Oregon Children's Theatre **Photo credit: Owen Carey**November 1 - 23, 2008
Summary:
When James drops magic crystals by a peach tree, a peach starts growing and growing! Upon entering the peach, James finds himself leader of child-size insects living inside the pit. After the peach rolls into the sea, they must use their individual skills and work together to save the peach.
15 comments:
Gotta say, this is easily the best publicity photo I've ever seen!
caputo is a moron
This is possibly the worst show I have ever seen. What is going on at OCT?!!
Frankly, Anonymous Numbers 2 and 3, your comments are not helpful to anyone. Without being more specific, your observations don't tell the reader anything of interest or usefulness. What's moronic? What makes it the worst show you have ever seen? Help me out, unless you just want to be ... well, a moron.
ok is this better. Jim Caputo is a egomaniac buffoon. Large on bluster less on substance. A Drammy for Smee? WOW is all i can say.
The costumes were wonderful and there were some fabulous set pieces and fun moments. Unfortunately, the acting was poor, and all of the shouting and whining got old quickly. The blocking was weird to non-existent (creatures wandered around randomly on a peach most of the time). The rap chants were out of sink with the recorded music. The choreography consisted of handclapping and foot stomping.
Mr. Foote tends to cast from his favorites, or even his favorites' family members, while more talented performers waste their time auditioning for his productions with little chance of being chosen. I agree that the acting in this production was not convincing but the child I brought enjoyed it - only finding it a bit long. I wonder about the rest of the OCT season - will the dancers be really great - the singers well chosen - or will it be the usual casting?
Ummm . . . do you know of any director or theater company who does NOT do this, to some extent? Or does everyone else in the local "theater industry" in fact cast from scratch on every show? It seems to me this latest bit of snarkiness, born no doubt of amour-propre, fails to take into account a few things. Since OCT does a lot of day-time shows, I am guessing a smaller pool of actors are free to do them, and therefore fewer turn out for their auditions. That means the company has fewer people to choose from for its casts. And, you must admit, sometimes the "more talented performers" are not necessarily the best for the particular show you're doing, particularly if it involves a family where some physical resemblances may be desired.
Well, PCS makes a big effort to cast out-of-state. So, there you go.
It's interesting to me that one poster mentioned that their child "liked it but found it a bit long". The show is only an hour. What does it mean when an hour long show seems too long for it's target audience.
A lot of these big children's theaters are high on production values and have a lot of visual thrills, but are plagued by bad scripts, ham acting and unimaginative staging.
What I wonder is why doesn't this company use local Equity actors? It's one of the largest theaters in the city with one of the biggest budgets. It's practically the only theater using the PCPA anymore; a union house. It would certainly solve that whole problem of casting actors who are available for daytime performances.
Oregon Children's Theatre provides work for grateful local actors and affordable theatrical experiences for thousands of children who might not otherwise have access. They have premiered innovative and challenging productions, such as Sacagawea, The Giver and Gossamer. Beyond this, they have provided opportunities for many young performers to shine in their very first professional role. If OCT was an Equity company, would these local young performers been cast?
YOUNG PERFORMER 2007-2008
Eli Hirsch, Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, Oregon Children’s Theater
Young Performer 2005-2006
Colton Lasater
Charlotte’s Web
Oregon Children’s Theatre
Young Performer 2004-2005
Madeleine Rogers
Ramona Quimby
Oregon Children's Theatre
And I believe Greg Tamblyn directed this production.
To the person behind posts numbers 2 and 5. While I doubt this need not be said as most intelligent people are already aware of this, but your comments are immature, unnecessary, and completely unwarranted. It sounds to me like you have some personal issue with the actor, which isn’t what this forum is about, or, perhaps you are resentful because he gets work. Either way your actions are cowardly. Why not post your opinions in another forum were you are encouraged to reveal your identity? -Tim Schires NY, NY
I would like to know (specifically) from Anonymous 6:11 which people they think Stan "over-uses." If you do not know what specifically means; just give some examples.
By the way simply because you or your child can't get cast in a production DO NOT take it on Stan Foote. Stan Foote is one of the nicest, most experienced, and talented directors in this city. He has brought so many great opportunities to this city, actors, and kids. Therefore, maybe sometimes he does trust certain actors over others because he knows he can trust them with the responsibility; as opposed to some whiny blogger.
I would like to know (specifically) from Anonymous 6:11 which people they think Stan "over-uses." If you do not know what specifically means; just give some examples.
By the way simply because you or your child can't get cast in a production DO NOT take it on Stan Foote. Stan Foote is one of the nicest, most experienced, and talented directors in this city. He has brought so many great opportunities to this city, actors, and kids. Therefore, maybe sometimes he does trust certain actors over others because he knows he can trust them with the responsibility; as opposed to some whiny blogger.
Okay, so this wasn't the BEST show OCT has ever done, but seen anything at NWCT lately? The contrast is INCREDIBLE. OCT is far more outstanding in it's actors and directors both.
And Stan Foote is the most wonderfully talented director and the nicest person that ANYONE has ever worked with, and no one can deny that. He is an amazing director, have any of you ever even WORKED with him? Try it some time. You'll be shocked.
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