Happenings at MetroStage

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Backstage: Paul Scott Goodman and the rebirth of 'Son of a Stand Up Comedian'

"Quadruple threat Paul Scott Goodman, singer-songwriter-scriptwriter-jokester, shambles over to a little cafe table at MetroStage. He's performing his solo show 'Son of a Stand Up Comedian' there through May 9. Goodman did the music and lyrics and co-wrote the script with his wife, Miriam Gordon.

Sipping a Scotch on the rocks after a Sunday matinee, he explains that the funny little song he just performed as an encore, all about his need for an audience, is titled 'The Ham Song' and originated in 'God Save the New Wave,' an early show of his and Gordon's.

The 52-year-old Goodman, a Scottish Jew whose burr remains intact (though peppered with Yiddishisms), grew up in Glasgow, the son of a 'semi'-professional stand-up comic who played bar mitzvahs on weekends and worked in the clothing business on weekdays. Goodman came to New York in the early 1980s, where he met and married Gordon. They now have two daughters in college, a 15-year-old son and a double-size apartment in SoHo. Their punk-inspired show, 'Rooms: A Rock Romance,' played at MetroStage in 2008, earning six Helen Hayes nominations, including a win for co-star Natascia Diaz. The show went on to a well-received off-Broadway run in spring 2009..."

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Sunday, April 25, 2010

What the Critics are Saying about Son of a Stand Up Comedian

"Directed by Michael Baron, the show is swiftly paced, punctuated with short breaks between the musical numbers. Lighting designer Jessica Lee Winfield's colored projections behind Goodman provide an ever-changing backdrop of bright, gentle colors. It's a testament to Goodman's ability to marry his lyrics and music that, by the end of the short evening at MetroStage, he creates an even clearer image of the lyricist, composer, singer, husband, father and survivor he is today."
- Barbara Mackay, DC Examiner

"...it takes a fresh look at a fundamental Jewish musical theme: the importance of family... It's a new Jewish musical for a new generation."
- Lisa Traiger, Washington Jewish Week

"...it is Goodman’s sanguine, Scottish-accented, musical introspection that keeps the audience humming and toe-tapping along with him."
- Jordan Wright, Whisk and Quill

"Paul Scott Goodman is a very likeable entertainer and his show is definitely recommended for an evening or afternoon to stimulate positive recollections of one's own family and occupational history. The cabaret-style MetroStage offers greater intimacy with the performers than any other stage in the area and it works beautifully with this production."
- Bob Anthony, AllArtsReview4U.com

"MetroStage... is hosting the very talented and very ingratiating comedian and playwright, Paul Scott Goodman [who] is a genuine guy who knows how to share his feelings with an appreciative audience."
- Rich Massabny

"...a winning autobiographical one-man show. [Goodman is] an entertaining storyteller and a fine rock guitarist and singer, with strong support from Greg Holloway on percussion."
- Susan Berlin, Talkin' Broadway

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Saturday, April 24, 2010

And the winner is ... MetroStage

Alexandria's MetroStage may have come in third in the final tally at the 2010 Helen Hayes Awards, but that's just fine with Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin.

"This will probably never happen again," said Griffin, still on a high from the ceremony that took place April 5 at the Warner Theatre. "Only two theatres garnered more awards than MetroStage — the Kennedy Center and the Shakespeare Theatre and they had actors like Cate Blanchett and Stacy Keach. That was the level of our competition."

CLICK HERE to read the entire Alexandria Times article >


Carolyn Griffin, Producing Artistic Director, and William Knowles, Music Director, at the Helen Hayes Awards (Photos by Joel Markowitz)

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Stardust Restaurant closed Saturday, April 3rd

From their website... "Well, it's been a 'fabulous' run and we thank you for letting us be a part of your lives for the last 12 years, but it's time for Stardust to give 'last call'."

In Memoriam

Donna F. Bergheim of Alexandria, who served on the board of the Virginia Commission for the Arts from 1993 to 1998, passed away on March 27, 2010. Dr. Bergheim, a devoted arts advocate, was a former Foreign Service Information Corps officer and former professor of English. She was a major supporter of MetroStage, the award-winning professional theatre that performs in the Donna Bergheim Theatre at 1201 North Royal Street in Alexandria. She was an advisory panelist for the Virginia Commission for the Arts before being appointed to the board of the Commission by Governor L. Douglas Wilder. Peggy Baggett, Executive Director of the Virginia Commission for the Arts, said: "Donna had a great passion for all of the arts, and during her five years on the board of the Commission she and her husband Mel traveled to all corners of the state attending performances and exhibitions. Donna had a warm and loving heart; and she had a strong commitment to the artists, administrators, technical staff, and volunteers who work so hard every day to bring the arts to the people of Virginia. She will be greatly missed.
- from the Virginia Commission for the Arts


"Donna F. Bergheim, a onetime Foreign Service officer and college professor who became an advocate for the arts in Alexandria and throughout Virginia, died March 27 of congestive heart failure at Capital Hospice in Arlington County. She was 84.

Dr. Bergheim became active in various arts groups soon after moving to Alexandria in 1960. She served on the board of directors of MetroStage and helped convert an old lumber warehouse into MetroStage's 150-seat theater. The theater was named for her in 2001.

In 1993, Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder named Dr. Bergheim to a five-year term as a member of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. In that position, Dr. Bergheim evaluated arts programs and helped award grants to organizations throughout the state..."

- Matt Schudel, Washington Post

CLICK HERE to read entire Washington Post article >

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Congratulations MetroStage On Receiving 3 Helen Hayes Awards April 5th

Congratulations to the 2010 Helen Hayes Awards Recipients!

Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production
Maurice Hines, Cool Papa's Party

Outstanding Music Direction, Resident Production
William Knowles, Cool Papa's Party

The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play
Heroes



To see all the results, CLICK HERE

Read what the artists told DC Theatre Scene in their "Meet the 2010 Helen Hayes Nominees" article, prior to the Helen Hayes Awards:

William Knowles
Cool Papa’s Party

Why this show?
I’m always interested in new work. I like being a part of creative team.

Greatest challenge…
There was a lot of information to teach in a short amount of time. This was the first time the show was on it’s feet. There was hardly any revision time.

Your best contribution…
With today’s technology, one is able to mock up examples of the work. In other words, you have a good idea of what it sounds like before you have to pay lots of people.

If you could work with anyone…
There is a strong connection between jazz
musicians and theater. I would have loved to look over Eubie Blake’s shoulder for Shuffle Along, or Fats Waller’s for Hot Chocolates.

Is there a particular work of art you would like to see turned into a musical and why?
I’d like to do a piece on Nina Simone.

Next?
Cool Papa’s Party has legs. I intend to see where they carry me.



Heroes
John Vreeke, Director

When did you first realize there was something special about working with this cast?
After about a week of table work discussions and getting on our feet. This cast, the three of them together, have, well, let’s say over 100 years of experience in theater collectively.

- They work without ego…being beyond, past those needs…no time for ego…it’s stupid and counterproductive…never a moment of neediness or self doubt. – They know how to work…no teaching, no cajoling, no caretaking needed – They respect, love language…Stoppard’s is great for them…they know about music in language and how to make it sing – They have, again, years of technique experience so they know how to deliver the language. – They genuinely like and respect each other…love being in each other’s company…which pays off for the three way friendship in Heroes.


What moment(s) in the play do you think best exemplify the ensemble’s work?
The entire play.


To see the full story, click on the links below:
http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/03/28/meet-the-2010-helen-hayes-nominees-1/
http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/03/28/meet-the-2010-helen-hayes-nominees-2/

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