More Saturday Rehearsals

We just finished our rounds of rehearsal visits and the last two shows are quite different. From Kery Healey we have 'Atlas Movers', directed by John Langs. It looks like you will be heading off to intermission with your heart strings having just been tugged. It's a wonderful little play about the future that may be, framed by deliveries, boxes, and a well meaning mother.

That comes right after your funny-bone has been kicked by Peggy Platt and Lisa Koch's 'The Program'. There is much less subtlety here, as Andy Jensen guides us through the funny side of addiction. Yes, there is one. This is also a show that comes with a big reveal that will get a huge reaction. It also features a Carl Sagan joke that I dig.

Breakfast and Coincidences

As expected, a lot calmer energy abounds in the room today as people go through the familiar patterns of playwrights talking to directors, actors catching up and grabbing a bite to eat, exchanging compliments and horror stories. Looks like people got sufficient sleep, but there is no denying, everyone could use a couple of extra hours.

Keni Cohen and Erin Stewart talk about the play
Photo: Agastya Kohli

Three of the playwright/director pairs are repeats of yesterday. Keni Cohen picked Erin Stewart's script again, Andy Jensen drew Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt again, and Charles Smith will be directing Zoe Fitzgerald's play - who by the way, wrote play #7 for yesterday, and for tonight!

Additionally, Keni picked Sydney Tucker as one of her actors, just as Andy Jensen picked Katie Driscoll again. So Katie and Sydney will be working with the same writer/director teams as they did yesterday.

Some other statistical fun facts - John Langs, who directed the smallest cast yesterday, has one of the two 5 handers. Sara Porkalob, who was in play #1 yesterday is in play #7 tonight.

Once again, the actors, writers and directors have left after the actor draw, and the designers continue to make lists and discuss options. We'll stop by a little later and see what fun things they're working on today.

The Saturday Lineup

Friday night at 14/48 was fantastic. How will Saturday stack up? Will things get really weird when the writers tackle 'Overindulgence'? That all remains to be seen, but here is the lineup that will answer those questions in less than ten hours.

Atomic
Writer - Erin Stewart
Director - Keni Cohen
Actors - Darius Pierce, Ryan Spickard, Melissa Fenwick, Sydney Tucker

Macrophages
Writer - David Schmader
Director - Anthony Winkler
Actors - Emma Bamford, Alyson Bedford, John Farrage

The Program
Writers - Lisa Koch & Peggy Platt
Director - Andy Jensen
Actors - Katie Driscoll, Kate Witt, Jesica Avellone, Sam Read

Atlas Movers
Writer - Keri Healey
Director - John Langs
Actors - Opal Peachey, Allison Strickland, Rachel Sedwick, Joe Zavadil, Chris Shea

No Apologies
Writer - Jennifer Jasper
Director - Hana Lass
Actors - Marianna de Fazio, Marty Mukhalian, Cody Smith,

Shorty Says Goodbye
Writer - Courtney Meaker
Director - Stan Shields
Actors - Danielle Daggerty, Scott Ward Abernethy

Whatever Gets You Through The Night
Writer - Zoe Fitzgerald
Director - Charles Smith
Actors - Sara Porkalob, Lisa Viertel, Trick Danneker, Ben Burris, Joe Ivy

Here we go Saturday

The writers and directors are meeting over their plays now, and it looks like Friday was so good the 14/48 gods are trying to recreate it. Three of the pairings will be the same as yesterday - Erin Stewart and Keni Cohen, Peggy Platt, Lisa Koch, and Andy Jensen, and Zoe Fitzgerald and Charles Smith. Zoe and Charles even find themselves in the same slot, closing the night. Your other pairings are David Schmader and Anthony Winkler, Keri Healey and John Langs, Jennifer Jasper and Hana Lass, and Courtney Meaker and Stan Shields.

TPS Hearts 14/48

This weekend's artist roster includes former TPS staff members Sam Read (Actor) and Courtney Meaker (Writer), as well as current TPS staff members Andy Jensen (Director) and Marianna de Fazio (Actor). Andy is directing show #1, Courtney wrote show #4, and Marianna and Sam are acting in show #s 6 and 7 respectively.

"Crouching Sam and Hidden Talent"
Former and current TPS staff members at 14/48
Photo: Agastya Kohli

And, the word on the street is that Karen Lane will be in the house to watch the show tonight!

No worries Shane Regan - we know you can hold the fort for a day or two or ten.

Friday Morning Impressions

As the actors start to roll in, directors and writers have been reading the plays, mulling over the characters, moments, and their breakfast choices. In some corners of the room, writer/director pairs are still talking, and in other corners, directors sit by themselves, reading the script over and over.

Andy Jensen and Lisa Koch discussing Show #1
Photo: Agastya Kohli

The fullest table is the table with all the designers. Everyone, seriously, studiously reading their scripts.

Omar is lurking in the shadows, taking pictures. "Taking pictures in hiding?" I asked. "I have perfected the art", he responds.

Peggy Platt spots his camera and asks, "Are you a photographer?"

"That's what they claim", he responds with his usual sly smile.

"Well, I saw the camera and make the leap."

"You know, a man who keeps a piano in his living room is a man with a piano in his living room. A man who owns a camera is a photographer", Omar Wiley puts it in perspective.

Actors draw just finished - Brett is posting the line up. As everyone makes their way out of the room with their food and suitcases, the designers are now the only ones in the room. I think I'll give the casts a little time to get settled in their new spaces, and then go walk around the building for some juicy updates.

Shawn Belyea getting ready to start the Actor Draw
Photo: Agastya Kohli

Tech - Show 6

Hahahahahaha... Patrick Apple-corn is in a dress! Now that's funny! There are three things which will trump all other comedy in my book and they are...
* Chimps in human clothing
* Orchestrated farts
* Patrick wearing a dress
Hahaha! The only thing that would make this show better would be a chimp entering in a business suit and Andromeda giving us a symphony of farts.

Speaking of chimps, Jensen just entered the booth.

Nothing but love Jensen... you just happened to enter while I was typing this. Would you like a banana?

One last night cap...

Before I go and dream of flying goldfish and a talking whale named Gus, I leave you with a few more memorable quotes and moments from the evening...

* Mazen Winner Elizabeth Heffron drew the final show for night one - 3 Men, 2 Women

* "Andy Jensen is drawing for Paul Mullin." -Shawn Belyea (followed by a delightful chorus of boos which is the only appropriate response if someone is unable to attend the meeting.)

* In the above picture all of the playwrights have just drawn and are viewing their assignment for tonight, except Celene who is using the powers of telepathy to reveal the mysteries within the folded piece of office paper (another reason to adore Celene Ramadan!)

* And finally, a FISCHNALLER UPDATE! As Troy was leaving ACT I asked him how he was feeling about tomorrow. Troy responded, "I feel like... ummm..." and then proceeded to trip and stumble his way up the stair way. This makes me very nervous... is the pressure of COLLATERAL DAMAGE getting to Fischnaller... is he dealing with Swine Flu... only time will tell.

Good night sweet, delicate actors/directors, don't stay out too late band members and burn blisters in those fingers our dear writers... we all eagerly anticipate tomorrow's product!

A picture is worth...

WINNER OF THIS WEEKEND'S MAZEN: ELIZABETH HEFFRON!!!

I BELIEVE SHE WAS DESCRIBING HOW LITTLE SHE DRANK, BUT SHE WOULD TAKE ONE SHOT TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION!

THE THEME FOR NIGHT ONE: COLLATERAL DAMAGE!

YES, APPARENTLY DANA IS A BIG FAN OF THE MOVIE WITH THE SAME TITLE STARRING THE GOVERNOR OF CALI.

YUP, IT WAS 9:24 AT ONE POINT TONIGHT. THANKS, JODI.

THE MAZEN

ANDY JENSEN BEING ACCUSED OF WEARING AN ARGYLE SWEATER.