Anatomy of a Community Musical...

Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story

Directed by Shannon Willis Scruggs

Town Theatre, Columbia, SC

March 17-21, 2010

From March 4-22, 2009, my life was turned upside down. I was cast in a community musical production of Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story at Town Theatre in Columbia, SC. Being a musician most of my life, I never gave theatre a chance due to some teachers in my life who frowned over the drama department. Being the golden musical child I was, I followed blindly. I took a chance. I had never performed in front of anyone without an instrument before. I have played in a group in front of a sold out Raymond James Stadium and didn't even blink. I lost sleep over the thought of talking in front of 330 people. I slowly learned the ropes and became part of one of Town Theatre's most successful shows to date. In late 2009, I was offered to chance to rejoin the cast in a limited one week revival. In this every-so-often opportunity, I opted to keep a keen, Anderson Cooper-esque record of the trip. I just hope my journalistic integrity isn't compromised by my earnest immersion back into the acting/performing lifestyle. Enjoy.

Saturday March 13, 2010
Woke up and made the obligatory drive to my place of work. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love what I do, but I was dreading having to pull a solid six hours with an impending seven hour drive thereafter. The three o'clock hour couldn't come soon enough. With nothing but the open road and time as my co-pilot, I embarked on the arduous trek. Getting off to a slow start through the tourist-laden Orlando highway, I made it to I-95 North on the east coast of Florida with a "Carolina or Bust" mantra I've only felt one other time in my life. Helping the drive was the omnipresent collection of music.
Along for the ride and in order mind you:

Weezer - The Blue Album

Emery - In Shallow Seas We Sail

Dane Cook - Retaliation
Underoath - Define the Great Line
RENT Broadway Cast recording (no road trip complete without it)
Acceptance - Phantoms
Yellowcard - Paper Walls

Hoping and praying I could make it to Columbia by the time I planned seemed to be slipping ever so slightly with every mile driven. Though the Georgia stretch, I struggled for clarity thanks to precipitation, at night! And lets not forget the Orlando traffic jam from a few hours earlier. Only forty-five minutes past schedule, an extra 512 miles, and almost eight hours of driving, I made it.
Greeted by my bubbly roommate, I walked into a lap of luxury that is now my home for the next seven days. After settling in and making the hotel feel more like home, I crashed after what can only be described as exhaustive.

Sunday March 14, 2010
Another day, waking up at the normal time as always. Or so I thought it was. Daylight savings snuck in under the radar, I hope the farmers are happy. After some breakfast and yoga, I made my way to Town Theatre to set up my drums and get started putting together a full on musical in three days. Costuming, lighting, microphones and sound checks galore, it was an exhausting day to say the least.



Right around 2pm, our director called places and we did a full run of the show. No warm up, no pow-wow talking about what has to happen, just a full run right off the cuff. There were times sitting at the drum set not even knowing the music seconds before we were supposed to play. It was quite the learning curve.
All in all, six hours at the theatre took all that I had not to break down, but how can I complain about a day like this?

March 15, 2010
A quasi off day in Downtown Columbia. Waking up to breakfast at sunrise, what to do with a day waiting for that 7pm call time? A nice run along the river at the aptly named Riverfront Park downtown. After a little lunch and The Devil Wears Prada, the waiting for the 7pm call time begins...
For lack of a better word, rough would be the way I would explain the run tonight. Trouble getting the voice over and lighting cues down seemed to happen. It's funny how we're two days away from opening night and we're not happy with the show. La Bamba was another rough patch, but I'm sure today will bring better rehearsals. When the time comes, the curtain is down, the murmur of the audience grows and the crew calls places, something will click and we'll kick it into gear.

March 16, 2010
Lounging around another day leading up to the penultimate rehearsal before our limited engagement takes the stage. After another bountiful breakfast, I set out around Columbia to take some artsy photos that can't be taken in Tampa.

The slow afternoon ended with a trip down dementia lane starring Vince Vaughn. Gus Van Sant's terrifying adaptation of Psycho.

It's strange to see Vince Vaughn in a non-comedic role. But that's what actors do. They take on characters outside of themselves.

The Calm Before the Storm.

The time has come. Our show is going on. It's time to cross our fingers, make a wish, hope for divine intervention, whatever it is we do, it's showtime.

March 17, 2010
With the ever rising prevalence of sports metaphors in our daily lexicon, it's Game day! Every performer, or athlete for the sake of metaphor, has their warm up routine. Mine? Nothing. I learned at a very young age that consistency creates results. I usually put the idea of hundreds of audience member scrutinizing my every word and move out of my head. Just relax and enjoy the afternoon. The day is upon us. A full year since we last did this. Let make it the best show we can.

And scene.

What a great night of performing. Given our Buddy Holly show is a small limited engagement, the word of mouth advertising we're hoping on is kind of late to the party. But, tonight's crowd was one of those quality over quantity evenings that remind you why we do what we do. The show went very well and ended with uproarious applause and accolades. It's always nice to end the evening over a drink and great company. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

March 18, 2010
Radio? We don't need a radio...
Well, whether we needed it or not, Charlie and I made a quick appearance on two radio stations this morning. If you were lucky enough to catch us, we played "Everyday" on Magic 98.5 WOMG, and NewsTalk 1320 WIS both in Columbia, SC.

Thanks to the crew on both stations for having us on. Hopefully, it'll help sell out the end of our run. As for the remainder of the day? I guess I'll join the conversation and fill out my bracket for the tournament.
Not to give too much away from behind the scenes, but I think it's safe to say Thursday's first act was less that stellar. Missed lines and blown cues were disheartening, but we made it through. Kudos to Charlie Duncan, our Buddy Holly, for holding the show together. I'd like to look back and say we could have made it through the show otherwise, but I'd be lying. Knowing we had a paying audience and only one more act to make their evening worthwhile, we worked out a game plan during the intermission and collectively decided to go back out their with guns blazing. Our most overtly comedic scene in act two was met with great laughter, so we knew we could pull out the remainder of the show. We ended the show in style as we always do. The musicians and I looked at each other and knew we pull it out. Three more shows to go...

March 19, 2010
Friday. Three more shows to go. Hoping to pack out each of the remaining shows and leave each one of the audience members thoroughly enjoying themselves.

What a Show! The Friday night crowd was treated to our best show yet. Very happy to have my parents make the 500 mile drive up to Columbia for a show. It's nice to have someone in the audience who you really hope enjoys the show more than anyone else.

Back on the road again. Driving up to Charlotte, NC tonight to pick up someone special at the airport. It's a bummer having to drive into another state to pick someone up from the airport, but all's well that ends well.

March 20, 2010

A day begins with so much promise.

Sleeping in with the blackout blinds, we had a solid seven hours to kill before heading to the theatre for another performance. That was, until I turned the key in the Element to no avail. Oh well, nothing like some car troubles to complete a road trip. Sorry Riverbanks Zoo, maybe next time.

Hey! Was that a crowd tonight or what! We didn't even get through the first song without having to pause our dialogue for applause. Let's hope Sunday is even better. It felt as if we couldn't do wrong. Even when we flub a line, somehow we pushed right through it and the audience loved it even more. It's too bad it's only a five show run. I could used to this.

March 21, 2010

The three C's for performing, and life for that matter: Cool, Calm and Collected. Today has brought the end of the run for Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story at Town Theatre in Columbia, SC. Thinking this could be my last time on the Town Theatre stage, I made sure to take some shots of the place for nostalgia, and blogging.

As I remember Sunday crowds being at Town Theatre, usually packed out, but not the most vocal. During the last scene of the show, I did my best to take in what I could from the stage. This is what I live for. Can't wait to get into it back in Tampa.

Lights out on the Buddy Holly Musical. Checked out of the hotel, packed up the drums in the Element, turned in my costumes, shook hands and said my goodbyes. On the road back to Tampa, and the grind. Thanks for letting me share something dear to my heart with you. Just remember it's never too late to try something new. I did. And now it may just be the missing piece I've been waiting for. What will yours be?

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boom!

Directed by Kari Goetz
Jobsite Theater
at the David A. Straz Center for Performing Arts
Tampa, FL
March 11, 2010



How would spend the last night on Earth?


Boom! Jobsite Theater strikes again! In what seems to be one successful show after another, the talented troupe of Jobsite Theater presents their latest production, boom!

boom! is a three character play presented in the intimately constructed Shimberg Playhouse at the David A. Straz Center for Performing Arts. The play centers around Jules and Jo as their potential one night stand eerily turns into post-apocalyptic survival. Spending most of his life studying sleep patterns of fish, Jules determines a comet colliding with Earth is imminent. In an attempt to recruit someone to help recreate humanity, Jules posts an ad for a steamy night of passion. Once locked inside Jo discovers this meet up might be longer than one night.

Along with Jules and Jo is Barbara, who keeps us informed during the show and throws switches like the Wizard of Oz himself. Every so often, Barbara momentarily stops the show to fill us in of what is lost in translation. Marine biologist Jules, and journalism student Jo banter back and forth about both of their fates. Jules, insisting that he has saved Jo from death, is only thanked by thousands of attempts to break down the door and leave.

Playing the role of the wrong place, wrong time woman, Geneva Rae (Jo), delivers sharp and crisp dialogue amidst the calamity between her and Jules. Combining physical comedy and complete despair in the same night is no easy task. Kudos. Never missing a beat or flubbing a line, Chris Holcom (Jules) portrays the "fish-whispering" marine biologist. Holcom, takes us for a ride as he solely drags us along for a misinterpreted night of passion that turns into a two to four year stay underground. Oblivious to Jo's wants and needs, Holcom presents the hapless protagonist flawlessly. Rounding out our cast is Summer Bohnenkamp-Jenkins portraying our Marge Simpson-esque narrator Barbara. Chiming in with her well timed anecdotes and clever use of the timpani, Barbara had me laughing every time the lights shined her way.

I sat in my seat enthralled by the perfectly executed juxtaposition of existentialism, impending death and great comic timing. boom! is a riotous, side-splitting look at polar opposites facing a similar plight. With a stage set up much like bomb shelter, I didn't quite know what to expect with the opening scene of pre-coital preparation. Once Jules begins explaining his purpose for contacting Jo that night, I knew I was in for a wild ride.

All in all, boom! is surely not to be missed. I can say without reservation that I have never laughed harder in the theatre. I was almost as if I was watching the Kids in the Hall. I had to stop myself to consider the themes expertly placed under the cloud of hilarity. If you're looking for a wonderful night of entertainment at the theatre, this is it. Please note, this is an show with situations.

boom! plays the Shimberg Playhouse at the David A. Straz Center for Performing Arts through March 28th. In talking with Jobsite's director David Jenkins, I was informed the first weekend was sold out a couple weeks before opening night. This show is sure to sell out it's run, so you better contact the Jobsite sooner rather than later.

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Music - the breakfast room at Staybridge Suites in Columbia, SC (and anberlin)

In the Heights...

In the Heights hits Orlando this week.



The smash Broadway musical continues it’s inaugural north American tour in Orlando this week.

After a momentous run Off-Broadway, In the Heights was moved to the Richard Rodgers Theatre and enjoyed a successful year complete with critical praise and Tony Awards galore. As the most talked about show in the 2008 Broadway season, it was only a matter of time before In the Heights packed up and took the show on the road.

If you haven’t seen this show, you will be in for quite a treat. In the Heights follows the story of a small community in the Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights. Our narrator, Usnavi, owns a mom and pop bodega next to a the Rosario’s gypsy cab business and the gossip centered salon.

Complete with high energy dances, musical mix of salsa, hip hop and show tunes, In the Heights will surely entertain audience member old and new. Be sure to get your tickets sooner rather than later for this limited one week run.

In the Heights plays the Bob Carr Centre for Performing Arts in Orlando, FL March 9th through the 14th, For ticket information, please click here.

Don’t forget to check back for full reviews and criticism. Be up to date by following us on twitter.

Wicked...

February 3rd - February 21st
David A. Straz Center for Performing Arts
Tampa, FL

As this musical begins, the company opens with the overture “No One Mourns the Wicked”. And if you were like me and got to see Wicked during it’s run in Tampa last month, you know no one mourns after seeing this wonderful production.

Wicked is a stage musical written by Broadway veteran Stephen Schwartz based on the best selling novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire. Wicked chronicles events taking place before what happens in the beloved film “The Wizard of Oz”. Before Dorothy and Toto dropped in, we learn about the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba after mistakenly being coupled together as roommates. We also met characters like the hopeless romantic Boq who only has eyes for Glinda, but is passed along to Elphaba's sister Nessarose. And no fairytale is complete without a prince charming type, and Fiyero enters stage right. Through song and prose, Wicked tells the story of friendship, love and social equality simply packaged as a wonderful evening at the theatre.

After the wildly popular and Tony Award winning run on Broadway, original cast members Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel set a very high bar for the lead roles of Glinda and Elphaba respectfully. In the 2010 national tour of Wicked, Chandra Lee Schwartz and Donna Vivino rose to the challenge and exceeded expectations. Schwartz’s portrayal leaves little to be desired thanks to the sometimes ditsy and clueless, but ultimately heartwarming nature of Glinda the Good. Showing a vocal range reaching into operatic soprano, I was amazed of the talent on stage from Schwartz. From the moment she steps on stage as the green skinned odd one out, Donna Vivino demands the attention of everyone in the audience as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Anytime Vivino began a song, I knew it was going to take my breath away. Richard H. Blake's performance of Fiyero leaves little to be desired as the heart throb of the show. Justin Brill and Brynn O'Malley support the leads as Boq and Nessarose. Their forced relationship is heartbreaking and only gives the name of the story that much more meaning.



(Donna Vivino and Chandra Lee Schwartz as Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked)

With a musical with so much hype before it ever makes it to the touring circuit, you know it’s going to be a fantastic night out. Sitting in the theatre and seeing the mechanical dragon adorned above the proscenium, I couldn’t wait for the curtain to rise and show to begin. With wonderful songs placed expertly in between the gripping story, Wicked is one of those guaranteed shows that you can’t say too much about. If I did have two complaints about the show, I would have to say that there was a hard time hearing some of the ensemble members during the songs with everyone together. Thanks to Paul Bilyeu and Tara McNamara, we were able to have wonderful seats, so I can’t give the excuse of bad seats for the auditory issues. My only other complaint is that the show was too short! Yes, hyperbolic I know, but I was having such a great time I was sad to see the curtain call.

All in all this was a professionally executed, top notch performance of one of the best musicals of our generation. I have to consider myself one of the audience members floored by “Defying Gravity” to end the first act. I looked over at my wonderful girlfriend and didn’t have much to say. With a timeless message of love, friendship and tolerance, Wicked proves it will be around for quite some time entertaining audiences old and new.

Wicked enjoyed an extremely popular run here in Tampa during the month of February. If you happened to miss the show while it was here, Wicked will be showing from March 3rd through the 21st at Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. And for those looking to make a trip up to the city that never sleeps, be sure to drop by the Gershwin Theatre where Wicked plays eight shows a week.

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Music of the Post: the get up kids