Eliot and Tony - Huntington wins big!

I took the night off yesterday and I, apparently, missed one helluva time at the Eliot Norton awards. Everyone is talking about it today. This is the news in from Temple Gill:

Hi everyone!

The Huntington had a big night last night at the Elliot Norton Awards, where Present Laughter won best production, Nancy Carroll won Outstanding Actress (for Brendan and Present Laughter), Alexander Dodge won best design (for Present Laughter and Brendan), and Nicky(Martin) was honored with the Norton Award for Sustained Excellence. You can read more about the awards here:

What the article won't tell you is how funny Michael(Maso) was in accepting the awards for Alexander Dodge and Present Laughter, what a tremendous great sport Victor Garber was in getting up to graciously accept Nancy Carroll's award on her behalf, and how delightful Andrea Martin was as the guest of honor and in introducing Nicky. In accepting the award for sustained excellence, Nicky was funny and charming (as usual!), and both he and the tribute video to him were greeted very warmly by the crowd.

Congratulations to all of our winners! And thanks to everyone who came to the awards last evening to support them!

- Temple

Also in my mailbox this from Michael Maso:

The 39 Steps has six Tony Nominations — including best play, best director and all design components.

Best Play - The 39 Steps

Best Director of a Play - Maria Aitken

Best Sets for a Play - Peter McKintosh

Best Costume for a Play - Peter McKintosh

Best Lighting for a Play - Kevin Adams

Best Sound for a Play - Mic Pool

You should all feel very proud of what you have helped accomplish, with special note of our extraordinary production staff for what your expertise has contributed to this recognition.

There are also noms for Andrea Martin and Chris Fitzgerald! View the complete list of nominees here.

M.


Exciting news all around. Congrats everyone!

Betting on Brendan

True story. I had a phone message this morning. The caller had a bet going - she and her companion had seen Brendan and they disagreed about what that textured brown wall upstage was meant to represent.

I've seen it called a cobblestone road in a couple of reviews. She thought it was dirt, her companion thought it represented Brendan's brain. Yep, that's right, his brain. It was where Brendan's Mom came from, after all. A dinner at B&G Oysters was on the line. I was charged with settling the debt.

The designer prints labeled it "Dirt" wall. I think it was meant to be a visual representation of the Brendan's homeland, the old sod, so to speak. A brain though? Maybe - and why not...

I've always been amazed how differently people can interpret the same thing. What did you think it represented? Who won the bet? And should I get a dinner at B&G too?

Alexander Dodge: 'Brendan' et al

'Brendan' 2007-2008

The Hub Review, by blogger and arts critic Thomas Garvey, wrote yesterday to request some photos of work by 'Brendan' Scenic Designer Alexander Dodge. He published a very nice post last night, "Here's to Alexander Dodge", before I was able to look through my files and get back to him.

Sorry Tom, and thanks.

Alexander's body of work here at the Huntington is broad - having done at least one show a season here since 2001. Brendan is a great example. We love the challenges his design brings. Here, in no particular order, are some further examples of his fine work here in Boston.

'Present Laughter' 2006-2007

'The Rivals' 2005-2006

'Butley' 2003-2004 Boston
2006-2007 Broadway

'Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme' 2001-2002

'A Month in the Country' 2002-2003

'Hedda Gabler' 2000 - 2001
2001 Broadway

'Heartbreak House' 2002 - 2003

'Heartbreak House' 2002 - 2003

'Love's Labour's Lost' 2005 -2006

'Love's Labour's Lost' 2005 -2006

Most off these photos are by T. Charles Erickson

Brendan: The Sights and Sound of Boston

It's nice when I can get Terry Byrne to do my blogging for me and provide you with a little behind the scenes info. She interviewed Scenic Designer Alexander Dodge and Sound Designer Fitz Patton a few weeks back for these articles that ran in today's Globe. Thanks Terry!

The city of Boston plays a big part in 'Brendan'

Aural Fixation

Both designers spent a good deal of time wandering around our fair city and it really shows in the design.

The cast and crew are playing to nice big houses down at the Wimberly. I visited them yesterday afternoon to let them know that they were doing such great work that we were adding an additional performance! The show will now close on Sunday, November 18th, 2007. You've got about two weeks left to catch it.

Boston talks "Brendan" at the Calderwood Pavilion

Audiences at the Huntington Theatre Company production of Brendan talk to us about their experience!


Video by Laura Haughey & Paul Lyzon of CDIA

Note the appearance of HPF Lydia Diamond - who snuck in unrecognized by our audience wranglers.

Tell us what in the play moved you - or how you liked the video. Click the comments link below.

I attended last night's opening and managed to squeeze myself into the very full house. I sat near Boston theatre notables Jeff Poulos, Tony McLean, Jill Pearson, and Naheem Garcia. Their guffaws and gasps, sighs and hoots, were all nearly as much fun to experience as the performance itself. Watching an audience lose themselves completely in a performance is my best and favorite paycheck. I have to fess up to tuning in and adding a sob and sniffle to the mix. The post show festivities were also very well attended and everyone was having a great time. And I still managed to make it home by the fourth inning.

The reviews hit today and it's great to see that our press also had a genuinely enjoyable experience. Today's reports were also full of notices that Nicholas Martin may accept the Artistic Director position at Williamstown Theatre Festival starting with this summer's season. Nicky sent a nice note to staff and board members yesterday giving us a heads up. He is a busy , busy man and yet is still keeping me running with advance planning on She Loves Me well underway. Anyone have a decent dance studio in the neighborhood that we might use for a few weeks in April/May?

Brendan - Dress Rehearsal Photos

JMK came through with a few pics tonight after all.... enjoy!

Dashiell Eaves as the title character in “Brendan”

Brendan (Dashiell Eaves) gets a lecture on friendship and loyalty from bartender Josh (Tommy Schrider) as his mother (Nancy E. Carroll) looks on.

Brendan (Dashiell Eaves) confronts his ever-present mother (Nancy E. Carroll) in the Huntington’s world premiere production of “Brendan” by Ronan Noone, running thru Nov. 17 at the Calderwood Pavilion. All Photos: T. Charles Erickson.

I've seen the production about 5 times now - but not since last Saturday, our second performance, when the company turned out a stellar performance. They have since been making good use of our preview period to fine tune the play. When you have a month of rehearsal, four designers, and lots of well meaning supporters around, there are a lot of ideas and suggestions to be considered. Now it's just Justin, Ronan, and the cast working together for a few hours a day to whittle that pile of ideas down to those that best support the play. I am looking forward to next Wednesday, our official Opening/Press Night, when I'll go back to see what they have accomplished without us!

Brendan??

Our Public Relations Director clearly has not yet recovered from the demands of yesterday's Streamers photo shoot. I asked him today for some production shots from Brendan. This luckycharmish illustration is what showed up in my email instead.


What the heck. I'll post anything... but where's the Pot o' Gold? Would you settle for a bit of dramaturgy? Click on the photo and see what you find.

Brendan: Cast and Creative Team

BRENDAN CAST

Nancy E. Carroll and Dashiell Eaves

The cast of “Brendan” includes new-to-Boston actors and returning faces from previous Huntington productions. In alphabetical order:

• Nancy E. Carroll (Woman) is an Eliot Norton Award-winning actress who has appeared at the Huntington as Miss Erickson in “Present Laughter,” the Strega in “The Rose Tattoo,” and Mrs. Martin in “Dead End”;

• Ciaran Crawford (Steveo) appeared in two Ronan Noone plays in New York and was seen in the Breaking Ground Festival reading of “Smiler Becoming Yank”;

• Dashiell Eaves (Brendan) was in the Huntington’s “Observe the Sons of Ulster,” and appeared on Broadway in “Coram Boy,” “The Lieutenant of Inishmore,” “James Joyce’s The Dead,” “The Sound of Music,” and “1776”;

• Natalie Gold (Rose), a TV regular, was seen on Broadway in “Festen” (understudy) and Off Broadway in productions of “Howard Katz,” “Twelfth Night,” and “Unfold Me”;

• Kelly McAndrew (Maria et al) appeared in the recent Broadway production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” She’s worked Off Broadway and in regional theatres;

• Kathleen McElfresh (Daisy, et al) graduated from Yale Drama School, appeared Off Broadway in “The Frugal Repast,” and has several regional credits, including Dallas Theatre Center’s “Pride & Prejudice”;

• Cliff Odle (Fred) understudied two August Wilson productions for the Huntington including “King Hedley II,” during which he performed seven shows;

• Tommy Schrider (Josh) previously appeared as Costard in the Huntington’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” His Off Broadway credits include “Acts of Mercy”; and

• Bradley Thoennes (Bum) was seen in “King of the Jews” at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre and in New Repertory Theatre’s “The Pillowman.”

CREATIVE TEAM

Director Justin Waldman is the Huntington’s Artistic Associate and the producing artistic director of Next Stages, which he founded. He recently directed Ronan Noone’s “The Atheist” starring Campbell Scott for the Huntington. Other Huntington credits include assistant director of “Present Laughter,” “Persephone,” “The Cherry Orchard,” “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” “Sonia Flew,” and “The Rose Tattoo,” and director of readings “Alexandros,” “The Cry of the Reed,” “Mauritius,” “Persephone,” “Two Days at Home, Three Days in Prison,” and “Stabbing.”

Waldman’s other recent directing credits include productions at the Boston University College of Fine Arts, and the Summer Play Festival in New York.

The “Brendan” creative design team includes Scenic Designer Alexander Dodge ("Present Laughter", "Love's Labour's Lost", "The Rivals", "Butley"), Costume Designer Mariann Verheyen ("Present Laughter", "Love's Labour's Lost), Lighting Designer Jeff Croiter ("Kiki and Herb", "Trumbo", "A Month in the Country"), and Sound Designer Fitz Patton. Eileen Ryan Kelly is Production Stage Manager, Kelly Beaulieu is Stage Manager.

Click here for more bio info!

High Noone

Justin and Ronan did not take the bait in my last post, even though I know they both read the blog, so I'll try and twist their arms a bit more when I'm in the same room with them on Monday. Lousie Kennedy, in the Boston Globe, did however contribute a little "behind the scenes" news for us.

"Justin Waldman sounds a bit incredulous, if delighted, as he contemplates the fall season at the Huntington Theatre Company. With good reason: Waldman, the Huntington's artistic associate, will be directing not one but two plays this fall, both by the award-winning Boston playwright Ronan Noone.

"It's a little Ronan Noone festival," Waldman says with a laugh. "It's kismet, I think."

Noone himself has a different word for the happy coincidence of seeing both "Brendan" and "The Atheist" on the same fall schedule: "It's my Xanax," he says - the ideal cure for any anxiety he may have felt after finishing the trilogy of Irish plays that put him on the theater map.

Mostly, though, it's the luck of timing that brings these plays together."

To read the full article click on the quote above or click here. For more of the Globe's Fall Arts Preview, click here or pick up today's paper.

"Brendan" set and other news

This is a picture of the preliminary model for Brendan, designed by Alexander Dodge (Present Laughter). We're not quite sure the real thing will end up being quite so reflective, but who can say at this point. We're in the process of searching for materials and budgeting. Dan said he'd be done today, but I keep distracting him with other issues. Yep - that's the Citgo sign! Brendan is set right here in Beantown.


In other news: we heard from our friends at the Guthrie today. Their facilities overlook the riverfront and the bridge that collapsed last night. Their staff is physically unscathed, as far as they know, but a company member of The Children's Theatre Company is reported to be in critical conditions from injuries sustained in the collapse. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of our friends in Minneapolis.

On a MUCH lighter note: Sometimes doing research for our shows can be fun. For instance - our costume design assistant, Mary Lauve, found THIS today while researching kilts and accessories for The 39 Steps. Scroll down until you see the kitty on the right. Sick - but funny. PS - A sporran is the decorative purse that hangs (like a codpiece) in front of kilt.

Finally - our box office staff is nearly ready to package up all subscription tickets and get them sent out. Just waiting on one more item to come in from the printer. It's quite a task, and the good news is that they have a few more to mail this season than they did last year!

Subscribers are invited to a reception on Tuesday, August 21 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Subscribers WILL have their tickets by then and can come down, get backstage tours from yours truly and our terrific production staff, and get all of their subscription questions answered. Want an invite? Be sure you subscribe soon.

BU Today

BU Today is running a five part series called "Backstage at BU" starting off today with a feature on BU Alumni and Huntington Playwriting Fellow Ronan Noone and his play Brendan, which was performed as a workshop by the University last fall and we'll produce in October.

Click here for Part 1. (Brendan)
Click here for Part 2. (La Boheme)
Click here for Part 3. (The Cherry Orchard)
Click here for Part 4. (Tonight, Tonight)
Click here for Part 5. (Mauritius)

I'll quote a couple of paragraphs of the article:

"Boston University loves drama, from the moodiness of Anton Chekhov to the humor of George Bernard Shaw. The GRS Creative Writing Program’s elite playwriting program has produced some of today’s most successful young playwrights, such as Ronan Noone (GRS’01) and Melinda Lopez (GRS’00), and benefited from decades of partnership with BU’s Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, founded by Derek Walcott, Nobel Prize winning poet and a BU professor, and the Huntington Theatre Company, in residence at Boston University. The 25-year relationship between BU and the Huntington has given one of the country’s best professional companies a performance space and offered BU students an opportunity for hands-on experience.

This week BU Today looks at five shows produced at Boston University in 2006 and 2007, ranging from workshops at the College of Fine Arts to full-scale productions by the Huntington.