More Than Just Learning Lines!

To actors, "blocking"has nothing to do with football; it means deciding where you are going to be when you say a line, and where you will move to during a scene and everything to do with your actions on stage. Sometimes that's easy to figure out and sometimes it's not, especially when a large prop is involved. Last Saturday's rehearsal was a case in point. The scene takes place in a small train compartment and involves a large suitcase which is necessary to the plot. After a rather lengthy discussion of where to put the suitcase - and when - and a few trial runs, this tentative blocking was the result. No guarantee that this will work on stage when the time comes.... but a good start. Watch the footwork from Matthew Patten (the dark haired actor) and Spence Mather (the light haired actor)!

Trying to Confuse an Old Lady?

I have a relatively small part in this show so spend a lot of time just observing, even though our director Mark Salentine has thoughtfully arranged the schedule so none of us have to spend a whole evening at rehearsal if we are only needed for part of it. But, even with the script in hand, I can get confused. Our dynamic duo, Matthew Patten and Spence Mather, change back and forth from "Jack" to "Stephanie" and from "Leo" to Maxine" at a furious rate. Would be easy on TV or in a movie, but here it is surprising and amazing... one of the joys of live theatre... and just wait until it involves costumes!

Also had the rare pleasure tonight of watching Gene Schuldt attempting to seduce Mathew... or was it the other way around? And exactly what was going on behind that screen? Stay tuned!

Read Through of LEADING LADIES

There is always that feeling of excited anticipation and a little apprehension before the first read through. How will it turn out? As people introduce themselves, I listen intently and speculate. It looks like a good mix, but since Mark Salentine (our director) runs partially closed auditions, you only get to hear the people with whom you audition. There is still the question, will this cast "play nicely" together?

I have been on stage before with Matthew Patten and Gene Schuldt, I have seen Jeff Anderson, Jacque Gosz and Spence Mather perform, and the two newcomers to the Sunset, Dan Myers and Chelsey Peterson, look eager and pleased to be here. When, fueled with pretzels and Twizzlers, we start reading, it becomes clear... okay! If good acting can make a show, then we have a winner! Hmm, scary thought...I may be the weak spot here - will have to step it up to everyone else's level, but that's a good thing!

I leave you with one last question to consider. Why was Rey Dobeck, our costume designer, checking to see if Mathew has chest hair?

Expectation-LEADING LADIES

Introducing our guest blogger for our upcoming production of LEADING LADIES, Inge Adams (she's the one in the chair with the nice "smile"). Here's what Inge has to say today:

First read-through for LEADING LADIES is Sunday afternoon... finally! Auditions were the second week in March.. and that seems like a lo-o-o-ng time ago. Looking forward to rehearsals, because from the people I know in the cast they should be lively! I hope to blog my way through until the show opens and maybe past.... so stick with me.

My part, besides being official blogger for the show, is that of the crochety old lady...again! But this old lady is rich, on her feet (rather than in a wheelchair) and in full possession of her faculties. That's a step in the right direction! So stick with me and I will keep you posted on our progress.

Sharing Time: 50th Anniversary Gala

Okay, a little catch up.

On March 10th we had a 50th Anniversary Gala at The Wisconsin Club. This was pretty significant because it marked the start, 50 years to the day, of The Sunset Playhouse. (Though it must be noted that legend and lore has the idea of The Sunset Playhouse starting in any number of Elm Grove living rooms over some smart highballs back in the late 50s--oh, the drinks and chatter must have been something back then!)

In any event, here are some pics (from our Playhouse official shutterbug Mark Frohna of FroPhoto) that give you a glimpse into all the good times had by the gang at this lovely affair.

Dames, Dolls, Divas, and Who Let Him In?

Did you know there’s a whole website devoted to divas? Divasthesite.com lets you hear from all kinds of glorious women in their own words--everyone from those Hepburn gals, Audrey and Katherine, to Eva Peron and Cleopatra. Which begs the question of who sets the standards for diva-hood. But the cast of Sunset's next Musical Mainstage DAMES, DOLLS & DIVAS checked any diva attitudes at the door when they began rehearsals Tuesday night. Rana Roman, Becky Spice, Linda Stieber, Eric Nelson, and Rising Star Ellen Jenders had a great time getting their vamp on. With Paula Foley Tillen at the keys, the cast had some serious fun working out their parts for some dame-good medleys. Here's just a sample of what's in store...

How do you think we should use our Troupes Blog?

Hey Playhouse fans--give us some help! We created this TROUPES BLOG a long time ago, but as you can see from the dearth of posts, we haven't done too much with it. So, help us out. What do you want to see here?

Some possibilities are:

• Behind the scenes pictures
• Video posts
• Witty stories from the world of The Playhouse
• Mentions of good thing happening in our world

Let us know. We want to make this a fun and active place to have some dialogue. We can really use your help.

Shoot any e-mail thoughts to Managing Director Jonathan West at jwest@sunsetplayhouse.com.

Looking forward to all your good thoughts!