Theatre in London has noticed us

I should hope so, as we are a theatre company, and we're in London.  We met up with webmaster Peter Janes this week and had a great time talking about London, the Fringe, and touring.   Read the full article here.

video clip available online

The London Free Press came by our tech, and the video is finally up on their (and now our) website. Aside from the fact that I am listed as the director and look a bit like a deer staring into headlights in the interview section, it's not bad.

London, but not England.

We're in the other London - the one in Ontario. Possibly not as famous as that other London, but pretty awesome nonetheless. We opened last night, but we've got five more performances left to catch at venue 3 - Wolf Performance Hall in the downtown library.
Sunday, August 3rd, 9PM
Monday, August 5th, 6:30PM
Wednesday, August 6th, 7:30PM
Thursday, August 7th, 11PM
Saturday, August 9th, 10:30PM

Tickets are $9, available at the box office, online at www.londonfringe.ca,
or at the door 30 minutes before performance. See you there...

Hometown paper finds us out

Technically, our hometown as a company is Walla Walla. We've spent a total of maybe 36 hours there on this entire tour, though, so we didn't think to alert the the UB to what we were doing. So they found us - read the full article here.

On the Sly in the Washington Post

Peter Marks, theatre reviewer for The Washington Post, saw our opening show. Here's what he had to say.

"A troupe from Walla Walla, Wash., called Formerly Witty Productions has more success [than previously mentioned shows] with "On the Sly," a genial modern adaptation at the Warehouse of "The Taming of the Shrew." You're not likely to think the actors have arrived from anywhere but their college dorms. Yet they radiate the pleasurable aura of let's-put-on-a-show that's so right for Fringe."

I'll have you know that all of us have lived off campus, thank you very much.

There are 6 other shows in the review; read about them here.

4-star (Baldacchino?) reivew from dctheatrescene.com

Steven McKnight of dctheatrescene.com says:

"This is an amusing play that provides an interesting twist on the story of The Taming of the Shrew. If you enjoy classic farce, On the Sly is a charming and polished little jewel."

also

"Alas, all of the mirth and merriment concludes too soon. All I can reveal is that the play ends with a satisfied audience leaving the theatre with smiles on their faces."

full review can be found here.

Capital Fringe - the basic information

There have been questions about the Capital Fringe Festival - and here are some answers.

1.When and where are we performing?
On the Sly is at the Warehouse - Mainstage
1021 7th St. NW (Metro: Mt. Vernon Sq. or Gallery Place/Chinatown)
Saturday, July 12th, noon
Sunday, July 13th, 7:30PM
Saturday, July 19th, 5PM
Wednesday, July 23rd, 7PM
Sunday, July 27th, 4:30PM

2. How do I get tickets?
a: online - www.capitalfringe.com
b: by phone - 1.866.811.4111
c: at the fringe office - 607 NY Ave, NW
d: at the door, one hour before performance

We recommend you purchase in advance.

3. What else do I need?
You need to purchase a fringe button, available at the box office. They cost $5, and you can use the button for every show you see at the Capital Fringe. It even comes with discounts.

4. Is your show good?
Yes. Of course. Even the Ottawa Citizen says so.

This little piggy went all the way to Wakefield

We're in Wakefield QC, possibly the cutest town in Canada. Many thanks to those who watched the show last night, and I hope the whole lot of you (and there were a lot) go see a lot more. Or see us again - tonight at 7:45, at the Black Sheep Inn. We wouldn't object to that either.

A word from the press

So, maybe this is vaguely narcissistic to parade around, but I suppose there's no shame in sharing. The following review is from Paul Gessell and Patrick Langston of the Ottawa Citizen:

"Sly Work a Laugh-Fest

Imagine a cast of actors who seem to have just escaped from The Rocky Horror Picture Show and then find themselves trying to perform a totally slapstick version of The Taming of the Shrew. The result is On The Sly by Formerly Witty Productions of Walla Walla, Washington. The plot is totally ridiculous. But don't be put off. On The Sly is like a misbehaving but lovable child.

The play opens as a drunk man accidentally wanders into the home of a rich, eccentric lady. She decides to have some fun with the uninvited guest and soon manipulates him into starring, alongside a wandering troupe of actors, in a wicked re-imagining of The Taming of the Shrew. The six actors have more energy than a room full of two-year-olds. Their actions are totally juvenile and downright silly. But only a mean old sourpuss could watch this little comedy and not die laughing.

On The Sly continues at Alumni Auditorium until Sunday."

The original column can be found here.

Oh, Canada!

We made it! After about 50 hours in the car (don't worry, we stopped to sleep...twice) and a quick interview with the Canadian Immigration Authority, we're in Ottawa.

We had our first performance last night, but there are 5 more left to catch - and 2 after that in lovely Wakefield, Quebec at the Piggyback Fringe. Here's how to find us:

1. Look around - there are 8 of us, so if you're near the Fringe center, chances are you'll run into one of us. We might even give you a flier. Ok, you can have a flier. We like you.

2. Buy a ticket (a much better option, we would like to point out) . Tickets are available at the door of the venue: Venue 1 - Alumni Auditorium, and cost $10. Performances are June 21st at 8, 22nd at 7:30, 26th at 11PM, 28th at 7:30, and 29th at 2:30.

3. Come to Wakefield. It's only half an hour from Ottawa, and I hear it's beautiful. We won't find out until Sunday, but every Canadian I've met said it's lovely, and Canadians would never lie. Performances are Sunday, June 29th at 8:30 and Monday the 30th at 7:45. Tickets also $10, and available at our venue - the Black Sheep.

Want more info - check the websites: Ottawa and Piggyback

Back where we started.

My parents pointed out to me over dinner this evening that I hadn't posted on the blog yet, so here goes. And there is news to report - non-vital news perhaps, but news nevertheless.

Today we held our second pay-what-you-can performances in places where people know us and are willing to support our wild endeavors. It was a homecoming in some way or another for all of us - some of us still live here, and all the rest used to. Oh, Walla Walla. It was also our first outdoor show, which offered all sorts of new challenges, such as mud. And a good-sized gazebo.

Thank you to everyone for your extremely generous support and hospitality - it's very gratifying and it certainly keeps us in good spirits. Tomorrow we begin the great journey across the country to Ottawa, Land Before Time-style, and it should be quite a journey indeed. Off we go, then.

First Performance!

We had our preview today in Portland at PerformanceWorks Northwest, and we could not have asked for a better send-off. Our friends were there in full force; in fact we had to add seats to fit everyone that showed up. Needless to say we were more than pleased with the support, and thankfully the show went very well. We're all quite excited for Abbotsford this weekend, which is the first stop on our official tour. If you happen to be in the area, do come see us, and if you happen to live in the area, feel free to offer us food. Thanks again to everyone that showed up tonight, I hope it's not the last time I get to perform for such a wonderful community.

-Forrest

Performances? Performances!

Live in Portland, Vancouver, or Walla Walla? Live nowhere near those cities, but are considering taking a vacation? Come see our first three shows on the road!

June 11th - 9PM - Portland, Oregon

at Performance Works NorthWest (6425 SE 67th Ave)

map

Tickets - make a donation

This is to raise money for our tour - don't leave us penniless and out of gas in the middle of Montana!

June 14th - 7PM - Abbotsford, British Columbia

Festival of Artistic Creative Expression

Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (32315 South Fraser Way)

map

Tickets - CA$10, available at the door

anyone coming from Seattle - remember to bring your passport.

June 16th - 6PM - Walla Walla Washington

Pioneer Park - at the Gazebo (Alder St. and Division St.)

map

Tickets - make a donation

Enjoy a Walla Walla summer evening with us - bring a chair or blanket, and perhaps a picnic dinner.

We'll see you there!

The Show is Blocked!

What now suckers?! We have a foundation for a play. Don't tell me great theatre can't be made in 11 days. We have 8 more and nobody's sweating...well I was, it was hot today when it wasn't raining. For once.

It's June?

So I'm told. But the wonderful thing about the northwest is that it's, well...still fall here. But, much like the postal service (U.S., not band), we rehearse come rain or snow. Luckily, just the former today. 

LIST!

Things we covered:

-Atmosphere work

-Character work

-Line work (which we all need to work on. I say this sternly)

This is a really great group of people to work with. As evidenced by their willingness to let me write on this blog account. I will wield my power with great responsibility, Tobey M. And with considerably better hair.

Burn.

See you tomorrow.

A Word From the Director

Hello theatre bloggers!

So hold on to your hats, keep your arms and legs within the cart, and get ready for a ride! Well, sort of. You haven't seen Shakespeare like this before, because it isn't Shakespeare - it's German. I am so excited Formally Witty Productions approached me about this project...since Formally Witty Productions is me, it would have been awkward if they hadn't. Ladies and Gentleman, they have made the right choice. When the powers of my direction prowess, Abby's organizational and producing magic, and the talent of these actors combine, we create something that could kick Captain Planet's ass! "What is it?" you may ask. Well, its an adaptation of an English translation of a German adaptation of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. You may think that that some things got lost in translation, let me tell you, they did and it couldn't be better. It'll make you laugh, cry (if you are my mother), and laugh some more. Come see it, you won't see anything else like it!

welcome to our website

Welcome to the blog of Formerly Witty Productions. It's rather empty right now, but updates are to come. They might even be witty. The title is just to mess with your head; despite the name, we're pretty damn funny.