Wedding Bells (except they'll sound like accordions)

Hey, all.

Email has been sent your way regarding helping out at my wedding. (Thirty-one days from today!) Please respond if you can help (and I hope you can).

In other news: Passport opened last night at Annex. It's a pretty fun show (and thoughtful, too)...and er, not appropriate at all for all audiences. Consider this information in deciding if you'd like to attend. You can get in for five bucks. (And I'll even set seats aside for you if you tell me you're coming; otherwise it's at-the-door-only for student tix.)

SHHHHH! IT'SsssSUPOSssED TO BE A SssECRET!!!

Here is a secret especially for you all...(yes, I realize that I am posting it on the internet, but never you mind)...

IF YOU WANT HALF PRICE TICKETS TO SEE JUNGLE BOOK AT YTN (which opens on Friday) COME TO THE MATINEE THIS SATURDAY THE 29TH AND SAY "JUNGLE FEVER"...

Ahem...well, even if you can't make it on Saturday you all must come...mainly because it is Litza's last show at YTN and she is a fearsome Bagheera...but also 'cuz I make a pretty good Kaa, while Kayti, Allison, Lauryn, and Chris steal the show as techies! (It's almost like a Magic reunion...hint...hint...)

Grand Guignol

Hey, folks--if you're able to duck over the bridge on a school night, please come to see Grand Guignol.

We've got one more night this week (tomorrow) and then Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday next week.

Y'all can get student tix for five bucks.

More info here or by emailing me...

"YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!"

Wahhhhh! Piiiiictuuuures!
We all look soooo gorgeous...in a dark and creepy kind of way...

Follow Frodo

Dear Hobbit-casters:

Happy Opening! May you slay all dragons.

Dear Everyone Else:

Jaeger and I will be making a little island trip with Hobbit intentions next weekend. Perhaps we'll see you there?

g to the j

J to the 'aeger

Dear friends,

You know you love Kate.

You know you love cowgirls.

You know you love stage combat.

You know you love twangy guitars.

This is your last chance to see Ms. Jaeger invovled in all of the above in Macha Monkey's production of The Cowgirl Play. (And even if you think you don't love those things, in order to prove me wrong, you'll just have to witness it!)

I'm going tonight. I realize this is a school night for you all, but there are also shows on Friday and Saturday.

If you're interested, you can get tickets here.

And now I shall teach some geometry concepts to fourth graders. (Let the jealousy waltz begin.)

Stop the presses!

There's been an Eddie Levi Lee spotting!!

Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin

"If Albert Einstien and Pablo Picasso met in a Parisan cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism, anything could happen. A comedy from "the wild and crazy" mind of Steve Martin. Funny, thought provoking contemporary theatre."

Directed by Eddie Levi Lee
February 10-26
Presented by the Driftwood Players
The Wade James Theatre, 950 Main Street, Edmonds
http://www.driftwoodplayers.com/shows/2006picasso.asp


I just read this play last week. It's SO crazy cool. I'm going to try and go to Sunday's matinee. You should too. Everyone should. He came to see our play, now it's only fair we go and see his. =)

And you know, I love company.

There once was a girl with a little curl...

...right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good she was very, very good. But when she was bad she was awful.

Unlike that little girl, mirrormask is NOT awful, in fact it's bloody brilliant. Just as you should all see Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal - you've got to see it.

So freakin' cool - can't even begin to explain it. It came out on Tuesday. Go to Blockbuster and rent it.

Go! Now! Why are you still here?!?

I AM LYING ABOUT MY IDENTITY!

dear people,

and i use the term people loosely.

here is me shutterfly:

http://www.shutterfly.com
email: emineminie@gmail.com
and password is: emelie

(thus following in litzam's noble footsteps.)

call me if you love me
2068908045

REGINA EMELIE STELLA DARE JOHNSON GAGLIARDO NOT LITZA JOHNSON LIKE IT SAYS. I'M AT HER HOUSE. ITS A COMPLICATED SITUATION.

Post 'em, yo.

In accordance (accordence...?) with Litza's post, I am woefully depressed at the ending of our fabulous show. But you know what would make it easier to bear?

If everyone who took pictures posted the links to view them!

I'll go first. I only have beginning-of-classes pictures I posted way long time agos, but they're pictures none the less.

Remember the days of uglification?

Heck yes.

Now Emily, Allison, Beth...we know you're out there!

Sad

Ai, it has been three days since closing, and I'm missing Magic already. Anyone for doing some more shows? Like, you know, in a couple of hours?

Hope "real life" is going well for everyone, and that you're not as confused as I am by mid winter break coming up and thus -- gasp-- FREE TIME.

Radio On

Princess Umlaut let me know that the cd tracks didn't turn up when she played her cd, so here's a list of 'em:

• Lord, Blow the Moon Out Please, Hem, Rabbit Songs
• By the Light of the Silvery Moon, Doris Day, Somebody Loves Me
• Waltzing Me All the Way Home, The 6ths, Hyacinths & Thistles
• Del, Awesome, Delaware
• Martha My Dear, The Beatles, White Album
• It's Only a Paper Moon, Ella Fitzgerald & The Delta Rhythm Boys, Ella & Friends
• That's My Weakness Now, Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike), Singin' in the Rain
• Memories, Michael Tilson Thomas (Charles Ives), An American Journey
• The Left-Sock Thievers, Dr. Seuss, The Cat In The Hat Songbook
• Red Clay Halo, Gillian Welch, Time (The Revelator)
• I Wish I Was The Moon, Neko Case, Blacklisted
• 1-2 Crush on You, The Clash, Super Black Market Clash
• Griselda, Yo La Tengo, Fakebook
• Fred No Frevo, Ney Rosauro, Brazilian Music for Percussion Ensemble
• Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step-Mother!, Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
• Little Birdy, Kristin Hersh; Murder, Misery and Then Goodnight
• Think About Your Troubles, Harry Nilsson, The Point!
• High on a Mountain Top, Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
• Peacherine Rag, Dick Hyman, Scott Joplin Greatest Hits
• My Favorite Plum, Suzanne Vega, Nine Objects of Desire
• Prairie Fire That Wanders About, Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
• Pink Elisa Spring, Julie Spencer, Ask
• Nothing Matters When We're Dancing, Magnetic Fields; 69 Love Songs, Volume 1
• The Man with the Lightbulb Head, Robyn Hitchcock, Uncorrected Personality Traits
• Refrain's (Always) the Same, Cynthia Hopkins, Accidental Nostalgia
• I'll Shoot The Moon, Tom Waits, The Black Rider
• The Beast In Me, Johnny Cash, American Recordings
• Felaline (with vocals) , Erin Jorgensen, MAGIC (YTN)

If you'd prefer pdf format, you can download that here.

Week One

Whelp, one week down or under your belts or wherever you like to put things after they're completed.

Congratulations to all--I hope you're none too lonely with some evenings off...or off from YTN at least.

I found that, even though I was watching the run of another show I directed, I was wishing I was watching this one. (But, shhh, don't tell anybody because those actors will get so sad and they have to tour all over the place.)

Two things you should all know about:

• our photo shoot will likely be Saturday, February 4 and split before and after the matinee
• Erin and I are working on a time when all the singers can get together with her to record all of the songs with your voices so we have a little soundtrack-y!

I'd love to hear how the shows went for the rest of this weekend...and I can't wait to see it again next week!

(Speaking of photos...I know some of you have, like, one million photographs of this little play...would it kill you to post some of them here? Jeez. I mean, "please.")

so. i hear we're pretty good.

totally the understatement of the millenium. we are totally awesome. marvelous. absurdly wonderful. absolutely amazing. flippin' fantastic. among other things including highly hilarious.

okay. we rock.
good show guys.

Oh my goodness gracious me
Heavenstobetsy
Bloodyhell

Hey guys! Guess what? We actually put on a play. Really truly on stage with an audience. our play, and they liked it, and they laughed and clapped.

Go us!

All ye creatures in de neighborhood...drop it like its what?!

Hey y'all! So I bet none of yousa've heard a rap mix of Handel's Messiah...well, it just so happens that I have...coincidence? Apparently not.
Anyways: (on a whim) I got this CD from the library that has a bunch of really, really randomcreepy mixes of noneother than H's M. Only one of them actually resembles the original composition...another one is a rap...and the other nine--coincidently enough--strike me as very creature-y. It could be just my mind's desperate attempt to make a connection, but if any of ya others want to give it a hear-see...let me know!

[P.S. Gillian: I would still love any suggestions that you might have. (If you don't know what the sith I'm talkin' about...let it be known to you that I sent an e-mail your way the other day regarding such music...)]

The Place Where I Was Born

Hello, all--just a little shout from the mile high city...DENVER! So far today I've seen the hospital in which I was born, a huge blue bear peering into the window of the convention center (okay, like, not a real bear, but it was about 60 feet tall and had the look of "hey, what're you guys doing? do you have any fish?"), theatre folk from all over the country, and hours and hours of sunshine. (Although it's supposed to snow tomorrow.)

I hope finals are going well for everyone. I definitely miss being in rehearsal, but I got to talk about it with folk tonight, so that was a little something.

I also hope, of course, that you are finding time to allow the images of your characters and our show to creep into your head (perhaps the songs...) when they will and that those images are inspiring and not distracting.

I may well have new thoughts for you all as the days progress--though we're in workshops pretty much from 9:30am-9:30pm, so I might hit Starey Joe mode before I hit "I think I'll post some tips and tricks to my dearest ensemble cast" mode.

Know that you are all missed and that I am very proud of the work you're doing in Magic.

(Yes, Gagliardo, even you.)

Wallflower

Now with 50% less spike tape.

Dear non-squirted kittens,

Just another little thanks for keeping it all together today. I know it's no fun shifting from being real boys and girls into seemingly wooden puppets manipulated by a "hold please" here and a "take it again" there, but y'all sure are looking good under those lights and it's only going to get better. (And we at the tech tables really are sorry that there's no way to gage exactly when we'll need you during a Q-to-Q.)

As mentioned, Act II will be completed on Monday evening and then we'll move into a work-through (between which we'll do song/fight call).

As a reminder, Heather will be in on Monday and Tuesday to pull each of you at varying times for costume fittings. (Costume fittings!)

Watch your in-boxes tomorrow for love notes in the form of notes from Thursday's run!

And now, for your previewing pleasure, here are my Director's Notes for our program:

Director's notes, huh? In my own words? Oh, I've got 'em. Too many of them, sometimes: isn't it important to figure out what you think and say so?

What I'm thinking is everywhere in this production: how I feel about theatre, how I feel about storytelling, how I feel about magic--imagined and real. Those thoughts are there for you to interpret. They can also be found within Geoff Ryman's notes about his excellent book Was (a re-imagining of the worlds of The Wizard of Oz, Frank L. Baum, and Judy Garland):

I fell in love with realism because it deflates the myths, the unexamined ideas of fantasy. It confronts forgotten facts. It uses past truth--history.

I love fantasy because it reminds us how far short our lives fall from their full potential. Fantasy reminds us how wonderful the world is. In fantasy, we can imagine a better life, a better future. In fantasy, we can free ourselves from history and outworn realism.

Oz is, after all, only a place with flowers and birds and rivers and hills. Everything is alive there, as it is here if we care to see it. Tomorrow, we could all decide to live in a place not much different from Oz. We don't. We continue to make the world an ugly, even murderous place, for reasons we do not understand.

Those reasons lie in both fantasy and history. Where we are gripped by history--our own personal history, our country's history. Where we are deluded by fantasy--our own fantasy, our country's fantasy. It is necessary to distinguish between history and fantasy wherever possible.

And then use them against each other.

And that's the world and spirit I hope we have created for you with Magic. I hope it is silly and frightening. I hope it is giddy and beguiling. I hope its flowers and birds and rivers and hills are alive...even though it's just a play.

And I hope you find your own words to describe it all.

Hey, everybody!

I don't think you all realize how much I love tech. See, because I know it's a lot of standing around, but it's when we finally get to move from "pretend really hard that the play is happening" to "ooooo, stuff!"

Y'know, stuff: like spike tape and glow tape and gaff tape. (Oh, my!)

But really, it's when you can be a theatre bad-ass (a what?) and solve problems that make the whole show better.

If you start getting antsy just know I'm looking at you and thinking "you shur look purdy under them lights."

And, just as a reminder, please remember: the squirt bottles are aimed directly into your ears, you little kittens.

fiendish friends...or...friendly fiends

I just realized that if you take the "r" out of "friend" you get "fiend"...well, actually I knew that, but it just hit me how randomly that works with our play, in a sense...

And...what's more...if you were to say: "You are not my friend," it could be interpreted as: "You--"r" not--my friend," which in turn could mean: "You, my fiend."

Ummm...sooooo...that's how my brain works, ni ne?

Swallow You Whole

Hello, superstars.

We've got a new song to use for Belly of the Beast: Erin is arranging Johnny Cash's The Beast in Me. Here are the lyrics:

The beast in me
Is caged by frail and fragile bars
Restless by day
And by night rants and rages at the stars
God help the beast in me

The beast in me
Has had to learn to live with pain
And how to shelter from the rain
And in the twinkling of an eye
Might have to be restrained
God help the beast in me

Sometimes it tries to kid me
That it's just a teddy bear
And even somehow manage to vanish in the air
And that is when I must beware
Of the beast in me that everybody knows
They've seen him out dressed in my clothes
Patently unclear if it's New York or New Year
God help the beast in me

The beast in me

Heather and I met this morning about costumes: you all are going to look freaking awesome.

Mooloolaba Woongarra Cooloolah

Oh yeah. Also I saw Steve Irwin ;)

(And the title of this entry would make an excellent tongue twister warmup, methinks)

Home Cold Home

I'm ready for manhunt. Can we find the guy that schedules Seattle weather, and hang him from a tree until July? He does a pretty good job with July and August...

I just got home from Queensland, Aus. this morning. Good bye peasant skirts and spaghetti straps, hello denim and sweatshirts. On the happy side of life, I saw a real live koala. In a gum tree. In the "wild" (and by "wild" I mean in Noosa... so not really so wild. But not in a zoo!). Also we saw a kangaroo with a joey in her pouch. How superdedooper is that??? It was way amazing awesome.
Also sea turtles. Saw those too.
Further stories that you will all be haunted with tomorrow (yes, Gillian and Meggan, master director and stage manager extradordinaires, before or after rehearsal ;))



Oh and PS-- do I actually have to be there tomorrow? Because it's a line runthrough of act II. And the only lines I have in act II are the ones that aren't quite concrete yet, but are not "Let me me give you something in return."

Well anyways, I look forward to seeing you all!!

Liiiitza