Saying Farewell ~ Final Thoughts on "The Mousetrap"

I miss everything about "The Mousetrap" terribly, but I know the worst now; it’s all over. No matter how many times I say it, it hurts a little. All these weeks of work and finding it in ourselves to become this show and it’s finished. Never again to be the cast as we were. I think it’s safe to say that we’re different people from when we all auditioned.

It’s the most bittersweet crux of acting. You say goodbye to your cast and character after getting to know them so well. At first you can’t understand it. It’s not that you can’t be or see them again; merely the window of time given to be and live with these people expired. Your character, no matter which he or she was, takes some piece of who you are and doesn’t give it back; but gives you a better piece of yourself you didn’t know you could be or have. The cast is the same way. Everyone takes something away from the show; if we didn’t we didn’t really learn anything now did we?

My cast, crew, and character gave me wings, bravery, and maturity I didn’t think I could have. It was when my cast and crew did everything and nothing that shaped me to be the character I played and person I am now. Everything lined up, we collaborated, tweaked, and painted a story like no other ever has or ever will again. When Mollie started out - okay when I started out, - I was flighty and wouldn’t stay off my tip-toes. It was very young. But through a lot of shaping, molding, and perhaps some pounding Mollie became the young woman she was supposed to be. So after taking my dear Sergeant’s advice I took my own statement, it’s therapeutic in a way, the final stitch over the crack on my heart. But I wouldn’t have this end any other way.  

What’s so madly interesting about people is they have a tendency to relive the tiniest detail of regret over and over again. Things change us but not necessarily the way we plan. One can’t always help looking back, yet, when I do, I regret nothing. ~ Azure Hall

The cast of "The Mousetrap" at their closing night cast party.

An inside glimpse, by Adam Elmergreen

 It is hard to believe that "The Mousetrap" will be opening in less that 3 weeks. What a great adventure it has been to watch a cast breathe life into their characters. Some staying to the traditional representation, while others have redefined their characters, all staying true to the original script.  This added mix has brought a new fresh definition to this classic play.

I had asked the actors to pick one quote from the play that they felt represented the over all feel of their character; and also, to help introduce their characters to a new group of people who may have never seen or heard of "The Mousetrap."  To the left and are quotes from Miss Casewell, Mrs. Boyle, Molly Ralston and Christopher Wren. 

Stay tuned to our future blogs for the remaining character quotes. 

And don't forget to help spread the word about this amazing show! 

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 

or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Thoughts from a Young Actor: Introducing Kailee

 

Since we are only have gone through the first week of rehearsals of The NeverEnding Story, I say that the show looks great so far!  I, and the rest of the cast, can surely tell that this production will be amazing!  It's always a great feeling in the rehearsals when you catch yourself thinking like your character.  When you start moving as if you were really becoming the part you are portraying, you know that you are ready for the show!  I feel that some of the cast is getting to that point.  Others should maybe start thinking about their propose as that character.  Because once we figure out the Who, What, Where, When, and Why of our characters, it all comes easy.
 
I took part in some classes on the summer program, too.  I found them, for the most part, a great experience!  I took Acting, Improv, and Putting on the Look of the Show.  Since I have taking many acting and improv classes in my days, I found those two classes mostly refreshers, which was quite nice.  But to anyone new to acting and improv, the classes are perfect for getting down the basics of them.
 
Putting on the Look of the Show was great to me because I never thought I would actually sew a dress! The class was a lot of fun and it was great to learn new things about costumes and makeup!
 
I would gladly suggest Evergreen to anyone interesting in the performing arts! It's great!

Tickets on sale NOW for "The Never Ending Story" at 403-9540 or www.evergreenproductions.org

Meet the Cast: Lauren Maugeri (Miss Casswell)

I sat in a tiny, old creaky seat, looking over the wooden balcony, telling myself to take in and remember everything I could. I looked at costumes, the set, the actors. I listened intently to their lines, their delivery, their actions.  I studied one character in particular, because, well, she is the character I will portray in September.  And when I got home, and returned to rehearsal at 1010 Waube Lane, images and sounds came back to me.  And I used my experience and shared my experience to help inspire me and my castmates and director.

On Friday, August 9th at 7:30, I was at the St. Martin’s Theatre, West Street, London, England.  I watched the 25,300th show of The Mousetrap, the longest running play in history. This might sound funny, but my first reaction was critical, thinking to myself, I think we do that a bit better.  Maybe it’s because in the short amount of time we’ve been rehearsing, I’ve seen my fellow actors’ characters brought to life already, and I got used to their portrayal.  And already fallen in love with all of them.

At rehearsal this week, as a group, we had a discussion about my character, Miss Casewell.  We all had different perspectives, ideas, and thoughts on her.  My director, Craig Berken, told me in the end it was up to me to find my character, and to know my character better than anyone.

Lauren reviewing lines.

When I watched the actress on stage say the lines I am working on memorizing, I learned new things about my character.  Seeing her portray Miss Casewell a bit differently than I do, helped me cement my vision of my character.  I became more sure of myself.  All the ideas, whether on a stage in London, from my castmates, director, assistant director and shadow director, or from my family and friends who help me rehearse, or from within my own heart and mind, are all a part of finding my Miss Casewell.

There is still lots of work ahead, and I am looking forward to all of it.  And just like in life, I will bring all my experiences, knowledge, inspiration, and energy, to do the best I can do.  In the end, all the different perspectives and interpretations of the actors and audience is what makes theater so great.

            

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 

or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Learning to trust each other

In The Mousetrap, I get to do a lot of different things in the story I’ve never done before, the biggie being I have to be in love. As a 17 year old, I’ve never been in love so this is a unique challenge. It was kind of weird at first with Emmanuel (he plays my husband, Giles) but that was overcome by what our director, Craig, had us do. He had us sit together whenever we weren’t on stage. I know it sounds simple but it made a difference, we got comfortable with each other. We’re still learning how the other works but we understand how the other is going to play his part. Also, I’ve realized something I’ve never fully appreciated or noticed before; you have to trust your cast mates.

            The Mousetrap is a thriller knowing how everybody works and fits together is crucial. This play has such a small cast (8 actors), there aren’t any leads. It’s a level playing field. It’s so soon in the play I’m shocked to see everyone bouncing off of each other and becoming their character without much of themselves showing through. I love it.

            I feel like I’m level with everyone; the leading and following changes several times a scene, each person gets to wrap the audience around his or her fingers. Each gets to stand alone but relies on the ever-changing swirl of the story brought to life by us. 

~ Azure Hall ~ 

The full cast rehearsing a scene.

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 

or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Meet the Cast: Azure Hall (Mollie)

First week of rehearsals are done -- another week closer to opening night! At the same time, it just doesn’t seem real.  For a young actor in her first all-adult Mainstage play, I’m still shocked I made it past auditions. I’ve tried out for several, but because of my age was never cast. I’m walking on clouds. 

Azure Hall

There are so many things different about adult shows versus kid shows. For starters, it moves so much faster, the characterizations that started coming out during auditions started blooming on the first day of practice. Maybe that’s why the story of The Mousetrap is already apparent in our acting.

The play itself is a rather twisted one. There's a definite point to the plot - catch a murderer - but with so many turns taken in the maze you’re never sure what is going to happen next! Alliances switch, suspicions grow, and fingers are pointed. I won’t say anymore because I refuse to spoil the ending. You’ll just have to come and live The Mousetrap with us.

Craig working with Azure & Andy

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 

or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Rehearsals are Underway!

Well, our summer break has flown by & we're back! Currently, our Mainstage Actors are rehearsing for Agatha Christie's, popular murder mystery, The Mousetrap.  Originally, The Mousetrap opened in the West End of London in 1952, and has been running continuously since then. It has the longest initial run of any play in history, with its 25,000th performance taking place on 18 November 2012.  Amazing!

Our production is being directed by Craig Berken, assisted by Amy Tubbs. The cast has had their first read-thru and week of rehearsals; and is once again, a wonderful mix of actors of varying ages and experience.  It's one of my favorite aspects of Evergreen - being accessible to everyone interested in theater.

Since you're most likely wondering who the entire cast is, here you go: 

Craig B. working on blocking with some of the cast.

 

MOLLIE RALSTON - Azure Hall

GILES RALSTON - Emmanuel Zamora

CHRISTOPHER WREN - Ian Wisneski

MRS. BOYLE - Margi Diny

MAJOR METCALF - Michael Yoder

MISS CASEWELL - Lauren Maugeri

MR. PARAVICINI - Adam Elmergreen

DETECTIVE SGT. TROTTER - Andrew Delaurelle

 

 

 

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 

or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Many thanks

Many thanks and kudos to everyone who made the entire 

2012-13 season a success!  

There's the phrase it takes a village to raise a child; well, without the committed group of volunteers known as the Evergreen family, every show would easily flop.  So, again, THANKS EVERYONE!!

Be sure to some and celebrate at our end of the year picnic, 

Sat., June 1, 3p-7:30p, 3040 Opal Rd., GB.

RSVP by May 28,

srevolinski@new(dot)rr(dot)com.

 

And stay tuned for what's coming next:

One down and another to go

Well, we survived our opening weekend!  It was a thrill to have such responsive audiences.  You think you know when you're going to get laughs or a reaction from the audience, and then they surprise you.  They connect with something that you hadn't even thought of originally.

 


One of the favorite scenes for both the cast & the audience has been our "play-within-a-play" scene.  Vera is of course, over the top with her acting and Mame is simply trying to make something out of her minor character.  It becomes a bit "the battle of the divas."  Needless to say absolute chaos and humor follow.  (Poor Reginald & Lord Dudley don't stand a chance.)



 



As our second weekend approaches though, we all begin to feel a bit bittersweet.  We've spent so much time together, especially the last two weeks, and have definitely battled being weary; but soon, the journey will come to it's end.  For now though, we're appreciating each moment and the chance to provide exceptional entertainment for theater lovers, young and old.

 

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Almost there...

What a crazy week it's been!!  Of course, most production weeks are insane as all the final pieces get together; but this has been exceptional.  You see, with a cast of nearly 30, 25+ scenes and multiple costume changes, this is a real labor of love.  Needless to say, all of us involved with community theater are absolutely junkies!  We can't help ourselves.  There is something truly powerful about an intentional group of people focused on a single vision and creating an experience.

And now we're at our final dress rehearsal TONIGHT! We'll be getting our feet wet with a small audience, since family is invited to get a sneak peek.  Now's when we get to see if what we think is funny is really funny and learn a whole new rhythm to each scene as we adjust to the audience's reactions.  Energy will be high, the adrenalin will be flowing - we're ready for an audience!!

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Week Three - COSTUMES!!

With a cast as large as "Auntie Mame" and the fact that the play takes place over 20 years, there are A LOT of costumes to arrange and fit.  Some of the actors are double cast with characters that are in their 20s to their 60s.  The play opens during the bootleg era of the 20s, goes thru the depression, heads down to the glorious south for a spell, then back to Manhattan, plus a trip to Connecticut!  Characters are wild, eccentric, traditional, conservative, urban, suburban - in other words, all over the place.  

If it wasn't for our amazing wardrobe expert, Judy Patefield (pictured), we'd be lost, for sure.  She has the responsibility of taking the director's vision for each person in Mame's world, and creating just the right look.  


As an actor, it's a thrill to collaborate with Judy.  Characters suddenly evolve and develop. It starts to bring our more and more of who s/he will become on stage.


Of course then, there's all the shoes!  Which ones?  Is there such a thing as too many?  HA! Of course not!

 

 

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

They say it takes a village...

 
One of the best gifts Evergreen has to offer is it's ability to bring people of various ages together.  Every now and then, we get a golden opportunity to cast a multi-generational show.  And AUNTIE MAME  is just one of those shows.


You see, when the old and young get together, some really beautiful things happen.  Youth of course, always brings high energy and humor to adults who can forget how playful theater is.  And our seasoned actors have the chance to encourage and mentor the younger ones who are still developing their craft.  So much of the toxicity in this world comes from a collective draining of empathy. We don't understand each other, and we don't want to. But theater invites us -- no, forces us -- to empathize.


 
It's an amazing mix - theater.  People of every age and every race or belief coming together for one purpose and goal.  For it's success, it takes patience, understanding, humor, give and take -- all the same pieces that make family and community.

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Week Two

We've still been spending lots of time working on blocking and getting the gist of our characters.  This week, Mame introduced us to some of her more colorful companions.  There's Gooch, the endearingly awkward secretary, and O'Bannion, the flirtatious ghost writer.

It's always an interesting balance as an actor to hear the director's vision while at the same time interpretting it and creating an authentic character.  Even when the characters are as wild as those in Mame's world, there needs to be a sense of honesty or else they wouldn't be so loveable.







 




Of course, while the director is off working with another group, that's a great chance to work on lines!

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Week One

 

Getting together this week for our first read-thru and initial rehearsals was both awkward & a joy, kinda like your first middle-school dance.  Many of the actors have never worked together, so there's the excitement of getting to know each other plus reacting to each other plus learning blocking!  Phew!  Good thing we all love to laugh & love the process of bringing this baby to life.

Other than Mame (played by Barb Alloy), initially the actors will only have 1-2 rehearsals per week while we learn our blocking.  As time goes on, of course, we'll need to be there more and eventually these charming characters will become merely quaint and quirky extensions of ourselves.   

Oooh! I get goosebumps just thinking about it!

 

 

"I had so much fun at rehearsal this week, I think we should do it again next week! Phenomenal first week of rehearsal. Thank you actors, for your patience and to Bing Harper for having your lines memorized already!!!" - Jon Weiss, director.

 

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

Getting ready for "Auntie Mame"

The cast of MAME is getting excited as the first read-thru approaches.  Keep checking here for the latest updates of the rehearsal process and get to know some of these wonderful eccentric characters before you see the show!  

Tickets are on sale now thru the St. Norbert Box Office, 920-403-3950 or online, www.evergreenproductions.org

And if you haven't heard the cast list yet, here it is:

• Barb Alloy - Mame Dennis
• Amanda Cormican - Gloria Upson
• Laura Duescher - Pegeen Ryan
• Adam Elmergreen - Ralph Devine
• Max Frost - Ito
• Paul J Grall- Lindsay Woolsey
• Ann Preiss Gray - Mother Burnside
• Kelly Grelecki - Agnes Gooch
• Bailee Harper - Osbert, Al Linden
• Bing Harper - Michael Dennis
• David Harper - Brian O'Bannion
• Mark Jackson - Beauregard Burnside
• Lana Kakuk - Sally Cato MacDougal
• Keith Lutz - Claude Upson
• Terry Muldoon - Norah Muldoon
• Colleen Moriarty - Doris Upson
• Daniel Newdiger - Cousin Jeff
• Cheryll O'Callaghan- Cousin Fan
• Michael O'Callaghan - Dwight Babcock
• Sam Phillip - Young Patrick Dennis
• Connor Quaintance - Emory MacDougal
• Teresa Sergott - Vera Charles
• Michael Troyer - Edwin Dennis
• Robert Wautier - Mr Loomis, Mr. Waldo
• Ian Wisneski - Adult Patrick Dennis

Shakespeare (abridged)

What a great run!!  Thanks for all who came out to see the show.  Evergreen appreciates your support.  Please be sure to share with your friends all that's happening at Evergreen Productions!!

Also, our Young Actors' production of "Space Pirates" OPENS FEB. 28.  Don't wait till the last minute - get your tickets now! 920-403-3950 or 800-762-2699

Bridge to the New Season!

After a successful friends and family night and a rousing round of performances for local schools, Bridge to Terabithia is ready to open tonight!

Traditionally, Evergreen's Young Performers season opens with a well known and well loved fairy tale.  Fairy tales will always have their value, and we choose plays with the young audence in mind as much as the young actors.  That said, when I was a young performer I was dying to play a real person, with thoughts and experiences like I had, in a story to which I could truly relate.  The actors in Bridge to Terabithia had complex characters in a heartfelt story, and each and every one of them rose to the challenge.   I was especially a fan of the mom and dad.  It's hard to play a character so much older than yourself, and both these actors did so in a genuine and convincing way.

The scenery was a simple set of levels for the performers to play on and transform into the space they needed, rather the way the characters Jesse and Leslie would transform the woods around their farm houses into their own magical kingdom.  The set was further transformed by the beautiful lighting.  But what stuck most in my mind was the music.  It served as another feature to the scenery, adding dimension to mundane school days with David Cassidy,  dreamy tunes when building Terabithia, and aggressive techno while the fifth graders are psyching themselves up for a big race. 

Bridge to Terabithia has a short run, just the September 30th through October 2nd.  Be sure to get your tickets!

 

All pictures are courtesy of Becky Bourget of Captivating Images by Becky.

Moving on Up

One day you've got an amazing production of Our Town on stage, the next morning every physical aspect of it is disassembled and packed away to make way for a whole new show.   Not twelve hours after the curtain came down and Bridge to Terabithia is taking shape on the stage.

Such is the nature of theatre, but no tears please!  There was breakfast food.

Costumes are lined up and ready to be fit!

You wouldn't ask your friends to move a couch
without buying them pizza...

Diligent volunteers.

As a sometimes designer, I have to say that I am salivating not only at that coffee cake, but at the levels created by those platforms going up on stage.  I can't wait to see the actors in this space!  Check back in a few days for a review and behind the scenes photos.  And don't forget to get your tickets!  Bridge to Terabithia is the opening show of our Young Actors season.  And Young Actors shows are not only for young audiences, but for the young at heart.  We open September 30th at 7 p.m. and have two matinees on Saturday the 1st at one and four p.m. and Sunday the 2nd at one p.m.

Our Town Winds Down, Bridge Gears Up

Our Town begins it's second set of shows tonight and after a well deserved rest, the cast and crew are ready to hit the stage and backstage, respectively.  In case you missed it, Warren Gerds of the Press Gazette gave us three and a half stars.  But I'm not here to boast.  Today I've got a little feast for your eyes...

On the Outskirts of Our Town

One of the many perks of being the Evergreen Blogger (and let's face it, there are a bunch!) is being able to sneak into the final dress rehearsal for Our Town.   I did just that last night...

The actors prepare.  

In school, one is taught to start a review with a synopsis.  With most plays I could say: "There's been a murder and no one knows where the diamonds are!" or "A boy likes a girl, but she doesn't care for him" or "This prince's dead father asks for vengeance and hilarity ensues."

The narrative of Our Town is different; the first act is about daily life, the second is about love and marriage, and the last act is about death.  Honestly though, I could have saved your time and simply typed that Our Town is about life and death.

 A friend of mine loves to comment that Our Town is the most successful play in American history where nothing really happens.  Yes, well, the reason it's so successful is that every person lives and dies, and this play has something to say to each and every one of them.

Getting a feel for the space.

Enduring as the source material is, the Evergreen cast and crew make it sing.  The design of the play seems spartan on first glance, but the music, lights and costumes come together to create a town around two tables and two archways.   Simple, but perfect.  

I urge you to see this play.  Let it work on you, and let yourself be taken in by it.  I'm not too proud to admit I cried through the last act.  I dare say I was the only one because, being a dress rehearsal, everyone else there had seen the play fifty times.  Such heartbreak is a testament to the actors themselves.  I certainly don't remember crying when I first read the play!

The director tells the actors where to stand for their curtain call.  You will be standing as well!

Our Town opens this Friday, September 16th, at 7:30 and runs through this weekend and the next.  Call the St. Norbert College's Ticket Office at (920) 403-3950 or order tickets online.  Tickets start at 12 dollars...seriously, that's a dollar more than a movie in 3D.  For one more dollar you could see a play in 4D!  Don't miss the opportunity to see Evergreen's production of Our Town.  Take someone you love, or just someone you like.  

And as always, let me know what you think in the comments, or on our facebook page.  Don't let me be the only reviewer!

But Just What IS a Terabithia?

The poster for our Young Actor's season opener, Bridge to Terabithia, has been hanging up at work for a couple of weeks now.  I've overheard a few puzzled questions about the show, it would seem the Newberry Award winning book on which it's based is not nearly as famous as it should be!

Courtesy of Amazon.com
A hint perhaps?  The Brown County Library has copies too!

Bridge to Terabithia is the story of two friends; one  leads an average, boring life and feels like an outsider, the other is an outsider and feels perfectly at peace until she is ridiculed for being different ("different" meaning such horrors as "doesn't own a TV" and "lives in a spooky house").  

I was compelled (by a teacher's syllabus) to read Bridge to Terabithia when I was in middle school.  That awkward time when everyone feels like an outsider, kids are cruel for reasons as asinine as "doesn't own a TV" and a person first starts to realize that what they consider to be normal isn't normal for everyone.  At first I balked at the book, I preferred reading fantasy to reading about other people create their own fantasy.  I was oddly annoyed by the female protagonist, the relentless dreamer, Leslie.  And I was enraged by the slow-witted supporting cast; the block-headed siblings and jeering classmates.  Of course by the end of the book, I realized why I had had such a visceral reaction to the book.  I was just like Leslie, and a little like pragmatic protagonist Jesse, too.  I had to deal with being taunted for reading and wearing kooky clothes and not having seen the latest episode of Friends.  Bridge to Terabithia gave my preteen self a way to consider my own life in a way I never had before.  Leslie and Jesse weren't heroes to me, but they had become powerful allies.

Evergreen's Young Actor's shows have always been as much about education as entertainment.  We use children as actors (on of the few children's theatre in the country to do so) and encourage them to assist with technical aspects as well, such as designing costumes, building sets, and creating brilliant light plans (no easy feat!)  But it's not enough for us!  We don't perform mere pageants.  We wish to enrich young audiences as well as entertain them.  We want to give kids something to think about when they leave the theater because, let's face it, kids are smart.

If you've never read this wonderful book before, I urge you to do so.  And if you have a young adult in your home, moping around and despairing of how bored they are, give them a copy of Bridge to Terabithia...I'm sure it will be a nice break from telling them to clean their room.  

Then, see it live September 29-October 2nd!  I'm what would be considered an adult, I've been paying taxes for some years and I've had time to develop skill in dealing with bullies.  But I've still got my tickets...and I hope to see you at the show!

Have you read Bridge to Terabithia?  Let me know what you thought in the comments!  Don't be shy, that's not what theatre is about!

Blogmistress MB