CricketToes

Finally, Old-Timey Vernacular Gets The Quality Airing It Deserves

As regular digesters of this here blog know, Cricky's awful found of pulling words and phrases out from the dank linguistic cellar and giving 'em a good airing out 'cause, just like anything organic, language can and does get moldy and musty if ya don't. Also, folks tend to forget that the snappy vernacular of our parents, grandparents, etc. is tons o' fun!

In perfect alignment with that sentiment, Wisconsin Hybrid Theater--a.k.a. Radio WHT--and WMSE 91.7 FM are as tickled as giggly school girls to announce a brand new series called Frontier Radio Theater. And to that we say, "Whoozzah!"

Beginning this Sunday morning and continuing on the first Sunday of every month, WMSE Radio and online listeners will have the supreme joy of experiencing radio dramedy like it hasn't been aired in decades--at least not since the majority of y'all poked your tiny, adorable heads into the world.

First up is Sherlock Holmes’ Adventure at Stonor Manor, a re-imagined piece based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Adventure of the Speckled Band, deftly penned by Radio WHT's own Charles Sommers.

Now, I've been guilty of taking titles a tad too literally in the past--usually for the sake of hoots--but I get the distinct impression that old-timey won't be the only type of speech highlighted in this story. In my fragile mind it goes something like this:

"Listen, you no-goodnik, we'll fit ya for a pair of concrete galoshes and toss ya in the drink if ya don't come clean."

"Whoa, man. You need to mellow out, ya know, just loosen up. Like, uh, here, try this."

Eh? Eh? Could happen. I'm not sayin' it will, but it could happen.

I guess we'll all just have to tune in this Sunday at 9AM to find out for sure, right? Indeed.

Link (Thanks, Charles!)

Related:
Leave the Dishes in the Sink Ma--It's Time for Radio WHT!
Wisconsin Hybrid Theater Mashup: Very Old-Timey + Old-Timey + New-Timey

Put Your Brains On Parade

Remember last year when a whole gaggle of folks from every corner of Miltown came together to create socially relevant floats, puppets, music and dance, culminating in the first ever All-City People's Parade & Pageant? Sure ya do, and who doesn't, huh?

Well today co-producers Milwaukee Public Theatre and Milwaukee Mask & Puppet Theatre announced that planning for the sequel will begin posthaste and they need you to contribute all the gray matter you can spare to help 'em devise a theme and make 2010's parade even more spectacular.

Here's the initial schedule for the community brainstorming sessions:
Friday, April 23, 10-11:30AM
UWM Kenilworth Bldg., 1915 E. Kenilworth Place, Room #492

Wednesday, April 28, 6-7:30P
True Skool/Urban Underground, 4850 W. Fond du Lac Avenue

Tuesday, May 4, 6-7:30PM
Core El Centro, 611 W. National Avenue

Wednesday, May 5, 6-7:30PM
Agape gym, 6100 N. 42nd Street

Monday, May 10, 7-8:30PM
Urban Ecology Center, Riverside, 1500 E. Park Place

Thursday, May 11, 4:45PM
City Hall Rotunda, 200 E. Wells Street

Saturday, May 15, 3-4:30PM
Woodland Pattern, 720 E. Locust Street

Tuesday, May 18, 6-7:30PM
Bay View Library, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue

Wednesday, May 19, Time TBD
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), 273 E. Erie Street

All are RSVP events, so send an email to mptheatre2 at gmail dot com or call Milwaukee Public Theatre at 414-347-1685 to get your name on the VIB--Very Important Brains--list.

Also in the pipeline is a Train-the-Trainer Workshop for as many as 50 artists and teachers to learn giant puppet building techniques--an extremely useful skill for anyone who enjoys scaring the bejesus out of small children and animals. Date and time to be announced soon.

Not exactly sure what the All-City People's Parade & Pageant is? Or maybe you're wondering what level of nuttiness you'll be expected to display for the gaping crowd along the route. Click here to find out.

(Thanks, Linda!)

Theatre Editor Turns Prophet Of The Coming Apocalypse

David Cote, theatre editor for Time Out New York and well known critic, posted a nearly hysterical item at the Guardian yesterday, bemoaning the slash-n-burn techniques US publishers are employing to hand out pink slips to longtime, established critics. And when I say hysterical, I mean both in his delivery and in my own response of uncontrollable laughter.

Citing Variety's decision to cut loose chief film critic Todd McCarthy and chief theatre critic David Rooney on Monday--which is indeed sad--Cote's piece quickly spirals out of the realm of logic and into a diatribe of civilization-ending consequences should this trend continue.

He actually compares it with Alan Weisman's book The World without Us, stating, "You've seen the books speculating on what our cities would look like if humans vanished and nature were allowed to spread unchecked. Let's imagine a world without critics (please indulge my paranoid prognostication)." Well, yes, by all means, let's indulge him, shall we? Ha!

Combine that with his own less than stellar use of the English language--example: "... a parade of jobbing freelancers with little experience and even littler clout." Littler? Are you serious? Yes, it's a word, but that doesn't mean you have to use it. Sheesh!--and his analogy that "critics, reviewers, consumer reporters – call us what you will – are the dung beetles of culture. We consume excrement, enriching the soil and protecting livestock from bacterial infection in the process," and you've got the makings for a very public display of the crazies.

Now, don't get me wrong, kids, I do believe that critics play an important, if sometimes irritating, role in the health of the artistic community, but let's have a bit of perspective here. And for Pete's sake, whatever it is you're ingesting that makes you think it's an awesome idea to call the work that artists do "excrement"--the sole reason you have a job, btw--I suggest you put it down and phone a medical professional immediately. Be sure to ask for a lollipop on your way out.

Link (via Thomas Cott's "You've Cott Mail")

Join The Happening To Raise Funds For Injured Actors

The Youngblood Theatre Company has announced the details of the fundraiser to assist injured co-founder/ensemble actor Andrew Edwin Voss and his fellow thespian Jason Waszak cover medical costs as they recover from a senseless stabbing attack that occurred on Milwaukee's Eastside early Sunday morning.

The event, complete with music and a comedy show by Meanwhile Improv, will be held at The Alchemist Theatre Friday, January 29, starting at 7PM. $5 will get ya in, but we encourage all to dig a little deeper to show their solidarity.

With the announcement came word that Andrew's condition has been upgraded from critical to satisfactory after having undergone surgery at Froedtert Hospital, and thank the healing arts for that. Jason is recovering at home from less serious wounds.

If ya can't come to the happening tomorrow night, you can donate at The Alchemist website. All funds raised will be deposited in a single-purpose account called "Actor Aid" in the name of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) theatre faculty member and mentor Raeleen McMillion.

Please give what you can to help these actors and their families diminish financial worry and ease what we know to be an extremely difficult physical and emotional burden.

Related:
Urgent Help Needed For A Fallen Artist
Youngblood Theatre Is Shakin' The Tree

Urgent Help Needed For A Fallen Artist

It was with great distress that we received an email from Michael Cotey, founding artistic director of Milwaukee's Youngblood Theatre Company, Monday evening informing us that Andrew Edwin Voss, company co-founder and ensemble actor, was the victim of violence early Sunday morning. Though we are not privy to the details of the incident, we do know that Andrew is currently in critical condition at a local hospital.

Andrew was appearing in the role of Davis in Youngblood's staging of Red Light Winter, which opened last Thursday. The play's run has been canceled due to this tragic turn of events.

The company has stated that those "who purchased tickets for the remainder of the run will be offered the opportunity to have their money refunded or donated towards Andrew’s costly medical expenses. The staff of the Alchemist Theatre will contact patrons individually regarding their tickets."

In a show of great compassion, The Alchemist is accepting donations for Andrew’s family at its website and will also host a fundraising event on Friday, January 29, beginning at 7:00PM.

Please give to help a young and talented artist in need.

To Andrew, may your recovery be swift and absolute.

UPDATE: It appears another actor, Jason Waszak, was also injured in the incident. He was treated at an urgent care facility and is recovering at home.

Related:
Youngblood Theatre Is Shakin' The Tree

Youngblood Theatre Is Shakin' The Tree

It's no secret that the art world regularly operates in a contradictory, nearly schizophrenic manner when it comes to offering opportunities to the young and/or largely unproved. Theatre manifests this nutty tendency in a particularly pernicious way, sapping the vast energy and drive of emerging actors, playwrights, directors, et al by placing them in glorified, dead-end gopher positions and blowing off their ideas, saying, "We'd love to see what you've got, kid, but come back when you've paid your dues."  So the only way for rosy-cheeked yougins and others without a ton of experience to crawl their way into the spotlight is to simply ignore the establishment and get crackin' on the work themselves.

As evidence that this can be done, I give you Milwaukee's Youngblood Theatre Company. Not only have these whippersnappers made the artistic independent leap, but at just six months old they've skipped the crawling and walking stages entirely and are running full tilt toward a promising future, bringing contemporary theatre to our old burg and shakin' the tree with gusto!

Last week I had the inimitable pleasure of sitting down with Youngblood's co-founder/ensemble actor/resident playwright/sometimes director Benjamin James Wilson, co-founders/ensemble actors Andrew Edwin Voss and Tess Cinpinski, and thespian David Rothrock. We met at the always drool-inducing Transfer Pizzeria in Bay View to discuss the company's production of Red Light Winter, opening tonight at The Alchemist Theatre.

Penned by jack-of-virtually-all-writerly-trades Adam Rapp (Nocturne, Essential Self-Defense) and directed for Youngblood by Wilson, Red Light Winter is the tale of two former college pals--Matt (Rothrock) and Davis (Voss)--who couldn't be more different from each other, their encounter in Amsterdam with a prostitute named Christina (Cinpinski) and its lasting effects. Sounds like a real hoot, right? Eh, not so much.

Seems the play actually wants to say something about how we humans--especially youngish humans--are so adept at finding ways to avoid what's really missing and messed up in ourselves that we'll do just about anything to redirect our attention. If it isn't boozing, self-medicating and/or sleeping around with strangers willy-nilly, it's cowering in corner, tormenting ourselves with negative thoughts, obsessing about someone we barely or don't even know, and/or pretending to be someone/something we're not. Now that's entertainment!

Chatting 'round a plate of antipasti, the director and actors had nothing but praise for Red Light Winter, relating their first impression of it as "scary good." Boy, I gotta tell ya, it's pretty damn hard to get four people to a place of complete agreement on anything, let alone on the quality of a play, so I'm gonna take their word for it. Also, I trust anyone who insists that I try a share of good eats, especially when they're holdin' down a day job to support their currently non-paying artistic life.

All four studied acting at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and Wilson explained that having past working relationships meant that he could read the characters with actors in mind and not have to send out a casting call. It also meant that he could imagine a specific actor in a type of role he knew they'd never played before, adding an element of challenge and the excitement of exploration. Let's give a shout-out for breaking the curse of typecasting before it's got a chance to set, shall we? Whoot!

For their part, Cinpinski, Voss and Rothrock agreed that the knowledge they'd gained by working with each other in the past made it much easier and quicker to get a handle on the complexities and nuances of the characters and how they relate to one another. Both Voss and Rothrock expressed their belief that Cinpinski's role was the most formidable to develop as the text gave her less hints to the real motivations behind the actions of Christina than the two male characters. Leave the heavy lifting to the one woman amongst you, fellas, and all shall be well and right.

Red Light Winter opens tonight and runs through February 6, 2010, at The Alchemist Theatre, 2569 S. Kinnickinnic. Tickets are just $12 a pop and can be ordered online here.

Warning/Enticement: This is an adult play, people! There is nudity and rather explicit sexual situations, so leave the kiddies and your tween giggles at home, and enjoy the show!

Link (Thanks, Michael, Ben, Andrew, Tess, and David!)

Argh! It's The Dreaded Gallery Night & Day List

Those of you who regularly follow the musings, intel-sharings and look-over-heres on CricketToes know that we are loath to post lists of any sort. Our reason for this is painfully obvious to anyone who's suffered the mind-numbingly tedious Events Calendar menu of a print newspaper or online equivalent. Sure it's free for peeps to get their thing in there, but it's got no substance, no pizzazz, no pop!

Unfortunately, the sheer number of laudable happenings, er, happening during this weekend's Gallery Night & Day--a.k.a. Quarterly Miltownwide Art Competition--has forced us to adopt a very temporary moratorium on our list ban.

Okay, you ready? Here we go in no particular order:

• 2nd Annual Art In The Neighborhood
Friday, January 15, 2010, 5-8PM
King Drive Commons Gallery & Studio
2775 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee
Organized by ArtWorks for Milwaukee, this is a one-night only event, featuring work created by youth apprentices who participated in two fall 2009 ArtWorks programs: Identity Map Portrait Project & Anti-Gang Violence T-Shirt Campaign. Also on view will be the work of emerging artists with strong ties to the Harambee neighborhood. Food, drink, a silent auction and raffle. Live Gypsy swing music performed by 4th Street Elevator--those cats are hot!

• Transitional/Transcultural: New Paradigms for a New Century
Opening Reception: Friday, January 15, 2010, 5-9PM
Exhibition Run: January 15-February 27, 2010
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD)
273 E. Erie Street, Milwaukee
The fifth installment of MIAD's Culture in Transition series highlights the work of eight artists grappling with the complexity and beauty of multiculturalism.

• Michael Coates at Caggio: An Art Experiment
Opening Reception: Friday, January 15, 2010, 5-10PM
918 East Brady Street, Milwaukee
Painter Michael Coates invades the intimate space of Caggio with twelve works on view. Also for your perusal, the photography of Ed Sahagian-Allsopp and Richard Bublitz.

• New and Emerging Artists at Tool Shed
Opening Reception: Friday, January 15, 2010, 5-9PM
2427 N. Murray Avenue, Milwaukee
Friend and confidant to every human with an interest in sex--so, yeah, everyone--Tool Shed offers up an exhibit featuring works by four emerging artists: Michele Parliament, Balthazar, Steve Somers and Bankky.

• Armoury @ The Cedar Gallery
Opening Reception: Friday, January 15, 2010, 5-10PM
Exhibition Run: January 15-March 13, 2010
326 North Water Street, Milwaukee
Artists/curators Jessica Steeber and Cassandra Smith of the deceased Armoury Gallery rise from the ashes as they present works by Ginger Lukas, Sophia Flood, Kevin Giese, Katie Kraft, and a collaboration between Karin Haas and James LaLonde. It's 2-2-2 galleries in 1!

• Pfister Hotel 2010 Artist in Residence Finalist Show
Friday, January 15, 5-9PM & all day Saturday, January 16, 2010
Gallerie M at the Intercontinental Milwaukee
139 E. Kilbourn, Milwaukee
Work by the six finalists contending for the honor to become the next Artist in Residence at the Pfister Hotel will be on view and you can vote for your favoritest one! Finalist are: Bridget Griffith Evans, Mutope J. Johnson, Sara Mulloy, Katie Musolff, Kristopher Pollard, and Aries Tjhin. The winner will be announced on February 15.

• Bunny Gumbo's Combat Theatre + Dwellephant
Friday, January 15, and Saturday, January 16, 2010, 8PM
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
325 W. Walnut Street, Milwaukee
After so many years of writing, rehearsing and staging 16 plays in 48 hours, you'd think the kids at Bunny Gumbo would be all tuckered out. You'd be wrong. Joining the crew this year as a sideshow attraction is Dwellephant. Watch as he creates art on the fly in response to each play with only the help of his ears--no visual cues allowed!

So that's The Dreaded Gallery Night & Day List, people. Like it, love it, lump it. Now get out there!

Leave the Dishes in the Sink Ma--It's Time for Radio WHT!

Despite the negative prattle of naysayers and poo-pooers, sometimes good things really do happen to good people. In just the latest example of such miraculous occurrences, one of Cricky's favoritest pals, WMSE 91.7FM in Milwaukee, reached out the fine and funny thespians at Wisconsin Hybrid Theater (WHT), saying, "Let's put on a show! Our uncle's got, er, we've got a radio station and lots of devoted listeners!" To which WHT replied, "Say, that'd be swell and keen!" And with that, they vigorously shook hands, stepped into a studio and produced a totally unique version of A Christmas Carol that will have Chuck Dickens himself tuning in tomorrow at 3PM Central & Haunted Standard Times.

With an original script written by WHT founder/director Charles Sommers, seven highly talented actors gave it everything they've got and then some at the recording session this past week, all in an epic creative effort to bring WMSE's radio and on-line audience the very best in audio-only dramedy. Reinforced and enhanced by wacky sound effects and must-hear tunes crafted by Indie accordion master Pezzettino, the airwaves and The Internets™ won't know what hit 'em!

WHT has been producing and staging its "radio" shows live since 2007 but this is the first time one of its plays will actually be broadcast to the peeps, so those who make the oh-so right decision to listen in will automatically become members of an elite group known as the Official WHT/WMSE First & Best Fan Club. DIY decoders rings for everyone!

Tune to 91.7FM or go to wmse.org at 1500 hours--that's 3PM for you isolationists--Saturday, December 19, to show your support for good people making good radio!

Link (Thanks, Charles & Ryan!)

Related:
Wisconsin Hybrid Theater Mashup: Very Old-Timey + Old-Timey + New-Timey
Pezzettino's Latest Shoppa de Cover

RedLine: The Answer to Art's Toughest Question

Over the past couple of days, I've spent innumerable minutes, nay, seconds in both deep and foggy contemplation about what I should give you kids on this Thanksgiving Eve 2009. A fuzzy kitten? My Pretty Pony? A year's subscription to Boy's Life magazine? While all of these gifts have undeniable charms that keep right on giving, it suddenly dawned on me that perhaps what you really need is the thing your very bestest teachers gave you each and every year on the day right before a holiday: A Pop Quiz!

I know, I know. I can hear you moaning, "Aw man, why do we have to take a quiz?" Because it's an elemental fact of life that if you work your thinker real hard you may then spend your time off skipping merrily through the streets and fields as you happily wave to folks you know, like the butcher and the milkman and that funny smelling guy on the corner.

Now, don't get nervous 'cause it's only one question--granted, it's a dilly. Just relax, breathe deep and focus. Go!

What is the most important action an artist of any discipline can take to ensure continuing growth and creative development?

Huh? Ya got it? That's right! Answer is: Do The Work.

And what's the best possible way to make that happen? Yes, I did say it was only one question, but--surprise!--I lied.

Answer is: In a dedicated space that offers a nurturing environment in which to get it done. Eureka!

Just such a place is RedLine, the matchless art incubator located right here in our old Miltown. And, guess what? It just so happens that the fine peeps who run the show over there recently opened up the Artists-in-Residence Program a tad wider and are calling for 4 more mad geniuses to join their colony of exuberant artsy types.

Artists of all forms--including musicians, performance artists, writers and poets--are heartily encouraged to apply to this program. In exchange for an extremely reasonable monthly rent and two hours of community service per week, you'll get a studio of your very own, opportunities to collaborate and interact with others across the creative spectrum, access to RedLine's print shop and digital media workspace, and public exhibitions and events so you can strut your fancy stuff. Everybody wins!

To receive an application and/or secure further intel, send an email to redlinemke at gmail dot com.

Deadline is December 1, 2009--that's next Tuesday--so do it now!

Link (Thanks, Lori!)

Related:
Lose Your Fear/Laziness--Apply to RedLine
Creativity to Flow Freely at RedLine

Artistic, Soft-Bodied Forum Seeking New Members

The clever and industrious folks at the creative rural laboratory known as the Wormfarm Institute in Reedsburg, WI have expanded their support of the artsy set by launching an online forum. Sweet!

Launched this past summer, the virtual meetup community is a tad on the small side right now, so there's plenty of room for you to sign up and sign in. Create your own page with photos and videos, add your two bits worth of opinion on issues, topics, artwork and projects currently being discussed, or start a brand spankin' new topic, preferably one that really gets your heart singin' and/or your dander up--yes, both can be experienced at the exact same time.

Join the Wormfarm Institute forum today to help enrich and aerate our artistic soil! And remember, kids, if ya happen to lose a segment or two of creative philosophy in the process, you can always grow new ones.

(Thanks, Jeff!)