Man takes ‘break a leg!’ too seriously
Alan Beck, Willamette Rep’s beloved Director of Development & Marketing, took a spill over the weekend and broke his leg. Alan is fine, though we can’t say the same for his leg. His recovery is projected to take 6-8 weeks, during which time he’ll be at home with his wife, Ginger. Ginger told us that the x-rays were horrific! Alas, Alan always puts 100% into what he’s doing…we just didn’t realize he took theatre business so literally. Please join us in sending well wishes and a speedy recovery to Alan!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR "WILD OATS"
Production Staff:
Director - Kirk Boyd
Scenic Designer - Jerry S. Hooker
Costume Designer - Alexandra B. Bonds
Lighting Designer - Michael A. Peterson
Dramaturg - Sara Freeman
Music Director - Ruth Ames
Choreographer - Walter Kennedy
Stage Manager - Amy Bunker
The Cast:
Sir George Thunder a retired Naval Officer - William Mark Hulings *
John Dory his former boatswain - Wade Hicks
Ephraim Smooth Lady Amaranths steward - Steven Wehmeier
Lady Amaranth Sir George’s niece - Meredith C. Ott
Mariah Lady Amaranth’s servant - Stephanie Brubaker
Harry Thunder Sir George’s son - Kevin Coubal
Muz Harry’s manservant - Brittany Bilyeu
Jack Rover a strolling player - Andrew DeRycke*
Farmer Gammon a neighbor - Jack Watson
Sim Gammon’s son - Daniel Tuch
Jane Gammon’s daughter - Sarah Ragle
Banks Gammon’s neighbor - John Faciane
Amelia Bank’s sister - Kathleen Leary
Twitch the bailiff - Richard Leebrick
Constance Johnstone landlady of the inn - Alexis Schaetzle
Lamp manager of a theatrical company - Joseph Snyder-Kloos
Trap treasurer of the company - Jennifer Wood
Prudence - Madeline Hicks
Penelope - Madelyn Schwartz
Persephone - Hannah Quigg
Barbizan - Ryan Primm
Rutherford - Jakob Pippin
Sputter - Bill Reinka
Musician - Ruth Ames
Musician - Joel Kenney
*appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
"PROOF" SLIDE SHOW POSTED
Willamette Rep's eminent photographer Clifford Coles has worked his magic with production photos from David Auburn's PROOF. If you scroll to the bottom of this page, you can enjoy a slideshow of 15 pictures.
By the way, thanks a bunch to our fabulous graphic designers at Helios for a wonderful weekend wine and nosh reception following Sunday's matinee. The PROOF cast was there (try to keep actors away from food and wine!) for a chance to gather and gossip with all of Helios' clients from around Eugene and beyond. One of the star attractions was actress Kate Cook's mother (in from Memphis to catch her daughter's performance).
In fact, it was the weekend for receptions. Following Friday night's performance, Secretary of The Rep Board Suzanne Bunker and daughter Amy hosted a party for cast and crew and friends at her south Eugene home (yep, wonderful food and wine again!) Thanks, Suzanne!
Here we go! Final week for the run of PROOF. Tell your friends. Bring your friends!
By the way, thanks a bunch to our fabulous graphic designers at Helios for a wonderful weekend wine and nosh reception following Sunday's matinee. The PROOF cast was there (try to keep actors away from food and wine!) for a chance to gather and gossip with all of Helios' clients from around Eugene and beyond. One of the star attractions was actress Kate Cook's mother (in from Memphis to catch her daughter's performance).
In fact, it was the weekend for receptions. Following Friday night's performance, Secretary of The Rep Board Suzanne Bunker and daughter Amy hosted a party for cast and crew and friends at her south Eugene home (yep, wonderful food and wine again!) Thanks, Suzanne!
Here we go! Final week for the run of PROOF. Tell your friends. Bring your friends!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
RAVE REVIEW FOR THE REP'S "PROOF"
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Production gets to essential truths of ‘Proof’
By Dorothy Velasco
For The Register-Guard
Proof, the Pulitzer and Tony award-winning play by David Auburn, is a mystery, a love story, and evidence, if not scientific proof, of mankind’s ability to learn and express compassion.
Now playing at the Soreng Theatre, the first-rate Willamette Repertory Theatre production directed by Pat Patton is thoroughly absorbing. Although the title refers in part to the mathematical proof of a new theory, you don’t even need to know how to balance your checkbook to enjoy this thoughtful, touching show.
Proof hinges on the difficult relationship between Robert, a schizophrenic, and his 25-year-old daughter and caretaker, Catherine.
Robert, who recently died but still talks to Catherine, had been a renowned mathematical genius at the University of Chicago. Sadly, he peaked at age 23 and later slipped into madness, spending his final years writing meaningless formulas in more than 100 notebooks.
Robert’s wife died young, and Catherine, his younger daughter, felt duty bound to drop out of college to care for him. Although Catherine is severely depressed, sometimes spending days in bed, the central pleasure of her life is math, which her father taught her since childhood.
Now Robert’s funeral is imminent, and his officious elder daughter, Claire, has flown in from New York to take charge of arrangements and tell Catherine how to lead her life. Hal, a former graduate student of Robert’s, is going through his notebooks to see if he was able to do any legitimate work during his madness.
Among all the gibberish he finds a brilliant 40-page proof. Did Robert write it? If not, who did? Hal and Catherine seem to be falling in love, but when she tells him she wrote the proof, he can’t believe it’s possible.
Hal, at 28, knows he’ll never be a star, but at least he has his doctorate. Claire tells him that although Catherine is a dropout she inherited some of her father’s genius. If she did write the proof, she’ll have a terrific battle ahead of her as she tries to overcome the historical prejudice against women in science.
Meanwhile, the term “proof,” applied to the relationships among the four characters, represents how people prove their trust, respect and love -- never simple even in the best of times. How do we pay our debts to family and those we love? How do we forgive and get beyond the wrongs we do to each other?
These are the themes that give the play such value, and which veteran director Patton and his excellent cast elucidate so well. The play is delightfully witty. And Patton knows how to let the humor roll out naturally but often unexpectedly.
The actors are all up to the task. Wesley Bishop, formerly with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, convincingly conveys Robert’s warmth and intelligence during his good times, and his belligerence and fears during his pitifully mad times.
Kate Cook, in her Willamette Rep debut, is dazzling as Catherine, so depressed from the grueling task of caring for her father that she believes she may have inherited not only his genius but also his madness. She can be furious at the other characters, and rightfully so, but she manages to pull herself out of anger.
Quinn Mattfeld, a former Eugene resident now working in New York, is charming as Hal. He is so eager to be liked, so desirous to make amends and find the truth, that we forgive him his petty lack of imagination.
Megan Smith, Willamette Rep alum who now lives in San Francisco, is very funny as the rigid, manipulative Claire, with her precious little gestures and smirks. She stands ramrod straight, and even her clothes are stiff.
All of the actors are wonderfully engaged with each other, using subtle body language to convey their constantly evolving emotions.
Nadya Geras-Carson’s set design is ingenious and symbolic. We see the back porch and back side of a decrepit two-story house. Like Robert, it’s falling apart, with whole sections entirely missing and other pieces seeming to float in space.
The evocative lighting is by Michael Peterson, the sound by Jim Rusby and costumes by Maiya Becker.
------
Dorothy Velasco, a Springfield playwright, reviews theater for The Register-Guard.
By Dorothy Velasco
For The Register-Guard
Proof, the Pulitzer and Tony award-winning play by David Auburn, is a mystery, a love story, and evidence, if not scientific proof, of mankind’s ability to learn and express compassion.
Now playing at the Soreng Theatre, the first-rate Willamette Repertory Theatre production directed by Pat Patton is thoroughly absorbing. Although the title refers in part to the mathematical proof of a new theory, you don’t even need to know how to balance your checkbook to enjoy this thoughtful, touching show.
Proof hinges on the difficult relationship between Robert, a schizophrenic, and his 25-year-old daughter and caretaker, Catherine.
Robert, who recently died but still talks to Catherine, had been a renowned mathematical genius at the University of Chicago. Sadly, he peaked at age 23 and later slipped into madness, spending his final years writing meaningless formulas in more than 100 notebooks.
Robert’s wife died young, and Catherine, his younger daughter, felt duty bound to drop out of college to care for him. Although Catherine is severely depressed, sometimes spending days in bed, the central pleasure of her life is math, which her father taught her since childhood.
Now Robert’s funeral is imminent, and his officious elder daughter, Claire, has flown in from New York to take charge of arrangements and tell Catherine how to lead her life. Hal, a former graduate student of Robert’s, is going through his notebooks to see if he was able to do any legitimate work during his madness.
Among all the gibberish he finds a brilliant 40-page proof. Did Robert write it? If not, who did? Hal and Catherine seem to be falling in love, but when she tells him she wrote the proof, he can’t believe it’s possible.
Hal, at 28, knows he’ll never be a star, but at least he has his doctorate. Claire tells him that although Catherine is a dropout she inherited some of her father’s genius. If she did write the proof, she’ll have a terrific battle ahead of her as she tries to overcome the historical prejudice against women in science.
Meanwhile, the term “proof,” applied to the relationships among the four characters, represents how people prove their trust, respect and love -- never simple even in the best of times. How do we pay our debts to family and those we love? How do we forgive and get beyond the wrongs we do to each other?
These are the themes that give the play such value, and which veteran director Patton and his excellent cast elucidate so well. The play is delightfully witty. And Patton knows how to let the humor roll out naturally but often unexpectedly.
The actors are all up to the task. Wesley Bishop, formerly with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, convincingly conveys Robert’s warmth and intelligence during his good times, and his belligerence and fears during his pitifully mad times.
Kate Cook, in her Willamette Rep debut, is dazzling as Catherine, so depressed from the grueling task of caring for her father that she believes she may have inherited not only his genius but also his madness. She can be furious at the other characters, and rightfully so, but she manages to pull herself out of anger.
Quinn Mattfeld, a former Eugene resident now working in New York, is charming as Hal. He is so eager to be liked, so desirous to make amends and find the truth, that we forgive him his petty lack of imagination.
Megan Smith, Willamette Rep alum who now lives in San Francisco, is very funny as the rigid, manipulative Claire, with her precious little gestures and smirks. She stands ramrod straight, and even her clothes are stiff.
All of the actors are wonderfully engaged with each other, using subtle body language to convey their constantly evolving emotions.
Nadya Geras-Carson’s set design is ingenious and symbolic. We see the back porch and back side of a decrepit two-story house. Like Robert, it’s falling apart, with whole sections entirely missing and other pieces seeming to float in space.
The evocative lighting is by Michael Peterson, the sound by Jim Rusby and costumes by Maiya Becker.
------
Dorothy Velasco, a Springfield playwright, reviews theater for The Register-Guard.
Friday, February 8, 2008
THREE PLAYS IN THREE DAYS - TITLES SET
The 2007-2008 Readings in Rep are set. After much deliberation, soul-searching, lobbying efforts, bribery and threats, Artistic Director Kirk Boyd has settled on three unique and distinguished plays for our annual end of season extravaganza. Remember, tickets are only $10 per reading. Here's the list:
Friday, May 16th – 8:00pm
The King’s Proposal or the Marriage of Princess Guido by Michael Govier – is a ridiculous comedy telling the tale of a greedy King who tries to marry his daughter to an unwanted suitor. When the King’s servant, Guido, gets involved the play descends into mistaken identities, forced marriage, forced puppetry, cross-dressing….and swords!
Saturday, May 17th – 8:00pm
Inside the Coma of Wayne Morse by Steve Lyons – wrestles with the question of “why bother?” – an often-asked question in the current environment. The play takes place in Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland on July 22, 1974. Senator Morse lies in a coma on the day he dies. He is sharing the room with a premature newborn (played by a young man). The ensuing discussion of life and death between one man checking out while the other is deciding whether or not to check in is fascinating.
Sunday, May 18th – 2:00pm
Sometimes a Great Notion by Aaron Posner from the novel by Ken Kesey – former Eugenean Aaron Posner acquired the rights from Faye Kesey to adapt the Oregon epic to the stage. The result is a powerful tale told by eleven actors. Willamette Repertory will stage a full production as part of our 10th season and wanted the community to get a taste of how this remarkable story is told on stage.
Friday, May 16th – 8:00pm
The King’s Proposal or the Marriage of Princess Guido by Michael Govier – is a ridiculous comedy telling the tale of a greedy King who tries to marry his daughter to an unwanted suitor. When the King’s servant, Guido, gets involved the play descends into mistaken identities, forced marriage, forced puppetry, cross-dressing….and swords!
Saturday, May 17th – 8:00pm
Inside the Coma of Wayne Morse by Steve Lyons – wrestles with the question of “why bother?” – an often-asked question in the current environment. The play takes place in Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland on July 22, 1974. Senator Morse lies in a coma on the day he dies. He is sharing the room with a premature newborn (played by a young man). The ensuing discussion of life and death between one man checking out while the other is deciding whether or not to check in is fascinating.
Sunday, May 18th – 2:00pm
Sometimes a Great Notion by Aaron Posner from the novel by Ken Kesey – former Eugenean Aaron Posner acquired the rights from Faye Kesey to adapt the Oregon epic to the stage. The result is a powerful tale told by eleven actors. Willamette Repertory will stage a full production as part of our 10th season and wanted the community to get a taste of how this remarkable story is told on stage.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
CURTAIN UP!
Well, if we used a curtain, which we don't... but you get the idea. The first preview of David Auburn's Tony and Pulitzer winning PROOF is tonight at 7:30pm in the Soreng Theatre at the Hult Center. And don't forget, if you're coming tonight or Thursday, come a little early so you don't miss the Pre-Show talk by the Director and all of PROOF's Designers. That begins at 6:45pm both nights in the Hult Lobby. It's also a great opportunity to ask questions of anyone on the production team. We'll see you at the Soreng!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
REP READERS MEET FEB 5
It's engaging, erudite and eccentric... PLUS it's fun! Think of it as the book club for theater lovers. REP READERS meet before the opening of each Rep mainstage production. They talk about the practicalities of the previous production as well as the possiblilites for the production just ahead. The next session for REP READERS is Tuesday, February 5 at 7pm at The Rep offices: 115 W. 8th Ave., Suite 285, Eugene, OR 97401. They'll be looking back at A CHRISTMAS CAROL and looking ahead to David Auburn's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning PROOF. FREE SCRIPTS (including discussion questions) are available at J. Michaels Book Store at 160 E. Broadway in Eugene.The sessions are coordinated by our Dramaturg Robert Foster and our Board Member/English Professor Suzanne Bunker. To get on the REP READERS mailing list just email Alan Beck at alanb@willrep.org or call 343-9903.
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Monday, January 14, 2008
REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR "PROOF"
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At 6 PM tonight four extraordianry actors will gather at The Rep offices for the first read-through of David Auburn's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play PROOF. The Director for this exciting production is Oregon Shakespeare Festival veteran PAT PATTON, who many will remember as Director of last season's critically acclaimed production of THE GLASS MENAGERIE.
In keeping with Rep tradition, the production designers will also make a presentation this evening about the set, costume and lighting decisions for PROOF. Many members of our Board of Directors will attend the reading and you are invited as well. It's always fascinating to compare the first reading with the results on opening night! If you'd like to be here tonight, just call Alan at The Rep for details (541-343-9903).
The four actors for PROOF are: WESLEY BISHOP (Robert), returning to The Rep for the first time since his performance as Morgan in THE DRAWER BOY in 2005; KATE COOK (Catherine), making her Rep debut; QUINN MATTFELD (Hal), making his third appearance with The Rep, having been seen previously in MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in 2002 and THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE (Abridged) in 2003; MEGAN SMITH (Claire) makes her fourth appearance for The Rep having worked previosly in ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD in 1999, WOODY GUTHRIE'S AMERICAN SONG in 2000 and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS in 2001.
In keeping with Rep tradition, the production designers will also make a presentation this evening about the set, costume and lighting decisions for PROOF. Many members of our Board of Directors will attend the reading and you are invited as well. It's always fascinating to compare the first reading with the results on opening night! If you'd like to be here tonight, just call Alan at The Rep for details (541-343-9903).
The four actors for PROOF are: WESLEY BISHOP (Robert), returning to The Rep for the first time since his performance as Morgan in THE DRAWER BOY in 2005; KATE COOK (Catherine), making her Rep debut; QUINN MATTFELD (Hal), making his third appearance with The Rep, having been seen previously in MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in 2002 and THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE (Abridged) in 2003; MEGAN SMITH (Claire) makes her fourth appearance for The Rep having worked previosly in ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD in 1999, WOODY GUTHRIE'S AMERICAN SONG in 2000 and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS in 2001.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
LOOK FOR BIG CHANGES AT THE REP!
New ideas are popping up like infield flys at The Rep. When you come to see PROOF watch for what is new and see if you can catch them all.
PROOF
February 6 – 24, 2008
Already considered a modern classic, David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama won the 2001 Tony Award for Best Play. A daughter explores the legacy of her late father’s mathematical genius and mental illness. This is a riveting detective story, ghost story and love story that will warm your heart. Adult language.
PROOF
February 6 – 24, 2008
Already considered a modern classic, David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama won the 2001 Tony Award for Best Play. A daughter explores the legacy of her late father’s mathematical genius and mental illness. This is a riveting detective story, ghost story and love story that will warm your heart. Adult language.
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