, 2400 West Street, Pueblo, CO, 81003, or write to jamos@comcast.net for more information.

Prizes include award plaques for Audience Choice and Judges Choice, as well and whatever silly categories arise in the meantime.

----------------------------------------------------------

Amanda D. Swearingen's faith-based theatre group, Righteous Reign will have auditions Oct. 3 and 10 for its Christmas pageant, she says.

"Some parts are already pre-cast, but there are plenty of parts left. It's a traditional Christmas story with live animals--2 sheep, 2 goats, and 2 very large camels!!!!

Hard to argue with that, no? Contact her at divamanager@hotmail.com for more information.

----------------------------------------------------------

And we hasten to mention that the InfoZone News Museum at the Rawlings Public Library in Pueblo will be showing two free movies this month.

They will be.

-"Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" on Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.

-"Curious George" on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.

You laugh, but it beats paying $3.95 somewhere without books on how to make old-style pine furniture, right?

----------------------------------------------------------

And there are more theater opportunities to come. Joey Gonzales tells us.

"Open audition dates for SCTC's "NUNSENSE" are tentatively scheduled for October 2nd and 3rd, 2006 beginning at 6:00pm. The cast is
comprised of five multi-talented ladies. The roles are open to all ages and ethnicities. "Triple Threats," are strongly encouraged to audition.

Those interested should bring a recent headshot and resume. Aspiring sisters should also prepare a one minute comedic monologue and sixteen bars of any song. Arriving ten to fifteen minutes to complete the proper paper work is advised."

----------------------------------------------------------

OK, so how do you memorize your lines for a play or musical?

We've always gotten by on the say-them-aloud-a-million-times-with-or-without-whoever-can-stand-to-practice-with-us school of thought. But, being the curious type, we wondered how everyone else does it.

So we ask you, the Savy-And-Darned-Fetching-In-Whatever-Autumn-Colors-You-Happen-To-Be-Wearing-Right-Now Reader, to write to us for next month's newsletter with your own techniques.

Tell us (a) how you memorize your lines, (b) how long it takes you and (c) how not to tick off the people next door to your paper-thin-walled apartment.

And to start the debate off in style, we asked our classmates at this summer's Second City improv and comedy writing classes in Chicago,
hoping for wisdom because of their varied and gifted and mostly-non-felony backgrounds. Darned funny people, and with the delightfully tilted personalities to match, here are their answers...



ALEX PEREZ - "I'm currently in a production of "MacBird" at American Century Theater in (Washington) DC. Well, I tend to just read aloud the lines and repeat to learn my lines. Also it helps to understand the scene (the before and after, what you are trying to accomplish within the scene, and what you trying to get from the other character in that particular scene). I also have done the whole recording the other dialog
and responding to cue lines in scenes that involve back and forth dialog with two or more characters. Hope that was helpful and break a leg with
your current project."





YVONNE GALMICHE - "Hey James...Well, there are a few different factors that play into how I get my lines down. Usually, if my character intentions and journey are strong enough within the scene work, the lines will come pretty naturally, but perfection is key when it comes to memorization, so for those long chunks of text or monologues I use good old fashioned repetition. I fold a piece of paper in half and move it down the page as I read. I cover up my line with the paper so I have to figure it out on my own. Eventually, I have to "cheat" less and less and then not at all! Having someone to look on for me while I try to stumble through usually helps a lot too because it's a closer simulation to being with your scene partner. I always make sure to practice the lines with as little inflection as possible to avoid getting stuck in a mechanical reading when I'm on stage. Best of luck! Hope this helps."



SARAH KALLAIL - "I take one line at a time, when I have one down, I go to the next. Then after about a page or I do the whole bit."



JOCELYN RANNE - "I just run through it with whoever's in the scene with me over and over until it becomes like a song almost, or a chant. repetition I guess. Let me know if you discover anything else!"



DAN LIPPERT - "Hey james. Usually I do it scene by scene, just reading over the scene, then just reading the cue lines and covering up
my lines. I find it's easiest to memorize after actually having read through the scene several times with another actor and then trying to memorize.

"I also had a professor suggest an interesting idea. He takes his lines, for example, 'to be or not to be, that is the question' and writes out the first letter of each word. So it would be tbontbtitq. And one by one, he replaces the letter with the word it stands for. so, 'to bontbtitq' then, 'to be ontbtitq'...etc... I've never tried it but found that interesting. anyways, hope all is well and keep in touch."



MISTI BOETTIGER - "Hey James, One of the methods I use that really works for me--but is a little tedious--is to write the entire script out as a monologue. I tape copies of it around my house so I can just look over it when I'm doing my everyday stuff. I leave out punctuation so I can memorize it without any pre-conceived notions of how the character should be played and I usually find interesting ways of saying things without the punctuation. I thought that by memorizing it as a monologue I would have no idea when the other person would say their line. But I found that instinctually I usually know when the other person speaks.

"When I have bits and pieces of the monologue memorized, or even if I don't, I type out the monologue, or as much as I can, line by line. I type the first line a couple of times until I have it down cold and then the first line and the second line. Then the first, second and third and so on.

"Then I go back over what I've typed and make a note of what words I missed, which parts I paraphrased. I retype it correctly and think about
why the words the author chose are important and how they work better than my own and what they say about the character.

"By this point I know it well enough to just type it over and over. I tell myself to type out the script for an hour. And I try to do that every day.

"And, yes I do lie in bed and go over the text. I'm usually asleep within 10 minutes. But I'm sure those ten minutes of lines sink into some strange part of my subconscious and make it worthwhile.

"What do you do to prepare for an audition? That's what I'm struggling with at the moment....Cheers!"



STEVE LUCERO - "For me, just doing the scene/play/lines is the best way to learn. It's like anything else you just need to do it to learn it. If I do a scene like 4 times I'll generally have the lines in my head." - Steve Lucero



LEAH SEGAL said she uses an unusual technique. She memorizes the words one at a time, repeating the sentence as far as she's memorized it.

"So if the line was "come on let's go", I would say..
come
come on
come let's
come on let's go
Make sense? And I do that for every line I have."



Interesting people, huh? And you haven't even seen them mime anything yet.

So what do the rest of you do? Write it in an email and send it to jamos@comcast.net, and we'll report the results next month.

----------------------------------------------------------

That's it for now. Mail your news, updates, complaints, show gossip, personal clarifications and theatre-related haiku to jamos@chieftain.com.

Till next month - James Amos

Anecdotes of August

The Dramatic News
Southern Colorado's theatre newsletter

Published in cooperation with
the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild
at www.pueblopag.org

Aug. 2006

Our motto: There must be a reason to go on, now that Tina Fey has left the Saturday Night Live news, but we cannot, immediately, think of what it might be.


Dear Fellow Dramatic Types,
So what the heck is going on in theatre in our neck of the woods?
We didn't know either, so we asked around and the result is this month's installment of the newsletter, sans misspellings and grammar errors, save for those that give it kind of a cool feel when you read it aloud.
We also asked theatre leaders and shakers what they thought of the recent "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Sequel", and summer movie-going in general, like this:

"Dear Theatre Folks,
1) What is your favorite movie this summer?
(a) "Candy From Strangers"
(b) "Superman"
(c) The unfortunate pirate movie that inhabits the now-ill-fitting robes of what was a great movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean".
(d) (type your answer here please)

2) Your feelings about "Dead Man's Chest" can be best summarized by which following phrase?
(a) "Well, golly, they sure did try hard!"
(b) "At least I got to watch Johnny Depp for a while, I guess..."
(c) "The Special effects were a 9, plot was a 2.1, crime against what was a good movie was a 10."
(d) (type your feelings here)

3) If I were King or Queen of The World, I would put the following movie in the theatres and let everyone come see it for free ...
(a) (type your choice here).

4) And, because I would be All-Powerful, I would put the following snacks and drinks at the concession stand, for just 25 cents each:
(a) Blue Moon beer, salt & vinegar potato chips and Junior Mints!
(b) Coca-Cola, green olives and beef jerky, the real kind!
(c) Low-calorie rice cakes, celery sticks, and ... pork chops!
(d) (type your answer here).

Yours, With A Tongue Scarred & Re-Scarred By Too Many Salty Snacks, But Unrepentant Nonetheless - james"

Witty discourse among like-minded folks? Or a dreadful waste of the technological advances of the Internet? Only you, our Faithful and Stunning-In-Whatever-You're Wearing-Right-Now Reader, can decide.
So, set the TiVo to "Vacuum up and record all traces of Mike Rowe", and let's get started.
----------------------------------------------------------
I HATE HAMLET opens tonight (Friday) at the Impossible Playhouse at 1201 N. Main in Pueblo. The show, directed and produced by Lara Hays, runs Friday and Saturday this weekend and Wednesday-Saturday of next weekend. And it includes in the cast: Josh Cordova, Jamie Fiedeldey, Marlo Angel-Hartman, Kathy "Kaydee" Johnson, Dale Shepard and Marvin Hays.
It also takes place on a sweet, sweet set by Maurice J. Christophe, which looks darn cool and costs approximately 1/100th of what you might have thought.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Imps also will hold supplemental auditions Monday and Tuesday night at 7 p.m. for their next show, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.
The show, postponed from last spring, now has openings in some roles and Director Kennette Oldham says she will fill them and get to work for the show's run dates of Oct. 6-7 and 11-14.
Oldham says, "We have many of our cast returning. Colorado State University at Pueblo students will be orchestra members. The parts needed are Hero, the young son who is to stay away from girls; Hysterium, slave in charge of running the household while the master is away; Courteseans, Roman ladies of the evening who look pretty and somewhat empty headed; Proteans, who are very versatile and have many talents, including juggling. No previous experience required."
And, she says, in an efficient summary of the summer movie survey, "I think 'Cars' was the best movie. 'Dead Man's Chest' was not bad. Of course we have to watch the sequel now don't we?"
And that's just what they'd LIKE us to think, isn't it?...
----------------------------------------------------------
The Steel City Theatre Company recently finished auditions for THE OUTSIDERS, a play it is producing in conjunction with the Pueblo City-County Library District Oct. 20-21, 26-28 Nov. 2-4.
The cast list for the play, based on the S.E. Hinton novel of the same name, isn't yet complete, but will be forthcoming soon.
Joey Gonzales, SCTC's director in charge of saying stuff to the public, said the show also is a collaboration with Pueblo Community College as well as the library district and will be performed at the Hoag Theater on the PCC campus.
And Gonzales reminds all of us who read the novel about 1,000 years ago what it's about: "Hinton wrote this modern classic when she was 16 years old. This incredible adaptation by Christopher Sergel deals with real people, seen through the eyes of young Ponyboy, a Greaser on the wrong side of life, caught up in territorial battles between the have-it-made rich kids-the Socs-and his tough, underprivileged "greaser"
family and friends. This is a play about young people who haven't given up hope in the midst of class struggle."
Stay tuned.
----------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of SCTC and Gonzales, he will be directing the company's next show, NUNSENSE, Dec. 14-16.
Auditions may be held in October, but watch later for details. Gonzales has directed the popular show once before and expects it to do well.
" The show is an ensemble of five actresses who are literally "triple threats" (act/sing/dance) who are not afraid to adorn a habit.( ha ha )," he says, "I will send more information as I get confirmation" on the audition dates.
----------------------------------------------------------
And should you have had the poor taste not to attend, we bring you the results of the Pueblo Chieftain's Critics' Choice awards, handed out Tuesday night at the Colorado Creative Center. The nominees were selected by Chieftain reviewers Pierre Kenyon, Joanne Dodds, Scott Whited and Christian Piatt, and selected by votes from everyone and their brother who could lay hands on an Internet-connected PC, about
1,000 in total.
And the winners were:
. Best Leading Male Performer - Cory Moosman, for his role as Oscar in THE ODD COUPLE, produced by the Impossible Players. Moosman said he thanked and shared credit for the award with his co-star, James Asbury, who played Felix. Moosman, who also will be directing plays for two Colorado Springs companies, said the show wouldn't have been possible without Asbury, nor would their backstage necking. Asbury was unable to attend and verify the claim.
. Best Leading Female Performer - Patti Gallagher, for her work in the show produced by her, her husband, Ed, and what is now the Steel City Theatre Company, "MUSICAL NOTES WITH PATTI GALLAGHER." Gallagher, accomplished singer, actress and Ms. Senior America 2000, said she was thrilled to have such a warm reception in Pueblo in the mere year and a half she and Ed have been back in town.
. Best Overall Show - TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD by the-then Southern
Colorado Theatre Company, Impossible Players and the Pueblo City-County Library District, directed by Moosman.
. Best Supporting Actress - Amanda D. Swearingen for MOCKINGBIRD. Swearingen said she wasn't sure anyone would like her character, and heck, she didn't even like the character, but apparently it worked out Ok.
. Best Supporting Actor - David J. McNeilly for MOCKINGBIRD.
. Best Directing - Cory Moosman for MOCKINGBIRD.
. Best Technical work - Ed Gallagher for set design and Dawn Thompson for costumes in MOCKINGBIRD. Gallagher said he was grateful that someone pronounced his name right, unlike when he won an Emmy for set design in 2001.
. Best Juvenile Performance - McIan Amos for MOCKINGBIRD. Amos could not attend, due to dental surgery and subsequent drug-inducted loopiness, but sent word that he was appreciative and said later he truly liked the Latka-designed award and so probably wouldn't sell it on eBay, or at least for quite some time.
. Best Children's Production - Sangre de Cristo Ballet for THE NUTCRACKER.
. Best Collaboration Or Ensemble Cast - BEATHOVEN'S NINTH by the Pueblo Symphony, Pueblo Choral Society, Pueblo Children's Chorale, Colorado State University-Pueblo Choir.
. Best Musical Performance - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by the School District 60 and Pueblo Parks and Recreation Department.
. Best Publicity Campaign/Programs - Pueblo Symphony.
. "Angel Of The Year" Award - Beverly Moore, who was honored for not only attending plays put on by ALL THREE theatrical companies in town, but also going to all the city's children's productions, symphony and musical performances and dance performances. Heck, as friend Pam Kramer said, she even goes to rehearsals.
Moore, a board member at the Damon Runyon Rep. theatre company, also has donated financially to many of Pueblo's performing groups.
The winners received plaques made by Pueblo artist Jean Latka, and the envy and congratulations of their performing peers.
Till next year.
----------------------------------------------------------
Remember Vaughn Walker?
Well, you have to. A terrific actor and someone so nice that any of us who worked with him know that (a) we fell in deep 'like' with him and (b) he's so darn cool that we're not even ashamed to admit it.
But Vaughn has left us, seeking his fortune in Chicago. We asked him for an update and he supplied this.
"Dear Friends, Acquaintances, Brothers, Fellow Thespians, Musicians, Drunkards, Enemies, and the guy who asks for money on the corner of highway 50 and Elizabeth."
God he's cute, no?
"I wanted to say, without any prompting from James Amos, hello and best wishes from Chicago. . I apologize for not saying formal good-byes to all of you who are so close and dear to my heart, but I also know that given enough time I might have crumbled emotionally and would not have left at all."
"I did not get the initial PBS Kids host position, but (more shows are to be cast soon) and . PBS has granted me 500 dollars to assist in the building of my studio. Joel Shefflet (former sax player from Tri-Umph Jazz Band) has developed the first internet-based private lessons studio (yes 1st in the country) and he has asked me to be one of the educators. This is what PBS is helping me build for the time being.
I am also doing grant research to build "Walker Studios" where original Classical, Jazz, and Brass Band/Ensemble/Choir compositions will be available for Sale."
Also, " I have made several contacts to build another Jazz combo, and that group could be playing as early as September, playing old charts, newly arranged and new composed charts."
"I am living with Andrea Cranson and we have re-kindled a very fulfilling and loving relationship, and things are going wonderfully. I miss all of you and wish all of you the best."
You can contact him at BRASSMAN69@hotmail.com or, if you're into the old-fashioned stuff, 2071 N. Leavitt 1R Chicago IL. 60647 .
----------------------------------------------------------
We turn now to Colorado Springs and auditions for PHAEDRA'S LOVE, a play being produced by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and directed by TK "But If You Really Want Her Attention, Say 'Laura'" Timm-Kreitzer.
Auditions are Aug. 23-25 from 4-6 p.m. in the Osborn Theater, which she runs, or by appointment with her, a subject about which we have already joked, and thus must resist the urge to joke again.
Email her at phaedraslove@hotmail.com to get a link to a copy of the script, because she says you'll want to know what you're getting into.
(Insert second joke here)
"Oh, and I'm looking for all different ages (gotta sucker two little kids with open minded parents to participate in the last scene), but mostly an older woman and a crazy old guy that's willing to do some, um, things., so I recommend requesting the script."
Did we not tell you?
"Rehearsal will start ASAP meaning the end of Aug, and the show goes up on Oct. 28th. It's a two week run and a very limited audience space cuz I'm gonna make everyone feel claustrophobic. You F-ing better get your ass over to see it James!!!!"
And we f***ing well will!
TK was nice enough to respond our summer movie survey, and answered thusly.

1) What is your favorite movie this summer?
(d) I haven't had much time for movies.. but "Clerks II" was pretty F-ing funny.

2) Your feelings about "Dead Man's Chest" can be best summarized by which following phrase?
(c) "The Special effects were a 9, plot was a 2.1, crime against what was a good movie was a 10." because I don't know about you but I felt like I just wasted my money considering nothing really happened, except this ridiculous feeling that I just HAVE TO find out what happens in the next one and waste my money again."

3) If I were King or Queen of The World, I would put the following movie in the theatres and let everyone come see it for free ...
(a) O-O-O, I know, I'd force people to watch all my friends' little movies, that are some day gonna be their gateway to get success (F all these stupid let's-spend-billions-on-a-dumb-plot business)

4) And, because I would be All-Powerful, I would put the following snacks and drinks at the concession stand, for just 25 cents each:
(d) "It's a HUGE toss-up between a and b because damn if I'm all-powerful I would want all that yummy (stuff)! (a) Blue Moon beer,salt & vinegar potato chips and Junior Mints! (b) Coca-Cola, green olives and beef jerky, the real kind!"

Well answered.
----------------------------------------------------------
And also from Colorado Springs, Jillmarie Peterson of the Star Bar Players says they too will be having auditions soon.
Not having been sent the movie survey, she was unable to respond to it, and we at the Dramatic News take all the blame for that, dramatically.
But, asked about what's going on in Star Bar Players land, she wrote, "Auditions for NIGHT AND HER STARS by Richard Greenberg will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19 and 20 from 1-4 p.m. Callbacks to follow on Monday the 21st. Parts available for 2 women to play early 20s to mid-thirties and at least 5 men (possibly 7), ages 21-65."
And, "All auditions will be held at Community Prep School, 332 E Willamette Ave. in the gym. Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Please bring headshot and resume if possible. Call 573-7411 for more information."
---------------------------------------------------------
And what about at the Damon Runyon Repertory Theater Company at 6th and Main in Pueblo?
Cathy Spangler, that company's director in charge telling us and the public stuff, says "Hi James. The only thing we having coming up are auditions August 15 at 6 p.m. in the theater for SOUTH PACIFIC. Actors\singers are needed for all roles, including two children (dark haired and dark eyed) who are or look to be between the ages of 8-10 for the boy, 6-10 for the girl."
Spangler says she's been a little too busy to see "Dead Man's Chest," a financial and time savings for which we must envy her.
"Movies?" she says. "What are those?"
Ah, ignorance is truly bliss. Except for "Miami Vice", we don't know yet.
----------------------------------------------------------
Another SCTC enterprise, the BEULAH SUMMER MELODRAMA will have its last show dates this weekend, Friday to Sunday nights.
Co-Director Geoffrey Simmons has happened on a way to get the cast to pay up for their snacks and drinks during the previous weekend. "If all tabs are paid, I will buy your desired snackage during Sunday's performance," he recently told the cast, continuing the Geoffrey Simmons Legacy Of Olympic Generosity In Snackery.
And, on a completely unrelated note about the cast party, he says "as a patron Sunday night remarked about how much heavier I am since they last saw me, I will not be wearing my Mark Spitz Olympic Speed Racer Speedo to the swim party. Instead I will be wearing some kind of Shamu the Killer Whale sized rig. *sigh*"
How many other bosses would give like that, mm? Exactly!
----------------------------------------------------------
And we are asked to pass on that the release party for Robert Brown's double blues CD, "Satan's Preacher Man" will be Saturday. Contact him at rbrown@satanspreacherman.com for details and information on (a) the freakin' party! and (b) buying the $20 disc set.
Performing on the CD are Brown and Brent Ritter, Jennifer Ritter, Amanda D. Swearingen, Rebecca J. Work, Rick Terlep, Richard M. Holmes and Pueblo voodoo poetry regular Tony Moffeit.
----------------------------------------------------------
Anyone else? Why yes!
Imps President Rick Mattoon responded to the movie survey as follows.

1) What is your favorite movie this summer?
(d) Oh, you know, that one, the romantic comedy, you know, with they famous stars in it, come on, the main characters have all these relationship problems, you know, and they all solve them by the end of the movie and learn a valuable life lesson. That one.

2) Your feelings about "Dead Man's Chest" can be best summarized by which following phrase?
(d) I hear they added Capt. Jack Sparrow to the ride in Disneyland.

3) If I were King or Queen of The World, I would put the following movie in the theatres and let everyone come see it for free ...
(a) "Brazil" because if I were King of the world, Terry Gilliam would be God and Robert DeNiro would fix all your problems.

4) And, because I would be All-Powerful, I would put the following snacks and drinks at the concession stand, for just 25 cents each:
(d) Number (b), but lose the green olives - they aren't worth $.25.

Ok, we can't go with him on the olives. But maybe if Robert DeNiro visits our creditors first.
----------------------------------------------------------
And we have an update from Amanda Gonzales' faith-based acting group, Righteous Reign Christmas Drama Ministry.
The group performed a Shakespeare-based dinner theater act in July (and made money at it too) and is now taking August off, she says. Then in September, the group will hold a dinner theater performance Sept. 17, which she says will be "a guy that uses clowning for his ministry--its sounds kewl--i will get u info as soon as possible--we are calling it-"clowning around in september"."
Catchy.
Otherwise, you can catch her singing karaoke Wednesdays at Parises, and casting looks askance at you if you do not come.
Intrepid singers, be brave.
----------------------------------------------------------
And finally, we have another survey answer from Tracey Mattoon (sister of Rick, daughter of Bill, purveyor of mixing Minute Rice with sugar and cinnamon, which is actually pretty good), blended freely with some info about a free foreign film being over at the InfoZone at the Rawlings Public Library.
First, the Independent Film series movie info: The film will be "Hawaii, Oslo", a Norwegian Drama on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. which Mattoon describes it like this. "'Hawaii, Oslo' is the story of several strangers who cross each other's paths in Oslo on the hottest day of the year. A male nurse believes he can sense the future (as long as he's asleep), while a suicidal former pop star pines for the past. "Hawaii" is the local bar where two long-lost lovers wear to meet to fulfill their childhood promise, and a grief-stricken couple hopes to make a desperate trip to the U.S. for an experimental operation to save their child's life."
And now her oddly-relevant survey answers.

1) What is your favorite movie this summer?
(d) "Agata and the Storm," recently show at the InfoZone News Museum's independent film night. A romantic comedy from Italy -- had some racy scenes.

2) Your feelings about "Dead Man's Chest" can be best summarized by which following phrase?
(d) "Well, golly, I guess I'll just have to wait and see it on video like I did the 'Pirates' movie, because the only movies I've seen recently in the theatre have been features at the InfoZone."

3) If I were King or Queen of The World, I would put the following movie in the theatres and let everyone come see it for free ...
(a) "Hawaii, Oslo" - the upcoming Independent film feature at the InfoZone...Oh wait, people can see it FREE on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. How's that for a shameless plug?

Not bad.

4) And, because I would be All-Powerful, I would put the following snacks and drinks at the concession stand, for just 25 cents each:
(d) Decaf coffee and cookies -- always served at the InfoZone's Independent Film nights. Are you starting to see a theme developing here?

Why yes, yes we are.
----------------------------------------------------------
That's it again for this month. Send requests to be added to the mailing list, news, or complaints about your co-stars' idiotic vocal warm-ups to us at jamos@chieftain.com.

Till next month - James Amos

July Jumble

The Dramatic News
Pueblo's theatre newsletter

Published in cooperation with
the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild
at www.pueblopag.org

July, 2006


Our motto: May you live in interesting times, and may you have a good Internet connection to write about them, and to research the consequent antibiotics.


Dear Fellow Dramatic Types,

Welcome again, Beautiful Reader, to this month’s installment of the best and most up-to-date theatre news in what we hazily define as at least a chunk of Southern Colorado
This month we bring to you, The Did-We-Mention-Your-Volumunous-And-Yet-Tastefully-Rendered-Beauty? Reader, a bunch of theatre dates, some audition notices, two ridiculously unnecessary questionnaires, an update on a Pueblo theatre friend AND some bits from MySpace, where non sequiturs are de rigueur.
So grab a Gatorade, cause it’s muggy out, sit down and enjoy…
----------------------------------------------------------
Where to begin? How about with opportunity?
TK, also known as Laura Timm-Kreitzer, is holding auditions for her University of Colorado at Colorado Springs production of PHAEDRA’S LOVE next week, July 13-15.
Try-outs are 3-8pm (or by appointment, she says, with no discernable wink) in the Osborne Theatre in University Hall.
Director TK says she yearns for two men and two women to play in “a modern reworking of the classical Phaedra myth (which) is a brutal and harrowing exposure of love at its most impure and dangerous.”
She warns, or teases, depending on your tastes… “Note: This play explores mature sexual themes, and contains graphic language and violence. The full script is available for download online at http://www.mysharefile.com/v/1556708/phaedra_s_love_script.pdf”
Also… “Rehearsals will begin at the end of August and show dates begin on October 29th. Questions, comments or to arrange specific appointment times please contact the director, TK, at tekaye56@hotmail.com or 505- 550-0710, or contact the A.D., Mark at 719-331-0966. “
OK, you’ve been warned…
----------------------------------------------------------
Also coming up real soon is (OK, Friday) is the opening of THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED) at Damon Runyon Reparatory Theater at 6th and Main in Pueblo.
The show, directed by Becca Work-Briggs, was written, she says, by the same persons who created THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) and the dramatic types at DRR promise that the America version is just as funny, or more.
It stars Judith Cook, James Padilla and Brett Ritter. And DRR Manager Pam Kramer describes the show as “political satire and slapstick comedy vaguely disguised as a history lesson. We could say that, regardless of your political persuasion, it's guaranteed to offend-but only if it will help sell tickets.”
Also, she notes “Judy says that if you don't come see this, she may never let you see her underwear again.”
A well-crafted argument, no?
The show plays Friday and Saturday nights and July 14 and 15. DRR Producer Cathy Spangler says the last weekend shows will include some home-grown comedy in order to raise money for Padilla’s upcoming trip to study in New York.
----------------------------------------------------------
And there’s more opportunity just after the weekend. The former Southern Colorado Theater Company, now the Steel City Theatre Company, will hold auditions one day only on Monday, July 10, for parts in THE OUTSIDERS.
The play is being produced in October as part of the All Pueblo Reads initiative by the Pueblo library district, according to Kennedy Pugh, SCTC’s general manager, he swears. It’s also being produced with Pueblo Community College.
Auditions will start at “5:30 p.m. in Room 214 of the San Juan Building on the PCC campus,” Pugh writes. “Parts are available for 12 men and six women, ages 13 and up, and technical assistance also is needed. College credit is available. For more information call 549-3387.”
The show dates are reportedly in October.
Finally, a show in which the cast gifts could be switchblades!…
----------------------------------------------------------
Remember the Picketwire Theater? Remember how it’s in La Junta, surrounded by cactus and cattle, removed from any other theater except for the nearby community college and whatever Eli Cranson does at the Loaf’N Jug when he drives through to visit?
Well, they’re having a melodrama soon, DEADWOOD DICK: OR, THE GAME OF GOLD, directed by Ken “First: Build. Second: Ask Permission” Schroll and George “Yes, I Have A Funny Accent For That” Larsen and it goes up July 20-22 and 27-29.
The show includes Lynne “No Darling, We Act WITHOUT Constantly Sighing Aloud” Niston, Joe Trainor and Scott Goheen and curtain is 7:30 p.m. all nights.
Now repeat after us, “I want to drive to La Junta… I want to drive to La Junta… I know it’ll be worth it because I’ll probably pull something laughing and then I won’t have to go to work Monday…” Good…
----------------------------------------------------------
And speaking of July 20-22, the folks at the aforementioned Steel City Theatre Company will unleash … STEEL CITY BROADWAY (note the clever repetition of the company’s brand identity!) on those evenings, singing selections from a number of Broadways shows.
Kennedy Pugh says the shows includes songs from “THE PRODUCERS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, GUYS & DOLLS, INTO THE WOODS, and THE FULL MONTY, just to name a few. You won't want to miss this musical extravaganza.”
The cast includes: Joey ( Just J) Gonzales, Greta “Salute Harder!” Sodaman, Chris “Thank God I’m Not Still Playing Jesus!” Bollig, Brandy Romero, Dorothy “No, THIS is Singing” Heedt, Amanda “D. For Drama” Swearingen, Jenni “And I Can Lift Heavy Things!” Barrett, Claire Harpel, Ramone Dupree, Linda “No, THIS is a Kamikaze” Harpel, Amy Renee Hardwick, Brantley Haines, Colleen Koen, company artistic director Cory Moosman and “a special guest artist from Denver,” according to Moosman.
The show goes up at Hoag Hall on the campus of Colorado State University at Pueblo.
----------------------------------------------------------
And, the weekends after that, on July 28-30 and then Aug. 4-6, SCTC unleashes the annual BEULAH SUMMER MELODRAMA, directed as-is-now-the-long-standing-custom by Leta Langdon and Geoffrey Simmons.
We wrote to Leta to ask some questions, and unlike with the whole “Dear Easter Bunny” thing, she wrote back…

Our Brave Question: Who is in the cast?
Leta’s Tender Answer: Cast is: Jessica Biondollilo, Jesse McCullah, Jason Wells, Mason Miller and Danette DeHerrera. The Olio cast is full of familiar faces including, Liz Reyes, Lori Trejo, Andy Wagner, Jimmy Fountain, Bill Wright and the always wonderful Adams Family (Steve, Kelley, Gwen, Brena and Morgan). We have several new-comers to the Beulah stage such as the lovely Dawn Thompson, dancers Brittney Norwood and Chrissy Wallace, Darrell McCullah, Ryan Becker and Bill's right hand woman Pixy Hitchcock. This year there will be dancing, singing, many many skits, bad corney jokes and Mr. James Amos mcing!!!!

(Isn’t she just sweet? No, not after a few drinks, but that’s not the point here…)

Q: Who else is helping out?
A: Um, I can always use TONS of help building the stage, we have the same crew set to do concessions, PTGA, AKA Parents Of Theatre Geeks Anonymous. The Arts Council in Beulah is also a Wonderful help every year!

Q: How is it going so far?
A: It is going really well. We have already started the can-can rehearsals and the young cast is doing really well at being bossed around by Geoffrey Simmons and myself. Really, we spend a lot of rehearsal laughing so it's great!

Q: Why is there no remote-control skunk this year?
A: Who said there isn't?

Q: Have you considered putting a remote-control mechanism in Geoffrey?
A: Who said there isn't?

Q: Would you really have to take it out later?
A: I plead the 5th.

Q: What if we gave you $5 to let a good thing continue?
A: Make it $20 and you got a deal.

Q: What prompts you to keep putting on the Beulah melodrama year after year?
A: I love the Beulah Community and I really enjoy seeing all the happy faces year after year, whether they are just attending the show, being a part of it, or even auditioning. I really think it's something I can give back to the community and I'm glad that SCTC keeps continuing on this tradition. I think too often traditions are pushed aside when life gets busy. Besides, who doesn't like to see the hero get slapped every now and again?

And we’re supposed to add a funny comment after that?...
----------------------------------------------------------
The show I HATE HAMLET is rehearsing at the Impossible Playhouse at 1201 N. Main for its run dates Aug. 4-5 and 9-12.
Director, Producer and Awarder-Of-Gold-Stars-To-Those-Who-Will-Drag-Their-Butts-To-Rehearsal-On-Time Lara Hays says the Impossible Players cast is:
> Andrew Rally- "The Josh" Cordova.
> Dierdre Mc Davey- Jamie Fiedeldey.
> Felicia Dantine- Marlo Angel-Hartman.
> Lillian Troy- Kathy Johnson.
> Gary Peter Lefkowitz- Dale Shepard.
> John Barrymore- Marvin Hays. (AKA, Lara’s husband)

And Hays answered our Handy Dramatic News Questionnaire like this …

(1) Right now I, Lara Hays, would say our show is good enough to:
a) make paint dry a little more quickly,
b) cause plants to grow better if you played a CD of the
show near them,
c) excite previously unexcitable monkeys.
d) (LARA’S WRITTEN ANSWER) Cause mass hysteria when the tickets go on sale.

(2) One of my favorite aspects of the show is:
a) the ongoing conflict between good and evil.
b) the ongoing conflict between members of my cast, including the fact that some of them are now wearing different colored shoe laces to show which gang they're in.
c) how fun it is to come to rehearsal and listen to such talented people make up lines for the show because they haven't memorized the written ones yet.
d) (LARA’S WRITTEN ANSWER) Having Karen back with us, working with "THE CHIEF", breaking Jamie out of her typecast roles, listening to Kathy's fabulous accent, getting to dress Marlo in purple fur, having THE Josh grace our stage and watching Marvin flit around in tights.

(3) I think the trick to good acting is to:
a) relax and truly BECOME the character, except for the murdering other characters part,
b (LARA’S CHOSEN ANSWER) work hard at rehearsal, and at home, memorizing lines and developing interesting accents to use to annoy co-workers during the day,

Lara adds that the shows needs: A globe that doubles as a bar, a suit of armor, a couple of large gargoyles and lots of material for draping the set.
----------------------------------------------------------
Impossible Player Tom Massmann has recently had gastric surgery last week and wanted friends to know that he came through OK. He said he's recovering, walking very very very slowly and ...
“I want to thank you all for your warm wishes and for being there for me. You are all some of the greatest friends (family) that I have had the privilege of knowing! I can't wait to see you all again and work with you again soon. Thanks Gang!! – TOM”
(You can tell he’s feeling better because he’s using exclamation points again.)
----------------------------------------------------------
We pause now to note that if you, our As-We’ve-Said-Before-Very-Beautiful-And-Probably-Proficient-In-Judo-Or-Fractal-Geometery-Or-Something-Slick-Like-That Reader, have somehow missed a past edition of The Dramatic News, write to jamos@comcast.net. Shortly after you do, the lost editions shall descend upon you, like dew from the heavens on a day when you are just hankering for dew, because apparently Coca-Cola is all extinct or something.
No no, it’s our pleasure…
----------------------------------------------------------
And now, the nominations for the “Ok, THAT Was An Interesting MySpace Page Thingy…” awards…
The Impossible Players in Pueblo recently created their own MySpace page (Board president Rick Mattoon may now stand and take a well-deserved bow, as can his page-creating slave Geneva) and it got us to thinking and browsing and using up a lot of time that we had initially planned to use working for a living - but we learned something.
We learned that there’s some interesting stuff out there, interesting in both aspects of the word, and aside from just being useful to spy on your teenage son, it’s worth a visual stroll. (And we’re now taking T-shirt orders for members of Slightly Older MySpace Lurkers Anonymous. Send your size and $10 and we’ll keep your shameful secret right here, next to our own. JM, LH, this means you too.).
So we present a sample plate, and wish you a pleasantly cool month till the next newsletter.
And the nominations thus far are…

- Best Profile Photo, Hands Down - TK, who knows in what-passes-in-medical-tests-for-her-heart that less IS more.

- Best Evolving Views Of Feet, With The Exception Of A Brief Foray Into Vacation Photos, After Which He Returned To His Senses: John Valdez, who does not mind you knowing that he has a foot fetish, and would, in fact, love to take a look at YOUR feet sometime, you sexy devil you...

- Until Recently The Best Background Art, Although We Can't Get It To Load Now, But We Assume It’s Coming Back, Or Maybe Something Better - Geoffrey Simmons, the man for whom technology, energy drinks and stolen moments at work were created.

- Most Dedicated Theatrical Discussion Group Moderator, Persevering Even Despite Extended Droughts Of Actual Theatrical Discussion, Because She Correctly Believes That This Is A GOOD IDEA Anyway – Beth “The Widow” who runs the MySpace group “Theatre In Southern Colorado”. Smokes like a chimney and stings like a bashful Buddhist cat-lover… oh wait, that doesn’t make a lick of sense…

- Most Talented Typing Cat: A tie between Skittle and Simon the Prog Cat. They’re dedicated, they’re not shy, and they both understand the basics of good grammar. ‘Nuff said!

- Best Motto: McIan Amos’ “Honk if you understand Punctuated Equilibria!”, which, of course, renders us honkless…

- Best Back-Handed Compliment: From the Ska Dub Felons, a band the founders of which wrote about our brilliant son… “Later that week the trio was informed of a gig promoting AIDS awareness. They knew that the three of them would not be enough to cover this gig, so they got a drummer Alex, and Josh, Mcian and Albert joined also. After the gig we decided to keep Mcian.”… Nuff said!

- Best Place To Read The Most Appalling "Why Haven't You Written Back To Me?" Comments: No, no, that would be mean…

- Most Egregious (But Well-Meaning) Bald-Faced Lie About What The Inside Of Their Theater Actually Looks Like: The Impossible Players of Pueblo. True, President Rick Mattoon got the Imps a page, and that was more than they had anywhere before, and true, they need the exposure. But don't look too hard before I HATE HAMLET for the private boxes. Drama, we got in spades. Private boxes and chandeliers… never mind…

- Page With A Pretty Good Song: Leta Langdon. Yes, it’s pop. But no, pop does not always lead to cancer. Several people, we are told, have survived “pop”. And it’s a catchy tune…

- Busiest Background, But We’re Going To Give Her Credit For Having A Good Photo Again, And She’s A Tears For Fears Fan: Jamie, who adores cheesecake, the Chocolate Syrup Fairy and paisley, maybe not in that order.

- Best Bulletins Posting Person: Chelsea, who bulletinates with a passion, and puts up some interesting stuff (From “The Fours”: She once was a kennel supervisor and visits bodymodifications.com each day. (MySpace Rule #16: Things are often funnier if they’re actually true.))

- Best Actually Stylish Use Of Plaid: Dorothy Heedt, who also places very high in “Best Profile Photo That’s Actually A Photo” division, leading to…

- Best Stylized Non-Photo Profile Picture (That Does In Fact Look A Lot Like Her) - The Widow, who either made someone draw the picture, for nothing, which we suspect, or who has worked her whole life to adjust her facial bones and hair and neck to match a drawing she found years ago in Issue #4 of “Lady Macbeth Shrugs Off And Defeats The Green Lantern.”

- Best Theatrical Wig And Makeup Artist Entry By Someone Who Claims He Will Have Your Baby, But Who Probably Will Not, Because He’s Tricky Like That - Dr. Frank, who knows his stuff, and who would in fact have your baby if he could, cause he’s nice like that.

- Best Recycling Of Old Publicity Photos As His Profile Art: Cory Moosman, who’s changing profile photo shows a lot about theatre in Southern Colorado, and Cory, which is, we suppose, the point.

- Best Place To Have Viewed Short Videos Of Stick Figures Doing Communicative Things Which We Cannot Describe In A Family Theatre Newsletter: “Andrea”, a self-described 36-year-old brunette in Pueblo West, who is friends with at least one Pueblo theatre junky and appears to enjoy a good, brisk handshake and much, much more.
----------------------------------------------------------
If you have news, a better nomination, or anything else to add to next month’s newsletter, regardless of from where you hail, write us at jamos@comcast.net, and we’ll try not to screw it up. If we do, free ice cream!*
Till next edition – James Amos

* - Email of apology does not contain actual ice cream.

June - Your Jump Start to Summer

The Dramatic News
Pueblo's theatre newsletter

Published in cooperation with
the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild
at www.pueblopag.org

June, 2006

Our motto: If you don't have something nice to say, at least make sure it's spell-checked!

Dear Fellow Dramatic Types,

It's hotter than heck, and we're hoping drops of sweat are not a problem for laptop keyboards. But we promised you news about what's happening in Drama World, and by gummy we mean to deliver. So grab a Gatorade, put your finger on the "page down" button, and we'll get started...
----------------------------------------------------------
We are but scant days away (hours perhaps, depending on when we get this newsletter finished) from the opening this Friday of THE MOST HAPPY FELLA over at Damon Runyon Reparatory Theatre Company.
The show is an American opera, and so it will surprise no one that Pueblo's own Brent Ritter lobbied for it, cried for it, whined for it, and finally got DRR to produce it, and of course he figures prominently in the cast.
This is no bad juice for us, the humble audience, because we get to hear Brent sing for a few hours, and he is joined by Karen Lange (a sweet jazz singer, in her first lead role at DRR), Jennifer Ritter (daughter of Brent, with the turbo-charged pipes to match), and Judith Cook (also a cryingly good singer, but, sadly, not related to Brent, though we still respect her very, very much).
DRR's Pam Kramer tells us the rest of the cast is Avery Johnston, Lindsay Moran, Celeste Arellano, Gina Parker, Chris Bollig ("Jesus" from JCS is in the house, she says), Jeremy Nichols, James Padilla, Ryan Romero, Bill "Bro" Setser, Chris Oswald and Jared Padilla.
Sean Briggs and Bette Lunn direct. The costumes are by Carol Mead Cartmell.
And, Pam says,

Since this show is all about wine making, the opening night (June 9, 2006) will feature a five course dinner with wines.

We asked Brent (via Jenn, who has no fear of the Internet) a few questions:
1) How long has he waited to do this show?

I played Tony (in) Dallas in 1976 when I was 30 years old. I had wanted to play Tony since 1965 when I was 21. I am now old enough to play him and feel like I'm still 30 (except on the high notes!). However, compromises in the music have been necessary, since I no longer can sing as high as I could when I was 30.

2) Why has he wanted to do this show so much?

This show speaks to my soul like no other show I've ever done (Jen interjects - ew!!!). Frank Loesser has written a Puccini - esque masterpiece of a love story. It pulls at your heart strings in the same way as La Boheme.

3) And we must ask, is Brent, in fact, in the habit of sending women photos of someone other than himself and then pretending to be that man in the photo?

No, I have never used that pathetic ploy to woo any woman. Perhaps I should try it since what I'm doing ain't workin'!

4) How does he feel the show is going, and should we all come and see him?

The show as of June 1st rehearsal is quite strong. (so...) YES! YES! YES! Oh, and by the way, YES! If you don't come, we'll sic the dogs on you.

And we do not wish for this to happen...
Jenn writes too, in response to our asking how she feels to be playing a character who is not supposed to be 20 years older than Jenn (a pet peeve of hers, not matter how good she is at doing it). She writes:

Now for my two cents (this is Jenn now) -- Yes, I'm in the show, playing the gorgeous, voluptuous, gregarious ...

(We sort of figured that)

... red-headed Texan Cleo (the real star of the show). And yes I'm thrilled to be playing my own age for a change. I even get the guy at the end!! (not Tony- he's Rosabella's guy). Tell everyone to come on down and see a great show!!
-- Jenn

OK, we will...
----------------------------------------------------------
The Impossible Players are getting ready for auditions for I HATE HAMLET over at the Impossible Playhouse (1201 N. Main). So we asked Director and Dashing Woman-About-Town Lara Hays for details. Happily, instead of cursing, we got this:

My auditions for Hamlet are June 19th and 20th at the Impossible Playhouse. 7:00. Readings will be done from the script. I am looking for Light and Sound Techs. I am also looking for someone to help with special effects. We need some really cool lighting effects with real candles and real flames that magically light by themselves. Also, this set is going to be very fun to dress. It will be very gothic. So anyone with ideas or willingness to help there would be appreciated.
That is it for now. Getting very excited!
Lara

And we believe her...
----------------------------------------------------------
Remember A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM? The Impossible Players show, postponed from this spring, is still cookin', according to Director Kennette Oldham. She was nice enough to send us the following update:

We have moved the show dates to November 3rd, 4th, and 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th. Rehearsals will start the 1st week in September. We plan on hiring students from the college for our orchestra. Vaughn Walker will not be music director for the production, he will be moving to Chicago this summer. Jill Townsend has agreed to be music director for the show. I am excited for this fall because I know we will have a great time, and put on a wonderful production.
Thanks, Kennette
----------------------------------------------------------
Auditions for the annual Beulah Melodrama, produced by what is now Steel City Theatre Company, will be held: * June 12 at 7 p.m. in Pueblo at Dance Unlimited at 3305 N. Elizabeth #A, * June 13 at 7 p.m. in Beulah at the Beulah Community Center.
Director-For-Life-Becuase-Of-Her-Love-Of-Beulah-And-Fear-Of-Aurora Leta Langdon says you should come prepared with a memorized skit or olio act and any schedule conflicts for the June 13-August 12 rehearsal period. The show runs July 28-30 and Aug.4-6 in Beulah (where it is always a little cooler at night, so there's that). Just watch for those darn playful deer on the drive home at night...
----------------------------------------------------------
And we hear from Ken Schroll, Man Around Whom No Drywall Screw May Sleep Safely, that there's a melodrama a'brewin' down the valley in La Junta too:

Holy Cow, the Picketwire Players are doing a Melodrama for the summer, "Deadwood Dick or The Game of Gold". Show dates Jul. 20,21,22,27,28,29. Good old fashion Melodrama directed by George Larsen & Ken Schroll call 719-384-8320 for more info.
----------------------------------------------------------
Robert Brown has finished work on a blues opera CD, and will be celebrating it with you, the aforementioned humble public, with a listening party July 22 at the Runyon Theater.
He describes it this way:

I began writing Satan's Preacher Man back in 1997 when Tony Moffeit, a local poet legend, suggested that I should have a Blues nickname like Muddy Waters or Howlin' Wolf. So I created Satan's Preacher Man as my persona and over the next several years a Blues Opera grew out my Blues poetry. The Libretto was written by myself and all the music was composed by Rick Terlep.

Performing on the CD are Brent Ritter, Jennifer Ritter, Amanda D. Swearingen, Rebecca J. Work, Rick Terlep, Richard M. Holmes, Brown himself and Moffeit.
Brown describes the opera like this:

Satan's Preacher Man is one of the most mysterious characters in the history of the Blues. Born on June 6, 1906 (6-6-06) of an infernal conception between an earthly woman and a demonic incubus, his devout Baptist mother raised him in the faith and glory of the Lord. As he grew into his late teens, the world of whiskey, evil-hearted women, and the Blues enraptured his soul.

(And we thought that only happened to us...)

Seeing the easy life of Baptist preachers; tithe money rolling in and wearing sharp clothes, he choose to sell his soul to the Devil, not for an ungodly ability to play the Blues, but to be a preacher man himself. Satan's Preacher Man.

Satan's Preacher Man, not the Devil (as popular conjecture has it), met a young man named Robert Johnson at the CrossRoads, tuned his guitar, and gave him an unearthly power to play the Blues. After a time, he was called upon by the Devil to repossess the licks given to young Robert Johnson and end the Bluesman's life, somewhat prematurely; the cost of doing business with the Devil.

After Robert's death, the Devil was chained down on a chain-gang and thus began a story as old as the Bible itself, Revelation. Satan's Preacher Man founded the Church of Eternal Damnation and began his quest to be the Great Beast of the Apocalypse and the final war between Heaven and Hell.

Brown says there is a web site at www.satanspreacherman.com for more info and ordering the CD.

Gee, it HAS seemed hot lately...
----------------------------------------------------------
Want to see a free movie or just brush up on your Russian accent?
Then the InfoZone News Museum at the Rawlings Public Library has got a lovely deal for you, and we don't say that just because the gal who runs the thing knows where we live. No!
InfoZone Czaress Tracey Mattoon tells us the InfoZone will be showing "Road to Koktebel on Saturday, June 17 at 7 p.m. The film is:

Russian Drama, English Subtitles
Directed by Boris Khlebnikov & Alexei Popogrebsky

A father sets off from Moscow with his 11 year-old son for his sister's house in Koktebel by the Black Sea. For the father, the journey is an attempt to restore self-respect, to piece together his broken life and win back the trust of his son. For the boy, the mythic coastal town holds the key to a new life and emancipation.

Again, it's free, and Mattoon says there will be refreshments
afterward.
And for the "Rounder" fans, poker and Oreo cookies? We can only
hope...
----------------------------------------------------------
We have been bad. We did not know that another Pueblo fellow, Joey Gonzales, was also performing with Cory Moosman in GUYS AND DOLLS up in Colorado Springs at Theatreworks, but we strive now to correct that:

I, local actor and recording artist, (Joey, 'just j' Gonzales) am also cast in Guys & Dolls at UCCS THEATREWORKS. Proudly as "The Drunk / Little Isadore." and in August am scheduled to appear in "Your a good man Charlie Brown" in Salida, CO.

The show is going great! People can check it out every wed-sunday until June 18th. I got involved last year after auditioning for Threepenny opera which I was selected to play the gangster "Wally the Weeper". Murray Ross, the artistic director for THEATREWORKS contacted me last month to ask if I was interested in playing another gangster in Guys and Dolls. Having had such a great experience last year, I quickly replied "Yes." Not to forget to mention my love for musicals. I play Little Isadore, a "runyon" character from a few of his short stories. I also have a few very funny bits as "The Drunk" allowing me to have fun with some character work.

After this show, I'll be returning to Pueblo (home) to perform in "Steel City Broadway" a musical review to be staged at CSU-Pueblo - Hoag Hall in July. Later next season I will also be directing for SCTC for the first time. I am not sure that they have announced the season so will not mention the show, but will state that I have directed it for an other local community theatre company to much acclaim.
----------------------------------------------------------
Joey also says:

Hey guy, also don't want to forget to mention my new cd 'baby it's time"; scheduled to release this year. It's s soulful R&B anthology of love from beginning to end and the desperate cries for it's return. Individuals can hear samples of the cd on the official 719 Productions (Pueblo record label) website, www.719productions.com or on my offical fan site www.freewebs.com/justj719productions
----------------------------------------------------------
Amanda D. Swearingen (and Heaven forbid if you leave out the D.) has a faith-based acting group in action and wants some folks to come help out with a soon-to-come production. She says:

Righteous Reign meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month 7pm-9pm.We are currently just doing service ministry right now, but......in July:

SOMETHING SHAKESPERIAN THIS WAY COMES!!!!

If anybody would like to do a monologue, soliloquy (sorry if I misspelled that), swordfight, or any other various Shakespearian works (i.e. sonnets, poems....) please let me know and we would be very excited to have you...it is a dinner theatre July 21 and the menu is food that has been served in various plays by Shakespeare. it will be outside at the Ecumenical Church of Pueblo West---434 S. Conquistador Ave. in Pueblo West. Dinner is at 5pm and the show is at 6pm--

When we asked what kind of show it will be, Ms. D wrote back:

It will be a smorgasbord of Shakespeare--just multiple monologues, scenes, and such--oooooooo, and a sword fight if we can get one!! rehearsals will be at the church--that way you can rehearse in the courtyard that it will be performed in--anymore questions smartypants?

No ma'am. Our pants have been rendered mute - for now...
----------------------------------------------------------
One more thing. DRR is raising money for James Padilla to head to Los
Angeles since he auditioned for and won a four-semester spot in the American
Music and Drama Academy.
Cathy Spangler says it's expensive, so the Runyon gang is holding the
fundraiser June 24 at 7:00 p.m. and it include singing, dancing, improv and
comedy. Call the theater for ticket information.
----------------------------------------------------------
OK, we lied. There is yet one more thing.
The Impossible Players board is asking for proposals for short,
inexpensive shows to be performed during the theatre group's regular season
in 2007.
The group plans to continue its four-play season next year, but may
also add two off-season shows, something with minimal set and expenses. If
you'd like to direct or produce one of them, and you've got a cool idea for
it, contact Impy president Rick Mattoon at rickmattoon@lycos.com.
----------------------------------------------------------
OK, that's it, we swear. Remember, if you have a comment, news about
what you're doing, information about something other dramatic types might
like to know about, short poetry that's gossipy, or just plain catty gossip,
write to us at jamos@comcast.net to get it in July's newsletter.

Till next time - James Amos

Adaptations of May

The Dramatic News

Pueblo's theatre newsletter



Published in cooperation with

the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild

at www.pueblopag.org



May, 2006



Our motto: When trained monkeys are outlawed, only outlaws will use trained
monkeys to do their laundry and go to work for them and deposit their paychecks
while the rest of us play poker. Or maybe that's just a hazy fantasy...

Dear Fellow Dramatic Types,

It's time again to ask ourselves, "What the hell is going on in theatre in Pueblo?" and "can I really get a good Windows laptop for $299 without being an accessory to something illegal?"

The answer to at least one of those questions lies below (or lays, we'd hate to stop and check which is proper) so, read, absorb, and enjoy...

----------------------------------------------------------

First of all, the Impossible Players are opening ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST this Friday, and it will run May 5-6 and 10-13.

The show, to be held at the Impossible Playhouse at 1201 N. Main, is well-known from the Jack Nicholson film, so we asked Rod Stimmel, who has the R. P. McMurphy role played by Nicholson, to give us his thoughts on it a few weeks ago.

We also asked if he was having fun and if so, on a scale of 1-10, just how much fun is he having? He answered:

I'm having a tremendously fun time. I'll give it a 9, 10 when I get my lines embedded in my brain. The cast is great, James (Winget) is an excellent director and Dawn (Thompson, assistant director) keeps everything going straight and smooth. I relish heading into rehearsal every night to work hard and have such a nice comrodery with everyone involved. Take care and I love your newsletter, you're as long winded as much as you are a great guy.

Oh, the compliments we get here at The Dramatic News... And speaking of Dawn, we asked her how the play compares to the movie. She writes:

Hi James!

(Did we mention just how much we like Dawn? No? Well, first, she's really enthusiastic...)

Rehearsals are going great! I'm having a blast!

(see?)

We couldn't have asked for a better cast! Actually James, the play is more centered around the book rather than the movie. We are going our own direction with the play as we see it and not how the movie portrays it. Any similarities will have just been coincidence.

Producer Michael Lynch concurs:

Dear James,

The communications on ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST have been tellar. I hear from Dawn, who serves as the de facto liason among company members, almost daily. She brings a dulcet nature and a fiery intelligence to the table.

(We're thinking Dawn should frame that...)

The cast has a nice mix of Imps veterans and newcomers. I have not seen the movie for a decade at least, so I may be unqualified to answer. However, one sees a movie and one hears a play. James visualizes the play as being more of a memory than a straight recounting of incidents. Those memories are brought forth and commented on by Chief Bromden, who is the play's central character, while the movie centered on R. P. McMurphy. We are trying to keep the set simple and dark, thus both recalling the prison-like atmosphere of the hospitals of that day and giving a stark backg ound against which the characters stand, we hope, in sharp detail.

We will have handmade dresses on the nurses. There will be sound by the always wondrous Geoffrey Simmons. There is a nifty special effect at the climax. As ever, it rivaled building the pyramids to get it up, but James, Dawn, and our terrific cast and crew are going to dazzle you on Cinco de Mayo. Too much, huh? Sorry.

Not at all, sir, not at all...

----------------------------------------------------------

Also opening this weekend is ARSENIC AND OLD LACE by the Damon Runyon Repertory Theatre Company at the Runyon Theater at 6th and Main. It will run May 5 to 14, according to Cathy Spangler, DRR's in-house version of an omniscient being. Manager Pam Kramer sends us the cast as:

Abby Brewster - Pam Kramer

Teddy Brewster - Jerry Johnston

Martha Brewster - Sylvia Boyer-Fancher

Mortimer Brewster - Chris Oswald

Elaine Harper - Mary Alice Cowen

Jonathan Brewster - Robert Brown

Dr Einstein - James Padilla

Officer Klein - Joe Dingman

Officer Rooney - John Petric

Officer Brophy - Brianne Robles

Officer O¹Hara - Celeste Arellano

Rev Dr Harper - Jack Gornick

Mr Gibbs - Jack Gornick

Mr Whiterspoon - Jack Gornick

Director - Cathy Spangler

Asst Dir - Avery Johnston

Tech Dir - Bill Setser

Costumes - Carol Cartmell

It's fun to see Avery assistant-directing, and we wish her the best, and apparently neither Mary Alice nor James Padilla can be kept off a stage with stainless steel chains.
Good for them...

----------------------------------------------------------

Also running darn soon - heck, right now! - is a show at Pueblo West High School, the news of which we freely admit to stealing from the nice folks at The Pueblo Chieftain.

Thus we have learned that the bright kids working under drama teacher and local damned-good-actor-about-town David J. McNeilly are doing...

"a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's ŒMacbeth.¹ The play will be performed at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday on the school patio. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students with an ID."

Now, slowly swing a pocket watch in front of your eyes and repeat three times, "I WILL go to Macbeth! I WILL go to Macbeth! If I do NOT go to Macbeth, I can't have any more Twinkies or Ding Dongs until CHRISTMAS!..."

And Christmas, folks, is a long LONG ways away...

----------------------------------------------------------

Also, we are told by Cory Moosman of the former Southern Colorado Theatre Company that LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the auditions for which were held just a few weeks ago, has been put aside for the foreseeable future.

Unable to get the rights to the show because of a conflict with the national tour, the theater group will try again next season, Moosman said.

What will they do instead? Why, he says they will partner again with Colorado State University at Pueblo and to present:

STEEL CITY BROADWAY, a review of some of the brightest new shows on the Great White Way!

----------------------------------------------------------

And it turns out they are doing ARSENIC AND OLD LACE out in La Junta too at the Picketwire Theater May 17-20.

Intrepid Director Ken Schroll, Master Of All That Can Be Painted, Re-Threaded Or Beaten With A Hammer Until It Fits Right, tells us the show will run May 17-20.

The cast includes Abby (Jeannie Larsen), Martha (Kelly Jo Smith) and their not-quite-playing-the-same-game-of-pool nephew Teddy ( Nathaniel Gillespie), who has in the past been worth the price of admission all by himself. Together, they may create some kind of dramatic powder-make-up-fueled cold fusion...

Want to go? Call 384-8320...

----------------------------------------------------------

So much for the future. Let us dwell for a moment on the past...Specifically, how did STAND AND DELIVER go over? The production by the theatre group formerly known as the Southern Colorado Theatre Company (more on that in a moment) was held at and with Pueblo Community College a few weeks ago.

Publicity for the show included a first for Pueblo shows - a short television show on the education public-access cable channel featuring scenes from the play and an interview with Director John Valdez.

Valdez happily sends us the following summary...

Well here is some nuggets for your little news letter. Stand and Deliver closed Saturday to rave reviews and accolades. The show had a two week run and did very well attendance wise. It was fun to see so many people in the production who had
never been on stage before.

And what is Valdez tackling next?

Nothing next season but will do "Death of a Salesman"

Valdez has worked selling insurance, so expect gritty realism,
no?...

And what was it like for City-Councilman-turned-actor TED LOPEZ to act in the show? He tells us he played Dr. Pearson of the Educational Testing Service:

My character did not get excited, or lose his cool after an emotional outburst and implied allegations of discrimination against Hispanic students. The intent was to maintain a reasonable, somewhat stoic exterior in spite of an excited inner emotion, caused by external challenges from Escalante.

Did you enjoy doing the play?

Very much! When I first heard about upcoming auditions for this play in October 2004, I thought it would be interesting to give it a try...something different!

Have you done live theatre before?

If one were to look at City Council as "theatre" my answer would be yes. (I was always nervous, sometimes very nervous, before delivering my "lines" on certain issues.) I did do two murder mysteries for Colorado Outdoor Performing Arts Association, two. There were no memorized lines.

Was any part of your role especially hard or easy?

There was more "work" and time involved than I was aware of or could even guess would be necessary. In order to make the recall easier, I read and recorded, on a cassette recorder, all of the lines of all characters from the time I appeared until my last scene. I played these scenes over and over, reciting my lines, when I could do so at my accounting office, when I was in my apartment preparing meals, while I was getting ready to go to rehearsals. I also re-typed all characters' dialogue for the same cassette-recorded scenes in 16 point type and double line spacing with my lines highlighted in one color and the character's lines, before my lines, highlighted in another color.

Going to do another play later?

At this moment I don't know if I would. It would depend on what else I've got going. I'd need to look at a script. I haven't ruled it out.

He sounds like the rest of us already, no?...

----------------------------------------------------------

Now, we hate to bring this up, but theatre is not the ONLY performing art in town. Yes, there's dance, and yes, there is sometimes karaoke, though some dispute the "art" label for that...

But we are talking about poetry, and there exists in Pueblo a brave group of souls who write and then read aloud their poetry most Wednesday nights, and folks, some of it is pretty interesting.

Robert Brown is one of the offenders, but so too is Jeff Tucker, by day a mostly-mild-mannered City Government reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain, but by night, at least on Wednesdays, the guy performs.

So we asked him where to check this stuff out. He writes, with better spelling than we are used to in our correspondence:

All right, here are the readings as far as I know. They all start at 7 p.m.

- Second Wednesday is in the lobby of the Damon Runyon Repertory Theatre, 611 N.
Main

- Third Wednesday is in the back room of the Tumbleweed Bookstore, 687 S. Union
Ave., in the Junction.

- Fourth Wednesday is at the Vail Hotel cafeteria, 217 S. Grand Ave.

Since the Vail is a secure building, you have to knock on the window to get in.

Go forth and be stimulated!...

----------------------------------------------------------

And, coming up in a while, auditions for I HATE HAMLET will be held at the Impossible Playhouse.

We asked Director Lara Hays "When are auditions and who/what are you looking for?"

June 19th and 20th. I am looking for lots of people to audition. I am hoping that all Pueblo's talent is not worn out from CUCKOO'S NEST and FORUM.

What parts are you auditioning/casting for?

Felicia Dantine, Realtor, 25-40 strong New York accent.

Andrew Rally, actor, 25-35.

Deirdre McDavey, hopeless romantic, Andrew's virginal girlfriend, 20-30.

Lillian Troy, Andrew's agent, in her 70's, very striking with German accent, (will use aging make-up if needed).

John Barrymore, actor and ghost, must not be afraid of wearing tights.

Gary Peter Lefkowitz , Andrew's friend and director, 30's.

OK, but we had to ask Lara, must you actually hate Hamlet?

Well, actually, hate is a strong word.

Could you just be indifferent to it?

What kind of director would that make me??

Good Point. Alright, what if you DO hate Hamlet, but are big on Caesar or King Lear. Would that help?

not in this show...

Alright. What are the show dates?

We open August 4th and close on the 12th.

There you have it. Stay tuned for who gets a part and an update on whether they actually hate Hamlet, or are just ACTING!...

----------------------------------------------------------

We pause now to deliver on a news promise from higher up in the newsletter, referring to the name of those artists formerly known as the Southern Colorado Theatre Company.

The group has changed its name to the Steel City Theatre Company,according to company founder and high ruler Cory Moosman, who explained it thusly:

Southern Colorado Theatre Company, as part of it's new marketing initiative has changed it's name! Our reasoning behind the name change was that we wanted to show that we are all about the city we live in. Our theatre productions are accessible to everyone-and we want people to know that. Pueblo has such a great history, and we thought it was time our company name reflected that.

It's not a partnership with any other business, just our choice of name to brand
our self as Pueblo's professional theatre company.

Is SCTC worried about losing any of its previous reputation?

We're not. We've always strived to produce high quality theatre, and the name change is a reflection of our desire to keep up with regional and national theatre trends-if anything, we're setting bar higher so that we can increase the standard of work for the company. It's a very exciting time for SCTC.

Was there any particular reason for changing the name right now?

Actually, we've been discussing it for sometime. Now just seemed like a good time to do it, in preparation for next season.

We also asked Company President Leta Langdon if the name change was true, and why she had not just changed it to something more Leta-oriented. She responded:



We are not going to be named "Leta Langdon and the Assorted Lesser People Theatre Company" but I wish you would have brought up that name earlier! (On the name change) Since we have always performed in other areas, Beulah and La Junta for example, we have decided that it would be nice to let these other places know exactly where we come from. We are proud to be a Pueblo theatre company and our name is now going to reflect that.

But, because of the new name, the SCTC folks still get to keep the same initials, logo and tattoos, right? Smart thinking...

----------------------------------------------------------

And speaking of Moosman, we are also told:

SCTC's Artistic Director Cory Moosman is currently in the cast of GUYS & DOLLS for TheaterWorks in Colorado Springs, high stepping it as Rusty Charlie/Joey Biltmore. The show opens May 25th and runs through
June 18. Tickets and more information can be found at

www.uccstheatreworks.com.

----------------------------------------------------------

The editorial staff of The Dramatic News recently found itself in Colorado Springs to see a production of DO BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES REALLY REFLECT UP? at Pikes peak Community College.

We went of course to go see Sue Bachman of last summer's Theatreworks production of MACBETH shine again onstage, this time as Sister Helen.

She naturally was riveting, cutting a fine figure in full habit and showing off a previously unknown-to-us great voice.

In addition to Bachman, the show featured some of the coolest set changes around, a revolving set wall that let the main characters to walk in place from scene to scene and some nifty choreography involving student desks that were mounted on wheels...

----------------------------------------------------------

And a few more things, before the next episode of "Deadliest Catch" starts...

-------------------------------------------------------

* Auditions for the Beulah Summer Melodrama will be coming up soon. Director/Producer/Love Interest Geoffrey Simmons says there will be no remote-controlled skunks this year (sobbing sounds) but there will be mining helmets (applause). The show runs July 28-29-30 and August 4-5-6.

-------------------------------------------------------

* Amanda Swearingen, who only LOOKS nice and sweet, has opened the doors at the Righteous Reign Christian Drama Ministry. The group meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at The Ecumenical Church of Pueblo West, 343 S. Conquistador Ave., Pueblo West, and she welcomes you there. For more information, call her at 369-3307.

-------------------------------------------------------

* Leslie Kallio (Colorado Springs gal who was in The (Almost) Live Show) told us a bit ago that she was "may do a small thing in a very independent film, that's about it right now :(."

And what is "a very independent film?" before we could even mock her, she wrote back:

Okay, it is a porn.... Just kidding! Just some local guy here putting together a short to use to get funding for a full length movie he wants to produce. I don't really know much about it. How are things with the Imps?

Fine so far, Leslie. But we truly miss anyone who can improvise like a woman possessed and consistently fall off the arm of a sofa on cue.

-------------------------------------------------------

* The students at Colorado State University at Pueblo has formed a drama club, The Unmasked Players. The president is Josh Magallanes and we plan to have more on them later.

-------------------------------------------------------

* The InfoZone at the Rawlings Library will host a special exhibit:

Bridey Murphy will be "reincarnated" with a special exhibit at the InfoZone News Museum. As many of you know, in 1952 Pueblo businessman and amateur hypnotist Morey Berstein and housewife Virginia Tighe put Pueblo on the world map and the incident has been a unique piece of local lore ever since. The display runs May 20 - June 3, and includes some of the reel-to-reel tapes of Virginia speaking from her past life as Bridey Murphy.

You can listen to the tapes May 20 at 1 p.m. and watch the movie made about the episode, THE SEARCH FOR BRIDEY MUPHY, at 2 p.m. and on May 24.

But wait, it gets stranger...

Experience hypnosis for yourself with Brendarella, the Hypno Vixen Saturday, May 27 at 2 p.m. "What self-respecting actor or actress would pass up on the chance to take part in this?" says InfoZone Manager, Tracey Mattoon. "The challenge will be to see if our local Thespians will succumb to the Hypno Vixen's incredible abilities of mind control or if they'll be able to fake her and the audience out."

And...

Mary Ann Brady, a founding member of the Impossible Players, will do two programs on her experiences with Past Life Regression in Pueblo, on Saturday, May 20 and Saturday, May 27 - those programs will start at roughly 3:30 on each day. In the beginning, Mary Ann used past life regression for research into history of the Rye and San Isabel area, but today she uses her skill only for healing purposes.

We can add nothing more, so...

-------------------------------------------------------------------

That's it for this month. And, now that you're thinking of it...

DO YOU have something to include in the next edition of the newsletter? Yes, you do, you wonderful bundle of nerves and nerve-connecting-gook, so send it in: an update on your show, an expose' of some lying jerk, a favorite technique for removing makeup in under three hours...whatever.

Send assorted remarks to jamos@comcast.net
and remember, he can't be catty about your spelling because that would require him to know the difference... 'Nuff said.

Till next edition - James Amos

James Amos's April Column

The Dramatic News
Pueblo's Theatre Newsletter

Published in cooperation with
the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild
PuebloPAG.org

(We swear it's true)

Our motto: Whatever doesn't kill you just makes you stronger, and a little more careful about memorizing your blocking.


Dear Fellow Dramatic Types,

First off, we have to inform you, the Loyal Newsletter Reader (Hi mom!) that this newsletter will now be a regular feature of and by the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild.

What does this mean for you, aside from better spelling and perhaps one day a comic strip? Well, Scott Whited and Susan Fries, who run the Guild with fists of steel and Elvis paintings of velvet, which we hope to one day borrow, will publish the newsletter on the Guild's web site, email it to Guild email-list-inhabitants, and (one day soon, we think) have a reader-feedback feature.

That feature will allow you, The Aforementioned Loyal and Might-We-also-Say Stunningly Attractive Reader, to add your comments, news bulletins, silly nicknames for James and whatever else becomes important at the time.

So we thank Scott and Susan for their lapse in judgment and look forward to continuing to use poor grammar and sentences which defy the limits of any sentence-length-computation machine yet known to man, to bring you The Dramatic News, dramatically, kinda. Read and enjoy...

Editor’s note: No matter what James claims, we are proud to produce the first blog in Colorado to focus exclusively on the performing arts (as far as we can tell). All of the comments sent to James are featured in blue font, but you’ll soon enough figure that out.

Don’t feel alone in book marking this page for a quick peek at the author and reader updates!

___________________________________________

So what's up with A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM?

We wondered too, so we have a recap and an update:

* The recap: The Impossible Players show, due to open March 3, ran into music and other preparedness problems and had to be postponed, due in part to a possible walk-out by some of the lead actors over said preparedness concerns.

Cast, crew and Impy board members decided to delay the show until October, retaining the same cast, crew and directing staff, leaving time to round up live music and give the cast a 2-or-3 month rehearsal period. Rehearsals were scheduled to continue on an occasional basis and begin full-time in June.

OK, but what about now? The betting is running against every one of the cast and crew still being available or willing (depending on the person) to continue in the show this fall. So we asked Director Kennette Oldham and Assistant Director Marv Hays for an update, and possible audition dates, because FORUM has some darn cool parts...

* The update: Hays says that they are still planning a June start for rehearsals and he's not sure yet what, if any, openings there will be in the cast. He plans auditions for on or around June 19 if parts need to be filled. Also, Oldham says the administrative staff is hunting up an orchestra (details and money pending) and firmly wants to use the extra time to produce a stellar show, much as when the Imps last did the show a decade ago.

The 1996 show was directed, to considerable acclaim, by Bill Boyette and included present participants (as best we could read the old review quickly) Therese Simony, Lara Hays (as assistant director), Oldham (as cast member), Jim Ripperger, Heather Thompson and Don Warren.

Stay tuned...

___________________________________________

And in other dramatic news, the Southern Colorado Theatre Company will open STAND AND DELIVER (think of the movie with the same name) next week.

Director John Valdez says, with vigor...

The show is coming along great. Tell all your friends...

And SCTC general manager Kennedy Pugh adds:

April 6th is a pay-what-you-can preview and the show opens on Friday at (Pueblo Community College). We skip Easter week and then have another pay what you can audience on Thurs the 20th of April we will also have a reception before the show that night honoring educators. Other dates and times can be found at http://www.sctcpueblo.com.

Followed by Valdez with...

YES!!!

The cast is:
Jaime Escalante (Teacher) - Brian Montez
Ms. Molina (Principal) - Nikita Garcia
Raquel Ortega (Math Dean) - Amanda Swearingen
Javier Perales (Student), Patrick Butkovich
Tito Guitano (Student) - Billy Herrington
Claudia Camejo (Student) - Marcasia Rivera
Pancho Garcia (Student) - Chris Randall
Lupe Escabar (Student) - Cassandra Butkovich
Ana Delgado (Student) - Revae Mendoza
Rafaela Fuentes (Student) - Jamie Wallace
Angel Guerra (Student) - Yomni Clark
Chuco (Student) - Frank Aragon
Ms. Armando (Janitor) - Jennifer Keach
Hector Delgado (Father) - Raymond Medina
Dr. Ramirez (Testing) - Valora Rivera
Dr. Pearson (Testing) - Ted Lopez (Former City Councilman too)
Security Guard - John Vigil
Tough Boy - Chris Solano
Pregnant Girl - Jordan Ortega
ESL Students, General Students - Jordan Ortega, To Be Announced

And we have to add once more Valdez's sales pitch for the show:
YES!!!

___________________________________________

Also opening darn soon is JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, being produced by the Damon Runyon Reparatory Theatre Company next weekend, April 7-9.
The cast, as last we recorded it, includes:

Rebecca Work - Mary
Sean Briggs - Judas
Chris Bollig - Jesus
Mike Reininger - Caiphus
Avery Johnston - Annas
James Amos - Herod (Has this man NO other hobbies?)
Jay Shannon - Pilate

The show includes a cast of thousands (OK, maybe a little less) as simultaneous Chorus Members, Lepers, Market Salespeople, Soldiers, Apostles and Assorted Hangers On, including some of the sub-leads and Karen Lange (sans accompanying tropical fish, but she's working on that), Gypsy Clearo, Justin Briggs (whether he likes it or not), Chris Oswald (who does like it), Brianne Robles, Sherry Shaub (who likes it a lot) and Catherine Baker.

The director is Bill "Bro" Setser, assistant director is Judith Cook and the music director is Bette Lunn. Chained to the piano, but still smiling, is Jim Lunn.

Cook's vigorous involvement and previous role in the musical ANNIE has prompted the cast to occasionally call out, with only some sarcasm, "We LOOOOOOOVE you, Ms. Hannigan!" in honor of her loving directing style and mean left hook.

Choreography has been ably supplied by Isadora Bushkovski, an accomplished dancer and belly-dance instructor who makes some of the rest of us look like we are gyrating on stilts while trying to learn a foreign language. Turns out that is hard to do, but Bushkovski persists and we learn...

Anyway, the show also includes scaffolding (for a cool aesthetic) and Pilate and Peter playing electric guitars. Now who else is going to give you that?...

___________________________________________

And should you become enchanted with Bushkovski's dancing (she performs in SUPERSTAR too) you can catch her and her dance students April 22 and 23 at the Runyon Theater.

The troupe will be performing "Desert Journey", a belly dance concert (OK, we aren't sure that's the right word, but we're not paid much, so let's crack on...) that in the past has been a well-crafted display of movement and music the joy of snapping a swell pair of hips.

The Pueblo Chieftain previewed her last show at DRR thusly:

Her solo numbers include traditional Egyptian folk dance, Turkish Romany (Gypsy) dance, modern American belly dance and Spanish fusion.

The events begin with a Moroccan bazaar a few hours before each show, selling beaded and bell-studded (OK, we really don't know the lingo here, but we're not too proud to admit it) attire used by the dancers and other accoutrements.
Call the Runyon at 564-0579 for more information.

___________________________________________

We go now to the Impossible Players' next show, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, being directed by James Winget, assistant-directed by Dawn Thompson (and NOT her Parrot, Jake, sad to say) and produced by Michael Lynch. The show is scheduled to run May 5-6 and 10-13 at the Impossible Playhouse at 1201 N. Main. When Lynch wrote us last week, he said the cast stands right now (minus two men) as:

Rodney Stimmel as R. P. McMurphy
Chris Stuart as Nurse Ratched
Dale Shepherd as Chief Bromden
Jack Passanante as Harding
Vaughn Walker as Billy
Rick Mattoon as Scanlon
T. J. Cordova as Martini
Jimmy Dittmar as Ruckley
Craig Smith as Dr. Spivey
Amanda Coleman as Nurse Flynn
Taylor Cardinal as Williams
James Bollinger as Warren
Jamie Fiedeldey as Candy
Lacey Riccillo as Sandra

Lynch adds:

As you can see, we still do not have a Cheswick or a Turkle. Turkle is a brief role. He is one of the aides, which for purposes of CUCKOO'S NEST means he's a guard. I think he appears only to break up the party and to chase the party girls who scoot out the window. Cheswick is more substantial. He is, as James Winget says, "One of the looneys."

If you put out a newsletter in the next few days, please include the fact that we are still looking for two men. Those interested should contact me at 564-5405.

We can also use some tech help. Anyone interested in helping with lights, props, construction, painting, etc., or being on the running crew should also let me know.

In addition to James, his assistant director Dawn Thompson, and myself, we have a sound designer, Geoffrey Simmons, and a costume head, Lindsey Pacheco.

Have a good day!
Michael Lynch

Now THAT is nice manners, no?...

___________________________________________

OK, so it's a little in the future, but maybe you are looking for gruesome dramatic work next fall? If so, then good luck now falls on you like rain on the unsheltered...

Linda Bullock tells us this about next year's Union Depot Halloween event:

Talie Koncilija, James Winget and I are already looking for talent for the Train of Terror this October. It will be the second year of the collaboration with the Depot and the Impossible Players.

We welcome all to our nightmare (bring your own phobia). Dates are tentative, but will run the days up to Halloween.

And to think, Mom always said turning our eyelids inside out would HURT our chances of future success...

___________________________________________

Fair enough, but what about Tom?

Specifically, what about Tom Massmann and several of you, the Aforementioned Loyal & Terribly Attractive Readers, who accompanied Tom to Water World in Denver a few summers ago to be extras when he was assistant director for the feature movie THE SURFER KING?

Tom says we may soon see you in action:

The World Premiere of "The Surfer King" will be in Denver on April 5th.

And, YOU ARE INVITED!! Tickets are available through the website below.

The film stars Alan Thicke, Lindsay Wagner, Randy Wayne and Ben Ziff. You can also watch the trailer of the film at the website listed below, too.

The movie is a family movie it was a lot of fun to shoot and I know you will have a lot of fun watching it too! So, if any of you are around, we'd love to see you there!! Hope you can come!

http://www.premiere.thesurferking.com

Lindsay Wagner, according to the web site and an echo from our dim, dim memory, was the Bionic Woman, so there's that too...


The Damon Runyon Company will have auditions darn soon for MOST HAPPY FELLA, an American opera that will star our own and mostly-beloved Brent Ritter. The auditions are April 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Runyon Theater at 6th and Main Streets.

The story, with great songs, tells the story of an older Italian vineyard owner (Ritter) who manages to trick a younger girl into falling in love with him, using letters and the photo of a younger man. Younger man leaves area, older guy has accident, and true, TRUE love takes its course. Should be good...

We pause here to note that...

___________________________________________

Brent Ritter and Therese Simony both deserve considerable and non-sarcastic applause for winning the most Pueblo Chieftain readers' votes for Best Local Actor and Best Local Actress (you figure out which one is which - it depends on the show).
Those of us who have worked with Brent or Therese know that (a) they are great talents, (b) fun to work with and (b) the itchy rash goes away after just a few weeks, so don't scratch.

But seriously, congratulations to them.

The runners up were (for men)
Kelly Reno (of THE BLACK STALLION), Sean Briggs and Kennedy Pugh, and (for women) E. J. Peaker and Lois DuVall.

And who the heck is E.J. Peaker? Scott Whited asked too and so we did some research on the Internet Movie Database and found:

E.J. (short for Edra Jean) portrayed the role of Minnie Fay in the motion picture Hello, Dolly! (1969). Originally from Oklahoma, E.J. had numerous experience in high school plays, and studied drama at the University of New Mexico as well as experiencing Drama training in Vienna. She also played Broadway in "Bye Bye Birdie". E.J. has made over fifty-two television commercials and starred with Robert Morse in a musical series, "That's Life" (1968). After the picture, E.J. went on to do a lot of Broadway and various other films. Renowned for her sweet giggle, E.J. recently moved into the role of producer and lives with her husband and their 11 yr. old son in Los Angeles.

Some of the high school work apparently happened in Pueblo, we're told, including a mid-1950s Centennial High School production of the musical BRIGADOON.

___________________________________________

And did we mention anything again about THE (ALMOST) LIVE SHOW, the best local sketch comedy show still not yet seen by a significant portion of Pueblo?

It turns out that Episode Two of the show is now being aired on Cable Channel 19 until April 13, when the channel will rotate back to Episode One.

The broadcast schedule is:
Tuesday & Thursday - 11:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday - 10:00 pm

Cast members include Tom Massmann, James Amos (No, he has NO other hobbies), Lara Hays. Marv Hays, Trish Thompson, James Asbury, Geoffrey Simmons, Mary Cunningham, Gail Purcell, Lacie Riccillo, Leslie Kallio of Colorado Springs, Marlo Angle-Hartman, Kennette Oldham, Jerad Bensik, Amanda Swearingen, Jamie Fiedeldey amd Wallace Cotton and others in the videos (child stars Shea and McIan Amos among them).

Episode Two is mostly the second act of the show taped Dec. 16 and 17 at the Imp Theater. But it includes more of (Almost) The News, including an appearance by real-and-acting weatherman Craig Eliot, who looks damned good in a cravat...

___________________________________________

And on another topic...

Leta Langdon's 4-H theatre effort, The 4-H Spotlight Drama Club, recently closed a successful weekend showing of the melodrama-with-literary-origins, THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD.

Highlighted in the show were faces known to us as the witty and articulate Sam Thompson, son of Ken and Trish Thompson, and the truly unstoppable trio of Brena, Gwendolyn and Morgan Adams, daughters of the equally unstoppable but-can-legally-drink Steve and Kelley Adams.

Geoffery Simmons helped out with lights, sound and other wiring-related duties. Langdon directed and pulled a healthy show from the youth, ages 7-18 years old, and they showered her afterward with flowers and praise instead of Gatorade.

The Langdon parents, Bess and Rick Langdon, help maintain the yearly drama group, and Gwendolyn was listed as the club's president for this year.

Our favorite part? The tense combat stand-off with wooden spoons! Hey, they could poke your eye out! Local guy Cory Moosman is still working out of town right now. He tells us:

Still doing (THE) COMPLETE WORKS (OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE) at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.
The show is a huge success, and the audiences have been dying laughing (not quite literally). The show continues this weekend, March 31, April 1, April 2, and again April 7-8-9. For more info, go to www.csfineartscenter.org.

___________________________________________

Moosman follows quickly with the news that...

The SOUTHERN COLORADO THEATRE COMPANY in cooperation with CSU PUEBLO will be holding auditions for the upcoming summer production of "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS". All roles are open. Looking for great actor-singers with a 60's soul/pop flair. There will be a chorus. Must be able to move well. Some stipends will be available.

Director: Cory Moosman
Producer: Kennedy Reilly-Pugh
Music Director: Barbara Beck
Auditions Dates: April 17 & 18 at 7PM
Callbacks: April 24th
Where: CSU Pueblo, Music Building

Rehearsals begin June 5th
Performances: July 20th through July 29th.

Current headshot and resume required. If you do not have a headshot, we will be taking photos of you before the audition. Please bring a 32 bar up-tempo selection appropriate for the show (50's-60's pop). NO SELECTIONS FROM THE SHOW PLEASE. There may be some cold-reading from the script. Come prepared to move, there will be dance.

If you have questions, please contact director Cory Moosman at sctcarts@gmail.com

And your pre-audition drooling for parts can begin... now! ...

___________________________________________

And lastly, for entertainment and education's sake, Moosman says:

The Theatre class at CSU-Pueblo taught by Scott (Whited), myself, and Dorothy Moosman) will be presenting an evening of 1-Act plays, Friday April 21st and Saturday April 22nd at 7:30 PM. More details will be available soon. Come and see a great evening of student directed shows, including Steve Martin's WASP.

Okay, that's it from my angle. Gotta' go see a man about a horseradish.

-Cory

We wish he'd signed off "Love - Cory", or maybe, "Thinking Of You When All About Me Is Fraught With Despair And High Gas Prices - Cory", but it's news, and we'll take what we can get, no?

___________________________________________

That's all we have room or fingertip-energy for this month. So, now that you're thinking of it...

DO YOU have something to include in the next edition of the newsletter? A proud and mostly-factual update on the show you're in? A forecast of cast-wide despondency and mass Kool-Aid binges? Something in between?

Or would you or someone you know or even don't like very much like to join the mailing list?

If yes, send informational bits, catty opinions and yearnings for belonging to james@comcast.net. Remember, if he's almost as bonkers as you, so he can't be very judgmental. Comforting...

Till next edition - James Amos