Behind the Curtain

Official Blog of International City Theatre

Meet ICT’s New Summer Administrative Intern

June 12th, 2015

FullSizeRenderInternational City Theatre is excited to introduce Amy Patton, our Summer Administrative and Production Intern. She will be working with us this summer thru the Los Angeles County Arts Commission Internship program, and will be producing a Blog series entitled “Diary of a ICT Summer Intern.”

Greetings! This is Amy Patton, International City Theatre’s new summer intern, reporting for duty. The world is my oyster and I like idioms and hyperboles more than anyone in the entire world. Ever.

Nice to meet you.

I am a bright-eyed senior at California State University, Long Beach. I am a double major in journalism and English     creative writing. If I’m being honest, I picked English as a major for fun. Now some students go to local bars or pick up     hobbies like running and yoga to enjoy their free time. I, however, in my wasteland of a freshman schedule decided to     pick up a second major that was, essentially, polar opposite from my primary field of study.

I have nurtured my English major and cultivated it though. During my junior year of college, I was accepted into the literature program at Swansea University in Wales. That’s a nation in the United Kingdom for the geographically illiterate (I had to look where Swansea was when applying to the program).

amy3“But Amy, why would you even go to a nation you know nothing about?” Well, inquisitive reader, I knew one quintessential fact: My hero, poet and writer Dylan Thomas, was a Swansea native. So in the name of Thomas, I spent a year travelling the UK, meeting kind people, silently mocking the Welsh accent and yes, reading.

Alas, the clock ran even as I tried to “rage against the dying of the light.” Sorry, Dylan. Now how do you top the excitement of a year abroad? It’s simple really – join the daily student newspaper. There will not be a single dull moment whether you like it or not.

In a short year, I quickly ran up the ranks from contributing writer to News Editor. I will return in the fall as the Print Managing Editor, the right-hand man for the Editor-in-Chief.

When I graduate from CSULB in December, I intend to work for a mid-size newspaper. I can’t quite decide if I prefer being an editor or reporter.  My position as an intern at ICT will be a crash course in Arts Administration so perhaps I am answering a new calling this summer.  While here, I hope to sharpen my business eye as I learn the ins and outs of what it takes to run such a successful, professional non-profit theatre. I swear they’re not forcing me to write that.

Only a mere two weeks into the internship and I can already see the commitment and passion that drives this lean work horse. It is that desire and love for the theatre that I most hope to learn this summer.

With that being said, stay tuned folks! I look forward to sharing my experiences and insights with you this summer.

 

 

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David Ives is Serious About Comedy

June 8th, 2015

David Ives

It’s hard to be funny. But not for playwright David Ives, whose hilarious play The Heir Apparent will receive its Los Angeles Premiere at Long Beach’s International City Theatre.  This is the second time ICT is giving one of Mr. Ives’ plays its LA Premiere.  The first time was in 1996 with All in the Timing.

Born 1950 in Chicago, Ives caught the playwriting bug early, writing his first play at 9. After graduating from Northwestern 1971 with an English degree, he moved to Los Angeles for the production of his first play, Canvas. A New York mounting would have him follow his show, and Ives stayed to write many contemporary plays of absurd hilarity and critical success.

He’s best known for his evening of six one-act plays All in the Timing, which in 1995 was the most produced play in America after Shakespeare, and of course, had its LA Premiere at ICT.  Venus in Fur won a Tony for Best Actress and a Best Play nomination. The Heir Apparent represents his calling card “translaptation,” (a translation with a heavy dose of adaptation). He translates classic foreign works, typically French, and then adapts them with contemporary humor and guile.

Written in uproarious rhyming verse, The Heir Apparent is a story of mistaken identities. A young man desperately wants to marry but first needs to secure an inheritance from his miserable old uncle. It won’t be easy. Can this young man’s resourceful servant save the day with his powers of disguise and his quick wit?

David Ives has a gift for funny, clever writing. Come see what’s so funny.

The Heir Apparent runs June 17 – July 12. All performances are at International City Theatre at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. For tickets, call 562-436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

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Apparently This is The Heir Apparent Cast

May 29th, 2015

The cast of The Heir Apparent

(L to R): Wallace Angus Bruce, Matthew Henerson, Eden Malyn, Suzanne Jolie Narbonne, Adam J. Smith, Rebecca Spencer & Adam von Almen

One of the blessings in running a professional theatre in the Los Angeles area is the availability of talent.  The competition can be fierce even when the project is unique, and that word can definitely describe International City Theatre’s next play — The Heir Apparent. This comedy is performed in very clever rhyming verse which requires finding trained, agile performers. International City Theatre is happy to announce the extraordinary cast for their next production.

Wallace Angus Bruce, who just appeared in ICT’s End of the Rainbow, will play Eraste. His resourceful servant Crispin will be played by ICT familiar face Adam J. Smith, who has starred at ICT in Private Lives and How the Other Half Loves. Matthew Henerson, playing Eraste’s miserly uncle Geronte, starred in ICT’s When Garbo Talks! Eraste’s true love Isabelle will be played by Suzanne Jolie Narbonne, mostly recently starring in the Troubies’ ABBAmemnon.

Eden Malyn, who has a recurring role on Orange is the New Black, will play Lisette. Madame Argante will be performed by Rebecca Spencer, who was a member of the original Broadway cast of Jekyll and Hyde. The cast will be completed by Adam von Almen, who appeared in Grease at Cabrillo Music Theatre, and he will play Scruple.

Another laugh fest by David Ives adapted entirely in hilarious rhyming verse, The Heir Apparent takes comedy to new heights with this story of mistaken identities. Eraste desperately wants to marry Isabelle, but first he needs to secure an inheritance from Geronte, his miserable old uncle. Can Eraste’s resourceful servant Crispin save the day with his powers of disguise and his quick wit?

The Heir Apparent runs June 17 – July 12. All performances are at International City Theatre at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. For tickets, call 562-436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

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Abigail/1702 is ICT at Its Core

May 21st, 2015

Jennifer Cannon in ABIGAIL/1702

International City Theatre has always believed that theatre was more than just another form of entertainment. In fact, the resident professional theatre company of Long Beach was founded with the goal of creating new theater that not only entertains, but educates and provokes thoughtful dialogue as well. So it should come as no surprise that when ICT Artistic Director/Producer caryn desai announced the 2015 season back in August of 2014, she introduced a season of new works and premieres (with a classic thrown in as well) that are engaging, relevant and insightful. Perhaps the perfect embodiment of ICT’s mission is their currently running show Abigail/1702.

The basic premise of this new Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa play is that it is an imagined sequel to the Arthur Miller classic The Crucible. The play begins 10 years after the Salem Witch Trials and shows what happened to Abigail Williams, the famed seductress of the original tale. On a much deeper level, it is a searing portrait of someone facing their own self-created demons and desperately seeking atonement and absolution in their determined quest for redemption. Such a notion is something to which anyone can relate, although in various degrees, but nonetheless sparking a conversation about the path one takes to find forgiveness.

Jennifer Cannon & Kevin Bailey in ABIGAIL/1702desai was so moved by the play that she decided to not only give it its West Coast Premiere but also to direct this moving piece of contemporary theatre. As an art form, we must stay fresh and support new works and new writers in their growth and development. Theatre cannot continue to  produce the same tried-and-true hits over and over if it is to stay relevant. And theatres must invest in relevant, sometimes challenging new works and not the latest movie made into a stage production. Theatre’s role is to create a more educated society.

ICT is pleased to present this captivating play from a talented young playwright who continues to shine in his craft. More than half of the shows produced in ICT’s 30-year history have been premieres, and they are delighted that Abigail/1702 is part of their milestone season.

Abigail/1702 runs through May 24th on the ICT stage at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. To purchase tickets or for more information about Abigail/1702, please call (562) 436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

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Jace Febo Loves Being the Only Kid

May 14th, 2015

Jace Febo

Jace Febo may only be 11 years old, but he is no stranger to acting and is currently starring as part of the cast of International City Theatre’s current production Abigail/1702. He was kind enough between performances to answer some questions for us about the show and his career.

1. How long have you been acting, and what do you love about it?

I’ve been acting professionally for about 2 years. I love meeting new people and building Theatre families. Performing is my passion. I also love to sing.

2. Since the show has opened, what has your experience at ICT been like so far?

Great! I love my fellow cast mates.

Jennifer Cannon & Jace Febo in Abigail/1702

Jennifer Cannon & Jace Febo in Abigail/1702

3. What have you learned from being part of a show such as Abigail/1702 that is new and allows you to really create a new character?

I’ve learned how to project my voice because there are no mics. I’m having fun creating Thomas, the character I play in the show.

4. Is it difficult being part of a cast where you are the youngest by many years, and if yes, what is so difficult? If no, why not?

No, I love it! Being the only kid is great! I get treated nicely.

5. What play or book might you want to see an imagined sequel to?

I love the book Where The Red Fern Grows, so I think a follow-up to that would be exciting to see.

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Ross Hellwig Looking Forward to Work Every Day

May 8th, 2015

Ross Hellwig

1. As you head into the opening of the show, how has your experience at ICT been so far?

My experience with ICT has been fantastic. Theatre is a collaborative art form, and everyone I’ve met here has been incredibly talented, hardworking, and a joy to be around. Going to work here is something I look forward to every day.

2. What do you hope audiences take from Abigail/1702?

While rehearsing the play, I grappled with questions about redemption. I hope audiences find themselves examining similar themes. I hope they are entertained, have something exciting to discuss after the show, and enjoy looking at Arthur Miller’s The Crucible from a fresh, new angle. And for those who aren’t familiar with Miller’s play, I hope they are inspired to go and give it a look.

Ross Hellwig & Jennifer Cannon in Abigail/1702

Ross Hellwig & Jennifer Cannon in Abigail/1702

3. You play John Brown, who acts as a love interest to Abigail as well as a catalyst for exposing Abigail’s past. Which parts of your character can you relate to and which can you not?

John Brown has an intriguing past of his own that gets exposed through the events of the play. Without spoiling anything here, I’ll just say that his personal history is very different from my own past and has been interesting to explore. The themes of judgment and forgiveness run throughout this play. We are often harshest when we judge ourselves, and sometimes the way to self-acceptance comes through helping a loved in their own battle for forgiveness. I think that’s something many of us can relate to.

4. The play involves aspects of the supernatural quite a bit. What are your thoughts on the supernatural? Do you believe in it, and if so, why?

The jury is still out on the supernatural. I think there are things we can’t explain, and we do our best to make sense of them; however, I doubt anyone has all of the answers. The fun thing about performing in a play featuring supernatural elements is the process of figuring out what the rules of the world are and then recklessly throwing yourself into that world with absolute faith. And when your character’s faith is shaken partway through because he or she had made incorrect assumptions about those rules, that can be fun too.

5. What play or novel might you want to see an imagined sequel to?  

I’ve always thought that it would be fun to look in on Kate and Petruchio about five years after the events of The Taming of the Shrew. Are they happy? Are they the ultimate power couple? If the world threw some crazy, seemingly-insurmountable problem their way, how would they conquer it? Because you know they would conquer it.

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Michelle Holmes Hopes to Spook You a Little

May 5th, 2015

Michelle Holmes

Abigail/1702 just opened this past weekend, and cast member Michelle Holmes was kind enough to answer some questions for us about the show and herself. Enjoy!

1. As rehearsals finally end and performances begin, what has your experience at ICT been like so far?

This is my second experience with ICT, and the first one was a musical, so doing a new work like this is so exciting. I, personally, love The Crucible and have done it, so the chance to do a sequel was too irresistible. Yet, it’s so well-written you don’t have to know the original play to appreciate Abigail/1702.  caryn is such a great director, loving to her cast, yet very specific and direct, which I so appreciate. And her choices of script, set, lighting and direction were so bold. Everyone at ICT is just a joy to work with, and the theatre is so beautiful. The cast is also to die for, and they’re not only talented but some of the finest people I’ve ever worked with. And I get my own big dressing room. What can beat that?  But I’m definitely excited to open and begin the run of this extraordinary piece. Oh, and our stage manager rocks!!!

2. What do you hope audiences take from Abigail/1702?

I hope they are all surprised and enlightened in different ways. I hope they appreciate what a spectacular experience live theatre can be and then get to witness the West Coast Premiere of a play this good that is so well-directed and acted. It’s a remarkable play, and I don’t think you’ll find a finer production of it anywhere. And I hope they get spooked a little, too!

3. You play multiple roles in the show. What are some of the perks of embodying different characters and what are some of the disadvantages?

I see no disadvantages in playing multiple characters.  I love it.  Bring it on!!  And, luckily, in Abigail/1702, I have a nice amount of time between entrances to be able to fully transform in makeup and costume.  To be able to go through so many ages and from comedy to pathos to high drama in one play is a gift.

Jennifer Cannon & Michelle Holmes in Abigail/1702

Jennifer Cannon & Michelle Holmes in Abigail/1702

4. Since Abigail/1702 is a new play, what are your thoughts on new works and theatre companies’ role in developing them?

I love working on new plays, and I give International City Theatre so much credit for being a larger theatre still willing to take a chance on something new and bold and not always doing the familiar or the reliable.  I mean, there’s certainly a place for both, but you usually see newer, edgier works done at small theatres that don’t have to rely on the box office as much.  But ICT takes chances, and their audiences and subscribers are extraordinary in that they go right along with them and know that caryn desai is a smart, creative woman who will not steer them wrong.  When you have a title like Abigail/1702, it can be confusing to potential patrons.  But everyone who’s seen the previews, whether they knew or even liked The Crucible, has remarked on what a great experience it was to see a play like this and this production in particular.  So I laud ICT for its continued willingness to promote new works.

5. What play or novel might you want to see an imagined sequel to?

Hard question, because there are just so many works, both literary and theatrical, that I love.  I would have to say that I would be interested in the sequel to most anything because I always imagine years later what the characters I’ve already seen in anything from theatre to movies to even television, would be doing now.  I mean, look at how much Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher have changed from the original Star Wars trilogy. Seeing Hans Solo and Princess Leia together as an old married couple now, if they even are still married, slays me!  You know, I would love to see a sequel to The Crucible, and here it is!!  And I’m loving every minute of it.

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Jennifer Cannon: Abigail Williams in the Flesh

April 24th, 2015

Jennifer Cannon

1. How are rehearsals going?

Rehearsals are amazing. It is good, hard work that ALL of us are putting in. caryn desai is allowing her actors to explore and “play” in an effort to find the best choice for the scene or character. That freedom has opened a gate of true artistic expression from her actors and we are still discovering nuances and layers that are adding to the richness of this play, its characters and their relationships.

2. What do you hope audiences take from Abigail/1702?

I hope audiences will walk away remembering that we ALL struggle with the light and dark in our souls. We should all find a way to embrace and accept our darkness as part of who we are but not let it RULE us.  Abigail is creating a path for herself. She wholeheartedly accepts her demons and her mistakes but is desperately fighting to not let them rule her life. Whether we are learning that for the first time or just need to be reminded, we can all learn something from Abigail’s plight.

Jennifer Cannon in Abigail/1702

Jennifer Cannon in Abigail/1702

3. Since the play centers around your search for redemption, what are your thoughts on the ideas of “falling from grace” and “righting your wrongs”?

I believe “falling from grace” does not just refer to a holy or supernatural “grace.” It can also mean falling from the grace of others or even yourself. You can make choices that garner the disappointment from your family or disapproval from your friends. You can also fall out of favor with yourself. “Righting your wrongs” can be asking forgiveness in an effort to show remorse or engage in an action that will possibly make a situation better. But ultimately, “righting a wrong” begins in yourself. Acknowledging and embracing your mistake, taking action to correct the issue, and then truly letting it go and moving on. We are all human and can only strive to be balanced.

4. Is it difficult to create a character on stage who has already been created in another story? If yes, what are those difficulties?

It is a double-edged sword. Because this is not a new character there is a lot of research and history that provides clues to how the character should be portrayed. But that is only the foundation. This is a new chapter in a character’s life, and more specifically, a different side and color of that person. There are preconceived notions and expectations for Abigail Williams and this play is challenging those ideas. She is not as simple as she may have appeared in The Crucible. There is so much more that goes so much deeper, and trying to do justice to that while still showing a completely different side of her and against the stereotype and audience expectation is a challenge indeed.

5. What play or novel might you want to see an imagined sequel to?

Pygmalion (or My Fair Lady) would be very interesting. How is Eliza Doolittle getting on? Did she marry Freddy? How have the skills she learned from Henry Higgins hindered or helped her?  It would be interesting to explore that strong female character and her relationship with Higgins well after her time of tutoring. Ten years after her time with Higgins would put her in the Roaring Twenties. I would want to see her in that period!

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Kevin Bailey Inside-Out

April 22nd, 2015

Kevin Bailey

Kevin Bailey stars in International City Theatre’s upcoming show Abigail/1702, the West Coast Premiere of an imagined sequel to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by caryn desai, FiBailey’s versatility will be showcased as he plays many important roles in the production. He was kind enough to take some time from rehearsals to answer some questions for us.

1. You are in your second week of rehearsals right now. How has your experience at ICT been so far?

I love ICT!  The collaborativeness (is that a word? — hah) is everything an actor wants in a rehearsal period.  It’s a joy to know you are co-creating a piece with a great director and talented castmates who genuinely love working together.

2. What do you hope audiences take from Abigail/1702?

The message for me is one of radical forgiveness — it’s always possible and it’s never too late for anyone to do what is right and turn life around for the good.

3. Because the play is an imagined sequel to The Crucible, what were your initial thoughts on it?

I liked the “idea” of the play from the start when Casting Director Michael Donovan described the story to me.  And then when I read it, I sobbed my eyes out at the end. Seriously!

4. You play multiple roles in the show. What are the special challenges you face in creating different characters within the same story?

Any time a play calls for the actor to play multiple parts the trick, of course, is how to make “yourself” seemingly different.  Costume and hair go a long way to helping in this area, but as actors  we often talk about a character’s spine. What is it that is the essence or core of the individual we are playing, and how does that manifest itself in movement, voice, posture and attitude?  It’s working from the inside out as an actor, but with a vision that the “outside” is different for each of the three characters.  I don’t want to give away too much, but one of my characters is stern, gruff and desperate — and those traits have an applicable physical and vocal  way that enhance the character.  Another character is all power, control and charm, and the way he moves and talks and commands the stage is like a giant who never needs to raise his voice unless he chooses to do so.

5. What play or novel might you want to see an imagined sequel to?

Play:  Well — it may seem obvious as it’s Arthur Miller again, but I’d love to know what happened to the Loman family after Death Of A Salesman.  I imagine Linda kicks butt and whips those boys into shape … or else.  And even more — A Streetcar Named Desire.  These are sacred texts in the theater world, so it seems unlikely, but I would have said that about The Crucible too.

Book:  Okay, randomness here, but I always wished there was another book to The Lord of The Rings.  I want to know what happens to all of those characters.  Did Frodo get well living with the Elves?  Sam must have needed another adventure and maybe hit the road with his own kids one day to go see King Aragon and his Elven Princess.  I watch these movies every year from beginning to end with my son.

Musical:  Brigadoon!  Think about it. The next 100 years is coming up soon.  Maybe Tommy and Fiona have a family and we see the child or perhaps even grandchildren of his friend Jeff who have heard the story passed down to them.  How fun would that be?

To see Kevin and the rest of his amazing castmates in Abigail/1702, please visit www.internationalcitytheatre.org for tickets. It runs April 29 – May 24.

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The Salem Witch Trials Close to heart of Abigail 1702

April 9th, 2015

Salem Witch Trials

Our upcoming production of Abigail/1702 is an imagined sequel to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. The Miller Classic was a fictionalized account of the events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials, and this historic event has a direct influence on the context of Abigail/1702. The show’s time and place is Boston ten years after the trials and executions. This part of American history was highly influential on many aspects of how the U.S. governs today, and some background on it may give greater insight into our upcoming play.

The Salem Witch Trials occurred between February 1692 and May 1693. Approximately 100 years before the United States became a country, what is now considered the East Coast was at this time a collection of British colonies. Many of these residents were Puritans seeking religious freedom from England. The belief in Satan and the supernatural was common, so it was not rare to find peasants performing spells in hopes of prosperous crops and good fortune.

The trials in Salem were ignited by the peculiar behavior of Betty Parris and Abigail Williams (yes the same one who holds the name of our show’s title). Violent rage, the moaning of odd noises and the contortion of their bodies in unnatural ways were deemed to be the cause of possession by the devil and witchcraft. Other young girls began to show the same symptoms, and this mass hysteria led to a domino’s effect of one person accusing another of being a witch. All accusations had personal motives, but none were made with evidence or truth. The accused were essentially guilty until proven innocent, and none were found to be innocent.

Hearings before local magistrates took place, which resulted in the conviction and execution of 20 people, most of which were women. A further eight were condemned to prison, with four of them dying in prison.

It was a horrific and shameful series of events that have gone on to shape many of the tenets of American liberty. A strong example of mass hysteria, the Salem Witch Trials would be cited as a direct influence on the ideas of due process and false accusations.

Abigail/1702 happens ten years after the Salem Witch Trials, where Abigail is now living under a false name after having accused many of witchcraft, ultimately sending many to their death. Desperately seeking atonement, Abigail’s quest for redemption, while fictitious, is a fascinating look at what happens after events such as the Salem Witch Trials. Perhaps you should come find out.

Abigail/1702 runs April 29 – May 24. For tickets, please visit ww.internationalcitytheatre.org or call the ICT Box Office at 562.436.4610.

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