Download Volume 4, ISSUE 3 - Jewel Box Theatre

L I TTLE NUGG E TS
F RO M
JE WE L BOX THE ATR E
With both the theatre and production director
honored with a Governor's Arts Award
Jewel Box Theatre
An Oklahoma Tradition
jewelboxtheatre.org
Chuck Tweed ~ Production Director
James Gordon ~ Box Office Manager
3700 N. Walker 405-521-1786
Oklahoma City, OK 73118-7031
Get free
tickets
details on
page 9
VOLUME
4,
ISSUE
3
PAGE
BLITHE SPIRIT
The title comes from Shelley’s poem “To a Skylark” (Hail to thee,
blithe spirit/Bird thou never wert).
The play was first seen in the West End in 1941, creating a new
long-run record for a non-musical British plays of 1, 997 performances. It also did well on Broadway later that year, running for
657 performances. Coward adapted the play for film in 1945, starting Rex Harrison, and directed a musical adaptation, High Spirits,
on Broadway in 1964. It was also adapted for television in the
1950s and 1960s and for radio. The play enjoyed several West End
and Broadway revivals in the 1970s and 1980s and revised again in
London in 2004, 2011, and 2014. It returned to Broadway in February 2009.
For some time before 1941 Coward had been thinking of a comedy
about ghosts. His first thoughts centered around an old house in
Paris, haunted by spectres from different countries, with the comedy arising from their conflicting attitudes, but he could not get the
plot to work in his mind. Then, on a holiday, he put a piece of paper
in the typewriter and started. Blithe Spirit. A Light Comedy in Three
Acts.
The critical reception was less than stellar, being called ‘an odd
mixture and not untouched by a genius of sort’, ‘common’, and a
wearisome exhibition of bad taste.’
When the piece had its first West End revival in 1970 the play was
warmly though not rapturously praised by the critics.
Over the years, the play has become a staple for theatres around
the world as a Noel Coward comedy classic.
LITTLE
NUGGETS
2
VOLUME
4,
ISSUE
PAGE
3
BOX OFFICE OPENS
BLITHE SPIRIT
September 23 for season patrons
September 25 for the public
Monday - Friday from 1-6 pm
Check out
our website
jewelboxtheatre.org
Jewel Box Performances
run
Thursdays through Saturdays
8:00pm
and
Sundays at 2:30pm
For Reservations
Call 405-521-1786
LITTLE
NUGGETS
3
VOLUME
4,
ISSUE
3
PAGE
THE 57TH SEASON !
THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB
BLITHE SPIRIT
AMERICAN FARCE
WORLD PREMIER
EVERYBODY LOVES OPAL
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON
COME BLOW YOUR HORN
LITTLE
NUGGETS
4
VOLUME
4,
ISSUE
PAGE
3
5
Q & A with
Jennifer Teel ~ Director
Do you believe in spirits?
Yes! As a child and a teenager, I experienced several instances of contact with
spiritual beings. I still to this day remember those encounters very distinctly.
Ever have an experience with one?
I think I answered that above ;)
Why do you think ‘Blithe Spirit’ has been such an enduring comedy
classic?
I think all of us like to think that those we have loved and lost are still with us,
watching over us. Combining that universal desire with a love triangle, a kooky medium, and cleaver; it was bound to become a classic.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Oh, that’s a tough one… I think I have to go with Madame Arcati. She is so eccentric, and batty, yet wise, and honest. Also she is the only character in the whole
play who isn’t putting on a façade.
You directed ‘The 39 Steps’ for us, which was quite a frenetic play. Is
a comedy such as this just as difficult?
It’s just as, if not more difficult. ’Blithe Spirit’ is a very conversational comedy.
Meaning, if you don’t listen to all of the dialogue, you very well may miss all the jokes.
There are very few big comedic moments in ’Blithe Spirit’ , where as ’39 Steps’ was
packed full of them. So the tricky part is keeping the conversation interesting. If it becomes stagnant, you loose the audience.
What is your favorite comedy play?
To this day, one of my all time favorites is ‘Lend Me A Tenor’ . Next to that is
‘Clue”. My dream is to direct a stage version of the well loved film. Hopefully sooner
than later.
LITTLE
NUGGETS
VOLUME
4,
ISSUE
3
PAGE
6
Theatrically Tweed
THE 57TH SEASON
OF CONTINUING EXCELLENCE
A. We are now ticketless! Give your name at the podium, and
enjoy the show. We might ask for an ID if your name is Smith or you look
suspicious!
B. More ways to help the Jewel Box. With such low prices for
tickets, choose a pillar of support and make a contribution to help keep
the theatre thriving. Jump in and help with any level you like. Cash/Money
Order/Traveler’s Check/wire-transfer are all accepted. Oh, and a few zeroes would be nice!
How do we put on a show? Well, you can find out when you sign up for
boot camp. Pick a show and go from auditions to a rehearsal to the show.
And, on the way, get a free T-shirt and your name in the program. Then
you, too, might want to direct! I’m so happy we already have people signing up. It will be a fun time. You know you want to. Go for it!
I am so proud of Jewel Box! It takes many people on
both sides (on stage and off) to make this Oklahoma
tradition what it is.
57 seasons and still going strong!
LITTLE
NUGGETS
VOLUME
4,
ISSUE
3
PAGE
7
~GET FREE TICKETS WHEN YOU VOLUNTEER~
Volunteer and become part of the Jewel Box Theatre family!
Choose a position for which you would like to volunteer, call us,
and we’ll train you! So easy, so fun, and totally free!
BOX OFFICE: Greet season patrons and sell box office tickets. At
intermission, sell soft drinks and our special Jewel Box blue cups.
With sixteen performances per show, you can choose a week night
show (7:00 - 9:30 pm, Thursday - Saturday.) or a Sunday matinee
(1:30-3 pm). Get a free T-Shirt, too!
PAINT CREW: Choose a show or two or three, and help create the
set by painting the walls, floors, doors, and more. When you see the
show, you know you helped make it come to life!
PROPERTIES: Help the director by finding items needed on the set,
or something an actor holds in his/her hand (A tray, glasses, writing
pad and pencil, a hanky, etc.). We call them props. Working properties
involves organizing/maintaining props during the run of the show.
COSTUMES: Work with our resident costumer, Christopher Sieker,
preparing costumes for actors to try on, then maintain, iron, sew, and
catalogue for the show.
HAIR AND MAKE-UP: Such fun to work with stylist Jacque Mooney
with wigs and make-up. We have many period pieces this season, so
there will be a lot of fun to create hair styles and make-up.
So many fun ways to help Oklahoma City’s oldest community
theatre! Give us a call, and start your theatre journey with us!
LITTLE
NUGGETS
VOLUME
4,
ISSUE
3
PAGE
WIN FREE TICKETS
Answer the 5 questions below
and receive two free tickets
to
‘Blithe Spirit.’
THE FIRST SIX TO CALL IN WILL WIN!
Call 405/521-1786 ~ Tuesday -Friday ~ 1-6 pm
1. Which character in ‘The Dixie Swim Club’ stopped to buy lots of
blueberries?
A. Jeri Neal B. Lexi
C. Sheree
D. Vernadette
D. Dinah
2. Who was named Best Actress last season?
A. Deborah Franklin
B. Dana Billingsley
C. Jackie Smola
D. Paula Parkhurst
3. How many performances does each show have?
A. 12
B. 16
C. 19 D. 23
4. What time can patrons and will calls go in?
A. 7 pm/7:15 pm
B. 7:15 pm/7:30 pm
C. 7:30 pm/7:45 pm
5. Which play was named Best Play for last season?
A. Forum B. The Lion in Winter C. Cuckoo’s Nest
AUDITIONS:
January 10-11/ 2-5pm
‘Flowers for Algernon’
‘Come Blow Your Horn’
LITTLE
NUGGETS
9
VOLUME
4,
ISSUE
3
PAGE
10
BENEFIT FOR JEWEL BOX
SUPPORTERS
You asked for it – we’ve got it!
This season, if you make a $5.00 donation at intermission, we’ll give
you a Jewel Box insulated tumbler filled with your favorite drink and
YOU CAN TAKE IT INTO THE THEATRE WITH YOU.
Bring the mug back for future performances and you can have your
drink for the regular $1.00 and take it into the theatre.
This is only for patrons making a donation for
the Jewel Box tumbler
Styrofoam cups are NOT allowed in the
theatre
TICKET DEALS FOR YOU!
Come and enjoy the best ticket prices in town
Individual Ticket Prices for plays are only $15and $10 for
senior citizens/college students/and under
Last Thursday of the run still offers
TWO-FOR-ONE tickets
LITTLE
NUGGETS
VOLUME
4,
ISSUE
3
PAGE
Visit and “Like” us
on facebook
www.facebook.com/
OKC.JBT
Or follow us on Twitter!
Season Ticket Holders! We got your back!
Sign up now for an e-mail reminder when our next show is coming
up. Just call the box office (405-521-1786) ~ Tuesday through Friday
from 1 to 6 pm and give us your e-mail address.
If you have a regular night for your reservations (PLAN A), we’ll set
you up to receive an e-mail at the beginning of the week of your regular
performance night. Season ticket holders who call in to make their
reservations for each show (PLAN B) will receive an e-mail reminding
you when the box office will open for the next production.
It’s a busy world out there. Let us take a little of the load off by
keeping you posted. We’ll do the remembering for you!
Be a Jewel Box Volunteer
and receive
two complimentary tickets to a show
Call 405-521-1786 for more information
Become part of the Jewel Box Family!
LITTLE
NUGGETS
10