Monday, June 09, 2008

No Joy in Mudville

There was much sadness in the T-line house as Big Brown seemed to barely make it to the finish line at the Belmont on Saturday. That, plus the death of Jim McKay made for a generally down day sports-wise this past weekend.

I was also a little sad and puzzled that the review for AART’s “Charcoal Street” got pushed over into the Metro section on Sunday. I imagine it’s just a publishing / timing thing but it seemed to me that more theater reviews were actually ending up in the Flair / Arts / Entertainment area – where I kinda think they belong – in recent weeks. Oh well.

Ms. Lewis’s review suggests a strong show and I’m interested and excited about a “raised…bar of expectations for next season.” The “stuttering and stumbling” comment makes me a little wary but I’ll go and be hopeful and see what there is to see.

The best news I’ve received recently is that Jill Bari Steinberg will be “Shirley Valentine” out at Hanover Tavern next month. I’m not sure where that puts her in the local one-person show sweepstakes with Scott Wichmann but, if you count both productions of “Syringa Tree,” I think that might bring her even with Scott at three (“JHH,” “Fully Committed,” “I Am My Own Wife”). Could someone correct me if I’m wrong?

PS: An interesting aside: Here’s a story from a few years ago of an actor who right before doing “Fully Committed” did “Richard III” – the show that Scott’s doing in the fall. Weird coincidence!

10 comments:

Scott Wichmann said...

JB is going to be awesome in the role. There's also a great one-woman show for her to check out called 'Women on Fire' which chronicles 8 (or so) different stories of women all over the world. I saw it in Gloucester, MA in 2006. It starred Judith Ivey and would be a great vehicle for JB in the future. Can't remember the author's name offhand, but it is a real tour-de force that would go over great in the 804. Look it up, JB!!

Just for the record, I did 'SantaLand Diaries' out in Lex Vegas with Rick, and then re-mounted the show at the Villa Resort in Palm springs, CA in December 2006. So the total is four solo shows for me. My goal is to write something biographical, a la Spalding Gray, an my buddy Rick has been throwing that idea out for years. I'm taking him up on it... maybe JB and I could do 2 original pieces in Rep sometime??

One really cool thing I learned about JB this past year is that she is a distant cousin of Red Sox Third Baseman Kevin Youkilis!! Go Yoooook!!!

I can't make it to the RAPT meeting tonight, as there is a RIII preliminary read-thru, but best wishes to the whole community and I hope it goes well!! Also, congrats to BC Maupin for his cabaret this weekend. I had tech rehearsal for G&D this past weekend, but I heard it went really well. Kudos to BC for writing his own ticket and taking the initiative to produce his own gig!!

Have a great day, eyyybody!!

JB said...

You forgot my new, original one person show where I play 65 characters - it is entitled "Suck on this, Scotty!"

ha-ha - he knows I kid.

Anonymous said...

A one-woman show featuring JillBari Steinberg, and directed by Amy Berlin, is a sure-fire formula for success! With two such very fine, formidable talents in our local arts community, "Shirley Valentine" is easily going to kick much butt.

Best wishes to both ultra-great ladies involved on this one. We can't wait!

JB said...

OK - that was so nice Scott - and my comment was just goofy. Thanks for the vote of confidence - but in the one person play world you will always be Marsha to my Jan. It would be awesome to do one person shows in rep with you. We should definetly talk about this!
And thank you to Anon for the kind words as well. Amy Berlin rocks and I am so excited to finally get to work with her.

Dave T said...

Not to be a stickler, Scottie, but I said 'local' one-person shows and while LexVegas is sortof like Richmond West, I don't think it qualifies. You're going to have to put up something local to pull ahead of JB again. You could kick all those other Richard III folks to the curb...

I'd love to see you and JB in rep in just about anything -- sounds awesome. Interesting connection with JB and the Sox; now can you find out whether Dawn and Jake Westbrook are connected in any way? That would be cool!

JB -- was that what you were rehearsing at about 2am on the night of your birthday party! (I too kid!)

Finally, my stated sadness about sports this weekend was not meant to reflect my basketball feelings, specifically re: the Celtics. Go Green!

Jacquie O. said...

I can attest to the fact the JB has more personalities then we at the Library can keep count of! There is the funny one that she does of a woman who just moved into a house that smells like Indian food, has wasps and no AC. That’s my favorite!

catherine said...

hey dave-
if you want scotty to move ahead in the "one-man/woman show" count- you may want to check out Barksdale's site for the new seaon info...

Dave T said...

Well, he's got you beat fair and square, JB -- or he's going to by around Thanksgiving! Maybe you could talk to the Science Museum about doing this show in the Fall?

Thespis' Little Helper said...

Thank you so much for that Scotty! I'm really looking forward to seeing Guys and Dolls on Friday!!!

Angelika HausFrauSki said...

Oh Em Gee, a Berlin/Steinberg joint?? That's going to be AMAZING.