Life On the Wicked Stage: Act 2

Continuing to Meet Challenges

There are times where you just want to pull your hair out in frustration. Then there are small victories that give you hope. Occasionally larger victories take hope to new levels. That's been a part of the lives of those of us who work at Wayside Theatre for far too long now as we continue to meet the challenges of keeping "this little theatre with a big heart" alive and moving forward.

One of the paradoxes we face, seemingly each and every day, is that when we do benefit from the generosity or efforts of someone from our community, everyone else thinks we've solved our problems. Unfortunately, that's far from the truth.Good news is met with great applause and lots of pats on the back and then the urgency diminishes. On the financial front, we're carrying too much debt, and for every dollar that comes in, half of it pays back, while half of it keeps us going. That formula is OK on the surface and addresses the realities, but it does creep into the soul with a gnawing tenacity that can feed on the desperation of hard times.

This article, out today in the Northern Va Daily, talks about some of those challenges and how we are attempting to meet them in this 50th Anniversary Season. If you take the time to read it, you'll see that a number of wonderful individuals have stepped up to help out. Without them, we'd be finished and yes, we are very, very grateful. But the changing times and continuing soundtrack of self serving rhetoric puking forth from our so-called political leaders create a tough climate for those who wish to help out to see their way clear to. I know. I've talked to some folks who would like to help out, but they are either scared or scarred. Either way, it's a tough sell.

I hope you read the article. I hope if you read this, you'll help out any way you can. If you'd like to help but aren't sure how to, let me know. Or simply head to our website www.waysidetheatre.org and hit the Donate button at the bottom of the page. Even better, come see one of our shows and bring some friends along. Even in the face of adversity, we do some pretty amazing things with some amazing artists on our stage. But that's who we are. You won't be disappointed.

Another Good Review for Reunion at Wayside Theatre

The reviews just keep coming in for Wayside Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season opening production of Reunion A Musical Epic in Miniature. This one is from the Culpeper Star Exponent and although the reviewer doesn't find any surprise in the story ("problem is we already know the story"), yeah, the North won the war.

That said she loved the performances even though she, like most of the other reviewers, seem to want to ignore the contemporary significance of why this history is important. Intriguingly our audiences love to talk about that although the media seems afraid to.

You can read the review for yourself at this link.

Do Some Good Today

Time to stand up and be counted. It's the last day for friends, neighbors, actors and artists who have worked at Wayside Theatre, and those who love this "little theatre with a big heart" to rally to the cause. We've been pushing hard in the first phase of Vivint's $1.25 Million Giveaway to see if we can't make Wayside Theatre a recipient of Vivint's generosity. In order to do so, we have to end today, June 11, in the Top 20 in our Eastern Region. If we do end up in the Top 20 we'll be eligible for $100,000 once the voting phase ends. Yeah, that's right we'll be nagging you for votes if we make it. But isn't it worth it?

We're close to the Top 20 and we're close because some folks have stepped up and endorsed Wayside Theatre. But today is the last day for endorsements and we've got some distance to close and we need your endorsement. Yeah, that's right. You. If you aren't on Facebook you can't do this, but if you are (and I know many of you are) all you have to do is follow the instructions after you hit the Endorse button in the graphic below this post. But don't stop there. Tell your friends, tell your enemies. Heck, if your cat has a Facebook page let your cat do the endorsing.

Keep in mind that this is competitive and other not-for-profits are doing the same thing today. So, please help us out and join the cause. Today is the day and you're the one that can make the difference.

Good Reviews Coming in for Reunion at Wayside Theatre

Well, the 50th Anniversary Season is opening and the reviews are starting to come in. So far, so good as both the Northern VA Daily and the Winchester Star gave Reunion A Musical Epic in Miniature good notices. You can follow the link above to the Daily, but unless you're a subscriber to the Star you won't be able to see the review. But if you have an iPad you can check it out on the Star's iPad App. You can also do the same for the Daily on the iPhone as both papers are entering the mobile world.

Both reviews speak well of the show and its Ken Burns like quality of the subject matter (The American Civil War) and both speak well of how amazingly well this show is sung, thanks to our musical director Steve Przybylski. The Star calls it "a musical treat" and it is.

Check them out and please make sure you check out the show before it closes on July 2. We're having fun and want to share it with you.

Help Wayside Theatre by Endorsing Us with Vivint

Hey folks, if you follow Wayside Theatre or any of our artists and you use Facebook, here's a simple way you might be able to help us out.

Vivint is a technology company that is giving away $1.25 million to charities this summer. The money is given away via regions and we fall in the Eastern Region. In order to be eligible we've got to get as many endorsements as possible by June 11. If we make it to the Top 20 in our region then the voting begins. This could mean up to $100,000 for Wayside Theatre potentially, and we need your help.

Again, you need to be on Facebook to make this happen. If you click on the Endorse Now button below it should take you to the appropriate Facebook page and once there you need to read about the charity, (that's us) and then hit the Endorse button on that page.

Here's the thing. We figure we need about 1000 endorsements to make it into the Top 20, so help us out if you can. We'd love to have your support. So, get started by clicking on the orange Endorse Now button below.

Reunion and the Age of Shoddy

Well, we did it.

We opened Wayside Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season last night with a stirring production of Reunion: A Musical Epic in Miniature. I have to tell you the burden of guiding such a talented group of artists and administrators to this higher than normal expectation filled opening took a toll on me. That toll is ameliorated somewhat by the amazing talents and selfless collaboration of all who were involved in the mounting of the show. The six performers and those that support them were not just amazing last night, they were on fire. The met the stage and the play and then shared it with the audience in a way that sent chills down my spine. That doesn't happen much to this grizzled and battle scarred director. Each and every one of them had moments that were transcendent. Each and every one of them achieved new highs. Each and everyone of them, their talents, and their efforts will always be cherished as a highlight for me in a long list of opening nights.

Reunion was and is not a safe choice for our theatre and our community. Some have called it a "Yankee play." As one patron suggested last night, "it is a brave choice for this small Southern town." Maybe so. Yes, it challenges. Yes, it makes you think, and, yes, it takes you to places that are uncomfortable. But not just for Southerners. If I did my job correctly it pushes buttons with even the most progressive of thinkers. And while it deals with racism, The Civil War, and the complexities that make up our American character, then and now, it also reveals the searing personal moments of human beings caught up in something so much larger than themselves. With words spoken and sung on stage drawn from the actual characters who lived through those times, it is amazing how many of the thoughts and ideas behind those words of yesterday not only resonate but, sadly, still fill our conversation today. At its heart, Reunion is about all of us in its scope, and how far we have and haven't come since we decided to take up arms against ourselves. At its core, Reunion: A Musical Epic in Miniature is a celebration of the theatre and the images that it can convey that challenge us to think deeply about our convictions.

In the beginning of the second act, when Mr. Harry Hawk's company is performing a "popular entertainment" and the audience responds with the release of laughter to the inane silliness of the song and the moment, there is a moment where truth stabs those who think deeply in the heart with a stiletto. When Mr. Lovecraft says "this is the age of shoddy," in response to the goings on, it makes you realize just how long that age has been going on.

So, we're open and now on to the run of the show, which should prove more than interesting. But then, that's why I think Mr. Lincoln loved the theatre.