Ethan, Darren, and Tim attempt to perform Othello, despite lacking the proper pigmentation.

Today was interesting since we got moved around between two studios but we worked on Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet.

We are styling and profiling with our Shakespeare pants.

-Lisa (Stage Manager)

Darren (looking slightly reminiscent of Neo from "The Matrix") went out to do some prop shopping, and managed to almost get thrown out of the costume shop after inappropriately fondling the merchandise.  

Today we only went to 10 since everyone was exhausted today, allowing Darren to make an hour earlier train!  But on the up side we are officially blocked up to page 68.  There is a much deserved 2 days off now.

In line with our new sexual harrasment policy, Darren needs some closed boxers for the Hamlet scene.  It'll save everyone a little embarrasment.

-Lisa (SM)

We finished blocking the play until page 58, while nothing is set in stone.  We got a lot done even though everyone seemed a little tired.  Darren even showed up without being called for the day.  The show has even given me a reason to watch Project Runway since we are changing a line to give away the week's designer voted off.

-Lisa (Stage Manager)

NJR revisits a childhood memory.  Who knew "Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show" would have such long lasting implications on us?  Who knew it was Canadian, too?

Ethan took a camera around with him for the first day of rehearsal to catch some of those "creative moments" that happen when you put some serious-minded artist types together in a rehearsal room.  This is what he gave us back:

Ethan and I got to the bar around 4:00 to check in on final preparations for the event (thanks to the understanding of both of our respective day jobs). Third "floor" of Red Sky Bar is actually their rooftop. It's adorned with party lights, orange drapery, and is somewhat reminiscent of the wedding sequence from Monsoon Wedding. Aside from a large construction site directly opposite, it's actually pretty scenic and was perfect for the event. When we got there, Wes and Less Than Treason were already on site, and after a quick search for some extension cord, we were in business.

Started out the night with a few close friends coming from work, and the crowd swelled up soon thereafter. Tim brought a few friends from work, and Darren made his 2.5 hour commute from eastern Long Island just for the event. Also from the production team, Kristina Curatolo (props) and Heather Caulfield (publicity) soon joined as well.

Around 7:30, Less Than Treason kicked things off with two songs, and Ethan got up to the mic to make the official welcome. I'd tell you what he said, but I'd been derailed by a cocktail and a conversation in the bar downstairs. I hugged him later, and told him everything was going to be alright.  He seemed confused.

The show went 'till 9 o'clock when we wrapped up and made our respective ways home. All in all, it was a great time. For the cast, it was the first time Darren, Tim and Ethan all got to hang out together in a relaxed setting, and it was really something to see our friends come out to support the show. Though this is the only official drink-up/fundraiser for the show, we certainly enjoyed the chance to raise a glass with friends, and would be glad to do so some time in the near future, perhaps post-rehearsal or park performance.

Thanks to very much to all who came, and catch you soon,

- Rob

We've started working to develop some of the publicity posters that we would like to use for the show.  So far they center around the "Che Shakespeare" image we have been using thus far to keep things simple for continuity sake.  However, we were able to (hopefully) keep things fresh with the different looks.

Having spent some serious time looking over all of Shakespeare's characters and motivations, we decided we would partake in the general enthusiasm towards sports and create a fantasy draft for Shakespearean characters, nominating the ideal actor or actress to play each role.  After several long nights of excel spreadsheets and tears, we are happy to present our findings to you:

Leading male: Ole Leonardo di Caprio - as far as the comedies go, none of Shakespeare's leading males have to be good at acting.  In fact, many of the roles are just place holders for plot development.  We find that this matches very well with Leo's skill set - just look pretty.
Leading female: Young Leonardo di Caprio - as all female roles were played by boys during Shakespeare's era, we thought it would be best to take a traditional approach and cast a youthful Leo in this role.  It's hard to say when exactly he shed his boyish charm in place of a leading male look (although some would say they are still waiting for this transition), but one thing is for sure, the screeching pubescent voice of the Titanic Leo is exactly what we need to pull this casting off.
Jealous angry black man: Samuel L. Jackson - we think this pretty much stands on it's own.
Guy that looks like girl: Ryan Phillipe
Girl that looks like guy: Hillary Swank
Angsty Teenager (male): Owen Wilson (suicidal angst), Michael Serra (loveable angst), Paul Dano (emo angst) - this was a tough one, and hence the three way tie.  Each actor has a unique approach to the "angsty teenager" role that we couldn't pass on.  Michael Serra offers a loveable angst that manifests itself as a stuttering, bumbling, affectionate "you're such a great friend that I have no interest in sleeping with" way.  Paul Dano presents the quintessential emo angst that would rival even the most depressed NYU student or Williamsburg hipster.  His performance in Little Miss Sunshine made even the most pacifistic hipsters want to join the airforce so they could have the opportunity to be even more miserable than they already are.  Owen Wilson: this was a wildcard.  Because of age you'd think that he wouldn't have made the cut, but rest assured he's the black horse not to be overlooked.  The fact that Owen Wilson had so much angst that he actually attempted to kill himself makes him the perfect candidate for the part.  Sure, he's a little old, but we think some true magic could happen if you put him on stage (with a razor blade).
Angsty Teenager (female): That Girl from "Juno." - we apologize for not knowing her name, nor taking the time to look it up.  We didn't like her enough in Juno to really pay attention to her as anything other than "that pregnant chic in that movie that Michael Serra was in."
Hamlet: Kenneth Branagh - self important, attention hungry, whiny.
Ophelia: Angelina Jolie - both Ophelia and Angie are crrrr-aaazy (she used to carry around a vial of Billy Bob Thorton's blood for Christ's sake!). 
Macbeth: James McAvoy - he's the only Scottish actor we know...or at least he played a Scottsman in that movie with Forrest Whitaker (that guy is sweet).
Lady Mcbeth: Glen Close - scariest actress known to mankind.
Idiot Savante: Zach Braff - funny in an "I'm surprised you can actually form a sentence" sort of way.  We find ourselves laughing with/at him and wondering "why?"  It's not that he isn't funny, he's quite funny, we just don't know why that is.
Falstaff/Bottom: John Goodman - he's damn funny.
Talentless Clown (who dies): Adam Sandler
King: George Clooney - he's the king of hollywood (and womanizing) so why not be the king?
Prince: Brad Pitt - what sucks most about being prince is that you are second fiddle to the king, like a little sidekick that is always one step behind the big man.  True to form, with Clooney as king, we had to put Pitt as prince.  Don't worry Brad, Hal got his chance too.