Tag Archives: theatre

Murder Mystery Memories

Posted on March 8, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a fast Throwback Thursday post instead of the flustered Non-Sequitur Thursday post that I really feel is more along the lines of what I am capable of at this moment.  I am soon to hurry to a rehearsal of Morning’s at Seven, pausing on the way to drop off a script for A Trivial Murder.  Everything will be fine.  I don’t have to be off book tonight.

You may remember these suspicious characters.

Here is a good murder mystery memory: A G.R.A.V.E. Murder, which we presented in October 2017 to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I am looking forward to A Trivial Murder, which is also for the historical society.

Don’t you just love my hat?

And here is another murder mystery memory:  Donate to Murder, which LiFT, the Little Fall Theatre Company, presented at Herkimer Elks Lodge this past September.  I hope they invite us back.

I may wear those same shoes for Morning’s at Seven.

I like these pictures so much, I think I’ll share a couple more.  Here’s me and Steve and our buddy, Tucker, in the middle.  I wrote Tucker’s character especially for him, after he told me what sort of person he would like to portray.  I think I’ll close with a picture of the character, Renwick Spaulding.

“You wanna see my bug collection?”

Happy Thursday, everyone!

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Print, I Type, It’s Wuss-out Wednesday!

Posted on March 7, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just can’t do it.   I’m sitting here in front of my laptop but typing into my tablet, one letter at a time with the stylus.   I can’t get the printer to work, and I think I made things worse by trying.

OK, back on the laptop (SUCH a relief to type with all ten fingers!).  I do not use the printer often enough, so I usually screw it up the first several tries.  Once I got it working, I realized I was almost out of paper. Yikes! I really think there is a partial ream hanging around somewhere, but I could not find it.  By virtue of searching for stuff I could print on the back of, I got everything I need printed.  A trip to Hummel’s Office Plus is in my near future (just to sneak in a shout-out to a local business).

All this by way of introduction to my usual Wuss-out Wednesday post.  Sorry, readers, but I’m afraid any number of lame posts will be forthcoming in the next month or so.  Then it will be all posts about Morning’s at Seven till May.  Still, even a lame post must be made, so here I sit, typing.

I spent most of my breaks at work trying to learn my lines for Morning’s at Seven.  Next I will have to worry about A Trivial Murder. Learning my lines, that is.  I’ve already written that one.  Other than that, all time must be spent on Murder by the Book, the one I will soon complete writing (as soon as I figure out who did it) (only your really organized writers know these things before they start, you know).

For anyone tuning in late,  A Trivial Murder is an interactive dinner theatre to be presented to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society at The Travel Lodge in Little Falls on March 23 (Yikes, that’s soon!).  Murder by the Book, also an interactive dinner theatre, will be at the Morning Star Church in Ilion on April 6. I wrote both murder mysteries. Morning’s at Seven by Paul Osborn is a full-length regular play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre, to be presented the last weekend in April and first weekend in May.  On the third weekend in May, I will have a nice, quiet nervous breakdown.

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Getting a Clue on Tired Tuesday

Posted on March 6, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I CAN’T be tired, even if it is Tuesday!  I have rehearsal tonight!  For those of you just tuning in, it is for Morning’s at Seven at Ilion Little Theatre.  Just a half hour ago, I was congratulating myself that I had two and half hours before I had to be there: plenty of time for a blog post and other writing chores.  How’s that working out for me, you ask?  IT’S NOT!!!

OK, got that off my chest, on with the blog post.  I worked more on the murder mystery which should have been completed by now.  I question the wisdom of sharing that it is not done yet.  However, since I have neither a full cast nor rehearsals scheduled, I may as well admit the entire ugly truth. Never mind.  That script will be completed by week’s end, and the performance will be highly entertaining for all involved.

But getting back to the play at hand, I spent some time today working on my lines, while on break, OF COURSE, put down that phone if you were about to call my boss on me!  While I was actually working, I thought about my character (I have the sort of job where I can think about other things while I work).  I’m trying to piece together her backstory.  It’s always fun for me, figuring out from the script what happened before and what my character is thinking about now.  Later on in the rehearsal period, I’ll start writing a sequel in my head.  I would never actually write a sequel to somebody else’s script (I like to make up my own characters), but it is entertaining to talk to the other actors about what comes next.

Come to think about it, that makes every play kind of a mystery.  I look for CLUES in the script and figure things out!  Maybe I’ll make a good mystery writer yet.  In the meantime, I still have some time before rehearsal to work more on my lines.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

What Would Meryl Streep Do?

Posted on March 1, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Remember all the Pre-Rehearsal Posts I made during the various plays I have been in?  Well, this is a Pre-Read-Through Post.  One eye on the clock, both hands on the keyboard, trying to come up with something before I have to leave for the theatre.  Rushed and Flustered are my default states from now until closing night!  Every day is Wrist to Forehead Day!  Don’t worry, I’ll get a grip on myself before I try to drive anywhere.

Yes, I’m in another play.  All day long, I’ve been thinking, “Mamma Mia!  Here I go again!”  I got flattered into it.  I am so susceptible.  One could even say “easy,” but that has connotations I would rather not deal with (we’ll leave my past in the past, or some people will be shouting, “TMI!” which regular readers know I hate).

Where was I?  Ah yes, the play.  I’m so flustered right now, I can’t even remember what it’s called.  I’ll find out at the read-through (oh, I KNOW I can easily look it up, don’t interrupt me when I’m typing!).  The play is at Ilion Little Theatre, in Ilion, NY, one of my all-time favorite places.  A couple of my all-time favorite people are in it too, as well as some I would like to get to know better, which is a selling point.  For me, it is always all about the people (note to self: expound about that subject on a future Lame Post Friday).

The reason I am so flustered is that I am kind of an idiot.  I think I have mentioned in recent posts all that I have on my plate.  Of course it is my own fault.  I am a well-known theatre junkie; it is very difficult for me to say “no” to anything (see above statement about being easy).  On the other hand theatre is one of my great loves.  I am really very blessed to be involved in community theatre.  How many times in my younger years did I long for time on stage but the blankety-blank directors cast someone else?  A LOT!!!

So I will count my blessings, call this a Non-Sequitur Thursday post, and drive on.  Watch this space for more information on the play, as well as my other theatre projects.  It makes a fun life for a drama queen like me!

Mornings at Seven!  It’s called Mornings at Seven.  I just remembered; I didn’t have to look it up.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Non Sequitur Thursday, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Writing Drama and Drama about Not Writing

Posted on February 27, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had such high hopes of NOT having a Tired Tuesday post.  Additionally, it seems wrong to make a post about not writing on a day during which I actually wrote.  Do I not always say that writing begets writing?  And that all writing counts?  Well, I wrote a letter, I worked on a murder mystery, I wrote an introductory blurb for said murder mystery, I wrote three or four emails (I can’t count; it’s Tired Tuesday!).  Why do I feel that I am Done Writing for the day?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  For one reason, I have another letter to write, I have not finished the above-mentioned murder mystery, and there is the matter of that new novel I am trying to start.

This is getting ridiculous.

My only solution is to become More Organized.  And stop working on puzzles during breaks at work.

One problem is a phenomenon I have often observed about myself and I’m sure mentioned in this space before:  I can’t write it, I can’t write it, I can’t write it, I sit down and I write it.  And I cannot seem to skip any of the “I can’t write its.”  I’ve tried, believe me, I HAVE TRIED!  But I shall not continue to insist on that.  For one reason, this is not Wrist to Forehead Tuesday, and I fear I am becoming a bit dramatic (Freudian typo:  I first put “big dramatic”)

On the other hand, why should I not be a bit dramatic?  I’m in another play, you know, as well as two murder mysteries.  There may be other theatrical opportunities on the horizon.  I will keep you posted.  When I become capable of writing a decent blog post.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Off the Hook on Lame Post Friday

Posted on February 23, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I started to write a blog post while at work today. I had a good topic, about a theatre experience I am currently undergoing.  I guess that is now a Preview of Coming Attractions, because I never got beyond the first paragraph.  I wondered if it is because I am wired to have Lame Post Friday.  And here we are, back at my house, bra off, sweats on, glass of Chardonnay nearby, not my first glass, obviously (or perhaps not so obviously, but so it is), hoping to type in a few words to amuse or at least entertain.

The day at work passed with sometimes agonizing slowness.  I got some work done, but let us not dwell on that.  For one reason, this is not a work blog.  I sustained myself through the day with the knowledge that at some point I would get together with my friend, Kim.  She has been away, and I have missed her.

We did get together.  We tasted some wine at Valley Wine and Liquor (I must make a full post about that.  For one reason, I took a picture of the winemaker who was pouring the wines we tasted).  Then we went to Asteroga Ale House and Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restuarant.  We had a fun time at both places.  We made plans to meet again tomorrow.

Oh what a dull post this is!  Where are my random observations and half-baked philosophy that usually enliven my Friday Lame Posts?  I don’t know.  However, I am over 200 words, which I consider respectable.  Perhaps tomorrow I can tell you the story of the chocolate cake.  Or we’ll talk about wine.  In any case, it will be Scattered Saturday or some such by then.  I’m going to let myself off the hook for today.  Happy Friday, everyone!

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Just a Few Theatre Pictures

Posted on January 4, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

One of the all-time best casts I have ever worked with.

I was looking through my Media Library (I will never get over my delight in using that term) for the logo of 20/20 on OWN, because that is what I am looking at (in rather a desultory fashion) (another term I delight in using) while I attempt some semblance of a blog post.  Then I thought, maybe a Throw Back Thursday would be nice.  I have a lot of fun pictures I can revisit.  Above is the cast of Leading Ladies, which I directed at Ilion Little Theatre (ILT) in 2016.  I would like to direct again sometime.

We were a huge hit.

I would also like to act again, and get my husband, Steven acting again.  This is us on stage together in Splitting Issues, at ILT in 2016.

But this was our really big scene together!

Steven and I also shared the stage in Harvey at ILT in 2012.  He played Dr. Chumley, I was Veda.  That was another wonderful theatre experience.

Another cast I loved!

Regular readers know ILT is not the only community theatre group I work with.  This is LiFT Theatre Company of Little Falls, presenting Much Ado About Nothing in 2016.  Wow, I was busy in 2016.  I don’t know what excuse I have for being so tired now!  I think it is time for me to be in another play, so I can put more pictures in my Media Library.

In the meantime, here is my blog post for today.  Happy Thursday, everyone!

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Even Foolish Blog Posts Count

Posted on November 16, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I still have the tiara. I may wear it next Thursday.

I thought I would start with a Throw-back Thursday picture then segue into the non-sequitur portion on Non-Sequitur Thursday.  I feel this is a double throw-back, since I am impersonating a speakeasy habitue from the 1920’s, Ruby Van Renssalaer by name.  No, I was not around in the 1920’s, do some math for heavens’ sake! (You know who you are.)  Ruby Van Rensssalaer was a character in Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, which LiFT presented at The Overlook Mansion in Little Falls, NY.  Some of the characters also appeared at the Ritz and Ragtime fundraiser for the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica, which is when this picture was taken.

As you may have guessed, once again I got nuthin’.  I have tried to do more writing, specifically by writing a couple of letters.  Regular readers may recall my rule of Any Writing Counts.  It would be a good idea if I actually finished said letters and got them in the mail.  Then some people might be happy to get a letter.  I received a letter the other day and I can attest, it’s awesome.

This guy is a walking non-sequitur.

I shake things up by throwing in another picture.  This is my friend, Tucker, in LiFT’s recent murder mystery, Donation to Murder.  I do love my murder mysteries.

I find this picture rather profound.

This is an even more recent photo, from Shattered Angel by Stephen Wagner, presented by the Herkimer County Historical Society at Ilion Little Theatre.  Lots of us love a good historical murder!

Who could blame me for using the ax on him?

Shattered Angel makes me think of Roxy by Jack Sherman, which the Historical Society did in 2015, with yours truly in the title role.

My throwback non-sequitur posts often end up being a stroll down theatrical memory lane.  I do love my community theatre.  And I will work on writing better blog posts.  Happy Thursday, everyone!

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Non Sequitur Thursday, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Monday Monster Musings

Posted on October 16, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I should have known what kind of a day I was going to have when I cut my grapefruit in half and forgot to cut on the equator.  I haven’t done that since my sister showed me after she learned it in Home Economics!  (So I already knew it when I took Home Economics two years later; sometimes it’s not so bad being a little sister.)  So I did learn something today:  it is possible to eat an incorrectly cut grapefruit with a spoon.

I know, other people had other things happen to them — their own fault or otherwise — that were far more uncomfortable, inconvenient, or worse.  But I was struck by my own ineptness and wanted to mention it.

Could this be the reason I mis-cut my grapefruit?

I thought I would add a picture to pep things up and found this little cutie in my Media Library (I tried searching for something new, but had no luck and less patience).  So here we have a Monstrous Monday post.

It is also a Post-Rehearsal Post, because I have recently returned from a rehearsal of A Trivial Murder, the interactive dinner theatre we are putting on to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society (perhaps you read my other blog posts bout it).

Our host doesn’t look like this, but he has a more winning smile.

That is the cover photo on the Facebook event of the mystery.  Murder is pretty monstrous, right?

I hardly ever share this monster, but it is almost Halloween.

Here is another monster who is supposedly human. (Spoiler alert: I’m about to talk about endings of Halloween movies!).  I say supposedly, because I saw Halloween II, where he walked out of a flaming room in flames himself and flopped down on the floor, continuing to burn.  I could buy that he got shot and walked away after the first Halloween; maybe they missed all vital organs and it only looked like a lot of blood.  Those flames would be really hard to live through.  I did not see another Halloween movie till Halloween H2O, and I don’t remember how they dispatched Michael Myers in that one (although I saw it just now when I Googled Halloween H2O to see how to spell “Michael Myers”) (and I still think it’s funny that he has the same name as the guy from Wayne’s World).

So this is my Monday post.  Sufficiently monstrous, I trust.  I hope to see you all on Tuesday, when I hope not to be too Tired.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Monstrous Monday, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Wednesdays are Murder

Posted on October 11, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Shall we blame this on menopausal brain fog, seasonal allergies, or, well, me?  The fact is, after Monstrous Monday and Tired Tuesday, today is Wuss-out Wednesday.  But perhaps I can give another plug to A Trivial Murder, the interactive dinner theatre to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  I just got back from another rehearsal.  I need to learn my lines.

The setting is a special taping of “Who Knows Herkimer History?” that popular game show, with our new host, Gary “Herk” Henderson.  The previous host, Jack German, died under mysterious circumstances, but let us not allow such gloomy thoughts to intrude. Tonight is also exciting, because of our returning champion, Ned Frances, who has been winning for an unprecedentedly long time.  Will someone cut off his winning streak?  Will our glamorous Prize Girl, Scarlett Scarsdale, be awarding cash and prizes to a new champion?  According to producer Evelyn Moore, our resident historian, Dr. D. Devonshire, has promised some tough questions.  All the excitement will be recorded by Bernie Woods, writer for Game Show Gambit magazine.  Things will be started soon by our announcer, Rod Toddman.

How does that sound for program notes? I think I’ll email it to the historical society and see what they think.  In the meantime, local readers might like to make reservations for the show:  Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, 6 to 8 p.m. at Ilion Moose Lodge, 302 Barringer Rd., Ilion, NY, doors open at 5 p.m. $25 per person for turkey dinner and the show.  For reservations, contact the society at 315-866-6413.  For more information, consult the Facebook event.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →