The Raven Maven is Back!

The maven raven is back! Was surprised to see the last post was two years ago! Well, time flies (no crow pun intended) when you are having fun. So let's do a quick update. We are still in the same place, but other than that things have definitely changed for the Crow. We are in our 12th year and continue to expand by leaps and bounds.

Still focused on theatrical productions we ended the 2011-2012 season on a high note with our first performance at the Hult Center with Peter Pan, A British Musical. With a new musical theatre production from the streets of London, the cast of over 80 kids took the stage for two shows and wowed audiences with new music, the sets and the joy that only young people can create on stage. A huge leap of faith for the Crow and a milestone was reached for the directors.

How do you top that? Since the Crow is built on miracles, we have to stop and thank all the generous donations to the theatre program this past year. Jonathan Siegle, well known and admired director in the Eugene/Springfield area, was so taken with our program that he donated and installed a new lighting system to the Crows Nest theatre. Ward Fairburn, sound guy extraordinaire stepped in this year, donating and installing a fabulous new sound system.

But wait, that's not all! Jonathan is eager to build an adult theatre program at the Crow, making our humble abode not only a great place for kids but as a feeder system for adult theatre. We have had several students graduate from the children's theatre department and move on to the UO and Lane Community theatre programs. They are thrilled at the notion that they can continue their careers in acting with such a great mentor and work in the place they have called home for so many years. What an exciting opportunity.

So if you have not been to the Crow lately, you better fly on in (pun definitely intended) and see all that is new this Fall season. We have a new music department offering piano and vocal classes for group and private sessions for all ages. The dance department, All That!, is adding an Acro class combining dance and gymnastics.

No wonder why this raven maven hasn't had time to keep up with the blog. Keep checking back as this raven obviously has a lot to crow about!

Go, Go, Go Joseph

Vocal rehearsals began this week for Joseph and we had fun sitting around determining range and parts for the first act. With so many girly men in the brother cast, we are challenged a bit in the alto and bass parts. Next week more of the cast will arrive and lend a vocal cord or two.

The cast sounded great and enjoyed the new material. Potiphar seems to be the favorite if not the most challenging so far. We worked on Jacob and Sons, although we are still shy a brother. With Stephen Brainard and Josh Byrum sharing the role of Potiphar, we may have a hard time keeping the volume up and the giggles down!

This promises to be a very fun show for all involved. Costume committee meets tomorrow and Dr. Hoolala is designing the Pharaoh headgear and Mandi Bussell is going to be creating the fabulous coat of many colors. Ordering wigs and beards for the manly and girly brothers. A whole new twist to this Biblical tale! Don't miss out on tickets for this one.

Any Dream Will Do!

After two weeks of auditions, we are finally ready to announce the cast for the 2010 Summer Stock Production - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! And yes, it wall be amazing with this cast line-up! Ready to go? We begin next Monday with vocal rehearsals - check the website for the schedule!

Narrator - Cassie Serra
Joseph - Matthew Stevens
Potiphar - Stephen Brainard/Joshua Byrum
Mrs. Potiphar - Courtney Volta
Jacob - Stephen Brainard/Joshua Byrum
Pharaoh - Jasper Freedom

Brothers
Asher - Cristina Hernandez
Simeon - Jasper Freedom
Benjamin - Conner Criswell
Judah - Coleman Byrum
Reuben - Tom Lindskog
Issachar - Sadie Waddell
Levi - DeeDee Mann
Dan - Jack Brainard
Naphtali - Aidan Zeigler Hansen
Gad - Taylor Dalton
Zebulon - Holley Flora

Wives/Choir
Madeline Blumm
Olivia Buss
Kyaia Owens
Courtney Volta
Nealey Summerfeld
Sabrina Gross
Destinee Robertson
Tanner Zeigler Hansen
Katie Brainard
Holley Flora

Some Assembly Required

April showers bring May flowers but at Upstart Crow Studios there is definitely something growing, and growing...and growing. Yes, Audrey II is in the building. Generously loaned to us from Mary Huls, director of a Junction City theater group. Although these seedlings are neatly potted, the final pod will need some "dental" work. Dr. Hoolala, not a dentist or a botanist, has offered to risk life and limb as he goes inside Twooey and fix the missing tooth.

Rehearsals going well with the cast focused on staying out of the pod as they learn the choreography and songs for this dark comedy of plant versus nerd. The Entr'Actes offer a light hearted look at this people eater and the Doo Wop sisters are certainly doing their best to tell the story of a misunderstood 6 foot man eating plant with sass and class.

You won't want to miss this wild musical theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors on May 21 - 23rd. Be sure to put this people eater on your menu, before you find yourself on his!

Tickets on sale now so no whining when you get to the door and find this Little Shop is closed!

Rave In The Nave

Stage Door took the stage this past weekend in Portland at Rave In The Nave, an annual performing arts series at the Christ United Methodist Church. Joined by the resident dance company, All That! Dance, the students at Upstart Crow Studios performed dance, song and drama surrounded by a live audience on a theatre in the half round stage.

Performing their 20 minute show entitled, Defying Gravity, members of the Stage Door Team appeared to be working the audience with humor and style as they opened the show with Seize The Day, a powerful number from Disney's Newsies. The show is filled with other Disney hits, such as I Just Can't Wait To Be King and Spoonful of Sugar, all defining the character of the upstart crow and the resolve to be the best that you can be while ultimately defying the gravity of being different and unique.

All That! took the stage by storm with a hot salsa number. From modern to ballet to ballroom the crowd watched the dancers move with power and grace across the dance floor. The boys hip hop group brought cheers from the audience as they artfully moved to the beat.

Prior to the performance, Stage Door members had the pleasure of working with Devon Allen, the head of Acting at Portland State University. She along with her partner, Matthew, worked with the students on volume, relaxation, a bit of Shakespeare and some intense work with the chairs!

Stage Door moves into Little Shop of Horrors rehearsals these next few weeks. With Audrey II about to make its appearance, things are about to get creepy at the Crow...if you don't mind being on the menu, why don't you join us!

So Many Shows, So Little Time

The vote is in! We are headed into the Summer Stock season on the coat tails of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat this coming July. It was a tough and close call between Joseph and Singing In The Rain. With Auditions in June quickly approaching, we are gearing up for mounting this show in an intense 3 weeks of rehearsals July 5 - 23rd. You won't want to miss out on this show. So here is a shout out to all the guys - Joseph needs brothers! Stay tuned for audition dates.

Had the unique pleasure of sitting in the audience for Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog produced by Blue Monkey Theatre Company in Portland. What a fun experience for both audience and cast! This show has been on UCS wish list for the past year and we hope to bring it to Eugene in the 2010 season. If you get a chance, schlep on up to the Pacific Crest Community Theatre and check it out. You can also watch it from Netflix. You may find yourself laughing hysterically or better yet an evil maniacal laugh! Check your freeze ray at the door!

Rehearsals begin for Little Shop of Horrors with Entr'actes highlighting this one act dark humor play. Stage Door Production Team will take the lead on this show with younger members also appearing in the fun entr'actes we have planned. Rather than take reprise numbers entr'acte cast members will have their own show within a show with doo wop and modern day numbers to compliment Audrey II, eating up the audience with song and dance. You don't want to miss out on tickets for this Maneater!

Summer camp listings will also be out this coming week of April 5th. The fun never stops and with camps in How To Tame A Dragon and Mother Goose on The Loose there will be much to crow about! Take your vacation at the Crow!

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!