Starkist Ain't Got Nothin' On Us!!!

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

So, casting has been announced for Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern's production of Greater Tuna. It is directed by Joe Pabst, whom you may remember as Lumiere in Theatre IV's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the historic Empire Theatre. He was most recently seen in Barksdale's critically-acclaimed production of Moonlight and Magnolias (directed by Steve Perigard, and also featuring David Bridgewater, Scott Wichmann, and Joy Williams). His directing prowess was most recently displayed in The Odd Couple at Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern.

I also saw the production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies at Dogwood Dell in 2006. Really fantastic director! And I'm so excited to get to work with him!

The Greater Tuna cast stars Joe Inscoe and Billy Christopher Maupin! I'm so excited!

So, the reason I write all this on the Theatre IV blog, is the let you know that the "An Actor Prepares..." series that started here during Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter will be continued soon (or resurrected, perhaps I should say) on the Barksdale Buzz following the work in Greater Tuna. YAY!

The play is absolutely hysterical! You should definitely check it out! You can find more information on the Barksdale website's Tuna page. And you can order tickets by calling the Barksdale box office at 282-2620 or online here.

The Making of... #5

Posted by Catherine Dudley

Here is a look behind the scenes of a costume fitting.

This is Robert Throckmorton (Captain Hook) before.

This is the "mock-up" phase. A pattern is made out of canvas and then it is used to make the actual costume. (I will show you that step later when it happens.) Margarette Joyner (cutter/draper) pins the jacket in place.

The mock-up of Captain Hook.

Sue Griffin (costume director) helps Mr. Darling appear.

The Making of... #4

Posted by Catherine Dudley

I have a story for you.

This is how amazing and hard-working our production department is...

I went into the theatre today to take some photos, and these huge bedroom set pieces were just that- in pieces. I shot several pictures and went back to my office to upload them. My camera was acting funny and the shots all looked really bad! I replaced the batteries and went back down to take the shots again (maybe 15-20 minutes later), and the whole set was together! Extremely impressive if I do say so myself! Check it out.

Doug and Eddie work on the set from behind.

Half of the Darling's bedroom.


Hans takes a ride in the Genie to work on the massive windows.

The pirate ship is so colorful!

Eddie paints the tree/rock.

Come back tomorrow for an inside look into Captain Hook's costume fitting!

The Making of... #3

Posted by Catherine Dudley

Magic continues to happen in production land...

The Darling's bedroom is coming to life! (Yes, those are beds- they are just standing on end!)

Nathan and Bruce work on something! Any guesses?

Several years back, Jeff Gay (an ex-techie) made this little bit of genius. It is a "Peter Pan Window Opener." This is the contraption that they use behind the scenes to make the windows magically open for Peter's grand entrance. Cool, huh?

A random sampling of pulled set pieces and props is below. I spy mushrooms, a bomb, a ship's helm, palm fronds, a dresser... What do you see?

(By the way- if you click on the photos, you can view them bigger.)

Come back for more later. See you soon.

The Making of... #2

Posted by Catherine Dudley

So I wasn't going to post again until Monday or Tuesday, but this was too good not to show you guys. Do you remember that "piece of (one can only assume) Neverland rock?"

Well, I was right about the Neverland part- it is a GIANT tree- complete with lots of nooks and crannies for lost boys to climb through! Cool, huh?

The Making of... #1

Posted by Catherine Dudley

OK, Richmond-

We have come to learn that many people in the community are not aware of the fact that we here, at Theatre IV and Barksdale Theatre, build our own sets and costumes, pull our own props, and design our own lights and sound for each and every show that we produce. There is the crazy notion floating around out there that we "bring stuff in." (Is there a "theatre-sets.com" out there that custom orders?)

What does this mean? It means that we have decided to track the progress of Theatre IV's latest endeavor, Peter Pan, for the blog world. So, come along with me as I show you brief glances into "The making of..." Every few days I will snapshot some of the hard work being put in by our phenomenal production and costume departments. They are the un-sung heros of this company. Let's start to sing about them, shall we?

So, sit back and marvel at the process!

This is a wide shot of what is taking place on the Empire stage. (Hans, Wendy and Matt working diligently.) I will recreate this same photo every time and it will give a unique glance at the process as it unfolds. ---

---This photo shows some of the set pieces pulled from our previous productions of Peter Pan. They are waiting so patiently for their opportunity to shine, aren't they? A new nail or two here, a little dab of paint there...

Matt, Hans and Wendy work on a piece (one can only assume) of Neverland rock! ---

--- These are some of the MANY props that will be used for Peter Pan. The note reads: "Abandon ALL Hope Ye Who Enter Here. There will be a holocaust of technicians." Now, who after that, doesn't want to play? (The skull- Yorick. Anyone???)

Eddie does a brilliant Captain Hook impression. ---

That's a good, solid teaser for you.

So, come back in a few days and check out where we go from here!

See you then.

Move On...

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

"Stop worrying where you're going-move on. If you can know where you're going, you've gone. Just keep moving on."

Those are some lyrics pulled from "Move On" from Sunday in the Park with George by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim.

And so with the closing of Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter, that's what I'm trying to do.

I auditioned for Greater Tuna at Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern last night. I had planned on auditioning tonight, but had to go back to the theatre because I forgot something and thought "Why not!" Thomas Nowlin and I actually both did the same thing, following our post-closing gathering with the cast, director, crew of RD at Tarrant's.

It's an hysterical show and is helmed by a truly hilarious director, Joe Pabst. So whether I get it or not, I'm greatly looking forward to the production!

You can check out the show and order tickets on the Barksdale Theatre website, or by calling the box office at 282-2620. It opens on March 28 and is sure to be a smash hit, so get your tickets before it sells out!

An Actor...

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

I don't even know what to call this post. There are many titles it could hold, but none of them quite seem to do it justice. The show closes today with the two o'clock performance. I used to think that closings would someday get easier. And maybe someday they will. But, every one remains to be different.

This experience...I don't even know. I have so enjoyed every single person that has been involved with this show. It seems to have become such an embedded part of life that it now seems so strange that it's going to end. It seems so rare that a whole cast seems to really click together with no exceptions, especially a whole team.

I felt like with Smoke on the Mountain that the whole "family" just seemed to mesh so beautifully, but with that there was the hope of perhaps performing one of the sequels in a not-so-distant season (and we are now, in fact, all going to be back together it seems to perform Sander's Family Christmas at Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern starting in November). But with Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter, it's one of those that you know for certain that you will never have these same people in a cast together again. It's like moving away from home.

There are so many wonderful memories. We have such an incredible time. So much fun amidst so much hard work. But everything must have a balance it seems. And having the best job in the world must have it's downfalls. Closings, for me, are the biggest of these.

With these people, I even seem to be able to take joy in the dance numbers (which frighten me on a regular basis).

I don't know that I can continue to be anywhere close to articulate about how I feel about the cast and crew and creative team, so I should wrap it up.

It's been such a beautiful story to be able to tell, with such beautiful people. I feel so fortunate to have been able to be a part of this project and I know it's one that I will forever carry fond memories of.

I really love this cast. The ones that I've been hoping to work with for quite a while, the ones that I've worked with before, and the ones I didn't know before.

This is going to sound really cheesy, but theatre seems to me to really be magical. (Cheesy continues:) One of the lyrics in the show is "Magic changes all of your faces. Open your heart and you'll find, that magic lives in all kinds of places, like deep in your heart and in mine." I have learned so much from this cast, all of them (Cathy, Corey, David, Gigi, Jackie, Jacquie, Maggie, Matt, Richard, Thomas), from Dawn, from the crew, from the playwright, from the play....I should really pull it together and stop crying. hahaha. But this has truly been one of my favorite and most magical experiences. I hope that I'm able to take that and carry it on. I hope we all are.

With Nothing But a Slim Jim and a Chocolate Bar...

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

A great tour story from a Theatre IV veteran, currently appearing in Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter- Jacqueline O'Connor.

My second tour was 'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Fall/Winter 1988. A very talented cast and it was one of the first (if not the first) tour to go to Chicago. Each tour had a manager and ours was this woman named Eloise. She was a Theatre IV tour veteran and the natural choice to manage the rest of us newbies. One of our first stops was the wonderful city of Chicago. Eloise decided that we would take two days to get there. Stopping in the Ohio area first and then starting out in the AM for the last leg of our journey.

We woke up on the second day to discover that a HUGE snow storm had dropped several feet on us while we slept. Many of us thought it was not a good idea to get back on the Ohio Turnpike. We thought we should wait until they had a chance to clear the roads. But Eloise decided that we should risk it. So we got on the road (I should mention at this point that none of us had eaten breakfast). We drove about 10 mins and then came to a dead stop.

After about 20 minutess of no movement we finally turned on the radio only to hear that a tractor trailer had overturned on the highway and was blocking all 4 lanes of the turnpike. So there we sat...for over 5 hours! There was no way to back up. We had to turn off the engine and the van became instantly cold. We covered ourselves with the show costumes.

We had a Slim Jim and one chocolate bar and we split it with everyone. Of course, being the dramatic actors that we were, we decided to write a goodbye note to our director, John Glenn, telling him of our plight and assuring him that we tried hard to survive and do the show...and to please tell people this when they found our frozen bodies.

We did end up getting there and somehow the school knew we were stuck and rearranged their schedule so we could still do the show. So it all worked out. But I still get a chill when I think about Chicago!

-Jacquie O'Connor

The Show Must Go On

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

I have solicited fun tour stories from the actors currently on tour with Theatre IV. This evening I received a message from Jennifer Zubernick. That message follows:

Hey Billy-Christopher,

I'm not sure if you're still in need of tour stories, but have I got one for you.

As you know, I'm in Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. On Friday, we were scheduled for two performances Connecticut. The weather was very cold, rainy, and icy but we got there safely. The first show went wonderfully, and we went back to our dressing room to relax and have some lunch before our next show. Steve (Freitas) went onstage to fix something and when he came back, announced, "Hey guys, we have a really big problem." Concerned, we all asked, "What?" His response was somewhat surreal, "Umm, it's raining... on the stage." We all went out to the stage to see for ourselves and sure enough, it was literally raining on the stage. Somehow rain had penetrated vents in the ceiling and was coming down somewhat steadily in two big puddles near stage left. Not only was the stage quickly becoming slick where a lot of running action takes place, but one of the stage lights flickered as it was getting hit with the rain and our all-wood set was slowly getting wet and ruined. Stephanie (Hill), our road manager, alerted the theatre staff about the dangerous stage conditions. However, they had tons of kids already booked for the performance, so we got on the phone with Gordon Bass (TIV tour manager) to hear his advice. Not surprisingly, he also wanted the show to continue.

So what was a cast to do? The theatre was already filling with kids who had been bussed in from all over CT, and the theatre staff as well as our people back in Richmond wanted a show. So, we gave them a show. After some quick onstage thinking, creative blocking and differing set change placement, we gave just as good a show as any other, and soon enough no one in the audience was even paying attention to the unwanted rain special effects.

And that was within a week and a half of tour. We're performing until mid-April. If we can pull off a show in the rain, there's little we won't be able to handle if it comes our way.

-Jennifer Zubernick

Maggie Roop Does Double Duty

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

Maggie Roop is currently appearing as Lady Vennesse/ Granny/ Ensemble in Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter, while rehearsing the role of Sister James in Barksdale Theatre's production of Doubt: a Parable by John Patrick Shanley, both productions being part of the Acts of Faith Festival. Here she fills out the questionnaire and then talks about pulling double-duty in these productions.

Hometown: Herndon, VA.

Audition song: "Stop and See Me" from Weird Romance. It's a gem.

Special skills: This is one of those things that I never know how to respond to. I can't juggle or skateboard or do handsprings. Apparently I'm good at staying calm in stressful situations! According to Jackie Jones this is true but I'm sure some would disagree!!!

Favorite word: During the recent presidential debates, I have enjoyed the use of the word "mobilize". I like that one.

First show ever saw: Les Mis at the National in D.C. when I was 7.

If you could go back in time and catch one show (Broadway or otherwise) what would it be?: Company with Raul Esparza!

Favorite show tune: Anything from Les Mis pretty much. I stick to my roots.

Least favorite word: I think my new least favorite is "wimple"!!

Favorite play: It's too hard to pick just one...my favorite new play that I saw recently is probably Frost/Nixon.

Favorite musical: Hedwig and the Angry Inch and The Wild Party (the Lippa version) are my faves in the Contemporary category. But I was brought up on Oklahoma! and Showboat.

Most played song on your iPod (or CD player): "Fidelity" by Regina Spektor or anything by M.I.A. especially "Hussel" or "Roadrunner". Oh, and Christina Aguilera suits any mood I might be in!!

Last book you read: Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. Good stuff.

Sound or noise you love: The voices of my nephews and my cat purring.

Must-see TV show: LOST!!!! My new fave is Life.

Last good movie you saw: La Vie En Rose. It's the Edith Piaf movie. It's fantastic and everyone should see it. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I watched it a couple of days ago. Incredible acting and an amazing story. See it.

Sound or noise you hate: Whining. Even if it's me.

Worst job you ever had: I nannied for someone once who was less than enjoyable to work for. No names!!

First stage kiss: Evan Hoffman my senior year in high school! We were Billy and Hope in Anything Goes. He's also still acting! And we're still friends. Lovely.

Worst costume ever: Ok, don't hate me Liz Hopper, but once I was painted blue and wore thigh-high boots and a Kathy Griffin wig. It wasn't my favorite costume ever!!!

What turns you on (creatively, spiritually, emotionally)?: I like someone who is confidant in their creative abilities but with modesty and grace. I love when people thrive on other's input in making creative decisions. There is always another perspective or another approach. There is nothing like an energetic debate or discussion about anything, especially when it's something you love like your creative art!!

On doing double duty:
Working on Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter has been a unique experience for me because it has not been the only play on my plate in the recent weeks. I also have the pleasure of playing Sister James in Doubt: a Parable for Barksdale Theatre, directed by Keri Wormald.

Somehow in auditioning for both Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter and Doubt I failed to notice the overlapping Rump performances and Doubt rehearsals. In fact, Doubt tech starts during the closing weekend of Rump. The happy part was that I was cast in both shows, the downside was the realization by directors and managers and myself alike that I sadly cannot be in two places at once. Enter Jaquie O'Connor. Thankfully she was prepared to swoop in, learn my roles in Rump and essentially save the day! We share the part now and she will be joining the cast for her first performance tomorrow afternoon, 2/2 at 3pm. I look forward to my chance to see the show from the house in full. Should be glorious and sparkly and golden. Hooray!

It has been interesting to compare the two experiences as they happen side-by-side. A musical vs. a play, the Empire vs. the Barksdale, a smallish cast vs. a very small cast. The only real similarities have been that I thoroughly enjoy both casts and I am having a wonderful time with both shows, I am glad to say.

One of my favorite things about many of the plays I have done here in Richmond is the opportunity to be a part of something new, different or experimental. This is an aspect of Rump that I've enjoyed. The version we have is the only one that's been done. It is exciting to do something knowing that it is fresh and a discovery. The discovery we are exploring in Doubt rehearsals is a different brand. This is a fairly new play but it's had it's turn on Broadway, won that Pulitzer. The group of us, with Keri at the wheel, are finding so much in this play as we roll along. We are barreling through our first couple of off-book runs. And it is delightful!
While performing my amazing-overlapping-show trick, I have not come through unscathed. My scratchy throat is finally clearing up and that night when I couldn't see Billy Christopher's face because of a setting-in migraine is merely a glimmer in my past. It wouldn't be theatre without a little bit of turmoil. All-in-all, I am having a wonderful time. I just moved back to town in October and Richmond has welcomed me back with open arms. Thanks to all my cast mates and my two directors, and those two stage managers and all you tech fellas that make the world go round. Oh, and for you painters, our sets sure would be different if you weren't around!!!

Harriet Tubman and the Aboveground Van

Post Billy Christopher Maupin

Pictures from Jennifer Zubernick's Facebook page (posted with her permission). Jennifer is currently playing Sarah Bradford (the woman that wrote Harriet's first biography and rallied strongly to get it published) in Theatre IV's Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad on tour. The production was directed by Joy Williams and written by Doug Jones. So here are just some fun pictures from their rehearsal and on the road.

Day 1, Show 1: Sound problems. Sound Guy Steve tries to ammend things before showtime.

Steve nervously bites his nails while his sound career is over before it begins.
Steve attempts to tackle basic addition and subtraction with a mathmatic beach ball.
Hmm...millions of peaches. Peaches for me.
Our trusty road manager giving a pep talk before our official open.
"No idea what the problem is."
I'd say even more actor athletics but really, Steve isn't even trying.
Everyone looks discerningly at the soundbox.
Optimistic faces before our first performance!
Last photo at the Empire after our IDR. Joy looks proud of us, so I'll take it as a good sign :o)
Actor athletics.
I'm not sure what's happening here, but I bet it's brilliant.