N/A The Theater

[Lawreston]

It's not a secret I feel at home on a stage. But it's a Director who can instill that feeling to a player. If you can spare 5 minutes take a view of this Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax_Wx2eRtag

A theater veteran said to me, recently, "This has been a great show for you," referring to Oklahoma(see avatar). When I joked that "I didn't get much direction," the reply was, "Linwood doesn't direct, he builds." And that's why Linwood is my favorite Director. On numerous occasions I asked him, "Are you getting what you want from my character?" To which he replied, "Just build it; if I don't like it you'll be the first to know." Other directors tell one how to do a role.

I know all the speakers in the video, have worked with them, and they certainly sum up an icon in Maine Theater. In his early 80s, if he hadn't just had a hip replacement he'd have been in the thick of choreographing what would have made Rodgers and Hammerstein proud of our recent Oklahoma. Enjoy.

HR

EDIT: Well, I'll be ******! I just noticed that I got my "few seconds of fame" in the clip, at 1:10 and 4:09(just a waiter in "Hello, Dolly." Fame is so fleeting.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

And that's why Linwood is my favorite Director. On numerous occasions I asked him, "Are you getting what you want from my character?" To which he replied, "Just build it; if I don't like it you'll be the first to know." Other directors tell one how to do a role.

I know all the speakers in the video, have worked with them, and they certainly sum up an icon in Maine Theater. In his early 80s, if he hadn't just had a hip replacement he'd have been in the thick of choreographing what would have made Rodgers and Hammerstein proud of our recent Oklahoma.

Very cool.

It's people like this that make small-town theater great. I went to see a production of Jesus Christ Superstar a year or two ago that was superb, and it wasn't even Madison-based... It was in Middleton, a suburb of about 15,000. Frankly, I liked it better than when I saw it in Chicago. I was falling asleep during the Chicago performance, but after the Middleton performance I was humming the tunes and bought the soundtrack. The small-timers really sold the performance.

Harley, what's your next gig gonna be?

 

[Lawreston]

Very cool.


Harley, what's your next gig gonna be?

I have no idea. Since I moved to Georgetown it's a 50 mile drive, rather than 30, to South Portland(Lyric theater); and with the price of gasoline these days 10 weeks of rehearsal/production has become very expensive. But I'm now 20 miles closer to Lincoln County Community Theater and Orchestra, where I've done
"My Fair Lady," "Music Man," and a couple of cabaret shows. My options are open, I guess.

HR

 

[etsisk]

he sounds like a great guy to work with!

Is that you in the safari jacket and boots? Or are you the one in the wig...???

(ya had to know it was coming... )

 

[Lawreston]

he sounds like a great guy to work with!

Is that you in the safari jacket and boots? Or are you the one in the wig...???

(ya had to know it was coming... )

Funny, you! I did several "side" characters in that show(minors, and short appearances). I was nearly at production time in "Oliver" in Auburn, Maine at the time. The "Hello, Dolly" Director(who recently Music Directed "Oklahoma") said, "Come on down to South Portland on your 'off' rehearsal nights and I'll put you in the chorus and give you some 'sides'". There were two weeks between one closing and the other show opening, so it worked out well. As noted earlier, it was good that gasoline was cheap at that time.

HR