Blog

from Lynn Baber, Artistic Administrator

OK, it’s ridiculous (in a really good way) around here.

The extension week of THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES is going ridiculously well.  The cast was on WGN last week, so the remaining tickets are being sold very quickly.  (There’s still time! You have 7 more chances to see it!)   We had a student matinee yesterday to a full and incredibly responsive house of young people  - theatre classes from Loyola Academy and Libertyville High School, and ALL of the students from Springman Middle School.   This production has been a big hit with our audience and we are a little sad to see it close.

Yesterday we also had our first rehearsal of the ridiculously funny and touching SOUVENIR.   The two actors came to the first reading having already done fabulous character work on their own.   You know you’re on the right track when the people in the room (like me, BJ and the interns) are gasping with laughter at the first read-through.

BJ Jones and Randy Myler, director and co-creator of Low Down Dirty Blues

Before that, BJ and I just got back from a ridiculously fun and exciting trip to New York.  We flew in to see the first draft of LOW DOWN DIRTY BLUES in rehearsal and a concert performance.  Northlight favorite, Mississippi Charles Bevel, predictably brings down the house with a kind of blues singing that comes straight out of his soul.  The other musicians, all hotshots, were equally compelling and talented.  This show is going to blow the roof off.  (Other highlights of the trip included shopping for purses on Canal Street and finding the best gelato in New York.)

And the production of THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS that BJ directed at Cherry Lane Theatre in New York, starring Judith Ivey, is just as wonderful as it was when we produced it at Northlight.   Judy is ridiculously amazing in her spot-on portrayal of Chicago’s Ann Landers.  The reviews are fantastic, and we are so proud of BJ for having directed this off-Broadway hit.

Really, I could go on and on. But I have work to do.  There are understudies to cast, readings to produce, details to finalize, etc.  It’s just a ridiculously fabulous fall at Northlight.  You don’t want to miss a thing.  See you at the theatre - soon!

from BJ Jones

Larry Gelbart passed away on September 11, 2009.  He was a friend of mine and all here at Northlight, and was the author of the semi-autobiographical play Better Late, which he penned with the help of Craig Wright (and which went on to become the highest grossing play in Northlight’s history).

I’ve been thinking about Larry since he passed away.   I spoke with him last on the 4th of July weekend after reading in the NY Times of a famous actress who wanted someone to write a play for her.   She was notoriously outrageous and when I mentioned contacting her and writing a play for her, he said he would think about it.   “She’s quite a handful, you know, Beej.”   I said that I knew that, and told him handling handfuls was my specialty, and he laughed at that.

I asked him how he was and he said getting old was hard.   I thought there was something in the comment but I didn’t want to press further.   We chatted a bit, he inquired after my wife Candy and all here at Northlight.   We closed on a quip - he was the quickest witted man I know and even at 81, he always left you on a laugh.   I told him I missed him and he returned the compliment. READ MORE

After a frantic week of write-in nominations, we have our ballot for Best 1950s Song, Worst 1950s Song, Best Artist and Celebrity Crush (Male and Female). Check out the nominees below, then vote for your favorite. We’ll announce the winners on closing night of The Marvelous Wonderettes (Sunday, November 1, 2009)!

Based on your nominations, here are the finalists:

Best 1950s Song
A hard fought category, with more than 50 songs suggested!  (three of which also received votes for Worst Song - you just can’t please everyone!)

In the Still of the Night The Five Satins
Only You The Platters
Rock Around the Clock Bill Haley and the Comets
Unchained Melody Roy Hamilton (the Righteous Brothers version was not released until 1965, and does not qualify)

Worst 1950s Song
There were a few clear frontrunners in this category.

Doggie in the Window Patti Page
Sh-Boom The Chords (this song also received votes for Best Song)
Purple People Eater Sheb Wooley
Sea Cruise Frankie Ford

Favorite 1950s Artist
This category had a definite leader, though we won’t tell you who it was - you’ll have to vote!

Chuck Berry
Bobby Darin
Doris Day
Buddy Holly
Elvis Presley

Celebrity Crush - Male

Sam Cooke
Troy Donahue
Ricky Nelson
Elvis Presley
Johnny Ray

Celebrity Crush - Female

Sandra Dee
Annette Funicello
Rita Hayworth
Marilyn Monroe

Vote for your favorites now - only two weeks left!

A show like The Marvelous Wonderettes makes us all feel a bit nostalgic for days gone by.   So we’ve been discussing our 1950s favorites (and our not-so-favorites) around the office.   Here’s what’s “topping the charts” so far, from our unofficial staff poll and The Wonderettes themselves:

Favorite  Song
Northlight: “Mack the Knife,” “In the Still of the Night,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Walk the Line”
Cindy Lou: “Dream Lover”
Missy: “Teacher’s Pet”
Suzy: “Stupid Cupid”
Betty Jean: “Lollipop”  (only because I get to make the “pop” noise)

Favorite Musical Artist
Northlight: Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, The McGuire Sisters
Cindy Lou: Elvis Presley
Missy: Perry Como
Suzy: Bill Haley and His Comets
Betty Jean: Rosemary Clooney

Celebrity Crush
Northlight: Marlon Brando, Audrey Hepburn, Bettie Page, Frank Sinatra
Cindy Lou: James Dean
Missy: Jimmy Stewart
Suzy: Gene Kelly or Tony Curtis
Betty Jean: Humphrey Bogart

Worst Song
Northlight: “Teen Angel” (I’ll never kiss your lips again/They buried you today.), “Lollipop,” “That Doggie in the Window,” “Flying Purple People Eater,” “Love Potion #9″
Missy: My mother always said, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”  On behalf of the group, I respectfully decline to answer this question.

We want to hear YOUR favorites. If you haven’t already, share them with us here.  Then check back in the coming weeks and we’ll be sure to post the results!

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

from Tempe Thomas (Betty Jean, The Marvelous Wonderettes)

We start Tuesday!  I’m so excited! Going into a rehearsal process you always worry about making the best use of the time you have in that rehearsal room, since our job is to give a closing night performance on opening (Carol Channing said that in her autobiography– lady knew what she was talking about).  By that she means, it’s easy to get to know your character and how she feels about everything that happens after doing the play a thousand times; the trick is to figure out as much of that as possible during rehearsal.   To help myself, I’m re-reading the script and making notes, I’m working with my voice teacher Jen Loftus on my solo songs, and I’m watching some I Love Lucy.  That’s right.  My job is pretty awesome.

I will say the hardest thing about this show will be tackling these songs that everybody’s heard a thousand times and feeling them all over again.  My character sings “It’s My Party,” which I’ve heard so much it’s easy to forget what Lesley Gore is singing about.  And I get to decide how I want to sing it this time around, listening to the Lesley Gore recording, as well as The Marvelous Wonderettes original cast recording.  What is she saying?  When is she repeating what she’s already said?  Why?  Not that I have all the answers to these questions going in, but part of my job is figuring out what to ask in the first place.

And now I’m heading out the door to go over to Dina’s (Cindy Lou) to watch Beach Blanket Bingo and Love Me Tender with the girls.  Dina’s cooking up some 50s finger foods, and we’ll use the night to do important research… and by that I mean get to know each other and get excited about Tuesday.  Did I mention my job was awesome?

from Dina DiCostanzo, (Cindy Lou, The Marvelous Wonderettes)

Girls dancing in bikinis, smooching on the beach, singing by the fire roasting weenies…  Who knew Beach Blanket Bingo was so risque?!

The Wonderettes all came over to my place tonight for a pre-rehearsal fun get together.  We snacked/gorged ourselves on both cucumber and curry chicken salad tea sandwiches, crudites (well, carrots), deviled eggs, Black Cows, and…the surprise hit of the night…strawberry pretzel jello!  All was delicious.

Strawberry pretzel jello, Black Cows, and show research!

Ok, Beach Blanket Bingo is so bad it’s good.  You know?  The sound effects are bad, the editing is bad, the acting is bad…but it’s so hilarious you can’t help but love it!  BBB was released in 1965, right in the middle of the time periods when The Marvelous Wonderettes takes place,1958 and 1968.  It was fun to see what the “kids” were wearing, what kind of music they were listening to and how they talked.  There was a song sung by Donna Loren called “It Only Hurts When I Cry” (sung at the weenie roast - random!) which reminded me of the song “Maybe” in MW.  I think tonight not only put us in 50s/60s mode but also helped us get a head start on creating chemistry as a foursome.

Good times tonight…looking forward to more!

A self-portrait of the "Fabulous Four"