Thank You, Triad Stage

It was my privilege to be an audience member for the premiere performance of When Everything Was Possible at Triad Stage in downtown Greensboro. From the opening notes of the live musicians, masterfully directed by Michael Rafter, who also played the piano for the production, I was as caught up in the performance as any I’ve ever seen.

Two actors alone occupied the stage, but their command of that intimate space filled the entire theatre. Kurt Peterson and Victoria Mallory bring to the stage their own personal history of pursuing a dream and finding friendship together in the process. Telling their story through spoken word and song, we arrive with them in New York City at the onset of their celebrated respective careers and stand when the last notes are being sung, not because we want to leave but because standing is the only way we know to give back to them our gratitude for what we just received.

For those of you who missed this unique two-performance run in Greensboro, it’s not too late to attend the New York City premiere on Sunday, April 29, 2012, at the 2200 seat New York City Center. Personally, I’m grateful to have been part of the much more intimate 300 seat performance in my own backyard.

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A Christmas Carol – A Review

Triad-Stage-ImageI want to forget that I’m in a theatre when I’m in a theatre. Is that too much to ask? Apparently, yes, for Triad Stage’s production of the Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. An insert in tonight’s program asked for my feedback.

What did you like about the production?

I liked certain performances within the production. Namely, Gordon Joseph Weiss as Ebenezer Scrooge, Izzy Goff as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Michael Tourek as Mr. Fezziwig, and Rosie McGuire as Mrs. Fezziwig and the Ghost of Christmas Present.

But my favorite performance was the set, itself. As always, the behind-the-scenes powerhouse is what brings to life every production I’ve ever seen at Triad Stage, and it’s always transformative. Completely dependent upon one another, and of equal importance, are the set, the lights, the sound, and the projection. I was not disappointed in their ability to transform a small space in downtown Greensboro into 1843 London. Thank you for your brilliance.

Was there anything you didn’t like?

Yes, thank you for asking.

1. All the principle roles were the exact same actors as the 2010 production.
2. The blocking was almost identical to the 2010 production.
3. The performance lacked ensemble cohesion and believability. (I had to rely on standout performances for my entertainment.)
4. There were audio issues and it was difficult to hear some of the performers’ lines.
5. It was difficult to understand all of the actors’ lines – bad diction in many instances.
6. The performance of Triad Stage newcomer Kendra Woodfolk (Charity Woman/Belle/Edwina/Young Wife) was bad, at best, and for someone with as many lines as she had, this really caused a disturbance in the force.
7. What is with the Ghost of Christmas Present and her song?! We so hoped that would be absent from this year’s production, but, alas, no – it was every bit as confusing to us as to what it has to do with Dickens’ original tale. But props for a lovely voice. Wait. Is that why it’s there? Because Preston Lane‘s adaptation is really designed to showcase specific actors and their talents? Nah. I’m sure that’s not the case. (see #1)

Every time I started to lose myself in the story (and this was with some effort), something (see items 1-7 above) jolted me to the reality I was still sitting in the theatre. I expect a lot from Triad Stage; they’re a professional theatre company, and bill themselves as such.

Have we really tapped out Greensboro’s talent that we needed to bring back almost the identical cast from last year? Is it a prerequisite that in order to participate in a Triad Stage production you have to have acted in a minimum of two, but as many as six, previous Triad Stage productions? (I counted – and that’s what tonight’s playbill indicated.) Perhaps Triad Stage should bill themselves as a green theatre company because they keep recycling the same actors.

Would you recommend this production to a friend? Why or why not?

Tough question. The overall production felt forced and choppy, and lacked the theatre magic to tie it all together. If you are interested in watching individual actors perform their parts with magnitude, go right ahead and reserve your tickets. Just don’t expect to forget where you are because you will be reminded time and again that the Ghost of Get Me Out of Here still hasn’t arrived, and you won’t find me giving an undeserved standing ovation.

Community Theatre

Community can mean lots of different things to lots of different people, especially depending on when – and whom – you ask. This is a subject about which I’ve written before. Many of us create and/or join different “communities” to fill different needs in our lives, and as a result find ourselves gravitating in and out of a wide variety of circles. There are likely individuals who share multiple of our communities with us, but not necessarily.

Thinking along these lines lends a whole new meaning to community theatre. As an active member of this particular recreational company – I love the fact that individuals from multiple walks of life share a common love and passion and together create something to be enjoyed by members of a larger social group.

So whether you’re an actor, who loves the prospect of creating an entirely different and believable person on stage, or a director, who lives to bring all those moving parts and pieces together, or an audience member, who appreciates the temporary world that’s being shared with you, community theatre is a cog in the wheel of your social community. Participation by all members is what allows it to function.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a production that requires an intense commitment on the part of the entire community. And as one of the actors in this upcoming production by the Community Theatre of Greensboro (CTG), I can assure you, your participation as an audience member is not only greatly appreciated, but important to those of us on stage as we rely on your immediate feedback throughout the show to remind us of our own (albeit temporary) reality in these roles.

Please join our community, at least for one night, at the Broach Theatre in downtown Greensboro. Opening night coincides with First Friday, on October 7, so come early to enjoy a downtown dinner before the curtain rises at 8. The show will have a run of seven performances, total, which gives you plenty of opportunities to come more than once! Show dates and times are October 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 at 8:00pm, and October 9 and 16 at 2:00pm.

I look forward to sharing a community experience together with you at the Broach. Look for me on stage: I’ll be Candy Starr: the one wearing the cowboy boots.

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