Archive for October, 2009

• Interview with Becky Shrimpton

  Date: 2009.10.08 | Category: Uncategorized | Response: 0

  Here’s an interview with Becky Shrimpton who will be starring as Steph in our next production, One Good Marriage.

  Tell us a bit about your character in One Good Marriage
  Steph is an English teacher with a bitter streak. One gets the impression that up until her marriage to Stewart she’s had a rather mild life, with not many highlights or even low lights. She’s a girly girl with a tough edge to her which makes her a fun contradiction.

  What is it about acting that you like so much?
  It’s totally an adrenaline thing. Some people jump out of planes, some people drive really really fast, some people time themselves doing really hard crosswords – I act. That and people clap for me whether they want to or not. That’s pretty awesome.

  Do you have a dream role?
  I would love to play Hedwig in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” I know it’s a part for a guy but Ally Sheedy did it and so I can too.

  If you didn’t act, what would you do instead?
  Probably starve. I’m not good at anything else…especially math. I really really suck at math. I enjoy writing, I’ve written a young adult novel so far and I’m now working on an animated web series scheduled to be up in early 2010. I hope to start directing at some point. I think I’d make a good producer because I like to yell, but anything I did with my life would have to involve theatre in some way.

  Who are your theatre/acting role models?
  Derek Jacobi, Cathrine O’Hara, Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith, Madeline Khan, Samuel L. Jackson, Martha Henry, Joel Grey, and Bette Davis, just to name a few…

  What is your first memory of the theatre?
  I’ve been attending theatre since I was three or four years old, so it’s hard to actually remember my first time at the theatre because my brains were still in development, but I think my first really good memory was seeing Les Miz when I was 6. I was obsessed with the show and as a surprise my mother took me to see a production of it when it was in Edmonton. I had no idea what was going on through most of it, but I think on an instinctual level every human being prefers Eponine to Cosette, and that’s really the point of the show. Isn’t it? The best part about it was after the show an elderly lady mistook me for the girl who played the young Cosette and I was absolutely tickled. It made me want to be on the stage and actually do the work, not just take the credit for it. I started acting classes the next week.

  What scares you most about the theatre?
  The same thing that scares me about theatre is why I love theatre – every moment is alive. There’s no way to predict what will happen next. Will the actor forget their lines? Will the theatre catch on fire? Will an audience member fall asleep and start snoring loudly? Who knows? That’s what’s so wonderful about theatre, nothing is ever the same twice but it’s always, for better or for worse, a memorable experience.

• Suggestions, Please!

  Date: 2009.10.06 | Category: Uncategorized | Response: 10

  We are barely into our 2009/2010 season of offerings and we’re already looking at prospective shows for our 2010/2011 season. As with this year we will be offering two plays and two musicals (and a summer musical as well.) Any suggestion is a good suggestion, but here’s a bit of criteria:

  1) Must be a show that features the cast. So we’re not looking for star vehicles (like Hello Dolly or My Fair Lady.)

  2) Preferably shows that speak to our demographic, which is generally the 18-40 demographic, however we are well aware that we also have audience on either end of that spectrum, so this is just a minor criteria.

  3) Ideally they will be shows that have never been produced in British Columbia, however we will accept them as long as they have not been produced recently.

  So, please start leaving your suggestions below. We will be announcing our short list of shows in January, 2010 at the opening night of Forbidden Broadway.

• One Good Marriage – Audience Contest

  Date: 2009.10.02 | Category: Uncategorized | Response: 0

  For the past year we’ve been sponsored by the amazing Rosedale on Robson Hotel, and we are thrilled that they have been such a great addition to the Fighting Chance Productions family. We’re also thrilled that they have partnered with us on a very exciting audience giveaway during our production of One Good Marriage.

  It’s quite simple, come see the show, fill out a short survey and you’re entered to win a pair of tickets to see the Vancouver Canucks in action, and a night’s stay at the Rosedale on Robson! If drawn, you’ll have the opportunity to pick from one of six exciting match ups at GM Place. Your room will be waiting for you when you get back to the hotel. We’re grateful to the Rosedale on Robson for providing us with this awesome package.

  One Good Marriage is the story of newlyweds Steph & Stewart and what happens to them when they return from their honeymoon. The audience are the guests at the one year anniversary of this couple – so come on down to the Rosedale on Robson and check the show out.

  Tickets are just $10.00 for the preview performance on Monday October 19th, and $15.00 for all performances following that. To reserve, please e-mail fightingchanceproductions@gmail.com

  To accompany the performance, we will have snacks, as well as a bar – and if you reserve your tickets by October 10th, you’ll receive a complimentary wine or beer at the bar!

  Don’t miss your opportunity to see this BC Premiere!

  One Good Marriage stars Jeff McMahan and Becky Shrimpton. It is directed by Ryan Mooney, with stage management by Liz Wilton. One Good Marriage was written by Sean Reycraft.

• Our 2009/2010 Season – Continued

  Date: 2009.10.02 | Category: Uncategorized | Response: 1

  I filled everyone in our first two shows of the season, but we have a full season of four that we’re very excited about. Our last two shows of the season are Matt & Ben, a hilarious comedy chronicling the unauthorised story of how Matt Damon and Ben Affleck found the script for Good Will Hunting. The final show in our season is The Wedding Singer, a musical based on the hit film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. So here’s a bit more info on the final couple of shows this season:

  Matt & Ben

  

  by Mindy Kaling & Brenda Withers
  

  directed by Laura McLean
  

  March 1st – March 14th, 2010

  Havana Theatre

  Matt & Ben depicts its Hollywood golden boys – before J-Lo, before Gwyneth, before ‘Project Greenlight,’ before Oscar&before anyone actually gave a damn. When the screenplay for Good Will Hunting drops mysteriously from the heavens, the boys realize they’re being tested by a Higher Power

  From Ryan: I bought this script when I was in New York back in December – and I read it on the flight back – where I laughed out loud numerous times. It’s a hilarious script and I think Laura’s going to do an amazing job with it. It’ll also provide a nice relief from all the Olympic stuff going on in 2010.

  The Wedding Singer

  by Chad Beguelin, Matthew Sklar and Tim Herlihy

  

  directed by Ryan Mooney

  musical direction by Mark Reid

  choreography by Anna Hassard

  April 28th – May 22nd, 2010
  

  Jericho Arts Centre
  

  New Jersey in 1985. When Robbie’s girlfriend dumps him at the altar, he plunges into the the depths of despair. Only the support of his friend Julia (who is obviously meant for him despite her plans to marry Glen) keeps him sane.

  From Ryan: I was skeptical when this show was first suggested, but I’m thrilled now. It’s a very very funny script, and light fare as the spring and sun starts to come back to Vancouver. Plus the opening number is one of the most fun songs I’ve ever been able to work on. I’m also thrilled that we’re going to have the largest band we’ve ever had (about 8 musicians) under the baton of Mark Reid, who I haven’t had the opportunity to work with in years!