Poster for Ridiculous Theatrical Company production of Charles Ludlam play ‘Der Ring Gott Farblonjet‘.
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A wonderful article by Eric Bentley on Charles Ludlam from April 1990 magazine “Theater Week“.
NY Times article about Everett Quinton’s “Life After Ludlam“.
To see videos of Charles Ludlam’s work go here.
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What do dogs do when their masters leave? Put on a French farce! Quick entrances, mistaken identities, and love triangles collide with panting, sniffing, and lots of leg humping in this unusual and saucy comedy! Inspired by the plays of Georges Feydeau and the behaviors of Man’s best friend, Dog Show is a knee slapping love letter to the joys of unleashing your inner animal.
This new work is directed by Animal Engine Co-Artistic Director Karim Muasher and devised by an ensemble of 4 daring performers.
“Dog Show” was first workshopped at the 2014 Cincinnati Fringe Festival, then at a development residency with Horse Trade Theater Group.
I was there for the dress/tech and got some fun pictures of this ‘wacky’ and ‘animated’ show!
Becca Bernard and Karim Muasher are the first 2 dogs you see when the show begins.
Melinda Ferraraccio sticks out her tongue as there is no water in her bowl.
Melinda Ferraraccio, Carrie Brown, Becca Bernard and Karim Musasher(in back row) on guard.
The entire cast sings together during one of the songs during the show.
In a moment of hysteria, Becca Bernard holds onto Melinda Ferraraccio as she tries to get away.
Karim Muasher (director/actor) reads from the book and tells the audience about the next scene.
Becca Bernard (handyman) helps Melinda Ferraraccio ‘screw’ in the light bulb.
Carrie Brown (with lampshade) in a moment of ‘dog heat’ pushes Karim Muasher to the ground.
Carrie Brown, Becca Bernard, Karim Muasher and Melinda Ferraraccio
A very funny show worth visiting while the show is on.
Thursday Feb 19th – 7:10pm
Monday Feb 23rd – 10:30pm
Saturday Feb 28th – 8:20pm
Wednesday March 4th – 7:10pm
Saturday, March 7th – 8:20pm
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Horseplay: or, A Fickle Mistress, A Protean Picaresque by Trav S.D.
Photographing the dress/tech of a show can sometimes provide wonderful ‘candid’ shots of the actors at work. I was glad
to be at LaMama last night for this experience. Here are some shots from the dress/tech of the show that opens on Valentine’s day!
Tim Cusack inbetween moments during the rehearsal.
Everett Quinton, Jan Leslie Harding, Tim Cusak, Chuck Montgomery and Tiffany Abercrombie in the midst of rehearsal.
Molly Pope with pipe in hand reads from the manuscript (prop).
(L to R) Tiffany Abercrombie, Chuck Montgomery look on at Molly Pope with Jan Leslie Harding and musician/composer William TN Hall.
Molly Pope is read to by Tim Cusack in a scene from the play.
Mark St. Cyr sneaks a look at the audience during a scene with Molly Pope.
Jan Leslie Harding takes a moment to reflect inbetween scenes.
Tim Cusack looks over Molly Pope as she gets into position for a lashing.
The cast about to begin a scene as the stage manager Haejin Jan gives notes.
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PRODUCTION CREDITS
Written by Trav S.D.
Directed by Elyse Singer
Original music and musical direction by William TN Hall
With Molly Pope* as Adah Isaacs Menken
and Tiffany Abercrombie, Tim Cusack, Jan Leslie Harding*, Chuck Montgomery*, Everett Quinton*, Mark St. Cyr*
*Member Actors’ Equity Association
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Choreography by Antonio Brown
Fight direction by Nathan DeCoux
Set by Liz Toonkel
Lights by Deborah Constantine
Costumes by Becky Hubbert
Sound by Marcelo Añez
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During his visit to NY last year I was fortunate to interview Steve Samuels. I met Steve when he was the General Manager of The Ridiculous Theatrical Company which was created by the brilliant Charles Ludlam. (pictured above)
I was so lucky to have seen many of The Ridiculous Theatrical Companies productions including The Mystery of Irma Vep, The Ventriloquist’s Wife, Corn, Camille, Reverse Psychology, Salammbo, The Artificial Jungle.
Steve Samuels is now producing, directing and acting in productions of his company The Magnetic Theatre Company in Asheville, NC.
In this interview he talks about his time with The Ridiculous Theatrical Company and his ever changing relationship with Charles Ludlam.
“Theater is life itself—you give people two hours of your life, onstage. Time is all we have, and sharing that with people is different from just creating an object.”
“What I do is not gay theater — it’s something much worse. I don’t ask to be tolerated. I don’t mind being intolerable.”
Charles Ludlam 4/12/43 – 5/28/87
Everett Quinton (left) with Charles Ludlam in “The Mystery of Irma Vep”.
(Photograph Anita & Steve Shevell)
Posting in The New York Times by Frank Rich
(Samuel French Page of Charles Ludlam Plays)
Here is a wonderful write up on ‘Dangerous Minds‘ blog about the great and throughly researched book “Ridiculous!: The Theatrical Life and TImes of Charles Ludlam” by David Kaufman. There is also a video of Charles on the Madeline Kahn show performing in drag. Great piece of TV history.
Steve Samuels worked with David Kaufman on this book as well.
BONUS: Here is a link to Charles Ludlam’s lost 16mm films. Part 1 or 9 parts on YouTube. Click HERE.
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From Mexico City/Chicago, Illinois
La Piara Teatro
GUERRA
Guerra: A Clown Play combines slapstick, clown, dance, bouffant, and farce to tell the story of a military outpost’s last stand. Created by a Mexican/U.S. collaborative team, Guerra is performed in three languages and features a trio of incompetent officers engaged in a struggle against a vast unseen enemy. Their epic yet intimate journey features a recruitment lottery, bloodthirsty nursery rhymes, and at least one aerial bombardment. Guerra blends bombast and camp with serious echoes of American and Mexican military realities to create an irreverent and darkly resonant satire.
Created by La Piara with Seth Bockley and Devon de Mayo
Performed by La Piara (Artús Chávez, Fernando Córdova, and Madeleine Sierra)
Directed by Seth Bockley and Devon de Mayo
Artus Chavez is delightful as the leader of the group.
Artus Chavez, Fernando Cordova and Madeleine Sierra make up La Piara Teatro.
Artus Chavez comforts Madeleine Sierra in a war scene.
Madeleine Sierra shows off her battle wounds to the audience in GUERRA.
Fernando Cordova has some funny eyes and great scenes in GUERRA.
A humorous moment during the dressing of the Chief in camouflage garb.
Artus Chavez sings while the paper airplanes fly over head.
Madeleine, Artus and Fernando take their bow at the end of a very funny show!
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