The UU Players Blog

Pictures from Oliver!

2009-03-30T09:05:00.001-04:00

Click here to see many photographs from Oliver!

Rehearsals for Oliver!" get underway

2009-01-04T13:34:00.002-05:00

As the first rehearsal for "Oliver!" gets underway in Fiske Hall at the Universalist Church of West Hartford on Fern Street, director Susan Jane Stamme is standing in front of a large semi-circle of actors listening with reasonable attentiveness, except maybe for a few of the more fidgety boys.
Stamme told the assembled cast that it's going to be a good ensemble, with even most of the minor characters playing more than one role and probably getting a line or two besides.
All but two of the roles are cast -- apparently finding someone to play the evil Bill Sykes is a chore -- but things are coming together.
She said the stage show is "not the same" as the Oscar-winning musical that many people have seen on DVD. The scenes are a little different and there won't be as much dancing, of course.
Still, "the story's basically the same," Stamme said.
There's no getting around that the play takes place during "a very, very dark time in England" where the poverty is crippling. Ugly things happen.
But, Stamme said, the challenge is to capture the essence that underlies the tale -- "the grace, the light, the hope for better things. That's what this play is all about."

Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

Lemondrops and raindrops

2008-11-16T15:14:00.005-05:00

Auditions began today for this year's production of "Oliver!.'

Director Susan Jane Stamme had a couple of dozen eager actors on stage to sing about lemondrops falling from the sky -- and to try to catch them with their mouths open wide and their heads tilted back wildly.

It seemed that everyone had fun.

"If you want to be in the play, you'll be in the play," Stamme told the prospective cast members, including many veterans of the UU Players and some new faces, too.

"This is not about looking for an opera star," Stamme said, just good singers with a feel for the stage.

Though we won't know who plays what for awhile yet, it's already clear that "Oliver!" is going to offer a standout cast for a classic musical.

If you want to audition, be at Fiske Hall at the Universalist Church of West Hartford on Tuesday evening.

But in any case, plan on seeing the show in March. It'll be great.

Oliver! hits the stage in March 2009

2008-09-10T21:40:00.000-04:00

The Universalist Players announce its spring production of Oliver!
We enthusiastically welcome back Susan Jane Stamm as Director. New players in third and fourth grade are invited to audition for the chorus. Returning children and adults may audition for principle roles.Anyone interested in auditioning for the role of Oliver should prepare aslow ballad to sing at the audition. *Auditions will be held on Sunday, Nov. 16th, 1-3 PM and Tuesday,Nov. 18th, 7-9PM, in Fiske Hall.
*Want to get involved behind the scenes? The Production Committee is
seeking new members. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Lanza,Gretchen Fountain, Amy Barr-Saxena or Lisa Smith-Horn.

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

New blog to discuss church's plan to eliminate most music programs

2008-04-02T12:09:00.002-04:00

Since I know I am not alone in my confusion about the seemingly inexplicable proposal to eliminate most of the music programs at our church, I set up a blog today to help facilitate discussion about the idea. Here’s the web address: http://westhartforduu.blogspot.com.

Anyone who would like to contribute posts to the blog – no matter what your position – is more than welcome to do it, as long as the tone is respectful to our shared community. Just send me whatever you’d like to post and I’ll post it. You can also add comments to any blog entry by clicking on the comments line at the end. I have to approve them before they will show up, though, so that I can make sure nothing is posted from spammers.

I’d love especially to hear from those of you have solid information about what’s been proposed and why. It’s easier to talk about a plan when we know for sure what it is.

My understanding is that we’re having a meeting in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. Sunday to discuss this between services. I’d strongly urge everyone who wants to preserve our music program to be there.

Thanks,

Steve Majerus-Collins

Many new pictures on the uuplayers.org site

2008-03-29T20:09:00.004-04:00

The troupe's website -- www.uuplayers.org -- has been updated to include lots of new photographs (and more) of the show. Check 'em out!

Charlotte's Web poster

2008-03-22T22:37:00.003-04:00

If you'd like to print off this poster and put it up somewhere, please do! Here's the link to download it.

Play is coming together. Whew!

2008-03-22T21:28:00.003-04:00

After today's long rehearsal, Duncan, our director, said that things are coming together at last.
That's always a relief.
There is no rehearsal on Easter Sunday, but Heck Week is coming on fast. Beginning with Friday's rehearsal, the cast and crew will be there daily until the final curtain.
The show times are 7 p.m. Friday, April 4 and 1:30 on both Saturday, April 5th and Sunday, April 6th. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. They can be purchased each of the next two Sundays at the Universalist Church's coffee hours or at the door.
If anyone is interested in purchasing an advertisement in the play program for a business or to say break a leg to a loved one, please don't wait. You can find more information about the ads on the website at www.uuplayers.org.

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Buy an ad in the "Charlotte's Web" program!

2008-03-02T21:00:00.001-05:00

Interested in advertising in the play program?

Click here for PDF of 2008 advertising order package for "Charlotte's Web"

To give you an idea of what to expect from the final ad book, here's a PDF of the 2007 program book

If you'd like buy an ad, you should print and fill out completely the first page of this year's ad order package and send it in to the church (433 Fern St., West Hartford, CT 06119 - Attention: Jackie Majerus-Collins) with a check made out to the Universalist Church of West Hartford. Questions? Send an email to uuplayers@gmail.com.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Rehearsal cancelled for Friday, Feb. 22nd

2008-02-22T14:00:00.001-05:00

Tonight's rehearsal is cancelled because of the weather. Everyone in the cast should be there Sunday. Thanks!

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

This week's news update from the UU Players Committee

2008-02-11T08:27:00.000-05:00

Salutations! This week the messages in Charlotte's Web were...

COSTUMES
We are turning people into animals, and we need some more help! Costume Queen Amy is feeling a sense of desperation here... she needs people to paint feathers on muslin on hooded capes that will become four sets of wings, wings to be sewed, "wool," or something that looks like it drawn or sewn on the sweatsuits for sheep, hoods for sheep and piggie heads, and other creative issues. We have some good souls lined up to do some of this work, but we need more!! Please, if you can, let Amy know. You can work during rehearsal time if you like, while watching the action and help put a sparkle back in her cheesy costume crown.

TECH
Sam the Man says nothing new, dudes.

PROPS
The scavenger hunt continues for props maven Cindy. She's searching for a air rifle with a Western look -- a toy, please, Kiernan is going to have it in his clutches! -- as well as a straw broom, a smoking pipe for tobacco and an oversized baby bottle (she says they're sometimes given as coin banks at baby showers) and oversized plastic insects, especially flies. YUM! The bugs are for Charlotte's breakfast, but don't blame her. It's the way she's made.

CAST AND CREW SHIRT ORDERING DEADLINE IS FRIDAY AT REHEARSAL.....

MISSING YOUR SCORE? We have one someone left behind. Jackie has it and will be at rehearsal Friday.

That's all, folks!
The UU Players Committee

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Singing on the stage

2008-02-10T17:42:00.001-05:00

This afternoon, the cast practiced the "Welcome to the Zuckerman Barn" scene, Wilbur and Charlotte's "Salutations" scene, and "Breakfast at the Arables."

Here are some photographs, courtesy of Mary Majerus-Collins:

Above is the cast on stage this afternoon. Below is Naomi, playing the Lamb.

This week's group email

2008-02-04T10:33:00.000-05:00

Salutations!
Here's what I saw written in Charlotte's web this week...

TEE SHIRTS AND HOODIES
Response to the VERY CUTE cast/crew shirt offer has been lackluster thus far... we can only figure that people have forgotten about it or didn't realize the deadline was upon us. We are extending the deadline, as right now we can't even make an order without losing money. That means we have to sell some shirts or we won't be able to have them, as losing money is not in our interest! Long-sleeved, 100 percent cotton shirts are $16 and 50-50 cotton-poly hoodies are $25. Don't miss out! Cindy Wilbur is taking orders: lunadaughter@comcast.net, or 677-2135. Help your theater troupe by taking part in this fundraiser, by advertising the show on your fabulous self AND dress in style at the same time!!!

COSTUMES
Amy asks that you keep looking through your closets for '50s-era clothes. She also needs people who can sew to take on small projects -- any kind of sewing is appreciated -- machine or by hand. She needs people to make some wings and draw on fabric to make the animal costumes. Thanks to Ellen, we have a sewing machine, but... she needs someone who knows how to use it! HELLLLP!!!

TECH
Sam says, "Stay incognito for now."

WEB (www.uuplayers.org)
Steve M-C says, "Send me those photos! Add something to the blog!"

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Pictures from 2001's "The Almost Just-So Stories"

2008-01-31T15:24:00.000-05:00

In 2001, the UU Players put on the world premier of Rebecca Wright's "The Almost Just-So Stories." Below are some pictures from the production:

Cast surrounds Rebecca Wright, who wrote the musical.

If you can identify the characters and actors in any of the pictures above, please comment below so we can add the information. Thanks!

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Weekly news from the UU Players

2008-01-27T21:44:00.000-05:00

For information about rehearsal schedules, cast members should check their email!

TEE SHIRTS!
Don't miss out on the cast and crew tee shirt! This is a fundraiser for our group, and a keepsake for you! The order form will also be available at rehearsal on Friday and Sunday at coffee hour and rehearsal. The deadline is Sunday, so don't delay! Thanks for your support! If you can't make it in over the weekend, you can contact Cindy Wilbur at lunadaughter@comcast.net.

COSTUMES!
We need a sewing machine, and optimally, a portable one! Can anyone help with this? We need a machine that can be used at church.
Our play is set in the 1950s. We need farm clothes and fairgoer clothes. Overalls, button down short sleeve shirts, sundresses for the fair, jeans, rubber boots or work boots, sandals, other fifties-era clothes and footwear.
We're still figuring out the animals. They may be solid color sweats, so please check your closets! Thanks very much!
Contact Amy Barr-Saxena for more information or with offers to help: barrsaxam@gmail.com or 232-3435

BLOG
Our blog is accessible through the website -- www.uuplayers.org -- and the webmaster Steve M-C is looking for contributors! If you've taken photos or have something to say about rehearsals, the show, past UU Players experiences, please chime in!

FACEBOOK
There have been some questions about the Facebook page that our enterprising Wilbur (Sam Kauffman) set up for the UU Players, mostly from adults who haven't ever been on Facebook. Don't worry! You can look at it if you like (looking requires registration with Facebook) but no one is required to read the Facebook page or set up a Facebook account. It's just something nice that Sam did for the troupe and it should help generate some interest among the teen Players and their pals, which is great for us! The Facebook page is separate from our website and blog, which can be accessed by anyone who goes online.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Mastering some pretty tough music

2008-01-27T21:16:00.000-05:00

UU Players gathered in Fiske Hall to rehearse on Sunday afternoon.

After taking the stage Friday night for the first time -- for a few minutes anyway -- the cast focused on singing at Sunday afternoon's rehearsal. Duncan, our director said that "Charlotte's Web" has some of the toughest music that the troupe has ever tackled. That's the bad news. The good news is that Duncan is convinced the cast can handle the challenge. Whew!

More of the cast trying to master the music!

And here's Duncan and Sherry, our assistant director, paying rapt attention:

Finally, here's Sam, who's playing Wilbur in this year's production:

Thanks to Mary Majerus-Collins for taking photographs today!

Cast List for "Charlotte's Web"

2008-01-23T21:02:00.000-05:00

1st fairgoer -Grace Luipold
1st spectator- Daniel Padberg-Bartoo
1st spider - Abby Connor
1st woman at fair -Elizabeth Narwold
2nd fairgoer - Wesley Saxena
2nd spectator -Mary Majerus-Collins
2nd spider - Christine Tulikangas
2nd woman at fair - Maggie Brown
3rd Fairgoer - Connor Brown
3rd spider -Morgan Levitt
Announcer - Bobby Iwerson
Avery (Brother) - Kiernan Majerus-Collins
Barker at fair - Alex Healy
Bat -Avery St. Germain
Charlotte - Sara Conner
Concessionaire - Katie Konigsberg
Doctor - Dick Brigham
Edith (Aunt) - Lisa Smith-Horn
Farmer with potato at fair - Brianna Meredith
Fern - Delaney Wilbur
Gander - Andrew Krebsbach
Goose - Phoebe Evans
Homer (Uncle) - Bill Meredith
John (Dad) - Ron Porta
Judge - Sam Palczewski
Lamb - Naomi Padberg-Bartoo
Lurvy/Livvy (Farmhand) - Kayla Lanza
Martha (Mom) - Jen Krebsbach
Official at fair - Natalie Padberg-Bartoo
Owl - Wesley Saxena
Photographer - Kasey Miller
Reporter - Gabriella Smith-Rosario
Sadie - Joyce Schirm
Scantily clad woman - Wendy Kaufman
Sheep - Alaina Monts
Spelling Girl - Sarah Healy
Templeton - Steve Theaker
Uncle (Aunt) - Sandee Kush
Wilbur - Sam Kaufman
Woman - Olivia Poriello

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

UU Players stakes out space on Facebook

2008-01-20T16:32:00.000-05:00

Sam Kauffman, who's playing Wilbur in the current production of Charlotte's Web, set up a Facebook page for the group today. Take a look at it here, if you can, and sign on as a friend if you're a Facebooker.
Way to go, Sam. Let's spread the word everywhere we can.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Starting to sound like a show

2008-01-13T22:15:00.000-05:00

The beginnings of a show are starting to come together.
Director Duncan Bockus called the whole cast to rehearse again today and focused on songs, but not before providing more inspiring words and some encouraging information.
Artist Maude Cronkite, who has worked on sets for the UU Players in the past, is back again, Duncan told the cast. He said she will be designing the set for Charlotte's Web and doing the painting.
"Maude is a wonderful artist," Duncan raved, adding that she now has her own studio in Hartford and will be doing most of the work there.
Duncan tried to explain that Maude's work will be able to be changed for various scenes and will look "like a bamboo curtain" in how it is displayed -- a task he left to Sam Lanza, tech czar. Sam tried to figure out how the heck he was going to pull that one off.
Duncan also announced that Kim Richard, a talented choreographer who has worked on many UU Players productions, will once again help the cast get all their dancing feet moving in the right direction.
The return of Maude and Kim was music to our ears, but Duncan didn't stop with announcements. He praised the group, telling them they were great last week. Then he put them to work on the music.
Most of the people hadn't seen any of the music until today, but UU Players Committee member Gretchen Fountain, who was listening, sounded pleased when she said it was starting to sound "like a show."
The songs are tougher than expected, though. Veterans, including Steve Theaker, agreed that the music is tricky.
"It's a learning process for everybody," said Duncan. "We're gettin' there. It's a process that is going to take some time."
Nobody worked harder today than pianist Julie Rockmore, who is longing for a second pianist to help share the joy -- and the burden -- of playing the challenging score.
Anybody know a willing and able pianist looking for a way to make the world a better place through theater?

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

What A Mornin'

2008-01-12T08:35:00.001-05:00

"Mornin' ... mornin' ... what a mornin'."
And with that, from the show's first line, many of the play's main characters gathered for rehearsal last night began to sing "Charlotte's Web" together.
Duncan Bockus, the director, had the cast sing together to get the hang of the show. Nobody had to pull off a first-night solo, to Phoebe's relief.
Scores were handed out to some of the cast members who have a lot to learn. Sam Lanza, one of the members of the committee that oversees the UU Players, warned everyone not to write anything more than a few notes in light pencil on the scores because the books need to be sent back to the publisher in April without damage.
A full cast rehearsal is slated for Sunday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m.
It looks like everything is coming together quickly. Hopefully, a few minor issues can get worked out Sunday so that a full cast list can be released.
As an aside, anyone connected to the UU Players is encouraged to write about their thoughts and experiences for this blog. Pictures are also welcome. Let's pull together to produce an ongoing record of what we're doing!

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

The first day of the new show

2008-01-06T14:33:00.000-05:00

The cast for Charlotte's Web is all set -- though it was nip and tuck until the last minute -- and we're ready for another great musical production.
Duncan Bockus is back as the director after a two-year hiatus. He's been at the helm for many of the group's best shows over the years.
Today, with the cast surrounding him in folding chairs, Duncan told everyone what to expect from him.
He said he wants the actors to show imagination on stage, to try things and to make the characters their own.
"Every line," Duncan said, "you have to find out what's important in that line" and make it come alive.
"Every one of you has that capability," he said.
Duncan warned that he's sometimes a little gruff.
"I'm going to pick on you like nobody ever has," he warned, but not because he's mean-spirited.
Instead, he said, it's about doing the best possible job to make the show sing.
"I want every one of you to feed off each other's energy and joy," Duncan said.
The new assistant director, Sherry Williams, a 30-year veteran of teaching junior high school drama, got in the spirit as well.
"This is a magical kind of effort we do," she said. "That's what we create here."
After the introductions, and getting a quick overview of the group and the way it runs, the cast began the first reading of the show.