Indy Theatre Habit

On Friday, February 12, 2010, I drove to the Carmel Community Playhouse in Clay Terrace shopping center to see the Carmel Community Players’ production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” by Tennessee Williams. 

I had never seen or even read this 1955 Pulitzer Prize winner, nor seen the movie.  I love that CCP’s whole first season in their new space is prize winners because it means I am getting to further my self-directed live theatre education in the best way possible: by seeing noteworthy plays brought to life on stage.

This difficult piece was brilliantly directed by R. Brian Noffke.  He and the cast were all volunteers but their work was extraordinary.  I don’t mean “good for community theatre,” either.  I mean I forgot that I was watching actors at all.  I got caught up in the complex family drama, empathized with the characters’ yearnings for love, acceptance, and security, and left the theatre in mourning for the characters’ losses.

I wish I could encourage you again to go see this production, but it only ran for two weekends (eight performances.)  Producer Michael T. Long told me that they are planning to limit each CCP production to two long weekends in order to have some weekends free for other organizations to rent the space.  I also couldn’t write about it right away because I had computer problems.

However, now that I have my home computer back from the shop, I would like to at least record “who did what” here on my blog so that the information will be searchable.

The Story and the Cast

The play takes place in the summer of 1954 in a “bed-sitting room of a plantation home on the Mississippi Delta.” (from program)  Two beautiful young people, Maggie (LisaMarie Smith) and Brick (Damon Dennin), are arguing.  Or rather, Maggie is nagging and pleading and attempting to seduce.  Brick is drinking and glowering and refusing.  Maggie does a lot of explaining and reviewing of history at first, but only later do we realize just what the problem really is, and why they are both so tormented.

In the meantime, today is Big Daddy’s (John Carver) birthday.  Big Daddy is Brick’s father and the plantation’s wealthy, domineering owner.  He and rascally Big Mama (Miki Mathioudakis) have been married for many years, but they have problems of their own.  Their problems, too, are layered and complex.

An obvious one is that Big Daddy was diagnosed with a fatal disease and now has been told that he is not going to die right away after all, but that was just to make him feel better.  The disease is truly fatal and therefore his other son, slimy Gooper (Mark Kamish), and Gooper’s shrill wife, Mae (Kari Ann Stamatoplos), want to make sure that Big Daddy’s money goes to them and their five bratty children: Dixie (Ciarra Krohne), Sonny (Anthony Prostyakov), Trixie (Delaney Hendricks), Buster (Kyler Koning), and Polly (Caitlin Sinclair.)

Reverend Tooker (Bob Willsey) and Doc Baugh (Jim Lucas) are at hand, too, supposedly to offer comfort and advice.

The Production Elements and Crew

Director Noffke also designed and decorated the set, whose warm, yellow-y walls and transom windows made us feel that we were, in fact, in a hot area of the country and in a rich home with very little privacy.  Brian also designed the light and sound.   

Linda Rowand designed the period costumes – from Maggie’s silky negligee’ to Big Mama’s flowery dresses – except for the children’s, which were designed by Patricia Schiro-Long.  Hair and Make-up was by Marla-Dee Lawless.

The assistant director was Elizabeth A. Hofman.  The assistant producer was Lori Raffel.  The production assistant was Emily Dickos Crickmore.  Amanda Lane was the stage manager and ran the lights.  Stacey Peterson was the assistant stage manager and ran the sound. 

R. Brian Noffke, Tom Noffke, and Michael T. Long constructed the set.  It was painted by R. Brian Noffke, Miki Mathioudakis, Bob Willsey, Jim Lucas, Marla-Dee Lawless, Emily Dickos Crickmore, Stacey Peterson, Elizabeth A. Hofman, Robert Hofman, and LisaMarie Smith.

Brian Hartz was the dialect coach.  Everyone’s southern accents were consistent and sounded believable.  It didn’t occur to me that they weren’t the actors’ natural accents until I read in the program that there was a dialect coach.

I don’t have a photo from the show to go with this post on my blog, but there is a gorgeous slide show here on the Carmel Community Players website.

Up Next for Carmel Community Players: Ben Vereen

“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” is over, but this coming Sunday, March 7, 2010, at 7pm at Carmel High School, Tony Award-winning actor Ben Vereen will give a presentation as a fundraiser for the Carmel Community Players.  Here is the information I first received about this exciting event from CCP’s Public Relations person, Brian Koning, followed by an excerpts from a couple of recent updates that give more information about the content of the program:

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Ben Vereen to Perform In Carmel for Community Theater Fundraiser

Tony Award-winner to share stories, song and dance during inspirational Broadway lecture to benefit Carmel Community Players

(December 3, 2009 – Carmel, Indiana) – Carmel Community Players (CCP) is bringing Tony award-winning Broadway entertainer Ben Vereen to Carmel High School for its major fundraiser for 2010.  Vereen will present his educational, entertaining and inspirational Broadway lecture at Carmel High School’s Dale E. Graham Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2010.

Rich Phipps, the group’s vice president and business director says, “As we pursue grants and other available sources of funding, we believe it’s important for us to demonstrate our ability to generate our own income rather than relying solely on government funding.  So, we’re bringing in Ben Vereen to help us.”

So how does a small community theater land an act like Ben Vereen?  “Friends in high places,” says Carmel Community Players marketing and public relations director Brian Koning who called and asked Vereen for help.  “I’ve known Mr. Vereen personally for about thirteen years through my involvement in the entertainment industry.  When I explained that [Carmel Community Players] needed to raise funds to keep our theater productions and educational programs moving forward, he gladly agreed to perform.”

Koning, who previously owned an entertainment agency and first worked with Vereen in 1997, says that this is a don’t-miss performance.  “Anyone with a passion for theater, acting, singing or dancing will be inspired. This is not just a performance.  Ben weaves you through his life from growing up in Brooklyn’s “upper ghetto”, his Broadway roles including Pippin, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, and, most recently, Wicked.  And he’ll tell you how he overcame the physical and emotional challenges he faced after an accident nearly ended his career in 1992. You’ll get to know Ben as a person.” 

According to Koning, Vereen will also take questions from the audience and will appear at a VIP reception at the Carmel Community Playhouse at Clay Terrace following his performance.

CCP president Michael Long adds, “We’re very grateful that Mr. Vereen has accepted our invitation. This is just one more way that Carmel Community Players is thinking outside the box while giving something back to the community at the same time.”

Prior to appearing in Carmel, Vereen will be coming off of a six-week run of Will Power’s new play, Fetch Clay, Make Man starring Evan Parke as Muhammad Ali and Vereen as Ali’s friend, actor Stepin Fetchit.  The story is about Ali’s and Fetchit’s unlikely friendship during Ali’s rise to boxing immortality.  Directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), the play opens in January and runs through February 14th at McCarter Theater in Princeton, New Jersey.

Vereen will appear at Carmel High School’s 1,445-seat Dale E. Graham Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2010.  Ticket prices start at $34 and go on sale to the general public at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2009 through the Carmel Community Players website at www.carmelplayers.org or at the Carmel Community Playhouse at Clay Terrace, located at 14299 Clay Terrace Blvd., Ste. 140 in Carmel.  For more information, call 317-815-9387.

About Ben Vereen

Ben Vereen is a highly versatile entertainer, singer, and dancer who has performed in some of the most notable Broadway productions, television series, and variety shows. 

A Tony and Drama Desk Award winner for his performance in Bob Fosse’s Pippin, Mr. Vereen’s Broadway credits include:  Wicked, I’m Not Rappaport, A Christmas Carol, Jelly’s Last Jam, Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair.

Some of his film credits include:  Idlewild, All That Jazz, Sweet Charity, Funny Lady (Golden Globe nomination), Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Once Upon a Forest. 

His television credits include:  “Chicken George” in the critically acclaimed miniseries Roots, Grey’s Anatomy (Prism Award), Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Hallmark’s An Accidental Friendship (NAACP nomination), Tenspeed and Brown Shoe, Louis Armstrong – Chicago Style, Ellis Island (Golden Globe Nomination), Anne Rice’s Feast of All Saints, Zoobilee Zoo, and Star Trek – The Next Generation. 

Mr. Vereen continues to tour throughout the United States with his concert “A Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.”. 

The lecture circuit has become an integral part of Ben’s career; as he has become one of the Nations’ most requested speakers among audiences of all ages. His strong sense of social consciousness has enabled him to reach out to his audiences and convey to them a deep feeling of understanding. His topics range from overcoming adversity, arts in education, Black history, motivational topics, recovery through physical and occupational therapy, and the importance of continuing education – to name a few.

Ben is the spokesperson for Sanofi-Aventis, U.S., helping to raise awareness about diabetes.

Last year, Ben celebrated Eartha Kitt’s 80th birthday in concert at Carnegie Hall to multiple standing ovations and in front of the Armed Forces for those men and women who have served in Iraq, truly a major highlight of his career.  Ben performed this year at one of the Inaugural Ball and at the reopening of the Ford Theater in Washington DC which was attended by President Obama.  Recently Ben entertained at the Friar’s Club gala honoring CBS president Leslie Moonves.  Up next, Ben will star in the world premier of Fetch Clay, Make Man directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys) at the McCarter Theater.

About Carmel Community Players

CCP provides live dramatic and musical presentations that expand and develop creative opportunities for the entire community.  Founded in 1993, CCP responded to a growing need in this community for affordable, local, quality entertainment that would meet the needs of cultural enrichment for the entire family. CCP focuses on providing a community-based venue for both experienced and inexperienced participants in theater, both on-stage and behind the scenes.  Adults and children alike extol the virtues of being on stage.  Such experiences allow you to overcome fears, develop talents, work in a team environment, experience excellent literature and improve self-confidence.

About Carmel Community Playhouse

The Carmel Community Playhouse at Clay Terrace is the new home of Carmel Community Players, Carmel’s oldest community theater group. The 4,500 sq. ft. playhouse features a 32′ x 20′ stage and can seat up to 120 guests.  When productions are not being staged, the facility is available for organizations, schools, and businesses to rent for various meetings and events with proceeds benefitting Carmel Community Players, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.  The Carmel Community Playhouse is located at the south end of the Clay Terrace outdoor mall at 14299 Clay Terrace Blvd., Ste. 140. For more information, visit carmelplayhouse.com.

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From a message that Brian Koning sent last week:

“Among some of the songs he will perform with his accompanist Nelson Kole include tunes from Pippin, Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar as well as a tribute to Frank Sinatra (including Come Fly with Me and The Lady is a Tramp) and Sammy Davis, Jr. (including Mr. Bojangles).  Other songs scheduled for the evening include Magic to Do, Aquarius, Hair, Gotta Lotta Livin to Do, My Funny Valentine, It Was a Very Good Year, Chicago, and more.”

However, an article by Kevin Kane in this week’s Current in Carmel also says that the program will include stories from Ben Vereen’s life.  You know me, I love a good personal story!  I also love it when performers have a plan going in but are also open to letting the “mood and energy (of the audience) determine what happens during the show….the audience is free to ask anything, and he’ll adjust the performance to appeal to the interests of the people.”

Yup.  For a number of reasons, I don’t want to miss this event.  Maybe I will see you there?

Hope Baugh – www.IndyTheatreHabit.com

Follow @IndyTheatre on Twitter.com, too.  (Update 3/8/10: I live-tweeted the Ben Vereen show because a) I found myself hidden in a balcony by myself and therefore knew I wouldn’t distract anyone by tweeting during the show, and b) I knew I would not have time to write a full blog post about the show afterwards.  Everyone in the balcony was invited to find a seat on the first floor, closer to the stage, but I was glad for the chance to record at least a few impressions of what was, as expected, a very moving show by Ben Vereen.)