Show Commentary
- The show is now one for the history books. We enjoyed this show from beginning to end, and we hope that you took the opportunity to come and enjoy it too. Those of you who didn't make it, you missed it. Lots of fun and laughter. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the cast and crew for making this one a fun experience all the way through. Just to give you some memories, or perhaps a flavor of the show in case you missed it, here are some pictures. Coming up this fall and next spring is our "Centennial Celebration!" Lots of good shows and entertainment. Be sure to stay in contact with us so you won't miss a minute of the fun!
- I've been going through the cast photos that we took last Tuesday. As with all OHP shows, this is one that we're going to be sad to have over, as are most all shows. Because the cast is smaller, and more tight knit, it may be a bit harder for them as well. It is fun to see the pictures from the show however, and although I won't share the full group of shots until after closing (don't want to spoil any show secrets!) I did want to share this one shot that occurred during our last rehearsal (if you could loosely call it that!)
You can see how much enjoyment the cast is getting out of this show as well. I know the audiences have been enjoying the experience tremendously. There are still very good seats available for the remaining three performances of this show. Don't forget to make your plans to make the trip to Elkader for a night of entertainment and hilarity. The Murder Room closes on April 12, 2003. Join us tonight, Friday or Saturday!
- As we approach the final weekend for this show I wanted to take the opportunity to remind all of you out there just how fun this show really is. If you were able to see it on Friday or Saturday of last week, you know what I'm talking about. This is just what we need in the atmosphere of today with all the stresses and world worries. There should be a place where we can go and let all that slide away as we laugh ourselves silly for 2 hours. If you haven't seen the show, make plans to get there. You will not regret it. If you have seen the show, do someone else the favor of recommending they get to see it. They will thank you for it. There is something about live entertainment that can not be described. The feeling of being part of something that makes it special. This show will be an event that you will enjoy for a long time after the show is over. Tickets are available for all remaining performances. Take the time to experience The Murder Room. You won't regret it!
- Opening night had plenty of laughs to share. Thanks to all the brave souls that ventured out. I know the night was a bit rough as far as the weather was concerned, but the travel was not that difficult. (I drive 19 miles to get there every night.) I know we also shared the night with several area high school productions. I hope that you make sure you support these theater productions as well. Love of theater is something that will help stimulate imagination and learning capabilities of our youth as well as creating a life long ability to express oneself with ease. Something everyone can use.
As the sun shines, and the snow and ice melt, I hope you are ready to get out and make the trip to Elkader for a night of hillarity. If for some reason you were unable to make the trip last night, and you had tickets, let us know. We can work out something to get you to another night instead. We want you to share in this wonderful show. Talk to those that made the trip. You'll know it's worth it!
- Well, it's here! The night that we've all been waiting for. This cast and show is in desperate need of an audience! We've worked very hard and can now keep a straight face as we say these lines night after night. Now it's time for you to come and show us just how funny all these lines and situations are again.
This show has been a pleasure to work with, both in the fact that it is hillarious, and the fact that we have a dedicated cast and crew that have made it all come together with an ease that is amazing. If you can't make the opening tonight (and there are still plenty of very good seats available) be sure to listen for the word on the street tomorrow. I have no doubt if you talk to someone who saw the show, you'll get a strong recommendation to get your tickets right away. It is just that enjoyable of an evening. Come and enjoy it with us, and make your day brighter. We have enough belly laughs to share!
- Just had to take a moment in this final busy week to let you know where we are. Things are going well indeed, and that's very odd for a director to say at this point. Usually I'm busy trying to find the hair I've already pulled out as we scramble to take care of the details.
This time, I must admit, things are pulling together very nicely. Lots to get done yet of course, but then, there always is at this point. Thus far, it all seems very doable, and we are going to be more than ready to share this hillarious show with an audience. I do want to share with you a picture of the cast. I've taken several different shots, but I don't want to share them all and ruin all the surprises for the show. So I'll share just this one cast shot. If I get to it, I'll get this on the main show page as well. Get your tickets. I'll guarantee you'll be sorry if you miss this one!
The Cast of The Murder Room
- Rehearsals are getting more and more "interesting" to say the least. The cast is working very hard to get all correct and up to speed. As I have said before, one of the most difficult parts is that we need to get over our laughing fits about the dialogue and situations in the show so we can let you enjoy it as should be.
This is more difficult with this show than what you would believe. Night after night we say these lines, and do these things. And it still makes us laugh and smile. We aren't falling on the floor doubled over in laughter as much any more, so you can count that as progress! I don't suppose it helps that we in the production crew sit out front and lose our composure quite often as well. Now the lighting crew is getting involved, and I'm sure we'll deal with some fresh laughter.
This is all worth is however as we prepare for a show that will have you shaking your head for weeks. Don't wait. Get your tickets now. I can't imagine sales won't skyrocket after opening night and the word hits the street from those who were smart enough to get those first night seats. If you are reading this, take advantage of being forewarned. You may indeed want to see this one twice to catch the parts you miss thorough being doubled over with laughter the first time!
- Rehearsals continue to be lots of fun for all involved, but we are indeed getting lots done as well. I must say that the show has been a wonderful one to be involved in, and as busy as this upcoming centennial season will be, it is a pleasure to head to the Opera House most nights. I did take some pictures to update you on the progress wer are making in rehearsals, and with the set. Lots of these will make little sense to you until you see the show, but as things come together, I can indeed guarantee that you will want to see this show. Great rehearsal today. the cast was very dedicated, and although it was a long one (from 4pm till 9pm) we did get a lot accomplished. Of course the pizza supper break made it a little easier on everyone. Be sure to order your tickets for The Murder Room.
- Time for another update. The cast are busy putting the final lines of this show into memory. Then we hit the fine tuning of set positioning while at the same time getting our timing and delivery down. We're ready for the lighting crew to come in and setup lights for the show. There are a few special needs that will make this a bit more interesting for them I'm sure. We're at the point in the production where I spend my time with clipboard moving from seat to seat in the theater making sure that everyone has a good view and can hear things well. I did snap a few pictures to share with you. As the title says.. it looks like it was gun pointing night at rehearsal, and as you can see from the style differences, there are many different ways to do that! We've got just ten rehearsals left. Then we'll be more than ready for you to enjoy all the hard work. Don't wait for the reviews, get your tickets now!
- The extension of winter and the resultant weather has played havoc with the rehearsal schedule and set construction, but we are continuing on task. I've told the cast to spend time at home getting these lines down. There are lots of them, and many that are rapid fire responses. It's these exchanges that make the show however, and we are working at getting them down correctly. I did snap one photo of our set to give you an idea of where we are in construction. I think we are getting very close to putting that first base coat of paint on things. Then the detail work will start.
- Rehearsals continue to show significant progress. And as we continue into the show, I am finding more and more areas that I know can tickle your funny bone. These characters are an amazing group of people, and your cast is working hard to bring them to life. We're just beginning to get out of the scripts, and that means much better attention to detail on expression and movement. Set continues to develop, and hopefully the next week or so will make continued progress. We're just about ready for the first coat of paint. One good day of construction should do it. Then the detail work begins on the set itself. When that occurs, I'll be sure to keep you up to date with some photos.
- To say that today was our first real set work day wouldn't be correct, since to be honest with you, planning has been going on for some time, and tape was put down to give the cast an idea of where entrances and exits were. Also, last week, crew worked to get some pieces down from storage and ready. Then last Friday, the first several flats were put in place. Today when we got there, we were ready to begin construction in earnest. And boy did we. The stairs, window seat, front door, and many other pieces were put together in their most basic form. I did take a few pictures so I could give you an idea of the humble beginnings of the set. Some construction work yet to do, and then the real artistic work begins. That, and all the specialty work that this show requires for the various special effects. Rehearsals continue well. I'll keep you up to date!
- Rehearsals are going great. Well, not actually great since we have to learn to stop laughing at this script ourselves before we can actually put on the show, but we will definitely get there. We went through the all important (and tremendously hillarious) third act last Thursday evening. The show builds to this point, and the effort this final scene will take is very much worth it. The show is so much fun to watch, I have to make myself be sure that I'm paying attention to what I want to see changed. Of course, it's a tribute to the cast that I can get caught up watching the action this early. I can tell it will be even harder once they are out of their books and have the lines memorized. I did take some pictures to share with you so you can get a flavor. Pictures don't do this show justice. Set work begins in ernest this weekend. Hopefully I'll have more to show you next week. Keep space on your calendar for The Murder Room!
- Rehearsals are in full swing and the cast is doing very well getting into these characters. And characters they are. I'm supposed to let you know that there was not any type casting going on in this show. Everyone seems to be a little less than sharp as a tack. It's just their character in the play, remember that. This show is one that really brings out the play acting necessary to make it work. The cast is already beginning to show me a lot of that. We obviously have more work to do. I did take the time to take a few pictures so I could share with your the humble beginnings of this show. The end is something that you definitely will not want to miss. Even the cast is anxious to start work on the final scenes. Timing is everything!
- First read through rehearsal is now part of history. I can see that this show is one that is going to take a while to get through with a straight face. The cast is already starting to work on dialects, something that will make this show even more entertaining. The lines need to be delivered with just the exact style to make it be the most hillarious show possible. Laughter is the best medicine, and we're going to have a healthy cast throughout rehearsals. Be sure to set aside time on your calendars to come an join us for a healthy dose as well.
- As you can see, we did finally finish the difficult job of casting this show. I am VERY happy with the group of people we have chosen. This show has been called a cross between Abott & Costello, and Monty Python. When you see it, you'll understand why. Rehearsals begin January 28th.
- No, I haven't forgotten the web site. We are busy in discussion with some potential cast members. That's the wonderful thing about amateur theater, we know that people have outside responsiblities and we endeavor to take that into account whenever we cast a show. That means we all need to bend for each other. When we involve new talent from the area (and believe me, I know that there is still more out there!) we want to make sure that the experience is not only going to be a great one for the audience, but also for everyone involved. That sometimes takes some figuring out. Apologies for not releasing the cast yet, but it should come very soon now. When it does, remember the names of these people. They are the best of a LOT of great people that tried out. You have a wonderful evening of entertainment coming your way!
- Yes, we have made our decisions and have cast the show. I am now in the process of making final decisions on first read through so I can contact those who tried out and at the same time give those who are involved in the show the date and time of our first rehearsal. (Yes, potential cast members, if you can't stand it any longer, you can email me and I'll let you know the results.) It looks to be a great cast and we should have a wonderful time giving you a fantastically funny evening coming early April. As soon as all cast members are contacted, I'll post the cast.
- Tryouts are pretty well done. One last person we want to see before we make our final decisions. I can already tell you that the show is going to be good. The people who tried out did a good job, and (I think) are nearly as excited about this show as I am. I'll get the cast list up as soon as cast members are contacted. Certainly by early next week if not before. Plans are already underway for set construction that will make this a very unique and fun show. Stay tuned!
- If the first night of tryouts is any indication (and it usually is) we're going to have a great cast for the upcoming spring show. As usual, area talent is going to make it very difficult to choose a cast for this show. I can't, however, blame people for wanting to be involved in this show. It is going to be work, getting it just right, but it is also going to be fun from start to finish.
The Murder Room is a show that has us laughing even during tryouts. One of the hardest things we're going to need to do as a cast and crew is keep a straight face while everyone else is rolling in the aisles. Stay tuned for additional information. Cast should be announced by this weekend if we have no problems at the last tryout this Thursday. Get your funny bone ready for a huge workout with The Murder Room
- The time is finally here! Tryouts for The Murder Room are scheduled for January 14th and 16th, 7pm in the Elkader Opera House. You can find out the details by looking at the tryout information page where I also hope to get tryout sheets and additional information up soon. For now, set some time aside to tryout for what promises to be a fantastically fun show for everyone involved.
- As we bid goodbye to our fall production of Children of Eden we took up scripts and did a read through of The Murder Room. As hard as it is to let a show go, it always helps to start focusing on the next one. The reading took some time because we spent so much time laughing. The wheels are already turning in the minds of costume and set building heads. Lots of things needed to make this show work as well as it can, and we're ready to work with all of them. Fast paced action that will certainly leave you clutching your side in laughter. I know... we did just reading through the show with all parts covered. If we can't read this show without loosing it, I can't imagine how anyone will be able to see it and not laugh out loud. Stay tuned for more information about tryouts and the beginning of rehearsals for The Murder Room.
- I've updated the main The Murder Room page to give a short synopsis of the show. We have people looking forward to the spring show already, so that's a good sign. With the wonderful changes that are occuring at the Opera House, the 100th anniversary year looks to be a great one.
- In a fit of organization, the OHP is announcing both their fall and spring shows. With all the work that is going on this summer at the opera house involving the renovation, we wanted to let you know that we weren't letting our devotion to good theatre slide while we were making sure that we had a great theater for you to experience the shows. The Murder Room is a wonderful comedy farce that will have you holding your sides while endeavoring not to miss a bit of the action. While we won't be able to give you as many details about this show (it is a Murder Mystery after all) I'll be giving you more information and a few inticing details to keep you wondering. For now, we've given you more notice that we usually do, mark those calendars. You may even have to turn a few extra pages. It will be worth it.
CHG