Quickies at the Orlando International Fringe Festival.

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Sold

Quickies was a series of four short plays presented at the Orlando International Fringe Festival at Breakthrough Theater ( 421 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park). Written by Tracy Jane Smith, the opening “Sex and a Story,” was about how how Scheherazade, meant to serve as a sex slave, kept her head through cunning, despite the fact that she could be beheaded if she displeased the prince.

In “Meet the Pets,” a boy brings his girlfriend home to his apartment for the first time.On the couch, his cat, Mr. Cuddles (Ryan Roberson) clearly owns the place, acting like British royalty. His self satisfaction is hilarious and a great contrast to the the dog who bounds around the scene with unlimited joy and enthusiasm. Daisy, the golden retriever, loves the new girl while Mr. Cuddles treats her with disdain.

In “Welcome to Intercourse” two female students find themselves stranded in Amish Country when the car engine gives out. They meet two young Amish men and despite their differences, things heat up. The final show, “Buried” is about a distraught young woman who wanders the stage with a shovel. her idea of eternal love involved digging a hole.

As a fan of Tracy Jane Smith’s sensual dark humor, I hope to catch a sketch of “Jim Reaper, A Play about Life Death and other Comedies.”  After
twenty years of marriage, recent divorcee Blanche flirts with an oddly
irresistible man named Jim at a party, while insurance-adjuster Bob
tries to avoid him at all costs. Knowledgeable party-goer Doris
identifies Jim as THE Jim Reaper, and the fates of his respective guests
are revealed in a card game. A score of dark metaphors comes to life in
this fun personification of death as a reasonable, friendly guy just
doing his job.

Performances at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Santos Dantin Theater (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida 32803). 

July 28, 29, & 30
August 4, 5, & 6
Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm

Tickets are $18 general admission, $15 for seniors 55+, students and military with ID. Tickets may be purchased online at OrlandoAtPlay.com
or at the PRT box office at point of sale. Cash and credit card
accepted; no checks please. For seating reservations only, please
contact (407) 761-2683.

We Don’t Play Fight at the Fringe.

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I was surprised and pleased to see an entire wrestling ring set up inside the Orange Venue at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803) for We Don’t Play Fight. Professional wrestling is a form of theater in itself with each character having a back story. A wrestling promoter introduced the show explaining that he was searching for new talent to bring to the wrestling ring so that he might earn his way back into the big leagues. A female wrestler built like a tank wanted to begin training. The trainer like a drill Sargent didn’t allow her to training in half measures. She had to be all in or she should  get out. He yelled at her and berated her trying to get her to bring some anger into the ring. Her sister who never spoke a word, watched every move. These sisters had been in a car crash that killed both their parents. The shy sister watching the ring hadn’t said a word since the accident.

After an extensive slow motion training sequence it was finally time for the brick house sister to have her first match. She was doing great against a low class hick when the referee blew his whistle to end the first bout. she was clearly winning. When her opponent fell to the mat, it made a loud drum like resonating thud. When she turned her back to her opponent to walk to her corner of the ring, he blindsided her and broke her arm in a clear act of unsportsmanlike conduct. The silent sister came roaring into the ring to save her sister. She whaled on the hick who specifically hurt her sister to end her career. He was helpless against the silent sisters fury. She jumped off the ropes to pin him down and then she held him in a menacingly long choke  hold. The promoter desperate for a new wrestler had found a Tasmanian devil the the silent sister. When he offered her the job, she shouted with delight.

People in the audience played along shouting, cheering and booing when needed. The spectacle verged on the edge of art imitating life. An evil clown, whose sloppy make up reminded me of the Joker from Batman,  wrestled against a gold masked Adonis. Story fell to the wayside as the wrest;ling bouts heated up. I had hoped for a solid linear story, but action usurped story structure. Still, it was fun to watch the wrestlers throw themselves at each other in the loud tympani of a ring. Wrestling is big in Orlando right now with Full Sail hosting the WWE. A large wrestling logo blocked views of Lake Eola last month and people were always shooting photos of themselves in front of the garish monolith. There is no accounting for taste. 

Tickets are $12

Remaining show times for WE DON’T PLAY FIGHT:

Sunday May 28, 2017 at  4:30pm

Jim Helsinger discusses Angel Action Wings

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In Abraham Lincoln‘s Inauguration speech, he said   “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”This quote inspired Jim Helsinger to create Angel Action Wings after the Pulse tragedy. As he said, “Moises Kaufman wrote ‘The Laramie Project’, about the reaction to the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming gay student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, what could I do?” When members of a Baptist hate group said they would protest at funerals of the victims of the Pulse shooting, here in Orlando, Jim had to act.

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater and
the Angel Action Wings Project teamed up to create
massive PVC frame, and white linen angel wings in the hopes of blocking the 40-member
“church” group and their hate-filled signs, the dumbest being “God Hates Fags.” Thanks to donations, the
Orlando Shakespeare Theater built each of the angel ensembles in
their costume shop.  There was much confusion on social media about weather the hate group would actually show up, but Jim went with a gut feeling and had the wings built anyway. At a funeral, singing and the angel wings blocked the protesters who did get a permit to protest.

After that initial success some one suggested that 49 Angel wings should be built. Although he as in Colorado, he spearheaded the effort from there. Volunteers from Disney filled the Shakespeare scenic shop completing the wings with incredible speed. After a Pulse theater community event at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts the 49 Angels marched outside the theater surrounding the large memorial that was in the plaza. A light drizzle accompanied their somber candle light march, but when they stood in silent vigil the rain stopped and a light breeze aired their wings. People exiting the theater where overwhelmed be the sight.

Theater has a way of framing grief. When in a dark theater surrounded by an audience, we realize that we are not alone. If others survive then I can as well. We do not live in a vacuum. 20 years ago Orlando was a conglomerate of corporations. In the last fire years, little theaters and restaurants have found a home here. Orlando’s reaction and response to the Pulse tragedy is something to be proud of. We as a community will embrace gays, Latinos, and immigrants.

Jim grew up in Ohio and has shot guns. He believes in the second amendment, but if an individual is on a watch list, or has been denied a flight license, then why can he buy an assault rifle? In Newtown a young boy could walk into an alimentary school and shoot children. Nothing has changed. People need to accept their differences. There needs to be religious and racial tolerance. We need to change the culture of violence to a culture of love.

The 49 wings were just transferred to the Center which will decide how and when the wings will be used in the future. This will allow Jim to refocus his energies on running the Shakespeare Theater. They were just worn in the recent gay pride parade, where thousands
cheered as the angels glided down Orlando’s downtown streets. The angel wings need to keep flying.

“Angel Action Wings For Orlando” Find New Home at The GLBT Community Center Of Central Florida.

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Orlando Shakespeare Theater (The Shakes) in Partnership with UCF permanently relocated the “Angel Action Wings for Orlando” to The GLBT Community Center of Central Florida (The Center). The “Angel Action Wings for Orlando” were originally constructed by volunteers from the community to shield mourners from anti-gay protesters during the funerals of Pulse massacre victims. They have since been used at the “Beautiful Together” benefit concert held at the Dr. Phillips Center and other local and national community events, including the recent Orlando “Come Out with Pride Parade” on Saturday, November 12, 2016.


 The wings were first used to block a hate group after the Matthew Shepard murder in 1998. After Pulse, the Shakespeare Scenic Shop built 49 Angel wings. “Orlando’s Angel Wings have become an inspiring image of love and unity in our community,” said Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. “We have been honored to use them to pay tribute to those who lost their lives because they chose to love openly and wholly. In the end, love always wins.”

Due to the demanding performance
schedule of Orlando Shakes, The Center has graciously agreed to assume
responsibility of the “Angel Wings.” With this transition, the Center will
manage the future use of the “Angel Wings.” All funds raised to support the
care of the “Angel Wings” have been passed along to the Center as well.

“The Center is very honored to
accept responsibility for the “Angel Action Wings for Orlando,” said Terry
DeCarlo, Executive Director of The Center. “Personally knowing the history of
the wings, what they stand for, and their specific mission, The Center is prepared
to take on this assignment and will treat the wings with the utmost respect.
The Center will also be creating a community “Angel Force” made up of
individuals who will be trained and dispatched to special events where the
wings are needed.”

In addition to the 49 sets of “Angel
Wings” provided to the Center, two sets of “Angel
Wings” were also donated to the Orange County Regional History Center today for
a new community display.

“It has been a privilege to be the
guardians of the Angel Wings over the past several months,” said Helsinger. “We
look forward to seeing them shed light and love in our community in their new
home at The Center.”

Get Ready to Rumble.

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At the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, idealistic young lovers Maria and Tony find themselves caught between rival street gangs, the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice is one of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time. West Side Story’‘s legendary jazz, Latin, and classical-inspired score features the treasured songs ““Something’‘s Coming,“” ““Tonight,” ““I Feel Pretty,” and ““America.“”

I didn’t find anyone to take the second seat. I also had a drink ticket, so I ordered a red wine at Harriet’s bar before the show. Several kids getting snacks at the bar had never seen the show before, so the lady behind the counter let them know the they were in for a treat. I sat house right and pretty far back, so my sketching wouldn’t disturb anyone. This show is incredibly timely. Each show is done in honor of a victim of the Pulse tragedy of June 12th. Angel wings were on display in the lobby and a photo and biography was on the display.

In the second act Tony and Maria dream of a place far away from street gang and violence. The idyllic song “Somewhere” in this show featured gang members and the women dressed all in white and they danced and played like children. There was in once and joy in the dance. I found myself crying. It was beautifully choreographed and I’m certain it was inspired be the violence that has traumatized Orlando. Towards the end of the song all the dancers lifted their arms, and they seemed to float blissfully above the stage.

So many of the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting we Puerto Rican thus the prejudice an hate against them seemed as if it had been written yesterday. In a world where labels define us all, how can there be a time for us or a place for us? That is why I found myself crying. Nothing has change since the 1960 when the play first hit the stage.

Both Marc Koeck who played Tony and Carlee Evans who played Maria had amazing voices. I was swept away, safe in the darkness of the theater.  I slipped away during the uproar of the standing ovation. I didn’t want to break the spell by clapping. I let the emotion linger and wash over me on the drive home. People want to forget. A committee vetoed some of my sketches of Pulse vigils from being projected on the Sun Trust Bank during this month’s Creative City Project. We are only strong if we remember and don’t sweep aside the loss. We hope for change but it never comes. But we can never give up.

You don’t want to miss this show.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 – 2:00 PM

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 – 7:30 PM

Thursday, October 6, 2016 – 7:30 PM

Friday, October 7, 2016 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, October 8, 2016 – 2:00 PM

Saturday, October 8, 2016 – 7:30 PM

Sunday, October 9, 2016 – 2:00 PM

West Side Story rumbles into the Shakes.

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West Side Story will be performed in the Margeson Theater at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL) from September 7th to October 9th. I Stopped into the scenic shop to see the New York City set under construction. Jeff Ferree explained that carpet had to be installed on the second tier of the set, to reduce noise as actors walked. Jeff used the lift to get a roll of carpet up and then three stage hands rolled it out. One corner hung precariously over ledge. If anyone stepped o this overhanging carpet they would fall to the stage floor. Jeff used a carpet knife to cut away the excess carpet. To try and smooth the carpet out, he leaped forward multiple times like a kangaroo to try and stretch the carpet flat. 

At the same time lights were being turned on and off from the lighting booth. Someone with a walkie talkie confirmed when the correct lights came on. A few were out of place and will likely be replaced. The large bridge like structure is part of the set that is lowered into place during the fight scenes. Jeff showed me the set rendering designed by Jim Hunter, and it will look gritty and gorgeous. Large sections of steal mesh fence need to be scavenged for stage right. There is a virtual walk through of the set which is apparently quite impressive. 

West Side Story is based on a concept of Jerome Robbins, a book by Arthur Laurents with Music by Leonard Bernstein and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Idealistic young lovers Maria and Tony find themselves
caught between rival street gangs, the American Jets and the Puerto
Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence,
and prejudice is one of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching, and
relevant musical dramas of our time. West Side Story’‘s legendary jazz,
Latin, and classical-inspired score features the treasured songs
““Something’‘s Coming,“” ““Tonight,” ““I Feel Pretty,” and ““America.“The movie came out the year I was born, and the story is still as fresh, vibrant and reliant as it was back then.” Tickets are between $18 and $33.

The Trojan Rabbit.

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Jeff Ferree created this life sized Trojan Rabbit. He works in the scene shop at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, so he’s good at building stuff. He based his design on the Trojan Bunny in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The Bunny popped up all around town, to promote the Orlando Shakespeare production of Spamalot. First Thursday

This sketch was done at Earth Day which also happened to fall on the Same day as the World Wide Sketch Crawl. I put out an invitation on Facebook to host the Orlando Crawl and about 5 or 6 artists showed up during the course of the day. As we sketched the rabbit, most of the crawlers Sat on the retaining wall to my right. I sat leaning back against a palm tree, and right next to me was a water bowl for dogs Which was used quite often by parched over heated dogs. The smoothie truck was quite popular among the humans who also wanted to cool down. I believe it was The Art Reach people who started blowing bubbles that floated in to the scene.

Jeff used the rabbit to attract peoples attention and then inform them about Spamalot. As I did this sketch,  I realized that there was nothing inside. I later contacted Jeff, and suggested that the bunny could be a good art gallery. When the bunny was moved outside the Shakespeare theater during the International Fringe Festival, Jeff allowed me to mount a show of Fringe related sketches inside. After Earth Day someone actually stole the bunnies tail. Who would steal a bunny tail? It makes for an odd useless trophy. Jeff let me use a scene shop drill which made it easy for me to mount the frames to the walls using brackets which made it near impossible to take a frame off the wall much like paintings in hotel rooms. The bunny was retired after its last appearance outside the Orlando Museum of Art for an animal themed First Thursday, which is a bit of a meat market for singles with some art. Once again I mounted prints inside. I don’t think many people ventured inside.

Functionally Literate

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Functionally Literate is Burrow Press‘ quarterly-ish reading series that aims to connect, entertain, and possibly intoxicate, Orlando’s community of writers, bookworms, lit nerds, and the intellectually curious. Each Function pairs the best writers in Central Florida with visiting writers from all over the world. This event was held at The Gallery at Avalon Island.

This sketch is of John King who earned his MFA from New York University in 2010. His work has appeared in Palooka, Gargoyle, The Newer York, the 15 Views of Orlando
project, and others. He is currently a composition Sherpa at the
University of Central Florida, and he is the host of the amazing writing
podcast, The Drunken Odyssey.

I always love sketching these readings because as I sketch, my mind wanders allowing me to imagine the scene the author is painting. This is what a creative community is all about. An intimate audience gathering to share stories. The next Functionally Literate event will be held on January 16th at 7pm at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater (812 East Rollins Street Orlando FL). Authors will include Matthew  Salesses and Kristen Arnett.

Spamaot costumes get some loving care.

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I went to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater (12 E Rollins St, Orlando, Florida), to sketch the preparations for the upcoming production of Spamalot. At the entrance to the theater, the giant Trojan Rabbit held a Spamalot banner. Jeff Ferree who built the bunny, works in the scene shop and advised me on the sketch options. He was working on a series of four inch deep wooden clouds that will illuminate thanks to a string of old fashioned big bulbed Christmas lights. It was a daunting job with the all the graceful jig saw cuts needed. He showed me the set which was insanely colorful and over the top like a Las Vegas production. The entire proscenium was surrounded by large bulbs like a marquee.

Jeff told me that all the costumes were rented from the national tour of the show. He walked me to the costume shop and that is where I settled. All the costumes suffered from constant wear and tear and close to a dozen seamstresses were at work repairing the damage. Each costume had to also be adjusted to fit the actors. Twice actors came in to have their measurements taken. I was graciously set up at a table near the air conditioning unit and I was warned that when it kicks on it can be quite loud. I was deep into the sketch when it burst to life. I almost jumped out of my skin.

Jeff searched the costume shop on a quest to find the golden crown worn by Tim Curry in the original Broadway production of the show. Unlike King Arthur, his quest was a success. With some coaxing he got me to wear the sacred coronet. The original  Broadway show opened in 2005. The book and lyrics are by Eric Idle and the music is by John Du Prez and Eric Idle The production won the Tony Award for Best Musical
and was nominated for 14 Tony Awards. The final
performance was in January of 2009. After 35 previews and 1,575 performances;
it was seen by more than two million people and grossed over $175
million, recouping its initial production costs in under six months.

The Lady of the Lakes wears the gorgeous green gown with the sea shell shaped bustier.  An artificial leg sat on a table encased in armor. This clearly must be the leg of the dark knight who looses his leg in a sword fight only to claim it as a flesh wound. An armored breast plate stood next to the leg. A hole was later plumped to some flexible PVC tubing which I suspect will be used to spew blood. On the table next to me, an artificial head wore a knights helmet. A bulky shoulder piece had loose tubing and meaty viscera in the gaping neck wound. I believe this knight fell pray to a killer rabbit attack.

A delicate white gown was covered in sequins requiring hours of intricate repair. A multi layered garment with a rainbow of ruffly frills turned out to be vivacious and bouncy sleeves worthy of Carmen Miranda. Clearly this is not a show about subtly. The title of the play comes from a line in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, “We eat ham, and jam, and Spam a lot.”

The Orlando production of Spamalot opens on September 9th and runs through October 11th.  Be sure to get your tickets now. I suspect many performances will sell out.

Good Soldier explores the disturbing memories of a war veteran.

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I contacted director Carol Jacqueline Palumbo to sketch a rehearsal of Good Soldier, written by Tony Pelham. Jonathan Raffoul plays the part of the good soldier as he relates the memories and horrors of war. Carol confided, that at the audition, she knew Jonathan was perfect for the part after his first reading. He has a palpable intensity that stays true to the part. Suffering from the horrors of war, he tries to make sense of it all.

Carol’s plan was to workshop a couple areas and then  let him run through the show a few times without any interruptions. The rehearsal was in Carol’s apartment which is packed up since she plans to move soon. The clutter of her belongings seemed appropriate for the clutter in the soldier’s mind. Clearly this soldier suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. When he related the memories of his fellow soldiers raping and killing a young beautiful female civilian, I empathized with his anger and guilt. Perhaps had he stayed in the room he could have stopped what was about to happen. He would have to live with the guilt his whole life. The rapist, killed in battle was considered a war hero.

Much of this incredible twenty minute monologue is addressed to an imagined therapist in the audience. The soldier responds to the therapist’s imagined questions with distaste and anger. It becomes clear that no therapist can explain away the horrors that play out again and again in his mind. When he mistakes the therapist for the rapist, he becomes menacing in his anger. Although a fuse has shorted, I empathized with the notion that he wanted justice even in war. Perhaps there is no such thing. The victors write history. Perhaps he wasn’t even fighting for a just cause. After the second read through Carol said to Jonathan, “That’s the performance to beat!” It really was a superb performance. You don’t want to miss this show.

Mark your calendar! The play is one of seven original short plays that is part of
Playwrights Roundtable‘s Summer Series that will debut at theOrlando Shakespeare Theater, 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL. Performances will be held at 8pm in the Santos Dantin Studio Theatre, July 17th through August 2nd on the
weekends with Sunday 3pm matinee only shows.

The other shows in the Summer Shorts line up are:

  • “Train Stop” by Mark Cornell

    Serio-comic, A Man and a Woman meet at a
    stop and consider the possibilities of their maybe-future relationship.

  • “Dating, Sex, and the Space-Time Continuum” by David Strauss

    Do you ever wish your future and
    present selves could talk to each other and maybe warn you away from
    that one relationship you may or may not end up regretting?

  • “Speaking of Mars” by Jonathan Cook

    A man and a woman are paired up for the
    historic first mission to Mars. But one of them has a secret…

  • “Soles” by Katie Thayer

    It’s the end of the world as we know it, but is it too much to ask to go out with a pair of comfortable shoes?

  • “Binged There, Done That” by Ken Preuss

    Sitcom is life. Especially when
    taken all in one sitting.

  • “In Me” by William Newkirk

    Comedy, 1m, 1w – 20s – A couple discover some important truths about
    themselves while searching for a rather important part of their
    lovemaking.

 If you have any questions, please call (407) 761-2683 or email Playwrights Roundtable at
info@theprt.com.