Ch-ch-ch Changes . . .

Things are always changing here at Imagination Theater! I'm amazed at how Lanny and Peter can juggle everything. It's enough to make my head spin (that's another post!) I wanted to give you the update of the latest update for Beauty and the Beast. Originally scheduled for December 2009 - January 2010, we had hoped to change it to November/December 2009 (similar to the Wizard of Oz schedule). After pleading our case (to those that hold the rights and make the decisions), we now have the dates of the show:

Opens: Friday, December 4
Closes: Sunday, December 27

It is a full schedule. (Shows are not scheduled between Dec 22-25)

"Dressers" Needed for Greater Tuna

No, we aren't talking about furniture! This fall, IT! will be producting the comedy Greater Tuna. (Shhhh, we're not advertising it yet!) Two people (age 18+) are needed to assist the two actors on stage helping them change into different characters during the entire show. Although you will be on stage, you will not be seen. Some rehearsals will occur over the summer. The production is slated for late September and October 2009. Please contact Lanny at 530-903-6361 for more details.

Help Needed - ASAP!

Assistant Stage Manager (Age 18+) needed for Man of La Mancha. Must be available current rehearsals and show dates. Some heavy lifting required. Please contact Lanny directly at 530-903-6361 for additional information.

Did you know?

This was shared with the IT! Insider today by a local teacher. As I now mark time by the growth of my children, I readily observe how much has changed in such a very short time. I thought you might find it interesting. I certainly did.

Scratching the Surface - Arts in El Dorado County

Yesterday, I read an article in the New York Times about Google adding its one trillionth web address last summer. Despite this vast amount of information, it is apparently only a fraction of the information out there. Google, as well as other search engine companies, are exploring the Deep Web and experimenting with how to access material stored within databases. Pretty fascinating though I'm busy enough trolling on top of the surface!

Some of my surface discoveries include sites like zvents.com which has a wide range of event listings and tailors them to your local area. It is very cool. From big gigs to Imagination Theater shows, you're bound to find them listed here.

Today while surfing this vast web ocean, I discovered the El Dorado Arts Council website. I am impressed with their wealth of information about the arts in El Dorado County. I feel like I've discovered a not-so-hidden treasure of arts in my own backyard! Check out their monthly newsletter containing items about classes, events, artist profiles and much, much more.

"The early bird catcheth the worm."

Group Tickets for Man of La Mancha Available for Purchase
Meaning: Success comes to those who prepare well and put in effort.
Origin: This is first recorded in John Ray's "A collection of English proverbs 1670, 1678"

"The early bird catches the worm" is a common proverb that explains that the best comes to those who seek out the best, don't wait (procrastinate), or expect that someone is going to do the work for them. Imagination Theater! would like you to prepare to come, invite your friends, and purchase group tickets for Man of La Mancha.

If you're involved in a church group, service club, senior group, college drama class, or an informal "Mom's Night Out" or bunko club, we encourage you to call soon for group tickets to get the best choice of seats and enjoy a night of live theater. Group price varies by size. Savings is about $4-5 per ticket off the adult ticket price. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call 530-642-0404.

It's live, It's local, It's Imagination Theater!

Dracula Filming - RV Needed

The filming of Dracula will soon descend upon the foothills. The film segment of this multi-media production will be shot at different locations in mid-April. Imagination Theater! would like to have use of an RV as a home base as much of the filming takes place in the evening. If you, or someone you know, could lend us an RV, please contact Lanny Langston at (530) 903-6361.

IT! on Facebook

Up until a day or so ago, I was familiar with Facebook, but hadn't wanted to jump into any social networking site--until Lanny invited me to join his page. Lanny has a page! Wow! I guesss I'd better see what this is all about. I admit that I was curious as I had recently learned at at meeting of the League of Sacramento Theaters that almost half of them used Facebook or other social networking sites to promote their theater. Having created my own profile I have managed to find long lost cousins, friends, my eighty-seven year old geocaching aunt, and even my father in law! It is kind of like a "living Christmas letter" that changes each day as people share their experiences around them. Today, for example, was filled with posted pictures of the low snow and other interesting tidbits. How fun! Search Imagination Theater under "groups" and join. We'd love for you to be a part of the IT! Group.

Calling All Ushers!

Man of La Mancha is coming up next month and we are looking for people who are interested in helping usher for the shows. Ushers need to arrive about an hour before the show starts. The theater doors and box office open a half an hour before the show, though people do arrive early. You will receive complimentary tickets to the show. If you are interested in ushering and want to be on our usher list, please contact the IT! Box Office or call 530-642-0404.

Audition Notice for Dracula

Imagination Theater and Porter Media Group announce auditions for Bram Stoker's haunting tale, Dracula. This adaptation is by Richard Sharp.

Sacramento audition:
Friday, February 27th, from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Studio 24, 2220 K Street.

Placerville auditions:
Saturday, February 28th, .

UPDATED INFORMATION (2/17/09) Auditions for Nosferatu (dancers) will be from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. at Foothills Dance Studio, 3965 Durock Road, Suite C. in Shingle Springs.

Auditions for acting roles are from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Imagination Theater
100 Placerville Drive on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds

All roles are open and include Dracula, Dr. John Seward, Lucy Westernra, Mina Murray, Jonathan Harker, Renfield, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, and eight Nosferatu (brides and victims of Dracula, all dancers). All Nosferatu must be at least 18 years of age.

Call Backs:
Sunday, March 1st, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Imagination Theater in Placerville.

This multi-media presentation will use film to stage and stage to film seamlessly with incredible special effects. The film segment of the production will be shot at different locations from April 9 to 15. Actors selected must be available these days for evening shots. For further information call the director, Lanny Langston at (530) 903-6361. Scripts for review are available at the box office.

Intermediate Acting Workshop Full

The intermediate acting workshop in April is now full and there is currently a waiting list. If you wish to add your name to the list, please contact the box office at 530-642-0404.

Looking for a Few (More) Good Singers

If you were unable to attend our audition for singers for our Christmas CD this past weekend, another audition will be held on Saturday, February 21 from 1-4 p.m. at Imagination Theater.

Please bring a CD or sheet music to audition. An accompanist will be available. Christmas music only for the audition. Ages: 8 years of age and older.

Man of La Mancha Tickets

Advance ticket reservations for Man of La Mancha are currently underway for our sponsors. Tickets to the general public will go on sale on February 17. Contact the box office at 530-642-0404 for tickets.

Intermediate Acting Workshop – coming in April

An intermediate acting workshop will be held in April. A total of six classes and one performance date is planned. The dates are as follows:

Tuesday and Wednesday, April 7 and 8 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, April 14 and 15 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon – Dress Rehearsal
Tuesday, April 21 from 6:30 -9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22 - 7:00 p.m. Performance for family and friends

The class builds upon the beginning acting workshop (monologues) held last year. The intermediate class includes rehearsing a scene with other classmates. Those who wish to sign up must commit to attending all of the classes. The workshop is for ages 10 and up. The class is limited to 15 participants. IT! has received a grant for this class. Cost is $10 to cover the cost of materials. Email ITPlacerville@yahoo.com to reserve your spot!

'Man of La Mancha' Synopsis

In case you don't recall the story of the Man of La Mancha, here is a summary to refresh your memory.

Miguel de Cervantes, aging and an utter failure as playwright, poet and tax collector, has been thrown into a dungeon in Seville to await trial by the Inquisition for an offense against the Church. There he is dragged before a kangaroo court of his fellow prisoners, who plan to confiscate his few possessions—including the uncompleted manuscript of a novel, Don Quixote.

Cervantes, seeking to save the manuscript, proposes his defense in the form of a play. The "court" agrees, and Cervantes and his manservant don make-up and costumes, transforming themselves into Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. They then play out the story with the prisoners taking the roles of other characters.

Quixote and Sancho take to the road in a quest to restore the age of chivalry, battle all evil, and right all wrongs. The famous battle with the windmill follows, with Quixote blaming his defeat on his enemy, the Great Enchanter.

In a roadside inn—which Quixote insists is really a castle—Aldonza, the inn's serving girl and part-time prostitute, is being propositioned by a gang of muleteers. Quixote sees her as the dream-ideal whom he will serve forever and insists her name is Dulcinea. Aldonza is confused and angered by Quixote's refusal to see her as she really is.

The padre and Dr. Carrasco arrive at the inn and are frustrated by Quixote's lunatic logic. They are interrupted by the arrival of an itinerant barber, and Quixote confiscates his shaving basin, believing it is the "Golden Helmet" of Mambrino.

Later Aldonza encounters Quixote in the courtyard where he is holding vigil, in preparation for being knighted by the innkeeper. She questions him on his seemingly irrational ways , and Quixote answers her with a statement of his credo, The Impossible Dream. Aldonza catches the fever of Quixote's idealism but, attempting to put it into practice, is cruelly beaten and ravaged by the muleteers.

Not knowing Aldonza's plight, Quixote and Sancho leave the inn, encounter a band of Gypsies, and are robbed. They return to the inn, only to encounter the disillusioned Aldonza who sings her denunciation of Quixote's dream in the dramatic Aldonza. The Knight of the Mirrors enters and defeats Quixote by forcing him to see himself as "naught but an aging fool." The knight reveals himself as Dr. Carrasco, sent by Quixote's family to bring him to his senses.

At home again, the old man who once called himself Don Quixote is dying. Aldonza, having followed, forces her way into the room and pleads with him to restore the vision of glory she held so briefly. Quixote, remembering, rises from his bed to reaffirm the stirring Man of La Mancha, but collapses, dying. Aldonza, having glimpsed the vision once more, refuses to acknowledge his death, saying, "My name is Dulcinea."

Back in Cervantes's dungeon the prisoners have been deeply affected by his story and restore to him his precious manuscript. Cervantes is summoned to his real trial by the Inquisition. The prisoners unite to sing him on his way with The Impossible Dream.

The show, directed by Wendy Silverthorn, will run at Imagination Theater from March 27 to April 19.

Super Bowl Sunday

As I was surfing around the web, I came across what almost 2 million people have already viewed. It is an ad for T-Mobile in England. It is a way to reach your audience with something fresh that doesn't appear planned. However, these things are planned (auditions anyone?) as can be seen in the second video (cue dramatic music). Ultimately the goal is to get people (like me) to share this video with others--a.k.a. viral marketing. Advertising strategies have shifted over the years and it is interesting to be aware of the next big thing.

Whether or not you watch the Superbowl for the game or the commercials--here's something fun for today.




Maybe they got the idea from 15 million views of this: