Captain’s Blog—October 27, 2008

Posted by DCA Theater on October 27, 2008 in July-December 2008 Season, The Adventures of Captain Marbles

Written by Captain Marbles

Hi everyone!  It’s great to be back!

All of us with the Acting Squad are busy rehearsing and getting ready for our opening at the DCA Storefront Theater on November 1.  We’ve had some singing and dancing rehearsals already, and the Squad is sounding great.  I have to work on a few things – it’s a little hard to dance when I keep losing my marbles – but that’s to be expected.

What’s been really fun has been telling people that we’re putting on a show again!  Some of the kids who saw us in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s are parents – and grandparents – now.  We’re hoping that this is just the beginning – and they’ll be able to see many more Marble Squad shows in the future.  Special thanks to our great new friends at the DCA – they’re helping us in so many ways to get the marbles rolling.

We’re excited to have some special guests during the run of this first episode, too. Because we’re putting on our biggest show ever – “The Comedy of the Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet”—Morey the Eel has decided to become a casting agent – and he’s lining up all the top name talent we’ll need. Depending on when you come to the show, you might see tap dancers, singers, trombone players – even pogo stick jumpers (I think Morey’s getting a little carried away).  We’ll also have celebrities like Wayne Messmer, Tim Kazurinsky, Garry Meier and more.  Morey says he’s looking for a cast of thousands – er, hundreds.  I’m telling him to be thinking tens.  Morey says he’s working it all out – his people are calling their people.

So, we really hope we’ll see you at the Storefront!  When you come, be sure to stick around afterwards – we’d love to say hello to you after the show. And check back on this blog – we’ll be updating it through our run with the DCA.

Captain over and out – Doo-wah!

Reflections of Count Orlock from the Director…

Posted by DCA Theater on October 23, 2008 in July-December 2008 Season, In The Curious Hold of the Demeter

Written by Jennifer Friedrich

Well we all know by now that our beloved Count Orlock actually has no reflection- poor thing!

What a fabulous journey this production has been! When Jill Summers wrote the script for the show two years ago I had no idea that things would unfold as nicely has they have.

This was the first ‘real’ show I’ve directed and it’s been such a wonderful experience. We’ve had a great response to the show, especially the compelling character of Orlock played by Damien Hinojosa. Even though he’s a cold blooded killah- it’s clear to me that his trials and tribulations strike a chord with everyone in some way…

If you haven’t seen the show yet there are only TWO more shows left- this weekend! It’s going to sell out our small house, so if you haven’t gotten tix and plan to join- we strongly suggest purchasing them in advance! Click here for tickets.

The Incurable Theater is so proud of this show! In fact, we’re hoping to bring this piece back next year with a longer version of the show and are looking for a theater to host us. We’ve loved working with the DCA, but since this is our third show with them we must now allow another company to reap the rewards of partnering with them. And on that note- if you are a local company we HIGHLY recommend applying to present with the DCA Theater. They are top notch! And if we had our way, we’d never perform anywhere else! :) Click here to learn more.

If you’ve seen the show, we also encourage you to visit the DCA Theater website and post a review online! We’d love to get your feedback since it helps us to grow and learn.

Thanks for your support!
The Incurable Theater

Travis Williams transforming himself into a French Waiter

Cabaret of Desire: Post Your Review

Posted by DCA Theater on October 10, 2008 in July-December 2008 Season, Cabaret of Desire

October 09, 2008 — November 08, 2008
Storefront Theater
Directed by Sean Graney; Conceived and designed by Blair Thomas; Presented by Blair Thomas and Company

High art meets low as Blair Thomas & Company give voice to 20th century poet Federico Garcia Lorca through a cabaret of puppets, amoral ruffians, and original music for an evening of highly unique theater.  This production combines several of Lorca’s short works, including Chimera and Buster Keaton’s Stroll, to create an original comedy of failures chronicling one man’s pursuit of love and affection. What unfolds is a surreal world where one man’s fantasy collides with its own end.

Post-show discussion on Thursday, October 23.

In addition to the presentation of Cabaret of Desire at the Storefront Theater, Blair Thomas & Company presents The Ox-herder’s Tale at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 East Chicago Ave) from November 19-30, 2008.

In The Curious Hold of the Demeter: Post Your Review

Posted by DCA Theater on October 6, 2008 in July-December 2008 Season, In The Curious Hold of the Demeter

October 02, 2008 — October 25, 2008
Studio Theater
Written by Jill Summers;  Directed by Jennifer Friedrich; Music by Daniel Knox

The Incurable Theater combines puppetry, masks, live actors, shadowplay, and projections into a unique production inspired by F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent film Nosferatu.  The darkly comic tale depicts the struggles of Count Orlock as he travels by sea, stowed away on the Russian schooner, “The Demeter.” As he travels to a foreign land to begin life anew, his debilitating insomnia brings to life his insecurities and nightmares.  This new play was written by Jill Summers, whose short stories are frequently heard on Chicago Public Radio’s Third Coast International Audio Festival.

TELL US WHAT YOU THOUGHT—LEAVE A COMMENT

A Fruitful Process

Posted by DCA Theater on October 6, 2008 in July-December 2008 Season, INCUBATOR Series: Infusion Theater

Written by M.E.H. Lewis, playwright participating in the INCUBATOR Series with Infusion Theater.

This has been a wonderful and fruitful process. I discovered things about the play that were completely hidden from me before, things that excite me. Right now I’m really enjoying the direction the play is taking, a richer and more complex direction, less realistic and linear. Without access to actors and rehearsal space, I don’t think I would have discovered this.

And it’s a fairly difficult direction. The number of characters on stage and the layered tonal effect of the dialogue are difficult to present clearly on the page. Being able to work with Mitch and the cast has helped me figure out which parts work and how to explain this vision. I’m continuing to work with this terrific group to expand and hone the play, and I’m eager to see where it takes me.

I’m grateful to the DCA and InFusion Theatre for this remarkable opportunity.