We’re barreling toward opening night of Sister Act, which sadly marks the end of my time as a literary intern at Geva Theatre Center. It’s been a lot of fun working with everyone here, and getting to see a show come to life the way Sister Act has is utterly amazing. I attended Sister Act’s … Continue reading An Inside Look with a Literary Intern
Rehearsals for Sister Act here at Geva are about to start, coincidentally almost exactly 30 years after the movie's initial release. While everyone is preparing for the terrific cast to join us, I couldn't help but wonder about the differences between the musical and the original movie. Sister Act (the movie) was released in theaters … Continue reading Hilarity, Hijinks, and Heart: Sister Act on Screen and Stage
This play is so good. Like there is a way in which sometimes I read a play and I'm breathless by the end of it...I think it is an incredible piece of both storytelling and heartfelt meeting of humans in a space that is theatre.Aileen Wen McGroddy Aileen Wen McGroddy, photo credit: Austin D. Oie … Continue reading A Q&A with Aileen Wen McGroddy, director of THE CHINESE LADY
Airness is in the middle of rehearsals at Geva, set to open on January 11, 2022. If you haven't yet checked out Part 1 of David's interview with Jason "Lt. Facemelter" Farnan, you can find that here. Jason "Lt. Facemelter" Farnan hoists a transparent guitar and wears the championship belt after his 2013 victory in … Continue reading Clearing the Air with Jason “Lt. Facemelter” Farnan (Part 2)
Geva's production of Airness, by Chelsea Marcantel, begins rehearsing on December 14 and will kick off Season 49 on January 11, 2022. I reached out to Jason Farnan, 2003 RIT graduate and 2013 US Air Guitar National Champion, who performs under the persona "Lt. Facemelter," to chat about his air guitar experiences. David Kensek: What … Continue reading Clearing the Air with Jason “Lt. Facemelter” Farnan (Part 1)
This post is part of a series exploring international celebrations in the month of December. A Christmas Carol is cherished by those who celebrate Christmas, yet other holidays around the world feature their own annual customs. Goa Liberation Day (Dec. 19) India earned its independence from Britain in 1947. The province of Goa, 250 miles … Continue reading December Holidays Around the World (Part 2)
The story of A Christmas Carol is a holiday classic, but there are dozens of other international celebrations that take place in December as well, each featuring their own history, customs and significance. Let's take the time this holiday season to explore the December celebrations around the world! Hanukkah (Nov. 28-Dec. 6) The dates of … Continue reading December Holidays Around the World (Part 1)
Qui Nguyen’s Vietgone opened at Geva on October 2, and it’s been really incredible to read some of the responses from audiences, who have responded so positively to this irreverent, fun and powerful play. I reached out to director Pirronne Yousefzadeh, now in Oregon, and Fight/Intimacy/Movement Choreographer Rocío Mendez, now in New York City, to … Continue reading Inside Vietgone with Pirronne Yousefzadeh and Rocío Mendez
Rocío Mendez (they/she) was brought onto Vietgone as the fight, movement, and intimacy director before the COVID-19 pandemic. in June 2020, Rocío joined us for an episode of Geva's Out of the Rehearsal Hall podcast when production was halted. Since that time, they have worked as fight consultant on the bilingual radio adaptation Romeo y … Continue reading Demystifying the Role of Intimacy Director
Vietgone has entered its third week of rehearsals, preparing to open at the end of the month. The play finds its way to Geva six years after premiering at South Coast Repertory in 2015. It went on to 2016 productions at the Manhattan Theatre Club and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Prior to this, playwright Qui … Continue reading Fresh Perspectives from the Mind of Qui Nguyen
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