Director's Note & Press Release: Dragnet

Director's Note: As a kid I regularly watched Dragnet re-runs on Nick-at-Nite.  I’ve always appreciated its quirky, off-beat storytelling.  Looking back on it I realize just how ahead of its time it really was.   Dragnet was the first of several scripts I read this year and something about the characters, mystery and nostalgia factor just kept reeling me in.  I think one of the challenges of doing something with such a rich history is finding the right balance of staying true to the original and still bringing new things to it.  The cast, and Michael as “Friday” in particular, has done a wonderful job in that sense.  It’s been a real pleasure to work with them and I am proud of what we have accomplished together.  I also want to send out a quick thanks to my techies Kara & Hilary and my costume gals Sally & Caroline.  They’ve been a great crew… and those are just the facts, ma’am.  (Someone had to say it.)  Enjoy the show.  –Nic

Press Release: Houghton College Presents Dragnet

            This fall Houghton College travels back to the 1950s with their stage production of the classic Jack Webb TV and Radio show, Dragnet.  When shots ring out in the Hamlin home, Nora Hamlin (Carly Trask) quickly phones the police.  Lucky for her, Sgt. Joe Friday (MichaelBlankenship) answers the call.  When Friday and his partner Frank Smith (Eric Mikols) arrive on the scene they discover the apparent suicide of Nora’s husband.  As Friday and Frank investigate they realize that even though things seem cut and dry they will need more than just the facts to get to the bottom of this mystery.  The officers begin to question the rest of the Hamlin family including Nora’s mother (Liz Raucher) and daughter (Amy Coon) and quickly see that there is a darker side to this seemingly average family.  As the plot thickens and new suspects emerge Joe Friday can’t help but wonder if Mr. Hamlin’s death was in fact a suicide… or was it MURDER?!

            Find out Thursday, Friday or Saturday October 28-30 at 7:00pm (with a 2:00pm matinee on Saturday) in the Tysinger Auditorium, Houghton Academy (9790 Thayer Street, Houghton, NY).  With questions or ticket requests please contact director Nic Gunning at Nicolas.Gunning05@houghton.edu.  Tickets cost $5.00.

Director's Note & Press Release: Guilty Conscience

This is the director's note from our third Valley Theatre show, 2010's Guilty Conscience.  

While I always enjoy working on large scale productions, there is something special about putting together a show with such a small group.  It’s a completely different experience.  Like Art & Telephone Roulette earlier this season, Guilty Conscience has been a group effort.  Amanda, Emily & Paul have been a capable and entertaining crew; and this cast is made up of 4 of my very favorite actors.  I love working with them and I’m happy with the way this play has turned out.

            Guilty Conscience is a unique and suspenseful show.  About 20 pages into my first reading of the script I knew I’d found our next show.  It hooked me right from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down until I figured out the ending… and what an ending it was. I hope you find it just as enjoyable as I did.

Enjoy the show!

-Nic

Here's the press release.  I always enjoy writing these.

The Valley Theatre Presents GuiltyConscience: A Play of Suspense

In Richard Levinson & William Link’s suspenseful tale, attorney Arthur Jamison (Mike Cox) has a problem.  After years of putting up with his lies and unfaithfulness, Louise Jamison (Noelle Winkens) wants out.  Her desire for a divorce coupled with the career-ending secret she holds over him sets in motion Arthur’s plot to kill his wife and avoid getting caught.  With the help of a gruff prosecutor (Ethan Stowell) and a meddling mistress (Hilary Gunning), Arthur’s plan seems fool-proof.  Will he get away with the perfect crime? Or will he get caught in his own trap?

Find out Friday or Saturday May 21 & 22 at 7:00pm (with a 2:00pm matinee on Saturday) in the Houghton FireHall (Houghton, NY).  With questions or ticket requests for Guilty Conscience please contact director Nic Gunning at TheValleyTheatre@gmail.com.  You can also visit us online at www.facebook.com/valleytheater. Tickets cost $5.00.

Director's Note & Press Release: Jake's Women

This is the director's note from my second show with Houghton College, Neil Simon's Jake's Women.  Working on this show was a great experience.  This is the kind of show I love to do.

     As soon as I started reading the script for Jake’s Women I was hooked.  It was such a unique setting and intriguing premise that I couldn’t put it down until I knew how it would resolve.

     Jake’s Women takes a humorous but honest look at the difficulty of relationships.  Jake comes to realize that in order to have successful ones you need patience, trust, forgiveness and so much more.  When the reality of that sets in he turns to his imagination for support.  Therein lies the complexity of Neil Simon’s script.  It’s important to remember that many of the characters we meet are merely Jake’s mental interpretation of them.  It’s when Jake’s women stop playing along that the fun really begins.

     I’ve been lucky to work with such a wonderful cast & crew.  Special thanks to Rachel, my student director, for all of her hard work.  Whether it was reading scripts, selling ads, finding costumes or helping in rehearsals she was always game to dive in.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy the show as much as I have.     –Nic


Here is the press release that went out to the local papers.

Houghton College Presents Neil Simon’s Jake’s Women

           

In Neil Simon’s clever comedy, Jake’s Women, a successful novelist (Eric Mikols) struggles with his tragic past and tumultuous present.  The distractions of his writing career coupled with his tendency to veer off in imaginary conversations with the women in his life threaten to unravel his flawed marriage.  When Jake’s current wife, Maggie (Jillian Parsons), finally walks out on him he turns to the imaginary versions of his deceased first wife, daughter, therapist and kid sister to help put the pieces back together and win her back.  He soon discovers that reorganizing his priorities and letting go of the past are easier said than done. With the clock ticking, can he get it together and reunite with Maggie before it’s too late?  Is that even what he still wants? 

Find out Thursday, Friday or Saturday March 4-6 at 7:00pm (with a 2:00pm matinee on Saturday) in the Tysinger Auditorium, Houghton Academy (9790 Thayer Street, Houghton, NY).  With questions or ticket requests please contact director Nic Gunning at (585) 567-9613 or Nicolas.Gunning05@houghton.edu.  Tickets cost $5.00.

You can also tune in to a special episode of the All the Books show podcast where Eric and I discuss the Neil Simon catalog.