Monthly Update - the joys of November

November 27th, 2009

I got behind on posting my weekly updates, so here is a re-cap of some of the best of November!  (I can’t explain why it is all underlined, apparently, my computer thinks this information is really important!)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  I hope it was filled with great food, friends and family - I know mine was!
PICASSO
 
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Tom Zohar as Einstein and Tim Parker as Picasso.  Photo by Adam Brick
Picasso continues to break all our ticket sales records - we even had a good house on Wednesday night!  We sold out every evening performance last week and only have 10 seats left tonight and 20 Saturday night - WOW.  The great reviews continue to come in.  Here are a bunch:
Hitch’s review:
“New Village Arts has yet another winner to enjoy…This is a guaranteed fun night at the theatre.”
http://www.sdtheatrescene.com/newsmaker.php?newsId=62
Charlene’s Review: BEST BET
“It’s a grand play, full of anachronisms, preposterous statements and genius. One leaves pondering the nature of fidelity and creativity and the importance (or not) of our interaction with and stimulation by others…It’s an almost flawless ensemble. Thank you, director Case.”
http://www.sdtheatrescene.com/newsmaker.php?newsId=64

Only two weekends left - if you haven’t made it to see the show yet, be sure to plan ahead - our evening performances are selling out and the matinees are very full.

SANTALAND
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That’s me with the REAL Santa - in Mission Viejo, CA probably around 1980ish…Photo by Mom & Dad.

Rehearsals continue to be fabulous.  I have never directed a one-man show before, so it has been a new process for me - and such a rewarding one.  Daren is such a talented actor and we have worked together for so long that we have a kind of “shorthand” - where I can say just a few words and Daren runs with it.  It’s very exciting to work this way.  We are in the process of collecting Santa photos of our cast, designers and crew - look for a fun display in the program.
The official opening night is Saturday, December 12th - and tickets for every performance are only $20 - be sure you have your reservations!
THURSDAYS ON THE COAST ON BLACK FRIDAY
Tonight is the continuance of the THURSDAYS ON THE COAST series - the art walk thru the Carlsbad Village.  It’s from 5:30 - 7:30 tonight, so come by to walk off some of the turkey - and maybe even stay for Picasso tonight - if you can get a seat!
CARLSBAD VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR ARE SOME OF NVA’S FINEST!!!
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From Playboy of the Western World - actor Aurora RuPert with Volunteer of the Year Pat Hansen.  Photo by Brian Meagher.
Each year, the City honors 2-3 residents for their outstanding contributions in Carlsbad, and this year they are all associated with NVA!  Former Board Member and volunteer extraordinaire Pat Hansen and her husband Jim will receive the honors as well as Advisory Board member Bobbie Hoder.  I can’t imagine better people - the ceremony will be on Tuesday, December 8th at 3 PM at City Hall - come celebrate these great people with us!

Three quotes of the week (or things to make you go “hmmm…”):

“Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while longing to make music that will melt the stars.” - Flaubert
“Theatre should not be a pastime for the privileged but a source of joy and inspiration for everybody” - paraphrase of the beliefs of Joe Papp, the founder of NYC’s Public Theatre and Free Shakespeare in the Park, and a personal hero of mine.  There is a great new book out called “Joe Papp, The Public and The Greatest Theater Story Ever Told” - a gift for anyone theatrically inclined or interested.
Replacing “science museum” with “theatre”:
“What should we expect from a science museum?  Do we want to be carefully tutored in a scientific discipline?  Do we seek to be entertained in a vaguely enlightening way?  Do we hope to be urged to adopt particular policies or practices?  My own desire is simpler than any of these, though far less often encountered.  I hope for wonder.
     Wonder is not puzzlement, bewilderment or confusion.  But it is also not satisfaction, completion or understanding.  It is more open-ended, even a little unsettling.  There is an element of calm, poised detachment in wonder but also a restless amazement.  In the wake of wonder, we are literally moved.  We cannot remain still.  We are spurred to explore.”  - NY Times 11/4/09 by Edward Rothstein.
December Birthdays
Anthony Phifer (ASM for Picasso & Santaland and Stage Manager for The Man Who): December 13th
Rachel White (House Manager): December 15th
Amanda Sitton (Ensemble Member, Director of Heidi Chronicles): December 17th
Adam Brick (Ensemble Member, Sound Design for Picasso & Santaland): December 28th

OTHER NEWS
  • Santaland rehearsals are well under way.  Daren Scott is absolutely priceless as Crumpet the Elf - I’m sure this is going to be a big hit.
  • We’re exploring new ways to expand the education program.  Of the fall Master Classes, the Meisner class taught by Lisa Berger was the definite favorite, so we will start offering a weekly Meisner class taught by Lisa in January.  The KidsAct classes are also picking up - we had a performance of their work this week and filled the theatre.  I’ve also been meeting with the theatre teacher at Pacific Ridge School and we will be partnering with those students in 2010.
  • Alex and I have been doing lots of meetings with potential donors, other arts groups and others to continue building NVA.
  • Joshua is doing very well in NYC - he had a great meeting with the playwright of THINGS WE WANT, Jonathan Marc Sherman
  • Kelly and I went to see Ensemble member Ron Choularton in THE SEAFARER at San Diego Rep.  He was fabulous - the show runs through mid December.
  • Ensemble member Amanda Sitton will be starring in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE RADIO PLAY at Cygnet - she gets to sing in this one!

Hope you all had an excellent November - here’s to a great start to this holiday season!

All the best-

Kristianne


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