It’s been a joy working with this trio of amazing actors.  St. Louis theatre patrons will recognize Bobby Miller from shows in a variety of other theatres (it’s his first time on our stage), while Mustard Seed Theatre fans will remember Peggy Billo from our inaugural production of Remnant and our staged reading of Mother Teresa is Dead. Both she and Richard Lewis were featured in our Tartuffe, and Richard has appeared in many other Mustard Seed shows (Measure for Measure, Fiddler on the Roof, Shadowlands and The Chosen, to name a few.)  Check out our website to see some pics of Richard and Peggy in previous roles.  Can't wait to add Bobby to our gallery!

Okay, I know I promised a middle part but being in the show means I haven't had as much time to write about the show.   Anyway, suffice it to say the the middle part is a mixed bag.
 
The good news is, the cast gets to know each other and we get more comfortable with one another.  This leads to a feeling of security for actors as we try new things for our characters.  Whether it's being able to let go and reveal ourselves in a dramatic emotional scene, or trying a goofy dance or a line change for a laugh - this is where the magic of discovery begins.
 
The bad news is, this is also where we have to learn our lines.  Just when you think you know what you are doing, you have to start doing it without the book in your hand.  Your comfortable, bedraggled, marked up script that has been your friend and constant companion this couple of weeks is being ripped from your trembling hands as you try to do your part(s) from memory!  It doesn't help that this is an adaptation and Deanna frequently comes in and says, "So I have some script changes tonight!"  But "tech week" starts tomorrow and she can't tweak the play too much more.  Anyway, we all take it with a laugh and just keep going.
 
Really, if you like black and white, order and structure - theatre isn't for you.  It's a big mess in the middle part but somehow it ALWAYS comes together.  Some plays are better than others, of course, but to a large extent actors just have to trust the Director and the Process.  I think that's the magic of theatre - a bunch of different people taking a leap of faith together - actors, directors, technical crew and the audience.  Tech week starts tomorrow!

Leslie Wobbe

by Deanna Jent

The power is out and no subways are running in NYC’s West Village, which means that my play FALLING has been “dark” all week. Everyone associated with the show is fine, and there was no damage to the theatre; like many people across the East coast, we wait for electricity to return and the flood waters to recede.

Meanwhile, here at Mustard Seed, we’re rehearsing my adaptation of IMAGINARY JESUS. It’s a joy to be in rehearsal with this group of amazing actors, designers and staff, but this week we hit the “middle part” I referred to in an earlier blog – that point where it really IS work. With 17 actors playing 48 characters moving between 23 different locations, rehearsal now often resembles football practice more than a theatrical endeavor!

But through it all, we continue to play! The journey from the page (hilariously written by Matt Mikalatos) to the stage is an adventure. So far we’ve discovered a couple of new characters (Don’t worry Matt – you’ll love them!) and learned that the actor who needs to say “Apocrypha” can’t make his mouth actually say “Apocrypha” (he’s getting closer – we had “Apocryphia” last night, which is, perhaps, the fear of saying “Apocrypha”?).

So the actors are learning their words, I’m figuring out how to tell the story clearly through action and staging, the lights are being focused, costumes are being built, and the set will be painted on Monday. Sound design and prop design continues, and the Stage Management team diligently organizes and takes care of us all! Creating theatre is an amazingly collaborative process – which is why I love it!

Oh – and two performances are already sold out, with two others nearly sold. Take a look at your calendars and make your reservations now – it’s a great family show for Thanksgiving weekend!