En Avant!

We end as we began...with the genius of Tennessee Williams onstage at SCTC.  I am extremely torn at this moment.  I am elated to end with a sold out house and having over 600 people see our "Night of the Iguana" at the end our our entire season honoring him but also sad that this season of his work has ended.  At our closing party I was presented with my signed, framed poster from the cast [my favorite moment as producer] but this frame also had a rose taped to it. A rose that our Stage Manager, Ashley Chambers, secretly had onstage hidden during each show of the season. A rose to let us all never forget Tenn's beloved sister Rose...to whom so much of his work and life were dedicated.  I almost cried on the spot. And..if that wasn't enough..thanks to my friend and our "Nonno" Tom Juarez...the cast presented me with an autographed, hardcover copy of his book "Memoirs".  When I thanked Tom for his incredible generosity, he said that I "needed" to have it. The emotion that is welling up inside of me is rich and deep...and I have an incredible cast and crew of SCTC family to thank.  I titled this entry into my blog "En Avant!"...the term Tenn ended his correspondence with...roughly..."to the future"..and I now need to end with it.  Because Tennessee Williams is eternal...and his gift to all of us is the characters and plays he left us with.  So...as we began...we now end this season.  But...we will always celebrate the true gift we were given the day Thomas Lanier Williams was born. En Avant!

Final 3 of 7 of Tenn

 3 final shows of "Night of the Iguana"this weekend as our 7th season, "Tenn xTen", brings our season to a close. This season has been a fantastic run as we pay tribute to one of America's greatest writers, Tennessee Williams.  You have ONLY three more chances to experince Tennessee's poetry and full, rich characters up close and personally in our intimate 96 seat theatre.  Please don't wait to get your tickets as Sunday is already getting very full.  go to http://www.southcamdentheatre.org/ now to order.  As Tennessee ended all of his correspondence "En avant!"

The Fantastic Level and the Realistic Level are the two levels upon which we live.

"The Fantastic Level and the Realistic Level are the two levels upon which we live." Tennessee Williams, [through Shannon] plainly explains life as he sees it.  I am proud to say that we at SCTC can tie those two worlds together nicely.  The realistic world that surrounds us in Camden is a world that has gone through trying times.  Times of riots and abandonment, tears and crime.  However, through the art of theatre, the talent of our cast and crew and the generosity of many, this "realistic" level has managed to rise to the "fantastic" level. I can only invite you to come to Waterfront South to see these levels connect.  Come to SCTC and be transported to the Mexican coast in 1940 as Tennessee Williams' "Night of the Iguana" roars to life six more times starting tomorrow night.  Witness the connection of levels as art continues to save us and be the cure for the "realistic" problems we leave at the door at 4th and Jasper when we enter the "Fantastic" world of theatre.  This is an amazing play and Tenn could not have described SCTC's entire existence better.  See you there.

Personal Haven - Safe Harbor

Home from "Night of the Iguana" rehearsal watching actors pour themselves into the poetry of Tennessee Williams realizing it's been a few rough weeks for me, personally. After tonight's rehearsal I felt myself rise up like Shannon during his own storm...hearing God's angry voice in His thunder as my own soul quaked in its wake and...in its majesty..and...in the play...found my own self again. Art is as a basic need as water and sunlight. We need it to feel our hearts and souls. Trust me..don't miss SCTC's "Iguana" as Tennessee Williams' genius roars to life in Waterfront South. We open Friday. www.southcamdentheatre.org for tickets.

Personal

"Curtain" closes and a new "Night" begins

Thanks to the hundreds of people that made my play "Tennessee's Final Curtain" the success that it was at SCTC. You were a part of the birth of a new American play that, hopefully, will have only begun its long journey to other theatres around the country. I want to take a moment to pay you another compliment. One of the things I am proudest of at SCTC is the level of theatre savvy of our audience. You embraced this play as you have the other challenging, though provoking work we have brought to you. You take the time to listen and ponder, discuss and debate the work presented with the highest level of insight. I usually say how proud of OUR work we are [which is true] but today I want to say I proud and grateful we are to have YOU sitting in the seats of Waterfront South Theatre. With all of us pulling together this synergy will continue to bring Camden back to its full glory. As "Night" approaches I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your constant support. It is so appreciated.

Thanks Craig and cast of "Streetcar"

Thanks, Craig for last night's invitiation to talk to his cast of their upcoming "Streetcar" production about Tennessee Williams. It was fun for me to share my many years of study of the man and his work and I am so grateful the cast welcomed me with such enthusiasm. Haddonfield Plays and Players opens their productin tomorrow night and I wish them many "broken legs". Come see my own "Tennessee's Final Curtain" this weekend and then go see "Streetcar". I think you'll watch his work with a deeper understanding of the great writer and his moviations after opening his "Final Curtain" first. En avant!