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!