Another Theatre Blog Gets Sued (Almost)!

Solidarity with these guys. It looks like they had a more aggressive sitaution. But what makes this ridiculous, is that they weren't being threatened by a publishing corporation... they were being threatened by a theatre!

Without Prejudice: Why all the Royal Opera House posts have disappeared

For additional commentary, which put it better than I could:

On Why It's Time to Listen (Or a Love Letter to Theatre Bloggers)

And if you never read about the time we got threatened by an international publishing corporation:

Photo Shop Fun Post

Solidarity.

K

Change of Season

Here we are in the middle of September! How did that happen. I have been M.I.A. on the blog circuit for the last few weeks as the school year starts my "day" job has me running around like a crazy person. And so does the new theatre season! There is so much happening and opening here in town over these first few weeks of September.

Here's a list of some things playing right now (or this week) and opening the 2010/2011 season for us.

Let the games begin:

The Real Inspector Hound: Publick Theatre
Running through September 25, Plaza Theatre BCA

Cabaret: American Repertory Theatre
Running through October 29, Club Oberon

Boston Marriage: New Repertory Theatre
Running through October 3, Arsenal Center for the Arts

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: Lyric Stage
Running Through October 2, Lyric Stage

Romeo and Juliet: Independent Drama Society
September 16 - 25, The Factory Theatre

Bus Stop: Huntington Theatre Co.
September 17 - October 17, Boston University Theatre

In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play): Speakeasy Stage
September 17 - October 16, Roberts Theatre BCA


This list clearly runs the gamut and it's exciting to see so much different kinds of work happening at the same time. I've already crossed two off my list - how about you?

*M-L

PS - Don't miss the StageSource Season Kick off event Monday September 27! Details TBA but check www.stagesource.org to stay updated.

All Things Horror

Last week, I recieved a phone call from an old friend.

"I just saw a movie listing for something amazing. I don't know anything about it, or what it is. But I need you to come with me. It's called Dead Hooker in a Trunk. And it's only five dollars."

On Wednesday, I found myself in the basement of the Somerville Theater handing over a five dollar bill for a film screening I knew nothing about.

"Hi. I'm here for Dead Hooker in a Trunk...?" my friend asked.

Wait, What?

Just over a year ago, Mike Snoonian and Chris Hallock began to collaborate on a blog to review, discuss and celebrate the Horror and related genres. After a debut year of sucess and an ever growing readership, All Things Horror began to showcase up and coming feature and short horror films on the first wednesday of every month. We're not talking Saw XII or Brother-in-Law of Chuckie. We're talking old fashioned, freak you out and have a blast horror.

As Mike proudly writes: "He promises you that his vampires do not sparkle..."

ALL THINGS HORROR: All Things Horror Presents-our monthly film series...: "All Things Horror Presents is a monthly film series showcasing new voices in horror. The event takes place at Somerville Theater s..."

I walked into the theater without any idea of what to expect. The house was full, as I was met with a warm, fun atmosphere of people who weren't here to see to sit quietly and politely zone out to background violence. No, this was a group of people who knew how to have a good time. People who would laugh, scream, and respond to loud groans with "It gets worse..."

I would like to take the time to focus on two films:

Rubber Whore Hell and of course, Dead Hooker in a Trunk.

Rubber Whore Hell

I'm just going to say it right here: This thing is weird. I would compare it to Salvador Dali and Luis Bunuel's Un Chien Andalou meets Silence of the Lambs. Except with with humor and spaghetti.

However, beyond being a bizarre film, I found a sincere undercurrent of FUN and FREEDOM in this film. Which is why you're reading about this on a theatre blog.

As disturbing as this movie is, I never felt violated. You know what I'm talking about. Those really gratuitous, imaginationless attempts at visual exploitation that simply rape one's mind. Not with this movie. For every horrific image...there is something inherently funny and surreal about what's going on. The imagery is surprisingly beautiful, despite the extremely graphic nature of the film. And quite frankly, I have to say this film features an absolutely brilliant soundtrack choice... When it happens you'll know.

Here's a link to the movie. I remind you... it's really graphic. It's also dubbed, so don't be alarmed.

Dead Hooker in a Trunk

Four 20-something archetypes embark on a routine car ride the morning after an all out bender. They wake up to discover, more to their confusion than horror, an expired prostitute in the trunk of the car. The thing is... no one is exactly sure where the woman came from or how she got there? They resolve to dispose of the body and hope no one asks questions, until they accidently walk every so closer to the disturbing truth... at which point, hilarity ensues.

The film is the brainchild of two identical twin sisters (Jen and Sylvia Soska of Twisted Twins Productions) who wrote, produced, directed, stared in the film and killed an ACTUAL dead hooker for authenticity.* Strasberg would be proud.

As low-brow as the premise may seem, the acting is actually solid. If you're as big of a fan of gorefest slasher films as I am, you'll know how rare this is. You typically don't see horror films for the stunning naturalism. Though these actors won't be hearing the academy anytime soon, they give truly solid, fun and strangely believable performances. When was the last time you watched an actor running around holding their own severed arm and thought to yourself "Wow... she's really good at that!"

Second, there's some truly memorable characters here. Besides the sisters themselves, the character of "Goody Two-Shoes" is memorable for his performance as a devout christian simultaneously horrified as he is intrigued by the actions of his compatriots. There's nothing quite like watching this character call in sick to his choir group while his friends carry a dead prostitute through a hotel parking lot in the background, dropping her in the process.

Finally, the movie doesn't try to be something it's not. I wouldn't call it a horror film in the way we usually think. I have been describing this movie as a Slasher-Hijinks-Comedy. The only movie I can think of similar in structure would be... Well, The Big Lebowski, in that the mysteries and thickening plot don't exist to increase the suspense, but rather to remove you from the pedestrian world of realis and bring to a funnier version of the world, where really weird things just...happen...

Seriously, I don't mean this to be ironic. But Dead Hooker in a Trunk is a fantastic film. The ending is a little abrupt and forced, but by the time the storyline has wrapped itself up, you've had too much fun to let the 10 minute deus ex machina (Devil Ex Machina?) resolution ruin anything.

Laughs, shockers and dead prostitutes. Honestly, it's about damned time!

All Things Horror

I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this blog from now on. Moreover, I plan on making more of these film nights. They plan to do this the first wednesday of every month. Believe me, I'll be there whenever I can and will mostly likely mention it on this blog when I go.

ALL THINGS HORROR: About Us: "All Things Horror is run by two friends who share a love of the taste of karo syrup, the smell of latex, and the sight of stupid teenagers m..."

Best,

K

*Might have to check my sources on that one...

A Spooky Acting Gig

LADIES!!

Our friends at FlatEarth Theatre are looking for two actresses for their Halloween show. Check it out!

Plot description: Ever wonder what goes on in a department store after hours? A poet decides to make his life in a department store to avoid getting drafted into the army only to find that he's not alone... there are entire colonies of people living there as well!

Character Descriptions:

- Female (20s-40s), quirky, fiery character, a former victim of spousal abuse who bravely stood up to her husband, and caused his death. She reminds of one of the murderesses from the Cell Block Tango

- Female (30s-80s), former kleptomaniac who moves into the department store to try and quash her desire to steal merchandise

Rehearsal Schedule:

- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8-10 pm in Watertown

Performance Schedule:

October 29th-31st at The Burren in Davis Square

Contact:

Andy McKnight, Director at (617) 584-4756

The Burn Out

I had a busy summer - I worked on two shows, worked as many hours a week as I could fit in, and tried to have some form of a social life. I blogged, I travelled, I partied, I made new friends and relearned to appreciate old ones, I learned to cook. One thing I did not do, was sleep. And I think I'm still tired. I've gone on a few auditions in the past weeks and I was almost relieved when I was not cast. It was like the universe was telling me, "It's time to sit back and relax for a little while." This is not to say that I'm auditioning for things I don't want. I would never attend an audition that I wasn't actually interested in. It just seems like the "not getting cast" is happening for a reason.

Actually, I was recently offered a really interesting part in a small show and I had to turn it down because I realized that I simply would not be bringing my best work to the project. This is not to say that I'm taking a hiatus from auditioning, but just that maybe a break isn't the worst thing in the world. I spent a few days on Cape Cod this week and I have to say, doing nothing was absolutely refreshing. There was sun, swimming, drinking, and napping for three hours at a time. (Not to mention excellent company.) And I absolutely needed it. I'm sure it won't be long before I get the bug again (or find a part that I can't live without) but it's been nice actually have a little free time and enjoy the last of the summer weather.

Plus, it gives me some time to work on our next CoLab endeavor! I've been reading plays, seeing movies, and starting to brainstorm. I'm excited to move forward, but boy has relaxing been excellent. Maybe I'll pull a Grace Kelly and just marry into royalty... :)

PS -- I'll be doing some more relaxing at the Holland Homecoming Dance on Friday night. If you want to help CoLab become royalty, vote for MLM and Kenny here! Then I'll at least be Co-Artistic Director with royalty!

When you really want it

So Wednesday night I had an audition.

Nothing out of the ordinary. If anything, that information should be expected right? I mean, if I continue to want to get cast, I'm going to have to continue to audition. And I have been. For months....and months...with 0 results. Which is also to be expected. It happens.

So ok, Wednesday I went into this audition, sides and headshot in hand ready to just go in and do my thing an leave. And then I got up infront of the auditors and did the monologues and just KILLED it. I mean I was on. It was the first time in about 3 months where I really felt like I belonged in an audition.

Then we read sides. And reading through them, I fell in love with the play and the character I was auditioning for. I mean I read it and it felt like part of me, something I'm supposed to work on. I could so easily live in this play for the next couple of months. And not just because I'm desperate to get on stage in a full length play, but because I relate to her...more than that I like her.

And then it occurred to me. I REALLY want this. Not because I want an audition to go well, or because I need to get something new on my resume, but because I want to dive in and make it mine. Because I can be myself in this play and do good work. It's a full fledged character. And I can make her me. OR make me her. Or some of both.

And so, I really want this. It was one of those audition experiences that reminded me why I like to do this, and why I keep putting myself through auditions. Because sometimes there are parts that you are just supposed to do.

And now I'm waiting...and hoping the director feels the same way I do.

Vote CoLab for Homecoming Court!

Today we're taking a break from all things serious to do a little promotion for Holland Productions' Homecoming Dance Bash: Written on the Stars.

Mary-Liz and I are running for Homecoming Queen and King, respectively. Before we ask for your vote, we are here to make our case, our pitch if you will, as to why Mary-Liz and I deserve this honor. Also, we enjoy enjoy pictures.

1. We're classy, respectable and attractive individuals.

We don't to imply that our competition aren't also hot tamales. But MLM and KSF demonstrate grace, beauty and a regal splendour worthy of the titles "King" and "Queen".

Here, MLM demonstrates her modest, natural beauty by demonstrating a classic 1990's "painted whore" look.

Kenny Steven Fuentes, known in social circles as "El Bossa-Nova Casanova", is a sweet, old fashioned lover who knows how to make the ladies swoon. He might not pay for dinner, but he knows how to treat a lady!

2. Nobility and a History of Mental Stability

How often do we find our cultural aristocracy engaging in uncouth, rock-star behavior? Kenny and MLM are hard working theatre professionals and producers who know how to work hard, play hard. They always keep a cool head.

Mary-Liz demonstrates her "about the author" style photogenic dignity.

Kenny continues to demonstrate that he has never been succesfully committed to a mental institution despite several court orders by the state.

3. We're classy broads.

Seriously, check us out!

On both counts...

...We're finger lickin' good!

So people have been asking "What does Erika think of all this? Who is she going to vote for?"

Well, we can't tell you, but she's very excited to hear that Kenny will ALSO be participating in the kissing booth.

She seems a little uncomfortable. Must be that other guy.

In anycase, whatever your choices, please come to support Holland Productions! It's going to be a fun night, and if last year's fundraiser is any indication, there will be a dance party galore!

HOLLAND PRODUCTIONS HOMECOMING DANCE BASH!

Friday, September 10
8:00 pm
Elephant and Castle, downstairs
161 Devonshire Street, Boston
$10 (all proceeds go to fund our 2010-2011 Season)
Cash Bar

http://www.hollandproductions.org/

Be well,

K

P.S.

I'm on a horse.