The MST Q&A: Cast of The Magic City

Jazmine Blas and Georgia Marie Hutto-Friman appear in the Kids On Stage production of THE MAGIC CITY, presented at Chelsea Market this weekend, February 13, 14 and 15. Get to know a little more about Jazmine and Georgia as they answers MST's Q&A...

Full name: Jazmine Blas

Age: 12

Talents and hobbies (besides acting): Guitar playing and singing

Pets: None

First live play you ever saw: Hello Dolly

Most played song on your iPod: Hot and Cold by Katy Perry

Favorite book: The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo

Book that hasn’t been adapted as a play but should be: Twilight

Actor you would most like to be in a movie with: Emma Roberts

Favorite thing to do to celebrate opening night: Getting together with the crew and wishing luck.

Funniest onstage mishap: A main character almost falls on a red carpet during a performance.

Worst costume ever: An elf costume I wore in a Christmas play.

Future career: A professional actress or a lawyer if the future allows me to.

_________________________________________________

Full name: Georgia Marie Hutto-Friman

Age: 10 ½

Talents and hobbies (besides acting): I really enjoy modeling, ice skating (even though I broke my ankle ice skating), and reading. I pretty much like sports and fashion shows and I love to do photo shoots (I am very comfortable in front of a camera). Oh, and I like to pogo stick.

Pets: I have 2 dogs, Molly and Pearl, and 3 cats, Betty, Jack and Lola.

First live play you ever saw: Dragontales (LOL) I was like 4 when I saw that and I thought it was just the coolest thing ever.

Most played song on your iPod: Actually, I don’t have an iPod but my life theme songs would probably be La La Lana (by Demi Lavato), Sin Wagon (Dixie Chicks), Hot ‘n Cold (Katy Perry) and TimMcGraw (Taylor Swift).

Favorite book: The Cique by Lisi Harrison (it’s awesome)

Book that hasn’t been adapted as a play but should be: Harry Potter (that would be awesome)

Actor you would most like to be in a movie with: Queen Latifa or Miley Cyrus

Favorite thing to do to celebrate opening night: Hmmm… have cupcakes (LOL) from some expensive bakery.

Funniest onstage mishap: Ummm… When I was 8 I was an elephant and my elephant nose kept falling off.

Worst costume ever: Well, when I was like 3 I played a chicken and had wear rubber gloves on my feet (it was hilarious even though I didn’t think so at the time).

Future career: I would love to be a famous model/actor.

THE MAGIC CITYplays our Chelsea Market location Feb 13-14, 2009 at 7:30pm and Feb 15, 2009 at 3:30pm. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Haley Dyes

Haley Dyes appears as Clara Johnson in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, playing at our Chelsea Market location. Get to know a little more about Haley as she answers MST's Q&A...



Full given name: Haley Jane Dyes

Hometown: Houston, TX

Zodiac sign: Virgo

Audition Monologue/Song: um. . . .Three Tall Women by Edward Albee, and My White Knight from Music Man

Special skills: howling with my dog, Ernie. shamelessly, I might add.

First Houston show ever saw: whew, that's a tough one . . . can't recall. probably Christmas Carol at the Alley

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Light in the Piazza :)

Favorite show tune: humph, i don't really have one??

MAC or PC? MAC, baby!

Most played song on your iPod: probably Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap

Last book you read: Working on "Three Cups of Tea," "The Shack" before that

Must-see TV show: House!

Last good movie you saw: Australia (x2 actually)

Favorite board game: Scattegories, if I am playing with Laura Kaldis!

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Eddie Izzard, Billy Joel, Bette Middler

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Trash Magazines

First stage kiss: 4th grade, I played Eve in one of the shows put on by my Baptist school

Favorite post-show meal: cheese and wine!

Worst onstage mishap: ya know, i have no clue

Worst costume ever: I played a CareBear once. . .that was pretty terrifying

Favorite cereal: oooooooooooo, cocoa pebbles, but I never eat them.

Who would play you in the movie? Anne Hathaway! I like her. . .she would have to go blonde!

Worst job you ever had: flight attending or waiting tables. . .same thing

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: NOT Clash of the Choirs!!

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA plays our Chelsea Market location through January25, 2009. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

If You Fall In Love With Italy

We recognize that after you see THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, you might desire to learn more about Italy, its beautiful countryside and its people. Here are just a few suggestions from the staff at MST.

The Light in the Piazza and Other Italian Tales (Banner Books)
Elizabeth Spencer’s original short story, on which the musical was based. (SPOILER ALERT! This Amazon listing gives away crucial plot details!)

The Silver Spoon
If this production makes you hungry, consider the Italian “Joy of Cooking” classic from 1950.

Italy in Mind: An Anthology
or
Desiring Italy: Women Writers Celebrate the Passions of a Country and Culture
Two anthologies of the writings of famous tourists to Italy throughout the ages—the second one contains only women writers.

The Stones of Florence

The Agony and the Ecstasy:
A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo
Set designer Liz Freeman Freese recommends this “biographical novel” of Michelangelo, set in Florence and Rome.

Rome (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)

Florence and Tuscany (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Under the Tuscan Sun (Widescreen Edition)
If you haven't seen enough of Italy, this movie is a postcard for the beautiful country side, and a pretty great film!

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, plays our Chelsea Market location through January25, 2009. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

How Do You Make a Hat Fly?

If you know THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, you know that they young lovers are brought together by a chance wind gust and an errant hat. So it was MST's challenge to create this moment in a theater without 40' ceilings and a rail system.

Technical director Mark Roberts was set to the task making this effect work. First attempt weren't the most successful.

Stage Manager Eva De La Cruz gives the hat trick a try during rehearsals for Main Street Theater's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.



Costumer Macy Perrone gives the hat trick a try herself.



So it was back to the drawing board to improve the effect for consistency. This is what it looks like now as Technical Director Mark Roberts presents the cast with a new and improved hat trick during technical rehearsals.





And that's the word on the street!

The Best of 2008!

Main Street Theater had three of the Chronicle's Top 10 Best Shows of 2008! (Really it was 12 since The Ensemble and Catastrophic got 2 for 1 punches)

Caroline, or Change, Present Laughter and ... L.A. Is Burning all got honored. The great thing about this list is that it really shows the gamut of what MST does.

First you have what I think most people know us for, the classic, period piece that can charm or move just about any soul with effortless style. Noël Coward's Present Laughter might just be the epitome of that genre.

Then you have Caroline, or Change. I like to call this is a "new classic". A contemporary piece with a period setting (1963), the musical transports you to another time while showing us sides of the human experience that are very now.

Finally, there is ... and L.A. Is Burning. This was a world premiere! New, modern and delving deep into what makes people tick and Houston audiences (not New York or Chicago) got to see it first!

It is truly wonderful that we are so honored this year, but even more so that our range is recognized. Main Street Theater's mission has always been "to create theater that challenges its audience to think and its [professional] artists to grow ... by presenting an articulate and compelling product in an intimate setting ... creating memorable theatrical experiences for [its] audiences."

We know you want to laugh and forget the woes of today's world and we take great fun and pleasure in providing that escape throughout the year. But we also want to make you think and move your heart. Theater takes you places you don't go in your everyday life in ways that only the words of a playwright spoken by a live actor can take you.

Another really exciting thing about the article is that 7 producing companies got mentioned. 4 of the companies produce outside of the Downtown Theatre District. Houston really does have a thriving and varied theater community.

Happy New Year and go see a play!

And that's the word on the street!

Did MST Lead The Way?

Great article in today's Chronicle Zest Section about Piazza. It is funny that Mr. Evans references the Weston Playhouse production. I was as surprised as anyone to see that their production included a smaller orchestra and a cast of only 8!

Back in April, when MST first began negotiations with the R&H Library to do the show, they were asking us about how we would support the full 11-piece orchestration. Our response was we couldn't! It was then that careful negotiations began for us to do it with a smaller orchestra of 6. The R&H Library, with a Tony award winning score to offer, were naturally apprehensive. But after a few conversations with our Musical Director, Glenn Sharp, who lead our glorious 2008 production of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE with a 5-piece band, were they convinced we had the vision and passion to do THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA justice.

It was then, later that summer, when I read on Playbill.com about Weston's "chamber version" of the show. The production was created in direct collaboration with Adam Guettel, utilizing and orchestra of 6 and a cast of 8.

I can't help but wonder if MST didn't lead the charge in making the case that there was a long and beautiful life awaiting PIAZZA in the smaller regional theaters all over the country.

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Claire Hart-Palumbo

Main Street mainstay Claire Hart-Palumbo appears as Amy Griggs in BUT NOT GOODBYE, closing this weekend. Get to know a little more about Claire as she answers MST's Q&A...



Full given name: Claire Louise Hart (married name/Equity name Hart-Palumbo)

Hometown: Lexington, Texas

Zodiac sign: Taurus

Audition Monologue/Song: Lady Macbeth

Special skills: Twirling and roller skating

First Houston show ever saw: TUT's Oliver in 1974(?) at Miller outdoor theater.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Cyrano de Bergerac at the Alley.

Favorite show tune: Crazy World (right now)

MAC or PC? Formerly MAC, currently PC because of work.

Most played song on your iPod: I don't own one.

Last book you read: The Secret Lives of Bees

Must-see TV show: Grey's Anatomy and The Starter Wife

Last good movie you saw: Road to Rodanthe, even though it got bad reviews.

Favorite board game: Trivial Pursuit

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Well, I would say Bruce Stringstein, but the last time he was in town I couldn't go because I was in rehearsal.

Pop culture guilty pleasure: QVC

First stage kiss: With a man? That is way too long ago. With a woman? 8x10 Glossy at the Group Theater.

Favorite post-show meal: WhataBurger

Worst onstage mishap: I shattered a wineglass in my hand in "Heidi Chronicles" and cut my palm. Joe Kuykendahl (spelling?) was playing opposite me. We were having a lover's quarrel at HIS WEDDING to someone else. I tried to hide the blood, he calmly pulled out his pocket handkerchief and tied it around my hand and never missed a beat. Several friends later asked us how we did the 'blood' effect. HAAAA

Worst costume ever: Split riding skirt as Belle Starr in "Wilde West", I looked like a semi-truck.

Favorite cereal: Special K with berries

Who would play you in the movie? Claire Danes as the young me and Judith Ivey as the current me, but only if she put the weight back on.

Worst job you ever had: cleaning hotel rooms.

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: Reliant commercial in a beauty shop.

BUT NOT GOODBYE, plays our Rice Village location through December 28, 2008. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

Is This Hot Enough For You?

We held our photo shoot for THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA last night. This was the result.

Fabrizio (Ross Chitwood) and Clara (Haley Dyes) give into their passion in MST's production of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA

Is it just me, or is it hot in here?

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Alan Hall

Alan Hall appears as Pa Ingalls in A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS, closing public performances this week. Get to know a little more about Alan as he answers MST's Q&A...



Full given name: Alan Charles Hall

Hometown: Houston

Zodiac sign: Sagitarius

Audition Monologue/Song: Changes frequently

Special skills: Amazingly unmusical on a variety of instruments

First Houston show ever saw: Lost in the mists of time.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: A Little House Christmas

Favorite show tune: One Night In Bangkok

MAC or PC? PC

Most played song on your iPod: Xanadu by Rush

Last book you read: Smash Mouth by Elvin Bethea and Mark Adams

Must-see TV show: House

Last good movie you saw: Tropic Thunder

Favorite board game: Risk

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Rush

Pop culture guilty pleasure: What Not To Wear

First stage kiss: Some Agatha Christie play in high school.

Favorite post-show meal: Anything.

Worst onstage mishap: Fell asleep onstage once long ago. Best part was, I didn't end up looking bad, the lead did.

Worst costume ever: Tiger stripe fuchsia g-string.

Favorite cereal: Frosted mini wheats.

Who would play you in the movie? I would, of course.

Worst job you ever had: Lawyer.

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: Nutty professor selling a chia monitor in a Compaq industrial.

A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS, based on Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder plays our Chelsea Market location Saturdays, through December 13, 2008. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!

From Page to Stage

When creating the look for BUT NOT GOODBYE, costume designer Deborah Anderson started first with rough sketches to show director Steve Garfinkel how she imagined the show would look. Once that is agreed upon, the designer must then go and find what is available out in the world to match her/his design.

Here are a couple of Debi's "roughs" along side how the costumes were actually executed.

Amy (Claire Hart-Palumbo, left) accepts a rock specimen from boarder Howard (Kregg Alan Dailey, center) as Jen (Alison Coriell, right) looks on.



Ben (David Wald, left) stands aside while his son Sam (David Parker, right) attempts to haunt his old business partner Tom Carter (Jeffrey S. Lane, center) in vain.

Set by Trey Otis
Lighting by Bryan Nortin
Costumes by Deborah Anderson
Props by Richard Solis

BUT NOT GOODBYE is now playing on the MainStage at Main Street Theater - Rice Village through December 28th.

And that's the word on the street!