Hey, there’s a play going on right now here in Winston-Salem that is really important, and really well-done. It’s called "Southern Baptist Sissies" and it’s running for one more weekend. Info here. It tells the story of four young men coming to terms (or, for some, not coming to terms) with their homosexuality in the Baptist bible belt. Each one … Read More
Anatomy Of A Brainfart
Scene: A group of Klansman storm the lodge where Charlie, an Englishman pretending to be a foreigner, is staying. The robed and hooded men are armed with rifles, bats, crowbars, etc. The leader of the racist Klan, Owen Musser, raises a bullhorn to his mouth and addresses Betty (the owner of the lodge) with the following line: Are you prepared … Read More
Some Pre-show Publicity: The Foreigner
Nice article, I guess. Not sure if it’s gonna pack ’em in. Well, then again, all publicity is good publicity.
The Seventh Sense Is Operating On A Two-Hour Delay
Not really, but everything else around here is. Came across two accidents on my way in to work this morning — both of them rather bad.
Tuna Christmas
From The Winston-Salem Journal, on the subject of Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance’s production of "Tuna Christmas" Once again, director Jamie Lawrence knows just how to tap body language and voice inflection to convey character after character. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that the same actor can inhabit so many different personalities. Well, credit is certainly due to Jamie Lawson for his … Read More
Liveblogging “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Well, why not? I’ve directed it, and I’ve seen every performance. This is the 4th performance in front of a paying audience. 7:50 — Pretty full house. A little bit older than usual. Very cold night. Nobody in the church balcony, so I feel free to type to my heart’s content. 7:53 — Pre-show music is nice. We have a … Read More
Omnibus Post Because Frankly My Plate Is Full
Ugh. So much to discuss: (1) White House egg-on-the-face: After months of beating the war drums to invade Iraq, it turns out that Iran doesn’t have a nuclear bomb program after all. As Matt says: "Meanwhile, how outrageous is it that the best twelve months of alarmism from Bush & Cheney have come in the context of an environment where … Read More
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Opens Tomorrow
Preview here. I’m really too close to it to step back and say whether it is good or not. I’m pretty pleased with it though. I was very lucky to have Kelly Wallace play Grace (the mother who gets saddled with running the pageant) and Sarah King as Beth (Grace’s daughter, and the narrator). Both of them are real pros, … Read More
Little Shop Opening Weekend
On the plus side: Pretty large houses and a decent review. On the minus side: Not as polished as we had hoped. On opening night (Friday), we had a few minor bumps, attributable to opening night jitters I suppose. We seemed to have gotten over them by Saturday night, when the first Act was (for me) the best, and everything … Read More
Another Little Shop Write-Up
A very nice profile of Dennis and Winston, the two guys who play "Audrey II", the plant in WSTA’s Little Shop of Horrors which opens tonight at SECCA: WINSTON-SALEM — It’s a fairly safe bet that he’s the most popular carnivorous plant in the history of musical theater. Even though Audrey II, star of "Little Shop of Horrors," might have … Read More
Little Shop Preview
Usually, pre-show write-ups tend to be — oh, I don’t know — mundane. But I kind of like the writing in this one. It does a nice job promoting the play, but also the playfulness of the performers: A darkly funny musical: Theatre Alliance to present Little Shop of Horrors Sunday, October 14, 2007 By Mary Martin Niepold SPECIAL TO … Read More
Sweeney Todd At UNCG
Good luck getting tickets. We had to pull a few strings to get ours for Friday night (which was sold out). Here’s what you missed: Emily Mark as Mrs. Lovett. ‘Nuff said. Oh, sure. Zac Campbell’s menacing brooding Sweeney was a thrill. And the actors who played Anthony, Joanna, and Judge Turpin also shined. The ensemble was strong. The set … Read More
Jena Incident Goes On Tour
And it came to High Point: HIGH POINT — Scholars call it a symbol that reflects a shameful period in our nation’s history. Friday, High Point police removed four nooses hung from different spots around Andrews High School. The principal of the school, Monique Wallace, sent a letter to parents after the four nooses were discovered. Via WXII’s web site: … Read More
Another GOP Scandal In The Offing?
I mentioned it last month; you may have heard about it — the double murder/suicide in Florida involving GOP operatives. Speculation was (and remains) that this involved some gay lovers’ tryst. Or something. The dead men were: Ralph Gonzalez, 39, his roommate, David Abrami, 36, and a friend, Robert Drake, 30…. Gonzalez was executive director of the Georgia Republican Party … Read More
Thompson, Clinton Lead In NC
Republicans: Thompson at 34%, Giuliani at 16%, Romney at 13%, McCain at 7%, "Others" at 7%, "Undecided" at 22% Democrats: Clinton at 30%, Edwards at 28%, Obama at 21%, "Other" at 12%, "Undecided" at 21% Poll was taken yesterday (the day Thomson announced) Details here (PDF)