Ideas for Adventures in Oklahoma
Our Travels
Posts on our travels, including episodes and specials
Lemongrass
0January 12, 2012
by Dennis Spielman
in Our Travels
I’m starting a new series this year where every payday I recommend a new place to eat. First up is the Thai restaurant, Lemongrass, at 253 S Santa Fe Ave. in Edmond. Instead of writing lengthy reviews, I’ll keep it down to five sentences or less. I’ll share my thoughts along with anyone else’s that joined me (if anyone joined me).
Lemongrass easily gets a recommendation for a date night with its cozy, modern atmosphere.
The food had a flavorful spiciness to it that was well-balanced and delicious.
Entrees are in the $10-15 range with generous portions that may leave leftovers.
If you’ve been to Lemongrass, leave a comment with your thoughts!
Gift Guide: Warpaint Clothing
0December 26, 2011
by Dennis Spielman
in Our Travels
Warpaint Clothing is boutique, printshop, gallery, vintage shop that specializes in t-shirts done by Oklahoma artists with rock ‘n’ roll and Oklahoma pride style. The easiest thing for me to do is to showcase several of the t-shirts they print to give you a feel Bring your Keep It Local OK card for 10% off clothing (some exclusions apply).
If you like what you see, visit Warpaint in the Plaza District at 1710 NW 16th St in Oklahoma City.
Eggnog 3D Q&A
0December 15, 2011
by Dennis Spielman
in Our Travels
It’s time for Ghostlight Theatre Club’s annual fundraiser event: Screw the Eggnog, Pass the Rum. This year, Santa comes at you with the red hot fury of a thousand suns to kick MAJOR CHRISTMAS ASS! Eggnog 3D: With a Vengeance! boasts a cast to rival that of Ben Hur, fantastic Busby Berkeley inspired dance numbers, slo-mo fight sequences, and more than its fair share of drunk actors!
In this Performing Arts Q&A Emily Etherton answers my questions.
What is Eggnog 3D about?
Eggnog 3D is a sketch comedy, musical variety show celebrating (and mocking) the holiday season.
Will people feel clueless if they haven’t seen the previous Screw the Eggnog, Pass the Rum shows?
Not at all! While we’re sure to include some jokes especially for the people who have seen all three Eggnogs, the show is created every year with the main purpose of bringing the audience and cast together in a spirit of Christmas cheer and silliness. That’s something everyone can get into.
What special things are being done for this year’s production?
We’ve assembled the largest cast to ever tread the boards at Ghostlight. Eggnog 3D boasts a cast of 20 performers, all of whom are ridiculously talented. On top of that, we’ve included an actual 3D video!
Why should one see it?
Because you’ve already seen A Christmas Carol, right?
What were some unique challenges with doing an original production?
The writing process! While a show like this requires less rehearsal time than a standard straight play, the writing, workshopping, and editing process is very time consuming. We typically start kicking around ideas for the next Eggnog the day after the current Eggnog closes and we continue to brainstorm throughout the year. We have brainstorming sessions and writers’ meetings starting as early as October and the editing process doesn’t stop until we have our first audience.
What was the most fun thing about working on this show?
It has been huge amounts of fun just being able to include so many new Ghostlighters in the show and to see these actors, who do wonderful dramatic work, let their hair down and get silly with the rest of us.
What scenes do the actors enjoy?
Without giving too much away, a certain 8th grade girls glee club makes another appearance…and there’s a showstopping celebration of cultural diversity that is more fun than should be legal to have on stage.
Any other comments?
Come see it!! You will NOT regret it!
Help support Ghostlight Theatre Club while celebrating Christmas in our trademark sarcastic, self-deprecating, rum-soaked way! Tickets are $30 and should be purchased IN ADVANCE! With only 4 shows, don’t miss your chance to see this one of a kind show, participate in our awesome raffle, and get a chance to have your photo taken with Santa and Jesus!
Call 286-9412 for reservations. Seriously, do it now…or the red-nosed reindeer gets it!
DECEMBER 9th and 10th
DECEMBER 16th and 17th
ALL SHOWS BEGIN @ 8pm!
Science Museum Oklahoma Video
0December 9, 2011
by Dennis Spielman
in Our Travels
Along with Urban Art, another amazing place to show off Oklahoma to friends and family from out of town is Science Museum Oklahoma. I hung out with the museum’s Wonder Instigator and Relevance Czar, Clayton P. Moore. Clayton’s job is to make as many people excited as he can possiably make them about whatever it is they’re doing in the building. He talks about the museum and gives a brief tour.
Watch the video above and visit the Science Museum Oklahoma page for more information and pictures.
A Christmas Carol Q&A
0December 8, 2011
by Dennis Spielman
in Our Travels
In this Performing Arts Q&A session I speak with Michael Baron, the director of Lyric’s A Christmas Carol.
How do you describe A Christmas Carol to those unfamiliar with the story?
It’s the classic Charles Dickens Christmas story set in Victorian England of how the miserly businessman Ebenezer Scrooge changes his life to become a man with a generous heart who has compassion for others. He learns this lesson by visits from several ghosts which show him his past, present, and future life.
How does having a younger Scrooge affect the story, the characters, and actors?
I purposely cast a younger Scrooge who is not at the end of his life so that when he does ultimately change his cruel ways, he still has a long life of happiness ahead of him. Jonathan Beck Reed plays him in his mid-late sixties instead of 80’s. It also allows for a more vigorous performance which make the show more visceral and exciting for everyone on stage.
What acting traits make a good Scrooge?
Scrooge has been compared to playing Shakespeare’s King Lear. It is the ultimate role for an actor because each night you never leave the stage and are able to take a journey from greed to redemption. Jonathan has all of the traits of a great Scrooge- a detailed performance, the ability to justify his negative actions towards others, a sense of humor, wonderful use of the Dickens language, and an open heart so that you truly believe his transformation and love of Christmas in the end.
What other elements are special about Lyric’s production of A Christmas Carol this year?
We’ve pulled out all the stops for this production. The set and costumes are stunningly beautiful. There is lots of special effects and magical effects to highlight the supernatural elements of the story. The music is full of carols that are vibrant yet traditional. And the show is true to the original text but told with a modern sense of pace and excitement. In addition, the show is truly environmental putting the audience right into the middle of Dickens’ story.
Why should one see it?
Not only is it great theatre, but this production will bring faith to your soul that man does have the ability to change from a life of greed and isolation to one of charity and kindness. And it’s immensely entertaining for the entire family.
What was the most challenging aspect you had in the production?
I think the most challenging aspect was coordinating the many parts of the show into a cohesive whole- lights, sound, flying, snow, puppets, costumes, music, children, props, etc. It’s by far the biggest show Lyric has done at the Plaza Theatre, but it’s definitely been worth it.
How did you grow as director while working on this show?
Each time I work on A CHRISTMAS CAROL I learn more about the script, the story, and new stage techniques to bring it to life. It’s like a directing playground each time I stage it. There is so much to choose from, but getting it to be seamless is always a challenge.
What advice would you share to other directors looking to put on production of A Christmas Carol?
Make sure you love the original story, understand the journey of Scrooge, and love working with large groups of people. I found it to be wonderfully rewarding for everyone on stage and in the audience. I think that is why it’s still so popular today.
Michael Baron, director of A Christmas Carol at the famous Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., directs this new production with over 20 Christmas yuletide favorites. Brimming with joyous song and dance, lavish scenery, authentic costumes, theatrical magic and lots of snow, Lyric’s new holiday production celebrates the timeless Spirit of Christmas. This is a beloved family holiday treat you won’t want to miss!
Direction by Michael Baron
Choreography by Ashley Wells
Music Direction by Brian T. Hamilton
Set Design by Lee Savage
Sound Design and Original Score by Josh Schmidt
Lighting Design by Ariel Benjamin
Costume Design by Jeffrey Meek
Properties Design by Courtney Strong
Co Sound Design by Brad Poarch
Stage Manager Mark A. Stys
Starring Jonathan Beck Reed as Scrooge
Featuring Tom Huston Orr, Matthew Alvin Brown, Jayme Petete, Mat Govich, Charlie Monnet, Tommy Cunningham, Lexi Windsor, Brenda Williams, Melissa Grifith, Mandy Jiran
with LuLu Burnett, Ethan Carr, Natalie Goodin, Lillian King, Ashley Mandanas, Michael Mandanas, Emma Mowry, Ashley Robinson, Caitlin Rose, Cassie Schafer, Ryne Siler, Aaron Stewart, Kennedy Vanover, Ethan Wells
To purchase tickets visit lyrictheatreokc.com