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

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