September 4, 2015
Farce of Nature
Bethany Russell (Maxine Suggs)

 

 I am so excited!!  I auditioned for the first time at Market House Theatre after many years of making excuses about “now is not a good time.” My hope was that they would at least ask me to pass out programs, and then I got a call back and a role in the play. I was immediately overjoyed and frightened all at the same time. But the director, Kathy (Pingel) and the cast have been so accepting, welcoming and encouraging that I feel I have been a part of MHT forever.
  



I have always loved the rehearsal process best! I love seeing the characters develop, the set emerge, props and costumes appear. I love running the script over and over and working all the little parts to make an entertaining production. The actors and actresses in this play are some of the best at developing unique, entertaining and loveable characters.  Sometimes I realize I’m laughing at something new that they have created with their character and have to remind myself to stay in character. I have learned so much from Kathy about how to make bits funny and how to approach a play, specifically a farce. She is positive and encouraging as she gives much helpful direction. 


I absolutely love Maxie! I want to be her when I grow up. She’s brave, energetic, happy, always solving problems, fearlessly walking right in the way of danger and kicking butt and taking names.  For an old broad she is a force to be reckoned with. She is a hoot. My kids have been saying “Mom, that’s something Maxie would do or say” as we go through our day, so I guess she is starting to bleed over into my everyday life.  Now if I can stay in character and not get the “giggles” with Al and keep up with all the running we do all over the stage, Maxie and I will leave our mark at the Reel ‘Em Inn!

There are no words to truly express the impact this experience has had in my life. It has been so affirming for me. I encourage anyone who has a love or interest in theatre to step out and become involved at Market House Theatre. I believe you will be welcomed with open arms and find a safe place to pursue your interests.

(Above, Bethany as "Maxie Suggs" with Al Knudsen as "Carmine DeLuca")

September 2, 2015
Farce of Nature
Kathy Pingel, guest director

(Kathy Pingel is visiting MHT as a guest director for the first play of our 52nd season, FARCE OF NATURE. Kathy is retired from The Des Moines Community Playhouse, where she was education director, as well as artistic director for the Kate Goldman Children's Theatre. Kathy resides in North Port, FL.)

One week before opening! Normally, directors are in panic mode: “When will they get their lines down?”  “Will the set ever be completed?”  “Will anyone LAUGH?” Panic? Not me. Not when we have such a dedicated cast and crew. 

The set needs a little decoration, true, but we’ve been using the different levels and slammin’ the doors for almost two weeks now. The actors have not only memorized their lines; they’re delivering them with confidence. And our set designer, Logan*, was in last night-, and even though the run-through he saw was minus one actor, he laughed!  Music to our ears. 


So, what’s left to do then? Plenty. Now comes the polish. We add sound, lights, props, costumes and tighten up the action so that it comes at the audience like a tidal wave. In this week before our dress rehearsals begin we are running through the show, correcting small things here and there and watching it grow until it’s ready for an audience—the final addition.  Can’t wait!!


*Logan Reagan, MHT's technical director.

Farce of Nature Blog
Stephanie McGlenon
August 31, 2015

I’ve always been fascinated by the processes used to put a play together. Taking a string of people that may or may not know each other and creating a story that hopefully will totally draw your audience in.  For the players, trying to learn the lines and the blocking is always a challenge at the beginning, and sometimes you wonder if it’s all going to come together.  But in the end there’s a show that usually proves worthy of a ton of laughs or tears (depending on the genre) from an audience.

Looking back at the years that I’ve been involved with Market House Theatre, I can honestly say I’ve had more good times than bad. I’ve been fortunate to play many different roles, both comedy and drama. Every show I do is always a roller coaster ride of laughs, camaraderie and togetherness. I’ve been blessed to share the stage with both of my sons and this play is one of those occasions. My youngest, Aaron, is really testing his acting skills by playing my son (Ty Wilburn) in the show. I’ve auditioned for shows that I’ve wanted to be in so bad that I’d have been a tree in the background just to be a part of it. This is definitely one of those shows.

Playing the part of Wanelle Wilburn has been an absolute blast.  This is a lady who is trying very hard to rekindle the romance with her husband, D. Gene (played by Roy Hensel), but unfortunately he’s completely oblivious to her ploys. She’s a firecracker when it comes to her man and will stop at nothing to prove it. In the process of keeping her marriage “fresh” she encounters some very interesting people and developments.  She suspects there is another woman and the gloves come off with D. Gene.  Fortunately there is always something going on that will have the audience thinking, “Wait, did that just happen?”

This show will definitely keep you on your toes while having a blast trying to figure out everyone’s next move.  Of course with Al Knudsen, Steve Schwetman and Aaron Gipson there is never a dull moment both onstage and off.  

Roy Hensel and Stephanie in rehearsal for "Farce."

I can’t say enough about this show because it is absolutely hilarious.  There was never a rehearsal that the actors didn’t get cracked up and it’s a blessing we get to share that humor with an audience.  The cast, the action, and the comedy are crazy and we invite you to ride the roller coaster with us. 

Come out and have a blast watching the hijinks develop in to ultimate chaos.  Get your tickets before they’re sold out and you’re left with “bupkis.”  Opens September 10 and runs thru September 20.  Hope to “catch” you there!

June 10, 2015
Poppins People Post
Mary Bowden
"Mary Poppins"

The iconic “Mary Poppins” has been a role that I have wanted to tackle ever since I first saw the national tour in Atlanta a few years ago. A year later I was in New York and was fortunate enough to get to see it on Broadway, and the feeling grew even stronger. When I found out a little over a year ago that Market House Theatre was going to produce this musical, I was more determined than ever to prepare myself for my audition for the lovable nanny of No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane.

 The rehearsal process for this show has been smooth and so much fun. The blocking, music and dance rehearsals are extremely focused and we are constantly being pushed to be the best performers we can be by our directors. The cast gels very well together and I love getting to share the stage with such talented performers! To be completely honest, sometimes in rehearsals when I would be acting in a scene or singing song with someone else, I would think to myself, “WOW, they are just so fantastic!” when really I should be thinking about what line comes next. I can’t help it – Paducah is blessed with talented actors, singers, and dancers!

This experience has been more fun and challenging than I could have ever imagined. I am on stage more than I ever have been during one show, and if I’m not onstage, chances are that I’m backstage travelling to the other side of the stage while gathering props to prepare for another entrance. There is no time for me to “check out” of the show – I need to stay completely focused the entire time. The kids (Hope and Lucas, who play Jane and Michael Banks) help with this a lot too because they are on stage more than I am! We’re always helping to pull one another along to make the next entrance – our offstage (and onstage) moments are really special to me. I also sing…a LOT…so staying hydrated and healthy has been of the utmost importance to me.


The character of Mary Poppins has taught me many things that I will take with me long after this show. She always speaks her mind, and never compromises who she is. Sometimes she’s even a bit rude, but I think that’s what we love about her! Mary Poppins knows how to get a job done, but she has fun doing it.  She is stern, light-hearted, neat, cross, and lovely. I am having the time of my life in this role, and I hope that audiences are able to connect with the show and take home a wonderful lesson about the importance of family!

June 3, 2015
Poppins People Post
Lucas Bohannon
"Michael Banks"

The first thing I remember about the Market House is watching my dad, Tony Bohannon, play the beast in Beauty and the Beast in 2007. In 2010, my dad persuaded me to be in my first Market House Theatre production, Cinderella Enchanted. At the time, I didn't realize how much my life would change in the MHT family. In the summer of 2012, I once again shared the stage with my dad, in the production of Les Misérables.

Now don't get me wrong, I loved Les Mis, but honestly, it was not NEARLY as challenging as Mary Poppins. I love being in Mary Poppins! It has brought out a side of me that I didn't even know I had. Playing Michael Banks has been a blast! I thought this role would be hard, since I'm not a little British boy, but it turns out that I'm able to relate to Michael Banks a lot. I love the character and the way he acts. For example, Michael is a "noisy, mischievous, troublesome, little boy!"... AND SO AM I!  

Mary Poppins has been so challenging for many reasons. First of all, Hope and I are in every single scene except three, which means we have had to come to rehearsal almost every night! Fortunately I don't have many costume changes, but there is ONE where I have to do a quick change in "Jolly Holiday." I have about one minute to get into it but only about 15-30 seconds to get out of it. That will be challenging but I know I'll make it work. There are so many cues I have to remember as well. But in the end, I know that it will all come together and there will be nothing to worry about.

I can honestly say that I am amazed with people such as Michael Cochran, Emi Hensel, and Cindy Miller. Let's start with Michael. Every single show I have been in with him, he blows my mind! The things he thinks about and what he envisions are some things that I would never have thought to do. Emi has been so amazing! I would like to thank her for the hours she has put in choreographing some of the dance numbers. Cindy has also made this fun for me. She is so nice and helps people if they have any questions about the music, and on top of that, she has to direct an entire orchestra pit! Mary Poppins will definitely be an experience I will miss, but never forget! 

~Lucas Bohannon (aka "Michael Banks)

June 2, 2015
Poppins People Post
Fowler Black
"Bert"

Most adults familiar with the story of Mary Poppins probably have an idea of the role of Bert in the story. Ashamedly, I didn't prior to auditioning for "Bert" in MHT's production of the musical. I clearly haven't watched enough movies in my life. All I knew about Bert was what I saw from small promotional excerpts the Broadway cast shared at tourism industry conventions. Had it not been for the encouragement from friends to audition for Bert, I might have coasted my way through the summer with only my upcoming wedding in mind.


My fiancee's family is a movie-watching family. So they (Kim Yocum, in particular) enjoy enlightening me through movie exposure. Between reading the part of Bert in the Mary Poppins script and watching Dick Van Dyke in the movie, I quickly realized that Bert in the stage musical and Bert in the film were not exactly carbon copies of each other. In the stage musical, Bert acts as a narrator and far-away friend of Mary Poppins as well as a jack-of-all-trades (street painter, kite merchant, chimney sweep, etc). One notable difference in MHT's version is that Bert didn't have to master the skill of being a one-man-band. Aerial somersaults across the stage is enough for me.

What I've enjoyed most about the part of Bert are the lessons from his character. He remains positive and enjoys life to the max despite his occupations being considered "the bottom-most rung" on the ladder of life. His zeal for life actually makes him magical - he serves as an intermediary of sorts between the Banks children and the magic of Mary Poppins. Breaking down the socio-economic barriers, Bert's love for the Banks children helps them learn about life.

As the character grows on me, I hope to discover a little more quirkiness with the role.  Until then, I'll continue to have fun with the color that cockney provides.

May 31, 2015
Poppins People Post
Clint Warf
"Robertson Ay"

Being the new kid on the block is usually an intimidating thing.  I’ve sung several operatic roles, but this is my first musical theatre role and my first experience at MHT.  The long-standing history of high quality productions leaves one feeling they have big shoes to fill, so naturally I’ve been a bit nervous during the whole creative process.

I have known people in the MHT family for many years, but I’ve never been a part of that “family.”  Believe me when I tell you that “family” is the only appropriate word to use.  The sense of dedication can be felt among the actors and the crew alike, with everyone devoting virtually all of their free time in hopes of making something magical happen on stage. The hard work and time definitely pays off when the curtain opens and the audience feels the magic you’ve work so painstakingly to create.

Art, at its core, its meant to elicit an emotional response. Whether it be words, music, sets, etc., its all a form of art.  My hope is that I can play a small part in bringing art alive.  To transport at least one person into another place, to make them believe, even if just briefly, is the biggest reward of all.

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
-Thomas Merton