So, here I am on a Wednesday night, sitting in my sweltering upstairs office (I’m tellin’ ya, it’s a sweat shop!) and as usual, my thoughts turn to how much I love this theatre. My fan is taking the edge off the heat, my boss is up at the Mid-State Fair having a blast (he deserves it!) my husband is playing golf (so does he!) and I’m taking advantage of the peace and quiet to catch up a little on work – including writing this long overdue blogpost. No, don’t feel sorry for me! There are a lot of perks to working into the evening hours. As I write this there are two rehearsals going on downstairs and the building is abuzz with creativity. All afternoon I got to listen to the kids in our ACT Broadway Camp singing selections from Pippin and The King and I and Aladdin. Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate it’s so darn cute. Our educational programs are one of the very best things we do here at the Little Theatre. And by “we” I mostly mean Education Director Kerry DiMaggio and her amazing coaches and teachers. If you want to hear more about our Academy of Creative Theatre, give me a call. I’ll talk your ear off.

Yesterday afternoon, I overheard the young cast of Pirates of Penzance, Jr. working on a special performance project they’ve dreamed up, just for fun. They sounded like they were having a blast. There are some very talented young actors and singers in this cast. This weekend will be their final four performances of Pirates, and I think they’re going to miss it, and each other. You can check out these awesome young actors at work (and play) in some performance photos, taken by Jamie Foster, on our website HERE. And if you haven’t caught ACT‘s fabulous take on this classic Gilbert & Sullivan operetta yet, buy your tickets now. Bring your kids and your grandkids. You’ll be glad you did!

Tonight I said hello to the Sylvia cast as they slipped into rehearsal at 4 pm. Have I told you yet how great they are? What a fabulous show to open the season, with a talented cast and a wonderful director. The photo at left features cast members Earnest Roberts, Madeline Moeller, David Norum and director David Carey Foster (Kristen Saunders not pictured.) Last year I had the great good fortune to work with director David Carey Foster on Good People but this year I’m taking it easy and just enjoying watching it all take shape. Sylvia is a romantic comedy about a dog, the couple who adopts her and the comedy that results. Speaking of which, we’re going to be collaborating with Woods Humane Society on this show. Stay tuned for more details. And if you’re looking for more info about the show, you can read what playwright A.R. Gurney has to say about the play in this Playbill story from 1997.

Did I mention Orlando? It’s now 7 pm and I can hear director Anet Carlin whipping the cast of our first Ubu’s Other Shoe Staged Reading of the season into shape right now. And by “whipping”, I really mean coaxing, cajoling, teaching, molding…you know, she’s making the magic that she knows so well. Directing Sarah Ruhl‘s unique adaptation of Virginia Woolf‘s Orlando is right up Anet’s alley. Can’t wait to see it. You can learn a bit more about the show in this YouTube interview with Sarah Ruhl. And did I mention that Orlando opens on August 7th? Consider it mentioned. By the way, did you also know that you can subscribe to all seven Ubu’s Other Shoe Staged Readings for just $70? And of course I highly recommend that you do.

So anyway…where was I? And what am I really trying to say? I guess it’s just that I can’t get enough of the energy, the creativity, the passion, the dedication and the FUN that happens here all the time. Even when it’s hot. I haven’t mentioned that in a while and I thought I’d remind myself. AND YOU! You should get down here and enjoy it too. As often as you can. Which leads me to…

HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS!
There are just 3 more weeks until Sylvia celebrates opening night. That means, you’ve got just 3 more weeks to buy your season tickets for all SIX SENSATIONAL SHOWS! Did you know that last season, our average audience size was 93{efcf22502b1e74b0202af948281d54f129dde7dacd2c3f6ff4c98fe998904ac4} of our theatre capacity. That means that 94 out of 101 seats were filled at most shows AND what’s more, over half of all of our performances were completely SOLD-OUT with a waiting list at the door. So, what’s the hold-up?! If you wait until the last minute to make your reservations, you’ll find yourself waiting outside the box office, just hoping for seats. If you subscribe now, they’re guaranteed. It’s as simple as that!

That’s it. I’ve said my piece. Now just take care of that little thing, okay? 🙂 And have a stupendous weekend!