Tag Archives: Ilion Little Theatre

Blogger’s Sad Day

Posted on September 5, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is how I feel, but a bit less melodramatic today.

No, it is not Wrist to Forehead Tuesday.  It is in the nature of a blogger’s day off, because I am too sad and distressed to make a proper post.  However, I think if I put a few of my thoughts down, it will make me feel better.

Community theatre lost a great asset, and I lost a friend today with the passing of Ilion resident Julianne Allen.  I am profoundly shocked as well as saddened, because she was about my age (you know, not ancient) and not sick that I knew of.  The above picture is from our dramatic scene together in Dirty Work at the Crossroads at Ilion Little Theatre in 2013.  My husband, Steven, directed.  Julianne and I worked on several productions together, and she worked on many more that I was not involved in but enjoyed watching.  She was always willing to do what she could and what was needed.

In fact, in Shattered Angel, she took a part that was originally written for a man.  Director and writer Stephen Wagner originally cut the part but then decided to change the role to the man’s wife and cast Julie.  It was going to be a great bit of comic relief, because Stephen was really utilizing Julie’s attitude.

At her first rehearsal, she was already showing us the attitude.

 

Julie on the left, me on the right, ILT president Kelly Stone in the middle.

Just to end with another picture including me, here we are in Harvey from 2012.  Rest in Peace, Julie.  I hope you’re putting on a great show for the angels.

 

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Thank Goodness It’s a Blog Post!

Posted on August 29, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Actually, I had no pleasant delusion today about it being any day but Tuesday.

You knew I was going to have a Tired Tuesday post, didn’t you?  Any local readers might have guessed it based on the level of heat and humidity we all were dealing with here in the Mohawk Valley (YES, I’m whining about it and will probably continue to do so, if you do not want to listen, just move on!).

More astute readers may guess by that parenthetical comment that I am a little sensitive these days to accusations of whining.  A work friend kept yelling at me to quit my whining and I didn’t think I WAS whining but merely observing some unpleasant circumstances.  I have not spoken to him for two days, because I figured I would actually whine.

Where was I?  Ah yes, whining.  I always say, go with your strengths. No, no, I don’t want to whine but rather to make a respectable blog post.  I am making it before rehearsal tonight.  There is more costume work to be done!  Pieces to be looked for, stuff to be put away, people to talk to, plans to be made.  I was telling another work friend about going to rehearsal and he said, “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”  No, I cannot.

I found this on Facebook just now.

At the risk of repeating what is on the above graphic:  performance dates for Shattered Angel are Sept. 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. at Ilion Little Theatre, 13 Remington Ave, Ilion, NY (directly behind Remington Arms).  Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for students and can be purchased by mail by sending a check to: Herkimer Historical Society, 400 N. Main Street, Herkimer, NY 13350, or by calling 315-866-6413 or by stopping by the historical society during their hours of operation, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  PLEASE NOTE: “Shattered Angel” is a special, additional production in conjunction with the Herkimer County Historical Society and is NOT part of the regular 2018-2019 theatrical season. Thus, subscriptions and memberships are not accepted for these performances.

Tomorrow I have rehearsal for my as yet untitled murder mystery, which will be presented at the Herkimer Elks Lodge on Sept. 15 (another reason I could not audition for Angel).  I’ll have more information on that production soon.

In the meantime, I shall close with a monster picture I could have used yesterday.  In a comment, Pouring My Art Out said Great White Sharks were monsters too. I agree.

How would you like to brush his teeth?

 

 

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Shattered Post with Monsters

Posted on August 28, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t know that you would call us monsters…

This is a fast Monstrous Monday post, because I want to go to bed!  Yes, I am old and I am tired.  Anyways, I led with this picture, because my friend, Kim, is strangling me. It seemed appropriate since SHE kept me out this late!  Just kidding, it wasn’t her fault.  We were at rehearsal for Shattered Angel, the play the Herkimer County Historical Society is presenting in cooperation with Ilion Little Theatre.  Kim and I are helping with the costumes.  Actually, she is doing most of the work. She is SO ORGANIZED!  I should take a lesson.

In the meantime, that doesn’t make this a very monstrous post, does it?  Let me find us some monsters.

I don’t think this lady got her full night of beauty rest, either.

Here’s a picture from Nosferatu I haven’t used so many times.  Regular readers know he is my favorite guy.  He’s scary.

“Was somebody looking for a monster?”

Here’s a more cheerful-looking monster for us.  I’m not sure where this guy is; I don’t even remember where I found the picture.  Still, a smiling Godzilla, what’s not to like?

He looks a little disgusted by the whole exercise, doesn’t he?

And we end with the iconic Frankenstein’s Monster.  Yes, it’s been a dumb post, but I’m tired.  In my defense, before rehearsal I was finishing the script on my murder mystery.  More on that and on Shattered Angel in subsequent posts.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Scattered Halloween Movies?

Posted on August 26, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is that dreadful moment on a Saturday when you know you must make a post but you have already started drinking and are not at all sure you have anything to say.

So what else is new?  At least I have had a fun Saturday, so I will attempt a Scattered Saturday post and hope it does not sound too foolish.

I got up at a sort of normal hour (for normal people, which we all know I am NOT one of) and went running.  After a shower, some food,and an attempt to return to normalcy, I wrote a few postcards and walked to the post office to mail them. Steven nicely walked with me.  It was lovely weather and a lovely walk with my husband.

Much later, I got together with my friend Kim.  Our original plan was to go to Ilion Little Theatre to look for costumes for Shattered Angel, the play being presented by Herkimer County Historical Society in cooperation with Ilion Little Theatre.  Instead we went to New 2 You Consignment Shop in Ilion where we each found some great things for ourselves.  It was fun.

Then we picked up my husband Steven for a wine tasting at Ilion Wine and Spirits.  After some sipping and buying we went to downtown Herkimer.  We got a couple slices at Papaleo’s Wise Guys Pizzeria and took them to End Zone Pub across the street.  We had a delightful time eating, drinking, and chatting with folks.

Now we are home, watching Halloween movies while I make my blog post.  The best thing about that was a Freudian typo of “Scatterday” instead of “Scattered Saturday.”  I may use that next week. In the meantime, Happy Saturday, everyone, and I hope you are all enjoying Halloween movies soon.

 

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Amy Fisher, Can You Help Me Now?

Posted on August 22, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I realized earlier today I was having a Bad Attituesday, and I confess, I did not fight it.  Now I have just coasted on down into a simple case of the blues.  I’m not whining about it, just telling you where I’m at.  My road should hit an upslope soon (what, computer? I know Attituesday is not an official word, but I thought upslope was).  As I often say, sometimes you just have to feel that way until you don’t feel that way any more.

Anyways, typing in words almost always helps.  As long as I don’t say, “That’s stupid!  I can’t publish that!” and backspace it out, as regular readers know I often do (and some wish I did more often) (you know who you are).

You may not realize it, but I paused just there to eat some supper. My wonderful husband, Steven, made potatoes, cheese and eggs.  Yum!  So now I feel a little more cheerful.

I do have a Mohawk Valley adventure in store for tonight: rehearsal for Shattered Angel, the play being presented by Herkimer County Historical Society in cooperation with Ilion Little Theatre.  I have mentioned it in this space before.  I am helping out with costumes.  I hope soon to make a blog post about How I Got My Act Together.  Some of you may be shaking your heads (or your fingers or your booty) and saying, “She’ll NEVER get her act together!”  Well, you may be right.  I shall not dispute over the matter now that I’ve gotten myself into a better mood.

In the meantime, this is the best I can do for a post today.  Maybe I could just pep it up with a picture.  And I hope to see you all on Wuss-out Wednesday (or whatever kind of a Wednesday it turns out to be).

We just saw a program about Amy Fisher the other day.

Perhaps tomorrow I can tell the story of why this picture just happened to be in my Media Library.  In the meantime, enjoy.

 

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But I’m Not IN the Play

Posted on August 9, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought of that title as I realized it would be a good idea to make my blog post NOW, before leaving the house, although I do plan to return.  I am going to attend the first read-through of Shattered Angel, the play being presented by Herkimer County Historical Society in cooperation with Ilion Little Theatre. I have neither a part nor a clearly defined backstage role, but I have proffered my services wherever needed.  Additionally, I want to write blog posts about it.

If anybody noticed me whining about my health yesterday (in addition to whining about a parade costume), they may like to hear that I felt much better today.  I even felt energetic enough to do a load of laundry, print out the character sheets for the murder mystery I’m working on (preview of coming attractions), and go to the read-through (of course, I have not done the last thing yet, but I feel energetic enough for it) (and if I stop feeling so energetic, there are a couple of couches in the lobby of the theatre; I am ready for any eventuality).

We’re all pretty pumped about this read-through, because we finally got a full cast.  It’s TERRIBLE when you don’t have enough actors!  Of course I am flabbergasted that this could ever be the case at all.  I love to be in a play.  I thought lots of people did.  I spent junior high, high school and college auditioning for plays I never got a part in.  I’m still a little miffed about some of them, so let us not dwell on these dreary memories.

I suppose some of you are thinking I should have written my blog post AFTER the read-through, so that I might have had more to say about the play (you know who you are).  Don’t worry!  I’ll write another blog post tomorrow!

 

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Not Enough Actors? Say It Ain’t So!

Posted on July 29, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went to the second night of auditions for Shattered Angel on Friday.  Once again, that is a play about a local historical murder being presented by the Herkimer County Historical Society in cooperation with Ilion Little Theatre (or is it “in conjunction” or “under the auspices of”?  I don’t know the details).   As it turns out, we have a slight problem.  Not enough actors showed up.

The background was from a different play.

There were enough folks there to read a couple of scenes.  Unfortunately, even with doubling parts, I don’t think we got enough to cast the play.

These guys read several time.

One fellow read but thought he could not do the show, because of his work hours.  Three weekends is a kind of a large commitment.

Another scene.

I read this scene on Wednesday.  I was just filling in, though, because there was nobody present who really qualified for the part I read, that of the young murderer (I didn’t need a spoiler alert for that; this is a murder play but not a murder mystery).

Another angle.

I wanted to include one shot with the director, Stephen Wagner.  He’s pretty cool.

So, local readers, are any of you actors?  Would you like to be in a play?  Go to the Ilion Little Theatre Club Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ilionlittletheatre/.   Send a message, write a post, call the theatre.  Older male actors are primarily needed.  Can anybody help us out?

 

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Pre-Audition Post After All

Posted on July 26, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I cannot, can not, CAN NOT take another blogger’s sick day.  My readers will think I am a hypochondriacal whiny baby!  I know, I know, we’re not supposed to care what others think about us.  On the other hand, I want readers, and I am sadly addicted to getting Likes.  Let’s just call it a common or garden Wuss-out Wednesday and drive on.

The title of today’s post was supposed to be “Pre-Audition Post,” which I may or may not have used before (I can’t be bothered checking now). I had planned to head to Ilion Little Theatre to watch (but not participate in) auditions for Shattered Angel, the play being presented by Herkimer County Historical Society.  There are only three female roles, and I don’t think any of them are good for me.  Moreover, I have a murder mystery with LiFT on one of the performance nights (more about that on a future post) (preview of coming attractions). However, I thought I could volunteer to do SOMETHING: costumes, props, prompter… AND I can write multiple blog posts to publicize the effort.

Not that I think they will need much help with publicity.  They sold out two weekends of Roxy, the play the historical society presented in 2015 (I was in that one; perhaps you read one or more of my blog posts about it) and turned people away.  Already they have sold tickets to Shattered Angel.  I’d better figure out when I want to go and purchase mine.

My problem is, I don’t feel so good.  I was kind of overcome with the heat and humidity at work this afternoon.  I got quite light-headed and had to sit down.  My nice friend Karen brought me some Gatorade, which helped.  Perhaps I should have some Gatorade now… There, I went and got a glass.  I am still feeling rather light-headed. Sorry to keep complaining.  I guess I am a kind of a hypochondriacal whiny baby.

Be that as it may, auditions for Shattered Angel are tonight (July 25) and Friday, July 27, at 7 p.m. at Ilion Little Theatre, 13 Remington Ave., Ilion, NY.  Well, maybe I will head over after all.

 

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About That Parade…

Posted on July 22, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

As promised, here are a few pictures of the Doodah Parade, part of the Ilion Days festivities in Ilion, NY.  As a matter of fact, they are not of the whole parade but only of the Ilion Little Theatre contingent.  During the parade, I could not take a decent picture, because I was riding in the back of the pick-up truck.  I had enough to do to keep my own balance (with one epic fail).  Oh, I know, I could have sat quietly in the lawn chair, like I did last year.  But I was a wizard (in a witch hat).  It was more fun to wave my arms around casting spells on people.

The witch’s hat, sunglasses, necklace and bracelet were new additions to the costume since I wore it for the March of Dimes March for Babies.

The utterly fabulous red dress you can see in the background is my friend, Kim, who I stupidly did NOT get a picture of.  In my defense, it’s hard to take pictures with a Tablet in the bright sun;  I can barely see the screen.  But I got a few snaps.

Aar, mateys!

Alas, I don’t know how to crop, so the pirate family cannot be centered.  When I used to work for a newspaper, we cropped with an Exacto knife and a ruler.  That’s how old I am, in case you needed a reminder.

Luckily I got the shot before the balloon blew in front of her face.

I don’t know if you can tell how fabulous this costume was from the picture, but I liked it.  The lady wearing it said it was not too warm, despite being dark, because the fabric was lightweight.

Just a couple of candid shots.

Despite appearances, she did not float away.

This was after the parade, when we took all the balloons off the truck.  Last year, the girls got into letting them float away in memory of loved ones who passed.  I did not like to discourage them at the time, because it obviously meant a lot to them to do so. However, this year before anybody got that idea, I pointed out that it is very bad for wildlife and the environment.  So this sweet young lady ended up with all of them.

Of course we were properly identified.

This is last year’s banner, but it worked perfectly well.  It is a little wrinkly, because it was in the backseat of Kim’s vehicle as we drove to the parade grounds, and I could not keep from leaning against it.  Her car was a bit crowded, but I was grateful for the ride.

So one more Doodah Parade is in the books for Ilion Little Theatre.  I hope some of the people who enjoyed our “float” come to see some of our shows.

 

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More Doodah Dithering

Posted on July 20, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

No, I could not think of another “d” word for my alliterative title.  Anyways, this is a fine Non-Sequitur Thursday post when my headline reflects what the post is actually about.  I’d better throw in a picture of a monster.

I’m glad I don’t have to fit him for a pair of glasses.

I was going to go for Nosferatu, since he is my favorite, but then I saw this fellow looking just about as flustered as I feel.  He is from The Brain that Wouldn’t Die.  For the uninitiated, he does not posses the titular brain. In fact, we never see him till near the end of the flick, an excellent technique in a monster movie.

Now I’ve gotten right off the subject of the Doodah Parade, but just to bring you up to date:  I decided not to participate after all.  My lame excuses (how embarrassing to be lame before Lame Post Friday!):  I don’t have time to get a costume together, I’ve gone back on overtime so 10-hour day on Friday and possible early shift Saturday, I have a doctor appointment Friday afternoon which may last inconveniently late.

Of course as soon as I messaged my friend Kim, who is in charge of our float, begging off, I began to feel guilty and regretful.  After my shower, I tried on the fancy dress I thought might make a good costume.  It’s a little tight but would do in a pinch. I started thinking of other possibilities.

I cast a spell on you!

This, regular readers (if any) may recall, was my Wizard for the March of Dimes costume.  It’s awfully dark colored.  I wonder how hot it would be.

I am NOT saying, “To be or not to be.”

I’m the one on the left, in the yellow tights.  That would be a cool-looking but hot-feeling costume. Anyways, I don’t have all the parts in my possession, as some were borrowed from the LiFT collection.

Do you suppose he’s watching a parade?

I threw in the picture of Nosferatu just to mix things up a little.  I think monsters make a blog post fun.

I’m third from the right, in blue and maroon.

One final thought: I wore this ensemble for a murder mystery.  I think the blue throw is striking.  I could wear it with shorter pants in the hot weather.

So I’m thinking IF my doctor appointment gets done in time, and IF I’m not too tired from getting up at 3 a.m. and working in the heat, MAYBE I will get home, shower fast, put on something costumey, and join the parade.  But no promises.

 

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