Wednesday, November 26, 2008

DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE -Learning the Lines


Probably the easiest dialogue to memorize was evidenced in Mel Brook's "Silent Movie" when he, ingeniously, got "Bip" -the masterwork clown character of world renowned mime Marcel Marceau- to say aloud- the solitary word in the film, "No".

Everyone else has to study. And that means hours of late nights, and coffee, and tugging at hair, and groaning, and thumping the temples, and pacing and repetition of the words the playwright's provided until they become as if casual conversation between the cast members.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE -Fights

by J David Moeller

Chicago; -There are some action filled moments in the show that need careful choreography. Murders, stabbings, gorings, and the such (it is a horror show after all) and Scott Cummins is in charge of maintaining the actors' life and limbs, if not those of the characters they are portraying.

Cummins is currently appearing as Mortimer in the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's "Edward II" through November 9 and is the acclaimed director of Seanachai Theatre's recent "Scenes From the Big Picture".



Scott Cummins (L), fight choreographer for "Dreams...", discusses a
sequence with playwright/director Charley Sherman.


Chris Hainsworth (L) is about to deliver a blow to Sean Bolger.



It's Scott Cummins' job to make sure the blow never connects but looks like it does.


Sunday, November 2, 2008

"DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE" ---Rehearsal cast shots

By J David Moeller


Chicago; -The rehearsal process for an original script/play is long and gruelingly intense as both the playwright and cast are seeing the work "enlivened" for the first time. Changes are made and concentration is crucial to glean the exact context and structure of each morsel of dialogue.

It's an exciting process, as the actors are creating their individual roles (in this show, most actors portray more than one character) and breathing life into them is a muchly rewarding experience.

Herewith are some of the actors in "Dreams..." actively engaged in their craft. Some, perhaps, more actively than others.


{click pictures to view original size}

Ron Kuzava takes a nap waiting for his cue.

Director/Playwright Charley Sherman (L) doing the directing of
Brian Amidei and Thomas Whittington

Casey Cunningham plays Lillith, who is on stage most of the play.

Brian A. and Kate Brown

A possible re-write in the new script for Thomas.

Thomas Whittington plays Walter Gilman -one of the central characters.

Chris Hainsworth (R) is threatened by Sean Bolger.

Ryan Patrick Dolan confronts Brian A.


Casey C. has a few Dreams of her own going "in the Witch House"


Opening November 16 at Chicago's Atheneaum Theater and running through December 21.