All In One

Hello Ladies and Gents,

It is I, Tory Bullock, here and back in full effect for one last final post. Hold your "awwws" and "please don't go’s" because it is time for me to fade off into the sunset with my ARTiculation crew riding towards our next adventure. Due to the fact that i have fallen behind in a lot of the bloggage (yes i did in fact make up a word) this blog will be the most epic in length blog you will ever see, so brace yourself. I will be breaking down this blog into weeks so you will be brought up to speed on the entire process, and not just reflection. So our story will pick up where we left off: opening week.

OPENING WEEK:
Wow. The day is almost here. We are all set with costumes, the set is done, our dressing rooms are in order, our headshots are already up in the lobby, AND i just found out that i can get a free gift card to Qdoba which happens to be the main outlet for actual food around the theatre so it goes without saying that i am a very happy man. This is the first show that I’m not nervous for. I have done a lot of Theatre in my time - even though my time hasn't been very long, it is still time none the less and i have never not been nervous. This is due, yet again, to the fact that what we are performing has been a part of my life for so long. We have performed this piece in so many different ways that to do it in the same space with the same cast every night is really a relief. But while i am not nervous i am something else that may prove to be a little worse and that is 100% anxious. I say its worse because with my anxiousness comes the questions that actors DREAD: "Will people come?" "will they like it?" "am i going to mess up?" and those questions are currently making the rounds in my head…

OPENING NIGHT into WEEK 2:
I’m at the Theatre early. Call is at 6:30 and i am here at 5. Call it being antsy but i just could not stay home and from the looks of it neither could the rest of my cast. We are all here with the exception of Ms. Terri D. Nik is lying down on the stage doing his "actor thing" while Danny is sitting in the audience chairs going over his lesson plan for his class the next week. Lindsay is cueing lights with Mark and Eliza, Marvelyn is in the dressing room listening to Beyonce and eating mac and cheese, i am watching it all. Like an old man sitting on his porch with a cup of ice cold lemonade on a blistering hot day, i sit on the side of the stage and just watch in complete awe of everyone and everything that is about to happen. I’m still NOT NERVOUS, but there is a new feeling: pride. i am filled with such pride to share the stage with these people. From the core four all the way to the new recruits, we have become a real family and in the wonderful gypsy world of theatre you don't get too many of those – I’m still trying to figure out how i got so lucky. Fast forward two hours and we are at half hour until the show begins. We have already done our group warm ups - you could tell because the back rooms were filled with air, breathe, bellowing diaphragm supported hoots, and insane calls of UNIQUE NEW YORK (its a tongue twister try it sometime. Repeat it over and over UNIQUE NEW YORK). But the time for group warm ups has ended and we all find our own space in our dressing rooms and just get ourselves to a place where we can fully understand what we are about to do. For a lot of us this isn't just a show - this is a belief and a mantra. This show has been there for us when our own family and friends weren’t. It is much more than theatre because it is a piece of all of us. As Eliza comes through the door and gives us the call that all actors gear up for - "Places" - i stand up, look over at Nik and Danny and just say "Lets go". The Show was AMAZING! Wow it was one of those things where you couldn’t anticipate what the reaction would be, but once you got it you knew that everything was going to be ok and it was. It REALLY WAS!

WEEK 2:
So now the real game begins because since we have been chosen to be Company One’s "Page to Stage" educational production, we perform 10am shows with an 8am call - I don’t mind because I love the kids! The shows were really good - the kids get things that the late night crowd doesn’t pick up on sometimes so it was a lot of fun.

CLOSING NIGHT:
Ok so this is the big one. Emotions are running high and everyone is moving a little bit slower. I can see everyone's faces both excited and sad because this is the last time we will do this show in this space. After working on something for so long you miss it soooo much when it suddenly leaves. But we are actors and the job at hand is to put on a show and it is beyond me to not give two of the best last shows of all time.

We are back stage waiting, getting prepared to do it one last time. Before we go on stage I pull Terri, Nik, and Danny to a small section of the back corridor and we get into a huddle. Since I am a private guy (hah!) i will not tell you exactly what was said, but we all gave each other one big hug in acknowledgment of the journey that the four of us have taken as original creators of ARTiculation. Eliza comes through the doors and says "Places." We all walk out, and proceed to leave as much of ourselves as we can on that stage. Hopefully, we entertained some people while doing it.

-Tory

ARTiculation Begins

Hello beautiful people out there in internet world. This is your master of ceremonies, Duke of Linguistics, Commander of Funk, and all around good guy, Tory Bullock. For the duration of these first ever ARTiculation blog entries I will be playing the part of your poetic flight coordinator, weaving you through the ins and outs of the production. While I come with many titles, the one that I am most proud of is "co-founder of ARTiculation". For those of you who don't know, ARTiculation was founded in the steamy hot summer of 2005 by cast members Danny Balel, Terri Deletetsky, Simon Moody, Adobuere Ebiama, Nik Walker, and yours truly. Along the years we have shifted and shaped to form many different variations of which I am as proud of as the one we are currently taking. This is our first mainstage performance run of ARTiculation with four of the original founders performing. Danny, Terri, Nik and I, and new members Mike Cognata, Marvelyn McFarlane, Liz Rimar, and DJ Reazon, will be coming to you guys with 13 powerhouse shows, and we hope you're ready (i.e we hope you all have gone online and purchased your tickets!)

Since I get to talk to you guys well before the show even opens, there will be tons of breaking news (which i will represent by saying *BREAKING NEWS*) about sets, sounds, backstage updates and all of that jazz. Did Nik Walker injure himself in a musical retelling of the grinch that went awry? Did Danny Balel have an unfortunate tongue twister poem accident that resulted in him having to be sidelined for a show or two? These are the juicy gossip details that you will only find here at the C1 blog.

Enough of the small talk - here comes the juicy information that I know you all are dying for. We had our last script / production meeting last Sunday and let me just tell you all how EXCITING it was! We were sitting in our director's apartment, and just looking around the room gave me this intense feeling of "wow, we are really going to have an amazing show." For those of you who are in the dark, this run is, in part, a culmination of four years of tweaking, performing, touring, work-shopping, and testing, so I compare this run to a person who has been training for the Olympics for four years and then finally gets the chance to step onto the world's greatest stage.

That is exactly whatʼs going to happen in January when we set foot on the Boston Playwrights' stage, backed by Bostonʼs most creative and innovative Theatre company, Company One, all the while standing next to great friends who have been building this piece for years. It is going to be amazing, and I look forward to taking everyone through the process with us.

More soon...
Tory

A View From The Other Side

Another guest blogger this week! Blake L. Pfeil, playing Giuseppe Zangara in ASSASSINS, has agreed to spill his guts for us. Read and enjoy! - Nik

Hey, Blake here. We’re thru the first weekend of performances…to sold-out houses each night, mind you. Huh. I should have prepared the talented Mr. Walker, our tour-de-force Balladeer, for my guest blog spot a little better.. I have a few things I need to get off my chest, so please, if you need a glass of water, I suggest you get it now. You won’t want to get up.

I’m 20. I consider myself the baby of Company One’s cast of ASSASSINS...the youngin, the newborn, Sam Byck’s “bubula.” So imagine, for just a second, the what I might feel each time I am onstage with my fellow actors, each of whom (in some sense or another) has taught me a few things about this craft. I can go to school all I want, and I can study the mysteries of acting as much as I damn please, provided I schlep out a $40,000 check each year. But this is something much more exciting.

I’ve slowly developed more this summer (alongside truly gifted professionals) than any year of schooling will ever be able to give me. My mother knows: I’m a hands-on person. I can’t sit in a classroom filled with people and pretend to listen...instead I can watch Ed Hoopman as Czolgosz try to break a bottle every night and always get something else out of it. I can attempt to pry David DaCosta's Booth off Jon Popp's Oswald every night and always learn something different. I can sit and cry each night because Nathanael's Hinckley and McCaela's Fromme feel unworthy of somebody’s love. You can’t imagine what it does for a budding actor to listen to Mason Sand drive two entirely difficult Byck monologues home every night, swearing left and right, giving an audience something to think about…and I mean REALLY think about.

I’m trying to explain just how much these people have educated me in an artistic environment that I LOVE. It’s no mistake that I learn something different from Penny Hansen’s screams as Billy Moore for a Bubbalo Bill every night…or from the murderous rage that engulfs Liz Rimar's Sarah Jane Moore when Billy needs that goddamn Bubbalo Bill. See…when you can watch and listen to something like that night after night, it affects you.

I was talking to Jeff Mahoney, Mr. Looking-on-the-Bright-Side gonna-win-an-award-for-playing-a-real-Guiteau, about this feeling of elation that I get each night watching and listening to this group of extraordinary actors. Elaine Stritch said it best: “If somebody doesn’t have any talent, get off the stage! You’re wasting my time. But if they GOT it – and I’m talking about Mama Rose kind of talent: you either got it or you had it – I am so uplifted by talent. I can’t stop crying, applauding…screaming.” I am get this night after night after night. These people got it, and I am so thankful they do, because I am reaping so many benefits.

I’m 20. I should not be allowed onstage night after night with a company of such gifted actors. I’m learning. I’m dreaming. Somehow, by the sheer grace of God, I’m surrounded by this experience. This Wednesday can’t come soon enough.

Please come bear witness. If not for me, the 20 year-old (or, the Italian with a severe stomach problem and murderous hatred towards the government), then do it for my fellow cast members. You won’t believe your eyes. Your ears. Your head.

Heart? Oh, yes.

-Blake

The end before the beginning...

SO HERE IT IS. Production Week. Opening on Friday. Scary, but terribly exciting.

We're ready. I know I spent last week praising the work of my co-actors, and ironically, we weren't necessarily in as good a shape as I had thought we were, but that's to be expected when you make the move into the actual space. LaCount kicked our butts on got us right back on track. Last week was good; now we're kick ass.

The sound, lights and set have added so much. It is a straight-up playground for this material- creepy, seedy, dank and dark.

Come see it. Come see it. Come see it. Saturday the 12th is sold out, but the rest of the run is open. Go get tickets. Now.

Oh, and check out the trailer for the show posted below.

Lots of love, wish me luck.
-Nik

McCaela Joins the Blogging Ranks

Hey, it's Nik. May I present...a guest blogger! McCaela Donovan, playing Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, is here to share a bit of her mind with us. And it was her birthday on Wednesday, so she's really cool now.

Hey. It's McCaela.

When Nik first asked me to write a blog, my first thought (to quote Sarah Jane Moore in "Gun Song") was “…Shit!” Rather than give you some boring overview, however, I would like to take this time to give you a brief synopsis of why I love this cast:

-Nik (The Balladeer) - is the glue. There has not been one day where Nik has not been smiling, laughing, and talking to each and every member of this cast. He is genuinely thankful and happy to be there each day and you can tell he loves this show. His spirit and energy are both beautiful and palpable.

-Liz (Sarah Jane Moore)- is a character. Insane, bubbly, a clumsiness oddly reminiscent of the role that she plays. Liz is all of these things but she also has a quiet thoughtfulness to her who takes her work seriously, and then knows when to let it go and have a great time. If I were trapped on a desert island I would want Liz there to entertain me.

-Blake (Giuseppe Zangara)- is my little muffin. It is unfair because I’ve known Blake for two years prior to this experience, but I’m so thankful to be in a show with him. His raw sense of humor, solid commitment, and his ambition are just a few things I admire about him. Plus, he makes me loosen up and laugh my ass off, which is just a pure gift in itself.

-Ed (Leon Czolgosz)- is a working man, born in the middle of Michigan. Or he’s just Ed. Intimidating at first until you hear his infectious laugh, and then you just want to hug him and put him in your pocket. Although out of touch with today’s world, as in the facebook generation, we forgive him because Ed knows when it is time to work and when it’s time to crack the group up with a joke or comment. And we forgive him even though he cannot remember when to come in with his lines for Scene 16.

-David (John Wilkes Booth)- as Aretha once sang, the only word for David is R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Although I still have yet to know David as well as some others I know that he takes his craft very seriously. His commitment to this show and his dedication to this character make me want to work harder, if only to bring my work to his level. I know many among us feel the same. We could not have found a better leader.

-Jeff (Charles Guiteau)- drives a truck. Which is perfect. I don’t know why, I just love it. I have said this before, but I did not think that someone could impress me as much as Dennis O’Hare did when he played this role, but Jeff has done just that. His comedic timing and loveable spirit engulf the stage, not to mention the crazy twinkle in his eye that tells us that something is a little…off. Always professional, always positive and joyful, Jeff is a wonderful piece of the puzzle that completes this cast.

-Chris (The Proprietor)- is a badass. And he’s loving it. It has been wonderful watching Chris’ interpretation of the Proprietor grow. He keeps finding small but crucial moments to seduce us and the audience with his intentions. And if Chris’ voice could be described as a food, it would be Velveeta shells and cheese….delicious. He is quiet at first but there’s a lot to him and I look forward to getting to know him more.

-Mason (Sam Byck)- is not an asshole. His character is, but he’s not. He is a bit disconcerting when onstage, because he swears at everyone, but he has a lot of commitment to this role. His monologue work is genuine, funny, and twisted all at the same time. He’s the only person that could say ‘fuck you’ to Jeff and still be likeable.

-Penny (Billy Moore)- is a coin, but also a beautiful person. Our bonding began over a giant bowl of JP Licks ice cream and I hope it continues. A gorgeous and powerful voice, great stage presence is overshadowed by her genuine sweetness and fun personality. Don’t let her fool you, she may look sweet but there’s a wild child in there somewhere!

-Danny (David Herold)- cracks me up. He has that kind of ‘huck finn’ boyish face that I just want to squeeze. Adorable and funny, he is a no nonsense talent that I am excited to get to know when we finally have more than one rehearsal together! Plus his face in the ‘Roosevelt’ song could not be more perfect. Love it.

-Meredith (Emma Goldman)- eminates strength and beauty. Her scenes are full of power, touching moments, and clear glimpses of spot on humor that make her such a complicated character. I believe that Meredith is all of these as a person as well, and more, I’m sure. I’m excited to get to know her better as this process goes on. In the short time I’ve been around her, I feel that she has a maternal presence that makes you feel like everything is going to be ok, and maybe a little crazy sassy lady in there as well…we will see…

-Jon (Lee Harvey Oswald)- is like a ken doll except with a lot of substance. Adorable and sweet, Jon views his character with a positive hopefulness that only Jon could. Most people wouldn’t want to dig into Oswald’s motivations. Jon is not only willing to go there, but is willing to view him in a sympathetic light instead of pinpointing him as the villain. I think this speaks to Jon as a person and it will be interesting for the audience to see this side of his character as well.

-Nathanael (John Hinckley)- is my favorite duet partner. We bonded way back when we auditioned together. Nathaniel has a quiet exterior at first, but once you crack through the shell he has a ridiculous sense of humor and is just an all around great guy that you can count on. He has put so much research into his character and has made you want to root for Hinckley, even if he is a loser. And it’s nice to be around a person who you know will always make you smile.

Sorry if that was a bit indulgent and long winded, but all these people have made this a wonderful experience so far. Although I didn’t describe them, Shawn (the director), Emily (the stage manager), Jackie (the choreographer), Greg (asst. to the director), Jess and Ellyn (the asst stage managers), Jo (the musical director) and Sarah (the production manager), and everyone else with Company One have been amazing to work with, and continue to challenge me and all of us everyday. Thank you to them and everyone! (And Emily…I will try to be early to rehearsal from now on!!)

-McCaela

Assassins: The First Week

Sup y'all. Nik Walker here, representing the cast and crew of Company One's 2008 summer mainstage, Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS.

Words aren't enough to describe how pumped I am to be a part of (and to be blogging with you guys about) this show. ASSASSINS has been my favorite musical since 7th grade; Company One has been one of my favorite theater companies since freshman year of high school, and The Balladeer has been one my favorite characters in musical theater for just as long - so the fact that I'm doing ASSASSINS with Company One and playing The Balladeer is just plain ridiculous. I'm not going to lie, I've never blogged before...it feels a little like I'm trapped in the ending of an episode of Doogie Howser, but anyway, look forward to a check-in on this site about once a week, with updates on rehearsals, behind-the-scenes stuff, shout outs from other cast members and tons o' fun.

We had a read-thru/sing-thru of the piece this past Monday after a week of busting out on the music. It was so good to hear everyone doing their thing, so many great choices were being made - I was bopping along uncontrollably. Jeff Mahoney is quite a force to be reckoned with - loud, proud and has put forth what is, in his words, a "Bat Shit Nuts" Guiteau. John Wilkes Booth is also electrifying in the hands of David DaCosta. We talked a couple of rehearsals back about where he wants to take the actor-turned-assassin with this production. He's done a lot of historical research on Booth, and he's very excited to see where this vantage point puts him.

Jeff, David, Mason Sand (playing Sam Byck), Ed Hoopman (playing Leon Csolgosz) and I were sitting around on our break time, discussing the large periods for each of us in the show where we don't have anything to do...the scenes for each character are pretty evenly spread. Ah, the wonders of a true ensemble piece. I think we unanimously decided that there would be plenty of runs across the street to the pizza parlor for a slice and a soda during performances. Hey, if the audience can't see us, we are most definitely not on the clock.

Talk to you soon.
-Nik