LAST SUPPER

Dinnertime before we all move to the theater to get this thing underway. For me, this has been one of the most pleasant, interesting and rewarding 14/48 experiences ever. Thanks for the invitation and to all of you, congratulations and BREAK A LEG.

Come on down and see the 8pm or 10:30pm performances of seven brand new plays.

A Writer's Approach

Bret Fetzer is about to find a quiet(ish) little nook on the Bullitt Balcony where he can take a cat-nap before the show goes up. I mention I heard he cranked out his play last night before the first show was over, his fastest yet! I ask him if he has a certain writing approach for 14/48 and he says no. He really goes with the inspiration of the particular festival's theme. Something To Write Home About is one of those themes that grabbed him by the collar and lined up all the elements in a flash, but he emphasizes that it's not always that way. He hasn't had a chance to see a full run through of The Adventures of Henry in rehearsal so he'll be seeing it for the first time at the 8 o'clock show tonight, a virgin audience member to his very own play. How exciting! Knowing this man's opus as I do, I'm sure it will be rock-solid!

A Moment of Thanks...

We're sitting down to our last meal together and in two hours the show will go on! This goes out as a special "THANK YOU" to the 14/48 gods and to everyone involved in the festival both front and back of house for giving their all to this incredible exercise in risk-taking and camaraderie that makes this Theater community the family it truly is. We also extend this thanks to YOU the audience for supporting this festival with your attendance, donations and volunteerism. If Karma exists for real real, then you've got good things coming to you!

Show #6 Tech: Bret Fetzer's The Adventures of Henry

Veteran director Pattie Miles Van Beuzekom goes through sound needs first, which gives a clear indication of the child like whimsy that Bret's script calls for. It's good to know that they make footie pajamas in adult male sizes (Veteran actor Bob Christer makes for a believable young child).

Both Bob and his scene partner, Veteran Julia Griffin, are able to show a range in their roles this weekend, given that they played a caveman, and a scantily clad demi-goddess just 24 hours ago; Fetzer has given the opportunity to play a wide variety of childhood innocent situations. There are additional non-speaking roles attached to this production--show runners, essentially, serving as downtown buildings, and a manned fly system, adding charm to the proceedings.

The Lucky Charms School of Accents

Show #5 Tech: Wayne Rawley's Camp Lake Sunnylake

That Beatles' cover is mixed with a healthy dose of Sid Vicious, it turns out. Meanwhile, could we get a hand for the knee-length tube socks, folks? Kaleb Hagen Kerr, Colleen Carey and Tonya Andrews make a winning case for their re-emergence. Then Frank Lawler enters wearing...Look, if you can pick up the wink/nod reference in Rawley's title, there are only a few archetypes that you can imagine.

This is a sound heavy show, so several problems are presented and talked through. A blood curdling scream is marked, and then we switch to a gogo dance routine, which is rendered literal, as the band plays a genergic version of the Gogo's "We Got The Beat." There is the rehearsal of a final bit of gruesomeness built into the script, which requires a number of screaming rehearsals, the last moment of the play is touched on, and unfortunately, time has run out on this crew.

The merciless clock marches onward to show #6.

Harry Todd Jamieson tries out his lovely new disfiguring facial scar for tonight's production. Jana Hutchinson is the blood and gore technician.

Best Laid Plans

Show #4 Tech: Marcy Rodenborn's I Dare You

The band cover's Beck's "Loser" heading into show #4, and the transition involves both an onstage practical, and a large flat that looks vaguely Mediterranean. There are a lot of stage elements going into this piece, so time is taken placing everything correctly and spiking it. Afterward, we go back to the end of show #3 and work the transition, and it is a testament to the run crew's professionalism that it goes smoothly after the only going through it once.

This tech time is more of a cue to cue rehearsal, as the numerous cues are worked through for clarity. As a result, a clear idea of the play's throughline will be gleaned at show time tonight. Meanwhile, Trick establishes where the individual set pieces will come from within the Falls' groundplot.

Then everyone rehearses the play's final moments, which involves a reprise of a classic bit of McCartney/Lennon songwriting, and we're into Intermission.

Rando Commando

Tech is in full swing and actors who are not on stage are busy memorizing and running their shows. Outside the Falls Theater Katie Driscoll and Kenna Kettrick are staging an elaborate sword fight but with over-sized scissors instead of swords. Katie tells Kenna to aim for her tit.

Virgin Actor Frank Lawler is humming "Dueling Banjos" whilst dressed shirtless in overalls. Before I can even ask, Virgin Director Andrew Huntley sends me on an errand to fetch dill pickle juice for Veteran Actor Kaleb Hagen-Kerr who has almost completely lost his voice. Apparently dill pickle juice is a cure-all for hoarseness. Who knew? Andrew Huntley, that's who.

I'm chatting with Veteran Actor Alyssa Bostwick and Megan Ahiers interrupts to ask her "How do you feel about cutting hair?" Alyssa says "No."

Virgin Designer Jana Hutchinson helps Veteran Actor Harry Jamieson apply a prosthetic to his face that looks like melted Canadian bacon pizza. Is it?

Veteran Designer Cole Hornaday casually walks by with a bloody axe-spear and a severed head. Just another day at 14/48!

pics: Saturday Afternoon