Science Museum Oklahoma Video

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December 9, 2011
by Dennis Spielman in


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

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December 8, 2011
by Dennis Spielman in


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

Awesome Events (Dec 6, 2011)

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December 6, 2011
by Dennis Spielman in

I have bunch of great events worth sharing tonight.

Light Up The Plaza
This month’s Live on the Plaza is transformed into holiday festivities with LIGHT UP THE PLAZA. Devon Energy, a proud sponsor has lit up the district with holiday lit trees! Come see the beautiful lights, holiday store displays, and handcrafted holiday décor throughout the district. Full details here.

The Nutcracker
December: 9-11 & 16-18.
Friday’s at 7 pm, Saturday’s at 2 & 7 pm, Sunday’s at 2 pm
Share the magic of the season with Oklahoma City’s most enduring holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, at the Civic Center Music Hall (201 North Walker Avenue, Oklahoma City). Glowing with holiday cheer, this perfect family outing has enthralled for generations. With Robert Mills’ traditional staging and Tchaikovsky’s familiar score played by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, you will always find something new. Call 405-848-TOES (8637) for tickets!

LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Enjoy a spectacular new Lyric holiday tradition with the production of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. Capture the magic and joy of Christmas as the ghosts of Past, Present and Future lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a powerful journey of transformation and redemption. 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! More event details here on Facebook and stay with Uncovering Oklahoma for our Question and Answer session.

Eggnog 3D: With a Vengeance!
It’s time for Ghostlight Theatre Club’s (3110 N. Walker Avenue, Oklahoma City) 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!

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! Be to watch out for Uncovering Oklahoma’s upcoming Question and Answer session.

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art School presents Kabaret Falschtanz
The talented troupe Kabaret Falschtanz will be performing and posing for us. Tickets are $10 in advance at ticketstorm.com or $15 at the door. We have great prizes from our sponsors. Bring your sketch materials. No drawing skills needed. The Boom (2218 NW 39th St, Oklahoma City) has a dinner menu.

Jessica and I did this video interview on the Kabaret Falschtanz back when they used to perform at Maker’s Straight Up. It’s good to see the troupe out again.

Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar 2011
Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar is an indie craft fair and community event with free admission in Oklahoma City, where unique artists show and sell their work to enthusiastic shoppers from all over the region. Learn more about our artists and charities at deluxeok.net.

I wrote this great article last year and bought lots of unique items from last year’s bazaar. I highly recommend checking out this event.

Mocktails!
Mocktails is an event hosted by the Bricktown Rotary Club (1 N Oklahoma Avenue, Oklahoma City) to promote the use of non-alcoholic drinks during the holidays. Celebrity judges will rank drinks prepared by bartenders from restaurants and clubs in the OKC area. Prizes are given for the winners who make the top beverages prepared without alcohol. Recipes of the drinks will be posted/printed, along with the names of the winners and their workplace. Please be safe at upcoming parties this season and offer drinks without alcohol for your guests! For more information, contact Joe Dorman at 580-476-3745 or email at repjoedorman@gmail.com
If you are interested in visiting or possilby joining Bricktown Rotary, meetings are upstairs at the Bricktown Brewery every Monday at 5:45.

Like Uncovering Oklahoma on Facebook for even more news.

Gift Guide: Collected Thread

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December 4, 2011
by Dennis Spielman in

The gift guides continues with the local and hand-made shop shop, Collected Thread. Collected Thread is a boutique where you will find handmade and vintage clothing, artists prints, clutches, stationary, handcrafted teas, accessories, baby items, home decor, and now classes on various subjects such as knitting and photography. Lindsay Zodrow shares some suggestions for gifts to give and get. If you have a Keep It Local OK card, bring it for a 10% discount on clothing (some exclusions apply).


For the little ones, Collected Thread these hand-made baby shoes. Cue the, “DWAAAAA…” For about $20, make the baby’s feet cute(r) and warm.


Spice up the house with a lovely natural soy scented candle from Sydney Hale Co. Lindsay says the most popular scent she sells is the Tobacco + Sandalwood. These candles cost around $22.


The popular “Local is for Lovers” shirt (which I personally own one) is now available in hoodie form. Priced around $40 depending on style and size.

Finally, another fun gift is a class. Visit collectedthread.com for details on upcoming classes.

Urban Art Video

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November 24, 2011
by Dennis Spielman in

Hey, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving today. To celebrate, I have a new video on Urban Art. Urban Art houses Art Fusion Studio, Istvan Gallery, Maya Trading Company, and the Blue Sage Glass Blowing Studio. I personally enjoy going to the artist openings Istvan Gallery holds (which was when this video was recorded). If your family is visiting and you want to show them something cool in Oklahoma City, take them to Urban Art.

Watch the video above for interviews with the various owners. Over the next few weeks, I’ll release full length interviews with the artists featured.

Don’t forget, if you’re shopping this weekend, read the Black Friday Deals article. Be safe and have fun this season!

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