Words from behind the scenes at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. A glimpse into the day to day of producing world class theatre in Montgomery, Alabama.
In the current production of Cowgirls, three high-brow classical musicians get mistakenly hired to play the grand re-opening of Hiram Hall, a country saloon in Rexford, Kansas. Mickey and Mo, the two waitresses at the saloon have their heart set on performing at the event, but owner Jo Carlson is more interested in turning those classical chicks into country queens...
In this video Mickey and Mo audition for Jo with a little ditty called "Don't Call Me Trailer Trash." You can relate? Can't you?
Our new production of Cowgirls began previews this weekend and reviewer Michael Howley says "Talent Abounds"in Cowgirls and found "foot stompin' delight" in the show!
Talent abounds in the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's production of "Cowgirls", directed by Karen Azenberg, who also directed & choreographed ASF's production of "West Side Story", and choreographed "A Christmas Carol: the Musical" and "Beehive".
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Not only do the six actresses act and sing their roles, they are also called on to play an assortment of musical instruments ranging from cello to mandolin and from piano to washtub in the two hour performance; and they demonstrate a variety of musical styles from classical to country. Impressive.
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Most of the play is an extended exposition, and it isn't till the final moments that they actually perform as the "Cowgirl Trio". But when they do, the event is a foot-stompin' delight -- partly because they have transformed into a really good country act, and partly because we have become invested in their lives.
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When Act I opens on Peter Hicks's two-level interior of Hiram Hall in Rexford, Kansas, one can almost smell the years of smoke and spilled beer, the brown wood aged just enough and the numerous photographs of country stars and old advertisements reach out to include the audience, so the external world that is never seen through its windows hardly matters. This is the world for the present.
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Individual personalities emerge as we watch the relationships grow, and by the end, most audience members will have chosen a favorite and will cheer the spunk and achievements of this excellent ensemble.
There's a new arts magazine in town! Well, in all of the state, really. Its called Arts in Alabama and its time has really come. The publishers visited ASF about a week before the Southern Writers' Project Festival and of course we invited them to check out the weekend and see what they thought.
They must have liked it because we have a fabulous write up on pages 46-49 of the first published issue. I'm sure they will be bringing some copies to your area soon, if you're in Alabama that is, but until then, and for all those not in Alabama, here's a link to their online version of the publication.
The magazine is really gorgeous and shows the diversity and very high quality of arts in Alabama. Enjoy!
And, if you've got a business, please consider supporting this important publication by advertising with them!
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