Stage Blood, an irreverent comedy involving a troupe of Shakespearian actors
Where: Spotlighters - 817 St. Paul St., Baltimore
When: Sunday, Sept 12 - 6 till 9 PM
Tuesday, Sept 14 - 7 till 10 PM
Sides: Available upon request. Email: mspellman60@comcast.net
Run Dates: Opens Nov 26 (NOTE: tech week is Thanksgiving; we'll work around
Thanksgiving dinner somehow but you need to be flexible. )
Runs thru Dec. 19
Rehearsals: Begin Oct 25. There may be some Sat. afternoon rehearsals.
Stage Blood - Written by Charles Ludlam of the legendary Ridiculous Theatrical Company of NY. This is a brew of Shakespeare and slapstick, whoopie cushions and classical monologues. Using "Hamlet" as a base, Ludlam examines father/son relationships, and the emerging possibility of open gay relationships (the play was written just a few years after the Stonewall Riots). The scenes revolve from off-stage to on-stage in a whirlwind of classic and comedy. This is for those who like performing Shakespeare, but are willing to turn the master's plot against him.
CAST:
Stone - PRE-CAST
Carl (Stone's Son) - Struggling with the role of Hamlet, he seeks to avenge his real Fathers murder. 20' - 30's, any race, able to deliver "To Be Or Not To Be" as well as comedy.
Helga (Carl's Mother) - The Scenery-chewing Diva, 50's, any race. Scenery-chewing says it all..... imagine Tallulah Bankhead and Bette Midler trapped in one body.
Jenkins - The Neurotic Stage Manager, 20' - 30's, any race, a bundle of nerves and neurosis.
Edmund - The Matinee Idol, 40's, any race, Thinks he's Barrymore.... isn't.
Elfie - The enigmatic Ingenue, 20's, any race, able to play Ophelia's "Mad Scene" as well as comedy.
In the 60's and 70's, Ludlam set the Theatre World on its ear by writing and producing a series of avante garde & highly irreverent comedies. He didn't worry about convention or gender. Neither did his audiences, who flocked to productions like "Camille" in which he starred, wearing a white ball gown with chest hair peaking over the cleavage. This past season, Everyman had a huge hit with their production of Ludlam's "Irma Vep" in which two actors play a half dozen roles in a quick-change frenzy. Now, Spotlighters will bring "Stage Blood" to a new generation of theatre goers.
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