By Jeanné McCartin
Opera House looking to produce at new RPAC
Over the past few years the Rochester Opera House has made a lot of gains, and a lot of changes. And it keeps on rollin’ along. The latest news is a new performance space, Executive Director Anthony Ejarque says.
The Opera House is limited as to what types of titles it will or can produce (or present) at its main venue, Ejarque says. Time and studies have shown what plays its audience will support in profitable numbers, and which it won’t. Still, it wants to offer a broader variety that could do well in a smaller theater – which it just so happens to have now, over on 32 North Main St.
Starting this year, the Opera House plans to use its new Rochester Performance and Art Center (RPAC) for both its own and guest productions.
“Within the space, we have a large studio that can seat up to 150,” Ejarque says. “So, we will be presenting smaller theatrical works there.”
Ejarque notes “MacBeth” and “Glengarry Glen Ross,” two critically-acclaimed Opera House productions, failed to fill seats at the main theater. It’s this type of play, along with other lesser-known, and originals, musical or straight, he thinks fit RPAC.
“We will be seeking submissions from outside companies and organizations that want to present as well as we at the Opera House may do some,” he says. “We’re wide open.”
Ejarque would like to get started “yesterday,” he adds. “We hope to have something up in the spring. If not then, because of the summer camp schedule, it will be fall at the latest.”
The house and outside companies will split the door; the percent “TBA,” he says.
In addition, the Opera House will consider working with companies to develop work, “ones we have interest in, that we want to take to another level … to be able to produce it on a bigger stage and develop a piece.”
Contact info, if interested in producing, is [email protected] or (603) 948-1099.
Talbot’s ‘Get Out’ poster in NY Times
Perusing the online, March 2, New York Times you may spotted a poster for the film “Get Out,” by Seacoast artist Matt Talbot.
Talbot is known locally for his brilliant digital posters for films and TV series.
“I think the Times author probably found the ‘Get Out’ poster via a Google search,” Talbot, who posts his work on social media, says. “It was just something I did last year after watching the movie and having a strong reaction to it.”
The Times’ writer reached out a few weeks back. “I was very surprised by the email, and of course I’m thrilled to have something of mine appear in the New York Times.”
Talbot began creating alternate movie posters about 2012. “I used to wait around for art assignments, but one day I realized I could just do my own thing,” he says. “It’s been nice because in addition to being great practice, it’s led to real work in that arena and some very nice interactions with filmmakers.”
Talbot has created upward of 100 posters, 30 in his “Better Call Saul” series.
He’s been contacted by filmmakers, actors and production people regarding his work, “usually requesting copies to hang up, which always makes me very happy.”
Check out Talbot’s work at www.mattrobot.com, and the NY Times piece here.
UNH theater professor retiring ‘Peace’
University of New Hampshire Theater Professor David Kaye (also a playwright, actor, producer and director) is taking his self-penned “How I Brought Peace To The Middle East: A Tragic Comedy” to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer “to kind of retire my piece ‘Peace,'” Kaye says. “It’s sort of the last shebang.”
Kaye toured “Peace” throughout the United States and has a final stateside performance booked for Alabama in April “of all places,” he says. “And then I’ll wrap it up in August.”
“Maybe I’ll continue it,” he adds. “It’s not definitive. But it sort of feels like a nice finale.”
Kaye has not published the widely acclaimed piece. “I think because it’s such a personal account, I’ve never even thought of releasing it in that capacity for other people to do it,” he said.
Putting it to rest, he’s now onto a new script.
Kaye has long wanted to create a play built around a historical person, “someone I look like, so sort of a short, bald, Jewish guy,” he quips.
An NPR Radio Lab show “on the most important chemist you’d never heard of, Fritz Haber,” sparked his interest. Haber won the Nobel Prize in 1918.
“In short, he’s the guy that figured out how to pull nitrogen from the air to create fertilizer so we could feed ourselves. Had he not done that we may have all starved,” Kaye says. “He’s also the father of gas warfare. So, he’s a fascinating character.”
Initially, Kaye intended a full multi-character play. “But the Canadians beat me to the punch.”
Rather than abandon the project, he opted for another one-man piece. Talks are currently ongoing with a Seacoast company. It’s very likely we’ll see the premiere, on the Seacoast, in 2018.
Meanwhile, Kaye is gearing up for “Seussical,” which he’ll direct for the Prescott Park Arts Festival this summer. “I’m getting excited about it,” Kaye says. “More on that later.”
‘Honor Killing’ overcomes technical challenges for premiere
On March 1, The University of New Hampshire “Cultural Stages: The Woodward International Drama and Dance Initiative” presented a telematic play-reading of “Honor Killing” by Sarah Bierstock, the second runner-up in its Woodward International Playwriting Contest. It was staged at 3S Artspace; but not without a hitch or two.
Kaye, who oversees the initiative, was at the helm of the project. The reading was to include students and faculty, and additional artists via live feed.
“The original plan was to collaborate with a theater group in Pakistan. We were connected and it looked like it was happening, then communications just stopped,” Kaye says. “We have no idea; no explanation for why.”
He then turned to pros. “We saw this as a perfect opportunity for our students to work with actors from New York City that come from the appropriate parts of the world.”
This too had its challenges, he adds. “We kept losing actors to the Broadway show ‘The Band Visit,'” he says. “But good for them!” It finally went off, without a further hitch last Wednesday.
Tabletop Day at Diversions April 28
The seventh annual “International Tabletop Day” is set for Portsmouth’s Diversions Puzzles & Games, on April 28.
While it’s traditionally well attended, General Manager Laura Keith wants to get the word out because there’s a lot happening.
New this year, a giant Codenames game board and event.
“It’s three or four times bigger, … the cards will be five to seven inches and the game will take up the whole table,” Keith says. For gamers, “It’s kind of cool.”
It is all-day board-gaming, from 10 a.m. until midnight, with special gamed and play-to-win events and tournaments. Per usual, the company will feature a local, pro game designer.
“We also usually have giveaways, and raffle prizes,” she says. “People just drop in.” Get updates at www.diversionsgames.com.
Jeanné McCartin has her eyes and ears out for Seacoast gossip. E-mail [email protected].
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