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!

The MST Q&A: Hello Heidi Holland

We have known for years the directing talent of Cheryl Kaplan, but THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, closing this Sunday, December 19th, marks Cheryl's first opportunity to trod the boards at MST. And aren't we glad she did! After winning raves from both critics and theater goers alike, I think it is time to learn a bit more about Cheryl as she fills out the MST Q&A...



Full given name: Cheryl L. Kaplan Zachariah

Hometown: New Jersey/Iowa split

Zodiac sign: Libra

First Houston show ever saw: Copenhagen at Main Street Theater

Current show you have been recommending to friends: The Heidi Chronicles, of course

Favorite post-show meal: Granola bar and an apple - I have to be able to fit into the pants by the end of the run!

Favorite show tune: "Lullaby of Broadway"

Performer you would drop everything to go see: I basically drop everything to see shows as it is!

MAC or PC? PC but considering converting

Most played song on your iPod: podcasts of "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" and "This American Life." Total nerd.

Last book you read: "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks

Must-see TV show: Re-runs of "Quantum Leap", currently "Medium," "Caprica" and "The Closer"

Last good movie you saw: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Favorite cereal: Granola or grape nuts with yogurt on good days, Froot Loops or Lucky Charms on bad.

Special Skills: I can cross only one eye at a time, but can't do it for long. Odd that this has never come in handy.

Who would play you in the movie? Drew Barrymore

Worst mishap on stage: The baby burning in "Wondergirl" I think is tied with the time I fainted on stage in front of about 300 Kindergartners and made them cry because they thought I died. Is the worst over?

Worst job you ever had: Picking up animal carcasses and dropping them off at the incinerator. Also the psychology experiments were pretty awful. I only worked for one day on each job so the damage wasn't too steep. Made waiting tables a luxury.

Hmmm... I just think Cheryl won the "Worst Job Ever!" prize for the fall!

And that's the word on the street!

Everyone's a Critic! The Heidi Chronicles

THE HEIDI CHRONICLES opened Thanksgiving weekend to all but sold out houses. Did you see it? What did you think? We would love to hear your opinion, so comment away!

One patron via email said, "We saw it last night. Great performance. Keep up the good work."

Another saw the same performance, and promptly called and donated $1000.00!

Way to go Heidella!

The MST Q&A: Bonne Annee Madeline!

Tomorrow is our last day of Family Matinees for MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS. It has been a wonderful run at this most wonderful time of the year.

Madeline is played by Caroline Menefee. Many of you know her from last year's Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business. As we bid Madeline bon voyage, let's learn a bit more about Caroline as she fills out the MST Q&A...

Full given name: Caroline Ashton Menefee

Hometown: Alvin

Zodiac sign: Leo

Audition Monologue/Song: Still Hurting- The Last 5 Years or Show Off- The Drowsy Chaperone

First Houston show ever saw: Macbeth at The Alley

Current show you have been recommending to friends: I don't get to see too much theater with my crazy schedule, but I recently saw Blithe Spirit at my old Community College and loved it!

Favorite post-show meal: Normally finishing my coffee and I'm a cracker fanatic.

Favorite show tune: I did Into the Woods earlier this year and fell in love with No One Is Alone.

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Muse, John Legend or Judy Garland if it were possible.

MAC or PC? PC unfortunately.

Most played song on your iPod: Dancing by Elisa

Last book you read: I just finished a Greg Iles thriller.

Must-see TV show: Weeds or How I Met Your Mother

Last good movie you saw: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Trash Tabloids or reality t.v.

Favorite board game: Me and my family always play this card game Nerts.

Favorite cereal: Bran.

Special Skills: My eyes can do some crazy tricks, I can get rid of anyone's hiccups, and I can recite the entire movie Home Alone...maybe that will come in handy one day.

Who would play you in the movie? I would hope Meghan Fox but probably someone like Anne Hathaway or Rachel McAdams

First stage kiss: Senior year in 42nd Street and it was an old friend who was too scared to kiss me so my dad yelled from the audience during a rehearsal, "Just kiss her already!"

Worst mishap on stage: When people trip it's normally bad because I cannot keep it together after that but once during a youth theater show, a co-star had a booger on his face and we couldn't seem to tell him so we tried not to crack up the whole rest of the show.

Worst job you ever had: When I was about 13 I twisted and stripped iron one day for my dad in 105 degree heat. Worst job ever.

Thanks Caroline! Hey, maybe you can replace Meghan Fox in the next Transformers film!

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Light Floods in Stage Left

Say hello to Carrie Cavins! Newly transplanted to the Houston area, lighting designer Carrie Cavins makes her Main Street Theater debut with our MainStage production of THE HEIDI CHRONICLES.

Let's learn a bit more about Carrie (and take a look at previous work) as she fills out the MST Q&A...


Full given name: Carrie D. Cavins

Hometown: Fort Worth and many others

What inspired you while preparing for this production?
The complex issues that Heidi has to move through to get to a place that she feels she has a place in a world full of one-sided thinking. The courage she has to be able to stand up in what she believes in and the ability to help make a change in a world that is resistant to change.

First Houston show ever saw: An India Festival

Current show you have been recommending to friends: The Heidi Chronicles

Favorite post-show meal: Anything that sets right.

Favorite show tune: Master of the House - Les Miserable’s

MAC or PC? PC

Last book you read: The Colorado Kid

Must-see TV show: HBO - True Blood

Last good movie you saw: Red

Favorite board game: Monopoly – Trivia Pursuit

Favorite cereal: Most any that isn't good for you.

Special skills: Can out talk most anyone and annoy them.

Carrie also tried to introduce us to the greatness she knows as Grippos Potato Chips. I got Cheddar with a touch of jalapeno. A touch? I think I am still feeling the heat! Ooooo-Weeeee!

And that's the word on the street

Everyone's a Critic! Madeline's Christmas

MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS opened last week for both school and family matinees. Did you see it? What did you think? We would love to hear what you thought! Just leave a comment here....

"In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines
lived twelve little girls in two straight lines."

One teacher wrote saying, "I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of my school, it was a wonderful experience for the students! I look forward to bringing my school back in the spring for the Magician's Nephew."

Time to Shoop! Shoop!

The female cast of "The Heidi Chronicles"

Alright girls (and boys), it's time to take a trip down memory lane and get your "Shoop! Shoop!" on.

I know the first thing many of you will ask me when you see THE HEIDI CHRONICLES (which opens THIS Friday in the Rice Village) is, "What are all those fantastic songs in the show?" Well, your wish has been granted ahead of time! Below is a play list of all the songs featured during the performance. Now, this is only a list of the 25 songs actually IN the show. Pre-show and Intermission music is a whole 'nother list.

I will make you a deal: Post a comment here that you want a play list for Pre-show and Intermission too, and I will do it after Thanksgiving.

And a quick poll: Are those ladies in the pic rocking out or protesting?

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: The Magic Carpet Man

Fans of the Theater for Youth program already know Richard Solis pretty well. He maintains a constant presence on stage, not only because he is a fantastic actor, but because he is responsible for all the amazing props you see show after show.

He is now onstage in our soon to be sold out hit MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS teaching the girls how to fly as Harsha, the carpet vendor! Let's learn a bit more about Richard as he fills out the MST Q&A...

Full given name: Richard C. Solis

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Zodiac sign: Aries

First Houston show ever saw: Jekyll and Hyde (Years before Broadway)

Current show you have been recommending to friends: MADELINE of course!!!

Favorite post-show meal: Well as much as I like to eat (ha ha) I usually try not to eat before a show, maybe snacking on beef jerky and or candy.

Favorite show tune: All the big no brainer mechanized shows. CATS yes CATS. Le Miz, Phantom, Wicked.

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Lady Gaga! The Cure, Catherine O'Hara.

MAC or PC? PC.

Most played song on your iPod: Anything by THE CURE or Deadmau5 (Google him)

Last book you read: BUSYTOWN (seriously)

Must-see TV show: , HELLS KITCHEN, HOW ITS MADE (the science channel) SHOP NBC (INVICTA WATCHES)

Last good movie you saw: Taxidermy

Pop culture guilty pleasure: STAR WARS!

Favorite cereal: ALL!

Special Skills: I can make anything out of an old box and masking tape!

Who would play you in the movie? Why ME of course!

Worst mishap on stage: I've had so many but just recently I accidentally clocked Caroline Menefee (MADELINE) in the eye while onstage... She was okay but I was so scared!

Worst job you ever had: Lets see that is a hard question, HEB, Plastic Injection Molder, Pharmaceutical company assembly plant worker to name a very few...

Thanks Richard! Hey, have you ever made an Invicta watch out of on old box and masking tape? Just asking...

And that's the word on the street

The MST Q&A: Oh, the Places We'll Go!

Fans of Main Street Theater are very familiar with Set and Properties Designer Liz Freese. Last season she created the world of Willy Wonka for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and took us to an English country manor (past and present) for Arcadia (pictured left).

This season, Liz is working for us on back to back projects! In October she took us uptown for the set of BREAKFAST AT EIGHT, and now she is giving us a whimsical look at Paris, France for MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS! Let's learn a bit more about Liz as she fills out the MST Q&A...

Full given name: Elizabeth Kathleen Freese

Hometown: Houston

Zodiac sign: Aquarius

What inspired you while preparing for this production?
For Breakfast at Eight: West U architecture and lots of interior design magazines. Yeah for decorating!

The Set for Breakfast at Eight

First Houston show ever saw: Hmmmm... Lucia at Houston Grand Opera

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Peter Grimes at HGO

Favorite post-show meal: Amy's Ice Cream or Coco's Crepes

Favorite show tune: Children will Listen- Stephen Sondheim "Into the Woods"

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Steve Bono

MAC or PC? I'm bilingual and have both a Mac and PC laptop.

Most played song on your iPod: Amazin Blue (a capella group) CD

Last book you read: "What to Expect when you are Expecting"

Must-see TV show: ... don't really watch TV. I like House. Ever catch all the Sherlock Homes comparisons?

Last good movie you saw: see below

Pop culture guilty pleasure: pop culture illiterate.

Favorite board game: Apples to Apples

Favorite cereal: I'm a peanut butter on toast morning person

Most “happy mistake” on a production: For Madeline's Christmas: A black light is used for effects and scene changes during the show. When on, it makes the windows on the back drop look like they "light up" from the inside. Very cool!

Set Model for Madeline's Christmas

Worst job you ever had: Selling chocolate at Arsenal soccer games in London.

We won't be seeing Liz for a while because she is having a baby this spring, but one thing we all want to know: How long before that kid can hold a paint brush!?

And that's the word on the street

Who or What is Miss Clavell?

MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS opened this week at MST's Theater for Youth. An interesting question came up at our staff meeting: "What's up with Miss Clavell? Is she a nun or what?"

"Well, as it so happens", responded Vivienne St. John (our Theater for Youth Producing Director), "That question can be answered in our Educational Materials for the show!"

And indeed it can!

"Is Miss Clavell a nun? If she is a nun, why is she called “Miss” Clavell instead of “Sister” Clavell?"
At the time when Madeline is set, it was common practice to call nuns “Madame” and not “Sister” similar to the Italian tradition of calling priests “Don” instead of “Father”. “Madame” translates in English to “Miss”!

So there you have it! Answers to other questions can be found in the Educational Materials as well as some great activities not only for the classroom, but that families can do together as well.

Get a preview below of Miss Clavell, Madeline and the girls in action and then head on down for the heartwarming MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS. We added a show on December 11th because seats are filling up, so don't delay!

And that's the word on the street!