Staging Rehearsals Have Begun!

A sign pointing us to the artistic director's house. 

She hosted the final sing thru at her home ... followed by a pool party!

Then today we started staging rehearsals and a read thru in the gorgeous Ferro Pavilion.

Show Info

Last Summer's Show - Arizona Lady

As I prepare to start rehearsals for Brigadoon next week, it's hard to believe it's been a year since my last big summer show, Arizona Lady.  Here's some fun clips from that production that were just released.

Arizona Lady Photos

Photos from Arizona Lady with Chicago Folks Operetta.  Running at Stage 773 (Formally Theatre Building Chicago) until August 1st.  Above, featured dancers Kirsten Lendyke and Eric Casady.  Photography courtsey of 5th Floor Photography, see photographs from the entire show here.

A Spirited Revival

Photo by 5th Floor Photography

Arizona Lady was given a thumbs up by The Chicago Tribune's John von Rhein.  "Spirited revival of 'Arizona Lady' packs tunes as well as six-guns."

We're hailed as a "lively and attractive supporting cast" and  "an engaging cast makes it a musical entertainment as refreshing as a lemon sorbet on a hot summer's day."  The review doesn't do justice to the fun and fantastic dancing by the ensemble though.  That you'll just have to see in person.  There are ten chances left to see this US Premiere.  Purchase tickets here.

Company Photo with Ms. Kalaman

Yvonne Kalaman and the cast of Arizona Lady

Photo by 5th Floor Photography

The cast and crew of "Arizona Lady" were lucky to have the daughter of composer Emmerich Kalaman, Yvonne Kalaman, in the audience for opening night.  Ms. Kalaman was delighted with the show!  It was an honor and a pleasure to have her in the audience.  The run continues Thursdays through Saturdays until August 1, 2010.  Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Arizona Lady Opens Saturday!

The American premeire of Arizona Lady opens this weekend!  Preview show and Industry night on Friday, July 16th.  Opening night with Emmerich Kalman's daughter and pre-performance lecture on Saturday, July 17th.  The show is fun, bubbly, and full of fabulous voices and dancing.  Come see me as Molly and a featured dancer in the first production of Arizona Lady in 50 years! 

Visit the Chicago Folks Operetta website for more information and to purchase tickets.

Character Inspiration

I love vintage pin up posters!  So finding one that relates to a show I'm doing always inspires me.  Arizona Lady is set in 1920s Arizona....something that requires a delicate balance of femininity mixed with the "down to earth farm hand" girl.  Based on the amount of pas de duex in the show, I'm going a little heavier on the former.

Arizona Lady opens this month on July 17, 2010.  Special pre-performance lectures and a visit by the composer's daughter are all part of the opening weekend fun.  Purchase tickets here.

Arizona Lady

Tonight was our first rehearsal of Arizona Lady!  It's going to be a great show.  A fun plot, catchy music, and dancing cow girls!

Chicago Folks Operetta is proud to present the American premiere of Emmerich Kálmán’s western operetta, Arizona Lady. Directed by Bill Walters and choreographed by August Tye, this romantic operetta will carry you back to the rough-and-tumble, happy-go-lucky wild west of singing cowboys Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. This was Kálmán’s last operetta, published posthumously in 1953. Featuring a new English translation by Hersh Glagov and Gerald Frantzen, this will not only be the American premiere but the first performance of the show worldwide in over 50 years.

Can't wait for our first staging rehearsals.  It's great to be back with such a fabulous company, Arizona Lady marks my thrid show with the Chicago Folks Operetta.  The show will be preformed at The Theatre Building Chicago July 17th - August 1st.  Purchase tickets here.

Closing Night & Compliments

After Pride & Prejudice closed to a solid run of almost sold out houses, I received the greatest compliment from one of the writers.  She said they loved my interpertation of Anne de Bourgh so much that they were going to incorporate it into future productions.  I was so flattered and humbled that my small character choice could impress someone who had written the scene!  Playing Anne reminded me that it's not about the amount of time you spend on stage, but what you do with it that counts.

Pride & Prejudice's Opening Review

Here's a bit from a lovely review of Pride & Prejudice from Steadstyle Chicago.

"Steven Daigle's energetic production mostly plays the piece for laughs, but there is no lack of drama in the work itself."

"One of the virtues of the show is that this is a real ensemble piece. True, the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy remains central, but almost every character has a moment or an entire number to shine."

"The first weekend's performances were packed at the Athenaeum Theatre, but tickets are still available for the second weekend. Austen lovers will find this is an exciting opportunity to experience the work anew."

Want to read the whole review, click here.  Want to see the show?  There are two performances left, Saturday, March 6 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 7 at 3:00 at Athenaeum Theatre.  Purchase tickets here.

Pride & Prejudice Character Research

I always find it fascinating to play characters based on literature, especially the lesser known ones.  Here is a little inspiration board I created to help me with playing Anne de Bourgh. 

I found this blog, Mending My Own Pen, to be particularly interesting.  A great character comparision of Anne and Georgiana Darcy, and proof that just because one character is telling the story doesn't mean they are always right.

Pride & Prejudice opens this Saturday. 

Find out more at the Chamber Opera Chicago Website.

Operetta Photo Love

I'm on the blog at 5th Floor Photography!  They shot the dress rehearsal for Cloclo and one of their images was in this month's issue of The Chicago Magazine.  Check out the post here.

Pirates is a Smash Success!

The critics attended opening night and declared Pirates of Penzance a must see operetta.  There are only four chances left to see the show The Tribune says is full of "pretty costumes and an attractive cast that's eager to please," and The Sun Times says is "a winning combination of top-flight singing, colorful orchestral accompaniment and antic staging."

Family Matinee: Wednesday, December 30, 2pm
Thursday, December 31, 8pm
Saturday, January 2, 2010, 8pm
Sunday, January 3, 2010, 2pm

Backstage Details

Pirates Sneak Peak

Here's a little preview from our first dress rehearsal of "Pirates of Penzance."  We open this Saturday, December 26th with two shows, 2pm & 8pm.  Enter the code "Paradox" and receive 50% off tickets here.

Mitislav Girls

Can-can fun at the Cultural Center's 'Day of Opera'

Mitislav the Modern

On Sunday, December 13th The Chicago Folks Operetta will participate in The Chicago Cultural Center's free Sunday Salon Series: Day of Opera with their production of Mitislav the Modern.  This rarely seen operetta is Franz Lehar's own parody of his famous Merry Widow.  Come see the third production in the "Widow Trilogy," a fabulous romp about modern love....complete with can-can girls.

Sunday, December 13th @ 1:00 pm

Chicago Cultural Center 77 East Randolph Street

Free Admission

Above, I used this vintage pin up photo for my character inspiration.

Just Cast!

I was just cast in the ensemble of Light Opera Works' Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan. I'm very excited to be working with Light Opera Works again. I was in their production of Iolanthe last summer, and can't wait to work with their talented production team again!

More details coming soon! Can't wait? Learn more here.

Cloclo Closing & Cast Party

Adeiu Cloclo! It was a fabulous run and a great cast.

Cloclo Opening!

My "Happy Opening Night" gifts for the cast,

Dum Dum Posies.

Post show reception complete with Champagne

and catered by The Pasta Bowl.

Amanda Horvath and I

Noel Taylor, Jamie Woodhull, and I