Last summer Milwaukee experienced, for the first time, free of charge to the audience …

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

Audiences loved it.

Saw the performance today – magnificent …  Hope you are able to find the means to continue this venue.  We drove an hour to get there and would do it over and over again.  Thanks to everyone involved….

- Miles & Barbara Capron

I think you might want to take a moment to consider the joy that your efforts generated. Prospero may have discarded his staff, but the final spell was cast by Optimists, and hundreds of grateful theater-goers and artists are still experiencing its uplifting charms! Join them.

– Lee Ernst

Critics loved it.

Optimist Theatre’s ‘Tempest’ a profile in stage courage, heart

- Headline, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Optimist Theatre’s performance of “The Tempest” gave the state an intoxicating taste of free Shakespeare outdoors.

- From “Wisconsin Theatre Evolving”, Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

So we’re doing it again, and we want you to be part of it.

AN INVITATION…

We invite you to enjoy an evening of entertainment at a fundraiser to benefit free Shakespeare in the Park that we’re calling …

PLAY ON!

“If music be the food of love, play on!”

Twelfth Night, Act I Scene i

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Reception at 7:00 pm / Show at 8:00 pm

Alverno College in the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center

3400 S. 43^rd Street – Milwaukee, WI  53234

Parking is free and plentiful

Event admission is $35 per person ($20 per person tax deductible)

To purchase your admission please visit CLICK HERE to visit our Paypal page …

If you are unable to attend, please consider a 100% tax deductible donation by CLICKING HERE.

Entertainment Highlights

Our evening of Play will include a fabulous silent auction, snacks and drinks, snippets from Twelfth Night (watch for Mr. James Pickering* and Mr. Tom Reed*), and entertainment from:

Molly Rhode and Chase Stoeger – From the Skylight Opera to American Folklore Theatre, Molly and Chase are perennial audie nce favorites.  For “Play On!”, they bring wit, character, and show-biz style to an entertaining variety of show tunes and comic songs.

Radio WHT – Frequently heard on WMSE 91.7FM and seen at the Alchemist Theatre, Radio WHT brin gs contemporary laughs to “olde tyme” radio drama.  www.radiowht.com

Women who Can’t Sing - The Tempest’s spellbinding Ariel, Angela Iannone*, will be joined by Tami Workentin and pianist David Bonofiglio for musical numbers that make great theatre.

Patrick Schmitz – Master of improv, sketch comedy, and stand-up, Patrick will be our Master of Ceremonies.  In addition to keeping things moving and making us laugh, he’ll run a series of games to challenge your trivia knowledge and other skills.  Big laughs and small prizes are guaranteed.  “Play On!” indeed!

Doktor Kaboom! – Played by national performing artist David Epley, Doktor Kaboom will play with science, creating a series of entertaining, explosive, and occasionally successful experiments.  Watch for Doktor Kaboom on his DVD release “Don’t Try This at Home” and an upcoming graphic novel.   www.doktorkaboom.com

To learn more and purchase tickets for “Play On!”, visit OptimistTheatre.org, or contact Managing Director Susan Scot Fry at SSFry@OptimistTheatre.org or 262/498-5777 or Artistic Director, Ron Scot Fry at RSFry@OptimistTheatre.org or 262/498-9788.

Have a brilliant evening and thank you for helping bring free Shakespeare in the Park to Milwaukee.

Optimistically,

Susan Scot Fry

Managing Director

* Members of Actors Equity Association

I suppose there would have been a poetry of sorts to start Twelfth Night auditions on the 6th of January, but we just can’t wait.

Looks like we’ve got a full audition roster today.  Last year, I had no idea what to expect.  As the cycle starts to repeat I’m going to go out on a limb and make some predictions.

Prediction 1:  Personal cognitive dissonance will set in as I get to experience professionally run auditions and I’m not the one running them.  All I need to do is show up with my note pad and this handy expanding file for keeping track of headshots and resumes.  Wow.  Thank you, Mr. Tom Reed.  You’re amazing.

Prediction 2:  My mind will be blown by the depth and range of the talent we will see.  I love and admire my friends in the Chicagoland theatre world, but will happily stack up Milwaukee area talent.

Prediction 3:  I will again be amazed at Tom Reed’s near photographic memory of audition pieces.  After watching numerous actors and actresses, there’s that delightful part of the process where you start mixing and matching for the best cast combinations.  This is when I have to pull out headshots, resumes and notes to refresh my memories.  Not, Tom.  He’s got everyone in his head and it’s almost like magic.

Looking forward to it.

Optimistically,

Susan Scot Fry

Our good friends at Bunny Gumbo are cooking up another installment of their venerable tradition, “Combat Theatre”.  In an act of sheer cowardice, Optimist Theatre’s Artistic Director, Ron Scot Fry, will once again be directing.  Cowardice?  It was either direct or act and acting is far too intimidating.  The actors in “CT” all deserve purple hearts.

Anyhoo…  Here’s the blurb with all the info you need to know – straight from the Bunny Gumbo mouth, Mr. Jim Fletcher.

Hope to see you all there.

It’s the Year of the Bunny, baby!

2011 marks the Year of the Bunny and your favorite theatre company isn’t one to let something like that pass by lightly.  Bunny Gumbo starts the year off right by presenting not one, but two Combat Theatres. Our regular version of Combat takes place at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center on January 14^th and 15^th, but a week earlier, you can catch the high school version, Combat Boot Camp at the Waukesha Civic Theatre on January 8^th

For the uninitiated, Combat Theatre challenges eight playwrights, eight directors and 30 actors to bring 16 original scripts from initial concept to performance before a live audience – in only 24 hours.  Topics, locations, directors and actors are all, literally, “pulled from a hat.”  There is no advanced preparation, no warning, no mercy – just instinct, ability and raw talent on display. The outcome of the process is a wide variety of 15-minute works that range from admirable to brilliant.  And while the Boot Campers get slightly longer to prepare, they are no slouches when it comes to entertainment.

Combat Theatre is Friday and Saturday, January 14th and 15th, at 8 pm at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut (on the corner of Walnut and MLK.)  Tickets are $18 each and are available at the door only.  Or buy the weekend package and see both nights for only $30.

Combat Boot Camp is Saturday, January 8^th, at 7 pm at the Waukesha Civic Theatre, 264 West Main Street, Waukesha.  Tickets are only $8.  Call their box office at 262-547-0708 or visit their web site: www.waukeshacivictheatre.org

Combat Theatre involves the best writers, directors, and actors Milwaukee has to offer.  Those wishing to attend are advised to arrive early as previous installments of Combat have sold out quickly.

The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center is a collaboration of First Stage Children’s Theatre and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.

For more information about Bunny Gumbo, write to bunnygumbo@wi.rr.com or visit our website: www.bunnygumbo.com

Shakespeare in the Park is a labor of commitment and our love.  It is the distillation of all the good we can help bring to the Milwaukee area and deserves the life that a couple thousand people have already poured into it.  It is a newborn with  potential beyond that of any one individual.  It is not me, Ron, Tom, TJ, ML, Jim, Amanda, Jenni… any one person.  It’s you and me and all of us.

Shakespeare in the Park is extremely expensive and Ron and I are out of personal capitol to put into it.  We have fundraising ideas and are on the verge of kicking those into gear.  This is Part A of What’s Next.

Shakespeare in the Park needs feet on the ground and hands in the mixing bowl.  Many people have said, “I want to help.”  Email me at SSFry@OptimistTheatre.org if you still mean it.  We’ve got some stuff for you to do.  Don’t be afraid.  I will bet you’ll like it.  The coming cold months, when we start to hunker indoors, are the perfect time to get directly involved.

Optimistically,

Susan Scot Fry

Greetings Optimists!

Tonight, we have another round of “What Play Should We Do Next Year?”  Most days, that’s a great game to play on it’s own merits, but tonight might just answer that question.

As Managing Director, my perspective is different than that of the creative team of Ron, Tom, Jim and ML.  I speak Artist and love a spirited debate, but my required input now revolves more around, “Yeah, I think we could sell that.”

Early days, I was in the thick of the creative decisions of this sort.  It was great.  I loved it.  It’s tiring.  Now, I have the luxury of getting the heck out of the way of the professionals.  And kibitzing.  I’ve gotta be me.

I’m really looking forward to tonight’s discussion.  We’ve narrowed it down to 2 possibilities and are even starting to consider who we will ask to direct.  With the calibre of people we’re talking about, that’s almost as mind-bendingly cool as deciding which play.

Stay tuned…

Optimistically,

Susan Scot Fry

It’s 1:00 in the morning, I’ve got a car full of Tribe leather and Ron’s delivering the Full Fathom Four piano.  The cast of The Tempest is might still be at Omega nomming on burgers and french toast.  I just discovered a surprise donation in the box.

Set the alarm for 7 am so we can get back to Alverno for strike tomorrow.

Life’s good.

In the mixed blessing category, I need to highlight a snag that some of our patrons for The Tempest have encountered…

Summerfest Traffic.

(insert the appropriate ominous music here)

At points, music fans on their merry way to the Big Gig are using the same routes as those wonderful folke on their way to Alverno College and so we had a few people show up late to the performance last night.  Everyone got in, but…

Please give yourself EXTRA TIME to get to Alverno.  If you arrive early, you’ll simply have more time to relax on the grass and enjoy your picnic and a beverage.

See you tonight!

Optimistically,

Susan Scot Fry

“A hit, a very palpable hit.”

Through temperatures and tempests.  On glorious, mild and star-spangled eve’s.  The cast and crew of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest brought it.

Huge kudos and thanks to all the goodly folke who created and came this past weekend.  The feedback in person and via email has been glorious and gratifying.  A a grateful speck in the big scheme, it’s imperative that I share this cache of happiness with you all.

Here’s what people have said…

Updated and added to 7-8-10:

My daughter & I really had a wonderful evening for your first ever FREE Shakespeare in the Park………ALFRED AND LYNN WOULD BE SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU   (ck out the story on who may have  really authored all of W S work)   THANKS AGAIN AND SEE YOU AGAIN!!!!!

A friend and I enjoyed the Tempest at Alverno last evening.  The tribe was fantastic as was the entire cast.  We certainly hope that you are able to continue doing this wonderful evening entertainment for years to come.

Thank you for sponsoring such a wonderful event.  Bravo!

Wonderful evening. So glad we took the time to come out. Thank you so much.

Susan,  What a charming, divine rendering of the Tempest!  Of course, I was enchanted by the revels of Ariel and Prospero.  The words of the Bard lept off the page in their hands/feet and I was captivated.  Even being the first public show, it was an engaging company performance, as well.    Certainly the weather even helped give the island aura.  Bravo to all!  Not the least of which is your clear and expert handling of tickets and directions.  Many blessings for the rest of the run.

Saw the performance today – magnificent.  A bit warm, but that was not in your conrol.  Everything from the staging (simple but used well), costume design, talent, etc was a joy.  Hope you are able to find the means to continue this venue.  We drove an hour to get there and would do it over and over again.  Thanks to everyone involved…

Congratulations on this wonderful achievement. I do hope you can enlarge your schedule next year.

Dear Milwaukee,

Thank you for wanting to come see The Tempest.  At this point in time, all reserved seating for all 9 performances has been booked solid.

There are a few options.

Waiting List

Get on the waiting list for reserved seating.  If someone cancels their reservation, we’ll reserve the seat for you in the order your name appears on the list and notify you via email.  Please email me at SSFry@OptimistTheatre.org if you would like this option.  RSVP seats released within 6 hours of the performance will be made available to walk-in seating.

Walk-in Seating

When you arrive at Alverno College, add your name to the walk-in list and 15 minutes prior to curtain, we will release any unclaimed RSVP’s to walk-ins in the order received.  We cannot create a waiting list for walk-in seating.  It is limited to persons who are actually on site at the time the seats are unclaimed.

(My opinion… I think this is your BEST BET.  It’s not uncommon for RSVP’s for free tickets to go unclaimed at a last minute decision.  I suggest you be optimistic and take your chances and hedge your bets with a lawn chair.)

Lawn Seating

There are some small, grassy areas in the courtyard where a limited number of walk-ins are welcome to set up lawn chairs to view the performance.  Visibility is slightly limited and we recommend lawn chairs instead of blankets as the grass can be a bit wet.  Sign up at the RSVP table for lawn space and those spaces will be allocated then and there up to the limit allowed by the fire marshal.

A few other thoughts.  We are eternally grateful for the outpouring of support and desire to see this production and wish we could extend the performance to accommodate all requests.  Unfortunately, although Shakespeare in the Park is free to the audience, it’s not free to produce so we don’t have the option to extend this year.

I’m very sorry for the inconvenience and if we aren’t able to help you see The Tempest this year, we hope for an even longer run next season.  Join the Optimist Theatre mailing list and be the first to hear next year.

Optimistically,

Susan Scot Fry

Managing Director

Angela Iannone is solidly in the ‘makes my mouth hang open’ category.  It’s getting closer to show opening, so I’m not able to make it to every rehearsal.  When I do, it’s a joy to see what’s happened and where this cast has gone.

The cast started integrating the live music into the performance this week.  As Ariel, Angela is right in the thick of things.  It’s got to be frustrating, all the stops and starts, but they keep at it.  Anyway, one of the pieces they were working last night is the masque.  I had seen it without the music and at various phases in development and already had an appreciation for where it was going.  Last night, I looked up from my program proof and there was Angela on stage.  Her physical embodiment of Ariel playing a goddess was delicious, precise and sublime.  I swear, I forgot to breathe.

The answer to “How can she do that?” is obvious.  It’s years of training and dedication combined with natural physical gifts and discipline.  It doesn’t stop me from asking.

RSVP’s for The Tempest are rolling in very, very quickly.  I believe that I’ll be sending the ‘very sorry, but we’re SRO’ email responses quite soon.

I hope you get to see it.

Optimistically,

Susan Scot Fry