In With the Interns: Irene Casey

Irene in the Signature in the Schools production
of Civil Wars.

Name: Irene Casey

From: Arlington, VA

School: Yale University, class of 2014, where I'm a Theater Studies major and have focused on directing.

 

Favorite Musical: At the moment, Matilda, but for always, Assassins.

Favorite Play: Wit by Margaret Edson.
 

Favorite Movie: The Brothers Bloom. 

Internship: Education Intern.

 

Internship Start Date: June 10th, 2013

Internship Duties: Assisting with Overtures and Stage One. And soon, starting research for this year's Signature in the Schools production!

 

Favorite things about DC: Eastern Market, the bike paths and Dumbarton Oaks. 

If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be? Lemon Meringue Pie (possibly because that's the flavor of yogurt I just bought).

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Celebrating Signature's Sondheim Award Gala

Source: http://bit.ly/17X0VVS

Sondheim. Signature's signature. Since 1991 Signature has produced at least one Sondheim musical as part of their season. This past Monday evening marked the fourth annual Sondheim Gala, an event where Signature Theatre presents the Stephen Sondheim Award to "an individual for his or her career contributions to interpreting, supporting, and collaborating on Stephen Sondheim’s music works." This year's award honored 21-time Tony Award-Winning director Harold Prince. In honor of this incredible event, the award and these two incredible men, we have a few videos and pictures below celebrating their numerous collaborations.

In 1979 Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd hit the stage with direction by Harold "Hal" Prince. The musical took the Tony Awards by storm, garnering nine nominations and eight wins, including best direction for Prince and best original score for Sondheim.

Be sure to check out this clip from Signature's 20th Anniversary production of Sweeney Todd as well!

Source: http://bit.ly/10zBObr

While Sweeney Todd may be one of Sondheim and Prince's better known collaborations, it was neither the first nor the last. Together they worked on such shows as Follies, Pacific Overtures, Merrily We Roll Along and Company, many of which have enjoyed productions at Signature Theatre.

Of the opportunity to present Prince with the award, Sondheim said, “After nine major collaborations over a period of 55 years and a friendship that is even longer, it seems somewhat redundant, not to say bizarre, that I should be giving an award in my name to Harold Prince. But any award that acknowledges Hal’s skills, inventions, and generosity is an award worth giving. His achievements range well beyond his contributions as a director and a producer.”

Check out the video below to see Sondheim and Prince at work on Company:

Signature Theatre's upcoming production of Company begins previews on May 21st. For more info, click here.

SOURCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweeney_Todd_(musical)
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/177112-Harold-Prince-Receives-Stephen-Sondheim-Award-at-Arlingtons-Signature-Theatre-April-22

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Company Seminar: Sondheim's Secrets Revealed

Source:http://bit.ly/14z2N8u

DID YOU KNOW?

• The original title of Company was "Threes."
• Dean Jones, who originated the role of Robert on Broadway, was shortly thereafter replaced by Larry Kert, who is also famous for originating the role of Tony in West Side Story.
• Company is considered one of the first "concept musical" - a musical where the show's central imagery, metaphor or message takes precedence over traditional narrative structure. 
• The recording session for the Original Cast Recording of Company stretched into the wee hours of the morning. Elaine Stritch, who played Joanne, was the last to leave. A critically acclaimed documentary, following the recording sessions for Company, was created by D.A. Pennebaker. 
• The first FOUR HOURS of rehearsal for the original production were spent on just the first page of the show.
• The final song of the show was changed three times before it was finalized.

Want to know more of the secrets behind Sondheim's Company? Or find out how Signature is putting their own spin on the show?

Register for Signature Seminar: Side by Side with the Creative Team of Signature's Company

Sign up today for a special six part look into Signature Theatre’s 2013 production of Company. This unique opportunity will take you right into the center of this timeless musical examination of marriage, loneliness, and commitment. This production is brought to life under the direction of Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer.

For more information about Signature Seminar or how to register, click here.
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON MONDAY, APRIL 22nd!

Enjoy a taste of this classic musical:

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The Last Five Years: What's Not to Love?

If you’re a musical theatre person, you’ve probably heard of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years, and if you’ve heard of it, you’ve probably listened to it and subsequently become obsessed with this show.

The Last Five Years has enjoyed more than 500 productions in America (many in colleges and high schools) and thousands more overseas. The question then is, “Why is everyone so in love with this show?”  What is it about this story that has people lining up outside theaters around the world?

In search of an answer, we checked out blogs and talked to people within our own offices:



Credit: Teresa Wood

"I love The Last Five Years because the songs show such masterful musical theatre songwriting, but at the same time they feel fresh, simple, and catchy. I also love the show because its modest scope allows for the poignant moments to come across in a clean and elegant way… the show doesn’t hit us over the head with how sad it is."

– Hunter (Signature Publicity and Communications Manager)

“I think people find Jamie’s enthusiasm and artistic success inspiring and inviting. Artists like it because it’s at least partially about the experience of being an artist (both succeeding and failing). Actors like it because it is full of great audition songs. Anybody who’s ever been unsure about dating someone likes it because it speaks to a lot of common difficulties in relationships.”

– Joan (Signature Education Intern)

“As much fun as it is to see shows about people who sing and escape Nazis (The Sound of Music) or free flying monkeys (Wicked) sometimes it’s therapeutic and personally enlightening to see a show that feels like it’s about your life.”

– Kari (blogger)

New York Post blogger Elisabeth Vincentelli believes that for the younger generation, it comes down to the show's “specific yet romantic depiction of life in New York City. Brown might as well have written an open letter to creative small-town kids who can’t wait to graduate and move to the big city.”

– Elisabeth Vincentelli (NY Post Blogger)

Credit: Teresa Wood

“There’s a warmth to that voicing and orchestration that just draws you in from the start, and for the next 90 minutes, I sat there watching a master class in how to construct an intimate chamber musical about what it is to love and lose… I wouldn’t experience the pain of romantic heartbreak for the first time until three years later, but The Last Five Years was the only thing I wanted to listen to during that period, because there was something so universal about the storytelling that it was the only thing with which I could identify.”

– Gregory Jacobs-Roseman (blogger) 

Regarding Signature's production, Washington Post reviewer Nelson Pressley remarked "[The show]hurtles with energy: The story-rich songs soar with youthful expectation and cut with the fury of thwarted desires... Both characters have abrasive qualities — it’s a strength of Brown’s writing — yet Weaver and Gardiner (who ages convincingly) are appealing enough to keep your rooting interest high."
Read the full review here.

What do you love about the The Last Five Years?

Tell us by tweeting @sigtheatre and using the hashtag #sigL5Y.

Credit: Teresa Wood

Signature is lucky to be working with a fantastic team of actors, designers, musicians, director, etc on this production. Click here for some of James Gardiner's thoughts on his character and check out "A Quick 5 with Erin Weaver."

 

P.S. If you enjoyed his performance, give a shout out to James on twitter: @jamesdgardiner. As for the talented Erin Weaver and Aaron Posner, you’ll just have to give your regards in person.

Watch the video of Signature Theatre's Page to Stage at the Shirlington Branch Library with guests Aaron Posner (director) and wife Erin Weaver (Cathy).

To find out how to purchase tickets, click here.



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An Update from Max

Actor and high school sophomore Max plays a troubled teen named Patrick in Signature in the Schools' premiere production of Revolution. We've asked Max to answer a couple of questions about his experience being part of the show:

What is your favorite scene in the show? Why? 

My favorite scene in Revolution is the final scene. The potential for shock it has is so immense. It is quite beautiful. 

What’s the funniest thing that has happened in rehearsal?

During rehearsals we were working on the scene where Caroline attempts to talk to me, and Ariel, who is playing Caroline, chokes on her own saliva mid-monologue. The awkwardness was hilarious.

What have been your favorite parts of Signature in the Schools so far?

My favorite part of Signature in the Schools has to be how the directors, cast and the ones who make the show WORK are all able to input valuable information that will make a certain scene or the performer themselves more authentic. It's almost like a family (as cliche as that sounds). 

Max hard at work.

The final scene being rehearsed, with Max in the center.

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