In no particular order:
1. Candida
George Bernard Shaw's play about Victorian ideals of love and marriage, this was an exquisite and intimate production at UNCG. Every member of that cast did extraordinary work, most of them working outside how the department had stereotyped them...Brandon Roberts in a romantic lead, Amanda Sharpe playing someone who lusts outside of her marriage. It was brilliant. And thanks to John Gulley's casting, Sarah Wallis Craven finally got the recognition as an actress that she deserved and I know I was not the only person bowled over by her performance. To me, the show was like watching an episode of "Upstairs/Downstairs" and I would love to see it again!
2. Kringle's Window
I always enjoy a good Christmas show, and this was an excellent one! The story of a family learning to believe in the magic of Santa Claus. What more could one want? Stephanie Lohmeyer did a wonderful job in the lead as the girl who wanted to believe and share that with everyone. What I remember most about this show is it was signed for the hearing impaired. Now, normally, when we had people interpreting for the deaf they would be off to the side of the stage but not with this show. The characters were each shadowed by someone "playing" their part as well. Sitting in that audience with the deaf children being able to actually watch the show was pure joy. Their reactions were priceless, especially when Santa finally appeared and did his own signing. It was thrilling. Oh, and when the Christmas tree grew...and grew...and grew. I had tears each time!
3. The Yellow Boat
This was another children's show that was absolutely stunning to watch. It touched on the heavy subject of a child dealing with HIV and how that affects all of those people in his life. You don't often think of this as your typical topic for a kid's show, but it worked and it was very important. Josh Tyson was stellar as the young boy. And, as usual, Amanda Sharpe...a very pregnant Amanda Sharpe, was wonderful as his mother. I saw the show with my friend Colleen and we couldn't really speak afterwards. It gave you so much to think about.
4. Rocky Horror Picture Show
This show was just fun. I have never been a fan of the movie, I think because I watched it by myself the first few times and it must be viewed with a large group of people so that you get all of the extra gags. Anyway, there was not a weak link in this show. It was perfectly cast. Steve Roten came to life onstage as Frank-N-Furter. I will always remember Erica Linderman's entrance on the motorcycle...that was awesome! Everyone had such fun at this show, onstage and in the audience.
5. Long Time Since Yesterday
5 college friends reunite at the funeral of their friend. This show had it all. Laughter, tears, anger, jealousy, love, friendship...And Alexia Peebles singing her lungs out at the top of Act II! The six women in this show created a wonderful ensemble while each did extensive character work of her own. I saw this show several times because their work was just that good. Why this script hasn't been made into a movie is beyond me!
6. The Praying Mantis
This show left me slack jawed. I was stunned. I had never and have never seen anything like this before. The entire ensemble of the show was amazing, especially the women in the cast. They all fit like a glove in this dark comedy. This was Meg Coyle's thesis production and her character seemed tailor made to her often rigid acting style. Mikki Liner was a hoot as well. When she brought out that live chicken to feed her sister, I thought I'd fall out of my chair. And the set was incredible...that bright magenta curved wall that was slowly sucking in all of the furnishings and the oversized bright white door center stage. If only I could see this one again now...I only saw it 4 times the first run!
7. Our Town
I will admit that until I had never read or seen Our Town before this production at UNCG. There were so many wonderful performances in this show, I was in awe. Tom Behm directed the production and gave many undergraduate actors opportunities they had not had before and it paid off. Brandon Cardinal was magnificent as the Stage Manager. I particularly remember Fred Maske as the choir director. So many impressive moments in this show particularly the soda shop scene between Tammy Lail and Brandon Roberts...that was a lesson in good acting right there. Once again, Amanda Sharpe had everyone in tears with her monologue before the wedding scene. I have never been so jealous to be in a show was I was with this one. I was stuck in horse hell at the time (Equus). Oh well lol
8. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
This was another almost perfect show. I saw it so many times....literally....I was a Christmas Pageant groupie!! I think the cast worried if they didn't look out and see me in the audience. This story was read to me as a child every year and I was excited to see it onstage. The cast brought it to life in incredible fashion. They were having so much fun, I was jealous. It was a great blend of humor and sentiment that resulted in a touching show. Burton Holderness as the director who breaks her leg was beyond hysterical. Down to the littlest angel and bathrobe clad shepherd, this was classic!
9. Female Transport
This was my first experience with up close and personal theatre. It was in our black box, so you were right there in the action...there was not getting away from it. The six actresses who portrayed the convicts being transported to Australia were amazing. They worked so well as an ensemble. It was a hard show to watch but very rewarding. This was also the first time I had ever seen anyone hang themselves onstage. I was mesmerized. The use of the space was so well done that it truly felt like we were all stuck in the bottom of this ship.
10. The Who's Tommy
For UNCG, Tommy was a technical marvel. We had never really done anything like it before. And it was pulled off expertly. Everything worked in this show...the acting, singing, dancing, set, costumes, etc. It was an almost perfect musical. Jennifer Avery finally got to show off her musical abilities and brought life to Mrs. Walker when often times the character is drab and colorless. This show finally gave UNCG students a taste of what professional musical theatre is like. And except for the performance when Jennifer was knocked over by a set piece, it all came off without a hitch!
It's always fun, yet bittersweet for me to walk down my memory lane of theatre. But I am glad to have had the experiences in the first place, so that far outweighs any "what ifs" I may feel.
That is all :)
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