Scenes from the Big Picture
Postpartum Seanachai
Written by J David Moeller (Playing Frank Coin)
New mothers often experience peripartum, also known as postpartum, depression primarily brought on by hormonal changes, but exacerbated by feeling of stress from changes at work and home routines and also from having feelings of loss of identity of who they are, or were.
Actors -who create new identities with each new show- sometimes suffer a similar, if not medically described, phenomenon (castpartum Seanachai) brought on by the sudden cessation of association with a cast that has grown close during the lengthy process of rehearsing a production and its subsequent run…often spanning many months.
Some of the 21 performers (and the roles they play) in “Scenes From the Big Picture” weigh in with their feelings on the subject.
Who’s New Seanachai
Written by J David Moeller (Playing Frank Coin)
This is the final weekend for “Scenes From the Big Picture” at the Storefront Theater. The show has been critically acclaimed, Jeff Recommended, well attended and is expecting sell out houses as experienced during the run.
Performed by a 21 member cast, the play takes place during one 24 hour period in Belfast, Ireland. But it’s not about “the troubles”. It’s about people and their lives.
This week, new faces will replace two characters and another will move to the role of a cast member who’s leaving.
Ashley Neal steps in as Connie –formerly played by Lee Stark who opens in the title role in “Eurydice” at Victory Gardens on October 13.
Shane Kenyon, who’s been playing Rat (DCA Theater Blog Sept. 15) moves into Jamie Abelson’s role as Bop. Jamie moves with Stark to the Victory Gardens playing Orpheus.
Mike Carothers takes over as Rat. He recently moved here from Baltimore where he worked with Center Stage and the Baltimore Playwright’s Festival. He and his brother operate CarothersBrothersProductions producing comic and short films.
“Scenes…” runs this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 with the closing show on Sunday at 3:00 at the Storefront Theatre, 66 E. Randolph, across from the Cultural Center. Tickets still available at 1-312-742-TIXS (8497).
Seanachai “Scenes…” Couples
Written by J David Moeller (Playing Frank Coin)
“Scenes From the Big Picture” -with seats still available thru October 5th at the Storefront Theater- covers the lives of 21 people in Belfast, Ireland during a 24 hour period. Most of the stories “couple” actors whether by marriage or circumstance.
Dave and Theresa lost their son eight years ago and this is the final day the police are willing to search for his body. Theresa and Joe are trying to keep their employees at the abattoir working while the boss tries to find funding for their latest shipment of meat. Joe and Helen are having an affair and he and his wife, Maeve, are desperately, albeit unsuccessfully, trying to have a baby.
Maggie is dating Cooper, but likes Bop. Bop and Swiz are eyeballing Robbie and his stoner girlfriend Connie who are planning on “doing a runner” –run away.
Paul and Harry’s father has died and they’re trying to deal with his legacy, while Bobbie and Shanks try to deal with Sharon who has a thing for Bobbie, who isn’t reciprocal of her attention.
Sammy and Betty run the shop and are dealing with break ins, their age, Betty’s health, and retirement.
We’ve already met the two hit men in previous installments here.
The final “implied” couple is Frank, a widower, and Elsie: his deceased love.
Playwright Owen McCafferty weaves their stories together in a seamless ribbon of coincidence and happenstance that, uniquely, paint pictures we all can recognize in ourselves.
Seanachai Sharp Shooter
Written by J David Moeller (Playing Frank Coin)
“Scenes From the Big Picture”, currently at the Storefront Theater through October 5th, features something for everyone; or, as the youth of yesteryear used to say: “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll!”
It also features Sean Bolger as a hit man. Sean “Spilo Johnston” is mentor to Rat Joyce (Shane Kenyon -DCA blog“No Small Parts”, September 15th).
Seems Robbie (played by Chris Hainsworth) has angered his mob bosses and they want to teach him a lesson; the Irish way. Enter Spilo and Rat (Kenyon), just as he and his moll Connie (Lee Stark) are about to “do a runner”: get out of Dodge.
Connie exacts a little familial payback she’s had in mind after she is told to take her belongings and get out of town and never come, or look, back.
The hitmen explain the facts of life to Robbie and complete their assigned tasks with aplomb. Being the kind mentor he is Spilo allows Rat his first hands-on experience of his career.
Sean comes directly to “Scenes…” from the School at Steppenwolf’s summer intensive and has appeared with the Griffin, the Steep, and Redmoon Theaters, and Uma Productions. He’s an artistic associate at The Side Project.
“Scenes…” is filled with “couples” in life’s varying situations, some of whom we’ll visit in coming editions.
No Small Parts
Written by J David Moeller (playing Frank Coin)
“Scenes From the Big Picture” boasts, proudly, a huge cast of 21 seasoned actors.
In any live production, especially a large one, things can and do go wrong: timing can be thrown askew, lines dropped or forgotten (known as “going up”), cues or entrances can be missed.
There’s the old saying “there are no small parts…” and “Scenes…” features one of the smallest speaking parts you could imagine.
It is owned, thoroughly by Shane Kenyon, a seasoned young actor and recent BFA graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts. He’s graced the stages of Steppenwolf, American Theatre Company and First Folio Shakespeare Festival. Shane also has a role in the soon to be released film “Dog Jack”.
In “Scenes…” Shane plays a young hit man “in training” and never once has he missed his cue or dropped a line. Every night, without fail, his fellow actors can rely without question on him to “be there” for them.
Shane is definitely a huge actor, with a small, irreplaceable part. His line?
“No.”
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