Vision Theatre at the Ottawa Fringe Festival - June 19th to 29th

Fringe is fun! Well when you are doing an esemble fun comedy it can be a BLAST. Last year was lonely as I performed in a One Woman show – which was more done as an exercise to stretch my acting abilities and see if I could do it. But this year, I wanted FUN FUN FUN…and that is what I got. I am doing a show with Vision Theatre called – 4Play – One Acts by David Ives. COME OUT AND SEE IT. It is such a fun crew to work with. We are like a little family. And the audiences have been great! I think we have now hit our fun stride and we are just playing.

We have 3 shows left, In Arts Court Theatre:

Thursday at 9pm
Saturday at 6pm
Sunday at 1:30pm

Read these reviews we gotten below – and you know if Alvina from the CBC laughed you will too!!!

FROM CBC Radio 1 - Alvina :
"4Plays Vision Theatre created near pandemonium with 4 short one-act plays by David Ives. It features 6 actors who morph through all these performances with the greatest of ease. These are all comedies based on language…very different from the Austrailians who like their bodies who do things with their bodies. These are all twisted uses of English, and reminds a bit of George Carlin actually, running jokes, word plays, everday situations made strange and hilarious and lots of verbal gags. Best of all I liked the 4th segment, based on 4 plays by David Mamet all squashed together in 15 minutes, you got to know his works to get this but it was quite funny I loved it! This one directed by Greg Wysynski what we come away with are the basic themes of Mamet’s theatre – male bonding, women are dangerous, and lots of F-U words, which Im not allowed to say on air either. So for me however there was a bit of deja-vu in it all, but they still pulled it off very well, and the staging is excellent and the audience loved it again…packed packed packed, their packing the houses its very good."

From a Audience member posted on the Ottawa Fringe website:

Saturday night, I spent my money well with this one! Or FOUR as it turns out! Four Plays by David Ives.The elevator doors opened at Arts Court Theatre to a packed lobby and a crowd eager to see what Vision Theatre has produced this year! Last year’s craziness with the 3 one acts were wild and pushed the envelope. This year, they’re treating us to 4 tightly knit shows that may not have the EDGE but most certainly have the entertainment value. Picture 6 cast members woven into shows (some, as I’ve read the scripts) adding actors where they wouldn’t normally be, duets becoming foursomes and finishing with an ensemble piece. The packed house on Saturday night roared with laughter and applauded with a want for more! All six actors are STRONG and know what comedy is about. Their understanding of that allows the audience to just sit and enjoy every single moment of it. The facial expressions of Jennifer Scrivens are priceless. Shaun Toohey’s hysteria balances Sam Awwad’s subdued manner in The Philadelphia. Stewart and Laplante’s deadpan in the difficultly maneuvered Sure Thing allowes the audience into "what if we could take back what we said" moments, and Marsha as the male roasting David Mamet in Speed-the-play does a great job keeping the scenes running with an "F-U if you don’t like it" attitude.I HIGHLY recommend spending your money wisely and entering the world of Vision Theatre. This is a talented young theatre company that, if they continue to fire out the hits, will soon become a company in the ranks with GCTC and NAC.Go see their shows. You won’t be sorry you did!

Grandmaman Plante - Marguerite Plante 1922-2008

This is a poem I found that I read at my grandmaman's funeral on June 6th.

I Remember YOU

I find an old photograph
and see your smile.
As I feel your presence anew, I
am filled with warmth
and my heart remembers love.

I read an old card
sent many years ago
during a time of turmoil and confusion.
The soothing words written then
still caress my spirit and bring me peace.

I remember who you used to be
the laughter we shared
and wonder what you have become.

Where are you now,
Where did you go,
When the body is left behind
and the spirit is released to fly?

Perhaps you are the morning bird
singing joyfully at sunrise,
or the butterfly that dances
so carelessly on the breeze
or the rainbow of colors
that brightens a stormy sky
or the fingers of afternoon mist
delicately reaching over the mountains
or the final few rays of the setting sun
lighting up the skies edging the clouds with a magical glow.

I miss your being
but I feel your presence,
In whatever form you choose to take,
however you now choose to be.

Your spirit has become for me
a guardian angel on high
guiding, advising, and watching over me.

I remember you.
You are with me
and I am not afraid.

Proud Theatre Parent and other parent stuff

It's been awhile. I've been busy in theatre of all kinds but mostly at the Ottawa Little theatre as of late. So after the last few days this is how I feel......

Directing is like being a parent. You nurture and guide the play and send it on it’s way to fly on it’s own. Last night I felt like a proud momma watching her baby bird fly. Mind you I am not the director of The Ladies of the Camellias (which opens on Tuesday June 10th by the way), but I have been a close part of the development of this production helping with the casting, blocking, elements etc. Sarah listened to me, and found that I had some good ideas as did some of the actors. I gave the actors some very good guidance which is showing through. When I see them with that energy, that commitment and that fun it makes me proud to be apart of this production.

Granted there are things I would change about the show – but not a lot. I think the movement works well and everyone looks really great and committing to their roles. I wish Eddie the scenic painter at the OLT would actually do the job he gets paid for and paint the backdrop he was suppose to paint, and that The Girl actually have a second skirt for Act II so she can come in as she is suppose to – soaking wet….and then there are Sarah Bernhardt’s “feathers” on her costume……suppose to be ostrich, looks like she’s a dead seagull…but the rest of her looks GREAT. At least the actress is not letting it get to her and rising above the dead bird around her neck.

Nope, I feel other then those minor things (and maybe some lines and blocking change that are minor that I would change) , the show is getting tight and the actors are ready for their audience. I am so proud of them. They still are making me laugh with there small touches and reactions, and they are definitely ready to fly and take the audience on a fun ride.

Break a leg Cast and Crew of the Ladies of the Camellias. I’ll be watching a cheering for you from the audience on Opening night.

On another similar note; which is dog related, I am a proud “parent” of the cutest Wire Fox Terrier --Guinness. We are done Level 1 Agility. Though he’s not the brightest dog on the face of the Agility planet (and neither is his handler – ME) he LOVES playing on the field and when he gets a sequence or obstacle he really remembers and gets it. He’s a little too Handler focus (meaning he watches ME all the time instead of the obstacle he’s suppose to concur) but he’s smart and funny when he gets things…..I am proud of that little cutie pie. I just love that little dog.

Bloggers Block and other Musings

Is there such a thing as Bloggers block? I think that is what I have. I mean there is a ton of things going on, I just don’t know how, what or why to jot it down.

Maybe it is because I am a bit overwhelmed after staring at my calendar from now until about mid June. I do not have one night off…not one. Ok MAYBE one. The thing is I cannot help myself when it comes to theatre, and to think about what could potentially be my theatre season with the play prospects is very very exciting to me. Now that my name has sort of gotten “out there” and I am being asked to audition for stuff…I have to take the rings and go as who knows how long that will last. If I don’t go, and it seems I have a good chance of getting these very good roles, then basically I’d start back at square one. That is how it is in Theatre unfortunately. You have to take the opportunities as they come. And if I am in demand, I should embrace that.

On a very exciting note though, I am patiently waiting for that phone call that says that my new niece/nephew is on her/his way. I was asked by my sister-in-Law if I’d like to be a part of the delivery with my mom and her mom (an aunt Monique…but I think Monique is going to pass…or pass-out if she went). Everything will be dropped for this once in a lifetime event for me. Looks like the wee babe will be forced out of the womb, poor lamb. I don’t like leaving a nice warm shower or bath, so I can just imagine the baby’s head is close to the exit point and he/she saying “ya know what…you gotta force me outta hear ‘cause this is WAY too comfy and warm”. I hear ya kid, I hear ya…sometimes it might have been better to stay in the womb with all the adult “stuff” one has to deal with.

But I can’t wait, and I am hoping it’s a nice easy birth for Lisa….she deserves it after the pregnancy she’s had. And I hope Aiden isn’t to jealous of his new sibling. I know Marc wanted to give me away to any one who looked my way….but I think he loves me now….I mean if it hadn’t been for me he would have gotten in so much trouble for all those parties he threw because he wouldn’t have had me to clean up! So siblings are really crucial if you want to party.

WOW I'm Busy!

Haven’t written for the blog in a bit so I’ll fill it what is going on. I am the Apprentice Director for the last show of The Ottawa Little Theatre’s season, The Ladies of the Camellias. We just replaced the young guy who was playing Ivan so had to get him up to speed (and man can this guy learn fast which is fantastic). It is going pretty good. If I was directing I’d now focus on bits that are slower/sloppier then others, then go back to running Acts but I am not the director.

Tonight I start Level I Agility with my young Wire Fox Terrier Guinness (my little cutie pie) and his sister Lola is in the class as well. She likes to harass the Guin-man so I am curious as to how the class will run….should be pretty funny. But then I have to run off to OLT for rehearsal.

Tomorrow I finally start rehearsing with Vision Theatre for their Ottawa Fringe Festival show, One Acts with David Ives. It’s going to be very fun, and their new Season is fantastic! And some of the OLT rehearsal conflict with the Fringe rehearsals…so now have to negotiate that.

Tim and I have auditions for our One Acts with Tototoo in June as we have to get in before summer vacations. We want to at least cast one of the shows so people can just go off and research, learn lines, figure out characters (well, one hopes they do that).

Then Tim and I have to go out to Alexandria very soon so he can see the Wedding site of my friend Deanna – whom he is taking pictures for. And I am in the wedding party which is in June. Plus, Tim has started assisting Mark Webster from Tototoo on some weekends doing his Sports photography, and Tim continues to write his play, and now will start researching a Memoir about Stewart MacDonald (a very very interesting chap who actually found some new species of birds in the far north, plus a bunch of other things.). Plus he wants to get involved in some Flickr photography group (with his snazzy new Nikon D300). Anyways this summer, and year could prove to be very very very busy.

I am also going to be workshopping a new play by my friend Riley with Vision Theatre, and maybe getting an audition with Evolution theatre for their September show, as well as a 2 week vacation in PEI – which includes a 6 day acting workshop. God I can’t wait to hang in the hammock in July…..Calgon take me away!

Doggy Tail...or Tale

Here is an interesting doggy story....

My neighbour Ron, who just lost his 6 yr old Golden Retriver to cancer 4 weeks ago, adopted a 6 year old retired breeding female and picked her up last Saturday. Seems all was going well. Papillon, or Pappi for short, had always lived in a kennel with straw in a barn on a breeding farm to those who only bred Goldens. She’d never been housetrained, never slept in a bed, never climbed stairs, never met another dog breed other then Goldens, never been in a car etc etc. How happy was she to meet Ron….I met her onTuesday and she adores her new owner. She’d listen to him and wag, and rub up against him affectionately waiting to be told what to do and be petted. And why wouldn’t she, he is so nice and you can tell he adores animals.

“Well all was going well” he said when I met him Tuesday with Pappi, but he said she was acting strange, digging, etc. Abby (my usually cranky terrier) seemed to like her and was sniffing her "thingy" (or doggy vajayjay) and I asked if she was coming into heat, as Abby knows these things having had heats and a litter of pups herself. He said he didn't think she was. But he thought, she acting strange today digging a lot and just being off.

Well I dropped off my pooches today at doggy daycare where they know Ron, as they used to groom Riley (the one he lost recently) and I was telling the doggie daycare lady about his issues with the new dog. I was saying how he has to treat her as if she were a rescue, be patient etc. Well she said "she's doing fine now". I said "why....."

Well turns out Pappi had 2 puppies last night .....they were born April 30th...hence why she was acting weird and digging the other day (she was nesting, getting ready to give birth). And ...funny Abby knew......that was why she was sniffing her so intently.

Anyways, apparently the puppies are doing well, and Pappi is a good mommy. Ron, her new owner, is dotting on her and babies. And he's keeping all 3 dogs. Apparently the breeder didn't know she was prego...GIVE ME A BREAK...she either knew and didn't want to deal with it, or she/he are TERRIBLE breeders. They just lost a WAD of cash through their stupidity. I mean, I had a pregnant dog in my house you KNOW they are pregnant. I won’t go into details why you know, just trust me that you figure it out. And being breeders with experience you’d think before they sell her off as a retired dog, they’d check her over…HELLO not hard to tell at that point.

Well at least he is getting his money's worth eh? Now he has Pappi and two wee wriggly little puppies...many laughs await him!

Now, can I rant about backyard breeders (which this one must be in this case) and puppy mills. They make me sick to my stomach. That is why when we bought ours or were looking into buying ours we not only researched the breed, but also where to buy. If a breeder says “yes, come right away I have many puppies right now”, or they say “I sell Goldens, and Bichons, and Yorkies, and this and that and that…” walk away….they are either backyard breeders or puppy mills out to make a prophet. The poor dogs live in terrible conditions and all they do is breed in small enclosures…..NEVER buy from them or pet stores (who get their puppies from puppy mills etc and JACK UP the prices). Do your research. Not only will you get a more healthy dog who will probably live longer, but you will be supporting those who truly care about dogs. If a breeder is grilling you and interviewing you and deciding if you are worthy to have one of their dogs, THAT is a good breeder.

The breeder of my dogs is an amazing woman. We went through that process with her Wire Fox Terriers, and she even admited to me that if she doesn't like a person, she will try and stear them away from wanting a Fox Terrier. (that is nice of her, some will actually say "no you are not worthy to have one of my dogs")

When my dog Abby had her litter of 7 puppies a year and a half ago, my breeder took a week off work (she raises the puppies in her house). One of the pups was lame for a time, and would have normally died. My breeder got up every 2 hours and personally held him to my dog Abby to make sure he fed. She’d mix up pablum with evaporated milk and water at 4 weeks to transition the puppies to food. She’d get into the room on the floor and play with them on the floor. She kept saying how she’d just love to keep all of them (of course you can’t that would be madness). And she treated my dog with so much love and affection as if she were her own, I thought Abby wouldn’t come home – Abby wanted to come home, still even though she does like to go visit my breeders house and gets all excited…YAY she loves us. Anyways, that is the way it should be done…with care and love, and health and all.

I am glad I met my breeder…..she’ll be my dog supplier until she breeds dogs no more….plus that means Tim and I will always have a wee bit of Abby in our lives for years to come even after her time has come. That is pretty rare and special actually.

So the lesson today boys and girls...do your research, don't buy from backyard breeders, petstores, or puppy mills...lets put those bad people out of business!!!!

One the many reasons I love Theatre, and starting Acting

Let me preface this by saying the Ottawa Public Library is amazing, and if you want to see some good stuff or hear good music without adding to your clutter at home…go there! Get a card. This is why…..

Last night I was watching American Idol….I thought David Cook, and Carley Smithson were awesome by the way, when Tim yelled down “are you watching anything?” and I said “no”, I said guiltily as I kind of wanted to watch Dancing with the Stars…for lack of anything better on….TV is pretty much crap…but there I was watching it. SIGH

Anyways, I said “why, what do you want to watch?” “A Documentary on Eugene O’Neil I got from the library” Tim said. My first reaction was going to be, yuck, but I immediately thought, ya I would like to watch that. Then Tim brought it down and I realized it was a Ric Burns documentary on Eugene O’Neill and then I thought FANTASTIC!

If you don’t know who Ric or Ken Burns are….they are brothers for one thing, but both are amazing Documentary film makers. Ken Burns did the New York City Series and the Jazz Series…both are AWESOME - all of which we've gotten at the library. Anyways, I knew it would be good.

I had forgotten how interesting Eugene O’Neill’s life was, and how sad. He was haunted by ghosts. His mother had lost the brother he never known, Edmund, to the measles when Edmund was 2, before Eugene was born, which pretty much set the stage for the older brother James Jr.'s demise in life as a philanderer and alcoholic (read Moon for the Misbegotten, a play he wrote about his brother). When Eugene was born, his mother felt she was being punished and Eugene grew up with feelings of nothingness, and lonliness. His mother became a morphine addict, his father sold out to make a buck , after a promising potential career as an actor – well he did very very well as an actor playing the Count of Monte Cristo, but that was his sell out moment when he could have been a great Shakespearean actor and not be just known for that melodrama part of the Count. Eugene wandered amlessly, to South America, drinking, abadoning his wife and children, but ultimately becoming a celebrated American playwright in the process -- aren't all great artists tormented by their lives?

At any rate, I was watching this documentary and they had various actors doing scenes or monologues from plays like The Iceman Cometh, and Long Day’s Journey Into Night – two of his most famous works. Then I saw Al Pacino doing something from Iceman and both Tim and I said “Oh SHUT UP AL….god he pushes and trys too hard, he’s acting too hard and milking it” As an actor who has studied a lot , I can see it. But when Jason Robards did the same part in a clip from an old film version of the Broadway production…wow, magical.

Then the documentary went into his most famous play. Christopher Plummer did that speech from Long Day’s Journey into Night about how he sold out as an actor, what he could have been, the pain, etc, I wept (luckily Tim was sleeping). The language was so beautiful, and said by Plummer so simply I said “wow, that is why I love the theatre, and acting – what it can do to the audience if just done from the gut, simply – the beauty of language, how personal it can be”. Of course if you know O’Neill’s life you know this was an autobiographical play that nearly killed him to write. He actually sealed it at Random House and told them only to open it 25 yrs after his death and never have it performed. Both of which were ignored once he died….thank god. Anyway, it was stunning.

At one point Robert Sean Leonard (if you watch House he plays Wilson…he was also in Dead Poets Society when he was younger...I love him), he did this speech as Edmund in Long Day’s Journey…and the end went something like this..... "It was a great mistake my being born a man. I would have been much more successful as a sea-gull or a fish. As it is, I will always be a stranger who never feels at home, who does not really want is not really wanted, who can never belong, who must always be a little in love with death!" That was Eugene from the depth of his soul and said by Leonard, so simply, so grounded – painful, wonderful.

I love to act, and often it’s so hard to ground yourself to remember to listen, to “let it land”, but when it happens, or if you are a witness to such a performance, it can change your life – at least for that period in time. That is why I keep going back on stage, to catch that feeling, to be in the moment however hard it might be – even though it should be the simplest of things. Maybe that is selfish in a way, but it’s also the love of conveying the playwrights words to an audience, to share it with them. And when it is done right, affecting lives – touching people….a playwrights whose words can move people is a very special thing. It’s personal. And we as humans need to connect.

Eugene O’Neill was a most gifted and special artist. Thank you Mr. O’Neill for leaving us your words, and for inspiring us to convey your secret life to the world. And thank you Tim for having that library card....keep them movies and documentaries coming my friend.