The Future of Richter

Okay. A while back I posted about some strange coincidences in my life, specifically around my involvement with MAR, the theatre where I am currently directing and also where I serve on the Board.

This theatre gives me agita, truly. But a good kind. Like the kind you get when you eat sausage and peppers... You love it but you regret it later. What is worse, around every bend there is a challenge worse than the one before. As I anticipated, the departure of my dear friend and respected colleague has made it all the more challenging. Since this is MY blog, and I know that few people read it, I'm going to be what I aimed to be when I started - completely honest.

First, I have to say that I was hurt and offended when I was not approached or considered to direct either of the shows left vacant by our former President (see previous post). Of course, I did not have high hopes for this to happen, since I was never considered for the mainstage the first time around. Instead, they have hired back two directors from seasons past. I cannot really make an assessment about their abilities in this capacity because I haven't worked with them directly. In a season of such great struggle, I only hope that they lead us to success. I have to say I'm a bit unsettled by the fact that they've yet to cast principal and ensemble roles in the second two shows. But far be it from me...

Within my control, however, is the Richter Rising Stars program and the incredibly AWESOME ensemble we have put together. Over 100 people auditioned for the program and we filled all 20 spots. In fact, we are having additional auditions this Sunday, for kids that weren't back from school at the time of the initial auditions. What a thrill it is for me to go to rehearsal and hear the music that I love being sung by such talented performers. I guarantee you that some of these kids will end up on Broadway. You heard it here!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the theatre struggles as they leap hurdle after hurdle. For those that don't know, Musicals at Richter is situated on the property of Richter Park, which is shared with the Richter Arts Associaton and a nationally top-rated golf course. With the knowledge that Richter Park is being assessed by a marketing firm that specializes in golf promotion, the MAR Board entered this season with obvious concerns for our livelihood. Not too long after the season began, we received the unfortunate news that the top two floors of the Richter House and the basement were being sealed off from use because of various health and safety issues. The rooms that house our dressing rooms, sets, props, costumes and offices were suddenly no longer available. The remaining space (the first floor) has now become a shared space between Arts (the house is their gallery/events space), the childrens' theatre camp and Musicals at Richter.

Again, Richter rose to the occasion with its die-hard supporters schlepping the house's contents to various storage and temporary facilities. The room that once was known as our "paint room" now houses our new office. For dressing rooms? I think the discussion is leading in the direction of trailers, tents and quansot huts. Nonetheless, we tend to smile in the face of adversity and plow on.

And here we are, plowing the field that grows ever more rocky. Last week's challenge was the discovery that we did not have a master carpenter. Now, mind you, I have been going to the Board with options for a master carpenter since about January. But never you mind, it was meant to be handled. And it just was. This week. By me.

But wait - there's more! For years we have had the benefit of two local lighting guys that have hung and focused our entire season. However, this year, they merely dropped off the equipment and informed us that they are unavailable to hang and focus this year because they are too busy. This is such a newly constructed bridge for us to cross... All I have to say is, "Grumble... Grumble... ROARRRR!"

I know that I shouldn't be so concerned about this theatre that has treated me and most of my ideas as substandard. But I think that within the Richter Rising Stars there is the potential to save this theatre and bring it into the 21st Century! I know that there is a reason that I am hanging on, albeit by my very hangnails. Am I meant to lead this theatre? Or am I meant to start my own? Dunno.

One thing I know for certain. When my husband reads this post, he'll say neither and then say something responsible like, "Keep to your knitting." (But he wouldn't say that...)

Well, I guess the next few months will be the true test of MAR's future and how I fit into it. So stay tuned...

And Just What Are The Rising Stars?

The Diviners at TBTA has officially opened and we've got two weeks left in the run. It has been just as much fun the second time around and I miss the cast already, even with 5 performances left to go. However, as the lights go down on one show, they go up on another. One week after The Diviners closes come auditions for Musicals at Richter. Part of this year's season includes Richter Rising Stars, my next project.

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What is Richter Rising Stars?
Richter Rising Stars is an elite group of young musical theatre performers that will perform prior to Richter’s main stage musicals and at various venues in the Danbury area. Richter Rising Stars will be limited to 20 performers with strong musical and dance abilities. RRS will be directed and choreographed by Alicia Dempster with musical direction provided by Charles Wade.

What are the age restrictions for Richter Rising Stars?
Richter Rising Stars is limited to performers aged 21 years and under, with a repertoire especially suited for high-school and college-aged performers. While there are no minimum age restrictions, the repertoire requires performers that are self-disciplined and quick learners.

What is expected of the Richter Rising Stars?
Richter Rising Stars performers are expected to learn the repertoire and be available for select performance evenings throughout the 2007 Season. Additionally, RRS will be performing at Danbury area venues over the summer. The flexibility of the repertoire/schedule allows for performers to commit to performance dates based on their summer schedules (e.g. other production commitments, work, vacation, camp, etc.).

What are the rehearsal requirements for Richter Rising Stars?
RRS will rehearse on Sundays from 2-6 during the months of June, July and August. There will be weekday evening rehearsals scheduled in May, exact dates TBD. Due to the limited number of rehearsals available to RRS, excessive rehearsal conflicts may prevent performers from being cast.

What does the 2007 RSS Repertoire include?
In cooperation with ASCAP and BMI, Richter Rising Stars will be performing age-appropriate selections from contemporary musical theatre. All selections to be performed in 2007 have the distinction of being from musicals that premiered on Broadway after Musicals at Richter opened its lawn in 1985.

- “Light in the Piazza” from Light in the Piazza (SSA Choral Arrangement)
- “Waitin’ For The Light To Shine” from Big River (SATB Choral Arrangement)
- “Lay Down Your Head” from Violet (Female Solo)
- “Skid Row (Downtown)” from Little Shop of Horrors (Group w Solos)
- “Mama I’m A Big Girl Now” from Hairspray (SSA Choral Arrangement)
- “The I Love You Song” from 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Trio)
- “Big News” from Parade (Male Solo)
- “Written In The Stars” from Aida (M/F Duet)
- “We’re All In This Together” from High School Musical (Group)

MEDLIES:
WICKED – No One Mourns the Wicked, The Wizard and I, One Short Day, For Good, Defying Gravity, Finale (SATB Arrangement w Solos)

MAMMA MIA – I Have A Dream, Mamma Mia, SOS, Take A Chance On Me, Thank You For The Music, Dancing Queen, Waterloo (SATB Arrangement w Solos)

RENT – Rent, One Song Glory, Without You, Santa Fe, La Vie Boheme, Will I?, Seasons of Love, Finale (SATB Arrangement w Solos)

JERSEY BOYS – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, December 1963, Let’s Hang On, Stay, Who Loves You, Working My Way Back To You (TTB w Solos)

AN AMERICAN TRIBUTE - Patriotic Medley for 4th of July Performances, etc. – America The Beautiful, America, Battle Hymn of the Republic

** NOTE: Repertoire is subject to change based on casting and rehearsal progress.

For more information about Richter Rising Stars and auditions, visit the Musicals at Richter Web site.

A Life So Theatrical

Let's talk progress on my writing. No - wait. Let's not. What you are reading now is basically the most that I have written in months. The Harvest Home revision sits in my brain collecting dust. If I get hit by a bus tomorrow, only one person knows the story and I doubt that he could recollect it. I could be wrong... But I'd rather not wait and see. I will rewrite eventually - hopefully before that bus happens by.

So, what has been occupying my time? Well, I mentioned back in June that I had started doing theatre again. Of course, for me the theatre is like a warm blanket. Familiar, pleasant and soothing... despite its typical tragedies. The theatre invigorates me. So much that after stage managing Damn Yankees, I auditioned for, and was cast in, Stephen Sondheim's Assassins at TBTA. I played Emma Goldman and was in the Ensemble. I had so much fun! It was the first time that I had been onstage in 10 years! Marriage, children, jobs and the occasional bump in the road really never afforded the opportunity. It seemed that any time a role I wanted became available, the timing never worked out. However, the timing worked out that past September and I look forward to the next time the Moon is in the 7th House and Jupiter aligns with Mars.

The autumn brought a new position at work as a Database Marketing Manager. I really enjoy the job and the people that I am working with. It is also more analytical and strategic than my old job, so I get to use my brain (which my new boss once said was "as big as the planet" but I think he is prone to hyperbole).

I have also been elected to the Board at Musicals at Richter, which has been an interesting, challenging and rewarding experience all at once. I have been able to channel some of my marketing and database experience into my role on the Board, which has been a fun way to use my "day-job skills". For the 2007 Summer Season, I am also directing/choreographing a new group called Richter Rising Stars. It is going to a lot of fun because the repetoire will consist entirely of selections from contemporary musical theatre that premiered in 1985 or afterward. Why 1985? That was the year that Richter was founded! And these Rising Stars? They are the next generation of Richter! It will be, as Randy Jackson says, "The bomb, dawg!"

Currently, I am directing The Diviners at TBTA and sometimes things truly are better the second time around. Certainly my first experience will always be special and doing it again leads me down Memory Lane once or twice a night but the years have made a difference. And, of course, it is great to cast actors that are the actual ages. I am fortunate to have some very talented actors in the cast and look forward to how this rarely done play is received.

In other theatre news, I purchased my ticket to Spring Awakening and am so psyched to see it! I've watched all the You Tube postings, saw The View and have been listening to the soundtrack non-stop! I love it when a show breaks the mold, attracts young and old alike and becomes a sensation. I predict great things for this show - it is the Rent of this decade. I saw Rent a few times and will likely see this one more than once! It's a thing with me... a theatre geek thing.

Santa brought my husband and I subscriptions to the Roundabout, so we saw The Apple Tree with Kristen Chenoweth and are going to see Prelude to a Kiss tomorrow night! If I were diligent, I would review those. But when it comes to blogging, diligence has not been my strong point.

For those that have returned, thanks for keeping the faith!

For those that have stopped by for the first time, come on back, I might be here.

Peace.