Catastrophe Turns Comedic in ‘Noises Off’

Noises off by Michael Frayn received a 4 of 5 stars rating, and a rave review from Alexa Chipman. Author of YA books, theatre critic, travel writer, and resident of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Noises Off is a hysterical story about a theater troupe’s misadventures. As actors in this play-within-a-play rehearse, forgotten lines, dropped trousers and lost plates of sardines create onstage pandemonium. Meanwhile, it is total chaos backstage as love triangles, petty bickering and ruined affairs lead to pratfalls, flying props and more than one bloody nose. In the end, at the frenetic final performance, everything merges into one perfectly ravaged and wholly uproarious theatrical nervous breakdown.

In rehearsal for a flimsy, trope heavy farce, with actors ready to walk on the project, Noises Off is an attempt to put on the play within a play Nothing On. What begins as slight technical glitches and the occasional missed line becomes a disaster by the final act, with axe wielding actors, incorrect cast members on stage during crucial scenes, and sardines everywhere.

Directing this barely contained mayhem is Avi Lind, who stages humorous tableaux, particularly in the second act, when Michael Tabib and Jake Hamlin’s set design shifts into a backstage setting. What is amusing to the audience is doubly so for those of us who have participated in productions where similar fiascos occurred. Nadja Masura’s haunted, stressed expression upon realizing the rest of the cast has no idea what to say, and she must take up the torch to keep the play moving is all too familiar.

To read more click here.

Noises Off

Hilarity and chaos ensue in Curtain Call Theatre’s production of Michael Frayn’s ingenious play-within-a-play Noises Off, about a third-rate British acting troupe desperately trying to stage and tour a third-rate farce called Nothing On.

Noises Off is a hysterical story about a theater troupe’s misadventures. As actors in this play-within-a-play rehearse, forgotten lines, dropped trousers and lost plates of sardines create onstage pandemonium. Meanwhile, it is total chaos backstage as love triangles, petty bickering and ruined affairs lead to pratfalls, flying props and more than one bloody nose. In the end, at the frenetic final performance, everything merges into one perfectly ravaged and wholly uproarious theatrical nervous breakdown.

Noises Off premiered in London in 1982 and won the London Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy. It opened on Broadway in 1983 and was nominated for four Tony Awards including the 1984 Award for Best Play. In 1992, Marty Kaplan wrote a screenplay for Noises Off and turned it into a successful film directed by Peter Bogdanovich. The play was revived on Broadway in 2001 and was nominated for the 2002 Tony for Best Revival of a Play.

 

2017 Daniel Patchin Concert at Russian River Hall

For some I am a neighbor,
for some your brother
for some The Handiest Man in Guerneville,
for some I build theater sets;
for some I play bass;
for some I’m a stranger
and others, not so strange
some would say something else . . .
but I’m not nothing, because nothing’s perfect

On Saturday evening, April 15th
I will stand before some of you and sing songs.
Accompanied by a wonderful Piano player named Sandy Geller.

I would be greatly honored by your attendance at:
the Russian River Hall in Monte Rio
At 7:30 on Saturday April 15th, 2017

Admission is:
$12 (or $9 if you’re as old as me).
the cashier can only deal with cash or a check

I will be boldly stepping to the center of the stage at 8:pm
Beginning a repertoire of all kinds of songs.
We’ll have a break before 9 PM
Then I’ll play some guitar for a few songs, then a big finish with a sing-along

A Presentation of the Beth Freeman Vocal Arts Studio
For a Reservation call Daniel: (707)869-9957

Improv Without A Net

Invites YOU to A Fabulous Evening of
Improv Comedy & Song

Monte Rio Show: Friday, April 14, 2017
8 PM at the Russian River HALL
20347 Hwy 116, Monte Rio, CA 95462
Tickets – $15
To Reserve, contact Susan
susanjpacker@gmail.com

Come laugh and enjoy the excitement of “Improv Without A Net”

“Brilliant!” “Hilarious!” “You are all so talented.”
“I never know what’s coming next.”
“You mesh together beautifully.”
“That song could be on the radio – great!”
“I laughed so hard I peed!”

For more information click here.

Murder Mystery at Curtain Call

Murder is his business and generally speaking Edward Bare is a successful “business man.” Married first to Monica, rich, doting and many years his senior, Edward waits amicably for her to die. It is not “poor Monnie’s fault” that he comes one day to the mistaken conclusion that she is about to make a will in favor of her sister, and decides that, his only course is to hasten her end. But Edward has misjudged the old woman for she meant to leave him everything. As it is, he finds himself with less than he had when she was alive. Edward is not daunted: He looks around for another rich fish to net, and finds the answer to this pressing necessity in the person of Freda Jefferies, wealthy widow of a hotel proprietor. Freda, who has always seen that her head ruled her heart, marries Edward, at the same time keeping a tight hold on her purse strings. This does not suit Edward and when Charlotte Young, another rich woman, arrives on the scene, he is all set to remove the one that irks him most. Charlotte appears easier game than the tough Freda, and Edward sets about staging the scene for an exciting last situation. Which lady will receive the brunt of his murdering tactics? Packed with suspense and thrills, the machinations of the killer’s mind are laid bare for the observation of the audience, and the twists are unexpected and spine-chilling.

“Murder Mistaken” by Janet Green is Curtain Call’s upcoming Production opening March 3 at Russian River Hall. And it promises to be a real smash hit. Ms. Green is also the author of many well known mysteries for the screen including “Midnight Lace”, “Victim”, and “Cast A Dark Shadow”.

CCT has lined up six of its best actors to impersonate these lively characters and keep you on the edge of your seat the whole evening. Come have fun with this Who Done It and Why!

Make sure you also look into the rest of the Season while you’re at it. You can still purchase your Season 2017 passes at 25% off the regular prices. You may even apply your regular ticket for “Murder Mistaken” to the rest of the season. (Sorry, but Pay What You Can Fridays are not applicable for this Special).

Call 707-524-8739 and reserve today; OR call 707-867-6866 for details about our 2017 Season.

See you at the HALL.

Intimate Treasures

A collection of short plays for a full evening of fine theater.

Intimacy comes in many forms. In our current production “Intimate Treasures” you will experience several facets of intimacy with spouses, ex-spouses, our history, our country, and most of all people like you and me.

Join us for a full evening of short plays by five different authors, plays that will tickle your funny bone and linger with you for a good while after you leave the theater. We are also proud to present among these a West Coast Premiere of a short play by the budding young New York playwright Laura Rohrman. It’s an evening to remember.

Performances are as follows:
Fridays December 2*, 9*, 16 at 8PM
Saturdays ONLY December 10 and 17+at 8PM; (Note: NO Saturday December 3 performance); and Sunday Matinees December 4 and 11, at 2PM

(See the posted post card for full cast and roster of Directors)

Admission is $20 General, and $15 Seniors over 60 and Students with ID.

* Remember only the first two Fridays December 2 and December 9 are “Pay What You Can”. All other performances are regular price.

+Our closing Night Saturday December 17 is our traditional Champagne Gala Buffet Fund-raising Event, with Korbel Champagne and wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and desserts. Minimum Donation is $40; anything over $20 is tax-deductible. Doors open at 7PM and curtain is at 8PM.

We are located at 20347 Highway 116 in Monte Rio just one block East of the Rio Theatre. Ample Parking is across from the Rio Theatre.

To reserve your tickets call 707-524-8739. Please speak clearly and slowly. Leave your Name, Phone Number, Date of Performance, and Number of Tickets you wish to purchase. We will confirm your reservation by phone only. No credit cards at this time please. Only cash and personal checks will be accepted.

Calls two hours prior to any performance will not be returned. Come to the theater and we will guarantee you a seat.

We appreciate your continued patronage and look forward to your attendance. Thank you.

Bell, Book, and Candle

“Bell, Book, and Candle”, a 1950 romantic comedy by John Van Druten, is just in time for the Halloween Holidays. The New York Times called it an “Impish Fantasy”. Directed by Michael Tabib with a cast of five distinguished Sonoma County actors, the play recounts the trials and tribulations of a modern day witch who would have to give up her powers in order to fall in love with a man she simply must have!

Complications abound with a ditzy aunt who is unable to do her witchcraft discreetly, a lazy and irresponsible brother who is a prankster warlock, and an alcoholic publisher who wants to benefit from witchcraft books at the cost of all of them.

Come enjoy this mid-century American classic and start the Halloween Season earlier (or later, as the case may be). Also, please pass this along to others who love theater at its best.

As usual, we will celebrate the closing night November 5 with an enchanted Halloween buffet, with Korbel wines and Brut Champagne, and desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Costumes are encouraged, or just come as you are.

All other performances start October 7 through November 4. See attached post.

Details and information at 707-524-8739. make your reservations today, and enjoy another quality production at Curtain Call Theatre.

Dancing at Lughnasa Performance Schedule

Performance Dates and Times:

Fridays: July 8*, 15*, 22, 29………………………………8PM
Saturdays: July 9, 16, 23, 30***…………………………8PM
Sunday matinees: July 10, 17, 24……………………..3PM

NOTE:

*Pay What You Can Fridays
*** Gala Buffet Fundraiser Closing Night: Minimum $40 Donation

( Curtain Call Theatre at the Russian River is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Any donation amounts higher than $20 are Tax-Deductible).

Admission Prices:

All performances EXCEPT the GALA:

$20 General; $15 Seniors over 60 and Students with ID

 

Dancing At Lughnasa

Brian Friels’ award winning masterpiece “Dancing At Lughnasa” (pron. LU-NA-SA) is a tender and humorous recounting of the challenges of the family Mundy in rural Ireland, in 1936.

It is a memory play as told by the youngest (now old man) surviving member of the family many years later, his recollections of the loving, sometimes contentious, relationship between five sisters who are all unmarried and living together precariously by surviving hard times and making the best of it along the way.

The haunting music of the Pagan Festival of “La Lughnasa” as it is called, is evocative of the stark hills and the ancient times before Christianity became Ireland’s religion. While the music of the 1930’s brings back memories associated with sensuality and the need to the harsh realities during those Depression years.

The cast of eight are remarkable in their ability to capture the subtle nuances of their characters and their relationships.

The sets are done on two levels with panoramic views of the stark setting of the Irish hills and valleys with a suggestion of the unreal.

All in all, this production is presented with much heart and attention to detail.

Join us for another memorable production at the fastest growing theater company in the Wine Country of West Sonoma County.

We now accept ticket pre-sales through Sonoma Nesting Company in Guerneville. Call 707-524-8739 for details.

See you there.

Michael Tabib, Artistic Director

July 8*, 9, 10+, 15*, 16, 17+, 22, 23, 24+, 29, 30***

* Only TWO “Pay What You Can” Fridays

+ Sunday Matinees at 3PM

All ticket prices are $20 General; $15 Seniors over 60 and Students with ID.

*** Our traditional Gala Fundraising Closing Night performance with champagne, a full buffet, premium wines and non-alcohilic beverages. $40 Donation.

Acting Classes

Thinking about learning to act?
Beginning Acting for Adults
$100 per month with at least 10 classes per quarter

Want to Master auditioning and keep up your acting skills?
Ongoing weekly adult scene study workshop
8 weeks for $200

Call 707-867-6866 for information and registration

What about the kids?
Children’s summer theatre for ages 8 to 12
Date:
June 6 – July 31 Mon – Wed – Fri 9AM to Noon
$300 per child. $500 for 2 siblings

Ongoing Workshop for teens 13-17 years old
Saturdays 9AM to Noon Starting June 4
$300 per quarter with at least 12 classes per quarter

We want you to come and Play!
Scholarships are available for all workshops.
Call 707-867-6866

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