Last Chance!

Tonight is your last chance to catch a performance of Urinetown!

7.30 pm tonight.

I’ll be there. Will you?

 

Here’s a review of the show from the Hamline Oracle.

The word from Urinetown director, Jeff Turner

I recently had a chance to sit down with Jeff Turner, director of this fall’s musical, Urinetown, and get the scoop about the whole musical production process.

Jeff Turner is a professor in the department of theatre arts and has directed a number of shows here at Hamline.

But this is his first musical.

So, why Urinetown? Hamline only does a musical every 4 or so years. As you may have already known, musicals can be especially expensive  and hard to schedule with the extra additions of song and dance. Turner admitted that a number of other musicals were considered for this fall including Bat Boy and Little Shop of Horrors. He eventually settled on Urinetown, a show he had seen on Broadway a few years ago that really stuck with him. Among other things, Urinetown was chose for its potential; it’s a smart parody and it really gets the audience’s attention.

Getting together a perfect cast of characters is yet another piece of the musical production. Can they move? Can they sing? Can this person take direction well? When assembling the cast, Turner said there was a lot of new talent that he hadn’t come across before. Lot’s of first time auditioners “threw off the scales”. With some new blood in the department, an interesting and eccentric cast was assembled, perfect for Urinetown.

Turner stated that his favorite part of the production process is when the actors gain enough confidence to take more ownership over their roles. When they can make is past that awkward phase of learning lines and blocking and finally start to see the production as a whole is really one of the most satisfying parts.

With tech week underway and the set (designed by Faith Farrell, a local artist, set designer and commercial painter) looking as fabulous as ever, I think it’s safe to stay the show is nearing that point, if it hasn’t already been reached. Remember, the show opens Friday, November 6th! Get your tickets, this is going to be a good one.

Week 5

We have buildings!

Week 4

Here’s the stage at week four…

Costume Shop Halloween Super Sale

The costume shop is having a great sale next Friday and Saturday. So, whether you’re in need of that perfect “Where’s Waldo” striped shirt for Halloween or just some thrifty threads, come and check out what they have to offer. Most items are looking to be about $1-5.

October 23rd and 24th from 1:00-4:00. Anne Simley Lobby

p.s. Popcorn and a movie will be featured.

Step by Step

So, maybe you’ve seen a play before. And maybe you were looking at the set of said play and wondering, “how did they do all that?” This fall, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the construction of Urinetown, not only on the set, but with costumes, lights and sound.

Here we go…

At week 3 or so of development here’s a look at the main stage:

Salutations!

Welcome. You’ve managed to stumble upon Hamline University’s offical theatre blog, chronicling all the goings on around Anne Simley Theatre. The goal here isn’t to bore you to tears with long, wordy reviews, it’s about getting you the facts, the dirt, what’s happening on the stage and behind the scenes.

What can you expect? Look for interviews, photos, vidoes, showtimes, and much more.

In the works:

November 6,7, 12, 13,14 @ 7.30pm