Why are you not seeing this show... TWICE!

"Laundry & Bourbon" and"Lone Star"
Reviewed by Larry Stark
This pair of plays explain each other, document the difficulties of marriage, and the claustrophobic life of small towns like Maynard, Texas (West of Dallas, on the edge of the desert). And it is heartbreaking to watch a solid, solidly directed cast try to do this honest double-show, which depends heavily on "the laughter of recognition", before a scattered, insubstantial audience. There IS a sort of "critical mass" of audience necessary that makes theatrical comedy work, and The Makeshift Theatre Company is working on perhaps the worst week-end of the year: July 3, 5 and 6. If ever a show needed YOU this week-end, this one does.
So, if you love brilliant theate:GO!
Love,===Anon.( a k a larry stark)

SEE THE FULL REVIEW HERE!
http://www.theatermirror.com/LSlonestar.htm

Shows and wiffle ball

Hi folks, we have been going crazy with L&B and LS opening THIS FRIDAY!!!! You heard me right we are opening THIS FRIDAY! I am so impressed with this show. The set, the lights, the performances. Everyone better come out and see this great work of story telling!!! Here are some teaser pictures!!

Dude! Our second prime time show ever!!!

We also had our first wiffle ball game of the season in humid 105 degree weather. Which means every lasted about 4 innings. Mr. Rhodes was ready to go the distance, but the majority of the crowd was clamering ofr hot BBQ and cold beer. So we retired back to the house. Here are the highlights:

We were supposed to play again this weekend but I think we will all be way to pooped after tech week and opening night. Sometimes the wiffle spirit is willing, but the body is a no show.

We also want to say a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs. Anna Waldron and Stephen Libby who ties the knot this past weekend. Although I was not personally envited Mr. Overby and Ms. Em said it was beautiful. YEA!!!!! Enjoy your honey moon kids and we will see you when you get back!

WE LOVE YOU!!

~NERO

Maynard Texas means Good Times

We are into rehearsal for LB & LS!!! And it is looking fantastic! We should promo pictures by the end of next week, so keep an eye out.

We would also like to welcome John sanzi back into the Makeshift fold. The Sanz is our business manager and works as our box office manager for our prime time shows. John had to take a leave of absence for personal reasons, and now we are happy to have him back in the thick of things, YEA SANZ! He was at the Makeshift Offices this weekend doing some planning with Mr. Rhodes and then Ms. EM and Overby came in and we watched SERENITY in surround sound... awesome. After much begging they let me stay and watch as well, I just had to fetch them drinks the whole time.

This coming weekend is WIFFLE BALL WEEKEND (take II) Our first opening day was rained out so this is our make up game, and I hope mother nature works with us this time. It has finally warmed up here in New England, and it's about dern time. We hope to see you there, and if not there will be some video for sure!

The show, The Sanz, Wiffle Ball..... I think there was something else I needed to cover... OH YEAH! we will once again be participating for the Citi Performing Arts Center's CELEBRATE SHAKESPEARE DAY on Boston Common. We will be doing some short skit and will have a booth set up with information about next season and the company. The closer we get to the date I will pass along more information. I like to think of it as out official announcement of next season.

Whew... that's all.... now I am gonna see if Mr. Rhodes will let me play with his new speaker system.... wish me luck.

~The ever lovin' NERO

The folks of Maynard, Texas

The casting is done and we even had our first readthrough for Laundry & Bourbon and Lone Star!!!! i could not attend this one so we are sans pictures, but we have a lot of new people yet again to help fill out our Makeshift Family!!! See official list bellow!

LONE STAR

Roy -- Dave Sanfacon

Ray -- Daniel Schuettinger

Cletius -- Jonathan Overby

LAUNDRY & BOURBON

Elizabeth -- Rachel Dyer

Hattie -- Alexandra Smith

Amy Lee -- Aimee Parkhurst

Cinderella how we shall miss ye...

As promised friends and neighbors here are some Cinderella pictures....

Here is Grafton as Cinderella and Ms. Corbo as one of the mean step sister... I think she played Gwynth. Our evil step sister were named Gwynth and Paltro. We are funny that way!! The step sister ask Cindy to fetch a shoe for... asking her to give her the boot becasue her back has gone out and Cindy is very tempted to give her a boot right in the bum, if ya know what I mean. In the end Cindy keeps her composuer and has to carry Gwynth off stage.

This is Mr. Overby as the prince and the evile step sister and the vile step mother. I think here Mr. Overby is screaming becasue of the smell of Brookes feet. Brooke is the blond step sister who is trying to squeaze her foot into the shoe. That is her usual facial expression even when she is not acting. That's Rachel cheering her on in the back playing the vile step mother, and Corbo again.

I had to find one of the amazing Adrienne Grafton in the dress that our own Deb "the" Shea made!!! There were many ooo's and ahhh's when she walked on stage in her fancy ball gown! You should have seen the kids lining ip to have their picture taken with her after the show! With her is this photo are our story tellers for this show Matt Arnold and Kristen Boucher. You may remember Matt as our prince from Sleeping Beauty, and if you don't know Kristen yet then you need to see more shows and read this blog more often! This is Kristen's 4th show with us as either cast or crewa dn she design's all our posters since Shakespeare Abridged. Also, if you look closely in the back you will see Mr. Vinnie peeking out. He played Abe The Pidgeon, kind the fairl god pidgeon of the story.

CAST AND CREW!

Thanks again to Ms. Victoria Welch and her fantastic camera and skills for the photos! Aslo if any of you guys out there want to be in a show we are looking for mor MEN to sign up for Lone Star auditions!!!

~Nero!

Back on the scene

Hello Loyal Readers!!!!

I have been really busy with all different kind of Makeshift things and drooling over the new Grand theft Auto. Let me apologize for being a bit slack with my blogging duties. Mr. Rhodes is constantly reminding me... The result of all this is that I have mounds of information to pass along to you!!! Lets get started!

~Cinderella! we have one more show!!!! We will be at the Regent Theatre in Arlington this coming Saturday for our final performance of Cinderella and it is also our last performance of our family show season!!! We have had great crowds and many, many new faces! I will have pics form Cinder soon and maybe even some video if I don 't get waylaied by the summer zaly monster.

~India!!! Youo know, the kind with the dots! Makeshift was invited to perform in a theatre festival in India! Yeah, we can't believe it either. We are not sure if we are going to go or not. There are many performance and financia issues with this trip even though most of it would be paid for by the US consolate. Ms. Waldron and Ms. Em are looking into the possibility and seeing if it is possible. I will keep you posted on what traspires. Makeshift Abroad!!! WOOT!

~SEASON IV: yes that is right we have offically announced next season. Are you read for this...

Puss In Boots (Oct)

FIRST NIGHT (Dec.)

Hansel & Gretal (Feb.)

3 Musketeers (Apr.)

GREATER TUNA (Jun.)

As you can see we have our 3 family shows, but we have added a new prime time show in December. We are craaaaaaaaaaaazy!!!!

We also have auditions coming up for Laundry and Bourbon & Lone Star. If you are interested please email Mr. Vinnie!

Whew... that was a lot of information. See you next week with some pictires and possibly some video form Cinderella!

~Nero

Auditions!!

Makeshift Theatre Co.
Announces AUDITION FOR…

Lone Star and Laundry & Bourbon
By James McLure

Makeshift Theatre Co., now in its third season, announces auditions for its upcoming Prime Time Production: Lone Star and Laundry & Bourbon.

Excellent apart, brilliant together, James McClure's two darkly comic one-acts weave the interconnecting stories of three men and three women on one hot summer day in Maynard, Texas. In Laundry & Bourbon, Elizabeth, Hattie, and Amy Lee fold laundry, share gossip, and try to withstand the withering heat and each other. In the companion piece, Lone Star, beer and a 1959 pink Thunderbird convertible draw Ray, Roy, and Cletis together as they while away an evening in their tiny Texas town, but startling revelations threaten to tear them apart.

Seeking 3 Men & 3 Women

Laundry & Bourbon:
Elizabeth Caulder: (Late 20's early 30's) Strong, Sensuous Woman. Intelligent but underdeveloped. Would be capable of handling most men other than her husband Roy. Therein lies the attraction. A woman Devoid of self pity. A forthright person who would call your bluff.

Hattie Dealing: (Late 20's early 30's) A woman whose bluff needs calling. Blowsy, brassy, used to getting her own way. Mother, wife, talker. Has as adage for every occasion. Anything that has gone wrong in her life is Vernon's fault. Vernon is her husband.

Amy Lee Fullernoy: (Mid-late 20's) Bright, sassy, spoiled. Baptist to the teeth. Given to gossip. Life revolves around the country club. An old enemy of Hattie's.

Lone Star:
Roy Caulder: (Late 20's early 30's) Lean, tough, beginnings of a beer gut. Undereducated, belligerent, his army service has nearly given him a since of irony. He voted for Nixon, likes John Wayne movies, and thinks Raquel Welch is a great actress.

Ray Caulder: (Mid-late 20's) Roy's younger brother. He is larger than Roy, slope-shouldered, sloth like, and slow. He has no idea what irony is. Wears a John Deere hat. Probably sleeps in it.

Cletis Fullernoy: (Mid-late 20's) A friend of Ray's. His life should have been terminated in high school. Married the first girl he dated that didn't spit on him. Works in his father's store. Gets lost in the stock room. Has a plastic pocket holder. Sleeps with it.

Auditions will be held on

Monday May 12 and Tuesday May 13

From 7-10pm

@ the Cambridge YMCA in Central Sq.

Auditions will consist of Cold Readings form the script.To Schedule an Audition Time Please Email a current Head Shot and Resume to
Company Manager Vincent Morreale, vinnie@makeshifttheatre.com

Performance Dates Are
June 27th, 29th & 29th
July 3rd, 5th, & 6th

For more information please visit us online at
www.makeshifttheatre.com

YEA BUNNIES!!!!

Hey Everybody!

I hope you had a fantastic Easter weekend. We at Makeshift did as we held out 3rd annual Easter Egg Hunt and BBQ!!! It was a great day for egg hunting and I have many pictures and some video as well!! That is all to come with some CINDERELLA rehearsal pics! Can you believe it opens in 2 weeks!

But, for now Mr. Rhodes is leaving for Florida and Ms. Em and Mr. Overby are going with him which I believe leaves me defacto in charge with lots to do for the upcoming show! I will try not to go all Emperor Palpatine on everybody... MUHAHAHAHA,, MUHAHAHAHAA.

Lord of all he sees,

NERO

Feast, feast, merry, merry

Every year Mr. Rhodes takes us all out to dinner to celebrate making it another year and every year the party has doubled. Technically Makeshift was formed 4 years ago, but we have been producing shows for 3 years. The first party was to say thank you to the cast and crew for making our first 2 shows possibe, and it was dicided we would go to Dick's Last Resort so we who do family theatre could have some grown up fun.... the tradition has contunued.

This year was our largest ever with 11 attendes including Ms.

Waldron, Mr. Vinnie, Ms. Mollie, Mr. Libby, Mr. Overby, Ms. Em, Mr. Rhodes (duh), Mama Coral, The Wolf, and Ms. Vix. these are the people that make Makeshift Theatre run. So many of them are behind the scenes that you may not realize all the work that they do and most of it out of the love of the game, so to say.

Looking around the table I realized all of the new people who have joined us this year andhow much they have ment to the company. Mr. Rhodes said this was going to be a year of growth and change and he was not kidding. I am glad I was here for it instead of traveling around the world with a demented dramaturge. We have added Stage Managers, cheorgraphers, and new desginers, new directors, and so many new actors to our playlist.

So many new people that the only people from the orginal Dinner @ Dicks were Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Overby, Mr. Vinnie, and myself. There were a few people who could not make it including Deb The Shea who has designed every prop and costume for every show we have done for the past 3 years, and Mastro Benge who has given us so much orginal music. this coming weekend will be our annual Easter Egg Hunt and BBQ. It should be a good time as well.

You can see more pics from the party on our myspace page, the link shoul;d be to the right somewhere. Wow, three years and I know we are working on choosing shows for next year and should have a few suprises in store. I can't wait to see what the future holds!!!

Glad to be a part of the team,

~Nero

The cast of CINDERELLA!!

I have been a bit slow on posting this, but the time has finally come...

The cast of Cinderella, adapted by Jack Neary.

Marianne - Adrienne Grafton

Step Mother - Rachel Baum

Gywneth - Jessica Corbo

Paltro - Brooke Nathanson

Whitey - Matt Arnold

Blanche - Kristen Boucher

Abe/Father - Vincent Morreale

Prince - Jon Overby

If Alice in Wonderland was the new kids, this cast are the aging veterans. Directing this time out is Nicole Catalano, who is brand spanking new to MTC. We also have a new SM in Coral Ash. Rehearsal begin in earnest tonight and we open the first Saturday in April.

We also had our 3rd annual Dinner @ Dick's last night which produced some interesting pictures. I will get the info on that up later in the week.

See you soon!

~Nero

COPYRIGHT!!!!

Ok.... I just discovered that the name of the new villian for the up coming Star Trek film will be NERO!

I didn't know JJ Abrams was reading my blog. He also is getting Eric Banna to play me. You can do much better than that... after the HULD and TROY I lost all respect for that dude.

I don't know how to feel about this.... I really don't. I just don't see myself as the villian type. I could eb the funny sidekick for days, the comic relief.

So, JJ if you reading this please call me and I will not sue if you give me a walk on part on LOST...

CALL ME!

~The one and only Nero

Moving right along....

Hey folks...

We are almost finished with Alice in Wonderland, just one more performance to go. We had our final show at the Coolidge today in spite of the snow storm. Thank you to all of those who braved the weather to come see the show. Over 500 people have see the run at the Coolidge! Next week will be our last showing of Alice in Wonderland at the Regent theatre in Arlington. All of you living north of the river have no excuse to not come and see the show. As you can see we had our photo-call with our fabulous photographer, Ms. Victoria Welch.

Mr. Rhodes wanted me to give a big thank you to all of you who came to the Cinderella auditions! The director had some very difficult decisions to make.... I did peek in and I must say that the amount of talent that keeps showing up at our auditions is out standing!!! We thought about adding more shows just to give more people a chance to play with us! We did make our final decisions and our first rehearsal for Cinderella will be next week... before we even close Alice. "CLOSE" means we finish a show. --I was having a chat with some parents during a performance the other day and realized that we sometimes throw theatre jargon around like we expect everyone to understand not realizing that some folks may to be very familiar with theatre terms. So I am gonna try and define terms when I use them in the hopes of providing some education and understanding. Lord know when I go to a mechanic I have no idea what they are saying... most of the time I just nod and wait for the bill.--

So where was I........? OH yeah, we start Cinderella rehearsals next week. I will be posting the cast list next week once we have the first read through. I have all kinds of other things to announce, but I am gonna try and hold on to some information till the next posting. We have some people to congratulate and some old friends to welcome back and the company party to plan!!! I am always

We are very close to deciding on our season for next year... you can expect that announcement in the next couple of months!

Also, don't forget that it's tax season! We just finished our and want to wish everyone many happy returns!! Ba-Dum-Ching! always leave them wanting more....

~Nero

Alice is through the looking glass...

Hey all!

We just finished our second week of Alice and everyone is having a great time, the actors and the audience. There is not a much better combination than that! We have 3 more performances at the Coolidge before we move to the Regent For the March performance. ---Don'y forget the Raffle this coming Saturday!! There will be fun prizes and such!! I will try to take some pictures and video this weekend and have it posted the following day!

In other news we are building up steam with Cinderella. It is always tricky starting one show before one is finished. I know larger theatres have a full time crew and it gets super busy. Though we be small we be mighty!!! Cinderella auditions are coming up quick, so if you are interested send Mr. Vinnie an email. It will be directed by Nicole Catalano, who is making her Makeshift debute! We will also be welcoming a new SM to the ranks, her name is Coral.

That's all the new for now. Tune in later dear readers and I may give out some hints to the shows that are on the short list for next year!!! Yes, we are already planning next year... an ounce of prevention gets early birds and all that.

~Nero

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it!

We are in print laides and gents.... If you can't pick up a copy check this out....

http://www.bostonnow.com/entertainment/theater/2008/01/30/makeshift-makes-theater-for-one-and-all

AUDITION TIME!

Makeshift Theatre Co.

announces
AUDITIONS for…

Cinderella

Adapted by Jack Neary

Makeshift Theatre Co., now in its third season of Saturday morning family shows, announces auditions for it's up coming production of Cinderella. It just might be the world's most beloved fairytale, and Jack Neary's touching adaptation brings warmth and humor to this endearing classic. Cinderella has a good heart, but she'll need a hand if she wants to go to the ball. With the help of some unlikely friends, she just might make it, and get to meet Prince Charming!
Seeking:

We're looking for a strong ensemble cast (20's – 30's) who is willing to take risks and play with physical comedy. 3M, 5F

BLANCHE: dove/narrator; character actor

WHITEY: dove/narrator; character actor

MARIANNE (Cinderella): spunky, awkward, sweet

FATHER/ABE THE TAILOR: played older; character actor.

STEPMOTHER: older; haughty and power hungry

GWYNETH: stepsister; unwieldy

PALTROW: stepsister; precocious

PRINCE: dorky yet charming

Auditions will be February 18th and 19th
7 – 10 PM
@
Cambridge YMCA in Central Sq.

Email head shot and resume to Company Manager Vincent Morreale, vinnie@makeshifttheatre.com, to schedule an audition time.
Auditions will consist of short improvs and cold readings from the script. Please state which day and time you prefer 7:00PM, 8:30PM and be prepared to stay the whole time. Some people may be called back the scond night.

Performance will be April: 5, 12, 19, 20, 26 & May 3

All shows are 10:30 AM.

Rehearsals will be 3 weeknights through March.

www.makeshifttheatre.com

http://www.myspace.com/makeshifttheatre

Alice sneek peek...

I made a promise of video and I am trying to keep it!

We are memorable....

Hi Folks!

If you have been involved with the Boston theatre scene at all for the last 40 odd years then you are familiar with Larry Stark. For those of you who are not familiar with the man I could try to give you a brief history and explain how much he has been involved with Boston theatre, but I don't think my limited typing and spelling skills could do it justice... So I will leave it to the Wiki folks, he has his own Wiki link which I give to you Wiki now... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Stark.

Every year he makes a list of the most memorable shows he has seen and this year WE made that list with out first Prime Time show The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). We came in at #71. [meaning we were the 71st play he saw, note compliments of Ms. Waldron] That's not to shabby for our first time out! here is the link to the list if you want to see what other shows caught his eye!! http://www.theatermirror.com/twtwtw2007.htm

Also... In the coming weeks, during your morning T ride, keep taking peeks into Boston Now. That's all I have been cleared to say at this time or I would have to self destruct this blog... and that would not be good for anyone!

I am all nervous. NERVOUS I TELL YOU! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......

~Nero

New year

Happy New Year everybody.

I am planning a post with all the new and exciting thing that we here at Makeshift have planned for 2008! I have just been putting it off becasue of the awesome new gamage I got for Christmas. But have no fear faithful followers i will be getting this stuff together in the next week.

In the mean time continue building excitment for the opening of Alice In Wonderland!

~Nero

Merry Christmas Everyone!

We at Makeshift want to wish you a Merry Christmas, or what ever holiday you are celebrating!!! We hope you rake in some sweet gifts and spend quality family and loved one time!!!

Staff and Crew of Makeshift Theatre Co.

white everywhere...

Hey folks, It's nothing but snow, snow, and more snow here in Cambridge lately. In soite of the that the december news letter just went out and we had the first rehearsal for Alice in Wonderland. I even have the pictures to prove it! Lets take a look at these now....

This is our own Deb the Shea once again. She was taking measurements of all the actors for the costumes she will be making. You can also see that we are at 29 cedar for the first readthrough. Mr. Rhodes likes to do this becasue it is a nice way to say welcome to our little fmaily. There is usually some food and post rehearsal refreshments... and this time there were Christmas treats! It looks like The Shea will become our offical Costume Mistress in residnce in the new year. You will be able to chek out her infor on the website. She is also selling some of her homemade goodies form her own website http://www.biemodesign.com/ . Check it out!

In this photo you can see everybody diligently looking at their scripts while the Dir. Ms. Waldron takes notes about who will be playing all the ensemble parts. The ansemble is very talented and I personally can not wait to see who will be playing the Mad Hatter and the Cat and all the other crazy charaters. You can alos see our talented Stage Manager Ms. S. D. Wolf. That's just fun to say... Ms. Wolf. HA! There is only one more rehearsal before the holiday break and then the cast will be back for January. You will be able to see some of the artwork at the Coolidge pretty soon! Keep looking iof you are in the area!

Here is another quick shot of the cast getting cozy on the futon. Alos we keep checking the website for updates. We hope to start revamping it little by little as the new year dawns. It just happens to be going just about as slow as the Big Dig. Lucky for us it costs less and is not life threatening. Mr. Vinnie, and Mr. Rhodes are trying to work it out. For those of you who haven't noticed Mr. Vinnie is Makeshift's new Company Manager and is doing a bang up job with all the responsibilites. Plus he is also on WoW so we set up a connection in the office. HAHA I am so glad Mr. Rhodes only checks the blog everyother month or so...

Merry Christmas everybody.... Or what ever holiday you choose to celebrate! Be careful in the snow!

~Nero