Start by admitting from cradle to tomb it isn't that long a stay...

I found something to write about! :)

From the moment I stepped on the stage as a munchkin in a production of The Wiz in the 6th grade, I have loved live theatre. I love everything about it...from the moment you give your ticket to the usher to the moment the lights in the theatre begin to dim, I just love it all. There's nothing like it.

I especially love seeing "locally grown" theatre productions. There's just something special about seeing people from YOUR TOWN - whether you know them personally or not - up on the stage, emoting, giving it their all. And whether it's a good production or bad, it's just nice to know you're there supporting the performers who most of the time are just doing the show for the love of the art. These local folks are hardly ever paid. They're artists in a corporate world, just like me.

This past weekend I went to see Cabaret, put on by the Club Theatre Co. at Club Diversity. First of all, if you haven't seen a show in the Club Diversity space, you must. Club Diversity itself is a refurbished old home turned local piano bar. The entire building is just friendly. The performance space is located in one of the larger rooms upstairs, and seats maybe 20-25 people. Very intimate. But cool, just the same.

I was excited to see this piece of theatre in this space. After appearing in the show at the tender age of 18, Cabaret is one of my faves. And, if any group/space could do something cool with this show, then the Club Theatre Co. would be the ones to do it. Unfortunately, they didn't. The production itself was pretty generic, I guess you would say. With this show in this space, I wanted something ORIGINAL...maybe a new spin on the way the story is presented, or new staging ideas. But, no such luck. It was an adequate production, but felt as if I'd seen it before. Maybe I needed to go into it with a little less in the expectation department.

Most of the performances were ok. The performers playing "Sally Bowles" and "Herr Schultz" were the standouts for me. Both of these actors gave EXTREMELY strong, convincing performances. (The actor playing "Herr Schultz" had played the part of the Emcee in the production that I had been in, so it was fun to see him do this role.) Mostly, I was disappointed in the choreography. I love it when a Fosse-type-minimalistic-dance-style is used with this show. The particular production felt more like a zombie-style. Maybe that was what the choreographer was going for and I just didn't get it...?

Overall, I was a bit disappointed. But, that's the beauty of local theatre! You know going into it that there's no guarantee you'll love it. But, you've supported your fellow arts-lovers. And, at least you only spent $15 for your ticket (though, I was surprised the ticket was that much!).

I'm seeing quite a few shows this week - Mamma Mia at the Ohio Theatre tonight, That 70's Cindy at Dublin Rec on Friday, and Into the Woods at Weathervane Playhouse on Saturday. So, I should have some new blogging material for a few days. Woo hoo!