Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A Suitcase - Stage and Film


"A Suitcase." 1972 (stage).  From left: Norma Schneider, Barbe Larsen, Wendy Lehr, Bain Boehlke.
PLEASE BE ADVISED that co-founder and artistic director John Clark Donahue, as well as a number of staff and/or school faculty members of the theatre (actor/instructor Jason McLean, for one) have been convicted and/or charged with criminal and/or civil crimes of sexual abuse of minors.  In winter of 2019, in civil court, the Children's Theatre Company was also found guilty of negligence in these matters which occurred during the time period of the 1970s and 1980s (and probably earlier).  Consequently, please be aware that the images and links within this blog include the contributions and participation of certain minors who were victims/survivors/witnesses of sexual and emotional abuse and residual trauma,  as well as certain adult perpetrators, enablers, and/or former victims.


A one-act play written and directed by John Clark Donahue, "A Suitcase" was presented by The Children's Theatre Company and School of the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts in conjunction with Variations on a Similar Theme (an homage to Rene Magritte) -- first in the spring of 1972, and a second, final time in 1977. Offered for adult and teenage audiences.
"A Suitcase" first appeared publicly in October, 1971 in the form of an opera libretto (written and directed by John Clark Donahue) entitled "Postcard from Morocco" composed by Pulitzer-prize winner Dominick Argento and premiered by the Center Opera Company (now Minnesota Opera) with scenic and costume design by Jack Barkla and lighting by Karlis Ozols.



Very poor quality video from the spring 1977 stage production...








"A Suitcase" also became a film project by the Company (clips provided below), undertaken in the summer of 1973 while the current theatre facility was still under construction (to open a year later in late summer, 1974).  Postproduction of the film was completed in 1974.



Film clip 1 of 3.




Film clip 2 of 3.




Film clip 3 of 3.

Film credits:

"A Suitcase" written and directed by John Clark Donahue
Producer: C.H. Mulkey, Jr.
Associate Producer: Stephen Ayers
Music composed by Steven M. Rydberg
Film Editor/Associate Director: D.B. Morris, III
Director of Photography: Richard Gibb
Art Direction: Gene Davis Buck
Sound Mix: Jay Booth
Sound Operators: John Frankenberry, Pat Sullivan
Production Coordinator: Timothy Mason
Production Crew: Sara Baker, Maria Iverson, Laurel Kennedy, Julie Powell, Mary Ann Raymond, Carol Wheeler, Victoria Wozniak.
Gaffers: Jon Baker, Bennett Harrison, Karlis Ozols, Jeffry Thomas.
Set Operations: Francis McGovern
Set/Prop Dressing: Don Yunker
Personnel: Mary Winchell
Company Coordinator: Frances Siftar
Script and Camera Assistant: Susanna Schlintz
Security: Russ Eckerea
Continuity: Ed Wujciak
Set Construction: Rob Jackson
Wardrobe: David F. Draper
Hair Design: Marilyn Moore
Make-Up: Barbara Larsen
Production Stills: Chip Borkenhagen, Judy Herbruck.

Starring
Bain Boehlke.
Featuring
Cyn Byrne, Marilyn Dossey, Gerald Drake, John Jenkins, Christian Mulkey, Barbara Larsen, Wendy Lehr, Guy Paul, Norma Schneider, Jim Stowell
with
Sue Batchelor, Carl Beck, Jean Boone, David Campbell, Muhammed Eleydi, Joe Franken, Kim Livingston, Timothy Mason, Patrick McNellis, Sean McNellis, George Muellner, Karlis Ozols, Sara Schimke, Richard Shaw, Kathleen Sullivan, Hiram Titus, David Williams, Ken Williams
and
Jan Archerd, Bob Biederman, Paula Bormes, Matthew Brassil, Nance Campbell, Neil Christian, Evelyn Clark, Thelma Danahy, F. J. Donahue, Bill Dovali, Robert Drake, David F. Draper, Russ Eckerea, Irving Fink, Curt Flick, Bob Fredsall, David Hauberg, Karen Helfand, Cecil Homcha, Tim Johnson, John Kadulski, Kathleen Kennedy, Ilona Lazar, Garry Lewis, John Mason, George McConnell, Francis McGovern, Sr., Marilyn Moore, John Nelson, Marge Nutter, Bob Pryor, Les Raymond, Steven Rygberg, Jerri Sachs, A.J. Seegers, Bob Seth, Kerry Stein, Raveesh Whorra, Mary Winchell.
Copyright 1974 by the Theatre Company of the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts.
Production assisted by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Minnesota State Arts Council, and The Jerome Foundation.


Monday, December 13, 2010

Cinderella



Cinderella.  1974.  The Children's Theatre Company and School of Minneapolis, MN. 
Matthew Brassil (center) as Prince Eric, holding the glass slipper.

PLEASE BE ADVISED that co-founder and artistic director John Clark Donahue, as well as a number of staff and/or school faculty members of the theatre (actor/instructor Jason McLean, for one) have been convicted and/or charged with criminal and/or civil crimes of sexual abuse of minors.  In winter of 2019, in civil court, the Children's Theatre Company was also found guilty of negligence in these matters which occurred during the time period of the 1970s and 1980s (and probably earlier).  Consequently, please be aware that the images and links within this blog include the contributions and participation of certain minors who were victims/survivors/witnesses of sexual and emotional abuse and residual trauma,  as well as certain adult perpetrators, enablers, and/or former victims.

Originally presented by The Children's Theatre Company of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in 1966, Cinderella, adapted for the stage by John B. Davidson, became the treasured cornerstone of CTC's continuing holiday repertoire.  Stylistically influenced by the traditional English holiday pantomime, the role of the Stepmother (Rose Olson Cramp) was played by the lead actor of the acting company (Bain Boehlke for the first six productions in 1966, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1980 and 1983; with Gerald Drake carrying on the tradition in multiple productions thereafter).  Also a constant was Wendy Lehr's unforgettable performance in the role of one of the two stepsisters, "Pearl Cramp."  Karlis Ozols, too, appeared in numerous productions as the Lord Chamberlain.  The role of Dorcas Cramp shifted from year to year, as did the young actress playing the title role, the young actor playing Prince Eric, and the role of the Fairy Godmother.
Musical olios between scenes were performed by a live orchestra and cast members, dressed in Victorian garb, singing traditional Christmas carols including "The First Noel," "What Child is This?" "Fum, Fum, Fum" and so forth, including Davidson's original lyric to the traditional "Christmas Is a'Comin'." (see below.)  Virtually every resident composer and/or music director in the Theatre's history adapted and/or scored a section or two of the play over the years.
Dance was also included in the play, not only in the ball scene, but also a ballet interlude during Cinderella's wintry garden transformation from rags to ball finery and, again, prior to Cinderella's presentation to the court as the Prince's new bride.
The original scenic design was by John Clark Donahue, redesigned in 1969 by Jack Barkla, then designed for the "new theatre" in 1974 by Edward Haynes with costumes by Gene Davis Buck.



1974.  Bain Boehlke, Lynn Rubel, Sara Schimke, Wendy Lehr




1985.  Julie Briskman, Gerald Drake, Wendy Lehr




1976: Wendy Lehr as Pearl, Bain Boehlke as Rose Olson Cramp, Julie Williams as Dorcas,
Thomas Olson as Prince Eric.


1976.  Christmas Is a'Comin'

1980.  Julee Cruise, Bain Boehlke, Wendy Lehr






1969.  "What Child is This?"



1969.  Suzy Siftar as Cinderella.  Patrick McNellis as Prince Eric.



1969.  Barry Goldman and Patrick McNellis.






1969.  Suzy Siftar as Cinderella with Linda Walsh Jenkins as Fairy Godmother.










1976.  Sylvia Bolton and Myron Johnson.



Music Excerpts:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/oyijytnwige12tq/Cinderella_-_Opening.mp3/file

http://www.mediafire.com/file/469j6rsd5vfd41l/Cinderella_-_Xmas_is_a%2527Comin%2527.mp3/file

Christmas Is a-Comin’

Christmas is a-comin’ and the goose is gettin’ fat
Please to put a penny in the old man’s hat?
If you haven’t got a penny then a ha’penny will do
If you haven’t got a ha’penny then God bless you!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you!
If you haven’t got a ha’penny then God bless you!

Christmas is a-comin’ and the bells are ringin’ out
Up and down the avenue you hear the people shout:
Here’s popcorn for your Christmas tree
And toffee you can chew
One a penny, two a penny, God bless you!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you!
One a penny, two a penny, God bless you!

Christmas is a-comin' and the snow is everywhere
Smells of figgy puddin' are a-hangin' in the air
Like to stand here chattin' but my nose is turnin' blue
Awful nice to see you, sir, and God bless you!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you!
Awful nice to see you, sir, and God bless you!

Christmas is a-comin’ and the candles are aglow
Making frosty patterns as they flicker on the snow
When the spirit beckons if you’ve nothin’ else to do
Raise your voice in harmony
Sing God bless you!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you!
Raise your voice in harmony
Sing God bless you.
God bless you!
God… bless… you!  YOU!



1983 documentation Video clip 1 of 3:



Video clip 2 of 3:



Video clip 3 of 3: