| A BIG DAY FOR NEXT THEATRE!
by Jason Loewith on 9/06/2007 06:42:00 PM
Executive Director Lisa Fulton and I are proud and thrilled to announce the following six Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for Next Theatre artists and productions in the 2007-08 season!
- THE ADDING MACHINE: A CHAMBER MUSICAL, Best New Musical
- David Cromer, Best Director of a Musical, THE ADDING MACHINE
- Joel Hatch, Best Actor in a Musical, THE ADDING MACHINE
- Amy Warren, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, THE ADDING MACHINE
- Keith Parham, Best Lighting Design, THE ADDING MACHINE
- Toy DeIorio, Best Sound Design, FROZEN
 A full list of award nominees can be found here.
I'd like to take a quick moment also to remember some of the extraordinary work that did not get recognized by the Jeff Awards committee, including Jeff Still's remarkable Menelaus in HELEN; Linda Kimbrough's MISS WITHERSPOON; the incredible production and total design team behind all of THE ADDING MACHINE, lassoed by Production Manager Jim Davis and Resident Stage Manager Richard Lundy; Jeremy Ramey's extraordinary  Musical Direction of that show; and the courageous and knee-wobbling performances created by Laura T. Fisher, Jenny McKnight, and Joseph Wycoff in FROZEN. It was an exceptional year throughout Chicagoland theater as the award nominees suggest, and an exceptional year for us at Next.
I'd like to also take a quick moment to recognize the Artistic Associates at Next whose work was nominated elsewhere. Goes to show what a tremendously talented group of artists, staff, artisans and technicians we have working for us:
- Allen Gilmore in the Ensembles of ARGONAUTIKA and JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE (and Featured Actor, JOE TURNER)
- David Cromer for Direction of a Play, COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA
- Michael Montenegro for Puppet Design, PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ
Thanks to all of you who have made this celebration possible. What a year it's been, and what a wonderful season lies ahead! Labels: Adding Machine, Awards, Chicago theatre, Frozen
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SUBSCRIBERS TALK ABOUT FROZEN
by Jason Loewith on 5/03/2007 12:35:00 PM
Thanks to all of you who responded to my letter about FROZEN... here are most of the responses, edited a bit. Please feel free to post different opinions!
Your production of this play is THE reason I attend theater in Chicagoland and the reason I will continue to purchase season tickets at Next. Great job!
- Douglas D.
Now that you mention it, it was indeed wonderful.
I thought to myself about midway through that I would gladly come back to seek this one multiple times, and find new meaning and nuance each time.
It was the same feeling I had about thirty years ago when I saw a play at the U of C, and went back about five times to see it again, enjoying it each time.
But in those day I had more time.
Had we but world enough and time . . .
- Kent M.
I think that "Frozen" brings up the issue of why do we really go to the theater in the first place?And I think people go for different reasons--Level one-to have a good time and be distracted from one's daily life--Level two--to be stimulated to think about different issues and ideas--Level three--to be moved emotionally and feel a response to the characters in the play--And perhaps what makes a great play is one that operates on all three levels--Frozen excelled at level two but was perhaps a bit too grim to do well at level one. When it comes to level three, I think Frozen is adept about bringing up a lot of uncomfortable feelings but has a way of jamming them down your throat! While it's great that the writer of Frozen takes us for a descending ride into the pathological mind of a serial killer, the depressed mind of the victim's mother, and the conflicted mind of the psychologist/researcher, he also needs to offer a little light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, the killer finally realizes he did something wrong (unrealistic for psychopaths) but turns his violence into a brutal suicide. Yes, the mother finally forgives and is able to move on in her life but not before handling her daughter's bones. Yes, the psychologist finally admits to herself that she was in love with her associate but one doesn't feel a lot of hope for her character either. In fact, the brutal realities of the play leave one feeling frozen, oneself. And in the end, no matter how long and dark and deep the ride--we need to feel moved--not frozen.
- SusanE
I HATED the play. The previous production, the Mr. Zero play, was also not "entertaining" and also dealt with a rather "downbeat" topic (unemployment as a consequence of mechanization), but I thought it was pretty good. I make this point to emphasize that the issue is NOT whether mindless fluff and happy endings make for better theater and/or better subscription renewal rates.
The reason I HATED the play was that I didn't care! I didn't care about the psychologist, nor the mother nor the serial killer. There was nothing in what any of them said or in what they did that captured my attention. It was just boring yada-yada-yada...
It was like reading a high school sophomore's term paper on "The Abused, The Abusers, and how our systems fail them". I would have had more fun writing the paper myself. At least I could have avoided the pedantic platitudes.
- Don M.
FROZEN IN TIME ...that is really what the play will be for us. We are only vets of two seasons at Next. Since we've live in Oak Park and now Berwyn since returning to the Chicago area 24 years ago, we generally didn't venture beyond Chicago venues for our frequent theatre fixes. However, as we are buffs, Next was on or radar and finally after some regular NU summer theatre and Light Opera trips we were intrigued enough to try some late season Next a couple of years ago. That sold us. Innovative, and extremely well done theatre was the hook. Frozen was the frosting on the cake.
It is moving and draining, incredibly well acted by three truly remarkable performers -- what a three way bang for the buck -- and a play we raved about all the way home last Sunday. Your letter was forwarded to our Evanston friends (recently returned after living over a dozen years in Europe) with a "must see!" note. And while you aren't exactly in our back yard, we're renewing next year, confident that there is more to come from whence this one came -- and the other three excellent productions of 2006-2007.
Kurt and Joyce
Greta and I agree that your production of "Frozen" was outstanding Jason,
It was the type of play that keeps us returning to the NEXT.
Forgiveness is an issue I've experienced through my work as a mediator.
Frozen addresses the issue meaningfully and accurately and makes an important social contribution as well as providing superb entertainment. Congratulations again, Jason and our thanks for a splendid season. - Dick S.
We experienced Frozen last Friday and I feel very compelled to express my reactions. Frozen is a 1st class production in every respect. The casting and directing is superb. The stage set is astounding in placing the viewer in the world of the characters and their struggles. Above all the acting was the best we have seen in a very long time. I don't think it gets any better.
Frozen is also a excellently written play. It seems that, in general, the majority of plays we have seen over the years very often are great productions with excellent actors but lack the depth and authenticity of Frozen.
Jason, thank you for bringing this play and production to the Next. It is the kind of total experience that going to the live theater should be all about.
- Dale L.Labels: Frozen
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MORE RESPONSES TO FROZEN
by Jason Loewith on 5/01/2007 12:34:00 PM
Thanks to all of you for your emails and phonecalls... here are a few more... add yours to the list below!
After reading one of the reviews of Frozen, we were somewhat hesitant about driving the 30 miles one-way on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to see the production. We reminded ourselves that every play at Next which did not receive a rave review was always a production appreciated by us and the trip was worthwhile. This was not more true than regarding Frozen. Congratulations and thanks to the three actors, two of whom were kind enough to stay for the interesting post show discussion. Frozen addresses a number is issues confronted by most, if not all of us at times in our lives. It does so with intelligence and insight. Next's production is compelling and thought provoking. Best wishes for success with Frozen and next season. Our subscription renewal check is in the mail. - Donna R.
FROZEN FREEZES RESUBSCRIPTIONS
I liked the play and thought it had a powerful effect, but I am sure you are going to hear more from those who liked it than those that didn't. Unfortunately, it had other effects as well. I got my husband to subscribe to Next three years ago. Then the following year I got another couple to become subscribers. Then this past year I signed up two more couples. I attended Frozen with five of the seven people I have brought to the Next. The three men including my husband HATED the play and so did one of the women. As a consequence my husband does not want to subscribe next year and I doubt that the other two couples will either. I am writing because I care about the Next and feel that while this play should have been performed, it was not a good decision to choose it as the last play of the season. The men felt that the play was "not entertaining enough"--too downbeat, etc. What I didn't like about the play-- I think it was unrealistic that one session with the mother of the victim would have caused enough remorse to lead to suicide--The background noises were disruptive and did not add to the play. Overall though, I liked that the play probed the extreme hatred of the victim's mother, the grief and acceptance process, the unresolved conflicts of the psychologist, etc.I also understand why those with me did not "enjoy" the play--it's somewhat brutal to go through--but I would much rather have seen it than not--and I appreciate your courage in choosing plays that take us out of the "comfort" range. - Susan E.
Karen and I felt that Frozen was the best Next has performed. - Steve B.
Labels: Frozen
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FROZEN is open, and the controversy begins!
by Jason Loewith on 4/17/2007 12:05:00 PM
Last night we opened the Chicago premiere of Bryony Lavery's stunning play FROZEN under the direction of Steve Scott. I'm so proud of these three amazing actors (and Steve) who have put forward some of the bravest, most uncompromising performances I've seen on a Chicago stage in a long while.
This production regularly gets a controversial reception when it plays (it was the 4th-most produced play in the country last year, after Shakespeare and Dickens), and I'm waiting to hear YOUR reactions to see if, indeed, the play is as provocative for our audience. So far I've only heard one negative comment amongst the dozen or so lengthy hosannas - including two subscribers who thought it was the best play they'd seen at Next, and one who thought it was the best play he'd ever seen!
So please, what's YOUR review?Labels: Frozen
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"Frozen" was the best play that Next has done this year! The acting was top-quality, the story was told beautifully. We were mesmerized by the whole thing.
Kudos to Jason Loewith for choosing this terrific story and also to the actors who made their roles so believeable.
If "The Adding Machine" put Next on the map, then "Frozen" should go a long way to keeping it there.
Bob and Esther Manewith
Thanks, Esther & Bob - it's so great to know our subscribers are excited by what's happening, and recognize that this kind of work isn't easy to do!
FROZEN previews TONIGHT!
by Jason Loewith on 4/12/2007 01:48:00 PM
We at Next are very, very excited to begin previews tonight for the final production of our 2006-2007 season, FROZEN by Bryony Lavery, directed by Steve Scott. Nominated for a Tony in 2004, this is a quiet and wildly dramatic piece; I've been astonished at the diligence and hard work our three extraordinary actors have put into this. It's a special thrill to see Artistic Associate Joe Wycoff take on a role so outside his usual comfort zone... and let me tell you, if last night's dress rehearsal is any indication, it's one of the season's best performances.
If you want to do a little pre-reading before you come to the show, check out this fascinating New Yorker article about the basis for the play. As you'll see, the playwright faced a plagiarism charge after FROZEN ran in New York... which has since been resolved. This article gives you a very interesting view of the subject matter that inspired her.
See you at the theater!Labels: Frozen
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