Friday, October 23, 2009

Here and There

All I know about CAT's "I'm Not Rappaport" is that Jennifer Frank is directing. That's certainly a good sign and I expect she's put together a great production. But I wish more companies would list the people in their casts on their website (I particularly like Firehouse's practice of listing the entire cast and technical crew on their site). Most Richmonders may not know a specific actor, director or designer but then again, they might. Who knows if people who had second thoughts about seeing "Boy's Life" at the Firehouse were swayed because they recognized Maggie Marlin's name from "Thoroughly Modern Millie" or Landon Nagel from "Children of a Lesser God?" Just a thought...

One place where it seems like it is all about name recognition sometimes is Broadway. I've read a couple of things about "After Miss Julie," famously starring Sienna Miller who is on Broadway at the same time as ex-beau Jude Law appears in "Hamlet." Some folks have liked it, some have not. Regardless of the mixed reviews, I'm very intrigued by this play because I can imagine a number of Richmond companies -- and a bunch of lead actresses and actors -- who could do a smashing job with this show. I'd love for someone to try...

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Dave, I totally agree with you about listing out the casts and crews for productions on the theatre's website. We have done so in the past but are going through some changeover in personnel and are working out the kinks of getting all of the necessary information to the right people. But until then...

"I'm Not Rappaport" was indeed directed by Jennifer Frank and stars Jeff Clevenger and Akin Smith as two delightful octogenarians and features a talented supporting cast in Eva DeVirgilis, Elliot Eisenburg, J.R. Foster, Thomas Gordon, and Emma Mason.

For those familiar with the more technical side of things, the set was designed by Eric Kinder, lighting design by Slade Billew, sound design by Buddy Bishop, and if you've ever been to CAT you know that fitting a Central Park full stone bridge with tunnel underneath is quite a challenge, but between set, lights, sound and volunteer build crew, it has been accomplished, the ambiance has been captured and it is quite a sight to see (and if you've never been to CAT you should come see the show so you know what I'm talking about!). Costumes were designed by Pat Walker, with makeup by Linda Leftwich, props by Shawn Hambright, and produced by Charlotte Scharff.

And because Stage Managers never get enough credit (their really should be an RTCC award for them), Corrie Barton is stage managing this wonderful production.

There are lots more people involved and many special thanks to so many who helped, so come see the show and read about all of them in the playbill!

Matt Hackman