July/August 2009 Rat Rag

July / August 2009
Unsung
Heroes of
Auditions
The
July / August 2009 - Page 1
Keeping an
audition running smoothly
is no easy feat.
WE
DO ’RE
Dawn Begin and
C
E
H
HE IN JU
T
IS
T IS
Tanissa Parks
KO ESE G IT ST
WHA WITH THION
VA OFF TO
T
are experts at
CS
DEALING EDIIN?!
GU THAT
the job. Their
DUELING AGA
Y.
TH
help was greatly
Scanning the PAC for all the news that’s NOT fit to print! appreciated.
the company of
Any Number Can Die
After 39 people, seven and a half hours
of auditions and over 10 12 14 20 hours
of deliberations, and 6 (yes! SIX!) cast
changes, director Dean Scalzitti chose 12
cast members for the PAC Rats’ production
of Any Number Can Die. Whew!
The two day audition session was fun, but
grueling work. There was so much talent
that casting was indeed a difficult job. We
hope that everyone who auditioned returns
for other shows. We met a lot of great new
people!
— The Cast (as of Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 3:15 PM) —
Chuck.................................Marcus Flowers
Judy..................................... Brittany Welles
Zenia...............................Jasondra Johnson
Roger Masters...................... Patrick Nevins
Celia Lathrop......................Sandy Zurawicz
TJ Lathrop.................... Don Gino Carpento
Edgars................................... Eric Pradelski
Ernestine Wintergreen......... Heather Young
Sally VanViller...................... Kamaria Jones
Carter Forstman................Terrell McKinney
Jack Regent............................Erik Kennedy
Hannibal Hix..................... Robert Smagacz
— The Crew —
Director.................................. Dean Scalzitti
Stage Manager......................Angela Martin
Asst. Stage Manager......... Crystal Rodman
Set Designer........................... Anne Begora
Lighting Designer....... Lydia Bellamy-Palma
Costume Designer................JoAnna Tassin
Asst. to the Costume Designer........ SteveTurner
Asst. to the Costume Designer......Theresa Clark
Hair & Make-Up Designer...... Jennifer Balbuena
Sound Designer.....................Dan Galbraith
Prop Masters..........................Jen Zurawicz
Company Photographer...........Dave Martin
Light Board Operator.... (maybe) Mitchell Harris
IN NORTH DAKOTA…
It’s against the law to go to bed wearing
shoes. Beer and pretzels can’t be served at
the same time in any bar or restaurant.
First Prize is for the person who sells the most advertisements
for the program of the show will win a prize of dinner and a movie.
second Prize is the person who raises the most amount of
money selling advertisements for the program of the show wins 2
movie tickets to the movies.
Cool Prizes
will be
awarded!!
In the event that the most ads and the most amount of money are the same, the person
who is second runner up will receive the second place prize.
The prizes
Popcorn…
yum!
Movie TickeTs: $20 Gift card for Kerasotes. The closest location to the College is in
Sherriville, IN. If you sign up for Kerasotes “Five Buck Club,” you could conceivably get four
tickets out of this deal. Check out http://www.kerasotes.com for more info.
dinner: $25 Gift card to Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Seasons
52, The Capital Grille, and Bahama Breeze). Olive Garden locations in Lansing, IL and Merrillville, IN, Red
ing
ertis
Adv cts are
a
r
cont pages
on
d 6!
5 an
Lobster locations in Merrillville and Munster, IN and Orland Park and Matteson, IL.
See http://www.dardenrestaurants.com for more info and restaurant locator.
iMporTanT sTuff To noTe
$ Somebusinesseswon’tbuyanad,butwillbehappytopostflyers.Flyersareavailabletoleaveatbusinesses.
Palm card size, half sheet size, 8-1/2 by 11.
$ Coupons: We have made some two for one coupons to leave at businesses. THESE ARE FOR THE GENERAL
PUBLIC ONLY. Company members may NOT use the coupons for friends and family (we’re trying to raise
money for a new sound system, so please don’t cheat).
$ If a business buys an ad, they are entitled to comp tickets as outlined in the ad contract. Again, these are for the
businesses ONLY. Company members may NOT use ad sales comps.
$ Speaking of Comp Tickets: All company members are entitled to two comp tickets. Comps are NOT transferable
to other company members or other company members’ families or friends. (we’re trying to raise money, so
please don’t cheat). For example, if Ellie isn’t going to use her comps for her family, her two tickets cannot be
given to Dean’s family.
all adverTiseMenTs are due To ellie no laTer
Than 11:00 pM on saTurday, sepTeMber 5, 2009!
Use SueBee Honey to dress wounds and
burns. Honey is hygroscopic and absorbs
water. Disease producing microorganisms,
deprived of their moisture, cannot live.
Don’t forget the
Break a Leg a Grams!
Ponderisms
If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge,
would they call it Fed UP?
So Long, Farewell,
Auf Wiedersehen,
Goodbye…
Faces of SSC
Six of “our own” answered a call for fresh faces
of South Suburban College. They are:
1: Paul Wartak 2: Terrell McKinney 3: Kamaria
Jones 4: Kyle Jones 5: Stephanie Keller and
6: Ariel King. The above photo appeared for
several weeks on the college’s main webpage.
Contact Dave Stephenson at DStephenson@
southsuburbancollege.edu if you’d like to
participate in upcoming photo shoots. Tell him
“Rip” sent you.
July / August 2009 - Page 2
Our beloved Tanissa Parks and Efrem
“Buster” Tutwiler have left us for greener
pastures. Both Ef and T are now Eastern
Illinois University students.
T is excited to have her own apartment,
albeit crackerbox size. “It’s mine! All mine!”
she said gleefully. She’s currently trying
to find a way to get Anne’s old recliner
wedged into her tiny living room.
Gramps Efrem, however, is
Tutwiler finding life at Eastern
a little tiring. As an
instrumental music
major, Ef is required to
be in marching band.
“I’m having trouble
keeping up with the youngins,” he said. “I
already have the nicknames ‘Gramps’ and
‘Father Time’.”
Even though we’re very happy that Ef and
T are moving on up, we miss them terribly
and can’t wait for them to come back home
for a visit.
The summer went by so quickly that we
didn’t have a chance to throw them a proper goodbye party. We will do that as soon
as we know they’ll have a free weekend.
You can still keep in touch via email. Efrem
is wildwildeuphonium@gmail.com and
Tanissa is tesse7_26@hotmail.com.
Bridge Over Troubled Viaduct
New 159th Street Closing:
A new road construction project
will begin on September 8,
2009 (weather permitting),
that will affect many SSC
employees and students:
159th Street will be closed between Park
Avenue and West/Center Avenue. The
closure is expected to continue all the
way through May 2011. The detour routes
begin at the intersections of Dixie Highway
and Halsted Street. All businesses in the
work zone will be open during construction.
Project Description: 159th Street will
be under construction from the Tri-state
Tollway (I-294) to Halsted Street (IL Rt. 1)
in Harvey, IL. A narrow viaduct currently
carries Metra and Canadian National
Railroad over 159th St. The Illinois Department of Transportation will reconstruct
the viaduct creating two lanes in each
direction under the railroad with left turn
lanes. The project will provide significant
congestion relief and reduce
travel times on the famous
bottleneck between I-294 and
I-94. The 159th Street
Roadway Reconstruction
Project will cost approximately $17.8 million dollars, which is 100%
federally funded. The 159th Street Viaduct
Reconstruction costs approximately $38.4
million dollars.
Railroad Project Update:
The construction at the railroad crossing
on 159th Street will continue through August 21, 2009. The suggested detours are
Halsted north to Sibley (147th) and State
Street south to Taft.
submitted by Megan Zurawicz
Now THIS is more like Newman!
Former PAC Rat Kim Dildine, is still out in L.A.
making a go of this show biz thing. His latest
video appearance, Intervention - Mike, can be
seen here: http://tinyurl.com/kusbqw
GOT GEEK?
Got Geek is ALL
Scott Begin’s fault
Toys from www.thinkgeek.com
Avast ye land lubber spawn raiser!
If you’re like most parents,
you long to raise your
children as pirates but just
don’t know how. In the
Guide to Pirate Parenting,
Cap’n Billy “The Butcher”
MacDougall provides everything you need to know to
turn your little powder monkeys into happy,
healthy buccaneers. You’ll learn:
• At what age your child should be able
to remove a bottle cap by taking out his
glass eye and using his eye socket.
• Which offense requires administering
The Flying Dutchman Wedgie.
• The difference between plundering and
pillaging.
• How to convert your minivan into a pirate
schooner.
And, as they say, much, MUCH more!
FRIENDS vs. CHICAGO FRIENDS
submitted by Dawn Begin
Friends: Never ask for food.
Chicago Friends: Always bring the food.
Friends: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
Chicago Friends: Call your parents Mom
and Dad.
Friends: Will leave you behind if that’s
what the crowd is doing.
Chicago Friends: Will kick the whole
crowds’ back-ends that left you.
Friends: Would knock on your door.
Chicago Friends: Walk right in and say, ‘I’m
home!’
Friends: Will visit you in jail.
Chicago Friends: Will spend the night in jail
with you.
Friends: Will visit you in the hospital when
you’re sick.
Chicago Friends: Will cut your grass and
clean your house then come spend the
night with you in the hospital and cook for
you when you come home.
Friends: Have you on speed dial.
Chicago Friends: Have your
number memorized.
Friends: Are for a while.
Chicago Friends: Are for life.
The advantage of exercising every day is so
when you die, they’ll say “Well, she looks
good doesn’t she.”
Bizarre Facts
•People who live in the city have longer,
thicker nose hair than people who live in
the country.
•Your stomach has to produce a new layer
of mucus every 2 weeks; otherwise it will
digest itself.
•Humans are the only primates that don’t
have pigment in the palms of their hands.
•The human heart creates enough pressure while pumping to squirt blood 30
feet.
•We shed an average of 40 pounds of
dead skin in a lifetime.
•When we blush, our stomach lining also
turns red.
•You can not kill yourself by holding your
breath.
•Your tongue print is as unique as your
fingerprint.
•On one square inch of your skin, there
are 20 million microscopic animals.
IN HONOUR OF STUPID PEOPLE…
Found on a cardboard sun screen that keeps
the sun off of the dashboard of your car:
“Do not drive with sun shield in place.”
July / August 2009 - Page 3
About the Human Body
Addams
Family
Trivia
After John Astin’s first sitcom “I’m Dickens,
He’s Fenster,” was cancelled, he auditioned for “The Addams Family,” and was
turned down – for the part of Lurch. He
didn’t even try out for the part of Gomez.
But the producer spied John leaving the
room, grabbed him, and offered him the
lead role on the spot. The only condition:
Astin had to grow a mustache.
It took Carolyn Jones two hours every day
to put on Morticia’s make-up. The final
touch: she wore a wig made of human hair.
Jones was only the producer’s 3rd choice
to play Mortica. ABC insisted that they
needed a “name” actress, and Jones was
the only well-known performer in the running, so she got the part.
Cousin Itt’s voice was supplied by “Addams” producer Nat Perrin, who recited
gibberish into a tape recorder and played it
back at a higher speed.
Creator Charles Addams, who’d never
given his characters first names, had to
come up with some for the T.V. show.
Within a week he’d decided on all of them
except for Mr. Addams, who almost wound
up being called Repelli instead of Gomez.
Lurch (Ted Cassidy) got fan mail from
teenage girls who thought he was cuter
than the Beatles.
Is this Newman or WHAT?!
I BELIEVE – that even when you
think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you, you
will find the strength to help.
PAC Rat Meeting
Fall Schedule!
The next PAC Rat meeting will be
Friday, September 4th @ 7:00pm in the
PAC Lobby. (Location subject to change)
REMEMBER TO CONTACT US with
any article, photo, want ad or idea at:
* RatRagStaff@yahoo.com *
I monitor this email and will try respond to all. – Ro
The unique interior of the Addams house
was inspired by the real life Manhattan
apartment of Charles Addams, which contained suits-of armour, an antique crossbow collection, and other odds and ends.
They’re creepy and they’re kooky
Mysterious and spooky
They’re altogether ooky
The Addams Family
Their house is a museum
When people come to see ’em
They really are a scream
The Addams Family
Neat - Sweet - Petite
So get a witches shawl on
A broomstick you can crawl on
We’re gonna pay a call on
The Addams Family
Scatter raisins around your yard
when you spot your first robin
in the spring. Because they often
arrive when the ground is still frozen, they
will really make use of this treat!
July was Hitchhiking Month
3rd......................... Stay out of the Sun Day
7th.........................Strawberry Sundae Day
9th....................National Sugar Cookie Day
16th....................International Juggling Day
21st.......................National Tug-of-War Day
24th..............................Amelia Earhart Day
29th...........................Cheese Sacrifice Day
August is National Check Out
Bizarre American Holidays Month
4th................................. Twins Day Festival
8th........... Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your
Neighbor’s Porch Night
13th................. Blame Somebody Else Day
27th..................................... Petroleum Day
30th...................Toasted Marshmallow Day
FILM NOIR - A retrospective by Wendy Spencer
July / August 2009 - Page 4
July / August 2009 - Page 4
High heels clicking on the wet pavement, a private eye - embittered by the cards life has dealt him - his face shadowed by
the venetian blinds on his window, murder and moral ambiguity so thick you can cut it with a knife… aah, you’re watching
a classic film noir.
The name “film noir” refers to a specific type of film which really didn’t show up on the screens until the 1940s. One could
argue that the very first noir(ish) film was M, released in 1931 and directed by Fritz Lang. This film marks Peter Lorre’s
first starring role, who later became a staple of the classic noirs.
Peter Lorre as Hans
Beckert in Fritz
Lang’s M
The film noir look is very much taken from German Expressionism, which was popular in the very early 1900s. To be very specific, film
noir, although a French phrase, is so very deeply influenced by German/Viennese directors and techniques that it could arguably go by
the name Schwarzer Film, but let’s face it, film noir sounds much better. While the intro above is very stereotypical, there is a check list of
things to look for in a film noir. Knowing these can also help you recognize a director who is influenced by this genre in modern films.
The (classic) Film Noir Checklist
VISUAL KEYS
• Black and White (obviously).
• Low-key Lighting.
• Dramatic use of shadows/silhouettes (e.g. the blinds casting a shadow on an actor).
• Dutch angles (camera tilted at an obscure angle to insinuate tension or unease).
• Use of mirrors, glass, or reflective objects to show characters (example: the murder of
Muriel in Strangers on a Train).
STRUCTURE
• Convoluted story lines: flashbacks and forwards used to disrupt the flow of the story.
• Narration usually by the protagonist.
• Experimentation in structure: in Sunset Boulevard, the story is told by a dead man. In Lady
in the Lake, the film is shot entirely from Philip Marlowe’s point of view.
Strangulation scene from
Alfred Hitchcock’s
Strangers on a Train.
An example of
Dutch angle filming.
PLOT/CHARACTERS
• First and foremost a crime of some sort, most typically murder.
The “venetian blinds casting
• The investigation of said crime by a seedy private eye or renegade police detective.
a shadow on the face.” A
very classic noir technique.
• A motive of greed or jealousy.
• Moral ambiguity usually involving theft or adultery and seduction.
• Double crossing and false accusations.
• Protagonist is usually very flawed (the beginning of the antihero) and as mentioned above embittered.
• Cigarette Smoking!!
Another example of the
creative use of shadows.
SETTING
• Usually set in one of four cities: Chicago, New York, LA, or San Francisco.
• Setting is presented in a rather labyrinthine or maze-like fashion.
• Gambling spots, clubs, lounges and bars are often used.
• The climax most likely takes place in a complex and industrial setting (factory, train
yard etc).
• Look for many night time shots and frequent rain.
• In general, you get the feeling of pessimism.
Some Well-Known Films of the Genre (precursors denoted with asterisk)
*M (1931)
*The Public Enemy (1931)
*Angels With Dirty Faces
(1938)
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Johnny Eager (1942)
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
Double Indemnity (1944)
Murder, My Sweet (1944)
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Deception (1946)
Gilda (1946)
The Blue Dahlia (1946)
The Killers (1946)
Dark Passage (1947)
Dead Reckoning (1947)
Notorious (1947)
Possessed (1947)
The Web (1947)
I Walk Alone (1948)
Key Largo (1948)
Ruthless (1948)
Abandoned (1949)
Criss Cross (1949)
Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949)
The Big Steal (1949)
The Bribe (1949)
The Lady Gambles (1949)
The Third Man (1949)
White Heat (1949)
Convicted (1950)
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950)
Sunset Boulevard (1950)
The Damned Don’t Cry (1950)
Union Station (1950)
Where The Sidewalk Ends
(1950)
Ace in the Hold (1951)
Another Man’s Poison (1951)
Detective Story (1951)
Affair in Trinidad (1952)
Rogue Cop (1954)
Night of the Hunter (1955)
just to name a few!
One thing I will stress about this genre - it is not the happy ending type of film and redemption is uncommon. But if you want a film that
focuses on the seedy underbelly of society, this is the genre for you. I recommend Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard, Key Largo, Gilda,
Mildred Pierce, The Big Sleep, The Maltese Falcon and Murder, My Sweet.
Please join me and others at: oftenopinionated.blogspot.com to talk about this and other classic film topics.
A d v e r t i s i n g Contract
I/We_______________________________________________________________________________________
(please print name of individual or company)
agree to purchase space in your program for the 3 Stages of SSC production of Any Number Can Die at South
Suburban College. I understand that any ad that I/we buy is to be paid for in full at this time and must reach the
college by the dates specified below. Make checks payable to SSC: Performing Arts Center.
Please find enclosed a check for the amount of: $
OFFICE USE ONLY
Sale made by:
Signed:
Print Name if signing for a business: Phone Number:
Date:
† Please call in advance to reserve your seat(s) - performance dates on reverse.
Photographs on business cards will not reproduce well.
Full Page Ad (7-1/2˝ x 4-1/2˝)
Check
❍#
Cash
❍$
Artwork: ❍ yes ❍ no
Tickets:
❍ yes ❍ no
❍ maybe
With the purchase of this ad you will receive four complimentary
tickets to the performance of your choice.† A nice reward for
your generous support or a great bonus for a hard-working
employee.
half page ad (4-1/2˝ x 3-3/4˝)
Your ad won’t be missed. You will receive two complimentary
tickets with the purchase of this ad for the performance of your
choice.†
❏Full Page........................................................................$75.
❏Half Page.......................................................................$50.
quarter page ad
“Break-A-Leg-A-Gram™”
00
00
Wish the cast and crew good luck in fifteen words or less. A fun
way to support the arts or your favorite company member.
An inexpensive way to advertise your business or services. You
will receive one complimentary ticket with the purchase of this
ad for the performance of your choice.†
(Wide: 4-1/2˝ x 1-7/8˝ or Tall: 2-1/4˝ x 3-3/4˝)
❏Gram................................................................................$3.
00
❏Quarter Page..................................................................$25.
Print your Break-A-Leg-A-Gram™ message in the space provided.
Your message may be edited for clarity.
00
PLEAS
E PRI
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Additional Break-A-Leg-A-Grams™ forms are on the reverse.
“Break-A-Leg-A-Gram™” is a registered trademark of FWOB, ltd Publications
– AD DEADLINE –
Questions? Call Ellie at 708-210-5741 and leave
a message or email at ssctheatre@aol.com
All ads, Break-A-Leg-A-Grams™ and
payment(s) are due by:
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Kindig Performing Arts Center
South Suburban College
15800 State Street
South Holland, Illinois 60473
Make checks payable to:
SSC: Performing Arts Center.
TICKETS — 24/7 Voice Mail — 708-210-5741
eMail: boxoffice@southsuburbancollege.edu
What happens when a lovely young heiress, her
two handsome suitors, some wealthy socialites,
spooky servants and two competitive super
sleuths gather in an isolated mansion to hear
the reading of a will?
by Fred Carmichael
2009 Performances
Fri., September 18 at 8:00pm
Sat., September 19 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Fri., September 25 at 11:00am and 8:00pm
Sat., September 26 at 8:00pm
Sun., September 27 at 2:00pm
TICKETS
24/7 Voice Line: 708-210-5741
Adults: $8.00
Seniors and Students: $6.00
SSC Staff and Students Only:
$6.00 or Buy One Get One Free!
Directed by
Dean Scalzitti
South Suburban College
Kindig Performing Arts Center 15800 State Street * South Holland, IL
PAC Rats Theatre Company – BREAK-A-LEG-A-GRAM – Price $3.00 each
Your Name:_____________________________________ Message For:___________________________________
PLEAS
Message:_____________________________________________________________________________________
E PRI
N
T
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Wish someone to Break-A-Leg or send him or her a happy message in 15 words or less. Your message along with
your name will be printed in the show program. All proceeds are used to fund future performances. Your message
may be edited for clarity.
Thank you in advance for your BREAK-A-LEG-A-GRAM purchase.
PAC Rats Theatre Company – BREAK-A-LEG-A-GRAM – Price $3.00 each
Your Name:_____________________________________ Message For:___________________________________
Message:_____________________________________________________________________________________
PLEAS
E PRI
____________________________________________________________________________________________
NT
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Wish someone to Break-A-Leg or send him or her a happy message in 15 words or less. Your message along with
your name will be printed in the show program. All proceeds are used to fund future performances. Your message
may be edited for clarity.
Thank you in advance for your BREAK-A-LEG-A-GRAM purchase.