Last Chance to Catch Jimmy Dean

Tonight is Closing Night. Call Tix on the Square or take your chances at the door. It's a great show with a nice strong, even cast! A wonderful way to start the 51st Season!

Following the show, the cast, crew and production team will strike the set and clean the theatre and then they will have a little party (a well-deserved celebration of their hard work!).

Jimmy Dean - We are Up and Running!

Wednesday marked the Opening Night for Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. I was very nervous to do the opening night pre-show speech. I know why. I can get up and do the mot ridiculous things from a script, but when it is me up there I get very nervous. Also, I personally dislike pre-show speeches. I feel they interfere with the artistic concept of the show so part of me rails against doing them! I tried to make it short so we could get to the good stuff - the show! I was very pleased to see the way this show came to life. Since I sat in on auditions I saw the potential and it was gratifying to see the cast fulfill that. Stand outs for me were Zoe Hawnt as Sissy (now) as I had never seen her onstage in that sort of role before and she was very fun! I also was quite impressed with Keltie Squires who stepped into the show a mere 3 1/2 weeks before Opening. Actually, though, the whole cast was very even. No one felt as though they were out-acted by any of the others. It was a true ensemble, very connected and active in a challenging piece that flits back and forth from 1955 to 1975. I thought that the Director and her Production Team dealt well with the challenge of the time switch and they produced a lovely, fast-paced, conceptually consistent, well executed show. For me, as AD, it was a good start to 2 years!

The following articles were in the local papers today.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/entertainment/columnists/colin_maclean/2009/10/16/11420006-sun.html

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Come%20Back%20Five%20Dime%20Jimmy%20Dean%20Jimmy%20Dean/2110178/story.html

Come Back to the Walterdale, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

We are a little over 2 weeks away from Opening Night for Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. It opens October 14th (Wednesday) at 8:00 p.m. I am pleased to say that I have my babysitter booked and I am good to go for this one. If I can, I may check out the Director's Preview on the Monday night, but I may wish to wait for Opening. Ooooo, I can't decide! I have heard great things from the Cast and Production Team about how things are going. I love the set. It went up so quickly and easily and it is charming and provides a beautiful backdrop for this lovely piece.

Remember, Walterdale is likely the most economical theatre choice in the city. You can get tickets at Tix on the Square or at the door (cash only at the door). Tickets range from $12 - $16 and if you are severely strapped for cash, the first Thursday (October 15th) is a 2 for 1 night (bring a friend). You can't beat those prices!

Jimmy Dean Update - I am hearing great things...

I was talking to members of the cast and the production team for this show and I am hearing great things. I am excited to see it. I am debating stepping in to see a rehearsal because I don't want to interfere with the positive energy that I hear is being created and also because I want to wait to see it when it is all put together. I will think on this. If I thought there was a need for me to be in there, I would be in there in a flash, but from all reports things are moving along smoothly. The set is exciting to me. Very economical but wonderful! The Set Designer, George, had the bulk of it done in no time flat. This has given the cast a wonderful gift because they have been able to play on it a lot more than they might have been able to otherwise. It will be fun to show it off at the Open House this Saturday!

Jimmy Dean - A Stellar Cast!

We wrapped up auditions for Jimmy Dean on Monday evening and boy-oh-boy did we see great people. With every thing fresh in mind Wendi was able to cast the show that night so callbacks will be unnecessary. To those who weren't cast. Don't despair. Your time will come. This is a strong cast, but many we did not cast were also quite strong. With the younger/older versions of characters in the play, some choices were guided by physicality. Hopefully those who said they would like to work on the show in another capacity were seriously interested. This will be a fun show to work on in any role. I know from just the two days of auditions that there will be a lot of laughs mixed with serious work!

Jimmy Dean Auditions - part 1

I sat in on the first half of the Jimmy Dean Auditions yesterday. Though the turn-out wasn't huge, it was respectable, and those that did audition were very good. Walterdale certainly has some strong actors in it's membership. To be fair, some of the auditioners were new to Walterdale, but that's a good thing. It means that the membership will grow in size and depth, as I am sure some of the newcomers have a good chance at being cast. We have another round of auditions tonight (anyone is welcome to come out and we will fit you in) and I encourage anyone who wants to be a part of a strong cast to come out. If last night is any indication of what we have to work with, this is going to be a great show! I do not envy Wendi Pope (the director) the job of casting this show as she is going to have to say no to some great people.

Auditions - this weekend!

It's not too late. Auditions for Jimmy Dean are this weekend. Lots of good women's roles (plus one for a guy) and a great director!

Up to my Elbows...

Information on the auditions for Jimmy Dean are available here:

http://walterdaleplayhouse.com/?page_id=57

In the last three weeks I have dived into the work at Walterdale. There is always something to do. I am desperate for a timeline as I am discovering that I am always feeling like I am behind even though I am so new to the position. I have already started thinking about next season, as I think it would be valuable to have it put together earlier. I am glad that I will be directing the final show of this season so that I can use the first half of the season to get my feet on the ground. One thing I am also doing is keeping a calendar to organize the year. I can pass it along to whoever follows in my footsteps. It is nice to know when to do what!

I am also making mistakes and quickly learning how to fix them. This week I have learned to 'check the dates' - twice! Luckily the mistakes I have made are repairable. The learning curve is steep.

Wearing the hat...

This week I have likely spent over 20 hours on Walterdale work. Welcome to the position, I guess. Part of the time has been spent getting things done that will help me work less later on in the season. Part of that time has been spent in phone and email conversations with members currently working on productions (or starting the work) and trying to help them solve their problems.

Next week the newsletter will go out with the Season... but for a sneak peek...

The first show is Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean directed by Wendi Pope. It goes up in October and auditions will be mid June. Stay tuned for more details.