Styles: Elyria Catholic

Tremendous afternoon at Elyria Catholic, perhaps my favorite performance at their school, ever. I don't know what it was, the students have enjoyed our performances in the past. It have have had to do with expectations. This was our first school performance, and I had no idea what to expect. I know how young people can react to period pieces, especially talky ones. Many check out (I am generalizing, of course) and this has been the case for young people, well, forever, right?

And shame on me, I thought some of the humor would fly right over their heads. Do teenagers know what a laxative is? Even if they do not, they are smart enough to figure it out. Yes, shame on me. The performance was warmly received, and the post-show discussion was spirited and interesting. One question we are going to get a lot is about the costumes, and how on earth we change so fast (someone at The Alcazar asked to see who was helping us backstage, and was surprised to learn its just us.) People are also curious about accents.

My favorite moment was when a student rose to ask if the 'stache is real. I am surprised it took three shows for someone to ask! When I said it was, the assembled juniors and seniors practically gave the mustache a standing ovation.

There had been a question during rehearsals if the phrase "queer little Belgian" would make the student audiences squirrely. In this case, it did not. I say we keep it.

Many thanks to the many young people who got out of study hall to help us load in, and those who stayed after school to assist in loading out. It was tremendous help and much appreciated.

Tomorrow evening we will return to the East Park Retirement Community, for the fourth year running. This is a public performance and begins at 6.30 PM.

Styles: Lorain County Community College

Second night, we learned what it was like to load and unload the van entirely on our own, and with a semblance of knowing what we are doing. Didn't take nearly as long as it did Tuesday night ... but it did take a while. Lucky for us,we were joined by LCCC students Mimi and Mariah, and Mariah's younger brother Nathan to assist. Assistance is always gratefully accepted, and as we are visiting a school this morning (not a public performance, sorry, you can't come) I fully intended to request a contingent of strapping, young Catholic boys to help mit all de schleppin.

Only the second performance, and for the second night in a row we have had record-busting attendance. In my seven-year experience we can expect a couple dozen, perhaps, students and other interested parties, last night there were perhaps eighty in attendance, which is near-capacity in a studio space which holds around one hundred. Students can, and often do, appear bored during plays or nod off to sleep before leaving right after and avoiding the talkback. Many, of course, simply pick up a program and leave before the show starts, having obtained proof of attendance for class the next day.

Last night a large number of people remained, and when Daniel asked for a show of hands for how many had already read Styles, an impressive number went up, far more than had the night before in Cleveland Heights. As I said, most were die-hard Christie fans, and I am relieved and pleased that those who have commented (to-date) have been extremely complimentary to the adaptation. One was so impressed by how I had "left nothing out" that I had to stop her and ask whether or not she missed Lawrence (a major character I have omitted.) She said she didn't even notice until halfway through the show, and that she didn't really mind.

Another great point of relief is how people have been responding to the relationship between Poirot and Hastings. If that fell flat ... well, they do spend an awful lot of time on stage together. That would have been disastrous. Early I was concerned whether all the banter about clues and theories would be too dry, but apparently I have included enough of the essential relationship, as created by Christie, that it all comes together.

Styles: Opening Night

We opened last night at The Alcazar. I do not have the final number, but it was a very large crowd, a record for that venue, standing room only. We had folks sitting in the window seats that overlook the courtyard. All credit goes to Agatha Christie.

And I believe all went well, but it is hard for me to tell. There were a great many laughs, which surprised the actors but it did not surprise me. When Emily as Mrs. Cavendish enters the inquest, wearing the hat, I hear a wave of admiration sweep the crowd. That also did not surprise me, but it was delightful to experience. It is a beautiful hat, and sits so perfectly on top of Emily's impossible neck.

So the big question is, does it work as a murder mystery? Christie wrote a novel where the reader gets all the same clues as the detective, and should be able to solve the crime. Have I adapted it to accomplish the same thing? Or more to the point, is it too easy for the audience to figure out, or so confusing that they don't even bother trying.

Daniel asked for a show of hands as to who knew, who thought they knew, who suspected others, and who were entirely befuddled. The result was a healthy mix of all of those responses, so I believe we are on a good footing.

It took almost two hours to load out the set last night, but we were attempting it for the first time, with everyone taking my lead as how to pack the van. Tonight, hopefully, it will not take so long. But that is a physical challenge, and I need to be sure to rest up, take my vitamins, and rest up.

Did I mention I am training for a marathon?

Tonight: Lorain County Community College, Stocker Center Theatre. 7:30 PM. Free. Be there!

Styles: Moving Day

Moving out of the rehearsal space.

Terry, Bill and the guys from the scene shop teach us how to take down the set.

Oh Lord, the van is very full.

Pieces parts are laid out at the Alcazar.

Company members negotiate where everything goes.

I blog.

We have a successful run-through.

Lisa gives notes.
We open tonight.
8 PM at the Alcazar, free of charge, no reservations necessary.
Please join us.

Styles: Sound

For years, Richard Ingraham has designed sound for the outreach tour. And every year it makes me so happy when his design is brought into the mix. Just when you are driven to distraction with all of the many, tiny props, the outrageous quick changes, and -- oh, yeah, all those words, music and sound effects come in at just the right time to tie everything together.

What felt like an arduous, lengthy scene change, is suddenly spry and delightful, thanks to some jaunty, period piece. We'd gotten used to hear Diana read the stage direction "door bell rings" until last night when we heard a door bell ring. The sound sets a tone, maybe one you hadn't imagined, but there it is and it is useful and enjoyable; it creates a world all on its own.

A few years ago (on Richard's suggestion) GLT invested in proper, modern sound equipment, which is to say, a computer, and not some kind of disc machine. We have no stage manager for these touring productions, but with kit, anyone can hit the big GO button and start a cue which is set to fade, perhaps, after a few seconds, and fade out entirely on its own. It's like MAGIC.

Tonight, final dress at the Alcazar. We open tomorrow. Won't you join us?

Styles: Company

Previous Great Lakes Theater Outreach Tour Fun!

With Anne in Dark Lady of the Sonnets (2006)

With Michael (and Elizabeth Wood) in The Brute (2009)

With Emily in On the Dark Side of Twilight (2010)

Styles: Costumes

Costume designer Esther Haberlen with Anne as housekeeper Dorcas

Michael as John Cavendish

Emily as Mary Cavendish, James as Arthur Hastings

Emily as Miss Cynthia Murdoch

Hastings in the altogether

Michael as Dr. Bauerstein

Mary Cavendish attends the inquest

Mary Cavendish, member of the Women's Land Army

Detail: Women's Land Army badge, handsewn by Esther