MacBeth

Christoper and Joe

The curtain is down. The lights are all dimmed. The accolades and ovations are echoes in the walls. MacBeth has closed; another run has come to its end.  Part of me is sad. I always miss those I work with. We spend so much time together in rehearsals we become in a sort, a family. Folks I have worked with in past shows, new friends with new shows all are dear to my heart. Although the show has come to an end it produced beginnings. New opportunities, new friendships.

Maestro Robert, Christine, DB

Lovely Linda and King David

Danielle, Denny, Desiree

I was very blessed to work with such talented singers, artisans, musicians and technicians yet again. Moving to Alaska has afforded me the opportunity to "live my dream" as my daughter put it. Standing in the wings awaiting my cue, I was mesmerized by the lights above the stage; transported back 20 years to college, standing in the wings awaiting my cue.

I love the smell of the theatre. The curtains, the lights, the floors all have a "smell" that make me smile. Smells evoke strong memories. Being on stage transports you to another place, another world, to be another person.  Playing Lady MacDuff was such an experience. I was able to sing along side our principles, one in particular lyric Tenor Ben Bongers. (Ben was MacDuff.) I had to remember to sing when he was singing. His resounding voice filled the theatre. I enjoyed listening and had to remember, "ANGELA SING NOW!!" Not only was I able to work with Ben I had the pleasure of working with the BEST stage manager in the country, Lisa. Nothing stumped her, nothing seemed to discompose her.

Lisa and Ben Bongers

Ben Robinson

We had a returning principle Ben Robinson. Ben played Lt. Cable in last season's South Pacific. This year he was Malcom, the King in the end, in MacBeth. I entered stage with both Bens and affectionately referred to them as Ben the red and Ben the blond. If you see either of them at a theatre near you I recommend you go listen. Both will impress.



After all the work, all the study, all the rehearsals, we did have an amazing time. Friendships are forged and an "opera family" I have. I look forward to the coming season.

Lovely Lisa Willis and King "dead" David.... I think I am bleeding lend me a hand?

With Love my friends,
Angela

Tech Week

We enter tech week this weekend preparing for opening night February 18th, 2012.  Verdi's opera MacBeth makes its Alaskan debut, with themes of greed, unchecked ambition, emasculation, violence, grief, love of country and political alliances. Not much has changed since 1100 AD it seems. If you read MacBeth in high school or have never read it I recommend it.

Tech week is always a harried time. LOONG rehearsals. Costume fittings. Getting all the little things tweaked so we can make the show perfect for the opening. My costume is heavy yet beautiful. I have a train, although not long, backing up in "horror" as one of my songs says is going to interesting. We will see if Lady MacDuff falls upon her duff. I happen to be lucky my hair is quite versatile. While researching hairstyles of the time there are quite a few that will work quite nicely. Without the luxury of electricity the Ladies, Nobles, peasants and witches had to make do. I can't imagine living then. Looking back, the time seems so romantic and beautiful. Researching everyday life, its good to be a Noble. Bathing was a pastime, actually something women did in parties. I guess instead of a Tupperware party, noble women had bathing parties with mutton fat and potash scented soaps. That sounds like fun. Ok not really. Even peasants had public baths, called stews they could partake in. On a whole my research to understand Lady MacDuff lead me to understand the time a bit differently. I always thought it would smell terrible considering the plumbing and water situations, but maybe it didn't. In our day of antibacterial soaps, scented sprays, deodorants, colognes and everything under the sun cleaning products, I still find smelly smells all around. Odious aromas are abound!

Maestro Kelly, Maestro Robert giving instruction to some of our witches chorus as some of our men look on. This is our staging rehearsal venue, 9th floor of a high rise in midtown Anchorage. In the day time looks like a normal area, but in the night the lights of the city make for a beautiful back drop to rehearse opera.

Center is Ben Bongers playing MacDuff. Last night being mesmerized by his wonderful tenor voice, I totally went blank on my lines. We sing different lines to each other. He is telling me and the audience he has figured out the MacBeths, their evil plot and he must leave and flee his country. I am singing, this horror, this betrayal how could it happen under the law?

The witches, the Nobles, the peasants it is all going to be spectacular. I am so blessed to sing with a group of such talented singers, performers and artisans. I am looking forward to the coming week and opening night. More pictures to follow friends. Again, reread or read MacBeth for the first time. The themes are not so far removed from today. I am sure you can place todays figures into the characters are you read.
With love my friends,
Angela

MOVIE TIME!!!

As I sit here studying my lines for MacBeth I am getting all giddy for tonight. I have to have my lines down perfect as I am a professional, but also my leading man is singing TOTALLY different words than I am singing. I have the pleasure and am also grateful to be singing with tenor Ben Bongers who is playing MacDuff for our production of MacBeth. But more on that later..... my giddiness about tonight is for the movie!!! Remember back in October 2010?! If you don't scroll down and take a gander that post.

Remember how I spent the day with Dermot Mulroney and Vinessa Shaw. I was in the wedding scene of Drew Barrymore's movie at that time called Everybody Loves Whales. Since the taping it has had a name change. I am sure you all have seen the ads, greenpeace worker, Reagan worker and AF guy save some whales in Alaska? The movie is now called, Big Miracle. It opens nationwide tonight!

The children and I are going to the 7:00 showing tonight. My friend Nancy and I had thought of going all dressed up like a red carpet event, but decided just looking nice would do. Who knows if I will actually be in the movie, if my scene was cut or if my elbow made in the scene or a piece of my hair, but how exciting to say, I was in that movie! The children and I are hoping not to yell, there I am. Being as many locals were in the movie I am sure many folks will be fighting the urge to do the same thing.

I was telling someone just the other day, Alaska has been a dream come true. I am able to be back on stage singing and now in a movie. I was called to be in another movie recently starring John Cusack, however, it was a prostitute role. I kindly turned it down as I didn't have a good feeling about it. I read for a speaking role also but didn't make the cut. The casting director here liked me but the casting director in LA gave it to an LA actress. Go figure. That's ok. My name is out there and the casting director knows me and likes me.

I will keep you all posted on how tonight goes. I am just blessed to have the opportunity to do these exciting things. If you have a chance go see the movie. I understand its a nice family movie.

On a totally different note. In my last note to you Alaska has been having record weather. A chinook wind came through and took temps from -22 to 24 above. Ashleigh and I thought it would be fun to take a heat wave picture--->

24 above zero 

Today however, we are back to the teens and having a down pour of snow. We are expecting 8-12 inches of snow. I think our weather needs lithium. We are getting close to breaking the snow record set in the 1950s.

With love my friends,

Angela