The Mousetrap: 01/11/2010, 11:00 a.m.: Alas, the bay window has arrived. Not painted quite yet, but still it is in place. Tech week has officially begun, and that means more volunteers, longer hours, more details, and ultimately more results. We’d love to hear your feedback while we’re in this final push to get things completed! Or even questions that you have about construction or even volunteering on the set crew. Fill out the comment box below so your voice can be heard!
Archive for January, 2010
Evolution of a Set: Day Ten
January 11th, 2010Evolution of a Set: Day Nine
January 8th, 2010
The Mousetrap: 01/08/2010, 11:00 a.m.: There are no huge changes today as painting continues as well as the construction of the bay window back in the scene shop. Patrick commented that with this large of a set he is happy that construction is almost completed because he’s almost out of materials! He’s either a really a good estimator or this set is gigantic…or both.
Evolution of a Set: Day Eight
January 7th, 2010
The Mousetrap: 01/07/2010, 11:00 a.m.: We’ve hit the turning point where the stage is really transforming into the mansion that is set just outside of London. Most of the furniture you see is from our own collection, with a few loaned items from Lyric Arts’ supporters. The last major construction element to come is the bay window in center stage. Currently there is just a large gap between stage left and stage right, but we’re hoping to get that finished soon.
Director Matt McNabb on “The Mousetrap”
January 6th, 2010
Lyric Arts sat down with director of The Mousetrap, Matthew McNabb, to see if we could get any clues about this hilarious murder mystery.
LA: Tell us a little bit about why this particular mystery play interested you.
MM: I am a little boy at heart so murder mysteries and suspenseful plays are right up my alley! On top of that, The Mousetrap is probably the most famous murder mystery of all time.
LA: For those that are unfamiliar with Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap can you tell us about the show?
MM: Newlyweds Mollie and Giles Ralston have turned Monkswell Manor, a once regal estate, into guest house. As they welcome their first guests, the news on the radio relates the story of a murder in London. A blizzard rages outside and the guests and hosts are snowed in. Connections with the London murder arise and as the story unfolds, we find that no one is who they appear to be…
LA: Can you tell us a little bit about the playwright, Agatha Christie?
MM: Agatha Christie, affectionately nicknamed the “Queen of Crime”, was an English writer of novels, short stories and plays. She wrote over 80 detective novels and countless plays and short stories. She is credited as the most important and innovative writer in the crime genre. She is the best selling writer of all time and only the bible has outsold her collected body of work.
LA: This is your third time directing with Lyric Arts, tell us about your experience and why you like directing here?
MM: The Pirates of Penzance was the most fun I have ever had in the theater and Wait Until Dark was probably my most successful and creatively satisfying production. This production has already eclipsed both experiences. The people make Lyric Arts an amazing place to work, from the committed and driven board and administrative staff to the top notch designers and production team.
LA: You grew up performing in Lyric Arts production at the Pocket Theater and the Main Street Stage. How did Lyric Arts affect your life?
MM: Without a doubt, Lyric Arts changed my life. Lyric Arts instilled a passion for theater, the arts, and community that I will never relinquish. This is a passion that I hope to instill in my theater students at Anoka High School. I am appreciative beyond words for the opportunities that I have been granted from Lyric Arts. My most fond childhood memories are at the old Pocket Theater.
LA: Tell us what is something that you are particular excited about this show coming to together.
MM: The set, lights, and costumes are shaping up to be gorgeous. However, I am most excited to see the audience react to the show! They will laugh, scream, cringe, and guess up until the very last second!
This is pure entertainment at its best! Do not miss your chance to see this wonderful production!
Evolution of a Set: Day Seven
January 6th, 2010
The Mousetrap: 01/06/2010, 11:00 a.m.: Success on getting enough of the set completed for publicity photos last evening! The set is looking very dark and very brown in the photos. It is very brown, but in the theater lighting, it is definitely not too dark. Also, the furniture is missing right now because a section of the floor needs to be painted so the Lighting Director can test his colors and lighting before he designs the show.
Evolution of a Set: Day Six
January 5th, 2010
The Mousetrap: 01/05/2010, 11:00 a.m.: We’ve got publicity photos tonight, so things are going to come together very quickly, as volunteers are helping Patrick to get a first coat of paint up, and our new propsmaster works away at dressing the set.
Evolution of a Set: Day Five
January 4th, 2010
The Mousetrap: 01/04/2010, 11:00 a.m.: First day back with a lot of helpful volunteers. The bookshelf has been placed and we’re hoping to get railings put up today as well! Patrick is hoping that none of his volunteers are afraid of heights with constructing this set in particular, because most of it happens on a ladder!
Evolution of a Set: Day Four
January 2nd, 2010
The Mousetrap: 01/02/2010, 11:00 a.m.: If you’ve been following this series of Evolution of a Set, you may have noticed that Day Three and Day Four were not actual days, as we celebrated the holidays, and Patrick unfortunately was under the weather on other days. Now that he’s back, the door is hung on Stage Right, and seeing as we open in less than two weeks, this set is going to fly together before our very eyes!
