thinkTalk: the official Remy Bumppo Theatre Company blog

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74985864864785625642012-01-30T13:32:03.792-06:00thinkTalk: the official Remy Bumppo Theatre Company blogthinkTalk: the official Remy Bumppo Theatre Company blogRemy Bumppohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291340825391743238noreply@blogger.comBlogger751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-65253643623939152742012-01-18T14:42:00.009-06:002012-01-18T15:15:13.220-06:00Artistic Director change at Remy Bumppo

A message from Board President, Karen Randolph<!--[if gte mso 9]>

Remy Bumppohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291340825391743238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-61490171704119495572011-11-29T17:22:00.004-06:002011-11-29T17:42:12.353-06:00What We Learn from Love

"It was a love that just... happened... to me. And now it is a love that has ...ceased to happen. It came to me. And now it is going away in exactly the same way." - SilviaUnexpected love transforms the characters in Marivaux's Changes of Heart. To begin rehearsal, director Timothy Douglas had each actor, designer and staff member introduce themselves with their name and an answer to this

Remy Bumppohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291340825391743238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-69822761230946541402011-11-02T16:51:00.002-05:002011-11-02T17:54:31.347-05:00Inside the Rehearsal Room with Vincent Scott

As recipient of the Stage Director's and Choreographer Foundation Observership Award , I sit and watch the magic each day as director Timothy Douglas and cast and crew rehearse the next play of the Remy Bumppo season, Changes of Heart. Through the rehearsal period, I will blog my personal inside impressions of this creative process.The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Observership is

Remy Bumppohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291340825391743238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-66987490204978979622011-09-28T17:38:00.002-05:002011-09-28T17:41:24.573-05:00Join the conversation about 'Mourning Becomes Electra'

Have you experienced our production of Mourning Becomes Electra?We want to hear from you about this theater experience. Here on the blog, we invite you to share what your heart is thinking and what your mind is feeling after witnessing the play.

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-21030353483512251542011-04-29T14:43:00.002-05:002011-04-29T14:47:36.510-05:00Talk-backs at 'The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia?"

I wanted to share a little about talk-backs on this show. It has always been a deep part of our commitment to our audiences that we choose plays that engender a lot of discussion. The Goat has had amazing talk-backs. We almost never have the same questions, except perhaps, "Do you think the family can stay together and move forward?" We really leave that for you all, where your imagination

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-5145437421853582072011-03-31T18:22:00.008-05:002011-04-11T19:56:47.212-05:00Join the conversation about 'The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia?'

Have you experienced our production of Albee's The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia?We want to hear from you about this theater experience. Here on the blog, we invite you to share what your heart is thinking and what your mind is feeling after witnessing the play. Throughout the run, our artists will respond to the things that are coming up for our audiences.POST A COMMENT now and return to hear from

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-2239528552768144982011-03-15T14:51:00.005-05:002011-03-15T15:21:48.416-05:00Vanity Fair: A Novel without a Hero

Up next in our Translations and Adaptations Play Reading Series is Vanity Fair, adapted by Adam Pasen. Join us for this local playwright's take on William Makepeace Thackeray's 19th century satire of British society.Vanity Fairpresented as part of Translations and Adaptations Play Reading SeriesSunday, May 20, 20116:30PMGreenhouse Theater Centerrsvp@remybumppo.orgDirected by Nick SandysFeaturing

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-86095718053018981642011-01-14T15:16:00.005-06:002011-01-14T15:24:31.569-06:00The Modern Marivaux

By Jim Manganello***Our January 23rd Translations & Adaptations Play Reading will be Surprised By Love, based on Marivaux's La Seconde Surprise de l'Amour Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux was the child of an administrator in provincial France of the late 17th century. Unlike his predecessor, Moliere, he never achieved success within his lifetime. He was never well-off, he died poor, and

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-72125405422585652782010-12-21T09:40:00.003-06:002010-12-21T10:07:24.088-06:00An invitation from Incoming Artistic Director TIMOTHY DOUGLAS

Greetings ALL ... The Artistic Associates and I are hard at work creating an invigorating bill of plays and events for Remy Bumppo's 2011/2012 Season!My inaugural season with the company will be a full demonstration of the excellence and integrity you've come to know as worthy of the moniker of ThinkTheatre - along with some augmentation designed to further engage your minds and souls, and which

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-85529043067138022182010-12-10T13:01:00.007-06:002010-12-10T13:34:25.338-06:00Share your 'Earnest' thoughts about Wilde!

The Importance of Being Earnest author Oscar Wilde is famous for his crafted one-liners and brilliant witticisms. One of our favorites from the show encompasses our season theme, "The truth is never pure and rarely simple."We invite you to create and share your own Wilde-style witticism about our production!Would you rather quip quickly? Give us your cleverest THREE WORDS to describe your

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-15398395068592497962010-11-30T16:22:00.004-06:002010-11-30T16:31:37.270-06:00Victorian England: The Emergence of Earnest's Middle Class

from Dramaturg Kelli MarinoPower. Life Style. Wealth. Living Conditions. Religion. Education. Culture.In a period distinguished by etiquette and social customs, Oscar Wilde wrote his masterful The Importance of Being Earnest. Playing upon the rigid strictures of Victorian classes, Wilde’s Earnest exposes the superficiality of Victorian society, making fun of its people and their customs. He

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-4287300276293971052010-09-30T10:17:00.005-05:002010-09-30T10:22:08.844-05:00Share your thoughts on Night and Day

Our 2010 / 2011 Season is underway with Night and Day, the inaugural play that began the company 14 seasons ago.We've already heard that "this multifaceted drama poses questions that easily might be asked at any point in the current 24/7 news cycle" (Chicago Sun-Times) and that the "production is not only shrewdly timed but very adroit, smart and accomplished." (Chicago Tribune)Now we wanted to

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-21208324506632098552010-09-29T12:11:00.006-05:002010-09-29T12:49:30.071-05:00

Stoppard's Night and Day features a young journalist caught in a very dangerous and politically charged story. He puts his life at risk, perhaps unknowingly, to get his hands on the best story. Stoppard's work feels as timely as ever in the light of news from Mexico.As reported by huffingtonpost.com, on 9/17/10:On September 16th, two newspaper photographers were killed by gunmen in Ciudad Juarez

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-55402616140102815732010-09-17T14:13:00.003-05:002010-09-17T14:23:53.441-05:00Journalists on the Front Lines

Stoppard's Night and Day raises complex questions about the need for risk in pursuit of headline news. When an investigative journalist's life is in endangered, is it needless, or crucial to the system of the free press getting the truth back home?In October, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released an updated version of its guide to reporting on war and in other situations in which

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-28677728712976277282010-08-26T15:04:00.005-05:002010-08-26T15:19:08.729-05:00My Love Affair With Newspapers: an interview with Tom Stoppard

This article uses excerpts of a taped interview with Tom Stoppard conducted by BJR editor Bill Hagerty. British Journalism Review Vol. 16, No. 4, 2005, pages 19-29; http://www.bjr.org.uk/data/2005/no4_stoppard."Until I was 16 or 17 I had no idea what I wanted to do. Then, when the idea of journalism came up, I thought: 'That's it!' It was instant and final."Tom Stoppard’s journalism career began

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-92041374406460133342010-07-08T13:56:00.004-05:002010-07-08T16:41:51.898-05:00Welcome Chelsea Keenan!

Chelsea Keenan joins Remy Bumppo as the new Director of Marketing and Audience Development after seven seasons with Evanston's Next Theatre Company where she served as the Marketing Director and Artistic Administrator. During her tenure, Next marked six straight seasons of growth, more than doubling attendance for the theater's progressive programming.She came to Chicago after having completed

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-78444303592927201042010-06-23T15:28:00.006-05:002010-06-24T09:57:59.536-05:00Remy Bumppo's Beach Blanket Reading Recommendations

Remy Bumppo wants to know...what are you reading this summer? Here is a look at what company members are currently reading. Tell us your summer reading list and we'll publish the titles in next month's newsletter.Artistic Associate Linda Gillum is reading Young Kate by Christopher Andersen. Young Kate is an authorized biography of Katharine Hepburn that touches very little on her career and

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-50254356080911548732010-06-23T15:01:00.004-05:002010-06-23T16:51:48.905-05:00Farewell and Godspeed Stephanie

by Remy Bumppo Executive Director Kristin LarsenJune is a significant month for Remy Bumppo. It is the end of our fiscal year and this year, the conclusion of our 13th season. June is usually an opportunity for all of us at Remy Bumppo to collect ourselves after a busy season of producing plays. We look forward to this time to reflect and plan for the upcoming season. However, this June is

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-53414384424056277592010-05-10T11:29:00.010-05:002010-05-11T12:32:39.364-05:00Edward Albee, Glenn Close, Nellie McKay, et al. Featured in My Dog: An Unconditional Love Story to Be Released on DVD May 25

From Theater News By: Andy Propst · Apr 28, 2010 · New York Cindy Adams, Edward Albee, Richard Belzer, Glenn Close, Billy Collins, Edie Falco, Richard Gere, Greg Louganis, Carey Lowell, Gail Martz, Nellie McKay, Christopher Meloni, Isaac Mizrahi, Lynn Redgrave, and Daryl Roth are among the celebrities featured in the film My Dog: An Unconditional Love Story, which will be released on DVD on

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-85644795978230335352010-01-13T14:27:00.017-06:002010-01-15T13:10:15.724-06:00Three Plays, Three Directors, One Interview: A Conversation About the Work of Athol Fugard

James BohnenRon OJ Parson Jonathan Wilson Welcome to January and the official beginning of Chicago’s Fugard Fest 2010. As you may know, Timeline, Court, and Remy Bumppo Theatres are collaborating in an effort to bring awareness to Athol Fugard’s important work. Last month, an introductory article about Athol Fugard’s works was sent out to theatre patrons (access is at Timeline or Remy Bumppo

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-54579756357835884082009-12-16T10:18:00.027-06:002009-12-17T10:21:29.153-06:00Athol Fugard

Written by Kelli MarinoAthol Fugard has created theater of power, glory, and majestic language. - The New York Times Once identified by Time Magazine as “the greatest active playwright in the English – speaking world,” Athol Fugard is known for his deeply rooted and controversial anti-apartheid dramas. Raised in Port Elizabeth since the age of three, Fugard deems himself the mongrel son of an

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-23944901600000438872009-11-30T11:52:00.001-06:002009-11-30T11:53:51.518-06:00Giving Thanks

So it is Turkey Day weekend, and besides being replete with roasted bird, football, and sales, it is also the closing of "Heroes," which I hope you all saw, because it was gently wonderful. I thought it was also perhaps time to give some thanks--as you do! So here goes: Thanks to all who have supported Remy Bumppo along the way; Thanks to all who have subscribed this year and put faith in us--

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-85832594321580331742009-11-19T09:54:00.004-06:002009-11-19T10:03:43.138-06:00

While the "Heroes" cast are working out how to haul their stone canine friend--in between listening to great interviews with Mike Nussbaum on NPR and on tv, commemorating Veterans' Day and regaling us with tales of WWII service--I have been swashing and smashing along in the front lines of stage combat in the city and opening more mayhem on the theatre front. There has been "Ernani" at Lyric

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-55526696667006314672009-10-23T15:00:00.002-05:002009-10-23T15:10:38.188-05:00Heroes in Real Life

During the run of Heroes, there will be events and special installations designed to create awareness of the realities of combat and give patrons an opportunity to pay tribute to U.S. veterans. The Warrior Poetry Project is a free post-show poetry reading featuring poets and veterans Matt Ping, Timothy Brien, A.D. Moore, Tyler Zabel, and other friends of Remy Bumppo. The reading will take place

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-8222122649251668522009-10-14T09:25:00.000-05:002009-10-14T09:27:00.845-05:00More from Nick's World

Amidst the flying fists and swords of my life outside Remy B., with three shows just opened, one closed, and now four more in rehearsal (Lyric Opera, Goodman, About Face, and DePaul)--ah, the life of a freeland artiste!--I have been spending a little time this week following "Heroes" through the tech and dress rehearsal process and I cannot wait to see how opening goes. My small part in the

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-40897627192914911192009-10-12T10:08:00.003-05:002009-10-14T09:25:41.355-05:00Seriously Funny

Exploring Heroes has been an extremely valuable learning experience. James and the cast investigate the character's memory of risking themselves for their country, and the repercussions of dealing with all that is taken from a soldier after such service. A very precise practice of distancing and recalling is necessary to bring these veterans to life, these three men articulate the details of that

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-30360570371334248592009-10-07T10:35:00.005-05:002009-10-12T11:33:05.127-05:00Video from our 09/10 Season Salon

Panelists David Faigin, Doug Cassel, Kelly Kleinman, Al Gini and James Bohnen.

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-87284740028702545322009-10-01T13:28:00.009-05:002009-10-02T10:51:59.857-05:00Meet our HEROES!

HAPPY (Henri)GRUMPY (Gustave)SLEEPY (Philippe) Mike Nussbaum, David Darlow and Roderick Peeples star as three WWI veterans who get a second chance at one momentous mission in Heroes, opening in just two weeks! Mike Nussbaum is an actor and director. He received a Jeff Award in 1997 for his work in David Hare's Racing Demon. He originated roles in many of David Mamet's plays

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-42096527861109193452009-09-25T10:22:00.004-05:002009-09-25T10:34:51.641-05:00Nick on Comrades and Combat

Heroes enters first week of rehearsals and I am thrilled. What a great cast and what a fun challenge of a play! I am sure all four gentlemen will have a great time and I am really pleased that I got to be a crucial part of that process that brought the play to us, arranging the public reading last year and listening to our subscribers and regular audience-goers. I am convinced that the play is

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-8126741816631729512009-09-04T16:34:00.005-05:002009-09-04T16:46:45.286-05:00James' Henry V Receives Nod from Wall Street Journal

James spent the summer directing Henry V for American Players Theatre. This show comes on the heels of last summer's Henry IV, which James co-adapted.Henry V features Matt Schwader who has performed previously on the Remy Bumppo stage. Yesterday Henry V received a terrific review from the Wall Street Journal critic Tery Teachout who sad, "APT's version [of Henry V is] staged with dashing

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-2994080012701985082009-08-17T12:44:00.005-05:002009-08-18T13:49:37.710-05:00David Darlow's Summer Update

David Darlow has spent a Shakespeare-filled summer directing As You Like It for the Utah Shakespeare Fest where he has been immersed in this pastoral comedy.In a video of David discussing his concept for As You Like It, he said, “The forest of Arden becomes a place for an internal journey where the characters begin to find their own true voice.”David also spent the summer reunited with Roderick

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-52997962741045256822009-08-17T12:15:00.006-05:002009-08-18T13:50:18.457-05:00Nick Sandys Receives Rave Reviews!

Nick Sandys plays Henry Higgins in in Light Opera's Works' production of My Fair Lady Aug. 15 through Aug. 30 at the Cahn Auditorium in Evanston. Check out the stellar review Nick received from the Chicago Sun Times.

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-56816956373965143112009-08-10T11:33:00.006-05:002009-08-10T11:43:04.116-05:00Linda Gillum's Summer off the Stage

After a busy season of acting, directing, teaching, speech consulting and casting, I'm taking a break this summer. Heroes and Les Liaisons Dangereuses were cast by the end of May and The Island will be cast by the end of August. I took at trip to Minnesota with Guy (photo of us at Cascade Falls near Lake Superior) where we camped for three days (including a 7.7 mile hike and seeing a fresh

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-90406026676931507742009-07-31T14:55:00.004-05:002009-07-31T15:05:25.040-05:00Summer Update from Artistic Associate Nick Sandys

Summer is icumen in! And it has been as exhausting as it has been damp! Nevertheless, life in Summer Shakespeareland continues, and has actually been highly rewarding. It is always a process of compromises, with the weather, with the tight schedule (three weeks is insane!!!), with the facilities, with the experience (or lack thereof) of the company, but it is also a thrilling challenge and so

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-79067347863903867882009-05-15T10:08:00.001-05:002009-05-15T10:10:12.097-05:00Terry Teachout's Wall Street Journal Review of Old Times

ChicagoTime was when Harold Pinter's shorthand dialogue struck most people as impenetrably mysterious -- and times, truth to tell, haven't changed all that much. Yet his best plays continue to make a powerful impression, and "Old Times," first seen on Broadway in 1971, has even become something of a regional-theater staple in recent years, partly because it can be produced so cheaply (three

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-11169925974879757282009-05-08T09:15:00.000-05:002009-05-08T09:16:24.633-05:00Blog from Pinterland!

Week two, the reviews are coming out and are strong, the audiences, when they come, are having a fascinating time. Spread the word people. What was great on Sunday, after the matinee, was to see 75% of the audience stay for the talkback, not because they were lost , but because they seemed to want some confirmation on what they thought they understood. There were some great insights and some

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-10262734063263446372009-05-08T09:13:00.000-05:002009-05-08T09:14:52.591-05:00Old Times on Chicago Tonight

Check out what Hedy Weiss says about Old Times on WTTW's Chicago Tonight.http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=42,8,8&vid=050509g

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-11056981857478378922009-05-04T08:54:00.002-05:002009-05-04T08:55:30.018-05:00A Note from Nick Sandys...

So, first weekend after opening the show and already this adventure is proving tricky, entertaining and frustrating--just like the play itself. The noise from next door's Eclipse show has been less of a distraction than we thought, mainly because their big scream scene times out perfectly for our intermission. Now if only the patrons in the lobby would keep it down. And speaking of patrons, it

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-79471048217781767812009-05-01T11:01:00.004-05:002009-05-01T11:07:30.195-05:00What is Jenny/Kate Thinking?

From Jenny McKnight:Those damn kids better get out of my yard... It's nice here in the desert. Nice and hot. Lots of sandys...There he goes, talking about his work again. Orson Welles, Schmorson Schwelles...

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-685113793320326162009-05-01T10:59:00.004-05:002009-05-01T11:06:33.787-05:00What is Linda/Anna Thinking?

From Linda Gillum:"Alright, I'll play your game""I know I can make her happy"

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-50469317718474676282009-05-01T10:53:00.007-05:002009-05-01T11:06:56.961-05:00What is Nick/Deeley Thinking?

Here are Nick's thoughts:Actual line: “My mother would have a fit!”Possible line: “ I can see right through to the other side, wow!” Thinking: “Right, then, all right, then, right, well, there you go, that is it, enough is enough, if you ask my opinion…. I know it is something to do with sex.” Actual line: “I have my eye on a number of pulses, pulses all round the globe, deprivations and insults

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-86154746845698951902009-04-24T11:27:00.004-05:002009-04-27T12:13:24.840-05:00A Blast from Remy Bumppo's Pinter Past

Oct. 2001 Review of No Man’s LandReview by Mary Shen BarnidgeThey met in a pub earlier that evening. Spooner is a garrulous down-at-heels poet given to soliloquizing after the style of T.S.Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” Hirst, to whose home they have repaired, is a laconic square who responds with polite deference to his guest’s vulgar speculations about their respective marital

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-72509039570310350762009-04-20T13:00:00.001-05:002009-04-20T13:01:59.683-05:00Nick tells us about Tech Rehearsal!

Well, we managed to tech the show pretty much like we blocked the show—IN ONE DAY! Wow, luxuries—and unheard of! But this gives us lots of time to keep tuning the show, keep shifting the balance of threat and playfulness, of mask and revelation, of history and present. It is really proving to be one of the toughest assignments I have faced, not because of the physical demand, merely the mental

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-67683866701810444432009-04-13T12:24:00.004-05:002009-04-13T12:33:58.531-05:00The View from My Seat - OLD TIMES Stage Manager Baleigh Isaacs

1. Couches - There are 2 couches in this show, and there they are. This is a rare glimpse into what they look like before you’ll see them onstage, all cleaned up and reupholstered.2. Water Bottle - It’s very important for everyone to stay hydrated during rehearsal. Unfortunately, this bottle is currently empty. I should probably remedy that. 3. Calendar - Some of my paperwork. It is the schedule

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-25588899993742069502009-04-13T09:12:00.002-05:002009-04-13T09:15:07.169-05:00Nick Sandys continues...

Now that we have got through the script a couple of times, have blocked it in one and a half days (unheard of for a Bohnen-meister production!), and tried to work it through, there comes the dreaded memorisation moment, and oh is this going to be fun--Not! Pinter's precision is so poetic, so rhythmic, that any word out of place, or the wrong word, just makes you hiccough in the line anyway. And

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-22030398682761712352009-04-10T12:55:00.002-05:002009-04-10T12:57:05.895-05:00If Pictures could Speak...

Med_Nick Sandys_Jenny McKnight_Linda GillumOriginally uploaded by Remy BumppoHey all!Our first preview picture of the show has come out. To think this was taken on the first day of rehearsal and already our cast is looking the part. Tension. Hidden secrets. Memories. Its all there!Stay tuned to this spot as all three give you a taste of whats to come in OLD TIMES.

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-57655064370955421092009-04-06T09:08:00.001-05:002009-04-06T09:10:29.305-05:00Nick Sandys on Pinter's Old Times

Saturday April 4th--first week of rehearsal!Okay, okay, okay, here we are, deep in the Pinterlands and I had forgotten how mind-bending it can be. I feel pretty confident nowadays about delving into a script and finding through-lines and clues to the characters inner-life, and analyzing a character's specific use of language. But then here comes Mr. Pinter and makes you realise how pathetic your

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-334833524829048122009-03-27T14:28:00.000-05:002009-03-27T14:29:12.967-05:00Usman's thoughts

We are now in our last weekend of American Ethnic, and the fact that we have 4 sold out shows is an amazing testament to the beautiful artistic work, and excellent marketing of this production! I could not be happier with how things have turned out for us…the work is slick, meaningful and diverse. The production values are excellent, the talk backs with academics and civic leaders brilliant. I

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-20417362086722858032009-03-26T15:09:00.001-05:002009-03-26T15:09:31.610-05:00Kelly reflects....

I can’t believe we’re already on the last weekend of our run for “American Ethnic” -- I’d have to say that I’m incredibly proud of our work. The fact that critics, theater fans, spoken word folks, hip hop heads, activist types, and people who just kinda stumbled into the show have all had a deep connection with the work emotionally and intellectually, means a lot to me. I feel like it’s a

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-75499825087864385232009-03-24T12:55:00.003-05:002009-03-24T12:58:16.942-05:00IMAGES FROM THE SHOW!

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-23121945658745575512009-03-20T09:30:00.001-05:002009-03-20T09:31:58.765-05:00A note from an Audience Member

American Ethnic deals with ethnicity, race, gender and class issues from the perspective of three artists: Usman Ally, Idris Goodwin, and Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai. Usman Ally is a Pakistani man, Idris Goodwin is an African-American man, and Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai is a Taiwanese woman. At times performing together and usually performing apart, the three artists, confront us with their experiences and

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-40366884211662336292009-03-20T09:25:00.002-05:002009-03-20T14:29:26.553-05:00The Reviews are In!

"a funny and powerful mash-up of three vibrant young voices raised in defiance of the status quo." - Leon Hilton, Chicago Reader"this is one helluva show. Three writer-performers occupy the stage like they're standing on the ledge of a building...it is entirely about the here and now." - New City Stage"a new, unexpected and inspiring experience...It's very smart. It's very moving." - Annabel

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-50081183999519211702009-03-12T12:51:00.002-05:002009-03-12T12:52:04.023-05:00Stage Management

I moved to Chicago to be a part of projects like American Ethnic. The pieces are personal and poignant; they tell a story of our ethnic past and present, they ask the dangerous questions about where WE are headed as a county - as people. Pieces that instill change into an audience, that help shape they way they view the world. I guess it may sound trite, but this is why I chose this as my

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-4710116783579727242009-03-10T14:51:00.001-05:002009-03-10T14:53:06.064-05:00TECH WEEKEND

Well the weekend was grueling. A ten hour tech on Saturday and another 5 hours on Sunday, but it was well worth it. The show is in great shape, the lights and sound adding a great deal of color, vibrancy and immediacy to the production. It’s great working with sound expert Nick Keenan, and lighting wizz Stephanette. Under the guiding eye of stage manager Amy Bertacini and director Nick Sandys,

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-20389833444422689672009-03-09T12:05:00.002-05:002009-03-09T12:08:43.910-05:00Nick Sandys: On Tech Rehearsal

The past weekend was full, full, full, as we added all the other elements of the production to the rehearsal text and went through a lengthy technical process. Not surprisingly, the sound score to the show is another character—which we are rehearsing in just two days, basically. Nick Keenan has a great feeling for the rhythms of the show, and thanks to places like Youtube, soundbites are now

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-90675423136731632612009-03-04T15:49:00.001-06:002009-03-04T15:51:45.197-06:00Emotions...

What's up RB family? 10 days until opening night, and I'm SO excited. I'm really proud of the work that we're doing and seeing the possibilities, the borders and boundaries of the work and how to collaboratively and collectively lift text and performance from these humble pages in the 3-dimensional space of the theater. Something that Nick told us in rehearsal last week really resonates

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-45941991420792121692009-03-03T12:05:00.006-06:002009-03-03T12:25:46.812-06:00A Cricket fan's nightmare

For a Pakistani seeing images of gunman firing at cricket players in a bus is one of the saddest sights ever. Cricket is a more than a national pastime for my people. Its something that binds us all together, and is in fact an obsession. Pakistani treat cricketers from all over the world like royalty, amazed at the talent, aggression and intelligence they show on the field. It is hard for an

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-20810788349880318062009-03-02T09:04:00.003-06:002009-03-02T09:07:13.276-06:00Idris Goodwin talks about American Ethnic Rehearsal

Weds Feb.25We are butchering Ol man River. No, we aren't doing showboat but elements of the song appear. (Did I just give away something important?) I feel Paul Robeson's spirit in the room and he is vomiting.......even that sounds better than our poor rendition of the song.Nick knows a lot about how to stage violence (and quite possibly off stage violence). I have begun to ask him about random

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-79639461593516008882009-02-27T11:26:00.002-06:002009-02-27T11:30:33.142-06:00Flexing the Writing Muscles

When I moved to Chicago, I was filled with ambition, both as an actor but particularly as a writer/spoken word artist. I had been doing the whole SLAM and Hiop Hop Theatre scene in both Portland, OR as a student, and in Florida during my MFA, but i was now moving to the self proclaimed "birth-place of spoken word!"I had told myself to immerse myself in the writing scene, and hit up all the spots

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-48522634985269588102009-02-26T10:54:00.003-06:002009-02-26T11:07:14.584-06:00Director's Take- HipHopHopeLand

Today the show started to really take shape and find its direction--which is good for me, as director! As we began to put sections together and see how they fit, I realised that the initial sections that we had created early on were not quite making sense--which makes sense! As our three intrepid writers are still writing, and have responded to their recent experiences and feelings (

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-72159542941359796982009-02-12T09:18:00.003-06:002009-02-12T12:32:02.519-06:00Columbia College on Race in the Media

Media Coverage of Obama and Race Schemasby CRM Interactive - Monday, October 13, 2008, 08:17 AMToni Nealie's class recently discussed media reports about Barack Obama being "too black", "not black enough" or off on an "exotic holiday". Some examples include the NY Times article about steel workers not wanting to vote for Obama because he is black, Cokie Roberts statements about obama's exotic

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-88893036976842912492009-02-09T09:18:00.001-06:002009-02-09T09:20:39.570-06:00MY NOSE AND ME: A TRAGEDYLITE OR TRAGIDELIGHT IN 33 SCENES

POETRY ON STAGEMY NOSE AND ME: A TRAGEDYLITE OR TRAGIDELIGHT IN 33 SCENESMONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 7:30 PMChicago Shakespeare Theater800 East Grand AvenueAdmission is free, but reservations are recommended.Call 312.595.5460 or visit www.chicagoshakes.com/nose.My Nose and Me: A TragedyLite or TragiDelight in 33 Scenes by John Surowiecki is the inaugural winner of the Poetry Foundation’s Verse Drama

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-71666789093213477562009-02-06T13:56:00.004-06:002009-02-06T14:07:13.508-06:00Global Media

For this week's blog entry, we borrow a post from Usman Ally's own personal blog.Usman recently returned from Pakistan, where he was fascinated by what he calls the "creeping Americanisation of Pakistani Media."Here's his excerpt: (for more of his blog check out http://usmanally.blogspot.com PAKISTANI FOX NEWS I’ve been here just about a week now, and I have to admit there has been quite a bit

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-58032722073599057002009-01-29T12:13:00.003-06:002009-01-29T12:19:42.322-06:00OBAMA-MANIA

With the election of our lovely new and improved President, one can’t help but notice the wave of anticipation, and excitement in the air. Most everyone (yes even some Republican Americans) cannot help but be swept up into the electric atmosphere. I have never seen people so giddy every time that man comes up on the screen. People smile when he bobs his head to Aretha Franklin, people tear up

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-4719705514282794012009-01-27T14:23:00.001-06:002009-01-27T14:25:22.661-06:00Black, White, Whatever

Check out Kelly's new video. Tell us what you think! Agreements, disagreements? Kudos? Lets get the dialogue going!

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-20836576475927088842009-01-26T10:20:00.004-06:002009-01-27T14:23:21.431-06:00Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails

Earlier this month, right wing mouthpiece Rush Limbaugh upset conservatives and liberals alike with his outlandish statement:Limbaugh: I Hope Obama FailsJanuary 16, 2009What do you think?

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-24597231880875672042009-01-16T14:12:00.000-06:002009-01-16T14:13:15.909-06:00

The right wordsIn the right order…Think feel play

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-25517596150689831552009-01-09T11:09:00.004-06:002009-01-09T11:55:38.847-06:00Idris Goodwin talks...

So I guess we gotta talk about Obama…..again.I’m not saying I wasn’t as excited as you. I’m not saying it’s not historic. I’m just saying I didn’t ask to get involved.From the moment Obama accepted his nomination the strangest thing happened. Middle-aged white people began stopping me at random in the street, at the grocery store, while hiking, to engage in racial dialogue.I should be excited by

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-89894961829670779232009-01-09T10:07:00.000-06:002009-01-09T10:08:02.633-06:00From the Redeye: End of racism? | Obama's victory has many optimistic, but that doesn't mean the fight’s over

http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-010809-race-main,0,621553.story

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-75389839672922288182009-01-05T12:49:00.006-06:002009-04-24T11:26:20.076-05:00Harold Pinter...Some links to serve as a precursor to our production of Old Times

The World That Harold Pinter Unlocked by Ariel Dorfman, published in the Washington Posthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/26/AR2008122601359.html?wpisrc=newsletterHarold Pinter, Playwright of the Pause, Dies at 78 by Mel Gussow and Ben Brantley, published in The New York Timeshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/theater/26pinter.html?_r=1An Appreciation of Harold Pinter by

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-28758682344702770482009-01-02T11:38:00.002-06:002009-01-02T11:42:16.923-06:00When Dockets Imitate Drama from The New York Times

When Dockets Imitate DramaBy PATRICIA COHENPublished: December 26, 2008“You must realize that money making is one thing, religion another, and family life a third,” Mr. Voysey matter-of-factly tells his son Edward, who is appalled to learn that his father has been operating a pyramid scheme for decades with his clients’ money.Mr. Voysey — the affably corrupt character in Harley Granville-Barker’s

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-63860100347575238652009-01-02T11:10:00.002-06:002009-01-02T11:12:13.112-06:00Chris Jones gives Remy Bumppo and The Voysey Inheritance an Honorable Mention!

Originally posted: December 20, 2008The BEST THEATER of 2008 ...A Chicagoan finally won the Pulitzer Prize in drama. American Girl Place closed its basement theater. The producers of “Jersey Boys” belatedly decided that Chicago wasn’t just another stop on the road. The death of Paul Sills left Chicago improv an orphan. The unpredicted box office success of Lynn Nottage’s “Ruined” (left) and the

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-2643813490993832052008-12-22T09:24:00.001-06:002008-12-22T09:26:54.783-06:00

God Bless AmericaSculptor: J. Steward JohnsonLocation: Pioneer CourtInstalled: Dec, 2008

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-70432581386957954662008-12-08T14:09:00.004-06:002008-12-18T13:33:34.041-06:00Remy Bumppo's thinkTank "American Ethnic"

This spring, Remy Bumppo's thinkTank returns for its third year. thinkTank features dramatic works with a focus on provoking timely conversation about a social, political or economic issue in which Chicago citizens have a stake.We are pleased to announce the cast and topic of American Ethnic - the third annual production of thinkTank. This year's presentation features three nationally

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498586486478562564.post-60561623330663342542008-12-08T13:43:00.006-06:002008-12-18T13:35:51.686-06:00Spoken Word: "Black White Whatever" Kelly Tsai (Def Poetry)

From Kelly Tsai's website http://www.yellowgurl.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNU_AbkqrycIn a dynamic collaboration between spoken word artist Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai, director Jazzmen Lee-Johnson, and producer Alli Maxwell, Moving Earth Productions has produced a spoken word video version of Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai’s “Black, White, Whatever… a witty spoken word poetry call to arms for politicians

Remy Bumpponoreply@blogger.com0