Festival of Fun

The dictionary defines a festival as a period or program of festive activities, cultural events or entertainment. If it's a festive activity you seek that is cultural and entertaining, then look no further, Playhouse on Park presents The 24-Hour Playwriting Festival.

You're intrigued, I know, I see you sitting there wearing your whimsical smile of curiosity. By the way, you look marvelous! Okay, here's the deal, A group of ambitious individuals assembles at the performance venue exactly 24 hours prior to show time. The eager artists are randomly put in to to groups consisting of a playwright, director and actors. They spend some time getting to know each other and begin to formulate a plot for their play.

When I stopped by the playhouse tonight, each of our four groups had been selected and were seated at various locations throughout the playhouse. After their initial meeting, people new to the playhouse were given a tour of the stage by their directors. at 9:00PM festival organizer Dawn Loveland dismissed the actors and directors and helped set up writing stations for the playwrights, who will spend the night writing the play.

At 8:00AM the actors and directors return, hopefully having already been e-mailed a copy of the script by the playwright, who should be home sleeping. Hopefully not to find the playwright curled up in the fetal position on the floor muttering to themselves, although that would make a hilarious concept for a short play.

The actors and directors begin to rehearse the play first thing.  Early afternoon, the playwrights will return to help the others produce the show in any number of ways, including locating props and costumes. The group will work through the afternoon to bring the shows together. Each group will get one hour in the theater to tech their show i.e. work out lighting and sound issues. Once all the elements come together, the only issues will be the ones you'll see on stage.

Come see the results of their hard work on Saturday, August 4th at 8:00PM. General admission seats are just $10.00. Or by calling the playhouse box office at 860-523-5900 x10.

Here are the names and titles for each of our four groups:

Group A

Playwright - Jacques Lamarre

Director - Carolyn Cumming

Cast - Robyn Belt, Thomas Doelger, Amanda Forker, Susan Rattigan

Group B

Playwright - Peython Echelson Russell

Director - Tasya Albert

Cast - Hillary Ekwall, Denise Walker, Ginny Wolf

Group C

Playwright - Terri Klein

Director - Helena Morris

Cast - Annie Coursey, Aaron Petre, Laurel White

Group D

Playwright - Matt Macca

Director - Becky Beth Benedict

Cast - Molly Cook, Will Matus, Charles Merils

Hot Summer Nights

Let's face it, this summer is hot. Soaring temperatures have us all seeking cooler climates. I'm no meteorologist, but I predict that this summer is going to get even hotter, but it's cool.  Playhouse on Park has, so far planned eight hot one night events that you are sure to enjoy, all from the comfort of our cool venue. All of our varied events begin at 7:30 and cost a mere $10.00. For just $40.00 you can attend all eight.


***Drum roll please***


And now, without further ado, here are the events:

Saturday, August 4th

24-Hour Playwriting Festival - Final Performance

This diabolical hostage plot puts a bunch of starving artists together in one room, (playwrights, directors and actors) and forces them to write scripts, direct them and act in them, all in just twenty four hours. Don't worry about us, we'll have Red Bull and 5-Hour Energy fed to us intravenously.

Sunday, August 5th

Dance Party

Twist and Shout the night away. Wave your hands in the air, shake your derriere, move 'em around like you just don't care. We'll be playing songs from every generation. You may even learn some new dance steps.

Monday, August 6th

Game Night

This is a favorite pastime among me and my friends. We regularly meet up and team up in friendly competitions. I'll bet you do the same thing. So join us at the playhouse as game night goes big time!

Tuesday, August 7th

Open Mic Night

You provide your talent, we provide the audience. We're looking for singers, song writers, musicians, comedians, poets, and dancers to strut their stuff. Piano and accompanist will be hand.  Come to perform or just watch.

Wednesday, August 8th

An Evening with Hillary, Carolyn and Friends

You've seen them at Falcetti Fridays, Main Stage Mondays at A.C. Petersens and in many of our productions. Now watch these talented ladies belt out a variety of songs.  They'll be joined their equally talented friends.

Thursday, August 9th

Fashion Show and Jewelry Sale

A special collaboration with Vice Versa Boutique showcasing the latest in contemporary fashion for women. Also, don't miss Vice Versa highlighting their line of clothing for dogs and t-shirts for boys. Visit our lobby before and after the show and shop at our Stella and Dot Trunk Show.

Friday, August 10th

Improv at the Playhouse

Improv master Rich Hollman will lead chosen audience members, in game show format through a series of games and issue points. By the end of the night, he'll crown a winner. Rich is seen regularly at the PIT (People's Improv Theatre) in New York City. You've also seen him on stage here at the playhouse in Shakespeare Abridged, Art, The Mystery of Irma Vep and Metamorphoses.

Saturday, August 11th

Play Reading: Battleground Malibu

Watch and laugh along to this "new work" written by James M. Denton (hey that's me) and my friend and writing partner Rexford Cooley. You will be the first to hear this comedic play read by professional actors, led by  Sean Harris and Rich Hollman. You will have the unique opportunity to provide your feedback on response cards and ask questions of all of us, writers and cast. Ice cream sundaes and Uncle Jim's Chocolate Chip Cookies will also feature prominently in the night's festivities.

Well there you have it, eight great events and more to come. Call the playhouse for your tickets, or to sign up  for one of our events. The number is 860-523-5900 x10

A 'Swinging' Video

The pool from Metamorphoses has been replaced with a band area and a dance floor to usher in our next production, Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical.  Darlene Zoller and Colin Britt have again teamed up to bring you a sensational song and dance show.


To get you in the mood, the cast has produced a video, which was the brainchild of director Darlene Zoller, who sought creative input from the show's music director Colin Britt and featured performer, Spencer Pond.


This 2:26 video  was filmed in segments, over the course of a week. Filming locations included: Blue Back Square, Falcetti Music Store in Blue Back Square and at rehearsal here at the playhouse.


The track was recorded at Falcetti Music, then Colin Britt and musician Adam Holtzberg spliced the audio and video together.


So come, get your first look at the cast of Playhouse on Park's Swinging on a Star, then get your tickets by calling the playhouse at 860-523-5900 x10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org. 


This is our last production of our third season, but we're not done entertaining you yet. We have some hot fun in the summertime scheduled August 3 -11. A different event every night.  All events are only $10.00. Information on those exciting events is coming soon.


The Swinging on a Star video

Something for Everyone

Playhouse on Park's latest production, Metamorphoses does indeed have something for everyone, something everyone already loves, such as music, humor, beauty, fine physiques and a pool. Our production of Metamorphoses is a contemporary adaptation of the Greek and Roman transformation, adapted by author and playwright Mary Zimmerman from the works of the Roman poet, Ovid.

On our 32 by 32 foot stage we have constructed a pool, four feet high and 16 by 16 feet wide, surrounded on all sides by a redwood deck.  It is here that a young, attractive, talented and very physical cast of five men and five women move gracefully in and out of the water, telling these ten transformational myths that will mesmerize you and make you laugh. Each transformation is also related in many different ways to the redemptive power of love.

The pool is a part of the stage because the water constantly changes from peaceful and calm to ferocious and violent, just like the play.  The pool represents, among other things, the river Styx, a river of hate that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead. It is said that the river Styx winds around the underworld nine times.

Divine lighting adds more emotion in to these already compelling  stories. For the perfect blend of lighting and humor, with a contemporary theme is the appearance of the sun god Apollo played by David Goldman. Apollo emerges with brilliant sun-like lighting, wearing a gold vest and applying suntan lotion to his face as his son Phaeton played by Harrison Greene, who is seeking guidance from his therapist played by Amelia Campbell, about some typical father/son angst. i.e. wanting to borrow the car, or in this case, his father's chariot.

The greed of King Midas, played by Troy Peckham was granted the "golden touch" everything he touched turned to gold. This reward has an unintended consequence after his daughter jumps in to his arms.

Quinn Warren's movement as the approaching and consuming "hunger" of King Erysichthon played by Eric Whitten is beautifully haunting. She clings to him as he thrashes  around the pool, attempting to satisfy his insatiable appetite.

Metamorphoses is an enthralling mix of drama and comedy, that along with the pool, the lighting, the costumes and sometimes lack of costumes are all accentuated with live music provided by musician and composer Richard Hollman. Mr. Hollman recently appeared in our production of the Mystery of Irma Vep, alongside Sean Harris, who directed  Metamorphoses.

Richard, Rich or Richie, depending on his task, opens the show, humorously taking care of theatrical housekeeping, then adding his own "touch" which you can experience with a donation to Playhouse on Park.

Ashley C. Williams, Melissa Kaufman, Jillian Rorrer, and Justin Sease round out the incredible cast.

In closing, I would like to say that if you are a fan of provocative and daring professional theater staged by a cast and crew with a fervent devotion to their craft, then you owe it to yourself to see Metamorphoses.  There is just one week left to see this amazing piece of theater.

Tickets are available at our box office.  Reserve your seat by calling us at 860-523-5900 x10. Ordering online at www.playhouseonpark.org or visiting us during business hours: Tuesday thru Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm. We have the most affordable ticket in town to the most intimate venue in town.

Discounts are available for students, seniors and Let's Go Arts members. Students can purchase "Student Rush" tickets fifteen minutes prior to curtain for $10.00, cash only with a valid student I.D.. Everyone else can get a $10.00 ticket thanks to our "Lunch Time Special". All you have to do is visit our box office between 12:00 to 1:00pm the day of a performance and get a ticket to that night's show for only $10.00. What a deal!

Up next is the Johnny Burke Musical "Swinging on a Star". Coming soon is the announcement of our fourth season. Stay tuned to this blog for the details on that and many other things happening at Playhouse on Park.

Tickets and Televisions

In our own special way, we're all winners, that trophy you got as a child, even if you lost the game proves it.  While the people listed below didn't win a trophy, they did win some cool stuff.

Perhaps you visited us at our booth at Celebrate West Hartford.  There you'd learn everything we're doing at Playhouse on Park and boy it's a lot.  You could also enter two win two free vouchers for any of Main Stage or Young Audience shows.  Here are the lucky recipients of those vouchers from Celebrate West Hartford. All are West Hartford residents.

Anna Corvaglia

Julia Ekwall

Rena Epstein

Lily Hollertz

Linda Leimberger

If you saw our last production of Golda's Balcony, then you know that six televisions were used to help tell Golda Meir's remarkable story. We held a drawing after each performance, where patrons could enter to win one of the televisions.  Below are the lucky winners:

Melissa Cummings

Nancy Dorchester

Kevin Kickery

Dorene Sikorski

Christina Steinhauser

Fred Tilden

Congratulations to all our winners, enjoy your tickets and televisions. Next time you see us at an event, stop by and find out what's new and enter our drawings, the next winner could be you.

Summer Interns 2012

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, our present crop of interns.

Mackenzie Friedmann is a General Intern from Berlin, CT.  "I basically do many different jobs in different aspects of the theater that need to be done that specific day." she says of her duties here at the playhouse. Mackenzie is attending the University of Hartford where she is studying musical theater. This summer you'll be able to see her on stage dancing in "Swinging on a Star" A rousing musical that will wrap up season three. Her long term goals are to continue performing and making a living in the theater world.

Morgan Grambo is a literary intern from Goshen, CT. A Literary Intern reads and reviews all new submissions that arrive at the playhouse. This fall she will be a junior at Salve Regina studying theater and English Literature. In the future, she hopes to continue  her studies and pursue a career in theater, specifically in the literary/dramaturgical world.  "I am very excited to be working at Playhouse on Park and look forward to learning all the ins and outs of theater."

Chloe Wheeler is a junior at the Hartt School from Southington, CT.  She is a Development Intern, who is responsible for tracking all donations made to the playhouse and will help with fundraising. Chloe is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts Management with a minor in Business Administration. Apart from theater, Chloe is also interested in tour management and music production. "I wanted to intern for Playhouse on Park, because I recently became interested in theater, and one of my classmates who works here, referred me." That classmate is Dave Addis, our Company Manager.

Like all of us work at the playhouse, they'll be doing more than there prescribed tasks. When you call the playhouse for tickets, you'll probably be speaking with one of these young ladies, who will answer any questions you may have and find you the perfect seat for Metamorphoses and/or Swinging on a Star, our last two shows in our third season. 

A salute to some of the interns that have come before them:

Donnie Collins

Dan Deutsch

Maha Kemal

Helena Morris

Pennie Scesney

Ramona Sukhraj

and Naomi Bilmes (originator of this blog)

Intern Season 2: The New Philosophy

If you're new to this blog, or you want to reread the original post, I suggest you go back to July 10, 2011.  There you will see "Intern Season" post.

OR

I could just summarize it for you right here. I'm assuming you'll go with the second option. I didn't need to be a soothsayer to foretell your choice. Kudos to me for pulling the word 'soothsayer' out of my cob web-laden cranium.

Anyway, in the first post, I opined about the infestation of wide-eyed idealistic young people converging on institutions for which they someday hope to work, but for now have only studied.  The particular bee in my bonnet was how they swooped in with their unbridled enthusiasm, ruffling the feathers of us 365ers who are practiced in the art of a gradual progression. The reason being, we have a much longer sentence and if we accomplish prescribed tasks in rapid fire succession, then said tasks would become more abundant. What would not become more abundant is our cash flow...that follows its own gradual progression.

So blah blah blah, I continued my rant against the do-gooder interns and complained about having to clean the pool. You're probably asking yourselves 'Clean the pool you say, James whatever do you mean?' It'll all make sense at the end of the 4/2011 post.

Now that you know the crux of the original post, I can introduce my new philosophy.  A philosophy born from the harsh reality of my inability to prevent the interns from dropping anchor at the playhouse. Instead of pissing and moaning about the interns, I have now decided to embrace them, figuratively speaking of course. Instead of complaining about their work ethic, I have decided to exploit it. Their naivete will play right in to my hands. Mwah ah ah.

I'll unearth every fly infested pile of crap I can, top it with whipped cream and a cherry and tell them its a hot fudge sundae. They'll smile, savoring the sweet toppings until the foul aroma of these tasks wafts its way in to their unsuspecting nostrils and cements itself in to their cerebral cortex.

Behind my serious demeanor and the professional verbiage I use to stress the importance of these menial tasks, will be the little boy in me just waiting to laugh and point at their misery. Down boy, wait until after the onslaught of guilt-ridden words I use to feign my disappointment, after sensing their inevitable repulsion for the tasks at hand. 

This is a classic case of the face betrays. I'll see the disdain on their faces and hear the churning of the wheels inside their heads as they formulate reasons to shelve the tasks. Little do they know that I'll conjure up more of the same kind of tasks, this is sure to slow down even the most willing lackey.


This is a philosophy not found in a text book or talked about in a lecture, this type of malevolence is nurtured over the course of many years, years that far exceed those of your typical intern.  It's not personal, I'm sure these junior humans are nice people, I'm a nice person.


It's because I'm such a nice person that I wouldn't even contemplate undertaking such a dastardly deed.  Such evil plots will remain relegated to my brain and the occasional blog post. Boy oh boy, it sure was fun to dream. I'll go on about my business at the playhouse, mixing it up with those lovable, newly pubescent cherubs.


We all have a lot of work to do. Two more shows in our Main Stage Series: Metamorphoses and Swinging on a Star. Not to mention fine tuning our vast assortment of live entertainment for our fourth season. 

My real new philosophy, getting you and everyone you know to come see a show at Playhouse on Park.  All of our productions have been of the utmost quality.  The level of professionalism that graces our stage will astonish you. Our fourth season will be no exception.