This is the last week to see Life X 3. Only three performances left before we wave goodbye to this strange ride.
The weather has not been kind, which has led to sporadic attendance. But the cast has been a strong bunch - able to stay professional despite the myriad of distractions that comes with a new space. They've all done fine work on this Chicago premiere.
All in all, the run has proved fruitful from an artistic side. The play reveals new insights every time they run it. And, of course, the cast keeps it lively with slight variations every night.
The audience has been interesting. Some are quiet, some are loud, and some are completely amused by what's happening on stage. This play has that overall effect on those who see it. I compare it to Groundhog Day meets Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf. A heady mix that is like taking a ride on a roller coaster. Good times. Good times.
At this point, attendance is slim for this weekend, but I'm hopeful it will pick up. Final weekends tend to bring out the late rush of people who've been too busy to see past performances. Hopefully that is the case and maybe the weather will stay quiet.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO
It seems like we have two scenarios working to their logical conclusions. The show Life X 3 will be ending, and the auditions for Murdering Marlowe will be starting.
The day we close one will give way to the night we begin the other.
This is the time where I begin to wonder if the last-minute masses will make their way to see our show. I can't see why not: a tight cast, interesting script, tons of press and a new space.
Of course what seems obvious on the one hand, can lead to empty houses on the other. A show like Life X 3 challenges and has that funky title. Not like Vagina Monologues or Santaland Diaries, but something else all together, which doesn't have them running up eight flights of stairs to see it. Just kidding - you can take the elevator.
Yes, this is the fun little struggle you deal with when you present your art. "And there was much rejoicing. Yeah."
As for Murdering Marlowe, the situation stays the same: where are the men? Can we get some guys, please? One of the most pressing issues with suburban theatre is the lack of quality male actors. And with the recent influx of theater activity in the last 7 years, it all becomes that much harder.
What you'll find is many male actors stay close to groups that star them, regardless of the material. Sure, there are exceptions, but usually it is a tall order getting people to travel. Still, the pool is very shallow when it comes to male actors, regardless of where you dip your feet.
Chicago has actors. The young twenty-somethings don't mind building a resume by doing a show in the burbs - once. That's it. Only one time will they make that drive. I can't blame them. When we worked in Chicago for four years, the drive wore me down like a Rachel Yamagata song.
So the plight with Murdering Marlowe is that he might never come to life to begin with. If I can't get the right cast, I will have to rethink the whole situation. The play requires 7 men and 2 women, which means that right now we have an inverted situation, with nine women and two men scheduled to audition. That's how it goes, so many plays with males parts and too many women to fill. Now don't get me wrong, I've worked with some wonderful women in the theatre. The problem is there aren't that many men left in the burbs. And so many plays are dominated by men.
The last few shows I've directed have found me dodging the bullet when comes to casting. The Laramie Project, We Only Have Ives For You, Squirrels and Life X 3 - all these plays almost didn't happen because the male actors I needed didn't show until the last minute. Sometimes the last minute wasn't enough, leading me to make many, many phone calls.
That's why you have a backup plan (new play) if you need to change directions. It's also why I take Aleve on a regular basis.
The day we close one will give way to the night we begin the other.
This is the time where I begin to wonder if the last-minute masses will make their way to see our show. I can't see why not: a tight cast, interesting script, tons of press and a new space.
Of course what seems obvious on the one hand, can lead to empty houses on the other. A show like Life X 3 challenges and has that funky title. Not like Vagina Monologues or Santaland Diaries, but something else all together, which doesn't have them running up eight flights of stairs to see it. Just kidding - you can take the elevator.
Yes, this is the fun little struggle you deal with when you present your art. "And there was much rejoicing. Yeah."
As for Murdering Marlowe, the situation stays the same: where are the men? Can we get some guys, please? One of the most pressing issues with suburban theatre is the lack of quality male actors. And with the recent influx of theater activity in the last 7 years, it all becomes that much harder.
What you'll find is many male actors stay close to groups that star them, regardless of the material. Sure, there are exceptions, but usually it is a tall order getting people to travel. Still, the pool is very shallow when it comes to male actors, regardless of where you dip your feet.
Chicago has actors. The young twenty-somethings don't mind building a resume by doing a show in the burbs - once. That's it. Only one time will they make that drive. I can't blame them. When we worked in Chicago for four years, the drive wore me down like a Rachel Yamagata song.
So the plight with Murdering Marlowe is that he might never come to life to begin with. If I can't get the right cast, I will have to rethink the whole situation. The play requires 7 men and 2 women, which means that right now we have an inverted situation, with nine women and two men scheduled to audition. That's how it goes, so many plays with males parts and too many women to fill. Now don't get me wrong, I've worked with some wonderful women in the theatre. The problem is there aren't that many men left in the burbs. And so many plays are dominated by men.
The last few shows I've directed have found me dodging the bullet when comes to casting. The Laramie Project, We Only Have Ives For You, Squirrels and Life X 3 - all these plays almost didn't happen because the male actors I needed didn't show until the last minute. Sometimes the last minute wasn't enough, leading me to make many, many phone calls.
That's why you have a backup plan (new play) if you need to change directions. It's also why I take Aleve on a regular basis.
Monday, February 19, 2007
LENORE ADKINS GIVES PRAISE!
Sunday's edition of the Daily Herald featured some kind words from staff writer Lenore Adkins.
Says she:
...Elgin play’s backdrop gives it a trendy feel.
I don’t know if you’ve been to see the
Janus Theater Company’s latest
production, “Life X 3,” inside the new
Elgin Art Showcase in the Professional
Building, but if you haven’t, you should
totally check it out.
My friend, Elisabeth Carrel, a copy editor
at the Daily Herald, and I took in a sneak preview
of the show a day before its official release. A party
followed afterward in the green room that featured
champagne, cider and dozens of pastries.
Anyway, I must say the new performance
space is phenomenal, with sweeping views of
downtown Elgin. And the play, set in a Paris
apartment, included those views in the backdrop
that, to me, made the production all the more realistic.
As I told Elgin Mayor Ed Schock, who also
was there with his wife Karen, the open view gave
the apartment a trendy loft feel. You should
definitely check it out for yourselves.
Adkins was one of many people that made it to the "sneak preview" night. Her comments were welcome and she's right. The space has a trendy feel, but more importantly, it gives off an urban atmosphere, reminiscent of what you would find in Chicago or even New York. Definitely a new jewel in Elgin's downtown revival.
Says she:
...Elgin play’s backdrop gives it a trendy feel.
I don’t know if you’ve been to see the
Janus Theater Company’s latest
production, “Life X 3,” inside the new
Elgin Art Showcase in the Professional
Building, but if you haven’t, you should
totally check it out.
My friend, Elisabeth Carrel, a copy editor
at the Daily Herald, and I took in a sneak preview
of the show a day before its official release. A party
followed afterward in the green room that featured
champagne, cider and dozens of pastries.
Anyway, I must say the new performance
space is phenomenal, with sweeping views of
downtown Elgin. And the play, set in a Paris
apartment, included those views in the backdrop
that, to me, made the production all the more realistic.
As I told Elgin Mayor Ed Schock, who also
was there with his wife Karen, the open view gave
the apartment a trendy loft feel. You should
definitely check it out for yourselves.
Adkins was one of many people that made it to the "sneak preview" night. Her comments were welcome and she's right. The space has a trendy feel, but more importantly, it gives off an urban atmosphere, reminiscent of what you would find in Chicago or even New York. Definitely a new jewel in Elgin's downtown revival.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
WE'RE BACK!
This is a little late. About one year to be exact. But after producing the successful Laramie Project in Chicago, we had to regroup and refocus, while we prepared to move into our new digs - the Elgin Art Showcase!
That's right. After eight years of wandering, claiming the irreverent titles - nomadic stalwart and gypsy troupe - we are now settled and prepared to enter middle-age in an old/new space.
Some background. The Elgin Art Showcase is an old ballroom with high ceilings and hardwood floors. The space has been fully renovated to provide gallery/performance space for Elgin artists and performing groups. We jumped at the chance and when they asked groups to provide dates, we said we could do five shows accounting for 19 weeks!
That's a little nuts. I liken the experience to and all-you-can-eat fish fry, where you think your able to consume at least a dozen pieces of perch, when, in fact, you only finish two.
In our case, we hope to put our stamp on the space, and survive in the process. And maybe people will come and consume the theater. Always perched precariously close to the edge of what is considered mainstream, our group has survived - somehow, someway - despite producing an eclectic mix of theater in an array of venues.
We're thinking that being in one place, over time, can only help our chances.
Time will tell the tale.
Stayed tuned for updates, anecdotes and information.
And if you want more "professional" information about us and what we're doing, please go to our website at http://www.janustheatre.org/. "It's in there. It's all in there."
Thanks
Sean
That's right. After eight years of wandering, claiming the irreverent titles - nomadic stalwart and gypsy troupe - we are now settled and prepared to enter middle-age in an old/new space.
Some background. The Elgin Art Showcase is an old ballroom with high ceilings and hardwood floors. The space has been fully renovated to provide gallery/performance space for Elgin artists and performing groups. We jumped at the chance and when they asked groups to provide dates, we said we could do five shows accounting for 19 weeks!
That's a little nuts. I liken the experience to and all-you-can-eat fish fry, where you think your able to consume at least a dozen pieces of perch, when, in fact, you only finish two.
In our case, we hope to put our stamp on the space, and survive in the process. And maybe people will come and consume the theater. Always perched precariously close to the edge of what is considered mainstream, our group has survived - somehow, someway - despite producing an eclectic mix of theater in an array of venues.
We're thinking that being in one place, over time, can only help our chances.
Time will tell the tale.
Stayed tuned for updates, anecdotes and information.
And if you want more "professional" information about us and what we're doing, please go to our website at http://www.janustheatre.org/. "It's in there. It's all in there."
Thanks
Sean
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