Thursday, May 5, 2011
WILD BLUE photos
We've added select performance photographs from WILD BLUE to our Flickr Account. Click the slideshow at the top of the blog or visit Flickr to see these and additional shots from our previous productions.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
REVIEW: The Actor's Nightmare and Titanic
Titanic and The Actor’s Nightmare
nytheatre.com review
Debbie Hoodiman Beaudin · March 31, 2011
The Hyper Aware Theater Company is smart. In the Director’s Note in the program, Richard Pepio writes, “Your dreams can be filled with the craziest absurdities, the most embarrassing realities, and thoughts you didn’t even know you had inside you. Hopefully, we can all find some truth in what is said and done here. But if all else fails, at least it is something to laugh at.” That quote shows the balance between heart and humor which makes this combination of Durang’s well-known The Actor’s Nightmare and his more obscure Titanic a bizarre but worthwhile night of theater.
The two pieces are performed with an intermission between them and using the same cast. Both plays start off a little strange and escalate to higher and higher levels of absurdity and crazy shenanigans. In Titanic, especially—which tells the story of a group of fools on a ship that may or may not be heading toward an iceberg—the entire world of the play gets so out of whack that, by the end, nothing is surprising. It’s strange, dirty, funny, and oddly captivating. The Actor’s Nightmare begins with a fairly straightforward concept and spins out of control. All of this is okay, of course, if you know what you are getting into, which you probably do just by showing up for a Durang play.
The Actor’s Nightmare is, by far, the more accessible of the two plays but probably the more difficult to pull off. A man—not an actor—finds himself on stage, in front of an audience, unrehearsed and completely unprepared. He doesn’t even know what play he’s in and by the time he sort of figures it out, it changes. I think the lead role in this play must be almost impossible, but Louis Aquiler does a fine job. He handles the monster monologue in the middle of it well. I do think he could have found more levels in it (like more joy and more of a wish to “get it right”) but I enjoyed the piece so much and the audience—as evidenced by the hysterical laughter of those around me—did as well.
All of the actors are impressive in both works. I am particularly in awe of Alexis Rhiannon, especially in Titanic, as she probably has the most far out part and through her commitment she makes it completely believable. I also respect Ariana Murphy and Chris Dippel as the closest thing these plays have to “straight men.” In The Actor’s Nightmare, Dippel captures the “serious, famous Shakespearean Actor” in his delivery as Horatio, but without coming off as mocking or commenting. As the captain in Titanic, he maintains an air of authority even when everything—his words, his actions, even his head gear—contrasts with that authority. Chris D'Amato and Christopher Norwood also give sincere performances that live up to the high level of this company.
What I found impressive about the production of these two plays is the commitment of the actors and how they play it all so straight. In Titanic, the actors are asked by Durang’s script to dance, to chase one another, to forcefully undress one another, to fight, to run around, and more (much, much more!), and their seriousness balances out the absurdity. As my companion said after it was over, and as the director wished, “You get drawn into the world and it seems real.”
nytheatre.com review
Debbie Hoodiman Beaudin · March 31, 2011
The Hyper Aware Theater Company is smart. In the Director’s Note in the program, Richard Pepio writes, “Your dreams can be filled with the craziest absurdities, the most embarrassing realities, and thoughts you didn’t even know you had inside you. Hopefully, we can all find some truth in what is said and done here. But if all else fails, at least it is something to laugh at.” That quote shows the balance between heart and humor which makes this combination of Durang’s well-known The Actor’s Nightmare and his more obscure Titanic a bizarre but worthwhile night of theater.
The two pieces are performed with an intermission between them and using the same cast. Both plays start off a little strange and escalate to higher and higher levels of absurdity and crazy shenanigans. In Titanic, especially—which tells the story of a group of fools on a ship that may or may not be heading toward an iceberg—the entire world of the play gets so out of whack that, by the end, nothing is surprising. It’s strange, dirty, funny, and oddly captivating. The Actor’s Nightmare begins with a fairly straightforward concept and spins out of control. All of this is okay, of course, if you know what you are getting into, which you probably do just by showing up for a Durang play.
The Actor’s Nightmare is, by far, the more accessible of the two plays but probably the more difficult to pull off. A man—not an actor—finds himself on stage, in front of an audience, unrehearsed and completely unprepared. He doesn’t even know what play he’s in and by the time he sort of figures it out, it changes. I think the lead role in this play must be almost impossible, but Louis Aquiler does a fine job. He handles the monster monologue in the middle of it well. I do think he could have found more levels in it (like more joy and more of a wish to “get it right”) but I enjoyed the piece so much and the audience—as evidenced by the hysterical laughter of those around me—did as well.
All of the actors are impressive in both works. I am particularly in awe of Alexis Rhiannon, especially in Titanic, as she probably has the most far out part and through her commitment she makes it completely believable. I also respect Ariana Murphy and Chris Dippel as the closest thing these plays have to “straight men.” In The Actor’s Nightmare, Dippel captures the “serious, famous Shakespearean Actor” in his delivery as Horatio, but without coming off as mocking or commenting. As the captain in Titanic, he maintains an air of authority even when everything—his words, his actions, even his head gear—contrasts with that authority. Chris D'Amato and Christopher Norwood also give sincere performances that live up to the high level of this company.
What I found impressive about the production of these two plays is the commitment of the actors and how they play it all so straight. In Titanic, the actors are asked by Durang’s script to dance, to chase one another, to forcefully undress one another, to fight, to run around, and more (much, much more!), and their seriousness balances out the absurdity. As my companion said after it was over, and as the director wished, “You get drawn into the world and it seems real.”
****Tickets are still available here. Come out this Wednesday, 4/6, and you'll receive a free glass of wine with admission!****
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Media Updates and Teasers
Happy Friday, loves,
All rehearsals have been going splendidly. We're incredibly excited over the recent media and blogger interest in Wild Blue, and have been quite surprised at the big response from the travel and flight attendant communities—by turns welcoming, suspicious, excited, and hesitant. Tickets have also been live for about a week and the advance support is very uplifting. So thank you, all, for your involvement so far.
Speaking of involvement, we’ve always made a concerted effort to keep our fans, friends, and potential audience members included in the evolution of our projects, and this time is no exception. We’re currently putting together a video series for Wild Blue as a way for you to meet the cast and learn a bit about their characters and the play. The first segment will run next week. In the meantime, please enjoy some early rehearsal photos an extremely brief promo video for one of our sister productions, Titanic (below).
And one last reminder about our Kickstarter fundraiser. We’ve got 7 days to go and only need $108 to reach our goal. It would help us tremendously! If you can’t make any of the shows, please consider donating to the cause. Your wallet may be a little lighter, but your heart will be too!
Affectionately,
HATC
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thank You, and Official Performance Schedule
Dearest friends,
Wild Blue, inspired by former Jet Blue flight attendant, Steven Slater
Performances:
The Actor's Nightmare and Titanic
Thanks to all who came out to support us on Sunday (and a HUGE thanks to Quinn and the folks at Prohibition for hosting the fundraiser). We appreciate the kind words and smiling faces. 100% of your donations will be put directly toward funding our production of Christopher Durang's Titanic. And if you were unable to attend last night, and will be indisposed come performance time, there's one more way you can support the show. Please visit our Kickstarter page, where you can donate any amount of money you'd like ($2 minimum). All proceeds go toward securing rehearsal space for both Durang pieces. Asking purely for money is not our strong suit, and we know times are tough, but even if you can spare just the cost of subway fare or a bagel with cream cheese or a Starbucks coffee, we will be forever thankful and will list you on both our blog and programs as the generous benefactors we're affectionately calling "HyperActives."
For those of you who can make it to the shows, here are the official performance schedules!!
Wild Blue, inspired by former Jet Blue flight attendant, Steven Slater
written by Gary Ferrar and Louis Aquiler
directed by Gary Ferrar
with Chad Miller (UCB), Erin Ronder (The PIT), Ariana Murphy (The Magnet), Jeremy Weber (AMDA), Nastasha Strang (Algonquin Theater), Rick Benson, Robert Rottkamp, and George Walsh
Performances:
Wednesday, March 30 @8pm
Friday, April 1 @8pm
Sunday, April 3 @2pm
Monday, April 4 @8pm
Thursday, April 7 @8pm
Saturday, April 9 @2pm
Saturday, April 9 @8pm
written by Christopher Durang
directed by Richie Pepio (D.C.’s Synthetic Theater)
with Christopher Dippel (founding member of the award-winning Neo-Futurists), Alexis Rhiannon (UCB), Ariana Murphy (The Magnet), Louis Aquiler* (Time Traveling with Cannibals), Christopher Norwood* (NYU’s Tisch), Chris D’Amato (The Legend of Johnny 15).
Performances:
Thursday, March 31 @8pm
Saturday, April 2 @2pm
Saturday, April 2 @8pm
Tuesday, April 5 @8pm
Wednesday, April 6 @8pm
Friday, April 8 @8pm
Sunday, April 10 @2pm
Both shows will appear at:
*actors appear courtesy of AEA
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
TITANIC's cast presents the "Ship Happens" Vaudevillian Dance Party
As previously mentioned, our new original work, Wild Blue, is running alongside an evening of Durang plays, The Actor's Nightmare and Titanic, also produced by HATC and appearing at The Access Theater from March 31 - April 10, 2011 (official schedule to follow shortly).
In preparation for these shows, we're throwing a fundraiser this Sunday evening, 2/20, 6PM, at (the very awesome) Prohibition. Come out and party with the characters from Titanic (and try and get them to break character--it'll win you a free beer)!
Update: $2 off all drinks, all night! (you'll receive a wristband upon payment)
Also: Automatic enrollment in our raffle for two VIP tickets to Hyper Aware's production of Durang's Titanic and The Actor's Nightmare! There will be free wine during the show. Also win a $25 certificate to Black Finn Cajun Steakhouse.
There will be music, magic, and comedy performances, along with a sneak peek at the production.
Live music and dancing to follow...
And we know it's a Sunday night, folks, but this time that's no excuse: Monday is a federal holiday thanks to our nation's most famous cherry tree hater. So please come out to wish us bon voyage!
Hope to see you there,
HATC
P. S. There's a teasingly short promo video for Titanic here.
Details wrap-up:
(a Hyper Aware Theater Company fundraiser)
Sunday, 2/20
6PM - 11PM
$5
503 Columbus Avenue (btwn. 84th and 85th)
Saturday, January 22, 2011
CASTING CALL!
The time has come to begin casting our next production! Below you'll find a brief description of the show and select casting notices. Please pass along this info to anyone you think may be suitable and interested, or send in your own headshot and resume to the email address at the bottom of this post.
The Hyper Aware Theater Company is casting Wild Blue, a full-length play inspired by Steven Slater's (in)famous farewell to Jet Blue last year. The piece works to tease out the humanity and history behind Slater's 15 seconds of fame, moving passed the obvious gimmicks of the incident and creating legitimate theater in the generally shallow world of pop culture.
Seeking:
Steven Slater: Caucasian, male, 25-35, a flight attendant with his life falling apart around him. Must be comfortable performing in underwear. Must be comfortable screaming. Must be comfortable sliding down a large inflatable slide. Must be comfortable getting sprayed with soda. LEAD
D. B. Cooper, male, 60-75, the only person to hijack a commercial airliner and never be caught. After parachuting out of a plane with $200,000 in the 70's, he went into hiding and is discovered by Steven living in a back woods cabin. A quirky, odd-ball recluse, DB takes Steven under his wing and mentors him on the trouble with society. Improv experience is a plus. LEAD
Winston Martinez, Hispanic, male, 15-25, a troubled teen immigrant that lives with D.B. Cooper in exchange for running errands, trying to get his life on track. Hispanic accent is a plus. SUPPORTING
Professor, male, 40-60, Hired to lecture the audience on-the-fly, regarding whatever happens, as it happens. Poor sense of humor a plus. SUPPORTING.
Audition by appointment only. Email headshot and resume to hyperawaretheater@gmail.com. Rehearsals begin mid-Feb, NYC. Performances March 29 - April 11, 2011, NYC. Credit and Copy provided. (First Posted: 1/21/11)
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