Cast Party Information

Don't forget the Willow Blues Cast Party!

Thursday, May 16th

You may start arriving at 3pm. We plan to eat at 5, so please have your food item(s) there by then.

 

Bring your family!

Directions from Sue Kluge-

From Hwy 22 between Shawano and Clintonville go east on Belle Plaine Ave.  A simple landmark is the sign for the Belle Plaine Cheese factory - same road.  Go approx 3 miles on Belle Plaine ave - you'll see our church on your left (called St. Martin's Luther church) - about a mile further down the road on the RIGHT is our house.  It's the only house on the right after the church.  #W8079 - big red farm house.  The park "entrance" is just before our house and has a large sign next to the entrance.  People can park anywhere in the grassy area - perhaps we can cluster closer to the trees on the side by our house - you'll see what I mean.  That way we can have the open space for playing games and sit under the pine trees for shade.  OH - there are picnic tables there, but perhaps people may want to bring lawn chairs to sit on in the shade (or where-ever!).

This is what you signed up for! Crew members- just fill in with whatever you want!

Buns ~ Cary-8 doz hamburger buns 

             Mielke-6 doz hamburger buns, 2 doz hot dog buns 

Condiments ~ Green  (ketchup, mustard, relish)

Beans ~ Holbrook & Pedersen

Hot Dish ~ Torrez & Ritter

Salads/Veggies ~ Boughton, Stuewer, Kowalkowski

Chips/Dip ~ Fuller, Schinke, Martin, Braun

Dessert ~ Holbrook, Fregiens, Hintz, Conto

Possible Acting Opportunity

So, I didn't look at scripts the night after the play.  I did, however, go on facebook and I noticed that a Christian film company is looking for extras in a feature film they are shooting in Fort Atkinson (about 3 hours from Shawano) this month.  Salty Earth Pictures, http://saltyearthpictures.org/node/18, is making a film called 'Mister Scrooge to See You.'  It follows Scrooge after 'A Christmas Carol,' and the impact he makes on those around him.  

I contacted the company to see if they could use any children, and heard back from the producer this evening.  They are looking for kids of all ages on Thursday, May 30, as well as Sunday, May 19.  There may be some other days as well.

I'm assuming there is little or no pay involved for these walk-on roles.  Parents would need to sign a release for their children to be involved.  If you're interested, please get back to me as soon as you can, and I'll forward your email to him.

A newspaper article from February:  http://www.dailyunion.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=112&ArticleID=13900
Here's a news video from last weekend:  http://www.themorningblend.com/videos/204774791.html

Congratulations Everyone!

Hey!  I figured out how to do this - Wow!  I just wanted to take a minute to thank you all for all your hard work this year.  You put together a tremendous show and I couldn't be more proud of each and every one of you.  I consider myself very blessed to be a part of this group.  We are so thankful to have found such wonderful friends here in WI and so happy to be a part of your productions.  It fills a place in my heart - but to share it with all of you makes it even better.  Again - wonderful job everyone.  Have a great summer off and hope to see you all for next year's show!  Blessings to you all - Sue

Shout Outs!!!!!

I'm so proud of you all!  Each one of you gave your very best, and it showed!  We had three fantastic performances!!  I feel like I just delivered a baby - any stresses or challenges leading up to the show have been forgotten.  Instead, what I have to hold onto is the memory of three beautiful shows!  Thank you for that gift!

I hope you had as wonderful of a time with Willow Blues as I did!  This past year, especially this past week, I truly enjoyed the opportunity to work with you and get to know you better.

Your audience and fellow cast-mates appreciated your efforts as well!  Here are the shout-outs for the entire cast, crew, etc.  (There were a few that I am forwarding directly to the individuals involved.)

"A Fabulous Cast - Great Characterization, Wonderful Acting!
Costumes & Hair:  Fantastic
Set:  Love the trees & walls
Directors::  Well done bringing out the talent in these children!"

"Cast, 'The Joy of the Lord be your Strength'"

"Cast:  You have all worked hard & long and brought a lot of enjoyment to those who watch.  Great job!"  -  Amy Martin

"The Cast:  Wow!  You made me laugh, you made me cry, I am sooo proud of you.  Awesome show.  Congratulations!"  -  Jackie H.

"Cast - Awesome!  Fantastic!  You Rock!  Keep up the good job you do and give God the Glory!" -  The Hintz Family

"Cast/Directors/Stage Crew/Makeup:  Thank you all for such a great year.  I have always prayed for good friends and this year my prayer was answered with meeting all of you.  You all don't know how much I appreciated you ALL!!"  -  Unknown (for now)

"Stage helpers & Mic people:  We love you!  We are so glad that you could have had a part in this play with us though you were not able to act with us!  Hope to see all of you in the next play - whether backstage or on stage!"  -  Anonymous

"The Staff behind the scene:  Great Job!"  - The (okay, I know this is a last name the rest of you probably all know, but I could not figure it out) Eckytrons (?)

"The Crew - You all do a good job with your different jobs.  It is nice to have you work on the lights, music, props, hair & makeup, & curtains."  - Elizabeth Cary

"Char, Sue, Jenny, all directors! - Thank you for all the time & work you have invested (& brain cells) into a great production."  -  Amy Martin

I'm So Proud! *sniff*

GREAT show last night!  Best ever!  It helps having a large audience, doesn't it?  It really brings out the best in you.  

Just a few "constructive criticism" things:

• We can still be a bit louder.  For the first act, I had the music too loud for your voices.  Sorry about that.  (I think we had a better balance for Act II.)  Speaking lines though, still could use a little more "oomph".  A couple of spots that I noticed need to be louder are some of the Translator's lines, although "You need a bigger door," was perfect.  The audience loved it.  And Morgan, in Scene 7 you will be loud enough if you make sure to keep your face to the audience the entire time.  It was only when you looked down at the papers on the desk that I couldn't hear you.
• Some characters need to s-l-o-w  d-o-w-n their lines.  Brandon, Evan, and Henry ~ your volume was good, but some of your lines were too fast.  Remember, the audience is hearing these lines for the first time, so do them a favor and slow down a bit.  Thank you!  (I know that some of your speaking lines are during songs, so you have to go quickly.  On those parts, make sure you speak extra clearly instead.)
• On "Lock, Stock, and Barrel" (verse 3), the words were all good except for some folks are singing "please buy it all" when it should be "please buy the lot".  Nick, I was a hair late for your "By at least one bob."  Sorry.  I'll be quicker tonight.
• Artists ~ a little too much acting in Scene 11 (blowing your noses and such).  Keep doing what you're doing, but just bring it down a notch.  It was merely a bit distracting from the main part of the scene.  Thank you.
• Thugs ~ wonderful job overall on "Pilferin' Porcelain".  Sometimes you were rushing the words on the chorus just a little bit.  Keep your ears open for the music so it's easier to keep in time, okay?  You are still the cutest thugs around.  = )

May I repeat myself, though...what a GREAT show!  I'm so proud of you all!  Last night, I did much less analyzing of the show, and much more of sitting back and enjoying your performance!

Did you hear how the audience loved the parts with the boat?  And Koong-Se's ditzy-ness in thinking Chang was IN the boat?  Nicely played.  Good recovery between "Drink a Cuppa" and the reprise (Maddi, Juli, Ethan, Sloane).  Emma, excellent job adopting the "mustache" lines.  You were loud and clear.  Best ever on "All You Need Is Cash"--singing AND speaking lines.  Well done.  Constable, I liked how you didn't try to talk over the rustling sound of the packing paper when you were digging for the plate.  You waited to speak, and we could hear you loudly and clearly.  Ethan, the Bergmanns were saying they liked how you fell at the gunshot part.  (I was busy looking at the computer screen then, but they said it was great.)  And how about those stage hands and Puff the Dragon during curtain call?  = )

One more thing I'm proud of is outside of your "stage time".  Yesterday, it warmed my heart to see all of you being friends.  It doesn't matter your age--everyone can play Ninja.  Smiles and encouraging comments are everywhere.  Hugs?  Plenty!  I think I am most proud of how you all love each other.  What a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ.  You overwhelm me at times--in such a good way.  = )

You are "a very dedicated group of workers."

"Thank you one and all."

More Stuff I Loved!

Okay, this is just a quick go-through of the notes I wrote down today.  This post is kind of "for fun".  I just love telling you all how great you are!
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Emma ~ Great projection on "Thomas"!  Good grief!  I'm your own mother and I never knew you could sing that loudly!  Really, all four of you Workers did a great job on those lyrics today.

Georgi ~ Nice job on Michelle's part today.  Did you feel like you were talking to yourself?  ;)  (Michelle, thanks for getting there as quickly as you could.)

Allie ~ Your timing on coming through the door is always impeccable.

Buddy ~ Good job moving when you saw you were in front of Seth.

Buddy & Seth ~  Good projection on your lines and singing.

Maddy F ~ At first your lines were a little quiet, but you fixed it and got louder.  Good job!

Peter F ~ Your line with "illustrious master" is always crystal clear--and that's a mouthful!

Brandon & Elena ~ I love how you work the part when Chang is being dragged off of the stage.  (You draggers do a great job, too!)  Chang's "Nooooo!" always makes Christian and me laugh out loud.

Angela ~ I loved how immensely annoyed the Contessa was today--in both of her scenes.

Elizabeth ~ You always do a great job "translating".  = )

Drink a Cuppa was very good today.  Whatever you Gypsies did to get on stage quickly without being breathless--keep it up!  Juli, Maddi, and Ethan, you work so well together.

Chang's Friends ~ Best job EVER on Shi-Jing!  You found your places right away, and I could hear much more of your singing.

Henry ~ I love how you do "I know...yer in love."  Everything is very natural and I forget that you're acting.  Also, nice job pulling the good plate out of the box.  Did you hear the audience say, "Ooooooh..."?  That's when they realized what Parimutuel's evil plan was.

Lydia ~ I loved how you gently took Hope's hand at the end of Scene 10 when the curtain was closing.  It was natural and not rushed.

Michelle ~ Your performance is consistently excellent in lines and lyrics.  

Sloane ~ Lovely job on Chasing Dreams Reprise.

Puppet Show ~ One of the puppets was backwards, but you fixed it.  Nice job.

Isaiah ~ I'm still lovin' that fist pump and "Yessss!"  = )

Micayla ~ Good entrance on Scene 14A.

Thugs ~ Best job EVER on Pilferin' Porcelain.  I loved your hand motions, Conner.

Michael ~ Great job on the retrenched line!  And great reaction after Parimutuel tells you, "Not just yet, Shinplaster."  You look disappointed that you don't get to beat up Albert.  

Nick & Henry ~ You both are consistently on your toes and a joy to watch.

Confucius Say Reprise ~ YES!  Loved it!  Thank you for rolling with the punches today!  It looked like we had always done it that way; that's how good it was. 

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Our audiences are in for such a treat this weekend!  

Love,
Mrs. Green, #1 Fan

Song Refreshers

LOVELY job today, everyone!  It's amazing how you all step things up when we have an audience.  (Directors, maybe we need to set up a "practice audience" sooner!)  Great show today.  = )

I went back and watched the choreography video for "Confucius Say (Reprise)", and it looks like the Chinese cast is supposed to be a little bit closer to the audience than the English cast.  It's at the end of this post, if you'd like to view it.  However, the English group on stage left is only a little farther back, and the stage right group is waaaay far back.  To simplify things, let's just have every front row person be the same distance from the audience.  That means that the first two people in each row will need to make sure they're lining up with the first two people in the other rows.  The others will fall in line behind you.  

Mrs. Stuewer, I went back and looked to see if I could find a video for the Curtain Call.  I could not.  Sorry.


I know we're back at the high school fairly early tomorrow (noon), but if you are able, please quickly review these songs:

"Thomas" ~ This was MUCH better today.  I could hear all of the Workers' lyrics.  So, great job there!  Still, this song has been a bit inconsistent, so I'd like for everyone to go over this with your CD--just to cement some things before our performance tomorrow.  Eek!  Tomorrow!

"Confucius Say" ~ Great job on all of your words, everyone!  We just need a little more volume.  Families, I really need for you to enunciate extra.  That's because your hats shadow your faces, so we can't see your lips as well.  Practice (with your CD) being louder and singing your consonants in a strong way.  Breathe with your belly.  I know you can do it.  I'm so proud of you!

"All You Need Is Cash" ~ Good timing on your speaking lines during this song, but the words were a bit mushy and a little quiet yet.  Good volume on singing though, everyone.

"Thomas Reprise" ~ This started out below pitch, but you fixed it toward the end.  Practice getting the first note right with your CD.  (Can you hear the music okay?  Do the monitors need to be louder?)

"Tell Me" ~ Could you hear the music okay, Brandon?  The tenor part was a little below pitch.  Do we need more volume in the monitors?

"Now It Falls" ~ The alto was a little under pitch.  Can all of you altos please refresh your memories with the video at the end of this post?  The song starts at 0:37.  The alto chorus part starts at 1:12.  The song ends at 2:23.  (Keep in mind that this video was made before we decided that all ladies would sing both choruses.  I think I say in the video that you only sing the last one.  I still want all ladies to sing both choruses.)  

Thank you, everyone!  I really appreciate all of your hard work and dedication!

Love,
Mrs. Green