The Lion, the Witch, and the War Drobe
Oh, hello. I didn't see you there. Well, as you may know, Sarah and I have been slaving away for our latest artistic production...
Yes, that's right. I am Mrs. Beaver, and Sarah is none other than the evil White Witch of Narnia (a.k.a. Jadis, Queen of Narnia, or the bad guy). I think the best way to sum up this experience is through the wonderful majesty of a list.
Molly Turner's List of the Top Ten Most Memorable Moments of Being in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."
10. The Location - Ah, the old One-Eighty church. This is where TCP has held their productions this season. The building apparently used to be this happenin' Christian place until the minister molested someone or something. So, now, TCP is having plays there (you may remember the previous Turner sister collaboration in "Murder on Center Stage"). It's not a good location physically at all. It's out on Highway 82, it's poorly marked, and it's green and crap. The inside isn't much better. They're working on renovating it, but.... Let's see...the walls look like they have been sprayed with rotten fake snow and I'm pretty sure there are some rabid animals living within the walls, let alone the BIRD that was flying around in there the other night!!! EW! BIRDS ARE GROSS AND THEY KILL PEOPLE. HITCHCOCK DIDN'T MAKE THAT MOVIE WITHOUT REASON!
9. The Rehearsals - So, we had to build our own stage to fit the millions of children and cast and stuff. It was quite a challenge to do block around sets in progress (as usual) but in the beginning we didn't even have a stage to work with. Many exits and entrances were changed throught the process due to altered space isssues. My poor brain had a little trouble with that. Rehearsal was more much fun and productive in this play than in "MOCS." Simon and Matthew always provide great entertainment, as well as Anderson and Chris, and Madison and Sarah and I's Tim Gunn and Andre impressions (Our first kiss outside Red Lobster...it was raining...and, oh, it was just magical!).
8. The Freakin' Band Kids - Of course, Harvey always has to have crap happen with the band kids. They were basically pulled out of school to go to Daytona (as Sarah would say, Qwuh?) during FINALS WEEK and the last week of rehearsals. Great job, Harvey. Way to go. You just keep makin' people love you more and more. See more complications below.
7. The Director - Peggy Kaney. Ah. What can I say to describe the wonderfulness of our lovely director? This is my fifth play with Peggy, and I've known her since I was in pre-school. She lives about a block away and her son is one of my best friends. I always loved being in her plays and being directed by her. I don't know who else could direct FORTY KIDS, not to mention the Turners (the cool ones) and still be sane. After working with a certain other TCP director earlier this season, I appreciate her so much more. Ah. Peggy, if for some reason you're reading this, you rock! And, as I told The Quah earlier this month, if I could have Peggy as my director in every play I did, I would.
6. The Make-up - Ah, always a touchy issue. Throughout the years, I have had varying characters who had varying make-up designs. This year, no different than last, I am an animal, and have pretty much the same make-up as last year. In "Doctor Dolittle," they used acrylic paint on my face. Oh, joy. This year, it's markers. I guess not everyone has skin like mine, and I know I don't have as much trouble with my skin as some people do, but it's not impenetrable. Whether it's markers that "wash off with soap and water" or "face" paint, it just plain makes my skin break out. End of story. So, yeah. (Wow, that was lame.)
5. The Midget - Sandra Becker. Many may remember her as that person that's so low to the ground you must have binoculars to see her. Yes, it's a low joke, but I don't care. I've been plagued by this woman for FIVE YEARS! She's a crazy, old lady that you can smell as soon as she walks in the room who doesn't care to show up to rehearsal on time or memorize her lines or get props at an appropriate date. But, she DOES like moving props that aren't hers to move. Anyway, it's all been said before. For more on this woman see "Hail to the Chief of Poodles."
4. The Casting - Sarah and I both had a certain idea in mind of who we wanted and what we thought other people could be good in. I wanted Susan or maybe Mrs. Beaver, but mainly Susan, and Sarah wanted the White Witch. Well, I didn't really think I had any competition and thought I read pretty well. Sarah definitely was the best to read for her part and had no competition except for an older lady, mainly just because she was, well, old. We even went to both auditions so Peggy knew what parts we wanted. All week we waited with bated breath, so to speak, er type, for the results. Peggy posted them late. When we finally did find out, we were both disappointed. I was the Unicorn and Sarah was Mrs. Beaver. Anderson and Chris (due to the band experience) had lame army member parts and the list went on. The other Turner got the part of Susan, and I was not pleased. She tends to be a monotonous and boring actress who can't memorize her lines and doesn't show up for rehearsal. I was disappointed to say the least. Another friend of mine was the White Witch and I thought she would turn this sparkling character into more of a joke than anything. Well, about a week later, I was staying at Madison's and I get a call. The White Witch gave up her part. Sarah was now the White Witch, and I was Mrs. Beaver! It definitely worked out for the better. Mrs. Beaver is a much more fun part that Susan, and now Sarah and I can just prove our worth even more!
3. The Costumes - Ugh. Our mother, the costumer, was driven crazy by this whole ordeal. My mother-in-law, who doesn't really know how to sew, was just going to make Simon's costume only, but all the Beavers needed to match (we have a set of twins). Needless to say, this led to many rants and dropping of the F-bomb and trips to buy fabric, but it all turned out okay. The make-up lady asked Mom to change the trim on Sarah's dress like, two days ago. You know those theatre people. They're ca-razy.
2. The Hellions - This being a children's play, has children in it. Peggy always lets the little ones have a part. This year, we have had the biggest cast yet, about 60. That's about 40 kids, mostly under the age of ten, and if they aren't they act like they are. It's been a nightmare, to say the least. Most of them attack eachother and never shut up or listen. It's seriously makes me not want to have children at times. One child, that we nicknamed "Queen of the Wierd" (Bad, Molly and Sarah! Bad!) stalked Sarah for quite a long time. Another one always calls Sarah the bride and tells Fenris, the NINETEEN YEAR OLD, that he looks like he's FORTY. She got her just desserts the other night when Sarah accidentally hit her over the head with her wand. Ha, little brat who acts like a baby for her age!
1. The Premier - We opened last night. It went pretty well. I was only late on one line. The battle scene went okay as far as I could tell. The beaver tails, a new thing last night, were pretty awkward, but looked cool. There were, of course, tons of mishaps, such as missing props, missing beaverlings, etc. But, hey, if that was opening night, then just think how much better our next five performances will be!!! Speaking of which, call is in about 33 minutes.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this rather long post. I know I did. Next week, we'll discuss the tomato: fruit or vegetable? Stay tuned!
Yes, that's right. I am Mrs. Beaver, and Sarah is none other than the evil White Witch of Narnia (a.k.a. Jadis, Queen of Narnia, or the bad guy). I think the best way to sum up this experience is through the wonderful majesty of a list.
Molly Turner's List of the Top Ten Most Memorable Moments of Being in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."
10. The Location - Ah, the old One-Eighty church. This is where TCP has held their productions this season. The building apparently used to be this happenin' Christian place until the minister molested someone or something. So, now, TCP is having plays there (you may remember the previous Turner sister collaboration in "Murder on Center Stage"). It's not a good location physically at all. It's out on Highway 82, it's poorly marked, and it's green and crap. The inside isn't much better. They're working on renovating it, but.... Let's see...the walls look like they have been sprayed with rotten fake snow and I'm pretty sure there are some rabid animals living within the walls, let alone the BIRD that was flying around in there the other night!!! EW! BIRDS ARE GROSS AND THEY KILL PEOPLE. HITCHCOCK DIDN'T MAKE THAT MOVIE WITHOUT REASON!
9. The Rehearsals - So, we had to build our own stage to fit the millions of children and cast and stuff. It was quite a challenge to do block around sets in progress (as usual) but in the beginning we didn't even have a stage to work with. Many exits and entrances were changed throught the process due to altered space isssues. My poor brain had a little trouble with that. Rehearsal was more much fun and productive in this play than in "MOCS." Simon and Matthew always provide great entertainment, as well as Anderson and Chris, and Madison and Sarah and I's Tim Gunn and Andre impressions (Our first kiss outside Red Lobster...it was raining...and, oh, it was just magical!).
8. The Freakin' Band Kids - Of course, Harvey always has to have crap happen with the band kids. They were basically pulled out of school to go to Daytona (as Sarah would say, Qwuh?) during FINALS WEEK and the last week of rehearsals. Great job, Harvey. Way to go. You just keep makin' people love you more and more. See more complications below.
7. The Director - Peggy Kaney. Ah. What can I say to describe the wonderfulness of our lovely director? This is my fifth play with Peggy, and I've known her since I was in pre-school. She lives about a block away and her son is one of my best friends. I always loved being in her plays and being directed by her. I don't know who else could direct FORTY KIDS, not to mention the Turners (the cool ones) and still be sane. After working with a certain other TCP director earlier this season, I appreciate her so much more. Ah. Peggy, if for some reason you're reading this, you rock! And, as I told The Quah earlier this month, if I could have Peggy as my director in every play I did, I would.
6. The Make-up - Ah, always a touchy issue. Throughout the years, I have had varying characters who had varying make-up designs. This year, no different than last, I am an animal, and have pretty much the same make-up as last year. In "Doctor Dolittle," they used acrylic paint on my face. Oh, joy. This year, it's markers. I guess not everyone has skin like mine, and I know I don't have as much trouble with my skin as some people do, but it's not impenetrable. Whether it's markers that "wash off with soap and water" or "face" paint, it just plain makes my skin break out. End of story. So, yeah. (Wow, that was lame.)
5. The Midget - Sandra Becker. Many may remember her as that person that's so low to the ground you must have binoculars to see her. Yes, it's a low joke, but I don't care. I've been plagued by this woman for FIVE YEARS! She's a crazy, old lady that you can smell as soon as she walks in the room who doesn't care to show up to rehearsal on time or memorize her lines or get props at an appropriate date. But, she DOES like moving props that aren't hers to move. Anyway, it's all been said before. For more on this woman see "Hail to the Chief of Poodles."
4. The Casting - Sarah and I both had a certain idea in mind of who we wanted and what we thought other people could be good in. I wanted Susan or maybe Mrs. Beaver, but mainly Susan, and Sarah wanted the White Witch. Well, I didn't really think I had any competition and thought I read pretty well. Sarah definitely was the best to read for her part and had no competition except for an older lady, mainly just because she was, well, old. We even went to both auditions so Peggy knew what parts we wanted. All week we waited with bated breath, so to speak, er type, for the results. Peggy posted them late. When we finally did find out, we were both disappointed. I was the Unicorn and Sarah was Mrs. Beaver. Anderson and Chris (due to the band experience) had lame army member parts and the list went on. The other Turner got the part of Susan, and I was not pleased. She tends to be a monotonous and boring actress who can't memorize her lines and doesn't show up for rehearsal. I was disappointed to say the least. Another friend of mine was the White Witch and I thought she would turn this sparkling character into more of a joke than anything. Well, about a week later, I was staying at Madison's and I get a call. The White Witch gave up her part. Sarah was now the White Witch, and I was Mrs. Beaver! It definitely worked out for the better. Mrs. Beaver is a much more fun part that Susan, and now Sarah and I can just prove our worth even more!
3. The Costumes - Ugh. Our mother, the costumer, was driven crazy by this whole ordeal. My mother-in-law, who doesn't really know how to sew, was just going to make Simon's costume only, but all the Beavers needed to match (we have a set of twins). Needless to say, this led to many rants and dropping of the F-bomb and trips to buy fabric, but it all turned out okay. The make-up lady asked Mom to change the trim on Sarah's dress like, two days ago. You know those theatre people. They're ca-razy.
2. The Hellions - This being a children's play, has children in it. Peggy always lets the little ones have a part. This year, we have had the biggest cast yet, about 60. That's about 40 kids, mostly under the age of ten, and if they aren't they act like they are. It's been a nightmare, to say the least. Most of them attack eachother and never shut up or listen. It's seriously makes me not want to have children at times. One child, that we nicknamed "Queen of the Wierd" (Bad, Molly and Sarah! Bad!) stalked Sarah for quite a long time. Another one always calls Sarah the bride and tells Fenris, the NINETEEN YEAR OLD, that he looks like he's FORTY. She got her just desserts the other night when Sarah accidentally hit her over the head with her wand. Ha, little brat who acts like a baby for her age!
1. The Premier - We opened last night. It went pretty well. I was only late on one line. The battle scene went okay as far as I could tell. The beaver tails, a new thing last night, were pretty awkward, but looked cool. There were, of course, tons of mishaps, such as missing props, missing beaverlings, etc. But, hey, if that was opening night, then just think how much better our next five performances will be!!! Speaking of which, call is in about 33 minutes.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this rather long post. I know I did. Next week, we'll discuss the tomato: fruit or vegetable? Stay tuned!
posted by Molly at 5:27 PM
1 comments
