In another life.
In another life there were lights, and sound, and curtains going up and down. Actors who were real clowns, and elegant ladies in evening gowns.
In another life there was action and passion, and rage and tears. Set changes, cues, images and views, costumes with sparkling colorful hues.
In another life I found joy in a little community theater.
So sad to find out it closed 4 years ago:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1147&dept_id=483411&newsid=13911563&PAG=461&rfi=9
I remember my first show at the Fort Bragg Playhouse. I got ‘volunteered’ by a Military Doctor to do stage hand work for the Christmas Safety Show in 1987 as part of my learning to de-stress. After that show I stayed on as a sound tech for the theater. I was hooked! I followed the lead sound tech to the Cape Fear Regional Theater and worked beside him for a run of shows: Steel Magnolias, The Immigrant, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Anything Goes, Social Security, Pumpboys and Dinettes, an original production “Peace, Love & Rock and Roll”, then Big River in ’89. During that time I also returned to the FBP and worked sound for the production of Shenandoah. We had Aileen Quinn of Annie (movie version) fame for that one. She played (If I remember correctly) Jenny.
I had the privilege to work with some of the finest Actors and Actresses and learned to love ‘The roar of the greasepaint, and smell of the crowd’. Lee Yopp and Bo Thorp but hold fond places in my memory even if I gained my lasting moniker from Lee. During the Shenandoah rehearsals he would stop at odd moments and shout “somebody get rid of that damned feedback” which eventually got shortened to just ‘feedback’. I finally put an oscilloscope in-line with the board and showed him the signal was clean. I think he was wearing a loose fitting hearing aid and the feedback he was hearing was all local to that. We probably had the cleanest theater sound in the world for that show, but the name stuck for years. Many people in my current circle have known to call me feedback but this might be the first they knew why!
It truly was another life!
Tags: Aileen Quinn, Cape Fear Regional Theater, Fort Bragg Playhouse, plays, theater
September 15, 2009 at 11:37 pm |
It was a life within a life.
September 16, 2009 at 1:16 am |
Yes it really was more a life within a life. I hope I am part cat then so that I have at least 9 lives. I already used up a few…
October 13, 2010 at 7:34 pm |
Thinking of another life phase, I was discussing with a colleague “The Music Man” as she had one of the songs playing in her head. She had done the show in high school, and I mentioned that my son had done it at Ft Bragg with John Davidson (no relation). She, being born in the 80′s, did not know who he was! My son, Matt, was a young boy at the time we were based there and was involved with Music Man, The King and I (as the Prince), Shenandoah, and maybe a few more.
We felt privileged to have that level of theater produced, accepted by soldiers and families, and supported by the leadership on a hard-core army base
Thanks for the memories….
October 13, 2010 at 8:21 pm |
He may remember a soldier by the name of Tim Callahan that was one of the actors during that time as well. He was a good friend that I lost contact with for years until he recently found me on facebook.
I am happy to provide some good memories and glad that you stumbled on my blog.
January 13, 2011 at 3:53 pm |
hi, i was searching for any info on the production of man of la mancha , or bye bye birdie…ages ago. i know there is a video somewhere out there…any help would be awesome.
May 23, 2011 at 4:15 pm |
Jeffery, Are you referring to the 1992 production with Aileen Quinn. If so, I have been looking for you everywhere. Please e-mail me. Rudeashell@ec.rr.com. I have many photos of that production.
January 30, 2011 at 6:11 pm |
I came to the Playhouse somewhat earlier, 1968-1972, shortly before Tom Soar left as Director and was replaced by the brilliant David Keyte.
I still remember the Playhouse as the best theatre in the region and it was my privilage to have been, during my term of Army service, one of it’s leading actors. My experiences at the Playhouse were some of the best of my early career. I have written more extensively about it on my blog.
November 26, 2011 at 8:09 am |
JEFF,
TROY RUDESEAL HERE. KATHY AND I HAVE WORDERED WHAT BECAME OF YOU. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. RUDEASHELL@EC.RR.COM