Filed under: A Moon for the Misbegotten, Bad Dates, Heroes, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, The seafarer | Tags: A Moon for the Misbegotten, Bad Dates, david adkins, Edward Morgan, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Gordon Joseph Weiss, Heroes, IRNE Awards, Kate Udall, Merrimack Rep, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, ron holgate, The seafarer
MERRIMACK REP RECEIVES 9 IRNE AWARD NOMINATIONS
John Kooi, Kate Udall, Gordon Joseph Weiss and Michael Canavan. Photo by Meghan Moore.
The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) have nominated Merrimack Repertory Theatre artists and productions for 9 awards in the Large Theatre category. Headlining Merrimack Rep’s nominations are The Seafarer and A Moon the Misbegotten, which are both nominated for Best Production of a Play, a category Merrimack Rep has won previously with Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance (2008) and The Drawer Boy (2003).
IRNE Nominees David Adkins & Gordon Joseph Weiss in The Seafarer. Photo by Meghan Moore.
In total, four of Merrimack Rep’s productions in 2009 garnered IRNE nominations. Eugene O’Neill’s American classic A Moon for the Misbegotten, which culminated MRT’s 30 Anniversary Season, leads the way with 5 nominations. In addition to Best Production of a Play, it also received nominations for Best Director (Edward Morgan), Best Actress (Kate Udall) and Best Ensemble. Gordon Joseph Weiss is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performances as Phil Hogan in A Moon for the Misbegotten and as Richard Harkin in The Seafarer. The Seafarer is also nominated for Best Production of a Play, and David Adkins received a nomination for Best Actor.
Jonathan Hogan, Ron Holgate & Kenneth Tigar in HEROES. Photo by Meghan Moore.
Also nominated for Best Actor is stage veteran Ron Holgate, who made his Merrimack Rep debut as Gustave in Heroes in November 2009. Elizabeth Aspenlieder, who starred in the one-woman show Bad Dates, is nominated for Best Solo Performance, an award she won for the same role earlier this year at the Boston Theatre Critics Association’s Elliot Norton Awards.
Elizabeth Aspenlieder - Photo by Meghan Moore
The IRNE Awards will be held on Monday, April 19, 2010 at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama. The full list of IRNE nominees, along with event information is available online at www.stagesource.org.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s 2009-2010 Season is sponsored by Lowell Cooperative Bank. The Seafarer was sponsored by Wannalancit Mills, an investment of Farley White Interests. Heroes was sponsored by Courier Corporation. Bad Dates was sponsored by Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank.
Filed under: Merrimack Repertory Theatre | Tags: Bad Dates, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Elliot Norton Awards, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, MRT
ELLIOT NORTON NOMINATION
- Elizabeth Aspenlieder – Photo by Meghan Moore
View the complete list of nominees here.
Filed under: Bad Dates | Tags: Bad Dates, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Haviland Morris, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, MRT
Cast Change for Bad Dates
Due to a physical injury, actress Elizabeth Aspenlieder will be unable to complete the last two weeks of the run of Bad Dates at Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Filling her shoes as Haley Walker for the final two weeks will be Haviland Morris, who is fresh off a five-week run of Bad Dates at the Tony Award-winning Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT. To allow time to adequately rehearse and make the substitution, the performance originally scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, has been moved to 8 pm on Tuesday, April 7. The Thursday, April 2, performance has been moved to Sunday, April 12 at 7 pm, and is the new closing performance for Bad Dates. Performances will resume on Friday, April 3 at 8pm. All other shows and times remain as scheduled.
Haviland Morris
Haviland Morris has a long and varied career in film, television and theatre. She has appeared in the films Sixteen Candles, Who’s That Girl, Reckless, Love or Money, A Shock To The System, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, The Last Supper, Dear Diary, Home Alone 3, All Your Difference, Rick, The Baxter, Joshua, Cherry Crush, Calling It Quits and Adam. She has performed on television in “One Tree Hill,” “One Life To Live,” “Canterbury’s Watch,” “Madigan Men,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Sex and the City,” “Cosby” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Family Ties,” and in the “Law and Order” franchises. Morris has appeared on Broadway in Ring ‘Round The Moon and Arcadia at Lincoln Center and Tartuffe: Born Again at Circle in the Square. She has acted Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons, Second Stage, Naked Angels, Manhattan Theatre Club, WPA, and Theatre Off-Park.
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Filed under: Bad Dates | Tags: Bad Dates, Greg Solomon, lighting design, Merrimack Rep, Merrimack Repertory, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, MRT
Interview With Greg Solomon
A few weeks ago, during technical rehearsals for Bad Dates, I had the chance to interview the show’s Assistant Lighting Designer, Greg Solomon. Greg is currently a student at SUNY Purchase, and came up to MRT to work on Bad Dates during his spring break.
Where did you grow up, and when did you decide you wanted to work in theatre? What have you done so far to pursue that career?
My family moved around a lot when I was growing up. By the time I graduated from high school, I had lived in Chicago, Sarasota FL, New York, St. Louis, and Philadelphia. I remember seeing my first live performance at the Second City in Chicago—it was a production of Alice and Wonderland my parents took me to for my fourth or fifth birthday, and wow, was I amazed. After that, my parents enrolled me in young actor classes at Second City, which carried on to my taking lessons at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota and the Actors Creative Experience, an acting studio in conjunction with the Helen Hayes in Nyack, NY. Somewhere along the line, I discovered light and was invigorated by its ability to carry a story in the most non-intrusive yet all-encompassing way. During high school, I interned in lighting at the Montgomery Theater and People’s Light and Theatre Company, both in Philadelphia. I later took internships at the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, MA and New York Stage and Film in Poughkeepsie, NY. All these experiences have immensely helped me find work as a designer and assistant. I am currently pursuing my BFA in Lighting Design at SUNY Purchase.
What are the responsibilities of an assistant lighting designer on a show like Bad Dates?
Bad Dates is an interesting process for me, because it is the first time I have worked on a transfer without being involved in the original production. Matthew had already developed his design in Lenox and made changes to the plot for our MRT run. My responsibility has mainly been to carry the design in his absence—focusing the lights with the wonderful crew here and tweaking the cues (or looks) throughout the rehearsal and preview process.
Can you compare your experience working on Bad Dates with other shows you have worked on? Have you encountered any unique challenges on this production?
As I said before, the biggest difference is the nature of the transfer. I’ve had to quickly familiarize myself with the production and make sure that any changes still maintain the integrity of the original design.
Long-term, what are your career goals?
I love theatre, and I love lighting. My goal is to continue working with incredible artists and tell the stories we need to tell. If that means Broadway someday, I’ll be overjoyed. If it means a project in someone’s garage, count me in. There are certainly a handful of theatrical designers who venture into the worlds of dance and opera. Down the line, I’d be interested in exploring these paths as well, but for now the theater is my passion. It is a rare instance where artists and storytellers, technicians and managers, people from all walks of life can come together and experience something. I can’t wait to see what the future brings.
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Filed under: Bad Dates | Tags: Bad Dates, Bad Dates Boston Globe review, Bad Dates Review, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Lowell, Lowell Sun, Merrimack Rep, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, MRT
Bad Dates Reviews
- Elizabeth Aspenlieder – Photo by Megan Moore
The reviews are pouring in for Bad Dates, and as was the case at Shakespeare & Company, the show and star Elizabeth Aspenlieder are garnering raves! Read what all the critics are saying, and be sure to catch Bad Dates at Merrimack Repertory Theatre before April 12. If you’ve already seen Bad Dates, feel free to leave a comment with your feelings on the production.
“Irresistible” – The Boston Globe
“Get ready to laugh” – Lowell Sun
“Merrimack Repertory Theatre offers a completely entertaining stimulus package for the spouse deficient and the romantically disadvantaged among us.” – Broadway World
“Artfully constructed” – Boston Phoenix
“This is a comedy not to be missed for a good laugh, even if you’re a guy.” – Zingology
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Filed under: Bad Dates | Tags: Bad Dates, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Lowell, Merrimack Rep, Merrimack Repertory, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, MRT
Bad Dates Press
Filed under: Bad Dates | Tags: Bad Dates, Merrimack Rep, Merrimack Repertory, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, MRT, set designer interview, Susan Rogers
Bad Dates Set Designer Interview – Susan Rogers
Bad Dates is Susan Rogers second turn as a set designer at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, the first being Boy Gets Girl in the 2003-2004 season. She has worked in many of the theatres in New England and has multiple Off-Broadway credits, including Fire Throws and Innocents and Mercy on the Doorstep. Susan was able to take some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about the process of designing the set of Bad Dates.
Can you compare working on “Bad Dates” with the last show you worked at MRT, “Boy Gets Girl”?
“Bad Dates” was a very different process from “Boy Gets Girl.” In “Bad Dates,” the challenge was to make Haley’s bedroom real to the audience. Any movement in the play comes from Haley’s own inner transformation and is expressed with lighting and sound. The challenge for “Boy Gets Girl” was to transform the set to include many different locations in Manhattan and to do so in a clever and interesting way.
Can you take us through how you decided on your concept for Haley’s Apartment? Can you explain your color choices for the set, particularly the “Nacho Cheese” color?
The director and I decided to make Haley’s bedroom in a pre-war apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We wanted to show realistic details of that era in the architecture but we wanted to decorate the room with her Texas roots. The set dressing portrays her traditional upbringing with a new transformational spirit. The nacho cheese color is both Southwestern and a daring choice in Haley’s changing life.
What was the most challenging aspect of designing the set for “Bad Dates?”
The most challenging thing about designing the set for “Bad Dates” was to design it to showcase all those shoes.
Bad Dates is playing March 19 through April 12. Visit Merrimack Repertory Theatre Online to purchase tickets.
Filed under: Bad Dates | Tags: Bad Dates, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Lowell, Merrimack Rep, Merrimack Repertory, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, MRT, Pay What You Can, Pay What You Will, Young Professionals of Greater Lowell, YPGL
Bad Dates Schedule of Events
Bad Dates is running from March 19 through April 12 at Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Here is the schedule of special events and ticket deals for the run of Bad Dates. Visit the MRT online box office to purchase tickets
March 19 @ 8PM – First Preview/Pay What You Will Night – For Pay What You Will Pricing, you must purchase tickets in person, with cash, between 5PM and 8PM on March 19th. ID required. A director’s dialogue will follow the performance.
March 21 @ 8:30PM – Lowell Night – Lowell residents may purchase tickets for $10. Tickets must be purchased in person, with cash, between 5:30PM and 8:30PM on March 21th. ID required.
March 22 @ 7PM – Opening Night – Join MRT for the official press opening of Bad Dates and a post-show champagne toast.
March 25 @ 2PM – Cookie Matinee – Complementary cookies and coffee are supplied by Brew’d Awakening Coffehaus in Lowell.
March 25 @ 7PM – Wine Lovers Night – Starting at 7PM, sample fine wines from around the globe. There is a $5 admission charge to participate in Wine Lovers Night.
March 26 @ 8PM – Post Show Forum – Your chance to ask Elizabeth Aspenlieder and others questions about the show.
April 2 @ 7PM – Young Professionals Night – Pre-show meet and greet with members of the Young Professionals of Greater Lowell, with free appetizers from a local restaurant. Visit the YPGL website for ticket information.
Ticket Deals for Bad Dates
Senior – 10% of regular ticket price with ID
Students – UML and MCC students pay $10. All other students pay $15. ID required
Rush Hour – Purchase half-priced tickets between 5PM-8PM for that night’s performance. Available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings only.
Groups – Groups of 6 or more receive a 25% discount off the regular ticket price. Call 978-654-7595 or email marketing@merrimackrep.org for rates and booking.
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Filed under: Merrimack Repertory Theatre | Tags: A View of the Harbor, backstage interview, Bad Dates, company management, Danielle Vasickanin, Merrimack Rep, Merrimack Repertory, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, MRT, stage management, The Fantaskicks
This is the first in what will hopefully be a series interviews with the people who work behind the scenes at MRT. Hopefully, this will give you, our audience, insight into who does what at the theatre to make a show happen.
Danielle Vasickanin is one of two stage/company management interns for the 2008-2009 season. As a stage management intern, she works on 3 shows a year (in Danielle’s case The Fantasticks, A View of the Harbor, and the upcoming Bad Dates). When not working on a show, she assists company manager Peter Crewe with artist housing and transportation, among other responsibilities.
Where did you grow up, and when did you decide you wanted to work in theatre?
I grew up in Garfield Heights, Ohio. It is a small suburb bordering Cleveland. I first started participating in theatre through a Youth Theatre program my community ran in the second grade. I enjoyed acting and continued acting in school plays every year in middle school and high school. It wasn’t until after I attended Baldwin-Wallace College and learned about the theatre program, that I decided to change my major to theatre. It had been an area of interest for me for a long time and seemed to be the next logical step for me. After about a year in the theatre program, I realized my talents and skills were better suited for stage management rather than acting, and I made stage management my focus.
How did you find out about MRT, and how did you go about getting your internship?
I usually look for theatre internships and positions on two theatre online search engines. The websites I use are ARTSEARCH, found on the Theatre Communications Group website and Backstagejobs.com. However, on occasion I browse the theatre websites that I am interested in. I was looking at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre website and found the information for the Stage Management/Company Management Internship on the website. I submitted my resume to the appropriate person, completed a phone interview and I was offered and accepted the position a few weeks later.
What are your duties as a stage management intern?
As the stage management intern my primary responsibility is to serve as the Assistant Stage Manager for 3 of our 6 productions. My main responsibilities are setting up the rehearsal hall and setting up for every rehearsal, following along with the script to prompt actors during rehearsal, keeping track of and creating the paperwork for the location and movement of all props and scenic pieces during the course of the show, setting up props and scenic pieces backstage, cleaning the stage and backstage areas, communicating with the stage manager during a production to ensure a smooth start and run of a production, and placing and maintaining the props and scenic pieces before and after each performance. My additional responsibilities include attending all the production meetings for my assigned productions and taking meeting notes and any other assigned tasks given to me by the Production Stage Manager.
Do you have a favorite show or memory from your time at MRT?
My favorite production this season thus far has been The Fantasticks. It was the first production of the season and my first production as the stage management intern. The cast of 8 was large compared to the productions of 4 that followed. There was plenty of camaraderie between the cast members, crew members, and orchestra members. Every day was filled with excitement and fun because there were quite a few comedians in the bunch. In addition, it was a terrific learning experience for me to see how to improve my paperwork and organization for the rest of my time here at MRT.
Where will you be off to once your internship is finished at MRT?
My internship here has given me the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in either Stage Management or Company Management. I have been offered and have accepted a position as a Housing and Transportation Intern at Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, NY. The position responsibilities are similar to my responsibilities as a Company Management Intern here. I will be responsible for putting together welcome packets for all of the employees with information about the area and maps so they can navigate the area and learn about where they will be staying when they work at Glimmerglass. I will help create welcome baskets and meet artists at airports and train stations and drive them to Glimmerglass. I will also assist with and help resolve all the housing problems that will arise with the 250 + summer company that will be housed on the property that Glimmerglass owns and leases.
Long-term, what are your career goals?
My long-term career goal is to become an Actors’ Equity Association Stage Manager. In addition, I hope to one day attend graduate school and earn an education degree in theatre. After attending graduate school, I would like to be a College Professor who instructs in stage management, directing, collaborative theory classes, and introductory theatre courses.
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