Shakespeare Isn't for Children

An important Public Service Announcement from Kyle:

via Kyle Tumbles

JimOnLight.com Wants A Student in the World to Have $500 for Books

If you are a lighting student, I urge you to run, do not walk, over to JimOnLight.com (I know we're talking about a virtual destination and you cannot actually run or walk to it, but "surf over to" just does not carry the same emphasis, OK?).

Why should you visit JimOnLight? Well, if you are in any way involved in technical theater, you should already know what an awesome resource JimOnLight can be. But in addition to the usual goodies shared and knowledge parsed over there, Jim is running a contest that will reward the winning student with $500.00 to use on those expensive books that lighting students have to purchase. You read that correctly: Five. Hundred. Bucks. That's 5oo reasons just to visit and see what you have to do, right?

So, what do you have to do to get this prize? You have to make a video about light. Go read this post for the full details and contest rules.

Oh, and speaking of rules, the Theater Lackey thinks JimOnLight.com rules. Go enter the contest and tell 'im who sent ya there!

Get Your Tickets for MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS

Here is the email notification for our latest production at Montgomery Theater

get your tickets now for Moonlight and Magnolias starring Tony Braithwaite & Marc Weil 1939 Hollywood is abuzz. The greatest movie in history has script troubles and movie mogul David O. Selznick is bleeding a fortune. Five days, he figures, is all he has before his goose is cooked. But he's got Hollywood's best rewrite guy, Ben Hecht; he's got big-time director Victor Fleming; he's got a typewriter; he's got asupply of bananas; and he's got the key to the office door. No one's going nowhere until the script is fixed! Ron Hutchinson's thrilling and hilarious play captures the true life madness behind the scenes ofGone with the Wind. Previews start this Thursday Show runs through July 10 Purchase tickets today! or call (215) 723-9984 x10 to purchase tickets by phone Montgomery Theater 124 Main St. Souderton, Pennsylvania 18964 215-723-9984

Forty-Two

[Cross-posted from my non-theater blog]

Forty-two (42), as I am sure many of you know, is the "the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything." This week, I shall turn 42. (In fact, I could very well be 42 by the time you read this. No matter, I tend to draw out the celebration of my Born On date even while I decline to provide the specific day). In recognition of this auspicious occasion, I will not have a party, nor will I seek presents.

But I do have a request.

If you choose to participate in celebrating my Born On date, I ask that you donate time or money to your favorite charity or not-for-profit organization. If you do not have a favorite, I happily suggest a few of my own (in addition to the causes listed in the right column):

• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society -- My father-in-law would have celebrated another birthday on Monday (4/26) -- if he had not succumbed to cancer in March 2005. My own father was diagnosed with a recurrence of Myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS) in November 2009. He is currently recuperating after a successful mini transplant. So, yeah, I'm all for funding cancer research and treatment.
• Cleveland Clinic -- My father had his bone marrow transplants performed here. They have an excellent medical staff and wonderful family support programs.
  
• Philabundance -- The Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization. Working to end hunger and malnutrition since 1984.
  
• KidsPeace -- Top notch (and kind of local, for me) facility helping children and their families. Founded and headquartered in PA in 1882, they have services in "Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia."
• School of Sacred Ministries -- Independent divinity school that offers a 27-month program of spiritual training with ordination as an Interfaith Minister upon conclusion. I was ordained here, I continue to work with them, and they can always use money to continue their programs and further the cause of interfaith dialog.
• Montgomery Theater -- A small professional theater in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Montgomery Theater is my home-away-from-home. Like many not-for-profit enterprises operating in the arts, they are in a budget crunch. Donations can help pay actor salaries or utility bills, or keep the education programs running.
  

Thank you in advance!

Farewell Captain Chaos

Dom DeLuise is gone at age 75
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5444X920090505

Montgomery Theater on Facebook

Montgomery Theater is using Facebook. Come by and become fan!

Rare Bird Show Announces Shows for April 10 and 11

Latest show news from Rare Bird Show:

Rare Bird Show has shows coming up this weekend (Friday & Saturday night at 8) with a really great sketch group called the Action Section. The shows are at the Shubin (a block south of South Street and 4th) and there's only so many seats, so if you really want to see the show, I'd recommend buying tickets online (same price as at the door; just 10 bucks).
Click here for more information.

And the 10 o'clock show is Kevin Allison from MTV's The State. He's also teaching at Philly Improv Theater; check out www.phillyimprovtheater.com for more information.

YouTube & MySpace & Facebook

www.rarebirdshow.com | Rare Bird Show | Philadelphia Longform Comedy Improv

Can You Script 100 Pages in 30 Days?

Script Frenzy is an international writing event. If you are up to the challenge, try writing 100 pages of scripted material in the month of April. There is no fee to participate. And ... there are no valuable prizes awarded, no "best" script singled out.

This is one of those competitions in which everyone who achieves the goal (not just participates, but completes the 100 pages) is considered victorious. All those who reach this lofty goal will receive "a handsome Script Frenzy Winner's Certificate" (most likely suitable for framing) and a "web icon proclaiming this fact."

So, what are you waiting for? Get scripting!

Info and rules: http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/eng/whatisscriptfrenzy

Farewell to Ron Silver

Activist, scholar, actor. He ran the political spectrum, but he was always honest about where he stood. And the man knew how to get things done. Fare thee well, sir, fare thee well.

Actor Ron Silver dies after two-year battle with esophageal cancer

BY Jane H. Furse
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Updated Monday, March 16th 2009, 8:27 AM

Actor Ron Silver has died after a two-year fight with esophageal cancer.

Actor and political activist Ron Silver died Sunday after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer, according to a spokesman for the Creative Coalition, the public policy organization he co-founded.

Robin Bronk, the coalition's executive director, said Silver, 62, "died peacefully in his sleep with his family around him early Sunday morning. He had been fighting esophageal cancer for two years and the family is making arrangements for a private service." [Read More @ NY Daily News]

Rare Bird Show: Improv in Philly this Weekend

Rare Bird Show has a bunch of improv comedy shows coming up, starting this weekend. How do I know this? Because they sent the following info to me via email (so I'm not responsible for its content; I'm just the messenger):

Catch us this Friday night, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m.
& Saturday, Jan. 10 at 10 p.m.
at Philly Improv Theater with another great improv group, Fletcher
at the Shubin Theater, just off of South Street
407 Bainbridge St. - Click here for directions.
The show is $10. Click here for tickets or buy them at the door.
{and it's BYOB}

Then you can catch us on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 8 p.m.
with sketch comedy group, The Waitstaff at Urban Saloon.
and if you happen to be in Scranton on Feb. 13,
you can catch us performing with a couple Northeast PA improv groups

and we'll have some more improv comedy video online for you real soon

Check out our full-length videos on our site and some quick clips on YouTube.
(it'd be great to have you as friends or subscribers, & we're also on MySpace & Facebook.)

We're looking forward to another great year of improv comedy in Philly and beyond.

Thank you,

www.rarebirdshow.com

Rare Bird Show | Philadelphia Longform Comedy Improv

Montgomery Theater on Facebook!

Montgomery Theater has a group page on Facebook. If you have a Facebook account, and you like Montgomery Theater, please consider adding the group to your list!

Montgomery Theater on Facebook

Town and Country presents SEUSSICAL

Have I ever told you how lucky you are?
Well my dears, we have exciting news.
For coming this summer is the magical world of the fantabulous Dr. Seuss.
From Horton to Mayzie to the Who's down in Whoville to Jojo to Gertrude McFuzz,
No one can ensure a splendiforous time like the Cat in the Hat can and does.
So gather your one fish, your red fish, your blue fish, and bid all you Grinches good bye,
For you'll never know all the thinks you can think up if only you'd bother to try!

The Theater Lackey's dear friend, Stephanie Zimmerman, has informed me that the Town and Country Players are putting on a production of .... Seussical the Musical

Stephanie is playing the role of Ms Gertrude McFuzz.

Performance Dates/Times:
July 25, 26 (matinee and evening)
August 1, 2 (matinee and evening)
August 3 (matinee)
August 8, 9 (matinee and evening)

Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 8:00 pm.
Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 3:00 pm.


Ticket information:
Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children (12 and under).
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

* Please note that this a small theater and shows sell out fast. Please reserve your tickets ASAP and make sure you don't miss out!

Location:
Town and Country Players is located on Rt. 263 ( York Rd) in Buckingham Pa, one mile north of Rt. 313 and one mile south of Rt. 413. Refer to their website: www.townandcountryplayers.org



According to Stephanie:

This is a great production and a great way to intruduce children to both musical theater and the world of Dr. Seuss! I hope to see you all at the barn this summer! Bring a child! Give them the gift of theater!

And I have to agree with her.

The Illumined Man (10% of Molly Snyder)

At left, you see Tony Braithwaite in a pivotal moment of Richard Strand's comedy, 10% of Molly Snyder. Click it for a larger view.

I just love the interplay of the video projected "painting" and the stage lighting for this scene. I'm also glad that Tony remained relatively motionless long enough for me to capture this image at last night's rehearsal -- if you know Tony, you know how rare it is to see him without his kinetic frenzy (I'm kidding ya, Tony!).

10% of Molly Snyder opens this Friday at Montgomery Theater. Refer to my prior press release post, or go directly to the theater's website. This one is going to sell out fast.

Molly Snyder: Press Release

Press release promoting 10% of Molly Snyder at Montgomery Theater:

MONTGOMERY THEATER
124 Main St.
P.O. Box 64033
Souderton, PA 18964
215-723-9984
www.MontgomeryTheater.org




"Ten Percent of Molly Snyder" by Richard Strand

June 19 – July 12, 2008
Thursdays at 7:30 pm. Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm.
Sundays at 3:00 pm (6/22, 6/29 & 7/6).
Wednesdays at 7:30 pm (7/2 & 7/9 only).
No Performance on July 4

Tickets - $19.00 to $33.00. Preview tickets (6/19/08) - $16.00
Call 215-723-9984 for reservations or reserve online at

www.MontgomeryTheater.org

Tony Braithwaite Returns

to Montgomery Theater

With His High-Energy Comic Fury

Two numbers get transposed at the Department of Motor Vehicles leading an unsuspecting young woman down a twisting road of absurdity – with laughs at every turn.

Ten Percent of Molly Snyder stars Barrymore Award Winner and Philadelphia favorite Tony Braithwaite, who appeared in last season's wildly funny and successful comedy Rounding Third. Leading comic actress Leah Walton makes her debut at Montgomery Theater in the title role.

When Molly Snyder (Leah Walton) innocently visits the DMV to fix a typo on her driver's license, she inadvertently opens the door to interminable frustration. It becomes apparent early on that the universe constructed for Molly is a tangled web of incongruity. Each step toward seeming resolution presents a road sign for laughter. Of course, these taunts of redemption are all brought about by The Man (Tony Braithwaite) who, in each scene, takes on an unexpected altered persona. While Molly is literally driven to the brink, we are able to see bits of our own lives in these familiar twists of bureaucracy extending toward chaos and farce. After all, how many times have you been told by a friendly Customer Service rep, "The form has been sent" even though they are really thinking, "The wheels are in motion, and whatever chaos ensues is no concern of mine now!"

Artistic Director Tom Quinn says, "We are excited to treat our audiences once again to the talents of Tony Braithwaite. Tony and Leah have both been a joy to work with on this production. We can't wait to show it off!" Imaginatively staged in Montgomery Theater's intimate space, Richard Strand's Kafkaesque comedy will have you laughing all the way home. Provided, of course, that you don't have a typo on your driver's license!

Ten Percent of Molly Snyder is sponsored by Univest Corporation, a long time supporter of Montgomery Theater. "At Univest, we believe supporting the arts in the Indian Valley is an opportunity for us to live out our corporate mission – 'to maintain an active role in our communities' – and our 'Community' core value – to be 'committed to serving our communities through strong leadership, volunteerism and financial support,'" says William S. Aichele, Chairman, President and CEO of Univest Corporation. "The Montgomery Theater is a natural fit for our support, nurturing the growth of the arts through dance, drama, music and more."

The doors open 20 minutes before curtain. For more information and reservations call 215-723-9984 or reserve online at www.MontgomeryTheater.org

Another Update

Greg Solomon, former boy wonder at Montgomery Theater and up-and-coming lighting designer, now has a website to document his professional gigs. You'll find it under "Theater Linkage" to your left.

www.onstagelight.com

Special Offer on Improv Classes (in Cheltenham Township)

Philip Jacobson (mentioned in the previous post) is a member of the GiggleMill Improv Comedy Troupe and offers improv classes in Cheltenham Township (just barely within the Montgomery County area). Go to his site for information about the class.

Now, here is the special offer: Philip informs me that anyone who signs up for the next session before the May 31 deadline and mentions this blog (Confessions of a Serial Theater Lackey), will receive the classes for a discounted price of only $85 (the usual price is $125 for ten classes)!

While you're there, consider joining his free mailing list for notices about upcoming Improv classes, occasional discount offers, and access to Improv articles:

>
Click to join Improv_Philadelphia

William Inge's "Picnic" Opens this Friday

William Inge, probably best known for "Bus Stop," at The Music Box Theatre in New York City in 1953. The film version was later released by Columbia Pictures, starring William Holden, Kim Novak and Rosalind Russell, and directed by Joshua Logan.

Starting this weekend, Montgomery Theater revives this classic play that draws heavily from Inge's boyhood in Kansas. It's as much a story of love and loss, as it is about class and public perception, particularly dealing with the undercurrent of change that was starting to bubble up in 1950s America.

Performing Apr 17 - May 10.

Ticket Prices:
Saturday 8pm.. $33
Friday 8pm....... $27
Sunday 3pm..... $24
W/Th 7:30pm.. $19
Prvw 7:30pm... $16

Seniors....... $2 off

A handling fee of $1.50 is applied to all single tickets.

Subscription packages available at discounted prices.

More info at www.montgomerytheater.org

Rare Bird Show: Upcoming Improv Schedule

I received an update from Rare Bird Show yesterday. If you like improv -- or want to try it yourself -- check out one of the upcoming events:

www.rarebirdshow.com
Rare Bird Show | Philadelphia Longform Comedy Improv

Do you want to see some awesome, hilarious, amazing improv comedy?
This Friday night at 8 o'clock, Rare Bird Show opens for the N Crowd.
The N Crowd is a short-form improv comedy group that performs every Friday night in Philadelphia. The show is at the Actor's Center, 257 N Third Street. Click here for directions. Tickets are just $10, and advanced tickets are available online at www.phillyncrowd.com
This is the first time all three members of Rare Bird Show have performed together in 6 months; don't miss this rare Philly performance.

Do you want to learn how to improvise?
Take a class with us. Monday nights starting in May, you can learn from Philly's best.
Level 2 improv class - Intro to the Harold - with Nathan Edmondson
Level 3 improv class - Advanced Harold Concepts - with Alexis Simpson


Are you an improvisor in the Philly area? Do you want to be one?
Why not audition for a Philly Improv Theater House Team?

On April 28, 2008 from 5 to 10 p.m., you can audition for an exciting new project.
You'll get a great director, rehearsal space, performances in Philly and at improv festivals all over the place, as well as intensive training from nationally recognized improv directors from NYC, Chicago, and everywhere else.
Auditions are open to anyone, and no prior improv experience is necessary.
Click here for more information.

"Look Mom, I'm Swell!" starring Tony Braithwaite

I received this notice via email ...

PRESS ROOM

2007/08 Press Releases

Arden Theatre Company presents Look Mom, I'm Swell! Starring Tony Braithwaite On the Arcadia Stage April 24 - May 3, 2008

Tony premiered Look Mom, I'm Swell! in April 2007 at the Arden to sold out audiences each night. Due to the demand, the show returns this season with eight raucous and witty performances. Arden's Producing Artistic Director Terrence J. Nolen said, "Tony is beloved by Philadelphia audiences. This show will certainly meet the expectations of those looking for an evening filled with the incomparable wit, charm and spontaneity that is Tony Braithwaite. But Look Mom is more than that. It is also is a surprisingly personal and revealing story about a uniquely talented man and his development as an artist. We are thrilled to present this return engagement."

Braithwaite has appeared in a number of productions at the Arden, most recently as Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Recent television work includes playing himself on MTV's reality show Made. Braithwaite began performing stand-up comedy professionally at age 13 and has since become one of Philadelphia's favorite funnymen.

Look Mom, I'm Swell! isn't just a catchy title; it has real significance for Tony, "My dear mother died in 2005, to mom life was swell. This show is my life through her eyes." "One of Tony's great talents is his ability to respond to the audience and events in the moment, which makes every performance unique," says Nolen. Tony promises that audiences can "expect the unexpected!"

Tony was a recipient of an Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts. The Fellowships were created to help individual artists take the next step in their personal artistic growth and development. This fellowship funded the development of Look Mom, I'm Swell!

Performances

Thursday, April 24 at 8pm
Friday, April 25 at 8pm
Saturday, April 26 at 7pm & 9pm
Sunday, April 27 at 7pm
Thursday, May 1 at 8pm * "Prep Night at the Arden" - www.sjprep.org/arden

Friday, May 2 at 8pm
Saturday, May 3 at 8pm

Critical Acclaim–

"One of the area's best comic actors!" –Philadelphia Inquirer

"Tony Braithwaite is a comedy superstar!" –KYW NewsRadio

"An all-purpose, scene stealing talent." - Variety

"Hands down, Philadelphia's finest comic actor." - Philadelphia Weekly

"Braithwaite is a Philadelphia treasure. Tourists should visit him, along with the Liberty Bell and Pat's King of Steaks." - The City Paper

"He's been a mouthy pain-in-the-ass for 36 years." - Tony's Father

Tony really is one of the best I have seen. He kept us all in stitches during rehearsals of Rounding Third at Montgomery Theater last year. His stories, rants, and impressions are too funny.

Rare Bird Show: Three Improv Comedy Shows This Weekend

This weekend, Philly's Rare Bird Show has three shows with Chicago's Bassprov at the Shubin Theater, a block south of South Street & 4th.

Shubin Theater 407 Bainbridge Street Philly, PA 19147 Click here for directions. Friday, Nov. 30th at 8PM Saturday, Dec. 1st at 10PM Sunday, Dec. 2nd at 8PM $15 Click here to buy tickets online or get them at the door.

Bassprov is an improvised fishing trip with Donny and Earl,the alter egos of Mark Sutton and Joe Bill, cofounders of Chicago's Annoynace Theater and teachers at Second City.

"Chicago's Best Comedy Group" | "Nichols & May Award for Comedy Duo of the Year"
Bassprov: solving life's problems, one beer at a time.