Outlook for 2012: Still Stage Crazy!

This weekend marks the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012.

This year, there were auditions and performances for the Diary of Anne Frank at the Palace Theatre and Chicago at McManus Studio. Rehearsals have begun for Treasure Island going up at the Palace Theatre in February and Jenny's House of Joy going up at McManus Studio in February as well. There has also been talk about Arsenic and Old Lace going up at the Palace and I am anxious to find out when the auditions are going to be.This year also was a quiet one for Maybles' Theatre Productions. Since producing Norm Foster's "the LOVE LIST" in 2010, there has not been another production. In 2012, we WILL have another production and you are NOT going to want to miss it!

"Miss. Twiddle and the Devil" and "Miss. Twiddle Meets an Angel" are two one-act plays written by Maurice Hill. They are light-hearted and pure fun. Before I get into some of the MANY pre-conceived notions and ideas surrounding these titles, let me explain why I chose this script for our next production:

In 2001, when I was in grade 8, I was asked to step-in as Assistant Stage Manager for a high school production of Miss. Twiddle and the Devil. We performed this production at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts in Brantford, Ontario for the SHAW festival. We won Best Actor and were nominated for Best Actress. We had an actor break his wrist during the dress rehearsal and he had to perform with his arm in a cast. The director, Rae Brown, was a teacher at the high school where it was performed and he showed me what a comfortable rehearsal space could and should be. All of the actors became close and confident in each other. Everyone built trust and the relationships that were made during those rehearsals lasted years.

Earlier THIS year, I started reading scripts online and at the library to try and find that perfect combination of characters and story to bring to life in 2012. I've always loved the script for "Miss. Twiddle and the Devil" but I was set on doing a full-length production as I did not want to put so much work and time into a half-an-hour show. Then, magic happend! I had a close friend of mine read the Twiddle script to have her opinion and, while she was researching the production, she found a second one-act play written by the same playwright and with the same characters which takes place immediately after this one! I ordered a copy of "Miss Twiddle Meets an Angel" right away and fell in love with it the very first time I read it. It was decided. These were the plays I was going to bring to life.


This was a play people could get excited about but I knew I wouldn't be able to pull this off alone. After producing one play before, I knew that I would need to find a small group of people I could depend on, confide in and trust to back me up and help to breathe life into these scripts. I am proud to announce that Amber McMitchell, Heather Heywood, Lisa DesGroseillers, Jenny Stapleton, Mike Ge and Trish West have all come on board to help with props, costumes, make-up, advertising, lights, sound and the production as a whole.

A very special "Thank-You" to each of you.


Now, let's talk about the "Devil" and "Angel" words in the titles. In a time when people strive to be accepting of all religions and beliefs, I think some people can forget to just 'chill'. These plays are not meant to convert anyone into believing in guardian angels or the devil. These plays are not meant to be taken as any form of preaching. These plays are strictly fun, light-hearted and are meant to entertain. Yes, there is strange chanting in the play. Yes, there is a battle (of sorts) between good and evil. Yes, there are horned figured dancing around in smoke - BUT - I cannot stress enough that these are tools of comedy and are meant to be laughed at. Nothing more.


For this production, I hope to have on board a cast of 11 actors who want to have fun, learn, grow and work hard to being the best they can be. I hope that my production team remains strong through my emotional ups and downs and times when life gets tough on all of us. I hope to build strong relationships between the actors as well as the characters they portray on stage. I hope that the audience leaves at the end of each night feeling light, entertained and satisfied. Above all, I hope that the actors finish the production feeling like they have learned something new, built new friendships and are more confident in themselves both on stage and in their lives.


Stay Strong. Stay Stage Crazy!


A Very Happy New Year to you all!

ACTORS WANTED for "the Twiddle Plays"

~Maybles' Productions~
the same company that brought you "the LOVE LIST" by Norm Foster in 2010 which won the "Best Comedy of the Year" Award at the Brickendens
is holding auditions for:
Miss. Twiddle and the Devil
and

Miss. Twiddle Meets an Angel
by Maurice Hill

"2 one-act comedies about a woman so evil that the Devil himself tries to save her soul...so he can avoid spending an eternity with her in Hell."

**NOTE**
This is a family-friendly comedy and is not meant to be taken as a religious display or tool in any manner. This production is purely meant to be a source of entertainment for all and should be taken as such.

Maybles' Productions is a theatre company founded in 2010 which produces comedies - TRUE comedies.
Frankly, we think ife is too short for Tragedies.
We bring productions to life through quality acting and hard work. We focus on character development, back story, connections between characters and creating lifelong relationships between our actors.
Our goal is to take the stresses of everyday life and turn them into giggles. Let us take you on a journey to a happy place!

Group Auditions will be held at the Palace Theatre 

(710 Dundas Street, London, Ontario) on:
Thursday, January 19th from 7-9:30pm
Saturday, January 21st from 1-3pm
Friday, January 27th from 7-9:30pm

-Actors are asked to come willing to play with the script, the words, the characters and each other...as actors :)

-Actors are asked to bring a headshot but do not require to bring a resume. Actors will fill-out a brief information sheet upon arriving to the auditions.

-Actors are welcome to attend more than one audition if they choose.

-Actors will participate in group work and cold reads of the scripts. They will not be required to prepare a monologue.

We will be auditioning for the following roles:

[*Please Note*
the celebrities I have referenced are purely for
entertainment purposes only and are not to be taken too seriously.]

1. Nicholas Q. Nicholas (the Devil)
age: early 30's
tall
deep/sultry voice
suave & smoothe
a "ladies' man"
ie. Jack the Pumpkin King

2. Harry (Devil's aide)
age: flexible
*must be comfortable wearing full-body tights*
awkward/clumsy
not too bright
unique sound to his voice
ie. Danny Devito

3. Justice (the Guardian Angel)
age: late 30's
the perfect specimen of a MAN
manly
comforting/calm
wise
ie. George Clooney or Sean Connery

4. Biff (the angel's apprentice)
age: early 20's
young and new at angel...ling
eager with angelic looks
possibly large eyes & curly hair

*also must be comfortable wearing full-body tights*
ie. Cupid

5. Carrie Simons (the landlady)
age: 40+
grand and motherly
caring
"imperious about the establishment she owns"
jolly
ie. Rita MacNeil

6. Emmy (the maid)
age: 20's
sweet
clumsy but likeable
bit of a psychic
spooks easily
ie. Kenzi from Lost Girl

7. Letitia Marchbanks (the drunk)
age: 35+
she's a "happy drunk"
drinking is due to some deep, previous loss in her past
absent-minded
forgetful
ie. Feebie from FRIENDS

8. Aloysius Humperdinck (always asleep)
age: 40+
could have been a member of the mafia in his early years
snorts, snores and makes strange noises in his sleep
lazy and only wakes up when food is mentioned
"don't care" attitude
ie. Steven Seagal

9. Leona Plum (sweet old lady)
age: 55+
always smiling
still has "pep in her step"
looks like she'd have 50 cats if she lived alone
old & gray on the outside but bursting with energy on the inside!
ie. Mrs. Doubtfire

10. Abraham Dooley (a charming gentleman)
age: 55+
*this character has the most wiggle room and can be custom-built by the actor portraying him*
he has eyes for Plum but it's a subtle romance.
ie. Richard Dreyfus...with a HAT!

*the role of Miss. Twiddle has already been cast.

SHOW DATES:
Wednesday, May 16th at 8pm
Thursday, May 17th at 8pm
Friday, May 18th at 8pm
Saturday, May 19th at 2pm
Saturday, May 19th at 8pm

For more information and to let us know you'll be attending the auditions, please contact the Director, Heather May via Facebook, email (http://www.blogger.com/goog_1141486796 or phone (519-280-4188)

Break legs and keep laughing!

Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Colorado

The Pressure of Finding ANOTHER Perfect Play

In September of 2010, I worked with a dedicated production team and three passionate actors to bring Norm Foster's "the LOVE LIST" to the Arts Project.  There were challenges when it came to finances, deadlines and one of our actors even had a back injury.  This play, however, is a piece of art filled with comedy and drama as two best friends have their frienship challenged and tested when "the perfect woman" comes into the picture.  This production went on to receive the Bext Comedy of 2010 award at the Brickenden Awards in January of this year. Now, I have to find yet another gem to direct and produce for next year.

Since June of this year, I have borrowed from the central library and read over 50 scripts.  These scripts were a collection of comedies, farces, abstract fanstasy, drama and theatre of the absurd pieces. Out of these 50 scripts, I have found four that I would personally consider producing. Since producing the Love List, it has been a challenge for me to find a script that I fall in love with the FIRST time I read it.  This doesn't often happen and only after a few read-throughs can one truly grasp the intentions of the playwright and the magic that it could bring to a stage and audience in performance.  I fell in love with Norm Foster's "the LOVE LIST" the first time I read it and that magical experience has yet to strike my passion bone this second time around.  But these plays have come VERY close ;)

The four plays which I have come to consider (at this point) are the following:

Sunshine Boys, by Neil Simon: Two men were once stars as they played across from each other in a comedy show in their younger years. Now, both in their 70's, the public has requested that these two characters get back together to do one last show. The only problem is, they can no longer stand each other. This play peaked my interest because the unique relationship between these 2 characters anad the realities of their dealing with getting older.  It is a full-length comedy for 5males and 2females and the royalty owed to the playwright is $125 per performance.

6Rms Riv Vu, by Bob Randall: An apartment with 6 rooms is for sale, that is until it becomes sold - but 2 perfect strangers don't get the memo.  These strangers come into the apartment for their review only to find that the doorknob is missing and now they are both stuck in this emtpy beautiful aprtment together.  What happens when 2 perfect strangers get locked in an emtpy space for hourse on end with nothing else to do but "talk".  I appreciate this play for all that these two characters are holding back and holding in.  I like the idea of having a simple set for a play can have a simple set without it being a bad one.  I love the balance between comedy and drama in this piece and, to me, these characters are so real and multi-dimensional.  Full-length comedy for 4males & 4females. Royalties are $75 per performance.

Miss. Twiddle & the Devil followed by Miss. Twiddle Meets an Angel, by Maurice Hill: *though this production has subject matter dealing with the devil, god, angels & Hell, this is supposed to be a purely etertaining piece rather than a religious sermon* The Devil, is bored. He decides to challenge himself to "convert" an entire household of innocent beings over to the darkside (so to speak).  When the Devil arrives at the chosen abode, he discovers a new tenant he was NOT aware of - Miss. Twiddle. This woman is so evil that the devil himself does not wish to spend an eternity with her "down below" SO he changes his plans and tries to save her soul~! In the second half of the play, durastic measures need to be taken and a Guardian Angel is called in as reinforcement.  This play is fun, light-hearted and family-friendly.  It is done all in good fun and the characters are nothing less than entertaining. This is 2-one act plays which I would produce together as a full-length comedy for 4males & 5females. Royalties are $65 per performace.

Jake's Women, by Neil Simon: Jake LOVES women. He loves women who love him and he is nothing without them. He is a writer who likes to be in control SO, all of the women in his life - he rewrites to better suit him and his needs.  He is on the verge of going crazy as he cannot distinguish the differences between the REAL women and the women in his imagination.  After his wife asks for a seperation things go from bad to worse. In jake's Women, we discover just how much a man is willing to give up for the most important woman in his life.  I enjoy the back and forth between the characters and I admire any actor who steps up to the challenge of playing Jake as he never leaves the stage and every other line belongs to him.  Jake is on a rollercoaster of feelings and emotions and we, as the audience, get to go along for the ride. 1male & 7females. Royalties are $125 per performance.

As you can see, I'm faced with a dilemma - I want to produce them all! But all in due time.  If anyone has any feedback or opinions and/or preferences as to which I should start with - all comments are welcomed and I would appreciate any input.