Tag Archives: Little Falls NY
Right before Ruby’s!
This may be a very short Scattered Saturday post, because I have not done that much today. In my defense, I feel I must recruit my energies for Rubbed Out at Ruby’s (all together now:) the interactive murder mystery to be presented by LiFT Theatre Company at the Overlook Mansion in Little Falls, NY… TONIGHT!!! That is, Saturday, Feb. 25 starting at 6 p.m. Yikes!
Kind of a suspicious looking bunch, aren’t we?
This is a cast photo taken at the end of last night’s rehearsal. Yes, that outline is all that is left of our beloved Benny the Bootlegger. Oh how I shall miss him! (I did mention that Ruby is a terrible lush, didn’t I?) Rehearsal went very well, but I cannot help but have a few butterflies before a performance. Additionally, everybody will know I wrote the damn thing. I mean, not just you, my lovely blog readers. My name is right there on the front of the program: Created by Cynthia Quackenbush. I am so flattered, but the pressure is awesome.
Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the front of the program to share. In fact, I stole the above pic from Facebook. I forgot to bring my Tablet to rehearsal. However, I did manage to steal a picture of the inside of the program for your delectation:
We don’t look any less suspicious in close-up, do we?
Hmm… this is turning out not to be a Scattered Saturday post after all, but one last plus for Ruby’s. I don’t see a problem with that, do you? Happy Saturday, everybody.
In My Defense, I am Really, Really Tired
It is still Lame Post Friday, although I almost never make my blog posts this late. I know I have previously used the headline Late and Lame (or similar words), so this is not unprecedented.
Steven and I have just returned from the final rehearsal for Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, the interactive murder mystery to be presented by LiFT Theatre Company at the Overlook Mansion in Little Falls, NY (I know I have mentioned it before, using pretty much those exact words) (so nobody needs to point that out, in case anybody felt inclined to do so). We are all pretty excited about it.
It has been another beautiful day in the Mohawk Valley, although it may be the last one for a while. I have not mentioned the stretch of gorgeous, spring-like weather we have been enjoying this week. Well, we have. Temperatures have gotten up to the 60’s. It has been so wonderful, I have felt vaguely inclined to burst into tears. I’m not even going to try to analyze that emotion; I merely mention it, because it is true.
And that raises a bit of half-baked philosophy (regular readers know I like to include a little half-baked philosophy on Lame Post Friday). It in not necessary to say something just because it is true. For example, people with a fat butt (like me) do not need to have it pointed out to them. For another example, many people do not care to hear whether or not somebody is wearing underwear with holes in it. Or anything about the last time you did the naughty with your significant other.
On the other hand, some people like to share everything all the time, and I daresay there are others who do not mind hearing it. This is scarcely a profound observation, but you know what, that is OK on Lame Post Friday, because, as regular readers also know, random observations are the other component I like to include on Lame Post Friday.
So this has been my Lame Friday Post for the week. Perhaps it has been even more lame than my usual Friday post. Sorry, folks. Tomorrow, I’ll try to make my post earlier in the day. Happy Friday, what’s left of it, anyways.
It’s Almost Time for Ruby!
Well, what’s wrong with going All Steel Magnolias or All Rubbed Out At Ruby’s All The Time when Ruby’s is the day after tomorrow and Magnolias opens a week from tomorrow? I am a little obsessed with both of them. Since Ruby’s is coming up sooner, I’ll share a little about that today.
Round up the usual suspects.
Here is a picture of the characters for Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, taken from LiFT Theatre Company’s Facebook page. This is the first I’ve seen of some of the costumes, and I’m pretty excited about it. I confess, I am less than thrilled about how the picture of me turned out. It seems I am not nearly as cute as I think I am. No matter. I’m sure I shall be highly entertaining as Ruby.
Hey, I just thought of something. I wrote the mystery. I named it Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, and I cast myself as Ruby. Doesn’t that sound supremely egotistical of me? How embarrassing. I assure you, I am not the star. It is an ensemble piece, and all the characters are quite memorable.
Doesn’t it look mysterious?
Here is a shot of the Overlook Mansion, where it all takes place. I feel thrilled every time I approach it. The inside is just as magnificent.
I end with a couple of Facebook ads for the mystery, just in case any local readers wanted more information.
Getting Ready for Ruby’s
I thought I would share a few pictures from Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, the interactive murder mystery to be presented by LiFT Theatre Company at the Overlook Mansion in Little Falls, NY this Saturday. We had rehearsal Sunday, to which some of us wore our costumes. So I guess this is kind of a preview.
Yes, that’s a flask tucked under the garter on my sexy leg.
This one turned out kind of blurry, but here I am, as Ruby Van Rensselaer, wealthy socialite, investor and lush. The basement of the Overlook will become Ruby’s Rathskeller, the hottest speakeasy in Little Falls. Ruby does not run the place, but she fronted George Raffles the money to open it and he named it after her in gratitude.
Full disclosure: I found this dress in Ilion Little Theatre’s costume collection and wanted to wear it myself.
This is Vivian Velasquez, who runs a recently-opened rival speakeasy. What’s she doing at Ruby’s Rathskeller? Sounds suspicious to me!
Isn’t she hot?
And this is Mavis LaLonde, George’s girlfriend. She runs the bordello upstairs from the speakeasy.
Incidentally, those are fake cigarettes. We’re not going to blow smoke in anybody’s eyes. Not literal smoke, at any rate. As for figurative smoke up, you know, other body parts… well, that is a vulgar expression. I don’t think Ruby would use an expression like that.
Rubbed Out at Ruby’s will be this Saturday, Feb. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Overlook Mansion, 55 Douglas St., Little Falls. Tickets are $25, available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2840239. For more information you can call the Overlook at 315-823-1907, or you can visit their Facebook page.
Wrist to Ruby’s and Beyond
It is a later than usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday post, and I really do face a dilemma as I contemplate the upcoming week. That is, should this blog become All Steel Magnolias All The Time for the next two weeks, or should I first indulge in a week of All Rubbed Out at Ruby’s All The Time or do a weird hybrid such as All Steel Ruby All The Time?
We just got home from another rehearsal for Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, the interactive murder mystery to be presented by LiFT Theatre Company at the Overlook Mansion in Little Falls, NY. I can report that it is looking good, especially considering the costumes people wore or brought. I think it will be a great deal of fun. I only hope I can remember everything. It’s not my lines I’m worried about. I don’t have that many lines; it’s mostly improvised. But I don’t want to forget a prop or costume piece. I’m so scatterbrained these days!
I have not thought much about Steel Magnolias today; that is, the next production at Ilion Little Theatre, to be presented the first two weekends in March. This means I must do some serious looking at lines tomorrow. I hope I don’t forget to bring my script to work with me (see earlier line about being scatterbrained these days).
And what about the other murder mysteries I’m working on? Well, I’ll bring my notebook to work with me, too. Write, study lines, I can do it all, why not? And if the stress gets to me, I guess I’ll just have a Wrist to Forehead Monday, too. I hope everybody is having a nice end of their weekend.
Too Much Theatre?
It’s that moment when you are pondering what, oh what, to make a blog post about and you’ve got just about enough time to do it, and you find out your rehearsal is at 6 not 6:30. Oh NO! I can’t handle it! (Said in a dramatic tone of voice, posing with my wrist to my forehead). Incidentally, it is rehearsal for Steel Magnolias at Ilion Little Theatre, which will be presented the first two weekends in March.
I’m thinking it’s Wuss-out Wednesday, but given that last parenthetical comment, perhaps it is Wrist to Forehead Wednesday. The sad thing is my husband had just started to tell me a story about his past. I may have heard it before, but I do not mind a re-run. That is one of the secrets to a happy marriage (not a very well-kept secret). (A lesser known secret is to have a husband that tells good stories). I guess he’ll have to tell me later.
AND we are watching WKTV News at five, where I believe there is to be a NewsTalk about Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, the murder mystery to be presented by LiFT Theatre Company at the Overlook Mansion in Little Falls. DVR to the rescue!
You may have noticed that I am a little stressed lately. I have mysteries to write, costumes to find, lines to learn and blog posts to make. And who’s fault is it that I have too much on my plate? That’s right, the overriding problem in my life is ALWAYS Operator Error. Maybe I can get caught up on the weekend. But don’t count on it. Happy Wednesday, everyone.
The Vagaries of Non-Sequitur Thursday
Well, now I’ve done it. I sat here stressing over the fact that I CAN’T WRITE A POST TODAY (said in a dramatic voice, with a wrist to my forehead), and my sweet husband, Steven said that he wished I would not put myself through posting every day. I said, “It’s just because I have rehearsal tonight. I just have to stop doing PLAYS!” Oh yeah, like that’s going to happen!
Thus adjured, I put my fingers on the keyboard and started typing. I can’t stop posting every day, it’s what I do. But I can’t let my husband feel upset because I am stressed. So, as of right now, I am not stressed. About the blog, at least. I mean, let’s start small.
I just paused to eat a very delicious dinner that Steven fixed. He really is a most satisfactory husband.
Earlier today I was pondering the vagaries of writing. I have been having a difficult time lately, but earlier I sat down and wrote a page of dialog with very little problem. It was part of Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, the interactive murder mystery LiFT Theatre Company is presenting at the Overlook Mansion in Little Falls in — yikes! –just a couple of weeks. I thought to myself, “I can’t write, I can’t write, I can’t write, I sit down and write.” For some reason I can’t just skip to the last step.
I just know that some of you are sitting there smirking, “Well, have you TRIED?” Yes, I have. In fact, most of the time I want to have at least a couple more rounds of “I can’t write, I can’t write” before “I sit down and write,” but I somehow manage to write. Like right now. Then again, perhaps that is not the best example, since this is just another of my foolish posts about I Can’t Write a Post Today. Then again (I can have as many “again”s as I want; it’s not like “on the other hand,” where most of us only have two hands), today is Non-Sequitur Thursday. If I can think of a punchy headline, I’m all set.
Hope to see you all on Lame Post Friday.
More About Rubbed Out at Ruby’s
I have been promising a full blog post about Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, the interactive murder mystery to be presented by LiFT Theatre Company at the Overlook Mansion in Little Falls, NY. Excitement is building! The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 25 starting at 6 p.m.
The production involves more audience interaction and less performance than previous murder mysteries I have written (notably Engaged to Be Murdered, presented last April at Morning Star Methodist Church; perhaps you read one of my blog posts about it). Oh, we’ll still get to ham it up. You know how I love to ham it up!
The story takes place in the 1920’s and centers around the death of Benny Bottini, Little Falls’ most beloved bootlegger. Benny’s body was discovered on the ground floor of the mansion some days previously. The audience will have a chance to read a few details about the murder in an article from Little Falls Confidential, a rather sensational newspaper.
Located in the basement of the Overlook is Ruby’s Rathskeller, the hottest speakeasy in town, which is run by George Raffle. He named it after Ruby Van Renssalaer, a rich society lady who loaned him the start-up cash. Upstairs of the Rathskeller is Mavis LaLonde’s very fancy bordello, which features Zelda Helsinki, Little Falls’ most sought-after good-time girl. Benny was in love with Zelda, but her boyfriend is Jimmy “the Shiv” Schlavinsky, George’s head muscle man. Also on hand are Dianne Enger, George’s new torch singer; Vivian Velasquez, who runs a rival speakeasy; and Avery Wainwright, the new bootlegger in town.
Audience members will have a chance to talk to the suspects and search for clues in the basement and first floor of the mansion. Hors d’ouvres will be served with a cash bar available. Participants are encouraged to dress to the period. Tickets are $25/person. The Overlook Mansion is located at 55 Douglass St. inLittle Falls, phone number 315-823-1907. For more information you can visit the Overlook’s website at http://overlookmansion.com/mansion/ or visit their Facebook page.
All Kinds of Drama in 2017!
Welcome to the first Mental Meanderings Monday of 2017. I hope nobody is expecting brilliance (I know, most of you never had such expectations of me) (OK, me neither), because I feel tired and stupid. These are not unfamiliar feelings for me, but I do not repine. I just have to wait and sooner or later I will feel some other way. That is how it works.
Where was I? Ah yes, mentally meandering. I’m expecting my post-Christmas letdown to continue at least for a few more days, with the occasional relapse as the month wears on. On Wednesday I have a meeting to talk more about the murder mystery LiFT Theatre Company is doing at the Overlook Mansion in Little Falls. Who could be uncheered by a murder mystery? (That is a paraphrase from Winnie the Pooh, by the way. I think the real line is, “Nobody could be uncheered by a balloon.”) Thursday I have the read-through for Steel Magnolias at Ilion Little Theatre.
And then I have at least two more murder mysteries to write, in addition to writing articles for Mohawk Valley Living magazine and making a blog post every day. Then there is running, finally organizing my house and life, and of course seeking out new Mohawk Valley adventures. I hope to also find time to crochet, knit, and watch true crime on cable television, as well as the occasional cheesy movie to write a blog post about (I haven’t done one of those posts in a long time!).
I see that I am over 250 words. Score! And never once did I whine about my inability to come up with a blog post for today. That makes me feel a good deal less stupid than I felt when I typed the first paragraph. You see, I was right: just wait and I will feel a different way. Bring on 2017!
Mohawk Valley Girl 