Tag Archives: LiFT Theatre Company

Pre-preview Performance Post

I wonder if I can think of a few more “p” words to add to the headline before I hit Publish (ooh, there’s one).  You know how I love alliteration.

Welcome to another post in All Much Ado All The Time.  As longtime readers (if any) may have noticed, this blog periodically becomes All (something) All The Time.  I’ve had All Boilermaker All The Time, All DARE 5K All The Time and All (whatever play I’m involved in) All The Time.  Astute readers (and I’m sure you all are that) will have noticed that it isn’t really All The Time.  For example, yesterday I managed a post about a Mohawk Valley adventure.  Tomorrow I will probably have Lame Post Friday.  I find it’s best not to look too closely at these things, but just to keep typing and eventually  hit Publish.

I am typing in some haste today, because I have to be in Little Falls, NY by six for a preview performance of Much Ado About Nothing.  It is only a few scenes, and I don’t have that many lines in the one I’m in.  It should be fun.  There is just nothing like performing in front of a live audience. When I start asking myself why oh why I got involved in another play rather than working toward other life goals (such as a clean house and a smaller waistline), I really know the answer.  I LOVE community theatre!!!

Yesterday after work, I hit the Thrift Store in Ilion looking for a couple of costume pieces. I had luck with pants but not shoes.  Well, actually I had great luck with shoes but not for the play.  I found the most delicious black velvet ankle boots.  Suh-WEET!  And on sale! I’ll just wear something neutral tonight and keep looking before the real performances.

I studied my lines while on breaks at work.  You know, instead of writing a blog post.  That’s why I’m typing this now.  And I see I’m over 300 words.  I’ll call that respectable and hit Publish. Hope to see you all on Lame Post Friday.

 

From Witch to Watch

Oh, I  tried to write a blog post this morning.  There I was, on a break at work, snack at my side, notebook open… and I did a cryptogram puzzle I cut out of the newspaper.  Then I felt properly ashamed of myself and began writing a post about a cheesy movie I watched recently.  I had been thinking about the movie while I was working (as I have mentioned many times, you can do that with my job).  First I couldn’t remember the title or the plot.  Then when I remembered the title, parts of the plot came back to me.  I even thought of a few witty things to say about it (or do I flatter myself?) (we can’t tell till I write the post).

I got a few sentences out, but it just was not working well.  It was kind of a relief when break ended.  I cravenly stuck with cryptograms  and crossword puzzles during lunch (how’s that for a nice bit of alliteration?  I may use that for the title, thus blowing any chance of this being a true Non-Sequitur Thursday).

You can disregard that last parenthetical comment; I’m sticking with my first headline.  However, since I intend to explain said headline, this may not count as Non-Sequitur Thursday after all.  No matter, because I want to tell you about the Watch.

I’ve mentioned that I am in Much Ado About Nothing with LiFT Theatre Company in Little Falls.  I am the Friar.  At rehearsal last night, the director asked me if I would mind taking another small part.  Of course I never turn these things down.  More stage time? Another character?  I’m in!  The part is Second Watch.  I’m this homespun, uneducated farmer-type who has been recruited to be on the watch.  I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s a pretty funny part, and there are not many lines for me to learn.

One reason I think it is so fun to be Second Watch is that some time ago, when I was in a scene from MacBeth, directed by the same fellow who is currently directing, I was the Third Witch (wouldn’t it have been so cool if I had been the Second?  You can’t have everything).  I wrote several blog posts about it.  Perhaps you read one or two of them.

I will write more about Second Watch and Much Ado About Nothing in days to come. I hope to also finish that post about the movie.  I shall also get back to that list I mentioned in an earlier post this week.  I’m thinking I’d better get a move on if I want to cross out any more items.  Happy Thursday, everyone.

 

 

Slacker Saturday

Welcome to a new feature here at Mohawk Valley Girl: Slacker Saturday.  When you haven’t done enough to warrant a Scattered Saturday post, you didn’t write a post earlier and you just can’t wait to make your post and declare it wine o’clock. Oh, who am I kidding?  I don’t have to wait till after I post to have a glass of wine.  We’ve talked about sipping and typing before.  It is acceptable behavior among bloggers and a daily routine for some (um, I don’t do it daily.  Do you suppose I ought to?).

I worked today.  Although I was able to sleep until 3:30 instead of my usual 3:00, I’m tired.  I tried to take a nap earlier but without success.  I had a number of projects I thought I might work on, but all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and stare into space.  Naturally I stared at Facebook for a while instead.

I did spend a little time folding laundry.  Talk about a task of Sisyphus (ooh, I just figured out how to spell Sisyphus; yay me)!  Of course I love having a washer and drier in my house, but ever since I stopped going to the laundromat, I never have all my clothes clean at once!  I just can’t get to the bottom of the pile one load at a time.  I keep thinking, if I do one load every day, I will get caught up.  I can do that for maybe two days in a row.  Then if you don’t fold one load, you naturally don’t fold the next, and then you don’t want to wash another load till you fold everything you’ve washed so far.  Then sometimes you wear something out of the pile and think, “Ha, ha, don’t have to fold that one!”  Or is that just me?

One thing I did after much dithering was begin to learn my lines for Much Ado About Nothing (remember, with LiFT Theatre Company; I’m the Friar).  I had a bit of a sticky wicket when I could not find my Complete Works of Shakespeare. What’s that all about? It’s a giant yellow book, how do I lose it?  It takes a talent, I suppose.  If only I could use my powers for good.  When I lamented my loss on Facebook a kind friend offered me some Shakespeare books she doesn’t want any more (duplicates, I believe).  Another friend shared a link to all the plays.  I hope to get the books from the first friend soon (greatly prefer paper; I’m old), but in them meantime, I checked out the link, found my scenes and started studying.  Oh, how I love being in a play.

I almost forgot to mention:  I worked on my banana play while on break at work (I only got one today).  I think it is going rather well.

And look at this, I am over 500 words for one of my silly posts.  I think that deserves a toast.  Hope to see you all on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

 

Out of the Frying Pan into the Friar

I think I need theatre detox or one of those 12-step programs.  I just can’t stay away from the stuff!

I thought it would be an easy matter to take the summer off from working on a play (except, of course, for the one I’m writing).  Ilion Little Theatre doesn’t have a summer show. LiFT Theater Company in Little Falls is doing Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (should I feel silly putting “by William Shakespeare”?  Because I do), but I carefully stayed home from auditions.  When a friend, who did audition and was cast, mentioned that Matt Powers, the director was still looking for people, I was tempted.  However, I reminded myself that I had decided to take a break and to use my summer for other projects.

Then I got a Facebook message from Matt, asking me was I interested in being the Friar.  Oh NO!  Of COURSE I was interested!  And so flattered to be asked (I know, he may have asked forty people before he asked me; the fact remains that he did ask me).

Still, I dithered.  I messaged back asking questions about dates and times.  I pondered and thought.  Then I realized that I had stalled for a couple of days during which Matt could have been asking someone else.  How rude to say no now!  Oh, who am I kidding?  We all knew I was going to do it.

And yes, if anyone was wondering, it was the friend mentioned previously who suggested Matt ask me.  I told her I didn’t know whether I should thank her or shake my fist at her, but we all know I’m happy about this.  For one reason, it will give me something else to write blog posts about.

Look, I’ve already started.  My question now is: was today’s post better or worse than my usual Lame Post Friday schtick?

 

Pre-Spree Post

I did not shop on Thanksgiving Day nor yet on Black Friday.  However, Small Business Saturday, that’s is right up Mohawk Valley Girl’s alley!  My wonderful husband, Steven, only works till two today, so we are planning a spree.  I want to get my blog post written pre-spree, so this is in the nature of a Preview of Coming Attractions.

Our destination is Little Falls, NY, because we want to go to the Black Box Theatre in Stone Mill.  I read in the paper that it is New Play November, and LiFT Theatre Company is presenting three plays written by director Matthew Powers.  I certainly hope to write more about this.  In the meantime, if you’re interested, you can Like LiFT Theater Company on Facebook.

There are several retail establishments we hope to visit this afternoon.  At the top of my list is the Selective Eye, the gift shop at Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts (MVCA).  No doubt I will wander into the gallery to check out the artwork while we’re there.  MVCA is located right across from Little Falls Antiques Center, where in addition to the Black Box, we intend to visit the Mustard Seed and Stone Mill Antiques as well as the Shops at 25 West.

If we have time we may visit Fall Hill Bead and Gem.  We may be early enough for a snack at That Little Place on Main, which is right nearby.  However, we mustn’t snack too heartily, because we are also meeting friends at Copper Moose Ale House for dinner.

We have a lot of stops planned.  However, before we leave Herkimer, I’m hoping we have time for a quick stop at Vintage Spirits.  They are celebrating their 10th anniversary by offering tastings all day and giving away canvas totes that say “Shop Small.”  Now wouldn’t that be a good place to put today’s purchases?

In all, it promises to be a fun day, and I can enjoy it with a clear conscience now that my blog post is written.  I wonder if I can make enough stops to keep me in “real” posts for the entire week. Well, maybe not on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  I hope you’re all having a lovely holiday weekend.