Cleveland Movie!

Check it out!

www.clevelandiloveyoumovie.com. 

'Five Flights' is highly entertaining

'Five Flights' is highly entertaining

THEATER, BY HERB HAMMER

'Five Flights' is highly entertaining

Adam Bock has a habit of writing comedies that veer off in several directions. Take "Five Flights," now being staged by Convergence-Continuum at the Liminis on Scranton Road. While the main thrust of this highly successful play targets one puzzling problem, we find four characters doing a comedy routine while watching a ballet. There is even some business with two hockey players taking a shower together.

Surely Mr. Bock reaches his target audience -- those who find quirky, off-the-wall plays to be just terrific. Playgoers who require constant hand-holding need not bother.

In the beginning, Ed, the middle-aged son of his recently deceased father, gives us a taste of what is going on. His bland monologue gets things going.

It isn't long before we learn what eats at this family. Siblings Ed, Adele and Bobby have a decision to make. They have to decide what to do with the house-sized, decaying aviary built by their father for their long-dead mother.

It is Olivia, an eccentric paint store clerk, who drives the plot forward.

Olivia, Adele's closer-than-close best friend, wants to turn the aviary into her Church of the Fifth Day. According to Olivia, who reads from the Bible, God created birds on the fifth day. She runs the No. 5 up and down to make her point.

The reason for building the aviary in the first place is important. It seems, during the funeral of his wife, the grief-stricken father found that a wren had landed on his shoulder. Certainly, this was his reincarnated wife. So why not build an aviary?

While the nutty characters bob and weave over one problem, brother Ed falls in love with Tom, one of the hockey players. Their kissing scenes are more comical than romantic.

Though Olivia's religious plans are but the dream of a woman trapped in a low-paying job with a Visa bill she can't keep up with, it draws in Ed and the hockey-playing, ballet-loving Tom, as well as Adele. But you know Adam Bock won't let this happen.

The six actors pull all of this off with great skill. Everyone gets a chance to be a bit nutty. The sanest is Bobby, the brother we never see but is only talked about. It's as though he didn't want to get involved.

Director Clyde Simon keeps the action going its bumpy way, obviously having the time of his life. He also has created a fascinating set. At one end of the stage, there is a wall of the crumbling aviary attracting constant attention.

"Five Flights," originally done as an hour-and-a-half one-act, has been split in two with a 10-minute intermission. A wise move. It takes those extra few minutes to absorb the first half before taking on the second.

Religion, passion, the ballet, bird worship and more collapse into 90 minutes of high-speed theater. It's a good time. Call 216-687-0074 for tickets.

THE MIRACLE AT NAPLES, NOW ONSTAGE AT CONVERGENCE-CONTINUUM

"...a thumping tangle of spirited fun."  "...does a spanking job of turning raunchy into rollicking."  "...a ribald pleasure hunt."  (Christine Howey, Plain Dealer)

"...very funny stuff indeed."  "...very well written, very well designed, and very well performed. It is also very well directed." "The Miracle at Naples is a romp, pure and simple."  (Bob Abelman, News-Herald)

"From its very first line, "To hell with my virginity!" to its
obvious happily ever-after ending, convergence continuum's THE MIRACLE AT
NAPLES is raunchy, ribald and funny.  It is definitely recommended for mature audiences who are looking for summer entertainment and aren't uptight."  (Roy Berko, The Times Newspapers, coolcleveland.com)

Read Christine Howey's full PD review at http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2011/07/convergence-continuums_miracle.htmland Roy Berko's at http://royberko.info/

The Miracle at Naples is an outrageously smart and bawdy commedia
dell'arte-inspired sex farce about traveling players who land in Naples in
the autumn of 1580 at the time of the annual miracle of San Gennaro, when the rag-tag band of actors and the locals they encounter entangle themselves in a wildly hilarious mire of erotic and sexual confusions.

The Miracle at Naples runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm at the Liminis, 2438 Scranton Rd., Cleveland 44113 in the historic Tremont neighborhood.  General admission $15, Seniors (65+) $12, Students $10. Reservations athttp://www.convergence-continuum.org or call 216-687-0074.

Miraculous

So far rehearsals have been great and am looking forward to opening night.  I ran sound and lights by myself last night and I think it went pretty well!  Its the first time I've used either program, but other than finessing a few things, I think I am in good shape!

Press or Final Dress is tomorrow night- so we will have an audience then!

AWESOME! It is such a great group of people and I am excited that they welcomed me in!

 THE MIRACLE AT NAPLES

by David Grimm
directed by Geoffrey Hoffman
July 1 - 23

A wild and bawdy comic romp when a rude and lewd commedia dell arte troupe descends upon the locals in the piazza of 1580 Naples!

for tickets and more info go to:

www.convergence-continuum.org

What's Going On!?

So- it's been a long time since I posted anything and with all that's been going on it is no wonder! So I thought I would do some catching up today!
After moving to Cleveland in December I have been concentrating on doing Voice Overs and trying to find a part time job.  But also I was trying to find a new theatre group (s) to hang out with.  Well- I found one so far!
I am currently serving as Stage Manager for the convergence continuum Theatre.  We are in production for Miracle at Naples.  I really like their approach to theatre pieces that aren't quite so "mainstream".  I have met some wonderful talent thus far and hope to continue to network.  Perhaps soon (dare I say) I might be directing or onstage here in the Cleveland area.  Fingers crossed!

The Iliad.......

I am in rehearsals for:

The Iliad, The Odyssey and All of Greek Mythology in 99 minutes or Less.

 

Whew!  It is very fast paced and quite a workout!

 

More info:

 

by Jay Hopkins & John Hunter

Produced through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Directed by Jennifer Wertz

April 29, 30, May 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 2010

With a simple stage, a ticking clock in front of everyone's eyes and a cast that speeds through all of Greek Mythology in lightning bolt fashion, you have the "Cliff Notes" of everything you've ever wanted to know about Greek Mythology in 99 minutes...or less.  All the silly decisions, the absurd destinies, plus all of the goofy characters are presented in a funny, updated and easy to understand way.  You just need to hang onto your seats! 

 

Harlequins Community Theatre
414 Wayne Street, Rear
Sandusky, OH 44870-1582
ph: 419-621-1311 (Reservation Phone)

"Boston Marriage"

Just to keep you in the loop: The set construction has begun and blocking is finished! whew! Now we get to concentrate on the fun stuff!

The show is proving to be hilarious even in rehearsals. Jen, Cindy, Ron and I crack up at one thing or another with the turn of every page.