The Making of Married Alive

           Hard to believe, but in just a few days we will be opening yet another production.   This one is a musical comedy PERFECT for the holiday season.   Whether you want to attend as a couple or as a bunch of friends spending a great evening together, MARRIED ALIVE is going to be the perfect main course for your evening.   This is a brand new musical comedy with Midwest origins and will be the first time that it will be presented in our region...thus it becomes a Regional Premiere!   We all are quite aware of the trials and tribulations of trying to keep and sustain relationships....and this musical has it all.   Following the married lives of two couples.....One "just married" and the other "long time married"...the musical is sweet, touching, and--most of the time--laugh out loud funny.   From the dreaded holiday gathering with the in-laws to the struggles of adjusting to life with a new baby, or dealing with being passed by in a promotion at work, MARRIED ALIVE goes from Niagra to Viagra and back again.   Michael Rohlena, acting as Set and Lighting Designer, will be utilizing our new lighting instruments to their fullest.    WE WILL HAVE MOVING LIGHTS ON OUR STAGE!   (Too cool)   Thanks to the very generous gift from the Gilchrist Foundation, we are excited to see what our patrons reactions will be to this very "uptown" technical enhancement.   

          Okay....so I said at this post title that this would be the "Making of Married Alive"....here are a couple of quick anecdotes.    Russ and myself are playing the "older couple"....(don't know why......right?) There is a very silly scene where the two characters, Ron and Debra, are trying to spice up the excitement in their "boudoir".   I don't know about you, but seeing your long time spouse dressed up in a silly costume trying to act sexy, is a challenge for even the most jaded actress.  I have yet to get through that scene without laughing... and I mean....laughing until I cry type laughing.   Russ, while known as a serious actor, is really very comedic and it is so much fun to see how the scene is developing.  The other night, Director Donny Short, just told Russ to go with his instincts and forget the choreography.   I am looking forward to that scene every night as I know that it will be going off in some fun new directions.   (This is one example where audience response really can dictate how far a scene like this can go.....too fun).

The "just married" couple IS just married as of five short months ago (as opposed to our 396 months!) and is being played by Amanda and Reed Gibson.   Amanda has been seen on our stage several times as Amanda Powers.   This talented, multi-faceted performer will be singing for the first time as a LAMB actress and she is wonderful. Husband Reed is a former LAMB Ewe student who has grown up into a very talented performer himself and sings the heck out of the song about how he feels he "married up".  The other night at rehearsal,  Donny told him that he looks like a Disney prince.  (Our vote is the ruffian romantic lead in TANGLED...tell us what you think).   It is so much fun to have such a lovely and loving couple to work with....although I don't think Russ and I EVER kissed so much...but what the hey!   Their most difficult scenes have been the argument scenes (hmmmm....those were easy for the other couple!!!! hmmmm....)

            So....if you want to have an absolutely great time at the theatre, want to entertain friends, want to relax and just enjoy yourself or your spouse.....come and see MARRIED ALIVE.   Opening Friday, Dec. 2 and running through Dec. 18 at LAMB Arts Regional Theatre.   

oh.....and let me know what you think of our new lighting system and which Disney male romantic lead Reed looks the most like...

     

Diana Guhin Wooley
CEO LAMB Arts Ltd
417 Market Street Sioux City, IA 51103
712-293-0930
Keep current with LAMB--:www.lambtheatre.com

So Many Things For Which To Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!  

We are so very thankful for your continued support and love of LAMB Theatre and School.   It has often been a bumpy...but never boring and dull...road these past 32 years.  There have been times when the stars were all perfectly aligned and "pure magic" was the result.   But there have also been heart wrenching periods when our very existence was seriously threatened. Theatre is not for the faint of heart.  If it weren't for the gloriously positive effects we have witnessed in the lives of those either involved onstage or in classes or from those who have attended productions throughout these last three decades, the stress would not be worth the struggle.  Just when it seems to be too much....another happy 'miracle' appears.  Some may look at 'stress' as having to produce so many shows, or planning and organizing the School.....Nope...That has never been a stress....We all LOVE that and cherish the opportunity to produce, teach and share.   The 'stress' takes the form of inadequate financial support....but again, as I said previously....just when it looks dark and cloudy, someone comes through and breathes life back into 'the old gal'.  Thank you so very much for that.   Your kindnesses and generosity has allowed LAMB Arts Regional Theatre to make a powerful impact on our region.

'columbinus', which just closed, opened so many eyes to the power that theatre can have over the human spirit.  I daily hear of insights patrons have had since they attended that production. 

"I find myself really looking into people's eyes to discover who they really are."   

"We all have a responsibility in making schools and young people's lives safe."  

"I can't imagine how those teens were able to portray such anger and angst so convincingly."  

"I can't pass a group of teens without wondering how they are really doing....you know, inside."

I love talking to our students about their performance, rehearsal and classroom experience at LAMB. We have been blessed with outstanding, loving and nurturing teachers and directors who have enhanced the theatre experiences of our adult, young and little people participants.  

I remember a few years back when a mom of a child who was too shy to speak in class came running up to me crying, "(Blank) got in trouble today in school."  Of course, I wasn't sure how to respond so I risked silence and she finished with, "He got in trouble for TALKING in class.   He had to stay after school.  Isn't that wonderful? His creative dramatics class has given him so much confidence".

Theatre IS wonderful.   Reaching the human spirit whether through viewing or participating is a glorious responsibility that we take very seriously.  We thank you for allowing LAMB to be a part of YOUR life.   Happy Thanksgiving.

Diana Guhin Wooley
CEO LAMB Arts Ltd
417 Market Street Sioux City, IA 51103
712-293-0930
Keep current with LAMB--:www.lambtheatre.com

Culmination of "columbinus" and the birth of "MARRIED ALIVE"

Yesterday afternoon we "put to bed" our 'columbinus' experience.   Beginning August 27 with auditions and then concluding November 13 with the final performance, this was a satisfying, time intensive, important, stressful and challenging experience for all those involved:   the student actors and technicians, the parents of the same, the professional adult staff.....and the audience.  Eyes were opened.  Hearts were moved.   Art was created.   This production will be one which will be with us for a very, very long time.  Thank you to each and everyone who was involved in any way in making this such an incredibly satisfying adventure. 

MARRIED ALIVE, which will open to the public on December 1 with run dates through December 18, is in full tilt rehearsal mode.   About as opposite in content and structure as would be considered possible, MARRIED ALIVE features funny and touching vignettes about the lives of the married.   This musical has had a wonderful relationship with audiences since it was first performed and is one that will surely delight Siouxland audiences as well.   Looking for a perfect group excursion?   This would be it!    Group rates are available for this show and it would be best to book as early as possible.   Just contact our Box Office for details.

   
Diana Guhin Wooley CEO LAMB Arts Ltd 417 Market Street Sioux City, IA 51103 712-293-0930 Keep current with LAMB--:www.lambtheatre.com

"columbinus" Provides Excellent Discussion Today

Last week I had stated that the Waitt Foundation for Violence Prevention would be sending their high school mentors to a special day time performance of "columbinus".   Today was the day.   We started the show at 9:30 a.m. and you could have heard a pin drop.   The students from East, North and West in the Sioux City Public School System were a terrific audience and one audience in which this young cast was really looking forward.    It is scary and exhilarating at the same time to perform a show with such an important message for your peers and one that makes such emotional demands on its actors.  The discussion following the show was engaging and really quite in depth and it seems that the purpose behind this production came across loud and clear.  

With all the negative national talk about school climate and teachers/administration apathy, it is clear that Sioux City stands apart in a very positive way.  A giant thank you to Cindy Waitt and Dr. Alan Heisterkamp of the Waitt Foundation for Violence Prevention for providing the funding for these students to attend.   Thank you to the Sioux City School District Administration for allowing students and their teachers to attend.   It will be very interesting to see whether this experience will have any long term "life" on this audience.    I know that it has had a tremendous impact on the lives of the young people who have been involved in this project.   We will speak more on that next week when I will have some of the 'columbinus' cast members leave their thoughts and remembrances in the next blog. 

As a gentle reminder......there are ONLY FOUR PERFORMANCES of 'columbinus' REMAINING.   Thursday, Nov. 10 - Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. with our final performance at 1:30 on Sunday, November 13.    People say that you will be disappointed and sad if you miss this one.   I always say, "they won't know what they missed...."   This one is a true DON'T MISS IT.   The show and the performances will remain with you for a long time.    Until next time..... Diana

Diana Guhin Wooley CEO LAMB Arts Ltd 417 Market Street Sioux City, IA 51103 712-293-0930 Keep current with LAMB--:www.lambtheatre.com