Bechtel's Blog

Apr. 21st, 2017

I can start this before I see the show.

I hit the road this morning at 6;30. Got to the hotel at 3:00 – 10 minute break every two hours to stretch my legs.

I read for a while then took a shower and head out for dinner. I put the theater name into my phone for directions and it reminds me that I was there in March of 2015. Sometimes I hate my phone. I swing by the theater on my way to dinner and yep, I remember it. I saw Dixie Swim Club there. Several years after we did it. It broke my heart. The give women stood in a row facing the audience and delivered their lines. The give women had talent but the direction was terrible. I wanted to jump up and yell ” don’t look at us, look attendance​ each other and let each other in.

I would love to direct something there.
Let you know how it goes tonight

Bechtel's Blog

April 20, 2017 — Play: They’re Playing Our Song

The play tonight was written by Neil Simon.  According to the curtain speech it details the actual relationship between Marvin Hamlish and Carol Sager.

There’s a lot to be said about it – both good and bad.  It’s a two level set.  The lower portion looks like a vertical keyboard.  The upper portion had the five piece band and a projection on the right.  The projection showed what would be seen out the window (NYC) for most of it but the projection was the same sunny day even when there was thunder and rain.
On the lower level there is a obviously fake Grand piano which the Marvin guy played.  It was weird watching the guy in the band playing the piano when the actor on stage was faking it.
Great lighting with a lot of expensive LED lights.
It was classic Neil Simon – fast paced dialog and lots of one liner jokes.  They singers were good but the music just wasn’t catchy.
Very little choreography.
It was a really, really sweet love story.  It could have been a standard Simon Rom-Com and been even better.  There was only one thing that dated the time period.  They got stuck in their car and didn’t have a phone.
They’re was no real end to the play.  When they left the stage, we thought there was another scene coming but we got the curtain call instead.  Of course it was past 10:30 which should have given us a hint – three hours including intermission.
Definitely worth seeing, maybe not worth doing.
Good night, got a long drive ahead one me tomorrow – from the south east corner to the north west corner.  Seeing a Joe dipietro murder comedy.  I have that script too but wasn’t impressed all that much.
Till then good night
Bechtel's Blog

I Hate Hamlet

It’s actually the name of the play I saw tonight.  I have the script somewhere but it’s mediocre at best.  Saw it at the Sugden Theater in Naples, Florida.

I’d always prefer great acting with a mediocre play rather than mediocre acting in a great play but when you put a mediocre script with less than mediocre acting, even counting lights doesn’t help.
The set was to die for, far exceeding anything I’ve put together.  Lighting was far above average.  Of course they have 380 seats which were 3/4 full at $35 a pop and they run for five weeks with five performances a week so they have a few nickels for the set.
Naples Florida is in the far West of the state, tomorrow I head over to the other side of the state to see “Their playing our song” one of the very few musicals Neil Simon write.  Then on Friday over to Panama City in the far West part of the state then back over to the east side again on Saturday.  Can’t even remember what I’m going to see without looking at my notes (which are in my car).
Playfest 2017

2017 PlayFest Opening Soon

Friday – Saturday, May 26-27; Friday – Saturday – Sunday, June 2-3-4, The Grange

— from Aaimee Johnson for Actors Theater of Orcas Island —

The 12th Annual PlayFest featuring seven plays written by Orcas playwrights will open Friday, May 26, with performances on Saturday May 27, Friday Jun. 2, Saturday Jun. 3, and Sunday Jun. 4. Curtain is at 7:30, tickets can be purchased at the door, or on line at Brown paper tickets, and at Darvill’s Bookstore. Here is a peek at this year’s terrific lineup:

“Needs New Battery” by Cara Russell. Simone and Simon are new to small island living. And when the power goes out, one stormy night, the two discover a ‘problem’ that is way out of their reach—a small ‘beeping’ problem.

“Emerald City” was written by Corey Homewood. “Emerald City” is a story about surviving on the streets of Seattle after The Big One hits.

“What’s New” written by Miguel Villareal. Original ideas are sometimes contemplated at a moment in time that is too early for them to be realized.

“Wedding Dances” by Tom Fiscus. The act of dancing, when done free of self-conscious restriction, is one of humankind’s purest forms of self expression.

“2.5 Kids” written by Kat Fennell. A comedic opera about dreams, life, and the art of compromise.

“TJ” written by James Wolf. Over 40 years ago the US Supreme handed down a decision that had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals.

“Open House at Murder Mansion” by Mack Smith. There are many dream houses on an island; well, dreams for some, nightmares for others.

Readers Theater

The Harry and Sam Dialogues

We are set to perform The Harry and Sam Dialogues at Random Howse on October 27 & 28 at 7:00 PM.

The show stars Chris Evans and Jake Perrine. It is directed by Tom Fiscus. The playwright is Karen Ellison.  The play is licensed by Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

The short, often hilarious, dialogues between two friends reveal each man’s character and eventually a secret which drives them apart. What happens thereafter illuminates our understanding of the nature and durability of true friendship.

There is very little foul or graphic language in the play so it would be suitable for all audiences. However, younger kids, i.e., 14 or less may not understand a lot of it.

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