Once, long ago I had fun playing one of the Three Musketeers, now it's come around again, and I'll be wearing the iconic blue tabard one again. I'm also working, for the first time, in Philadelphia with a great, younger company here, The Quintessence Theatre Group. It will be a tight production with a relative small cast, in a relatively intimate space. We're already two weeks into rehearsals and things are shaping up nicely. So if you happen to be in Philly between April 15th and May 10th, drop on by! (Click Here for more details.)
OUR BAR: "Wake" /
I'm a little geeked to be playing with some new friends this Wednesday night in OUR BAR: "Wake". OUR BAR is a writing/performance project which writes, casts, stages and performs a completely original show on the first Wednesday of every month. (Kind of amazing, really.) It's a great, talented group of folks, and this month they're letting me play in with them. It's one night, two performances only, it's just $10 to get in. The room fills up for every performance so, don't dilly-dally. :)
Next Up: Scranton Shakes /
This week, I head out to Scranton, PA for their annual summer Shakespeare Festival to play Orsino in their 2014 production of TWELFTH NIGHT. I'll be the last company member to arrive, and I'm eager to join the cast and get to work. We're already just 10 days from out from our first performance. Feel free to drop in if you're passing through the 2nd or 3rd weekend of July.
Theater in the Now Praises THE SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE /
Michael Block of Theater in the Now has this to say about the show:
"What makes Short Life of Trouble a truly beautiful and unique theatrical experience is the music. When you have a company of actors who can not only sing but sing in such stunning harmonies, you can’t help but fall. One of the grander highlights of this is between Hamlet and Ophelia, played by Brendan Spieth and Valerie Redd, singing the title song. You’re captivated by their love and see a new side of their relationship that rarely gets explored."
Read the full review at the Theater in the Now blogsite here.
There are just four performances left, and they will sell out.
Get your ticket now at Brown Paper Tickets by clicking here.
Use the code "SLTFB" when you buy in advance online get get a special friends-only $10 tickets.
NY Theater Now loves SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE /
Well, we couldn't hope for a kinder review than this from Collin McConnell of NY Theater Now:
"Nothing here is rushed, and everything is used. Creator / writer / adaptor Valerie Redd has woven a smartly rich tapestry of words and sounds, brought so beautifully to life under the direction of Eric Powell Holm... Holm is playing with magic here: there is never a wasted moment, a wasted space, and yet there is silence, stillness, emptiness – he has dug an earthiness into the production, so rich, though with the sense it is being told around the campfire, beneath the stars....
[It] is a true testament to Redd’s understanding of the work she is using and the work she is making – and to how clearly she understands why Hamlet still gets under our skin today. To that singular focus: Death. Loss, but really, death. The use of the southern gothic literature focuses the story to bear a weight down upon what it means to truly lose someone that I have never felt in any other production of Hamlet I have seen."
Read the full review at the NY THEATER NOW blogsite.
THE SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE will continue to run at the Access Theatre in Tribeca, Wednesdays - Sundays until June 21st. Tickets at the door are $18. If, instead you by in advance via Brown Paper Tickets, and use this handy code - "SLTFB" - your tickets will only be $10.
Here's the link again: http://shortlifeoftrouble.brownpapertickets.com/
Photo by Michael Markham
Opening Night for THE SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE /
The first workshop I attended for this piece was a year ago. More workshops and readings followed. I was officially cast at Christmas, and we've spent the better part of the last month rehearsing and shaping.
Tonight we officially open THE SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE in its world-premiere at the Access Theater in Tribeca on the corner of Broadway & White. Curtain time is 8pm, but come early for lemonade and bourbon and live pre-show music performed by the cast.
Thursday night's preview was sold out. Opening promises to be full as well. We'll run Wednesdays through Sundays until June 21st. Tickets are $18 at the door, but they're a little cheaper if you buy them through Brown Paper Tickets in advance.
If you like music and Shakespeare and lemonade and a certain kind of twang, you really have mo reason to miss it.
THE SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE creative team interview /
THE SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE just got a lovely write-up from Michael Block on the "Theater in the Now" blogsite. He spent a little time talking with our director, Eric P. Holm, and our writer/producer (and Ophelia), Valerie Redd. It's an excellent preview of the piece.
Performances begin next Thursday, June 5th and run through Saturday June 21st at the Access Theatre.
Eric P. Holm, Valerie Redd and Brendan Spieth
Early Press for THE SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE /
My short time with LEAR is nearly up, but my time with THE SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE is just about to begin:
"Valerie Redd's The Short Life of Trouble will receive its world premiere at The Access Theater, with a production presented by Wandering Bark Theatre Company, Lunar Energy Productions, and Jack Sharkey. Eric Powell Holm directs the play, which will run June 5-21..."
Officially joining the cast of KING LEAR /
Tonight, I officially take over for the talented John Phillips as "Cornwall" in Titan Theatre Company's production of KING LEAR (Not withstanding a cameo in last week's Thursday morning matinee). I'm ready to take the baton and help the rest of the super cast carry this thing to the finish line.
Only 5 performances remain, and the show closes this coming Sunday afternoon (5/11).
Tickets are just $18 and are available here: http://titantheatrecompany.com/
Come meet the new boss - same as the old boss.
Reviews Rolling in for LEAR /
Check out the good words! I'll be taking over for the talented Mr. John Phillips as Cornwall a week from tonight.
Read the full review on New York Theatre Review Here.
Opening Night for LEAR /
Titan Theatre's KING LEAR opens tonight at the Queens Theater in Corona Park, Queens (directly underneath the State Fair Pavilion). I don't officially join the cast for another week and a half, but I'll be cheering on my fellows tonight. Tickets are still available. Get them here:
http://titantheatrecompany.com/
LEAR goes in to tech at the Queens Theatre /
Though I'll only be on stage for Titan Theatre's KING LEAR during the third week of it's three week run, my fellow and castmates began their tech process of the show today out in Flushing. It's a rare occasion for me to see an amazing show before I get to be in it. I watched a stellar final run in the rehearsal room on Sunday afternoon and I'm really excited to see them come out of the other side of tech in a few days. It's going to be a top-notch production.