"The Heat Is On!"
Lyrics from the inimitable and immortal Glen
Frey, but oh so true during these 'dog days!'
Last weekend was hot, very hot... in fact, the
only thing that was hotter were the performances of "Status Quo
Vadis" at the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen! Venue not withstanding
(it was like working inside a brick oven while Sara Lee was baking), fifteen of the most talented, dedicated and
courageous performers we've ever seen, beat the heat and delivered an
outstanding show. The hardy and overheated crowds loved the play and the
players all the way around!
From top to bottom, we want to acknowledge
every single performer who gave every ounce of their (stage) blood, sweat
(lots!) and (alligator) tears to deliver the goods! Goshen local product Jennie
Pines did an outstanding job as "Irene", the female lead. (This
actress is going places!) Likewise, Suffern's own Ryan Paige (a first-timer)
stepped out of the cold and into the heat... in a very cool way as the
poet/protagonist, 'Horace Elgin'. Erica
Bahr, as the red hot 'Joyce Grishaw,' smoked the stage, along with her
sidekick, 'Barbra' ( played to a tee by newcomer Goshen-ite, Jennifer Kirk),
nearly stealing the show with sexy, savvy and baudy portrayals! And, we may
have unleashed the next, 'Abbott &Costello' in the forms of Sean O'Brien
and B.D. Anthony. THESE GUYS ARE A RIOT as holemakers, 'Reineke' and
'Laporski'! Constance Wehmeyer as 'Sara' played a perfect match for Ken
Butler's loopy 'Rev. Dr. Purdy.' Actor/designer David Benedict, laid it all on
the line as the factory foreman, 'Mr. Gramerky.'
The whole show is filled with laughs, more
than a few provided by our very own, Nan Gill-Wilson (another 'first timer').
She brought down the house as 'Mrs. Elgin,' a woman with a heart of gold and a
tongue like a bull whip, which she uses to punish 'Don Walgren,' the slime-ball
of a corporate lackey, played to the hilt by Andrew Parsons (some of you may
remember him as,'Tommy Bolton' in "Collar!") And, then there was this
one, obviously schizophrenic fellow (David Patrick Wilson) who tore up the
stage as an 'unholy Trinity' of characters ('Mr. Elgin,' 'Prof. Max Russel' and
'Father Mithais'). WARNING!: Having three names may have side effects. He also
co-produced and directed this timely, contemporary 'dramedy.' The 'on stage' talent was rounded out by
Cassidy 'Cassie' Teresi (a young 'hottie' definitely going places in her own
right.)
It was all held together and kept moving by a
team of crack professionals. (Or, was that professionals on crack?! JUST
KIDDING!) Behind the scenes support was headed by stage manager/understudy
('Barbara/Joyce') extraordinaire, Lisa Pearl (Brodsky?) with Samantha Hanson,
Colin Maguire and Luke Segota on lights. The amazing sound is engineered by the
'master blaster,' Fred Mulharin. Wardrobe, hair and make-up were expertly
managed by Monique Tranchina and Theresa Teresi.
All our thanks to all for a really great show!
Thanks also to Goshen FPC for providing us the space to bake this tasty treat!
And now... its time to take "SQV" on
the road! We are looking at every venue in the 5 state area (NY, PA, NJ, MA,
CT) and beyond! The production is complete; we can pack it up and move it in a
day! If you've got the place, we've got the players and the play! As 'hot' as this
production is, we guarantee you can't get burned! Keep your eyes peeled for the
next performance of this minor masterpiece by this zany troupe of performing
zealots known as, The Actors Playing Ensemble. You never know what may evolve
from the A.P.E.!
Meanwhile, on the "Collar"
front...we'd like to "congratulate" the Florida legal system for
showing their true colors (as it were) in handing down the decision on the
Trayvon Martin case. In our opinion, it's a miscarriage of justice...but then
again, 'TJ Williams,' even though a fictitious cop, walked on a similar charge
in our film... which will soon be seen (after much trial and tribulation) in
the form of a new cable/subscription/PPV -TV series!
It all starts with a story similar to the
Martin case, but will follow the exploits of the unconventional 'TJ' as he
navigates the treacherous waters beyond retirement! Although, he will remain a
consultant for the Grossman PD, his adventures will take him far afield! The first two hour-long episodes will fall
under the title of "The Race"; the next two installments come under
the heading of "The Mayan"' where 'TJ' takes a security job at a
mega-sports and gun shop. The first six episodes will be distributed later this
year... keep your eyeballs peeled to a channel near you!
Meanwhile, we continue to await funding on our
six-picture slate, that will include "The Craven", "Shadow's
Serenade" and "Nude Beach" (bring the family!) and others. We
expect to be in production in short order; but if it stays *this* hot, we may
take a summer vacation ourselves! (We hear the Canadian tax credits are pretty
good...!)
Willy Gilly Production's mission is to build live stage production
and the Independent film and television
industry in New York's Hudson Valley.
Our goal is provide a vehicle for local talent to assist them developing
their gifts and in living their dreams.
If you'd like to continue receiving an occasional update about our films
in production, acting and technical training, please sign up at our new website's
contact form.
And thank you for you interest in and support local artists in
Orange County.
Peace,
Nan and David
