Sense and Sensibility

Pre-show... getting that ascot just right!
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

March madness turns into April Fools... surely it's the time of year for absurdity! For me, it's time to catch my breath after finishing up Woman in Mind at Schenectady Civic Players last week. We had a good run and I learned a lot... about perfecting comedic timing, dealing with varying audiences, and working as part of an ensemble. 

The cast was great. We had some very talented people on board, including Victor Kahn who played Dr. Bill Windsor, the physician attending to Susan (the wonderful Amy Lane) for much of the play. During one of our pre-show conversations, Victor told me that Alan Ayckbourn, who wrote the play, doesn't find his work performed much in the States. The more we worked on the show, I realized that Sir Ayckbourn's British "sense and sensibility" might indeed prove a challenge for many American audiences to grasp, at least in seeing much of the inherent humor in the text. There were nights we had near deadly silence, and others where the audiences reacted more vocally to the dry, dark comedy (having a fondness for British literature and music since I was a kid, I may have been the exception to this particular kind of taste).

In terms of my own performance, I tried to straddle the line, adjusting my tone and delivery as I felt it needed to be... playing slightly more broad or intense as I felt the evening justified. I think I also learned that with a play like this, you need to play it fairly brisk. 

One night in particular during our second week I felt like we really nailed it−the show was sailing along, and I really found myself amused backstage as I listened to my fellow actors do their thing− interesting to note that that night was a fairly quiet audience... at least until the second half. 

Master of ceremonies... getting ready for the big finale of "Woman in Mind"
at Schenectady Civic Players. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

To sum it up: Woman in Mind was a complex show to perform, and I think we all learned quite a bit from working on it. Again, I tip my hat to Schenectady Civic Players for being brave and talented enough to pull it off. Our final show on March 24 was met with a very receptive audience which was nice, which made it feel like all the hard work did not go unnoticed. Immediately after that show, we went about striking the set and enjoying a cast party... a night of mixed emotions, of course.

Things have showed down a bit this past week, as I get used to not being "famous" anymore... ha ha. Actually, I have had time to reconnect with Sarah and visit with our families during this past week of Passover and Easter... and rest... let's not discount that.

But it looks like it's time to ramp up once again... a few new projects in the works this week, as well as some offers that came my way during the run of the show... so we'll see what happens next.

Cast of Schenectady Civic Players' "Woman in Mind," March 2013. Left to right: 
Alysson Kelly, Joan Justice, John Nickles, Jeremy Clowe, Amy Lane, Marty O'Connor, 
Ben McCauley, and Victor Kahn. Photo courtesy David Goldfarb. ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Mind Games

Showtime! My talented co-stars Amy Lane (Susan) and Victor Kahn (Dr. Bill Windsor)
in Schenectady Civic Players "Woman in Mind." Photo by Tom Killips.
Courtesy Schenectady Civic Players. All rights reserved. 

Wonderfully artistic and love-filled weekend... we just finished our first week of performances of Woman in Mind at Schenectady Civic Players. It felt great, and was made even more special by the number of friends and family who stopped by to show their support. My fellow cast and crew are first-rate, and I'm really proud of what we have achieved so far.

Unfortunately, the newspaper reviews so far have been mixed... I'm never sure whether to read these things while I'm in the middle of a show, but I was curious since this is such a difficult production to pull off. Alan Ayckbourn's dark comedy is all told through the subjective point of view of Susan (played by the wonderful Amy Lane), who accidentally hits herself on the head with a garden rake; the resulting injury leaves her having a hard time distinguishing between her unfulfilled reality and imagined fantasy life. As performers, we walk a fine line here between keeping it funny and delving into the darker themes... I took the reviews with a grain of salt, since so much of the play is open to interpretation in the first place. Even though I wasn't specifically mentioned, I also found their critiques useful in helping me to further think about how to strike that balance− as Susan's "imaginary" husband, I have perhaps one of the darkest moments in the show, while also needing to come off rather light and charming throughout. I have noticed myself injecting a little more of myself into the piece... at times utilizing more of my improv skills.

It's really all part of the process... something Amy and I discussed with WAMC's Joe Donahue last Friday on the radio show, The Roundtable. 

Mind the gap! I think some of the funniest scenes belong to Joan Justice (Muriel),
Amy Lane (Susan), and Marty O'Connor (Gerald) in our production of Alan
Ayckbourn's "Woman in Mind." Photo by Tom Killips. Courtesy Schenectady Civic Players.
All rights reserved.

In fact, there are some delightful things I have learned with each of our performances so far, and the cast seems to be getting more and more comfortable with each other... that always seems to happen, and makes it harder to realize that your show has a limited run. One very cool thing for me, returning to work on a full play after several years, is that I have also had a couple members of the audience approach me after our performances with requests that I audition for upcoming shows they are putting together at the Civic Players and other venues! Hey ya! Must be doing something right...

All I can say is that it feels great to be back on the boards, doing something so creative and rewarding... after three shows I have enjoyed hearing the reactions of delighted audiences, and getting a sense for what it must feel like to do this as a full-time gig (kudos to the talented staff at SCP). On Wednesday night we're back at it, with a 7:30 p.m. show, followed by performances Thursday through Sunday. Of course, it can only get better. I can't wait, and look forward to further "Mind" games... 

Related Links:

"Schenectady Civic Players present Alan Ayckbourn's 'A Woman in Mind,'" The Roundtable, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Friday, March 15, 2013

Sch'dy Civic Players "Woman in Mind" on Schenectady Today, YouTube

Schenectady Civic Players website

www.alanayckbourn.net

State of Mind

You bet your sweet ascot I'm back on stage! 
With actress Amy Lane in SCP's production of Alan 
Ayckbourn's "Woman in Mind." Photo by Tom Killips.
Courtesy and ©Schenectady Civic Players.

Sorry for the lack of posts here lately... I have been too busy preparing for my upcoming play, Woman in Mind, with Schenectady Civic Players. We actually open this Friday, March 15, with an 8 p.m. performance, followed by shows throughout the week and next (final performance is on March 24). If you haven't ordered tickets yet, you can do so on the theater's website.

Working on this play has been quite the process. My character, Andy, is very much "in the head" (to play on words) and there are a couple tricky scenes that I have been learning how to pull off convincingly. Luckily I am working with a great cast and talented production staff. We have all been busy with tech and dress rehearsals over the last few days, which has made for an even more intense schedule.

Before I moved out to the Hudson Valley and Berkshires, I was working at a couple equity theaters in Rochester, New York. I must say that Schenectady Civic Players is every bit as professional from what I have experienced so far. 

Photo ©Jeremy Clowe.

Although technically a community theater, SCP has been around since 1928, operating out of Schenectady's historic Stockade district. The theater is actually a former mid-19th century Masonic temple, so it has a lot of character and plenty of resources (including a vast collection of costumes and props). Now in its 85th season, the theater has produced nearly 450 plays— from recent Broadway hits to classics to avant-garde— I have seen a couple of these shows and have been impressed with the results.

So I'm quite excited about my return to the stage! I am scheduled to appear with the cast and director on WAMC Radio's The Roundtable this Friday to discuss the show— it should be a fun preview to our opening night! You can listen in to the Albany NPR station's segment around 10:30 a.m. on their website.

Ok, it's off to fuss around with tying an ascot for tonight's dress rehearsal... as they say, "the Show" must go on! 

Related Links (updated 3/14/13):

Schenectady Civic Players website

"A 'Mind' of her own," Albany Times Union, March 13, 2013

For My Next Performance...

Happy Saturday. It's been a busy week for me, so it's nice to relax for a change. Yesterday I headed out to the Berkshires super early(!!!) to do a segment about Norman Rockwell Museum for the radio show, Good Morning Pittsfield. The appearance gave me the chance to talk about the Museum's upcoming exhibitions and programs, and host James Campagna had some good questions about Norman Rockwell's ongoing relevance and inspiration. You can watch a video of the broadcast here.

"To us all... the family!" Photo of the cast from Schenectady Civic Players "Woman in Mind."
Left to right: Allyson Kelly, John Nickles, Amy Lane, Jeremy Clowe. Photo by Tom Killips.
Courtesy Schenectady Civic Players. All rights reserved.

Outside of the Museum, my main focus has been rehearsing and learning my lines for my upcoming show at Schenectady Civic Players. Woman in Mind is a dark comedy that tells the story of Susan, an unfulfilled British housewife who suffers from hallucinations after stepping on a garden rake. After her injury, Susan's real and imaginary life start to blur, and we are introduced to both her "real" and "imaginary" family. I play the character Andy, Susan's "ideal" husband (typecasting, I know!). 

Written by English playwright Alan Ayckbourn, there is a lot to enjoy in this play. Ayckbourn's clever British wit and intriguing story lay the groundwork for quite an effective bit of theater. I must also give props to my fellow actors and director Tom Heckert, who are really bringing this show together. We had another rehearsal last night, and I feel very strong about how our performances are taking shape!

For me it is just a delight to be onstage again, and Schenectady Civic Players does a top-notch job (doesn't hurt that I can basically walk just down the street to the theater!). Woman in Mind opens March 15, and runs through the following week. You can purchase advance tickets on the theater's website. To give you an idea of the show, here are some fun promotional photos that we took the other week. Ok, back to rehearsing... need to get that smooth British gentlemanship down pat (Downton Abbey, take note)! 

Related Links:

Schenectady Civic Players website

Woman in Mind promotional photos, Schenectady Civic Players Facebook page

Good Morning Pittsfield, March 1, 2013

English Studies

Today I have been busy rehearsing my lines and perfecting my British dialect (watching Downton Abbey helps). My show is coming up fast! Month to go...

The lovable Carson from Downton Abbey (guy cracks me up!).
Photo: www.facebook.com/DowntonAbbey

Related Links: 

Woman in Mind, Schenectady Civic Players

Downton Abbey- PBS

Kick Off!

So how has 2013 been treating you so far? I've been doing alright. 

Image courtesy Schenectady Civic Players.

I have been busy preparing for my role in the play, Woman in Mind, which will be presented at The Schenectady Civic Players next month (March 15-17, 20-24). Man, that doesn't seem like a lot of time, but we are already busy with rehearsals and I'm trying to memorize my lines. I actually have to speak in a British accent, so my wife's obsession with Downton Abbey has come in handy.

On the topic of performing, I am also scheduled to join The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe this upcoming Thursday, February 7, for an event at the Italian Itam Lodge in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The show is a benefit for the Berkshire affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and will include dinner, a raffle, Chinese auction and cash bar. Join us for a night of laughs, and help support a good cause! For more details, visit NAMI Berkshire County's website. 

Spidey love. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Things continue to be busy for me at Norman Rockwell Museum. We're in the home stretch for the Heroes & Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross exhibition, but that hasn't stopped the interest from press (wish we could continue this show for a few more months!). A couple weeks ago I conducted an interview about the exhibit with the Springfield, Massachusetts PBS station WGBY, for their show Connecting Point. I enjoyed giving a tour of the show and background on Alex Ross' work− the segment is scheduled to air this Wednesday, February 6, and should be available on the station's website soon after. I see that Marvel Comics has also given the show a plug on their site, which includes a photo of yours truly dressed up in my Spidey suit! I am supposed to be reprising my role as the webslinger during our upcoming February school vacation week, February 18-22... I'm look forward to it, but hope the weather holds up (it can be a bit drafty in my Spidey threads!).

In addition to being Super Bowl Sunday, they just aired a nice segment on CBS Sunday Morning in celebration of Norman Rockwell's 119th birthday. Last week I spent time helping one of their producers gather video and still materials for the piece... it's ironic that I spend so much of my time at the Museum helping out other crews, but I certainly have enough insight into what they need to help secure some nice promotion for us. On that note, TV Tokyo is supposed to be airing their show Bi no Kyojin Tachi (Great Masters of Art) this Friday, February 8, which includes an interview they conducted with me last year about Norman Rockwell's work. 

Phew... so that's the latest. Still getting great feedback about my recent show for WEXT, and will let you know when there is a rebroadcast. Hello February...

Related Links:

Schenectady Civic Players

Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe

Facebook: Norman Rockwell Museum