Thank you to Brian Hurst for doing website vocal overdubs for me. We were recording overdubs for a production of Peter Pan; he plays Captain Hook in the show. His Hook accent is just too much fun not to use for other things. I’ll keep the overdubs up for a while until I get too many complaints.
And for the record, Brian Hurst is the ULTIMATE Captain Hook actor. Pretty incredible. Check my Peter Pan section for pictures from the show.
My Piano Nocturnes! I had forgotten about them. While doing sound effects for Peter Pan I needed a melancholy lullabye played on piano for the final scene – didn’t quite have time to compose a piece for it and then I remembered: The Nocturnes!
These were all improvised live in a church sanctuary deep in the night. These are my original pieces. One starts off like Moonlight Sonata, but takes a different path.. You will definately hear the Bach influence on the pieces. I am very proud of them and if you don’t like them, then you are a stinky codfish.
My favorites are #1 and #2 – I put them first so I wouldn’t have to waste time on the CD to hear them.
My friend Deb Carole sat in the Sanctuary while I played these and would give me input. It was a great evening and a memory I treasure. I improvise a lot like this late at night in a sanctuary, but this is the only time I recorded. Someone asked me recently if I ever practice at church late at night and just go nuts. The answer is yes, all the time. When I’m finished it’s a feeling like no other, always a feeling of peace and serenity – like what a Marathon runner must feel after a good workout.
My favorite is to do Bach style improvisations, they get very fast and would probably not please most ears I think. But at those times I don’t have to play for anyone else, just me and Thee.
Peter Pan – Presented by the Theater Arts Guild (TAG) at McIntyre Hall (Mount Vernon, WA), November 17-26, 2006.
Flying effects by ZFX, Inc.
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CAST – In order of appearance
NANA – Hydee Garman
Michael Darling – Alyssa Nelson
Mrs. Darling – Nicola Pearson
John Darling – Alex Ragusa
Wendy Darling – Taylor Frizzell
Mr. Darling – Brian Young
Peter Pan – Sarah Tsinger
Tinker Bell – Carly Stewart
Liza – Andrea Talley
Faires – Molly Frahm, Connor Nelson, Corin Pierce, Kaytin Rooney, Sophie Stewart
Wolves/Audience/Cabin Boys – Eva Givens, Hayden Idom, Gus Kidane, Trevin Rudy
Lost Boys – Emma Eliason, Cameron Frahm, James Matson, Jason Miller, Annie Murray, Alice Pollock, Greg Pollock, Reid Wells
Captain Hook – Brian Hurst
Smee – James Lindsey
Gentlemen Starkey – Brian Young
Cecco – Thomas Young
Billie Jukes – Brydie Landreth
Noodler – Jeff Huschka
Mullins – Matthias Struck
Cookson – Pete Grace
Pirates – Kevin Cobley, Susan Cook, Nathan Hamer, Kraut, Roger Ragusa
Pirate Wenches – Kathy Dean, Ann Klitzke-Nelson, Susan Watson
Tiger Lily – Felisha Palomera
Panther – Stefan Vanden Kooy
Warriors – Mikalah Barem, Shelby Burkhart, Rose Drummond, Rachel Huschka, Madison Idom, Maria Matson, Francesca Ragusa, Lourdes Young
Mermaids – Alisha Anderson, Ann-Kristin Becker, Sarah Damstra, Demi Fair, Chloe Roberts, Rachael Young
Crocodile – Dave Needy
Older Wendy – Alisha Anderson
TECHNICAL CREW
Producers – Ellen Palmer, Bruce Vilders
Director – Dianne Goddard
Assistant to Director – Kathy Dean
Stage Manager – Brian Paxton
Assistant Stage Manager – Emma Lynn
Set Coordinator – Steve Craig
Technical Director – Don Willcuts
Carpenters – Philip Brown, Steve Craig, Howie, Don Willcuts
Costume Designer – Cathy Pfahl
Light Designer – Seajay Winters
Sound Designer – Jerry Fortier
Sound Effects Designer – Conrad Askland
Prop Designers – Shari Lindberry, Carole Lindberry, Fred Hastings
Make-up Designer – Seajay Winters
Tinkerbell Engineer – Martha McDade
Sound Engineer – Adam Lynn
Light Board Operator – Steve Fisher
Spot Operator – Wes Furlong
Paint Crew – Howie, Carrie James, Dave James, Sharon Litton, Suzanne McLamb, Norman Rogue, Ellen Palmer, Dorothy Peth, Jen Spence, Bruce Vilders, Seajay Winters
Fly Rail Crew – Spencer Desmarais, Howie, Dave Mumford, Nate Young
Running Crew – Spencer Desmarais, Alisha Huschka, Suzanne McLamb, Jim Nelson, Kelly Pollino, Emily Watilo, Wes Furlong, Jordan Lange
Aerial Crew – Spencer Desmarais, Jim Nelson, Roger Ragusa, Matt Struck, Dave Mumford, Nate Young
Props Crew – Amanda Curtis, Carol Garman
Hair/Make-up Supervisor – Patty Idom
Make-Up Crew – Daniel Davidge, Esther Ramirez, Amy Vermulm
Costume Crew – Jann Barem, Jill Eliason, Lu Parker, Leslie Crawford, Anne Clarke, Cast and their families
Volunteer Coordinator – Ann Klitzke-Nelson
Fight Choreographer – Bruce Vilders
Aerial Choreographer – JoAnne Craig
Warrior Choreographer – Lourdes Young
Poster Design – Scott McDade
Bio/Underwriting Boards – Jann Barem and Mikalah Barem
Flying effects provided by ZFX, Inc.
Thank you to Russ Morgan from ZFX
2006 Theater Arts Guild
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cathy Pfahl – President
Scott McDade – Vice President
Ellen Palmer – Secretary
John Cheney – Treasure
Harold Paige
Conrad Askland
Molly McNulty
Ann Klitzke-Nelson
Susan Watson
Brian Paxton
Carl K. Turner
Jane E. Skinner
Roger Ragusa
Jann Barem
Bruce Vilders
Eileen Butler
Pat Shreve
Karen Marshall
Dianne Goddard
Clarence Holden
Peter Pan opens at McIntyre Hall (Mount Vernon, WA) on November 17, 2006 for a two week run. More info at the Theater Arts Guild website. Peter Pan will fly and battle Captain Hook!
Tickets: 360-416-7727
www.mcintyrehall.org
Friday Nov 17 7:30 pm
Saturday – $10 bargain show* Nov 18 2:00 pm
Saturday Nov 18 7:30 pm
Sunday Nov 19 2:00 pm
Wednesday – $10 bargain show* Nov 22 7:30 pm
Friday Nov 24 2:00 pm
Friday Nov 24 7:30 pm
Saturday Nov 25 2:00 pm
Saturday Nov 25 7:30 pm
Sunday Nov 26 2:00 pm
*Important Bargain Show Limitations: Festival Seating. No Advance Sale. Tickets are sold at the box office ONLY, 2 hours prior to show time.
Audition Times, Free Audition Workshop and HSM Audition Tips.
Theater Arts Guild (T.A.G.) is having open auditions for Disney’s High School Musical on December 6 and 7 2006. For direct info and to schedule an audition time visit the Theater Arts Guild Website.
Auditions Tuesday, December 6th at 4, 5, 6:30, or 7:30 pm Wednesday, December 7th at 4, 5, 6:30, or 7:30 pm at the TAG rehearsal hall at 121 South 12th Street, a half block south of Division Street in Mount Vernon.
Directed by Scott McDade. Choroeography by Donna Carroll. Music Direction by Conrad Askland
AUDITION WORKSHOP
A free audition workshop will be held November 29th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. at the TAG rehearsal hall at 121 South 12th Street, a half block south of Division Street in Mount Vernon.
Although the workshop is open to anyone who wants to sharpen their audition skills, it’s designed especially for people who have never auditioned before. Bring your audition song (with a tape, CD, or sheet music) and your dramatic reading – and get ready to have fun exploring how far you can take your performance!
Space is limited. Visit the TAG Website to register.
NOTES AND TIPS FROM CONRAD
This is a hip hop / pop musical. Check out the video, it’s been a hit on Disney. The plot is fun with lots and lots of roles for many people, not just a couple of leads. We will have a tight hip hop crew for our live band and it will probably drive a lot harder than the movie version. This unique musical has room for basketball players, urban style dancers and DJ’s in the pit.
KNOW WHAT PART YOU ARE AUDITIONING FOR – If you are auditioning for Sharpay or Evan, you might want to try traditional musical theatre pieces – upbeat pieces ala “Copacabana”. For Sharpay or Evan, strong dance skills are essential – and we’d like to see you dance and sing at the same time. If you are auditioning for Troy or Gabriella, do a modern hip hop/pop piece. Especially for Troy’s role we’ll want to hear some soul and hip hop inflections. Don’t know what role you’re going for? Then do a SHORT bit of each type of music.
We may be looking for some specific elements including:
1) Male and Female lead that can sing pop/hip hop with effortless ease, appearing as “natural” untrained talent.
2) Male and Female lead that are hyper-trained in voice and dance. They are slick with over the top synchronized talent.
3) BASKETBALL PLAYERS – Males that are wizards with a basketball and can shoot hoops well.
4) Shy, smart, sensitive actor that can play easy piano. (At the level of “Let It Be” by the Beatles). Singing not imperative for this role.
5) PIT BAND – Contact Conrad Askland here on this website (click “Home”, then click “Contact” link on right). We are going to rock the house. I need a DJ that can scratch records live and a tight hip hop crew to work with audio samples. I also need some percussionists (already have bass/drumkit) and two versatile, grooving guitar players that can read charts.
6) HIGH SCHOOL MUSICIANS – Want to get your school involved? We can use a small marching band and also a drum line.
7) LOTS of roles for male hip hop dancers/basketball athletes that can sing. Also lots of female supporting roles with some singing. IF YOU SING STRONG HIP HOP, I strongly encourage you to audition.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Troy Bolton
Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) is one of the protagonists in the movie, the basketball team captain. He has a great voice that he first discovered in the beginning of the movie when he was singing karaoke with Gabriella Montez at a New Years Eve party. Troy has to face his friends with his new passion for singing and face his father, who is also his basketball coach. He comes to realize that he has strong feelings for Gabriella and also manages to both play in the basketball team and sing in the callbacks for the school musical with Gabriella. He is friends with Chad Danforth and the team.
Gabriella Montez
Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) is the shy and brainy new student at East High. She originally meets Troy Bolton at a Ski Lodge on New Years Eve. It is there she realizes her love for singing, previously only being “The Freaky Math Girl”. She had previously been in church choir, but when singing solo, she, quote “looked at all the people staring at me and next thing I knew I was looking at the ceiling. End of solo career.” Sharpay and Ryan find out that she has won numerous Scholastic Competitions and try to get her to join the Scholastic Decathlon by showing an article to Taylor, the leader of the scholastic decatholon team, because they are afraid that she wants to try out for the musical. She and Troy, against all odds, audition for the Winter musical and win the roles that they auditioned for. She comes to realize that she has strong feelings for Troy and also manages to both do the scholastic decathalon and sing in the callbacks for the school musical with Troy.
Sharpay Evans
Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) is the antagonist of the story who is shown as an arrogant, domineering, and overall brattish person. She had always had the lead role in musicals since kindergarten, and is very mean to Kelsi, the composer, saying that Kelsi’s compositions are nothing without her and her brother. Sharpay is the more cunning of the Evans twins, and doesn’t treat her brother Ryan very well. Sharpay changes the callbacks date to prevent Troy and Gabriella from getting the roles, but it doesn’t work out. However, at the end of the show, she has a change of heart and wishes Gabriella luck. Also, she initially rejects Zeke, but after tasting his cookies, she falls for him and is seen hugging him in the end.
Ryan Evans
Ryan Evans (Lucas Grabeel) is Sharpay’s brother and acting partner. They’ve starred in 17 school musicals together. Ryan isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, as shown by his inability to read a sign the Basketball team made out of letters on their shirts which read “Go Drama Club!”. He doesn’t have any friends besides Sharpay so he usually follows her around. Ryan is the nicer of the two twins. He sings both ‘What I’ve Been Looking For’ and ‘Bop to the Top’ with Sharpay and also has a small solo in ‘We’re All in This Together.’
Taylor McKessie
Taylor McKessie (Monique Coleman) is the leader of the school scholarly/science club, which competes in the scholastic decathalon. She befriends Gabriella when she came to the school and, by means both foul and fair, convinces her to join the scholastic club. While she at first tried to stop Gabriella from singing, she eventually ended up supporting her.
Chad Danforth
Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu) is a member of the Wildcats team. He seems to be extremely devoted to basketball. From the start he’s a little selfish and unsupportive of Troy’s auditioning for the musical. He thinks that the musical isn’t for basketball players. However, he realizes later that singing is something that Troy truly enjoys and so Chad gives his support to his best friend’s audition endeavor. He also falls for Gabriella’s best friend Taylor McKessie.
Minor characters
Ms. Darbus
Ms. Darbus (Alyson Reed) is the harsh drama teacher at East High. Her nemesis is Coach Bolton (Troy’s father), and she will only ease up on talented singers. She likes to pronounce ‘musical’ with a flourish, using a French accent.
Coach Jack Bolton
Coach Jack Bolton (Bart Johnson) is the Wildcats’ coach and Troy’s dad. He is a former champion Wildcat player, and, like everyone else, expects the same thing of his son. His nemesis is Ms. Darbus, who puts two of his players in detention on a basketball practice day.
Kelsi Nielsen
Kelsi “Playmaker” Nielsen (Olesya Rulin) who receives her nickname from Troy, and also “Small Person” from Chad, is the composer of the Twinkle Town musical, which includes the songs “What I’ve Been Looking For” and “Breaking Free”. Kelsi is not the most confident person as noted by her reaction to Sharpay’s comment that Kelsi’s knowledge about musicals is not very large, however she gains confidence throughout the film and at the end of the movie, ends up standing up for herself.
Zeke Baylor
Zeke (Chris Warren Jr) is a member of the Wildcats team. He is interested in baking (revealed during Stick to the Status Quo) and he likes Sharpay. At the end of the movie Sharpay starts to like him for his excellent skills – and cookies. Also, as he says in Stick To the Status Quo, he wants to bake the perfect crème brûlée.
Jason Cross
Jason (Ryne Sanborn) is also a player in the Wildcats team and eventual love interest for Kelsi Neilsen. It is shown in the finale that Jason takes off Kelsi’s hat, revealing her wavy brown hair and helps her shoot the game ball.
Martha Cox
Martha (Kaycee Stroh) has a solo in “Stick To The Status Quo” confessing that she thinks Hip-hop is cooler than homework. She is the only girl other than Sharpay who appears in the finale. She also appears in a few scenes with the scholastic decathlon team.
Cast photos for Seussical the Musical, November 2006, McIntyre Hall – Mount Vernon, WA. Presented by META Performing Arts.
What a fun show this was! I think it was a real bullseye for the kids, META Performing Arts and the artistic team.
This is a show that will leave it’s mark for several years. It has raised the bar in several areas for local children’s theatre. We took a lot of chances, had a lot of “firsts” for McIntyre Hall – and it all worked.
Someone asked me today if I knew the show would be this good, and I said Yes. However, there was definately some support I needed from the directors and producers to get my end done – and they came through 110%. Ok, blah blah blah, it rocked and everyone did their part.
This group of kids became such a very polished professional group. Even backstage it was total pro. Amazing considering the ages we were working with. So YOU KIDS ROCK!
I had one person tell me they saw the touring Seussical show with Cathy Rigby and felt that ours was better. They were also very surprised at how “high class” our orchestra sounded. Mostly when I get compliments like that I brush them off a bit, but in the case of this show I know it’s true. I really do think this crew could go up against a touring show.
And the most awesome comment I got today was from a mother who said her child had never participating in such a professional environment before. It made me remember when I was a kid and doing pro and semi-pro gigs. Made me smile. For many of the kids in this run of Seussical, this show will be a life altering experience for them. Some will realize they do not have to just be cute and slide along, they can actually step to the plate and bring it.
For some it means the next time they have a goal they are really driven to strive for, that this time they have a chance at acheiving it. Theatre also has a way of breaking down stereotypes. We all have a little mold we fit into, fulfilling other people’s expectations of ourselves. But in theatre we have a chance to reach out and be something different. Kids that have learning disabilities, are socially challenged; WHATEVER the shortcoming is (and we ALL have shortcomings, don’t kid yourself) – in theatre for each show they have a level playing field to start fresh.
For myself, my early performance experiences were extremely intense. It was largely a classical environment and I was a choirboy. Rehearsals were intense, performances were intense – but those shows instilled in me that nothing else will do. Nothing else is acceptable. There’s a saying (well, ok, it’s scripture) a friend shared with me that says if we bring our very best we will perform before kings. To perform before kings is not so important to me (I’ve had goals like that previously in life, and when I reached them they were empty and ephemeral). But it is MOST important that a little of that idea, the idea of reaching with absolute resolve in the arts, has been passed on with this show. At least I hope it has.
As the Cat in the Hat would say: “How sad! How terribly terribly Sad! Isn’t that Sad?” – the run is over. On to the next. Deep breath. Remember the mountain we climbed together. Another opening, another show – but life is a little sweeter for having been involved in this production……
Here are some pics of stage musicians for META’s production of Seussical the Musical at McIntyre Hall, November 2006. We didn’t have a professional photographer for these, so they’re a bit grainy. Click thumbnail images to view full size.
Seussical Producer – Kate Kypuros
Seussical Cast
Our run of Seussical the Musical was sold out for Thursday’s performance 11/09/06. McIntyre Hall has 650 seats including balcony and box seats. Rumor has it our attendance was 690 with many children sitting in laps to accomodate the crowd. It was our best show yet, a real rush for the cast and crew.
Hope to see you Sat night or Sunday matinee, our last two shows at McIntyre Hall, Mount Vernon, WA.
This is your last weekend to see META’s production of Seussical the Musical at McIntyre Hall (Mount Vernon, WA). Shows open to the public are Thurs, Fri, Sat 7pm shows and closing Sunday 2pm matinee (November 9-12, 2006).
Many people have asked me if it’s a fun production. The answer is yes, it’s WAY fun. Our 20 piece orchestra is fantastic and it’s a blast to conduct it. So, be there or be square.
Here’s a photo of my setup for the show. I also play keyboards. My favorite setup is using three keyboard arrays in a “U” shape. I usually have one main keyboard in front so I have easy access to scores, batons, etc. For this show I just use one keyboard on either side. To my right I use a B3 replica synthesizer by Korg, and to my left is a Yamaha keyboard triggering my laptop computer. I use Kontakt by Native Instruments and program a custom sound bank for special effects and pre-show music. I think it’s much better to time the sound effects live with the action, rather than relying on compact discs. It also allows me to overly multiple effects where needed in real time. In addition to my keyboards, we have FOUR more keyboardists. Keyboard heaven!
Lighting booth at McIntyre Hall preparing cues.
A photo during tech week while setting the stage for Seussical. The hat is flown.
View of Seussical stage from the sound room. For this production we use 18 wireless microphones and an extra mixing board for a total of 40 channels between vocalists and orchestra.
Backside of the Seuss tree and added reinforcements.
Looking at the sound booth.
Rocky Horror Picture Show was voted the 7th best musical of all time by Channel 4 viewers. See 100 Best Musicals List.
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7. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) The ultimate audience participation movie. Richard O’Brien’s cult musical tribute to Hollywood’s horror B-movies is rocket powered by Tim Curry’s performance as the crazed Dr Frank N Furter. Hosting a convention of alien deviants at his Ohio castle, the transvestite doctor unveils his latest creation, a love machine called Rocky Horror. Great rock’n’roll, great characters, great musical.