Read more about Russia and the heroes of Coast

William Grimes presented A Map to Tom Stoppard’s Circuitous ‘Coast of Utopia’ Trilogy in the NY Times when the plays premiered in New York in 2006. Check out his article or any of the books recommenced below to learn more about Russia and the fathers of revolution!

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You know, I realize, I never told you! The Word on the Street has moved to Facebook. Look for notes on there for interesting tidbits we share.

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The MST Q&A: Australia Here I Come!

Mitchell Greco has been pretty busy this season with BUSYTOWN and ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. Alexander starts public performances tomorrow, so I thought it might be a good time to learn a little more about Alexander himself as he fills out the MST Q&A...

Full given name: Mitchell Charles Greco

Hometown: Temple, TX

Zodiac sign: Virgo (I think it changed, though? I don't know, I'm always behind the times...)

Audition Monologue/Song: It depends on what I'm auditioning for. But I'm always looking for a reason to pull out my "I Hate the Bus" monologue from Caroline, or Change.

First Houston show ever saw: First show I saw IN Houston was the tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels that came through the Hobby Center. First show fully produced by Houstonians, I think would have to be Panto Cinderella at Stages.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Billy Elliot, Oh the Humanity (when it was open), and....of course...Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at MST!

Favorite post-show meal: Taco Bell. Don't judge.

Favorite show tune: "Old Friends" from Merrily We Roll Along makes me smile quite a lot. And, for some unexplainable reason, I love love LOVE the scene/song "Confession" from A Man of No Importance. I love the simplicity of how it chooses to tell the story, reveals more about the characters, and the charm it has. Really nice.

MAC or PC? Mac all the way! Apple loves taking my money.

Most played song on your iPod: Oh geez. Should I lie? Um....ok, Speechless by Lady Gaga.

Last book you read: Currently finishing The Hunger Games trilogy, also recently read and loved Anasai Boys by Neil Gaiman.

Must-see TV show: Big tv junkie. LOVE Modern Family, Parks and Rec, Community, and I have to stop whenever I see Golden Girls is on.

Last good movie you saw: I saw When Harry Met Sally for the first time a few weeks ago. How I went so long without seeing that movie, I'll never know.

Pop culture guilty pleasure: That's hard. I think my whole life is one big guilty pleasure. I sure love those Real Housewives of Wherever. Also, I've been known to enjoy Star Trek and other sci fi...so if that's not guilty, I don't know what is.

Favorite board game: Chutes and Ladders. Duh.

Favorite cereal: Life!

Special skills: I have some mad rapping skills.

Who would play you in the movie? Angela Lansbury.

First stage kiss: Rachel Ludeman in Pirates of Penzance in 9th grade.

Worst onstage mishap: Just recently in Alexander I got a little too rambunctious with my sweater and it got stuck on a lighting instrument, and when it was pulled down it got unplugged. I'm sure there are MANY others, though....

Worst job you ever had: Hahahahahaha. I recently quit being a barista at Starbucks in the Galleria. That was pretty....terrible....

I have to add, saying "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" as quickly as possible every time I sell a ticket just makes me happy!

And that's the word on the street!

Cultured Cocktails Give Away!

On Thursday, February 24th, from 5pm-10pm MST and Spacetaker will be hosting Cultured Cocktails at Bar Boheme. At the event we will be giving away 5 exclusive copies of the "Breakfast at Eight" soundtrack. You can't buy these anywhere! The only place to get them is at the event.

To remind you of what a cool mix this is, here is Sound Designer and Jazz Artist David Wald's Q&A from last fall. Included is the iTunes play list, so if you don't win, you can compile the songs yourself. Of course, iTunes won't have Mr. Wald's cover of Solsbury Hill...

Okay! I know! We just heard from a Sound Designer, but there have been so many questions about the music choices for BREAKFAST AT EIGHT, it is clear the audience demands to know more!

Most of you are familiar with David Wald for his work on stage (A NUMBER, THE DOCTOR'S DILEMMA), but what you might not know is David is also an accomplished musician as well. His background in jazz turned out to be a perfect fit for his maiden voyage into the field of Sound Design. Let's learn a bit more about David as he fills out the MST Q&A...

Full given name: David Wald

Hometown: Houston

Zodiac sign: Taurus

What inspired you while preparing for this production? It was my goal to use alternative versions of popular standards: alternate takes, or performances by jazz greats that were different from the more popular recordings. Antonio Carlos Jobim, for example, was a heavy presence in the script. For the intermission music, I found a recording of "Corcovado" performed by Miles Davis and "Girl From Ipanema" performed by Oscar Peterson. Other finds included Diana Krall performing Tom Waits' "Temptation" and Frank Sinatra performing Sondheim's "Send In The Clowns." I also tried, in the pre-show and intermission music, to select songs that reflected the sentiments of the characters in the play. For example: Dianne Reeves' beautiful rendition of "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" began the intermission set, and I thought it was a lovely summation of the state of John and Abby's minds at the end of the first half; or Oscar Peterson's arrangement of "Where Do I Go From Here?", a song cut from the original score of FIORELLO!, which is about a woman in love with a man that didn't seem to adequately notice her, which I thought was a nice summary of Abby's state of mind when John storms out at the end of Act/Scene 1.

Abby mentions Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill" when she describes how she and John first met. This song is about overcoming a toxic circumstance, and I thought it would be an ideal selection for the end of the show. However, the original Gabriel recording was a bit too out of sync with the rest of the selections in the show, so I took the opportunity to arrange and record a version myself that was much sparser, and at the same time more harmonically dense in keeping with the jazz selections in the rest of the show.

First Houston show ever saw: Klein Forest High School's CAMELOT, somewhere in the neighborhood of 1980.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: In New York a few weeks ago, upon Becky Udden's recommendation, I saw Roundabout Theatre's BRIEF ENCOUNTER, an extraordinary mix of theatre, film, music, and even puppetry. I'd recommend it to absolutely anyone.

Favorite post-show meal: Being a diabetic, I don't tend to eat post-show. However, pre-show and pre-rehearsal, they know me very well at Chicken Kitchen in Rice Village.

Favorite show tune: Sondheim's "I Remember Sky," from the TV miniseries EVENING PRIMROSE. Barely qualifies as a show-tune, but it's Sondheim.

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Bobby McFerrin. I caught him at a jazz festival in the Midwest some years ago with a small combo and it was the most extraordinary live musical performance I've yet to see. I doubt a single person left that show without feeling that he'd looked them right in the eyes and delivered some of his performance right to them.

MAC or PC? Mac. Always and forever.

Most played song on your iPod: Thanks to a recommendation from the incomparable Miss Janel Badrina, I can't get enough of Crazy Logic (Gnarls Barkley vs. Supertramp vs. Rockwell) by Arty Fufkin, from the "Best of Bootie 2006" mash-ups album.

Last book you read: Recently re-read Hunter Thompson's "The Great Shark Hunt."

Must-see TV show: Masterpiece/Mystery's "Sherlock Holmes" miniseries on PBS is quite fun.

Last good movie you saw: Howl. I caught this on my trip to New York a few weeks ago. It's a film about the writing of and events surrounding the Ginsberg poem starring James Franco.

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Star Trek: TNG. I'm a Picard man.

Favorite board game: Krull: The Board Game. Better than the movie. Barely. But, oh, the childhood hours wasted...

Favorite cereal: Cookie Crisp. It's been years since I ate any, but I sometimes stop and stare longingly at a box in the cereal aisle.

Special skills: 3 years Modern, 2 yrs Jazz/Tap.

Most “happy mistake” on a production: While recording "Solsbury Hill" for BREAKFAST AT EIGHT, I found that the verse for another song prominently featured in the script, Gordon Lightfoot's "Softly," fit perfectly within the chord progression of "Solsbury Hill." So, if you really listen to the song at the end of the show, you can hear strings playing the melody of "Softly" at the beginning and beneath the last verse.

Worst job you ever had: Driver for a courier service in Indianapolis. Horrible, lonely work spent largely in rush hour traffic. I lasted about 3 weeks.

For all you Mr. Wald fan's out there, not to worry! David will once again tread the boards at MST in our upcoming productions of THE HEIDI CHRONICLES and A CATERED AFFAIR. For more information about the music for BREAKFAST AT EIGHT, check out the iTunes iMix below. We look forward to hearing Dave's musical selections again soon!

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: A One Woman Show

Anyone who has been coming to MST for any length of time will be familiar with Claire Hart-Palumbo. As both actress and director, she is part of our history and history in the making. She was the "original" Heidi in THE HEIDI CHRONICLES. The plotting and ruthless Regina in THE LITTLE FOXES. And of course there are the countless Noel Coward hits that she has directed for us over the years.

Currently she can be seen in the one woman tour-de-force THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING (left), that closes this Sunday, February 13th. Let's get to know a little more about Claire as she fills out the MST Q&A...

Full given name: Claire Hart-Palumbo

Hometown: Lexington, TX

Zodiac sign: Taurus

First Houston show ever saw: TUTS production of Oliver, the summer of 1973 or 1974.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Candida at Classical Theater, with our own Shannon Emerick.

Favorite post-show meal: Soup, or a grilled chicken snack wrap.

Favorite show tune: All the music from Scarlet Pimpernel

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Alan Rickman

MAC or PC? PC, but I was a Mac person for years.

But Not Goodbye

Last book you read: Play it as it Lays

Must-see TV show: Bones, House, and Royal Pains

Last good movie you saw: True Grit

Favorite board game: Trivial Pursuit

Who would play you in the movie? The late Madeleine Kahn.

First stage kiss: long ago to remember

Worst onstage mishap: a champagne glass too vehemently in the first production of Heidi Chronicles. I cut my palm open, onstage.

The Heidi Chronicles

Worst job you ever had: Cleaning hotel rooms for Help People.

Speaking of Coward, Claire will once more helm our revival production of BLITHE SPIRIT.

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Hear the Lion Roar

Making his Theater for Youth debut as Aslan (left), creator of Narnia, is Patrick D. Earl in THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW.

Parents might remember Patrick as a sort of "everyman" in this season's THE HEIDI CHRONICLES on the MainStage. If they didn't, they will get a second chance as he takes on the role of Charles II in the regional premiere of OR, this March.

Let's learn a little bit more about Patrick as he fills out the MST Q&A ...

Full given name: Patrick Damien Earl

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Zodiac sign: Aries

First Houston show ever saw: The Bacchae - Nova Arts Project

Favorite post-show meal: Wings

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Ian McKellen

MAC or PC? Mac

Most played song on your iPod: Mac

The Heidi Chronicles

Last book you read: Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia)

Must-see TV show: The Office, Bones, Weeds, and 30 Rock in any order

Last good movie you saw: The Town

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Stargate SG-1 (nerdy right?)

Favorite board game: Trivial Pursuit

Favorite cereal: Coco Puffs, Fruit Loops, Apple Jacks, Count Chocula in any order

Special skills: I can juggle and do aerial silk...but not at the same time.

Who would play you in the movie? A Superhero...Especially Robin, but only if it was a Batman directed by Christopher Nolan.

Worst onstage mishap: Split my pants swing dancing in Midsummer... butt facing the audience.

My guess is Patrick meant he would like to play Robin in the movie. I can assure you, Patrick doesn't go around in tights and a cape usually. My next question though, is which Robin? Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, or Tim Drake?

And that's the word on the street ...

The MST Q&A: Masquerade!

Earlier this season, we learned a bit about Richard Solis the actor. Now we learn a bit more about Richard the artist. His talents have been put to the test with our current show THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW. The picture to the left was the model on which Richard based his own plan.

Producing Director Vivienne St. John says, "Richard Solis, Theater for Youth props, mask and puppet designer, created the mask Aslan wears in The Magician’s Nephew. Below are some photos documenting his process in creating the mask. In the show several of the actors wear masks. It is Richard’s job to make sure that they not only represent the director’s vision for the characters but also that they fit comfortably for the actor so they don’t inhibit the actor’s performance. Creating masks is time-consuming and requires lots of patience and creativity. Great job, Richard!"

Take a look at the progress of Aslan's mask as Richard once again fills out the MST Q&A...

Full given name: Richard Solis

Hometown: San Antonio

Zodiac sign: Aries

What inspired you while preparing for this production? In this production I had to really multitask, Not only was I responsible for the props, I was also responsible to build the puppets and masks used in the production. The Masks were ultimately designed by Troy Scheid and I was the artisan who constructed them. Origami inspired the puppets. And Aslan was inspired by the costumer Macy Perrone and I brainstorming different ideas. In productions utilizing puppets and masks usually they are work shopped weeks before the show begins rehearsals sometimes longer. The Lion King for example work shopped the puppets for almost 5 years before the production began. In our case we just do not have the time so all these mask and puppets have to be done quickly. A good example is I built ASLAN in TWO DAYS. In this case not one idea or inspiration was used but many from different people and different sources. The hard part is deciphering all the ideas and inspirations given and putting them into one Idea and then interpreting them into a object that satisfies everyone involved. But that is one of the exciting challenges of theater.

First Houston show ever saw: The first show I saw at Main Street was the first show I worked on in the youth theater in 2002, It was SIDEWAY STORIES FROM THE WAYSIDE SCHOOL.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: MAGICIANS NEPHEW of course, But I am also in The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee at Country Playhouse, I play Barfee. Come see my Magik Foot!

Favorite post-show meal: I really do not like to eat before a show, So I eat small snacks, Beef Jerky, Gummie candy etc.

Favorite show tune: I like almost all musicals.

Performer you would drop everything to go see: The Cure, Lady GaGa, Of course Im not paying 800.00 for two tickets!!! to her April show here in Houston.

MAC or PC? Either as long as it works, I have an old Sony Vaio right now.

Most played song on your iPod: Deadmau5 Afterhours

Last book you read: Barkers The books of Blood on my I-Phone

Must-see TV show: Kill it Cook it Eat it..If you havent seen this you really have too, Anything with Chef Ramsy!

Last good movie you saw: TRON in IMAX 3d

Pop culture guilty pleasure: INVICTA WATCHES, STAR WARS, TATTOOS

Favorite board game: I really get BORED when I play these games so I stay away from that.

Favorite cereal: All of them!

Special skills: I can litterally make anything out of Masking Tape! I know WEIRD!

Most “happy mistake” on a production: I really dont know I make so many mistakes that turn out to be somewhat happy?

Worst job you ever had: Lets See? HEB, Mail Boy, PLASTIC INJECTION FACTORY worker, Pharmacutical plant worker

Richard, thanks for the progress report! I would say you certainly passed the test with flying colors!

And that's the word on the street...

The MST Q&A: It May Be Cold, but the Costumes Are Hot!

How do we love Macy? Let me count the ways! Ms. Perrone is dressing up MST in fine fashion this season. She brought the 80s back in THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, provided scarves and hats for MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS, and this week she brings Narnia to life in THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW (left).

Macy was also the force behind our recent hit, A CATERED AFFAIR. From a beautiful wedding gown, to dressing the neighborhood gossip mongers, to the everyday cab driver, 1953 Bronx, NY was dressed up wonderfully.

Let's learn a bit more about Macy as she fills out the MST Q&A...

Full given name: Macylyne Malmstrom Perrone

Hometown: Price, Utah

Zodiac sign: Leo {before all this uproar, now I'm just confused :) }}

What inspired you while preparing for this production? The music, definitely! As well as, the other design elements. I have also, previously, worked with quite a few of the actors, and I particularly enjoyed collaborating with them to find the heart of each of their characters.

The Light in the Piazza

First Houston show ever saw: Ages, and ages ago I saw Agatha Christie's THE UNEXPECTED GUEST as part of The Alley's Summer Chills Series...it was great!

Current show you have been recommending to friends: A Catered Affair

Favorite post-show meal: Tacos!

Favorite show tune: The Ballad(s) of Sweeney Todd

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Gary Allan

MAC or PC? MAC!!

Most played song on your iPod: at the moment...anything Damien Rice

Last book you read: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Must-see TV show: Modern Family

Last good movie you saw: True Grit

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Reality Television...those Real Housewives and Toddlers wearing Tiaras are a real trip!

A Catered Affair

Favorite board game: Clue

Favorite cereal: Oh's!

Special skills: I can complete many tasks with my feet...picking up seam rippers and other sewing objects, turning on and off the bath tub faucet, petting my cat, etc.

Most “happy mistake” on a production: I had to come up with a quick/temporary pregnant belly for Lucy Brown in THREE PENNY OPERA, and the closest round object was a bowler hat. It turned out to be a great schtick when she revealed the "non pregnancy" and pulled it out of her dress on stage. Win. Win!

Worst job you ever had: VHS production warehouse...not my forte BUT I was the Shrink Wrap Queen.

Thanks Macy! Tomorrow we learn more about Richard Solis, fellow designer on THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW and his fantastic masks!

And that's the word on the street

The MST Q&A: Christina is a Wonder!

When we last saw Christina Stroup at MST, she was wacking Jamie Gieger, the husband with the roving eye, with flowers as the firey Franca in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. This month you can catch her once more paired with Jaime in A CATERED AFFAIR as the ever practical Janey looking for a quick wedding to earn a free honeymoon. Learn more about Christina as she fills out the MST Q&A...

Full given name: Christina Michelle Stroup

Hometown: George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Zodiac sign: Pisces

Audition Monologue/Song: "But the world goes round" by Kander and Ebb, "Is it really me?" from 110 in the shade, and "Alone" by Heart.

First Houston show ever saw: Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf at the Alley.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: "The Marvelous Wonderettes" at Stages. I'm going back to the show in February but those girls are powerhouses don't miss it!!!

Favorite post-show meal: As many dairy products as my body can take with a giant diet coke.

Favorite show tune: "The Miller's Son" from A Little Night Music

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Josh Groban

MAC or PC? Mac

Most played song on your iPod: Josh Groban's new cd.

Last book you read: The Runaway Jury by John Grisham

Must-see TV show: CSI, NCIS, and Law and Order SVU

Last good movie you saw: Going The Distance.

Pop culture guilty pleasure: The Nanny and Roseanne

Favorite board game: Apples to apples

Favorite cereal: Special K with strawberries

Special Skills: Knitting, high notes, impersonations (julie andrews, cher, celine dion, britney spears), accents/dialects, looks exotic with mystic tan.

Who would play you in the movie? Jennifer Garner

First stage kiss: Will Luton, my constant costar in high school.

Worst mishap on stage: In high school I played Cinderella in Into The Woods and after my quick change into my ball gown I completely popped out onstage had no idea until the end of the finale. That's the night we taped for archives. Ha ha lucky me!

Worst job you ever had: Working at Build A Bear.

We will miss you when you go back to THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES. Know you are welcome anytime!

And that's the word on the street!

Happy New Year!

Can you believe that 2011 is, literally, only days away? December is always a great time of year. Not only is the world looking back on the year that was 2010, but so many of us have a month full of holidays that make you brim with happiness and joy from the inside out.

Many of these holiday traditions carry with it an annual trip to the theater. Whether is be time honored productions like A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker ballet, or seeing the latest production at your favorite theater like The Heidi Chronicles at MST, these trips help create special memories for us all.

While growing up in Massachusetts, my family and another clan took a trip from Williamstown to Boston to see a production of A Christmas Carol. There was some snafu in the box office, for when we arrived there was no matinee production of the show that day! A holiday disaster in the making, yes?

Thanks to the diligent efforts of the theater’s box office, disaster was averted! Though they had no production for us that afternoon, they did know that the Boston Ballet was presenting a school matinee that afternoon. A few quick phone calls, and we were redirected to the ballet’s theater and ushered in for what would be my first viewing of The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky.

Do you have any favorite theatrical holiday memories? Be it New Year’s, Christmas, or the Fourth of July, sit down by the fireside and tell us the tale!

And that’s the word on the street! Happy New Year!