My Debut as a Playwright

So I've recently started teaching a beginning acting class for the Houghton Movement & Arts Center (http://www.houghtonarts.com/instructors.html). It has been a really interesting experience so far. The students range from roughly 11-14 years old. For the first couple of classes, we discussed theatre and general as well as some of the goals for the class. I've also had them running scenes from shows I've directed. We spent a lot of time on George Batson's House on the Cliff, a show that's near & dear to my heart. We've also used portions from my most recent show Cinderella. It's been a lot of fun so far.
When the class wraps in May there will be a Spring Showcase including dances from some of the classes and a short play starring my class. Find a script for that proved difficult/impossible. I wanted something fresh and age appropriate for the students in my class, but it seemed like everything I found was either really dated or really cornball. I finally decided to sit down and see if I could come up with an original piece. I've wanted to write for a long time, but have never really put any serious thought or effort into it. (Fun fact, my main reason for starting this Blog 5 years ago was to get me in the habit of writing.) Anyway, I was talking about it with one of my student workers (who happens to be a talented actress that I've also directed) and I just typed a quirky little sentence using her name as the main character. It was just a joke. It wasn't a serious attempt to write, but something about that sentence clicked for me. So I wrote a line of dialogue, then another and another and another. An hour and half later I had a funny little 4-character comedy that will work perfectly for my class.
While this may seem like a very minor accomplishment, it actually means something to me. It means that even on a very small scale, I've written something that I'm proud of... something that will be performed on a stage. Obviously this isn't going to win me a Pulitzer, but for better or worse, it's a start. It's exciting.

Gearing up for my next show

     I'm getting ready to start production on my next play, Crimes of the Heart.  This is an interesting one because this would have been a paid gig with the college.  Now that the decision has been made not to continue with college sponsored plays, this has become pro-bono work with the Valley Theatre. While it's disappointing to have lost the job with the college, I do enjoy the freedom that comes with VT.  I'm still working out the kinks with the cast and schedule, but am really looking forward to getting started.
     Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart is a Pulitzer prize winning black comedy.  It's the kind of show I can really sink my teeth in to as a director.  It has a lot of comedic elements, but also some very serious drama.  Pulling off a show like this takes special care.  With the wide range of emotions this show has it can easily become manic and uneven.  Finding the right balance is difficult but when done right offers a real experience for the audience.  The characters in Crimes of the Heart are all very flawed.  It deals with romance, abuse, family issues and personality conflicts.  Heavy stuff.  While I have nothing against doing lighter fare (Father of the Bride & Cinderella to name a few recent shows in this category), I find shows like this much more satisfying. 
More to come.

Book Review: 11/22/63

*****
11/22/63
By Stephen King
    

I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and that earns it 5 stars in my book.  There were times when I couldn't put it down and it's a real testament to the quality of writing when I say I never felt the weight of it's 800+ pages.  At it's core this was a strong character driven story.  Yes there was time travel, yes he was working to save JFK, but mostly it was the story of Jake/George.  In the afterword, King gives a special thanks to my favorite author Jack Finney.  It's very clear from the get-go that this book was fashioned in the Finney style. For me, that just made it that much better.  I loved this.

For more on Stephen King tune into this special episode of my podcast. 

Director's Note & Press Release: The Glass Menagerie

This one is bittersweet, because it was probably the best production I have ever directed but also ended up being my final production at Houghton College.  I am incredibly proud of this show and the talented cast and crew that I worked with.  Here's the brief director's note and press release.

The Glass Menagerie has been a very exciting challenge for all of us involved.  Exploring the various questions raised by the flaws of these characters was interesting for me as a director and demanding for the members of the cast.  It has been a unique experience.  I hope you enjoy the finished product.     -Nic

This fall Houghton College presents a classic of the American theater:  Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.

Tom Wingfield’s (Ben Layman) memories of his past are far from sunny.  Looking back he recalls a palpable tension between himself and his demanding mother (Carly Trask) mingled with a sense of concern and guilt regarding his meek sister Laura (Amber Payne).  Life for the family went from bad to worse when the Wingfield patriarch set off to find greener pastures, leaving those he pledged to love and care for behind him.  In the wake of his father’s departure the role of provider fell to a very reluctant Tom.  His new lot in life aggravated Tom’s growing frustration and he began to count down the days until he could follow in his father’s dusty footprints.  In truth, the only thing that kept him in the Wingfield residence was the love and concern he felt for frail, hen-pecked Laura.  Just as Tom begins to accept the futility of Laura’s state, hope blossoms in the form of a kindly gentleman caller (Dan Buckley).  Can he be the one to rescue Laura from her sadness, thereby giving Tom the freedom to move on and start his life?

Find out in the Tysinger Auditorium of Houghton Academy (9790 Thayer Street, Houghton) on October 20, 21 or 22.  Showtimes are at 7pm each night, with a 2pm matinee on Saturday.  Tickets cost $5 and will be available at the door.  With questions or ticket reservations contact director Nic Gunning at Nicolas.gunning05@houghton.edu.

Press Release: Cinderella

The Valley Theatre presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella

This September, The Valley Theatre presents a quirky take on the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, Cinderella.  Despite living with her demanding stepmother (Debbie Young) and daffy stepsisters (Sarah Badger, Jennifer Brown), Cinderella (Kaylan Buteyn) still has hope that someday she will find true happiness.  Her chance comes on one magical night when she finds herself at the ball dancing with the charming Prince Christopher (Jon Brennan).  The evening is cut short when the clock strikes 12 and she is forced to run away leaving Chris with nothing but a shoe and a plucky determination.  Will Chris find his true love?  Will this “plain country bumpkin” and prince join in marriage?  It’s possible.

The show will be held in the community room of the Houghton Wesleyan Church (9712 Route 19, Houghton) on September 9 at 7pm and September 10 at 2 & 7pm.  To find out more visit: www.facebook.com/valleytheatre.  With questions or ticket requests please contact Director Nic Gunning at thevalleytheatre@gmail.com. 

Movie Review: The King's Speech

A movie starring Colin Firth about a British king struggling to overcome a speech impediment, sounds action packed right? I did not expect to enjoy this movie. I expected it to be stuffy, heavy-handed and beyond boring. However, I decided to bite the bullet and check it out since it won best picture.
As it turns out it was almost more of a buddy movie then a grand historical piece. Prince Albert (Colin Firth), the Duke of York and eventual king, seeks the help of Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), an atypical and under-qualified speech therapist. The relationship between Logue and Bertie was interesting to watch unfold. Rush & Firth did a good job of showing the complexities of this unlikely friendship. The supporting cast, including Helena Bonham-Carter and Guy Pierce was also excellent. The film was entertaining and had a fair bit of humor. It had a quiet, laid-back kind of tone.
Overall we really enjoyed the movie. It is definitely worth watching. There are plans to re-cut the film and remove some language to give it a PG-13 rating. See the original. The use of coarse language was actually pretty important to the story and was handled in a tasteful way. I think this new PG-13 cut would just seem watered down. They got it right the first time around.

Movie Review: Thor

I’m still a little shocked that they did a Thor movie. I mean, okay, he’s one of the core Avengers. Even so… he’s Thor, as in the god of thunder. He’s never really been one of my favorites. It’s a little cheesy. He throws a hammer; he talks like a King James Bible. It’s weird. I was skeptical about this movie and was pretty sure the DVD would be in the $5 bin in like 5 weeks. I was pleasantly surprised.

I don’t want to give too much away, but in the nutshell Thor (Chris Hemsworth) goes against his father (Anthony Hopkins) and is banished to Earth. With Thor absent, his broth Loki (Tom Hiddleston) assumes control of Asgard. Meanwhile on Earth Thor meets up with a scientist named Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). Thor’s weapon Mjolnir is also on earth, but before retrieving it he must first prove his worth.

Like I said, I was pleasantly surprised. It was much better than I expected it to be. I always like Clark Gregg’s Agent Colson. He provided a bit of humor as well as some continuity with the other Marvel movies. One of my favorite moments was Jeremy Renner’s clever cameo as Clint Barton (AKA Hawkeye). Overall the movie had some good action and a fair share of humor. However, with the plot being split between Asgard and Earth it did feel a little uneven and maybe a bit under developed. Hemsworth and Portman had little chemistry and the romance felt rushed and unnecessary. Plus the scenes is Asgard were way more interesting. I especially loved the battle with Frost Giants. I would have liked more of that kind of action. Finally, I was really disappointed with the post-credits scene. I’ll leave it a mystery, but let’s just say I expected more.

Anyway, go see Thor. It’s the kind of movie that should be seen in the theatre. Also, while I’m not a huge fan of 3D this might be worth seeing that way.

Tune in here for a special episode of the All the Books Show podcast where we discuss the entire MCU!