THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SHOW!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Galena Signal publishes review of Oz 12/19/2008

The Galena Signal is a relatively newer hometown paper which is getting on it's feet and doing a great job covering local events, especially entertainment.The founder Jim Greenfield wrote the following review of Oz which appeared in today's paper - CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE! Hats off to you!
Ted
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And Your Little Dog, Too
By: Jim Greenfield

It seems these days that superlatives are thrown around like nickels when they should be treated more like manhole covers. But last week's production of The Wizard of Oz by Franklin Civic Operetta Association at the Barrow-Civic Theatre deserved its plethora of accolades.

First the statistics: 90 actors (including one remarkably poised and involved little dog), 6 stage curtains, 3 follow spot lights, 2 trap doors, 1 hydraulic lift, 2 flash pots, 20 pyrotechnic fountains, 2 strobe lights, 18 musicians, 15 microphones, 1 trampoline, 2 cameras and 6 dressing rooms. Whew! How director Ted Smith orchestrated all that while keeping his sanity is itself an amazing mystery. And as if that wasn't enough, Ted was unexpectedly pressed into service as the Wizard near the end of rehearsals!

I attended the opening night performance on Thursday as part of a nearly-full house. As should be expected on an opening night, there were a few glitches, but they were extremely minor, and you almost had to be looking for them. The actor W.C. Fields has been quoted as saying "never work with children or animals'. We should be thankful that Franklin Civic Operetta ignored that advice. The March of the Munchkins (at least that's what I call it) near the beginning of the show involved nearly 30 children of varying ages and was almost worth the price of admission by itself. And Moesley, as Toto, was quite the polished and obedient performer, too.

Moesley even provided an ad lib (at least I'm pretty sure it wasn't part of the script) when he started barking at something off stage. The timing was perfect as he was confronting the Cowardly Lion (Mike Leisher) at the time and the Lion "went with it" by becoming even more fearful of the ferocious canine. The actors' performances were all solid at worst and in most cases very good. As you hope for any good theatric or film performance, it rarely crossed my mind that "Hey, they're acting".

The principal leads - Molly Burkett (Dorothy), Bret Sloan (the Scarecrow), Jacob Krupitzer (the Tin Man), Mike Leisher (the Cowardly Lion), Linda Leisher (the Good Witch), Ted Smith (the Wizard) and Jamie Agnello (the Wicked Witch) - all gave polished performances and interacted with each other in ways that gave the performance depth and continuity. And definite crowd favorites were Aaron Ritsig and Andrew Ritsig as the crows harassing and mocking the Scarecrow.

The Barrow-Civic stage was expanded around the orchestra pit and into the seating area for this production. Use of the aisles for performing entrances during several parts of the show helped bring the audience into the event. It was from time to time disconcerting to see how close the performers, particularly the children, came to the open orchestra pit - often while running. Thankfully, the only flying or disappearances that took place were planned. The expanded stage was a critical element in this production, and I don't think there was any other way it could have been handled.

The Wizard of Oz was a fitting culmination to Franklin Civic Operetta's 50th anniversary season, to the astounding number of top notch actors, musicians and support personnel with which our little corner of the world is blessed and to the gem that is the Barrow-Civic Theatre.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Pics from Carissa - her Mom's stage debut!

Tish and Ben

Backstage with an Ozian


The Guard is the most popular dude in Emerald City


Those trees have great limbs

Tish with her fellow Ozians....

Some of the 52 Ozians in the Show!






Pictures from Molly after the show

Munchkins love their pics taken.

Dorothy and a Snowkin

The Mayor, Barrister and Coroner with Oz


Ted and Molly

Axes and Crowns and Aprons-OH MY!
(Dorothy, Jamie, Ted, Linda, Mike, Brett and Jacob)





venangoliving.com posts Oz show pics

Local photographer Stephen West has taken some wonderful pictures of the show and posted them at http://venangoliving.com/



Check it out .... thanks Stephen for posting these memories.....








The Oz populace (thanks Darcie)

Ozians and Winkies....

Tish and Darcie - Tish's first show EVER!

Michelle and Theresa


Wendy and Erika prep to get"merry"




Monday, December 15, 2008

And more OZ pics....thanks Dana

Monkey Commander Nikko and his Simian pals
(Chris, Joe, Alexa)


Look out for that bug!!!

I do believe in spooks, I do believe in spooks....


OZ pics - Thanks Jill Kellner

Flying Monkeys Invade the Streets of Franklin
(now that would be an awesome News Herald headline)

Assorted Ozians asleep between Saturday shows

Ted and Jill backstage - One Flying Monkey and one big Ape!
(lol)


Look Out Scarecrow!!!


Monkey Brigade in the Lobby
Great Job Flying Monkeys!!! You were fantastic!





More from the lobby (thanks Liesl)

Hail, hail - the gangs all here!
G-Linda, Lion, Wee-Wee, Dot, Tinny, and S.Crow
Anyone who has pictures of the show or behind the scenes, email them to me at tedsmith.patio@gmail.com and I will post em.
The Wizard

"Wee-Wee's" acquaintances

Barrow-Civic's next power couple!

The "Circle"-Wizard, Dot, TinMan, Wee-Wee, and Scarecrow

(Ted, Molly, Jacob, Jamie, Bret)



And she tried to burn him up......hmmmm



In the end, friendship conquers a love of shoes!

(thanks Jamie for the pics)



More behind the scenes.....

Dorothy and the Triplets get "cleaned up" to see the Wizard!
(thanks Jacob)

Oz Behind the Scenes - thank you Liesl Bittner

Mike (Lion), Jamie ("Wee-Wee"), Molly (Dot), Jacob (Tin Man) and Brett (Scarecrow)

Liesl and Joe (The Guard) backstage

Liesl, Hallie and Darcie get ready for the Emerald City


"G-Linda" our rocking Good Witch of the North


The Sexiest Forest in Oz
Katie, Sara, Miya, Grace, Liesl, Jeri

Two Invaluable Ladies for the show:
Choreographer Jackie and Munchkin Wrangler Theresa

Thanks to Garrett Kline, photographer


Sunday, December 14, 2008

KUDOS FOR OZ!

Bravo to the cast and crew of the Wizard of Oz. It was such as great, awesome show....you all did a fantastic job! What a run - opening night of 450, sold out nights Friday and Saturday, sold out Sunday matinee, and 430 for Saturday matinee.....AWESOME!

The theatre is so lucky to have so many of you who volunteered your time to participate in the show and you all gave 110%. It was such a great experience and I thank you all for your hard work, kudos, appreciation and comments.

Thank you to the Munchkins for your "song" and the cards. Thank you to the Ozians and assorted characters for your wonderful and thoughtful gift.

The Barrow could not survive without all of you....and all the patrons who come to the shows. We've now given them a new level of professionalism and entertainment.

Garrett Klines pics of the show are now posted at http://pictures.bytesandpix.com/the_wizard_of_oz, including the cast photo. If you didn't order a cast photo, you can do so at this website. Garrett does a great job taking photos of the shows at the BCT, so please feel free to browse the pics (anyone can) and order.

If anyone has pictures of the show or cast/crew, please send them to me at tedsmith.patio@gmail.com and I will post them on the blog....

Again, thank you all....See you at the next show!
Ted

Friday, December 12, 2008

Dress Rehearsal Pics are Online

Garrett Kline, our official "Emerald City Photographer" has posted the pictures of dress rehearsal on the internet at his website. You can browse the photos and purchase them. Garrett does excellent work and we pleased to work with him and that he offers his services.

The website is http://pictures.bytesandpix.com/the_wizard_of_oz

He will also take pictures at the Saturday Matinee.

The Wizard

Fantastic Opening Night

Great job to the cast and crew for the Opening Night of Wizard of Oz.

Playing to a house of 350 people (78% full) you guys rocked the stage. I was able to watch some of it from the side of the house and the audience was really into it.....I've heard comments that people were on the edge of their seats...

So many awesome moments from the tornado scene, Dorothy getting the ruby slippers (one little girl asked her mother why her shoes couldn't be magic like that), to the Great Big Head!

Ghosts and Monkeys took the audience by storm....great job! Winkies - fantastic!

The title characters all did fantastic....you guys looked and sounded amazing. I can't say enough - WOW.

We've also initiated another "only in Franklin" story too. Last night, Jeri (one our Ozian/Trees) was at a trial in the courthouse (she is a public defender). The judge recessed the trial so she could come to the theatre to play her part of the tree! "She even has lines" everyone was told. AMAZING. That's what theatre means to this community.

Many thanks to our orchestra, sound and lighting guys, pyrotechnicians from Kellners, the costumers and props persons.....

KUDOS AND BIG HUGS ALL AROUND TO EVERYONE....

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Opening Night - The Reviews are In!

Hello all,

Our friend Pete Greene, over at http://venangoland.blogspot.com put some very nice and unsolicited remarks about our show and the theatre in his column today in The Derrick and News Herald papers. Click on the pic of the column to enlarge it to read. Thank you Pete....your kind words and comments are greatly appreciated.

Just over 10 hours as I type this til curtain opens. We will do Munchkin Circle at 7:30 in the Little Theatre, and then we shall troop over to St. John's to do Ozian circle with the Leads and other assorted characters.....we shall then be ready to go as close to 8:00pm as we can!

My congratulations and thanks to you all in the show- onstage, behind the scenes, and in the pit! You have made this a remarkable experience!

The Wizard (Ted)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

FANTASTIC AND CONGRATULATIONS

Great job tonight at final dress rehearsal cast and crew....what an awesome show...tonight's dress rehearsal was probably one of the best dress rehearsals I have ever seen.....and everyone looked great and sounded great.

The Barrow Volunteers who were tonight's audience were absolutely loving the show and raved about it afterwards....you wowed our critical audience.....good job! Great Big Head was fantastic....and the crew did an awesome job keeping things moving. We teethed out our minor little problems...

Enjoy Thursday....Opening Night Curtain is creeping up on us....see you at the theatre!!!!

The Wizard

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Reflections from the Oz Balloon

Well, final working rehearsal has come and gone. We had a good night. Worked out the last of the major teething problems.....my thanks to Ed, Theo, Sue, Theresa, Lux, Cork, Mary Ann, Rosie, and the rest of the crew for all their behind the scenes work....we couldn't do this with you.

I am so looking forward to seeing and hearing the audience reaction to the show...thank you cast for all your hard work....you have an amazing show and you definitely deserve to go out there and look good, sound good and feel good. Trust yourselves and trust your castmates.....

The vision of this show was to modernize the classic story of Wizard of Oz without touching the storyline, characters or songs. We've done that. From the awesome tornado sequence to our glam-evil Wicked Witch and green-tinted Ozians, and our special treats in the form of the Monkeys, Ghosts, Winkies, and Snowkins....we are sure to keep the audience on the edge of the seats, enthralled and anticipating....

A true community theatre production is one you can walk into and away from saying, "Wow. I'm glad I was part of this." I am glad to have been directing Wizard of Oz....and to surprise star in it. Playing both sides of the curtain has not been easy these last couple of weeks....but we've pulled it off.

We have an amazing set - utilizing minimalism, immensity, and great lighting, sets, and props.....
Enjoy everyone if you are coming to see the show....please stick around afterwards - I will come out and would love to hear your reactions and comments.....

Kudos cast and crew....thank you patrons and friends for coming.....

Curtains up!
Ted

MAKE UP

Make-up for rehearsal tonight...

Ozians - light make-up. Peachy, nothing bright (no bright red lips), nothing flashy....

Trees - dark eyes, brown blush....no red lips....neutral lips

Munchkins - neutral, bright cheeks

Men - eyeliner, some blush so we can see pretty faces and eyes

The rest we'll talk about later.....

Hair - Off faces, buns, pulled back, ringlets - a vareity of different styles you can choose from (you don't have to do all three).

It's easier to type this on here than to say it and get jumped by 20 people.

See you all tonight.

Ted

Monday, December 8, 2008

Dec 9th Rehearsal Tuesday

Tuesday December 9th - Call is at 6pm, Run at 7pm.
5:30pm-Ben and JD to work balloon lift
6:00pm - Mic Check - all who wear mics
6:15pm - Munchkins onstage to look at gum drop placement
6:30pm - Dorothy, Triplets, Great Big Head to run timing on scenes
6:45pm - Preset.

No watching from the audience. Full costume and make-up....

Munchkins - you MUST stay in the Little Theatre unless escorted out by a Munchkin Monitor parent - no looking at trees, no using lobby bathrooms, no sneaking out. If you do not follow the directions of the Munchkin Monitors, you will be asked to leave the show. This is for your safety and so you are not distracted and miss entrances.

Ozians - ALL OZIANS WILL WEAR GREEN GLASSES FOR OZ. We are ordering more to replace the ones that were deliberately broken (oh yes, I KNOW). Thanks to some of you, we have an added expense now to the show....please congratulate yourselves. Starting Wed night, any Ozian without green glasses will NOT go on stage. This is not negotiable....if you don't want to wear the green glasses, see me so we can take you out of the show. Non-negotiable.

To everyone who is working hard - thank you very much. This is an excellent show and I received very good and constructive feedback from a fellow director watching tonight's rehearsal.....

See everyone Tuesday night.....

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Monday Dec 8 Rehearsal and Set Update

We are now into the painting phase of the set - all painters please report to the theatre.....we're almost done....the pieces are built, curtains are all up, and we tested the pyrotechnics....yea crew for hanging in there Sunday night and learning the changes....

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REHEARSAL MONDAY DECEMBER 8

All cast report to theatre at 6pm to pick up costumes and report to dressing room assignments...

All Munchkins will dress in the Little Theatre.

Barrow-Civic BackStage Dressing Rooms:
Backstage Left-Dorothy, Glinda, Wicked Witch
Backstage Right-Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion
Backstage Upstairs-Aunt Em, Trees
Backstage Pit-Uncle Henry, Wizard, Crows, Guard, Winkies

All Ozians (who are not Trees, Crows, Winkies) are dressing at St. Johns - please pick up your costumes and report there.

All Stage Crew must be in full BLACK outfit while on crew.

We will run the show starting at 7pm. The only stops will be for set change corrections.
Please report to the Main Stage by 6:50pm.

REMINDER - Please no hanging out in the wings during the rehearsals - we have a large crew and lots of set pieces and dressings - there is simply not any room for observers. All cast will have to stay backstage while they are awaiting their scenes starting MONDAY DEC 8

Thanks to everyone for all your hard work in so many different areas of the show....

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Production Update/Dec 7 Schedule

Greetings all,
Set build is going well....my thanks to everyone who helped out today...what a day. So far, we have painted the base coats of the witch's castle, scarecrow backdrop, jungle backdrop, woven 11 trees, built an hourglass, resized the cart, sewed the poppy drop, cut and painted the munchkin houses, upholstered three chairs, finished 60 pairs of oz glasses, assembled two emerald city doors/gates, moved lighting instruments, built the tunnel bypass, and removed one railing.

Yet to go on SUNDAY DEC 7 - put up scarecrow set, finish details on witch's castle, cut and paint munchkin backdrop, put up wagon/forest unit, finish chicken incubator, finish cooking fire, paint house, paint EC gates, paint poppy drop, hang trees on scrim, build base for crystal ball, test witch's lift, test pyrotechnics, build great big head base unit, set-up microphones/monitors, clean dressing rooms, clean green room, and who knows what else we find.....

So as you can see, Sunday would be a great day for people to come on in and lend a hand....

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Orchestra Rehearsal Sunday 2pm - all orchestra members - cast are welcome to come and listen, but this is an orchestra rehearsal and they won't be stopping for us...

Tech Rehearsal Sunday 6pm - all stage crew (including all Winkies) needed to run cues for scene changes and other effects.

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Monday December 8 - Dressing Room assignments will be posted at the theatre.
Little Theatre- Munchkins

Backstage - Dorothy, Glinda, Wicked Witch, Henry, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Aunt Em, Winkies, Guard/Nikko, Trees, Crows

St. John's Church - All OZIANS not listed above (not appearing Act One Scenes 1-12).

More details will be posted Sunday evening on the blog and at the theatre during day.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Oz hits the papers.....

Today's issue of the Good Times in The Derrick/News Herald papers featured the show.

The cover has Dorothy and the Triplets with dear little Toto......woof!


We also had the inside cover story..... doesn't Glinda look regal in her gown....



I'll post the full press release to the blog which highlights everyone.....

Kudos to all in the show for the hard work. It is going to be great - I'm getting good buzz from people and the tickets are the hottest thing in town right now!

Don't forget - we are pushing Set Build Friday and Saturday (see previous post).....

See you on the Yellow Brick Road... The Wizard

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Tech Weekend Dec 5-7

The last of the working rehearsals has come and gone.....info on dress rehearsals will be posted friday on here.

Friday Dec 5 - Set work continues at the theatre 10am til evening.....
Saturday Dec 6 - Set work all day starting at 10am.....lots to do both days....
Sunday Dec 7 - Set work continues in and around the orchestra rehearsal at 2pm.

I implore everyone to see if they have a few hours to help us out....we would appreciate it and you'll all have a very nice set to bargain.... in the end.

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Friday Dec 5 I will be posting the dressing room assignments, times & details for dress rehearsals Dec 8-10, and information on backstage/onstage etiquette for the show. Copies will also be handed out Monday.

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As of 4:30pm December 4, there were 737 tickets left to the show (not counting overflow seating). That's 1428 tix sold or 66% of our show capacity...the buzz is out there and it is good. Tickets are still available for ALL five shows but don't wait!

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Rehearsal Dec 4 and Set Notes

Rehearsals Dec 4 (Thur) is primarily ACT TWO - everyone in Act Two.....we will also run the poppy song for the chorus.....and then we will run all scenes that need cleaning including Winkies, Crows, Trees, Monkeys, Kansas, and anything else hanging out there....this is our last working rehearsal so big smiles people and a whole bucket of patience.

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SET SET SET SET SET SET SET SET!

I know, I know.....but we are in CRUNCH mode now people - all we need is several hours this weekend from anyone who can help....ANYONE......friends, family, you. Please stop down Sat and Sun to help us finish so you have a good looking show...lots to do....painting, cutting foam, putting screws in, organizing props, fixing curtains......we're counting on you. Thanks

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Yesterday was a tremendous sale day at the Box Office - we have sold 1363 tickets (63%) - seats are still available for all shows but tell your family and friends not to wait...response to the show is growing! SEATS STILL AVAILABLE TO ALL SHOWS!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Dec 3 Rehearsal and Set Notes

Hello all - Wed Dec 3 Rehearsal 6p Act One....
need Dorothy, Triplets, Kansas, Wicked, Glinda, Munchkins, Crows, Trees, Snowkins...No Ozians if you are not one of those listed here....we will do Poppy Song on Thursday....thanks for the hard work.

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We will have sign-up sheets at the Wed and Thur rehearsals for set build this weekend....we are behind on getting the set completed and we are now issuing the "All Hands On Deck" call. We have to build/paint on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...it has to be built by Sunday 6pm so we can run Tech. Please sign up if you (or friends and family) can give a few hours to help the show out. Thanks,

Monday, December 1, 2008

Tue Dec 2 Rehearsal and Notes

Hello all,
First, thank you for the vote of confidence in stepping into the role of The Wizard...you are a great cast and we are going to have a fantastic show....just keep reviewing your lines, songs, and blocking...we're not there yet. I am pushing you guys hard but that's because we can do professional quality theatre in community theatre....and you are setting the bar higher for the next show to reach for....just remember it will all be worth it once we get to opening night and a packed house showers their love and appreciation on you for five consecutive shows....
Ted

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Tue Dec 2 Rehearsal - Main Stage
5:00pm Dorothy/Wizard
5:30pm Dorothy/Triplets/Wizard
6:00pm Run Act TWO - run from top to bottom, then clean any and all scenes.

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We will start working with props on Wed and Thursday.....we will start working with costumes in rehearsal on Monday Dec 8.....

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We definitely still need help this week with sets...especially on Saturday and possibly Friday....we still have to assemble the witch's castle, scarecrow's lot, the forest backdrop, Professor's campsite, Munchkin land houses, Kansas backdrop-house-incubator, Emerald City Gates, Great Big Oz Head foundation, and the Balloon.....

Please please please let Ed or a producer know if you can help out at all between Tuesday and this Sunday.....thanks