One Down...

Two Gents is all over!  We had an excellent run--great audiences, good reviews, packed houses, and no rain.  We didn't even come close to losing a show due to weather.  And now that Two Gents is all wrapped up, we are diving into Hamlet.

We started rehearsals for Hamlet the day after Two Gents opened.  This coming weekend is opening night, and just yesterday we had our 10 out of 12 rehearsal.  (We go from noon to midnight with a two hour dinner break.  It's a lot of work!)  But its worth it to see how far along we've really come in the last two weeks.  We saw lights and costumes for the first time and worked through the entire show twice.  All in all, it was very productive.

Most of the Two Gents cast is back for Hamlet, with a few exceptions and additions.  Check out our official website for everyone's official company bio.

Amazingly enough, I Hate Hamlet rehearsals will start tomorrow as well!  We certainly keep ourselves busy all day long at OSF.

Andrew Cruse and Terry Burgler did a radio spot today on WCPN Cleveland Public Radio, promoting Hamlet and I Hate Hamlet.  They read the Polonius and Hamlet "fishmonger" scene and a piece from I Hate Hamlet where John Barrymore's ghost makes his paranormal presence known to a disillusioned TV actor.

More updates to come as opening night draws nearer...

It's Only Tree Rain

Opening night is tomorrow! As I write this, at 5:30 on Preview Night, it is of course raining. And truthfully, I'm not even a little bit worried. For starters, if we worried every time it rained we would have gone crazy 100 times over by now. But it never seems to rain like this once 8:00 hits. In OSF's six seasons, we've canceled only 1 complete performance due to rain. (Closing night of Tempest--we literally got a tempest.) It seems like Terry has some kind of pact with the gods; it can be thundering at 7:30 and be beautiful by 8:00. I've seen it happen countless times.

So don't let any rain scare you away. We have not missed a single rehearsal this week. We surely don't plan on having a wet opening!

Can't wait to see you all on Friday.

OSF Takes Off on Friday!

Opening night is only two days away! I can't believe we're opening our first show already. Two Gents is looking pretty amazing; I've never seen a production quite like ours, and I really like some of the choices we've made. Can't wait to get it up in front of an audience so we can hear some new laughter.

The Greenshow is one of the best I think we've ever had. That bunch is not only comitted to making the Greenshow the best it can be--every single person in it is incredibly talented. Each cast memeber has added something totally new and special to the show. I know our picnic-ers will be very happy with their pre-show entertainment. And I'm very proud of the cast, and grateful for their hard work and great colaboration.

And I think the music this year is stellar overall. Ryan Downey has rejoined us this year as music director. He's made some original music and brought back old favorites for the greenshow and the mainstage performance. Be sure to listen for it all!

Don't forget, there is a preview performance this Thursday night for a discounted price. Check the Ohio Shakespeare Festival website for extra info. Hope to see everyone on Friday!

It Begins!

The seasons offically began last night at 7:00. We had our first rehearsal: a readthrough of Two Gents. It was very funny, and I can just tell everyones going to have fun with this show. It was great seeing a lot of familar faces again. Back with us this year are:

Ernie Gonzalos (Speed)
Andy Nagraj (Valentine)
Lara Meilcarek (Julia)
Andrew Cruse (Proteus)
Tim Champion (Launce)
Tom Stephan (Eglemour)
Tess Burgler (Lucetta)
Michelle Owen (Stage Mangaer)
Buddy Taylor (Lighting Design)
Damien Baeslack (Outlaw)
Ryan Downey (Antonio, Outlaw)
Hannah Brady (Musician)
Ben Fortin (Ensemble)
Jordan Wolff (Panthino)
Dane Lee (Outlaw)
Alex Nine (Duke)



New faces include:

Katy DeBoer (Sylvia)
Richard Worswick (Thurio)
Greg Bealer(Outlaw)



The beginings of the set have been constructed, thanks to Buddy Taylor and Daniel Taylor's hard work out in the heat. The stage is just where it was last year. This is the first year we've kept the stage in the same place. I've always kind of liked how we switch up the location every year. But the decision to stay put this time made a lot of sense. It is very convient in terms of backstage access; it allows for more audience seating; its nice and big; and most importantly, the stage is in shade during the afternoons when we rehearse. I can't tell you how painful it is to stand in the direct sun for hours! So we've got a win-win situation now.



Keep checking back for more updates as we get further and further along in the rehearsal process!

Work Work Work

You'd think that before rehearsals start, there's not a lot to do.  Wrong!  This is when we get the hard stuff out of the way.  Moving furniture into the actor house, pulling a ba-gillion things from storage, writing grants... Not that is gets much easier when the season starts, but it sure gets more fun.

One thing I am especially excited about this year is all our returning case members.  Since year one, we've had a core company who comes back every season to play lead roles.  And we've had new faces each year, completing the rest of the cast.  This year, however, is one of the first times a lot of people, who played smaller roles last summer, are coming back for more.  We definitely have some new faces to welcome, but I'm so excited to have everyone back.  Makes it feel more like a company.

I'm not suppose to post anything official yet, but I will say this: Terry and Nancy have chock-full schedules this coming winter.  I was just talking to Nancy, and between the two of them, they are doing 7 plus shows.  And many will be OSF produced.  Can't say when, where, or what!  But everyone should keep their eyes peeled for news of OSF's first winter season.

And I just finished writing the Greenshow parody.  Funny new stuff for this year's pre-show!(For those of you who don't know yet, the Greenshow performs at 7:30.  Singing, dancing, skits, sword fights, and good fun in general to set up the Shakespeare mood.  Bring a picnic to Stan Hywet, and let us entertain you!) 

Anyone have anything specific they'd like to see in this year's Greenshow?  Let's hear it!

Getting Started

A whole lot of OSF preparation has been going on this past month.  Final casting, hiring designers, not to mention a huge new storage unit that was just built in my backyard.  (Looks like we have a horse barn out there now.  Little do the neighbors know it's filled with Renaissance clothes, swords, fake flowers, skulls, lanterns, and the like.  Perhaps it's good they don't know--it might creep them out!)  Rehearsals will start in June, but Terry Burgler is heading out to Chicago this weekend to do some table work with Ernie Gonzalos and Andrew Cruse (Speed and Hamlet).  I wish I could go along--I've never seen Chicago.  But alas, I am stuck working as a server here in Kent.

Speaking of the Cruses, we must all send a big congratulations out the Andrew and Amy Cruse who just had their first child: a very healthy boy named Owen!  I can't wait to meet him this summer.  And a very belated congrats also to Joy and Jason Marr on their daughter Sabrina, born this winter.  

While all this OSF preliminary stuff is going on, Terry is also directing the musical Ragtime over at Weathervane Playhouse.  The show will open early June.  More updates to come!

And remember OSF company members--if you want an update posted on this blog (a show you want to plug, new babies, anything!) just e-mail me at tburgler09@wooster.edu 

Summer's on its way...

...okay, maybe not quite yet.  But it is getting warmer 'round these parts and that always makes me excited.  Warmer weather signals excellent things on the horizon: swapping winter clothes for spring gear, school's almost over (for me at least!), and playing outside becomes once again possible.  But the best part about my summers?  You guessed it: OSF!

I can never wait for our new seasons to begin.  Whether I'm part of the company or not, the OSF summer season is always the most fun I have all year.  (Compared to college in cow-town, its not hard to beat!)  First rehearsals, opening nights, Fridays at our favorite local bar, the Noisy Oyster...I can't imagine any summer without these things.  It's not all fun and games, of course.  (Strike?  Uugh.  Tech rehearsal?  Drag.  Seeing Buddy everyday?  Just kidding!)  But I think the fun the OSF company has with each other really sets us apart from other companies.  I'm sure you veteran audience members have noticed familiar faces each season.  We absolutely reuse the same talented actors.  But we really LIKE them, too!  It's such a fun community to be in.  And we love sharing that with our audiences.

Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to wait all year for summer to come around?  Hmm...just maybe OSF will branch out soon!  But don't worry--we won't expect any audiences to sit outside at Stan Hywet in the snow.  We'll only make you sit there in the rain.

Auditions for OSF's 2008 Summer Season

As I'm sure you've already noticed on our official website,  the second batch of auditions for OSF's 2008 summer season are scheduled for this Saturday, April 5 beginning at noon.  Now, this next part is important: if you want to schedule an audition time, you must e-mail us at ohioshakespeare@aol.com for an appointment.  We'll give you directions on how to get into Stan Hywet (front gates will be closed).  Please include a phone number where we can reach you.

You wouldn't believe how hard those directions are to follow for some people!  But please make sure you do it, because we very much want to see everyone who wants to audition.

Hope to see you there.  Any miscellaneous questions can be posted here by clicking on the "comments" link below!

One More for Daisy

Driving Miss Daisy got another excellent review!  This coming weekend marks closing night, so if you haven't yet seen this charming show, get your tickets now.  

Hope to see you there!

Miss Daisy Worth the Drive!

Last night, I caught the opening performance of Driving Miss Daisy at the Coach House Theatre.  (For more show info, check out the March 6 blog.)  There are several company members involved in the production, including Artistic Director Nancy Cates (director) and former company member Maureen Johnson (Daisy).  The show is short and sweet--and it'll just charm the pants right off you!  (Well, hopefully not literally.)

Most people are familiar with the story from the Oscar winning movie.  But I went in innocent of it last night.  And I absolutely fell in love with it.  I wasn't alone either.  Few audience members left the theatre with dry eyes, either from laughing at the fun and witty dialogue or the charmingly sad story.  In my case, it was both.

There is no other way to phrase it: The cast is STELLAR.  The performances will blow you away.  The acting trio will make you love them.  

My favorite moment of last night?  When the entire audience "awwwed" in unison at Miss Daisy as she said, "Hoke, you are my best friend."  I mean, how often does that happen?  The intimate atmosphere of the theatre really makes it a communal experience.  We all enjoyed the show together.  That doesn't always happen at bigger venues, and I think that's a shame!

Hands down, you should see this show.  Any questions?  Did you see the show yourself?  What did you think?  Leave a comment!

P.S. Kerry Clawson agrees with me in her review!

Two Taylors Make Music

Ohio Shakespeare Festival company members Daniel Taylor and Buddy Taylor (no relation!) achieved some national recognition earlier this month.  Daniel, one of the head music directors for OSF, wrote the original music for Gallaudet University's production of Goya: en la Quenta del Sordo.  Buddy, OSF's sound and lighting director, helped with the recording and engineering.  The show went to the Kennedy Center's American College Theatre Festival and featured Daniel and Buddy's music all the way to the finals.  

Daniel also recently composed the eerily excellent music for Actor Summit's production of Macbeth.  He also played Lennox.  (Artistic Director Terry Burgler worked alongside Taylor at this production, playing Duncan, the Porter, and the Doctor.)

Buddy and Daniel also just completed the sound direction for a small touring show at Gallaudet, and are currently working on music and sound for Agamemnon, also at Gallaudet.

Ohio Shakespeare is very proud to have this musically talented duo!  Come see us this summer to hear more from The Taylor (no relation) Boys!

Driving Miss Daisy

Currently in rehearsal is OSF Artistic Director Nancy Cates' production of Driving Miss Daisy.  The show will be performed at the Coach House Theatre in Akron, opening March 13, 2008.  It will close March 30.

Director Nancy Cates has directed a number of shows at the Coach House Theatre.  This fall she directed Oh, Coward! with OSF company members Timothy Champion, Lisa Marie Schueller, and Scott Shriner.  In 2007, she directed the very popular Hay Fever there as well.  Driving Miss Daisy will be the third time Cates has worked with Coach House.

Cates is very excited about the production and absolutely raves about her cast.  "They are a fun group to work with," she says.  "I think its going to be a really charming show."  

The stellar cast includes former OSF company member Maureen Johnson as Miss Daisy, Marvin L. Mallory as Hoke, and Richard Worswick as Boolie.  

Reserve your tickets by calling Coach House Theatre Box office:  330-434-7741

You may also visit www.coachhousetheatre.org for more information.

Any more questions?  Leave a comment and I'll get back to you!

Welcome Friends, Romans and Countrymen!

Welcome to the official blog for the Ohio Shakespeare Festival!  This weekly blog will keep you updated with all the goings on at OSF.  Here you will find):

Show and audition announcements

Dates and special events

Reviews and Awards

Updates on show progess

Answers to your questions

Opinion polls

We hope you use this blog as a way to keep in touch with the Festival in the on and off seasons.  Your blogger, Tess Burgler (a company member) will give you an inside account of the goings on during rehearsals, keep you up to date with OSF events, and share with you what OSF company members are up to in other places.  Please check out our opinion polls--we'd love to know what you are thinking.  And go ahead and leave comments by clicking the "comments" link at the bottom of each post.

Put this blog on your favorites list, and keep checking back for regular updates.

Until then, fare thee well!