Live Theatre Workshop presents LOVE LETTERS

 

LOVE LETTERS

by A.R. Gurney

Cast: Rhonda Hallquist and Carlisle Ellis

October 16 - November 1 (No show Halloween, October 31)

Fri/Sat at 7pm, Sundays at 5pm

Andy Ladd and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards, and evolves into love letters exchanged throughout their lives. Acclaimed playwright AR Gurney makes it eloquently clear how two people may be physically apart, but spiritually close and forever bound by the strength of true love. This show is performed as a staged reading in our outdoor Drive-in theatre where audience members can watch and listen from the comfort of their car, or sit with masks outside their car in their own chairs.

https://www.livetheatreworkshop.org/shows/main-soon.html

Fall Drive-In Radio Plays

Starting this October, Live Theatre Workshop’s Children’s Theatre and Mainstage Theatre are back in a new and exciting way! We will be entertaining the community with our same great productions presented as drive up radio shows. Enjoy these outdoor performances from the comfort of your own car. Tune into the LTW radio station to hear the story, music, and classic radio foley sound effects as our talent artists perform them live on our new outdoor stages. Our Children’s Theatre shows are perfect for the young and young at heart!

Enjoy these outdoor performances from the comfort of your own car. Tune into the LTW radio station to hear the story, music, and classic radio foley sound effect. You can also bring your mask and lawn chairs and sit outside of your car or in the tailgate.

General admission per car: $25
General Admission plus snack bundle 1: $35
General Admission plus snack bundle 2: $40

https://www.livetheatreworkshop.org/shows/main-soon.html

 

Live Theatre Workshop
3322 E Fort Lowell Rd
Tucson, AZ 85716
Reservations: (520) 327-4242
livetheatreworkshop@gmail.com

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INSIDE HUMOR FOR LOVERS OF THEATER FILLS AUDIO ADAPTATION OF "IT IS MAGIC"

By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com

 

From left, Susan Arnold, Gretchen Wirges and India Osborne help create the audio magic at Scoundrel & Scamp.

Be honest now, how many times have you ever thought of Shakespeare's three witches along with the Three Little Pigs in the same sentence?

Fanciful playwright Mickle Maher (“A Happiness That Morning Is”) has proudly claimed that space with his humorously chaotic “It Is Magic,” a sort of fever dream in a backstage setting using psychological stage tricks as the MacGuffin that animates conflicted motivations in a community theater company whose desire to perform often exceeds its ability to do so.

If you count yourself among the proud cohort that has seen “Waiting For Guffman” at least three times, you will thoroughly enjoy “It Is Magic,” now streaming online through Oct. 3 in an audio production by the Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre.

Here in the midst of the COVID pandemic, S&S has opened the first play of its 2020-21 season online by simply recording the actors' voices performing Maher's script, with Bryan Rafael Falcon directing. With Maher's words doing double duty to convey all of the acting, the effect is like old time radio theater.

Falcon makes the innovative production feel a little more vintage by posting on the video screen black & white photos of the cast while the audio plays.

The dialogue creates a wild and crazy atmosphere with little need for reality. Maher has made the plot deliberately confusing to accelerate the fun – which this cast gleefully energizes with enthusiasm and a shameless love for exaggerated expression.

Sharing as the cast in this true ensemble effort are Susan Arnold, India Osborne, Gretchen Wirges, Lance Guzman and John Keeney.

The 90-minute production is set in the basement of a theater building where an audition is being held as, upstairs, a play opens in the main performance space.

Don't bother trying to carefully follow the plot. The real fun is in all the inside theater talk, the cuts and quips about a stage life that feels more like an addiction – no one is getting paid and no one would dream of leaving.

My favorite bit of logic reminds the actors who don't get cast in a role that now they can become a part of the audience, which is always the most important part of every play.

All these actors agree “capturing the magic” is essential. But a few believe some words are more magical than others. Or maybe it's not the words, but the actor that has the magic.

As with all art, everything is so subjective. Is the artistic director always fair, or is the artistic director playing favorites? And how does a person get to be one of the artistic director's favorites, anyway?

There's a lot of business about how everyone is supposed to say “the Scottish play” instead of the actual title of the Bard's kilted classic. Centuries-old backstage lore holds it is bad luck to say the title out loud. Hard core true believers insist you can't even say the name of the lead character in the Scottish play.

There are also some keen insights into the theater lifestyle, as well, such as observations on the artificial nature of the audition itself. How can the actor create real magic in the artificial audition process?

Is it real magic without also having the actual play? Does that mean the audition should be more magical than the play itself?

There's lots of other stuff like that to be questioned, as well.

"Is Magic” can be streamed any time between now and Oct. 3 via Scoundrel & Scamp online. Tickets are $11. For reservations and further information, call 448-3300 or visit scoundrelandscamp.org

 

Arts Express: THIS MONTH! Sweeney Todd Live! (And Socially Distanced)

 

From: Arts Express <72fabdba1da7c7b5ab0dea55b30c456d@vendinimail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2020 4:11 PM
Subject: THIS MONTH! Sweeney Todd Live! (And Socially Distanced)

 

Limited Seating Available - Get Your Tickets Now!

SWEENEY TODD

OCT 16 - 25, 2020 • Two Weekends!

Limited Socially Distanced Seating Available - Get Your Tickets Now!  

Arts Express reimagines the riveting power of Sweeney Todd!

Read About Our COVID-19 Policies & Expectations Here

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Sweeney Todd • OCT 16 - 25, 2020

NEW VENUE!  Park Place Mall Suite 214

5870 E Broadway Blvd #214, Tucson, AZ 85711

Chris Will, Director • Khris Dodge, Music Director

Attend the dark, witty tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. This 1979 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and is based on the 1973 play "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" by Christopher Bond.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

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Tucson Improv Movement shows and classes

 

From: Tucson Improv Movement <justin@tucsonimprov.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2020 7:29 AM
Subject: The Yes And News 10/1/20

 

What's your favorite movie?  Mine is Ghostbusters(1989). When I was a young lad the movie scared me so much, and at some point on a snow day(for your Arizonans in the northeast there are days when there is so much snow that they cancel school, they are literally the best days ever) I stuck my courage to the sticking place and watched the movie and realized it was a comedy.  Yeah as a kid I thought Ghostbusters was a scary movie.  There I was laughing, falling in love with Bill Murray, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and Sigourney Weaver in that red dress floating in the air.  I even love Ghostbusters II in a way that you love your second child even if they aren't as cool as the first one.  I also love the new female version and would love to see a sequel.  

Anyway I digress, because this column is about introducing another new Digital Edition Team, Your Favorite Move Improvised!  Coached by Rafi Herreras-Zinman and Cristin Phibbs our improvisers will take your favorite movie ever, and improvise the whole darn thing even if they've never seen it! What could be better than watching your favorite movie; watching a bunch of cool people revisit it on the internet.  Will the plot be exactly the same, what will they cut, what new twists can befall your favorite characters?  You'll find out at the premier of Your Favorite Movie Improvised on October 16th at 7pm!  The cast includes: Matt Ricca, Dave Devery, Amanda Rochelle, Betsey Bright, Eric Rau, Lindsay McEldowney, Patrick Ohlde, and Ben Mackey.

Shout out to Angie Moline of Moline Creative who designed the logo for this show!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Shows

 

 

 

 

Friday Night

10/2 @ 7:00pm - The Game Show Show
10/9 @ 7:00pm - Stuck At Home Comedy Show + The Meeting
10/16 @ 7:00pm - Your Favorite Movie Improvised + TIM Coaches Jam
10/23 @ 7:00pm - High School Drama + Choice Cut

 

 

 

 

Support TIM: Digital Edition Show Tickets

 

 

 

Upcoming Classes

 

 

 

 

Improv Comedy 

Coming Soon!
 

Stand Up Comedy 

101 - Monday, October 19th (Digital Edition) with Rory Monserat & Rich Gary
201 - Sunday, October 18th (Digital Edition) with Mo Urban
 

Sketch Comedy 

201 - Sunday, November 8th (Digital Edition) with Daniel Kirby

 

 

 

 

Register for Class Now

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comedy School News

We are sad to announce that Zack Armstrong has stepped down from the role of Comedy School Director.  Zack did a great job over the past several years managing all of our class scheduling, bringing in new teachers, and adding lots of electives to our comedy school curriculum.  We are sad to see him step down from the position, but excited for him to stay as a teacher and continuing to make our company funny!  With a limited schedule of classes for the rest of the year, and until we get a better picture of what 2021 is going to look like, Justin is going to oversee the Comedy School, as we take a pause before filling the role.

We have a brand new class debuting on Sunday, October 18th, Stand Up 201: Joke Writing.  The course will focus on developing a 5 minute set, working through ways to connect previous material to future sets, and teaching six of the most common joke writing techniques.  If you took Stand Up 101, we hope this will be a nice transition to longer sets and more advanced writing skills.  Register today and be apart of the inaugural class!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catch the Game Show Show Friday Night!

Join Arizona's only live and improvised game show, the Game Show Show, this Friday at 7pm on the TIM Facebook page! This month the GSS cast grooves into the land of local radio with contestants Riley And Krystal Pino!

 

 

 

Purchase a Digital Edition Ticket to Support TIM!

 

 

Tucson Improv Movement

414 E 9th Street

Tucson, AZ 85705

 

 

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RUMINATING ON THE ROLE OF FIRST LADY THROUGH AMERICAN HISTORY

By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com

 

Denise Blum as Ladybird Johnson in Toni Press-Coffman's play "Consolation."

That eternal battle between the sexes is seen from the lofty White House capitol perch of several former First Ladies reflecting on their Presidential husbands as they gather to confer one symbolic afternoon with their colleague in arms and Washington DC affairs – Hillary Clinton. The time is in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election.

Tucson playwright Toni Press-Coffman has imagined what their conversations might be like, in the process revealing social values that have changed through two centuries of family life in the White House and other behavior that hasn't changed at all.

In the cast directed by China Young as an online virtual production of the Winding Road Theatre Ensemble are: Lori Hunt (Lucretia Garfield to #20 James A. Garfield), Susan Cookie Baker (Grace Coolidge to #30 Calvin Coolidge); Lena Quach (Julia Tyler to #10 John Tyler); Abigail Dunscomb (Louisa Adams to #6 John Quincy Adams); Kat McIntosh (Eliza Johnson to #17 Andrew Johnson, also Mary Lincoln to #16 Abraham Lincoln); Denise Blum (Ladybird Johnson to #36 Lyndon B. Johnson, also Jane Pierce to #14 Franklin Pierce); Cynthia Jeffery (Ellen Wilson to #28 Woodrow Wilson, also Ida McKinley to #25 William McKinley, ) and Molly Lyons (Hillary Clinton to #42 Bill Clinton).

With such a large cast there is no space for anyone to have a large role, although most comments eventually become centered on Hillary Clinton, largely because (Gasp!) she actually ran for President of the United States! This opportunity never existed for the other women, who share both shock and resentment.

Presenting "Consolation" also becomes a size problem in this COVID era as the virtual production online is divided up into eight separate boxes on one screen.

Each box includes a different actor in a different home setting and each actor wears a costume of that particular period, but no mask.

Since all the voices come through one speaker, even though the voices change it is difficult to tell which “box” is speaking. You just hope as each person talks, a head nod or hand gesture will provide a clue.

But most important to Winding Road and to playwright Press-Coffman is the content of their conversation. Those changing roles of these First Ladies through history represent the changing roles of all women. To this end, Young's direction and the actors themselves tell a positive tale of resilience and determination.

Presented in approximately 90 minutes without an intermission, the opening minutes do include some welcomed introductions. There are akso a few comments about how their identity as First Ladies does not come from who they are, but who they married.

Women from earlier times are shocked by how coarse the nation's language has become. An early joke finds some more comfortable with the F-word than others. But all are happily astounded to learn so many women have been elected to Congress, and they totally agree there should be more.

Just the idea that an African-American man could actually be elected President has many of them speechless and on the verge of appoplexy.

Then there are long motherly conversations on the differences between raising girls and boys. Gun control also attracts their attention. Generally speaking, every subject that comes up generates divided opinions. But they all quickly agree on one thing – the philandering nature of Presidential husbands.

Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, our current President, quickly become the center of attention, with Hillary Clinton the ringleader pointing to a variety of choices she could have made. And defending the ones she did make.

“Consolation” is not about picking winners and losers, but more about developing a longer view. Everyone will have an opinion.

As a form of theater in the time of COVID, this “Zoom” approach has clarity but sacrifices the drama of actors interacting. Winding Road Theater Ensemble has more variations with a full 2020-2021 season planned online for its audience. Check windingroadtheater.org for all the details, or phone (520) 314-9870.

“Consolation” will be presented as a streamed recording of this Sept. 25^th performance on Sept. 27, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 at 2 p.m.; also Oct. 3 and Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m., via the Winding Road website. Tickets are $15.

 

GASLIGHT THEATRE'S FALL JOURNEY THROUGH ITS SCRAPBOOK MOMENTS

By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com

 

Every meal is a party for David Fanning as The Vampire.

 

With a full moon rising over the Gaslight Theatre that doughty gang of players began its second scrapbook tribute show of selected highlights from 43 years of original productions with The Best of Gaslight Fall Revue, now playing every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 25.

A panoply of black costumes from the theater company's own clothes closet were on parade depicting every type of darkly dressed villain in American pop culture and folklore that has had its moment on the Gaslight's colorful stage.

That includes iconic hero figures resembling the Phantom of the Opera, Agent 007, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Dracula and Frankenstein, giving the Fall Revue a definite Halloween costume flair.

Now, thanks to the COVID pandemic which closed the theater, all the actors and their outfits have been moved out to the front porch for performances, along with musical accompaniment from an energetic trio led by pianist Linda Ackermann.

I say, why not join in the fun? The entire drive-in audience could arrive in costumes (they've already got the masks) to strut their stuff in the open spaces by their cars. Being sure, of course, to keep their six feet of social distance from all the other cars.

Bringing star power to this front porch Revue is special guest artist and Gaslight fan favorite David Fanning donning the duds and make-up from his favorite roles: singing the songs of longing for Christine who waits backstage at the Paris Opera House, later wearing a special agent's tuxedo and fearing he might not live until tomorrow, and most touching, appearing with a stitched up face, enormous shoulders, ill-fitting clothes and platform shoes as The Creature who wants to learn how to dance.

You just have to be there.

Joining Fanning are six other Gaslight regulars – Mike Yarema, Todd Thompson, Jake Chapman, Heather Stricker, Janee Page and Erin Thompson. At some point, each of them wore black, singing parodies of such songs as "Spooky,” “I Put A Spell On You,” “Evil Woman” and “Monster Mash.”

There are also brighter moments, such as Todd Thompson in kind of a Las Vegas get-up to croon “Everybody Loves Somebody” and “That's Amore.” 

The sweetest by far is Erin Thompson in a beautiful gown reminiscent of “The Little Mermaid” to sing the timeless “Part of Your World.”

But my personal favorite in triplicate was the Three Musketeers, swinging their swords and wearing all that matching period garb as they turned to Barry Manilow for inspiration. Only, although the melody was the same as “I Write the Songs,” the words came out “We right the wrongs”...as in “We serve justice, we write the wrongs.”

The Gaslight's classic appreciation for puns and one-liners goes unfortunately astray with a reliance on computer canned humor for some seasonal laughs, but do you know why ghosts like to visit bars? They like the boos! As for those mummies, what is their favorite music? Wrap.

OK, one more. What do you call a vampire who lives in the kitchen? Count Spatula.

“The Best of Gaslight Fall Revue” plays at 7 p.m. every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 25. on the front porch of the Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway, where all the rules for safety and social distancing are meticulously observed.

Admission is $40 per vehicle, with no limit on the number of passengers. Every car receives a pillow-sized bag of free popcorn. Pizza and other Gaslight menu items, also beverages, are offered. For details and reservations, 520-886-9428, or visit www.thegaslighttheatre.com for complete details,

The Fall Revue is a fund raising event to help the theater company survive the COVID pandemic. Announced plans are for the regular Gaslight shows to resume in the Spring of 2021.

 

Invisible Theatre presents TRUMBO - Red, White and Black Listed

 

From: Suz and Invisible Theatre <suz@invisibletheatre.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2020 12:05 AM
Subject: IT'S TRUMBO - Red, White and Black Listed👏

 

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW!

 

 

 

Invisible Theatre kicks off its

50th Anniversary Season in its intimate and reimagined 22 Boutique Seating Venue!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUMBO

Red,White and Black Listed!

by

Christopher Trumbo

 

October 21 - November 1, 2020

 



Made possible in part

through the generous support of

MARY ANN STUBBS

Directed by Susan Claassen

Starring

David Alexander Johnston and Damian Garcia

 

 

 

 

 

When legendary screenwriter Dalton Trumbo stood up in the House of Un-American Activities Committee in 1947, he was thrown in prison and blacklisted as one of the "Hollywood Ten". Based on his brilliant and razor-sharp letters to friends, former friends, and family, Trumbo reveals how the author of "Spartacus", "Roman Holiday", and "Exodus" took on Congress, Hollywood, and the Red Scare – and won. TRUMBO combines wit, bravery and true patriotism. Dalton Trumbo served time in prison for "Contempt of Congress". He agreed: "As far as I was concerned, it was a completely just verdict. I had contempt for that Congress and have had contempt for several since."

 

"Positively sizzles with wit …"

- Variety

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Schedule!

 

Wednesday, October 21 - Saturday, October 24 - 7:30

Sunday, October 25 - 3:00 - SOLD OUT

 

Wednesday, October 28 - Saturday, October 30 - 7:30

Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1 - 3:00

 

 

Here is how it works!

Decide which performance you would like to attend and how many in your party. All seats are reserved.

$40

 

Call 520-882-9721 or Order Online.

 

Flex Pass Tickets

(good through December 2021)

are still available and offer LARGE

financial savings and priority seating!

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE

and be part of the "IT Crowd" !

 

We have implemented every precaution prescribed by the AZDHS, City of Tucson and the CDC. This includes a new ionizer for our AC that purifies and sanitizes the airflow in the theatre, social distancing etc. This has resulted in a hugely diminished audience capacity but, not the enthusiasm!

 

 

 

 

Invisible Theatre

1400 North First at Drachman

Tucson, Arizona 85719

www.invisibletheatre.com

 

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Unscrewed Theater shows and classes

 

From: Unscrewed Theater <UnscrewedTheater@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2020 9:00 AM
Subject: Your Fall Funny Is Here!

 

 

 

 

Jumping Into Fall...

 

 

In Tucson.

Okay, so, maybe there's no chill to our desert air yet.

Still - we made it through another month! And THAT is a GREAT reason to celebrate!

And a new month means new improv - and even more reasons to laugh.

So make sure you download our new October calendar! Print it out, pin it to your fridge, and add the dates to your phone so you don't miss a single opportunity to brighten your day.

It starts this Saturday at 7:30 (Tucson time!) - with our Unscrewed Theater Family-Friendly House Party! 

This Saturday, we're joined by VERY special guest Daryl Patrice - an actress, PHENOMENAL singer, improviser, and playwright from Miami.

First time participating in a virtual improv event? Our House Party version of Bing-Switcheroo! will have you howling! You can join us - from your very own living room! Pop some popcorn, grab your fav beverage, and get ready to laugh with us at the next Unscrewed Theater House Party!


 

---

Did you know - all our online shows are  FREE!
 

All Unscrewed Theater online shows are FREE to attend! 

We are Tucson's only 100% all-volunteer 501(c)3 theater. And every last one of us dedicated to creating a safe place for you to laugh & enjoy yourself. Whether you're in Tucson or Tallahassee. 

And that's more important than ever right now, right?  So we've become the kings and queens of online merriment. 👑

Whether you're watching one of our free shows, sittin' in on a class or workshop, or watching all that free funny we've got loaded up on YouTube - we want you to be able to forget, even if for just a couple minutes, about everything that makes you feel anything less than COMPLETELY happy.

And while we never get paid, our landlord, insurance and utility companies do. Every month. 

Today, we're asking you to invest in the future of funny. Even five dollars a month makes a difference. That's even less than what it would cost to come see one show a month in person.

So come on. 
Do it.

Count yourself among those who know the value in watching a bunch of really silly people make stuff up in front of everyone. 

Cuz, really. 
It's awesome.

Just smoosh the button below. 

 

 

 

Virtual Training Center

Improv Yourself - Online!

 

 

 

Learn Something New With Improv!

 

 

There are a MILLION reasons why you should really try improv.

Improv can help you:
- Learn better diction (especially important when talking behind a mask!)
- Improve your communication skills
- Respond to questions from Zoom calls
- Embrace the power of "Yes, and..."

Find your reason to embrace improv and join us online (from ANYWHERE!)

This month, we're thrilled to have Liz Allen join us on the virtual stage!

Liz is a long-time improv performer and teacher. She's been directing and teaching as part of iO Theater for years, and is coming to our virtual stage to provide all of you with her skills. Whether you're looking for long-form or short-form instruction, Liz Allen does it all! Classes start in October and are filling up quick, so register below!

Oct. 25th, 10am: https://www.unscrewedtheater.org/event/allen-monologues-2020-10-25/.
Oct. 25th, 2pm: https://www.unscrewedtheater.org/event/allen-patterns-2020-10-25/
Nov. 1st, 10am: https://www.unscrewedtheater.org/event/allen-favorites-2020-11-01/
Nov. 1st, 2pm: https://www.unscrewedtheater.org/event/allen-wagon-2020-11-01/
All 4 workshops: https://www.unscrewedtheater.org/product/allen-workshops-2020-10/


 

Unscrewed Theater

4500 E. Speedway Blvd. #39

Tucson, AZ 85712

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