Show Commentary

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We've put the show to bed, and we've all had a chance to recover.   Now we're on to the next production, and things are well underway for Don't Dress for Dinner which promises to be full of belly laughs!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank, not only all the people involved in making Fiddler on the Roof another great success for the OHP, but also all of you who have made the effort to approach a member of the cast or crew and tell us all that you loved about the show.

The comments have been wonderful, and in an all volunteer organization, that's what keeps us going.   We do this out of a love for theater, and when that love is returned, it makes it even more worth while.   Stay tuned for news about upcoming shows.  We have contracts out for both next fall and next Christmas.   When they arrive, we'll post our season on the main page of the web site!

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We are two very short days away from opening.   The Thursday matinee is a new one for us, and if ticket sales are any indication, it's something that audience members appreciate.

I have had the opportunity during this production to spend more time working on technical details, and I find I appreciate the opportunity.   The production staff is a very talented group, and we seem to be sharing duties quite well.   I think this show will show the dedication of cast / crew / orchestra well.   Sound, set, lights, backstage crew and orchestra are working together to provide for some very impressive scenes.

There is nothing like live theater, and this show proves it!  The sound,  the sights, and the shared experience can't be reproduced in any other format.   Come and see what live theater is all about.  You won't be disappointed.   This is the perfect show to bring someone along who hasn't been to a show before.   Act fast.  Tickets are selling well.  There are still seats available for all performances.

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Set is coming along well.   Some wonderful visual effects are beginning to take effect there as well.  We are beginning to check out costumes, so this is going to add to characterizations as well.   To prove that fact, I have a few pictures (taken by Kim Andersen) that show very well what can happen when people get into character!

Lots of work on technical details of lighting is taking place as well.  We learn new things and apply new processes to every show that add so much to the overall experience.   Some wonderfully creative minds continue to help us grow.

Ticket sales are going VERY well.   Be sure to get your tickets soon.   Of course, this show will be a visual experience from every seat in the theater.  If you like the balcony, I think this will be one show that shines from those seats.  Hope to see you at the theatre!

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Cast members, the online schedule has been updated.  The link below is still valid.

Audience members...  what can I say?   The rehearsals are going very well.  Dance is going to be incredible.  Our choreographer, Diane Fisk, has come up with some visually spectacular things for our large cast to do on our stage.  

Set is beginning to take shape.  The good thing is that it is already solidly in the minds of our set designer and construction chief.   Now it's all in the execution.  

Orchestra joins us next week, and the cast is a bit anxious as we are to have lines and songs learned starting Monday's rehearsal.    That means I have to stop typing now and get back to my lines!   Don't you stop yet though.   Pick up the phone and call for your tickets.   Sales are very brisk for some performances, while others still have great seats available.   Pick your  day and get your tickets ASAP!

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Our intrepid Teyve has been snapping a few pictures.   I'll have to get my camera over there as well so we can share some of his stage time during rehearsals.   We are coming along well for this early in the rehearsal schedule.  Long ways to go, but we've gone through better than half the dances and the songs and lines are coming along well.

Click here if you want to see a few pictures of the rehearsal from 8/21/08.

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We're all ready to start in earnest.   We've had several song rehearsals this summer that has gotten everyone excited about the show.  The cast is ready to get to work, and the production crew has already spent many hours discussing orchestra, lighting, set, costumes, and rehearsal schedules.   Cast members.. we begin tomorrow (Monday August 11) at 7pm with a full read / sing through.   Everyone is asked to be there.  Schedules will be available detailing future rehearsal schedules.

I've also placed one online in PDF format.  I'm waiting final approval before I print them so check back to see if there are changes.

The show is going to be fantastic.   It is a favorite of LOTS of our Patrons.  Membership letters go out tomorrow.   Members get to purchase tickets 2 weeks before the general public (beginning Aug 18th for members) so this would be a great year to become a member to get your favorite seats on the best nights.

As a first.. this year we OPEN on a Thursday Matinee at 2pm October 2, 2008.   People asked for more matinees, and if possible, one during the week.   We've responded.  Show us (by your attendance) that this is something we should continue!

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The show has been cast.   We're still waiting on some final communication with cast members before we release the cast list.  There are lots of wonderful people involved in this show, and the production crew has already begun meetings to plan choreography, summer song rehearsals, and set.

We're excited, so you should be too!   Enjoy your summer!   We will, as we prepare for the return of The Fiddler on the Roof to the OHP stage on October 2, 2008.

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Over the past several months, there has been a great deal of excitement expressed from everyone who hears that we have scheduled "Fiddler on the Roof" as our fall production.  Try-outs have proven that the anticipation extended into those wanting to be part of the cast.

The director and production crew are still working to finalize decisions, and these decisions are going to be very difficult to make.  I think that I can safely say that this show will have one of the most talented choruses you are likely to find.   That should give you some idea of our main characters!

Thanks to all of you who showed up and gave your all on stage during the last couple of nights.  It's never an easy job to put yourself in these positions, but the OHP works hard to keep it fun.  Although it was two long nights, I think we succeeded. 

Stay tuned as we work to turn this musical into an OHP event that will be remembered by many for decades to come.  Tickets won't be on-sale for quite some time yet.  From the buzz on the street, and the talent in the cast, this may indeed be the year you will want to be sure to become a member of the OHP so that you can get in on the earliest ticket sales!  A blockbuster is in the works.

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As we bring one show to a close, we are looking ahead to our next major production.  Try-outs are yet this spring, May 20 & 21st.   This gives all of us more of a chance to begin work on costumes, set, dance, and characters!

We do have quite a bit of information available online (click here) about the various parts available.  And we hope to continue to add more information as we decide exactly what we will be looking for during try-outs.

Please note that we are adding an additional matinee to this run.  We open the show with a 2pm Thursday show.   Make sure that you can schedule this without difficulty when you try-out for the show!

- Tryout dates have been set.   Tuesday and Wednesday May 20th and 21st, 2008 at 7pm in the Elkader Opera House.   Use the stage door entrance on the parking lot side.

- The contract is in and we're ready to do a show that has us all excited.   This is only the second time in OHP history that we've chosen to repeat a show.  Fiddler on the Roof was last done by the OHP in 1974.   We think we've waited long enough to repeat it don't you?  Mazal Tov!

CHG