Hey! Guys! A show is open!

People of the internet!
As Beth mentioned, this has been quite a week at City Light - Second Weekend in September had its first preview last night, the second preview is tonight, and the BIG FANCY GALA OPENING is tomorrow. As the stage manager, this week has been a tad hectic for me, but I think I've finally got the hang of multitasking (running lights and sound - it isn't really that complicated... but if you know me you know I tend to over think things.), so it's all good. We had a small but dedicated crowd last night -- it is nice to be reminded how funny shows are (I mean, obviously I know it is funny, but once you've heard it every day for a month you tend to forget how lovely and fresh the humor is)... so. I actually have to go run a sound and light check now, but it is my hope that you will come check out SWS (or, as it is sometime abbreviated - to my confusion initially, SWIS) as soon as possible. It's important for theaters to support new artists, and in order to do that we need people to SEE the new work. Come check us out.
Okay. I really have to go now.
For serious.
No really.
Bye.

Second Weekend in September

Yes, yes, we know we haven't updated the blog in almost a month. But come on, not THAT much has been going on. Spring Fling was definitely a big deal, but I can't really talk about it, seeing as I wasn't there. Shame on Marty and Gilly for not going into that more. But other than that, it's just been the usual between show doldrums; not too much to break apart the days, and therefore nothing really worth blogging about. Oh, sure, last week we were all busy stuffing envelopes and copying down addresses for the subscriber confirmation mail-out, but you don't want to hear about that. The only notable thing that happened was that the three of us misunderstood and put the order forms along with the receipts into the envelopes, and had to take them all out again, which took another 20 minutes or so to do. Anne felt sorry for us and let us get a piece of tasty from concessions for the extra work, which I think was very benevolent of her.

Marty hasn't been in for a bit, as he's been sick, but I will make him post something on here when he has a minute. And Gilly wasn't in yesterday either because she had a flat tire. They'll both be in later this week, don't you worry your pretty heads.

NEWS:
This weekend is the opening of Second Weekend in September, which is pretty exciting. Small cast of 3 people, very intimate, pretty intense from what I understand. Oh, and this is important, NOT FOR CHILDREN. We're talking full frontal nudity, plus simulated dude-on-dude sexy times. I'm sure several people will be very uncomfortable, but damn it what's theater supposed to do if not make someone uncomfortable?
Also opening at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills is The Crucible, that wacky farce full of quirky coincidences and crazy hijinks! ...Just kidding. Classic American drama by Arthur Miller, it details the events of the Salem witch trials of 1692, and stands as an allegory for the House Un-American Activities Committee and the McCarthy trials of the 1950's. Yeah, pretty spiffy. Martin and I are both in it, along with past City Lights interns Kim Johnson and Tim Goble. Definitely worth a look-see. Here's the link: http://www.foothill.edu/theatre/crucible/

Thanks guys, I hope you can check them out!

Spring Fling Madness

Two days from now is City Lights' 11th Annual Spring Fling, and boy howdy is there a lot to do. Amongst the prizes in the live and silent auctions are...

-Oakland A's Tickets
-Framed and signed A-Rod jersey
-Framed and signed Jim Plunkett jersey
-Signed Joe Montana Football
-4 on-the-glass Sharks tickets
-Dinner for 12 at Morocco's
-Handmade art quilt
-2 nights at the Fairmont (Fri/Sat) and Brunch
-and a WHOLE TON of certificates, and much more!

Now, that tacked on at the end usually means just a few more things, but I say "much more" because I really don't want to type it all out. It's a lot of stuff.

Just wanted to do a quick plug. There's gonna be stand-up comedy and food and music and booze. It's gonna be great. You should go, because I can't. It's my 21st birthday the same day and my parents are taking me out. You know how it is.

Also, what with the bittersweet close of Cyrano, we're now getting set up for Second Weekend in September, which I'm sure Gilly will be telling you all lots about because she's stage managing. Right Gilly? RIGHT, GILLY?!

Busy day, and I need to get back to work. Love you all!

~Beth

1..2...3...will you stop it, Britney?

Hello, hello *waves hands to quiet the throngs of adoring fans cheering her return*
That's right. It really is me. I'm back.
I say back, but technically I was never really gone - I just haven't posted here in 3 months. And for that I am deeply sorry.
Now, to catch up. The 2010-2011 (which seems to take longer to type than 2009-2010 for some reason) season has been announced, and it is looking really good! For those actors out there, you can also now get an audition slot for the generals for next season ( I know I've got mine!), or if you prefer to enjoy the shows from the audience, can buy a subscription. I, for one, am VERY excited.
In other news, all of our senior staff members are off in meetings for the day, so Beth and I are alone in the office, and we have been listening to music and comedy (hence the Britney reference in the title. I remember the good old days, when her songs were about rainbows and unicorns).
Poor Martin was here by himself yesterday, and Thursday is a busy day. I came in to HM the show last night (at which there was a 91 strong group of Notre Dame freshman), and he had been absolutely fabulous. Yay, Martin.
There's only three Cyrano performances left, and I will be House Managing the closing performance on Sunday. This show has been GREAT ( I confess to sneaking in to watch a few scenes last night), and I'll be sad to see it go! Make sure not to miss it, if you haven't seen it yet!
In even more other news, I am Stage Managing Second Weekend in September, which opens May 20th. We've just started rehearsals, and it's already looking fabulous. I LOVE the script, and (although I'm biased) I think it's going to be a great show. I'll keep you updated with rehearsal tidbits, if you're very good. *pats head*
I should probably go make sure the lobby is extra pretty for tonight. Until then, parting is such sweet sorrow.
Kisses!
- G

April Fools!

Actually, I don't have anything funny or clever planned for April 1st. Personally, I think the holiday is overrated. I could plan out something funny and all, but everyone and their sister is doing something crazy. It's hardly worth the effort. I mean, people will be expecting to be tricked. What's the point? It's like Valentines day, except with comedy instead of love.

Aaaaaaaanyhoo, you know what's not a joke? Cyrano. It is really good. This is definitely the best show I've seen this year, and I've seen some pretty great stuff so far. If you haven't seen this play before, I implore you to go out and see it. It might just change your life. Even if you have seen it before, go see it again. It's that good. Also, if you get tickets for this weekend and mention Facebook, you'll get $10 tickets. That's more than half-off. For a ticket to a theatrical performance that could potentially change your life, I'd say it's worth it. Seriously. Get out and see this show

In other news, though, it's a pretty tame day in the office. I mean, you'd think it'd be full of wacky hijinks, what with it being April Fools day and all. Not true. The only thing that appears to be in the holiday spirit is the ticket printer. Every few tickets it just decides to just put the name on. Nothing else. So either it is pulling some elaborate hoax on all of us, or the demonic possession is catching...

So, other than that, don't really got much to do. There is a bit more work to do, since Beth is out of town and all. Gotta mop the lobby. Speaking of which, office = way less fun sans Beth. Not that my other co-workers aren't fun. But still.

Hmm... Maybe I should stage a big fire or something. That aught to liven things up here...

Well, that's all from me! Just be sure to go see Cyrano. Consider it a dying wish of mine. Wait, you didn't know? Yeah, I totally have dysentery. I've only got a month to live, tops. So, would you please go see this show? If nothing else, do it for me?

Thank you all for this wonderful life. God bless. May the force be with you.
-Martin

Ain't it Lovely?

Spring is officially upon us, folks. And what, I hear you asking, are my plans for the first week of spring? Never you fear, I'll tell you. I have finals. And work. AWESOME. True, I only have one final left (Statistics at 7:30 in the morning, boo hiss), and I work at an awesome place with awesome people (in an office that has awesome heat retention) so, really, I have little to complain about. And on Friday I'm leaving for spring break, which will be all fun, but also means I'm working an extra day this week, in addition to the extra day I worked last week, to make up for it. So worth it.

You know what else is worth it? A kickin' segue?! No!... well yes, but also! The price of admission to see "Frank Langella's Cyrano"! Now, I don't usually go to the gala performances here (for shame!), but oh man I'm glad I went to this one. To be fair, I'm biased, because this is one of my favorite stories EVER IN THE WORLD. Romantic, sad, exciting, all that jazz. I saw a production of "Cyrano" at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland about 3 or so years ago, and it changed my life, but I gotta say, I liked ours better. If nothing else then for the portrayal of the title character, who here is seen not only as a romantic swashbuckler, but as a human being with emotions and faults and layers. Beautifully done. Closes April 18th, this Sunday the 28th is talk-back. Fun times!

On the less exciting side, the office here needs, well, maintenance. Less clutter and a vacuum cleaner are called for. I can't keep my own room clean, let's see if I can help keep a desk clean.

On the bright side, there's a spiffy new logo painted on the wall in the lobby, looks pretty great!

Thanks to everyone who made this a great opening weekend, and tell your friends! If you haven't seen it yet, then what the heck are you waiting for?!

Oh yeah, one more thing. Our non-profit partner for this show is KidPower. To give you an idea of what they're all about, here's their mission statement: "To teach people of all ages and abilities how to use their own power to stay safe, act wisely, and believe in themselves." All these are themes in the show, especially that last one, so, ya know, it fits. Anyway, mention "KidPower" when you're ordering your tickets over the phone, or type it in as a promotion code if you're ordering online, and $5 from each ticket go straight to them. Pretty nifty, huh? Thanks again for the support!

Signing out,
Beth

Creeping like a Creepy Thing

Yes, I'm talking about "Cyrano" opening in a week. Holy crap when did that happen?! It will be nice when that gets going, and the phones will be ringing and it will be glorious. It's a little under a month of no shows, and that is plenty for me.

Did any of you guys see the HUGE PLUMES OF SMOKE coming from the San Jose Airport? Crazy times. Actually I think it was a recycling center. Anyway, fires kind of really suck, and I home no one got hurt.

Gilly is being a busy bee working on donation letters and whatnot. I wish she had a little pair of those antennae things with the bobbles on the end. Because that would be adorable.

Everyone and their mums is sick, which is pretty lame. Lisa, Kit, Anne, and me. Lani, Amanda, and Martin were, but they're not. But Lani isn't in today... hmmm... No good.

Okay, I'm going to go back to the very important busy work I was doing... because that's what I was doing. I swear, your honor.