This morning while we were waiting for casting call and slowly waking up, I turned to Eric Van Beuzekom and asked what he notices from the old school days of 14/48 and now. He and wife Pattie have participated in over 15 festivals (starting over 10 yrs ago, some years doing both festivals in one year).
"It was a lot less then. Rougher. Like, lighting designer would say, 'You get 3 specials. That's it!' There's a lot more talk about getting sleep; getting rest. We used to party all night. Anyone could be in the band. It's also a platform for being seen, at least that's what I've heard a few people say. It's all still super good and very fun and shit, for sure. Always a good time, that hasn't changed. "
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14/48: The World's Quickest Theater Festival Blog
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Yes, we got no tweeters
Hey - what's a twitter tweet sound like? Anyone?
There are 12 people in the theater and not one of us tweets.
Excellent!
There are 12 people in the theater and not one of us tweets.
Excellent!
12:57 Going Postal
George Mount (looking dapper on this 2nd day of 14/48) and cast are running Jonah Von Spreeken's "Going Postal" one more time before lunch and I'm lucky enough to catch the tail end of it. Ben Harris, Evan Mosher and Jodi-Paul work a turn to perfect synchronization.
Mount just called lunch so I'll have to catch a full run this afternoon.
I'm with the band
I walked into the Falls as the band members started to gather. A couple of them had already chatted with their assigned directors, others were just getting in and needed coffee and bagel first. Things heard/said:
"Man, those guys (Beatles) sure could right music!"
"Use a syn-patch on that part"
"We need some sort of 50s Sinatra song, not a show tune, but something to intro that."
#3 Old folks home. In with When I'm 64. Internal cues are tweeting F/X sounds. Something by Cake for the out. Heavy metal instrumental.
"Man, those guys (Beatles) sure could right music!""We should do everything acapella. Right? Like, stand there with my guitar, but don't play it."
"OH yea that'd cool to do a totally acapella 14/48! Totally."
"Cake song? (sounding a little surprised). Which one?"
"...should be something from 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou'"
"Nirvana for that, right, like..."
"Goddamn all these (??) lines in the morning.""You rocked that Heaven song last night. You should do a Youtube." "Yeah, I'd be a virtual millionaire."
"What's that Nirvana song, 2 syllables, from Nevermind..." "In Bloom"
"Dude, his bridges are always minors"
"Do a flat 9 on the 7th chord""Use a syn-patch on that part"
"We need some sort of 50s Sinatra song, not a show tune, but something to intro that."
About 30-ish minutes later, they were ready to get rocknrollin...
#1 is a another prison. Only in-out music, no internal. They want the theme to Perry Mason (they pull it up on the computer and start riffing on the theme with a lot of laughter).
#2 Trailer home in Western Wa. Nirvana In Bloom. Discussion how to segue from Perry Mason to Nirvana. Not because it has a drum part, but do the drum thing and sample the riff thing. Whatever, as long as its easy to remember. The main character is Rose, so go out Every Rose Has its Thorns, so go out and Eric nailed it earlier.
#4 No song, but that classical Spring thing (by Prokofiev?). This has birds F/X also. Raptors? Ha-ha...no. And lots of combos of just birds, just Spring, both Spring and birds, etc. with a S F/X for a seizure. How the hell does that sound?
#5 Boombas... boobs and cheatin. They don't have a song or internal request. Maybe Cheatin Heart as exit with a real strong twang.
#6 set at a bus stop so Busstop by the Hollys? Director wants traffic sounds, sirens, dog barks, but all far away. All underlying sounds all throughout. Hey - we've made it play 6 without anyone being murdered!
#7 theme song for in -out and a winning F/X from game show, spinning wheel of fortune, etc. Director will give a script marked with cues.
Propers to the directors, Part 1
I'm watching Greg Carter direct. He is all business with Brandon Simmons' play. Generally he's a subtle director. His actors are struggling a bit with some of the emotional business in an otherwise absurdist play. He seems to sense they that are on the brink of a revelation but he doesn't want to coax it out of them. He likes to let things happen naturally, and it's probably for the best here.
***
On my way down the ramp, I'm wondering how I can move quietly enough not to disturb anything, I hear Erik Van Beuzekom burst into a ridiculous nervous laugh. That's my cue. I take up residence in the wings and watch the fray. Pattie Miles Van Beuzekom is trying not to laugh as Teri Lazzara does her best impression of Edward G. Robinson. The actors love her and it's easy to see why. She's relaxed and she trusts their talent. A couple of them are fretting over their pacing. "Relax," she says, "we've got plenty of time." This is not what one generally hears during 14/48. No wonder everyone enjoys the proceedings. They are all instantly at ease.
***
12:40 Larson vs. Whammy
Just popped in to Annie Lareau's rehearsal of Celene Ramadan's game show extravaganza to hear, "Let's do it again guys. Let's get it in our bodies. Thank you for getting off book so fast."
Dawson Nichols is working the cheesy game show host perfectly. Kate Kraay just walked on stage in a moo-moo. Don Darryl Rivera's absolutely charming and Ben Burris and Shawnmarie Stanton are more than a little creepy.
This one's the final show of the night. It all builds to this and you will not be disappointed. You might even become part of the action!
A great drinking song. That's what they will always say!
By (virgin) Gretta Harley
Cheaters never prosper, that's what they always say
Cheaters never prosper, it's not the righteous way
It all seems so contrary in the Wall Street days
Bankers and executives counting a trillion ways. And our money.
Cheaters never prosper, that's what they always say
That's what they always say.
G-eeee, G-minor, then G-sharp E-major, C....it's kind a sweet.
G-sharp 1234 G-sharp, C, that what they.. A
Cheaters never prosper, that's what they always say
Cheaters never prosper, it's not the righteous way
It all seems so contrary in the Wall Street days
Bankers and executives counting a trillion ways. And our money.
Cheaters never prosper, that's what they always say
That's what they always say.
G-eeee, G-minor, then G-sharp E-major, C....it's kind a sweet.
G-sharp 1234 G-sharp, C, that what they.. A
12:25 Severance Pay
What makes 14/48 great? Things like Bret Fetzer, Shawn Belyea, Trick Danneker and Jaime Roberts alone in a small room all day deconstructing a Wayne Rawley play about Chicken McNuggets, revenge and a hatchet.
Danger Will Robinson.
Almost, but not quite
Phone rings. Megan Ahiers answers. I watch her eyes roll, then the corners of her lips smile ever so slightly.
"We almost made it through a whole 14/48 without porn."
Peter smiles knowingly. I turn back to my incredibly slow camera transfer. People are expecting lots of things from me. I find it amusing. I am far from a theater insider. I'm not sure I ever wish to be one. But I am a writer, so write I must.
Watching Linda's enthusiasm as she struggles with the labyrinthine corridors of the ACT inspires me. She fits in so well and clearly loves all she sees. I wish I were so bright-eyed. People do like my hat, though, and I've never been lost. These are the important things in life: appearance, belonging and of course extreme navigational skills.
Observations are many. Time is limited. So is reader attention.
Tickets released
The fabulous folks in the ACT box office tell me that there are thirteen tickets just released for tonight's 8 pm show. What are you waiting on?
12:10 Revenge of the Goldfish
Director Greg Carter and cast work through Brandon J. Simmons' script.
Short break to try on costumes. Jason Marr has a plethora of Irish t-shirts in his personal wardrobe. Probably best not to ask why. That done, Carter's up and walking through blocking with his actors and we're back to the play. These three are practically off book already and with lines like, "Revenge of the Goldfish isn't kiddie porn. It won an Obie." there's no wonder why.
11:45 - Boombas
Elizabeth Heffron's "Boombas"
Table read's fast and furious. A couple's therapy session takes a surprising turn when the Latvian mistress is thrown into the mix and director Brian Faker's off and running. Cast is up on their feet and the fun begins.
What do cans of nuts have to do with therapy? You'll just have to come find out.
11:10 - 8pm Sold Out - SRO Tix @ Noon!
This just in...the 8pm tonight is SOLD OUT!
10 Standing Room Only tix will be on sale at NOON at the ACT box office - over the phone ( 292-7676) or in person ONLY.
11:05 - Kittens in a Cage
Kelleen Conway-Blanchard's "Kittens in a Cage" kicks off the night with a sexed-up prison scene complete with 1940s gun-moll dialogue.
"Who can you trust if you can't trust your own Ma?"
"Your best doll."
Director Pattie Miles Van Beuzekom gives direction to Teri Lazzara..."stroke her whole body..."
As Teri would say - ME-OW!
Deep thoughts from crew
"What is irrelevant and what is interesting are too often the same thing."
Indeed.
Saturday Slate
The Saturday weirdness that has been predicted by most vets, simply because yesterday was a pretty smooth event, has begun:
1) Most of the plays came in at 7 or 8 pgs (6 being the magic number of 10 or less minutes)
2) As play #1 director Pattie Miles VB reached into the Tom Selleck Can to draw her male cast, she quietly and somewhat confusedly stated, "There are no men." Staff starred blankly and realized they'd thrown all the actor names into the Farrah Fawcett Can. Sexless casting was almost the order of the day.
#1 "Kittens in a Cage" by Kelleen Conway-Blancard
Directed by Pattie Miles Van Beuzekom
Eric Van Beuzekom (no shit. "She's got her hooks in you, man!" said Susanna Burney), Terri Lazzara, Jill Snyder, Christine Marie Brown
#2 "Severance Pay" by Wayne Rawley
Directed by Bret Fetzer (BTW...the laughodometer was reset)
Jamie Roberts, Shawn Belyea, Trick Danneker
#3 "Gertrude and Tonya Watch the Twitter" by Matt Smith Directed
Directed by Richard "I get no men this weekend" Ziman
Lisa Viertel, Deniece Bleha
#4 "Going Postal" by Jonah Von Spreecken
Directed by George Mount
Jodi-Paul Wooster-Brown, Benjamin Harris, Evan Mosher, Amy Hill, Betsy Schwartz
#5 "Boombas" by Elizabeth Heffron
Directed by Brian Faker
Keith Dahlgren, Annette Auger, Alyssa Bostwick, Susanna Burney
#6 "Revenge of the Goldfish" by Brandon J. Simmons
Directed by Greg Carter
Teru McDonald, Brian D. Simmons, Jason Marr
#7 "Larson vs. Whammy" by Celene Ramadan
Directed by Annie Lareau
Ben Burris, Dawson Nichols, Don Darryl Rivera, Kate Kraay, Shawnmarie Stanton
1) Most of the plays came in at 7 or 8 pgs (6 being the magic number of 10 or less minutes)
2) As play #1 director Pattie Miles VB reached into the Tom Selleck Can to draw her male cast, she quietly and somewhat confusedly stated, "There are no men." Staff starred blankly and realized they'd thrown all the actor names into the Farrah Fawcett Can. Sexless casting was almost the order of the day.
#1 "Kittens in a Cage" by Kelleen Conway-Blancard
Directed by Pattie Miles Van Beuzekom
Eric Van Beuzekom (no shit. "She's got her hooks in you, man!" said Susanna Burney), Terri Lazzara, Jill Snyder, Christine Marie Brown
#2 "Severance Pay" by Wayne Rawley
Directed by Bret Fetzer (BTW...the laughodometer was reset)
Jamie Roberts, Shawn Belyea, Trick Danneker
#3 "Gertrude and Tonya Watch the Twitter" by Matt Smith Directed
Directed by Richard "I get no men this weekend" Ziman
Lisa Viertel, Deniece Bleha
#4 "Going Postal" by Jonah Von Spreecken
Directed by George Mount
Jodi-Paul Wooster-Brown, Benjamin Harris, Evan Mosher, Amy Hill, Betsy Schwartz
#5 "Boombas" by Elizabeth Heffron
Directed by Brian Faker
Keith Dahlgren, Annette Auger, Alyssa Bostwick, Susanna Burney
#6 "Revenge of the Goldfish" by Brandon J. Simmons
Directed by Greg Carter
Teru McDonald, Brian D. Simmons, Jason Marr
#7 "Larson vs. Whammy" by Celene Ramadan
Directed by Annie Lareau
Ben Burris, Dawson Nichols, Don Darryl Rivera, Kate Kraay, Shawnmarie Stanton
10:35 - Designer Chit-Chat
Heard around the designer round table..."we need velcro boobs." You'll just have to come to the show to see which piece. Get your tickets early.
http://www.acttheatre.orgA/Shows/OnStage/1448TheWorldsQuickestTheatreFestival
A Virign 14/48 Writer's Writing Schedule, Night 2
11pm: Makes some eggs, watch Thursday's Colbert Report
1130pm: Begin work on tonight's play
12am: Hacking away, writing mostly drivel
1214am: Page 2 complete!
1am: Drink more black tea
130am: Slog away on p. 3
140am:Nap
3am: Wake up, try to write, fall back asleep
6am: Wake up, hit snooze
615am: Pull laptop into bed w/ me. Start new play
7am: Finish new play
8am: Send draft to Theatre
I have no idea what I wrote.
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