Although The Community and Regional Theatres Column doesn't, by rule, review stage readings, I will make an exception to this particular stage reading-which to me, had all the perks and nuances of an actual production (not to mention the "drama" off stage).
But this is to be expected from a production, and a stage reading isn't much different.
Fortunately, the "end result" always justifies the means (in my opinion). And Spoon River Anthology, by Poet and self-taught lawyer from Chicago, Edgar Lee Masters, was a real trick or "treat" which caught even me, who was its stage manager, by surprise.
I had never heard of this property before and when asked to stage manage it, I became nervious. Luckily, the ensemble cast of the Out of The Box Theatre Company was so professional, so "seasoned", that my fears melted away. Which shows you, you're never too old to learn, and boy, this production was so much fun, it was sad to see it end.
The director, Micheal Metzel "doubled or even trippled" most of the roles and selected afew musical numbers, along with a guitarist which "stole the scene" many times with his boyish charm, and the simplicity of set design and costuming, made a perfect portrait of the inhabitants of Spoon River.
There were, of course some very notable cast memebers which made this stage reading "performance" a memorable one: Susan Case, Ken Bolander, Bill Garlarno, Peter J. Coriaty, Dee Rieber, and of course, Jacob Heimer.
This Stage Reading Performance was especially significant because it was dedicated to its founding member: Scott Robinson (7/9/43-4/24/11)
This special paragraph was taken out of the Playbill:
Then Out of the Box Theatre Company, founded in 2006, is the brainchild of Scott Robinson. Scott's goal in forming the group's equity showcase productions was to feature working professionals at their peak and in their prime: Seasoned actors, directors, and designers primarily past 50 years of age, to provide opportunity and freedom for artists to work outside the restrictions of age, race, sex, ad disability and inside the sphere of passion. This work gave Scott great joy and brought real meaning to the last few years of his life. Scott loved his family, his many friends, his pets, and he loved the theater.
Scot (James) Robinson was diagnosed with cancer in December 2010 and he died April 24th, 2011. We lovingly dedicate these performances of Spoon River Anthology to his memory.
We love you Scott and we will miss you!!
But this is to be expected from a production, and a stage reading isn't much different.
Fortunately, the "end result" always justifies the means (in my opinion). And Spoon River Anthology, by Poet and self-taught lawyer from Chicago, Edgar Lee Masters, was a real trick or "treat" which caught even me, who was its stage manager, by surprise.
I had never heard of this property before and when asked to stage manage it, I became nervious. Luckily, the ensemble cast of the Out of The Box Theatre Company was so professional, so "seasoned", that my fears melted away. Which shows you, you're never too old to learn, and boy, this production was so much fun, it was sad to see it end.
The director, Micheal Metzel "doubled or even trippled" most of the roles and selected afew musical numbers, along with a guitarist which "stole the scene" many times with his boyish charm, and the simplicity of set design and costuming, made a perfect portrait of the inhabitants of Spoon River.
There were, of course some very notable cast memebers which made this stage reading "performance" a memorable one: Susan Case, Ken Bolander, Bill Garlarno, Peter J. Coriaty, Dee Rieber, and of course, Jacob Heimer.
This Stage Reading Performance was especially significant because it was dedicated to its founding member: Scott Robinson (7/9/43-4/24/11)
This special paragraph was taken out of the Playbill:
Then Out of the Box Theatre Company, founded in 2006, is the brainchild of Scott Robinson. Scott's goal in forming the group's equity showcase productions was to feature working professionals at their peak and in their prime: Seasoned actors, directors, and designers primarily past 50 years of age, to provide opportunity and freedom for artists to work outside the restrictions of age, race, sex, ad disability and inside the sphere of passion. This work gave Scott great joy and brought real meaning to the last few years of his life. Scott loved his family, his many friends, his pets, and he loved the theater.
Scot (James) Robinson was diagnosed with cancer in December 2010 and he died April 24th, 2011. We lovingly dedicate these performances of Spoon River Anthology to his memory.
We love you Scott and we will miss you!!
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