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Pittsburgh Theatre Events

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Courtesy of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

Latest News
Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:36:15 +0000

http://phase3productions.blogspot.com/

Jan 30, 2010 08:49PM

First Thoughts: Someone Who'll Watch Over

I recently sat in on a read through of Someone Who'll Watch Over Me. One of my first thoughts was that it was surprisingly funny. As Production Manger for Phase 3 Productions, my job at these rehearsals isn't to be entertained. I'm there to make sure that we aren't missing a prop, the actors aren't going to hurt themselves by tripping over the set and that nothing violates the fire code. My job is the nuts and bolts (and lights and speakers and backstage crew) of putting on a show. I was distracted from that by jokes the characters make. They poke fun at movies, quip about stereotypes and genuinely earn some laughs. They do it while chained to a wall. The humor was unexpected.

Someone Who'll Watch Over Me isn't a typical show though.

Frank McGuinness doesn't give us the typical narrative. There are no villains. Even the easy answer, making the terrorist holding these three men hostage into villains, never happens. These terrorist are as unseen as any person who might rescue the hostages. That brings up the next point: there aren't any heroeseither. Even the three hostage aren't heroes. Sometimes the situation gets to them and they say things that hurt each other. They get angry or scared. They give in to despair. They break down. What Someone Who'll Watch Over Me gives us is real people.

That reality is the ultimate strength of the show. We care about these characters because they are real. We care about how they will survive because these men could be anyone we meet on the street. They had lives before being chained to a wall in Lebanon. That life included mistakes, selfish choices and annoying personality traits. Michael admits to being a 'sanctimonious prig.' Edward is an absent father and cheating husband. Adam came to Lebanon to study the victims of war but not really help them. All three of them have wonderful things about them too. Michael loves his mother. Edward has wit and energy. Adam can calm the other two when they start giving up. They tell each other stories to entertain. Thy sing songs. In the middle of horrific conditions, Adam, Edward and Michael struggle retain there sanity and some something of their humanity. They even tell jokes.

That's what I love about Phase 3 Productions. My job is to make the theatre happen. The theatre that Phase 3 Productions makes is worth it.

-J.R. Shaw

Production Manager

Jan 21, 2010 09:05AM

Getting Some Perspective

Someone Who'll Watch Over Me by Frank McGuinness (opening Feb. 27) is a fictionalized story of the hostage crisis in Lebanon that began in the mid-1980s. Over the next few weeks, Phase 3 will be trying to put this play into perspective by giving you a glimpse at the events that inspired it.

Lebanon Hostage Crisis

The Lebanon hostage crisis refers to the systematic kidnapping in Lebanon of 96 foreign hostages of 21 national origins - mostly... more

Start date: 1982

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Dec 21, 2009 08:45AM

Casting Alert: The Rage of the Stage Players

Physical, Thin, Lithe Male Performer Sought ASAP for Great Creature Role in Original, Dark Monologue Show

The Rage of the Stage Players, a Pittsburgh-based theatre group dedicated to alternative and offbeat stage productions including horror, mature fantasy, and dark comedy (and who recently brought you our warped fairy tales Alice?s Adventures in ?Wonderland? and Dorothy in Oz), is currently seeking a lithe and very physical performer with a knack for characterization to join our original monologue show slated for late May/early June. The show features bizarre monologues which are comedic, graphic, horrific, eerie, and just plain strange.
The show will feature an ensemble cast of highly adaptable actors and actresses. Physicality, open-mindedness, and a strong sense of creativity are all absolutely essential. We welcome any and all (from Pittsburgh and its surrounding areas only, please) who are intrigued, willing to work, and comfortable with themselves.

Please note that this is NOT a production for the easily offended. It often features harsh themes including violence and sexual overtones...clearly not appropriate for all audiences, or anyone who is sensitive to controversial material. However, if you've been looking for something different, you enjoy dark and irreverent humor, and you'd like to be a part of an original stage production, this may just be your chance! This particular male role also involves INTENSE character/sfx makeup, so if you have an aversion to that, this isn?t for you. If you like monsters though, this is a great opportunity.

Rehearsals will be very sporadic throughout the coming months and will take place in the South Park area outside of Pittsburgh. It is not an intense time commitment as these monologues are not very long. Please note that we are a voluntary, not-for-profit organization, and all roles are NON-PAID.

If your interest is piqued, please email a headshot (or recent/clear photo), as well as accurate physical stats (important), and an acting resume, to rageofthestage@yahoo.com. More details on the specific role may also be given at this time. Auditions will take place on an individual basis, once an actor's physical stats and experience are found to match our needs. Auditions are by appointment, in the South Hills area.
For more information on our company, and photos from past productions, please go to http://www.myspace.com/rageofthestage