Great Opening Weekend!

This cast doesn't need to wait till "Tomorrow" to hear the ringing in their ears from the applause of a packed house! Annie opened this weekend to sold out houses. The phone was ringing off the hook and ticket sales for next weekend are going fast!

But the real news is the hard work by cast and orchestra, costume and set committee made this a real showstopper! The raves didn't stop in the lobby. Before I could get out of the office last night, there were phone calls to congratulate us on the work at Upstart Crow Studios. Congratulations to all of the dedicated volunteers to make this show a success.

Backstage the tension is high. Most cast members were focused on picking up their props, being ready on cue and helpful to newbies in the cast. The Entr'Actes were so precious and filled the night with their smiles and delightful performance. Without them, the scene changes would seem endless and the costume changes would be impossible.

The long and short of it - it takes MANY hands to cook this soup! Thank you for making Annie such a huge success!

Lost Warbucks

It has been a long month of cast members coming in and out of roles. Last night we had the final straw. Both Daddy Warbucks were unable to take on the role! Yikes! How do you do Annie without Daddy Warbucks? These are the headaches of theatre directors.

A serious search and rescue began looking to fill the missing Warbucks' shoes. Who to call and how to convince them that this bald headed role was for them? With only six weeks left until the curtain goes up on this show, it seems a daunting task. Most of our good people are in the play already, or had other commitments and were unable to take part this year.

For "non-theatre" types, I suppose this seems like a simple problem to resolve. Any guy can play Warbucks, shaved head or not. Put a guy in a tux, let go his bravado and before you stands Daddy Warbucks. But this character reaches beyond the shiny dome and flashy duds. Can he carry a bu-bu-bu bathtub tune? Or step lightly across the NY streets with Grace dancing in his arms? And does he like dogs and orphans?

Out come the resumes and the rolodex...

The Road To Annie

Suzi Steffen, Performing Arts Editor for the Eugene Weekly, is writing a series on our Winter Production of Annie from auditions to final curtain. She sat through the parade of over 80 children singing and acting their way on to the stage anxiously wishing to be Annie but excited about being part of the theatre experience. She came to the first rehearsal and is patiently waiting as we finalize the casting.

She asked me a question in an interview today. Suzi asked what prompted me to do this kind of work. I told her the first time I realized I wanted to work in theatre was watching Ted Neely play Jesus Christ Superstar under the stars in Hollywood over 30 years ago. The magic of the cool evening and the dramatic presentation on stage still brings chills.

A year ago, we took Stage Door Production Team to see Wicked in Portland. I had seen the show a few years before, so I wanted to sit behind the kids and watch them have that same experience. Live theatre, is a powerful medium. It moves through you like a tsunami, with such force and energy that you are at once consumed. When the final curtain comes down, those on stage and those in the audience are forever changed.

To share that magic, the suspension of belief, a giant leap into imagination and watching it transform a child's self esteem - that is why, I do this work. Priceless! Thanks, Suzi, for reminding me.

Now let's get to work!

Crows Have Heroes, Too

It was with great pride that I sat in a room filled with heroes on Thursday, April 23rd. In all, the United Way Volunteer luncheon had 25 tables making this a room of 250 people who volunteer in their community an extraordinary amount of hours. They came from all walks of life, some professionals, others were teenagers and young children, many were seniors. The oldest volunteer of the bunch was 93 years old! 

Their pictures went up on the screen as the emcee spoke briefly about the service these volunteers had done over the past year. The number of hours that some had volunteered was staggering. From 3 - 20 hours a week, for most and some were even higher. These are individuals who dedicated time from their busy lives to work for the greater good in their community. It really was an impressive event.

What made it even more special, was that our own Timothy Wilcox was nominated for the Arts and Culture Volunteer of the year. I don't know that many people know the amount of hours this young man gives to Upstart Crow. He works tirelessly to bring a level of music accompaniment that most youth performing arts programs do not have. He receives no pay for his countless hours of rehearsal with the orchestra, accompanying the cast at rehearsals and working with them on the their vocals as chorus and soloists. He is pretty handy with the tool box, not to mention the tech service to get the wireless up and running in the building and networking the printer in the office. And he has been seen in the hallways, vacuuming! Is there nothing this Super Hero can't do?

We have a wonderful organization, here at Upstart Crow Studios. But what makes it truly remarkable is the level of volunteerism that keeps us running. Thank you to all those who believe in the vision of keeping the arts alive and accessible to our community and especially to the children we serve. And a big round of applause for Timothy! 

Happy Birthday!

Today is a unique day in history and one that obviously speaks to all Crows. Happy Birthday, Shakespeare and oh by the way, bon voyage.

William Shakespeare's birth is not officially recorded but his baptism is dated on April 26th. It is commonly accepted that his birthday was April 23rd and that he was born in a house on Henley Street in Stratford, Englan. Much of what is known about the man remains in court documents and church records and most significantly from his rivals.

To be sure, that is how Upstart Crow Studios, gained its name. From the penned hand of one of Shakespeare's critics, Robert Greene, came these words, which seemed to fit our intent and mission at Upstart Crow.

Greene disparages Shakespeare, an actor who fancied himself a playwright. Greene writes this about Shakespeare.

"...for there is an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his tigers heart wrapped in a players hide, supposes he is well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of us.."

From these words, Robert Greene gained fame. Shakespeare, on the other hand, is legend. His final enigma was to die on the day he was born, 52 years later. 

We wear the term "upstart crow" with great pride. We are unique individuals with dynamic voices. All crows are welcome here. Let us celebrate the individual today in honor of this worthy playwright, Shakespeare. We all have something to crow about!