WEEK THREE

/by

As I write this YANKEE TAVERN and FIFTY WORDS are both performing onstage. We have begun our third week at the FESTIVAL. I am encouraged by our attendance reports and I am hopeful that our attendance numbers will continue to grow as we enter into the final two weeks. Please tell your friends that there are good seats available at all of our remaining repertory performances.

I am looking forward to our post-show discussion of FIFTY WORDS…following this evenings performance. We will have our final post-show discussion on Thursday evening after THE HISTORY OF LIGHT. This is such a great opportunity to hear feedback and questions from our patrons. I am very interested in having a conversation with you on this blog. Let me know your reactions to our season. Feel free to ask me questions and make comments. For example…what do you think the  “main idea” is in Beau Willimon’s FARRAGUT NORTH? Is this simply a play about politics? Does FARRAGUT NORTH have a “universal truth” that goes beyond the story of the play? Talk to me about your understanding of the word “hubris”… What is the “main idea” behind Steven Dietz’s play YANKEE TAVERN? Why does Steven begin his play with a lie? What do you take away from witnessing YANKEE TAVERN? What do you believe? Who do you trust? Or is this some  urban myth?

Lets talk…

Ed Herendeen

WEEK # 2

/by

After a strong opening weekend our work is creating a good buzz in the local and regional community. Our post show TALK-BACKS were well attended and full of lively comments and questions. Today we are hosting our second BOARD-TO-BOARD luncheon and dinner. We are expecting over thirty guest from Washington D.C. and Baltimore professional non-profit theater boards to join us for a day of plays and fellowship. This is a great opportunity for different theater board members to meet our trustees and discover our work. We call this landmark event BOARD-TO-BOARD.

The Repertory is gaining momentum. The performances are growing and receiving positive reviews from our patrons. I am looking forward to “talking theater” with you. Send me your comments. Please tell your friends that there are still good seats available…We have created several opportunities for you to “talktheater” with us. We will host our second talktheater breakfast tomorrow at 10AM…please join me for a conversation on the 2009 Repertory.

I am looking forward to seeing you at our three theaters throughout the festival.

Ed Herendeen

TALK THEATER

/by

Last night we had our first Post-Show Talk-Back with the FARRAGUT NORTH Company. The audience talked  with the company about their preparation and research for the play. The discussion focused on the themes of power, ambition, loyalty and politics. It was a lively conversation. Beau Willimon’s play created an opportunity for the audience to express their opinions RE: how we elect our political leaders.

We also had a Talk-Back with Joey Parsons after the 5:30PM performances of DEAR SARA JANE. The audience was very impressed by Joey’s solo performance.

Tonight we will have a Talk-Back with the YANKEE TAVERN Company. YANKEE TAVERN and FIFTY WORDS have matinee and evening performances.

Ed Herendeen

WEEK # 2

/by

Last night we did a Stage Reading of Steven Dietz’s new play SHOOTING STAR. Anderson Matthews read the role of Reed and Lee Roy Rogers read the role of Elena. Over sixty people attended the reading. The audience really responded to the play.

Today we have Matinee and evening performances of DEAR SARA JANE, THE HISTORY OF LIGHT and FARRAGUT NORTH. When you see FARRAGUT NORTH keep this definition of the word “CAMPAIGN” in mind:

          “CAMPAIGN: A series of military operations undertaken to acheive a large-scale objective during a war. The association with a war rippled to any intense strategy for gaining an objective–to wit the association with a politician’s bid for being elected.”

Ed Herendeen