Blog

from Lynn Baber, Artistic Administrator

I had no idea.

One of my jobs at Northlight is to cast the understudies.  I also cast the shows, but I do that in collaboration with the directors, and since we work so closely on doing it together, it doesn’t really feel like I can take credit for it.  But understudy casting is largely my own.

In the past few years we have definitely put understudies on.  Scott Westerman went on in Michael Shannon’s role in Lady (a 3-character play) with only twelve hours’ notice.  Tim Gittings went on in the title role of The Miser several times.  The understudy for the role of Joe Kennedy/Jerry in Grey Gardens did the last five  performances.  So, I try to really know what’s going on with the understudies.

I was surprised over the weekend to learn that the understudies for The Marvelous Wonderettes are actually doing the show in the green room while the show is going on onstage!  Both Maris Hudson and Mary Candler are covering three of the Wonderettes’ roles.  We did it that way in the event that if any two of the actresses are ever sick at the same time, they will both be covered.

Here’s what I saw in the green room (actors’ lounge area) during the matinee last week:  there’s a monitor that is showing what is happening onstage and both Maris and Mary are up on their feet, facing it as the second act begins.

Maris:  “Are you doing Missy or Betty Jean now?”
Mary:  “I’m Missy until Suzy comes on, and then I’ll be Suzy”
Maris:  “OK.  I’m Betty Jean now.  Tonight I’ll be Missy.”
Mary:  “OK.  Tonight I’ll be Cindy Lou.”

Mary Candler (L) and Maris Hudson (R) wait in position, ready to "perform" Act II.

And then they actually sing and dance one of their roles while watching it on the monitor.  Who knew?

I simply can’t imagine how difficult is for each of these two young women to learn not one,  but three of these roles.  There’s different choreography for each character, and complex part-singing!  Maris knows the highest vocal part and the lowest.  Mary says there’s one song in one track where she just has to come in and get her note out of the clear blue sky.  They frequently mention how they have NO IDEA how they can keep all this in their heads.  I am in full agreement ~ and full of admiration for the depth of skill that they have brought to this monumental task!  I knew it was an important and difficult task.

But, really, I had no idea.

Maris and Mary on Opening Night

from Laura Taylor (Missy, The Marvelous Wonderettes)

Tech is… fun!

Yesterday marked the beginning of tech for The Marvelous Wonderettes!  For those of you who haven’t heard that term, tech (or technical rehearsals), is the part of our rehearsal process when we hit the stage and get to see what all of our designers have been up to.  We get to play on our set, and add sound, lights, props, wigs and costumes!

It’s wonderful for me because, no matter how much character work I have done earlier, this is the time when I get to feel what it is like to be at a prom, in a high school gym during the 1950s, wearing a fabulous period dress and wig!  For me this is the time of becoming.  Things settle in.  Missy is now a real person, because she has an environment to live in.

While these days are typically very long, they are some of the most rewarding.  It’s always amazing for me to see just how many people are involved in the creative process of putting up a show, and every single part is vital to producing a show that we can all be proud of.  I have to say, that the caring group of people assembled here at Northlight Theatre is just incredible!  This is going to be, quite simply, a “Marvelous” production, and I can’t wait to add the final layer of our show - you guys!  Previews start September 17th.  See you soon!

from Cat Davis (Suzy, The Marvelous Wonderettes)

Hello! Cat Davis here, a.k.a. your very own Suzy Simpson.

I am SO excited to be part of bringing this show to life in Chicago.  I’m from Chicago originally, but recently moved to New York City.  Over the summer, I had a chance to see the show Off-Broadway and I have to say, I had a “Marvelous” time!  Preparing for rehearsals myself, it was great to feel the electricity between the performers on stage and the rest of the audience, and get a little idea of the dynamics between the characters.

Suzy Simpson is your blue-eyed, blonde haired, bubble gum blowing, always optimistic girl-next-door.  I’m having so much fun bringing her to life that sometimes in rehearsal I start speaking like her even when we’re on breaks!   I guess that is part of the fun of being an actress, though… that you get to bring part of yourself to each character you play, and that a part of the character you’re playing rubs off on you as well.

I can’t wait to start performing for you all, and spreading a little of my Suzy sunshine all around Chicago!

Sincerely yours,

Cat

from BJ Jones, Artistic Director

As the summer draws to a close, I have been lucky enough to travel a bit to see some wonderful theatre.  The question that has arisen about theatre since the nadir of the recession in February and March has been, “why theatre, why now?”  My evenings in the cooled air of these summer evenings have provided me the answer.  Theatre is inevitable, indomitable, and a collective comfort through communal celebration of our humanity.

A wonderful weekend at American Players Theatre (in Spring Green, Wisconsin) went from a production of Comedy of Errors which was not only funny but surprisingly touching, to a terrific ensemble all pulling double and triple duty in a lean and efficient Henry V. I was taken by the sense of propriety their audience has for their beautiful theatre.  Climbing the hill, they know the plays, they treasure the players, they cherish the ritual of the journey to this charming theatre in the woods.

At the Guthrie (in Minneapolis), an ensemble of veterans who worked with the great Tyrone Guthrie when he began the theatre expertly and effortlessly refreshed a near forgotten JB Priestly play, When We Are Married, and connected with a full house of Guthrie regulars.  The Guthrie has, for decades, re-awakened work that, through rich language and stunning imagery reminds us of our resiliency as a people and our common journey.  Those actors, whose careers have been fostered by and intertwined with the Guthrie, have built a relationship with that audience that makes the evening more profound and powerful by the accumulation of time. READ MORE