Final Weekend – Whorehouse

Ken AshfordTheatreLeave a Comment

Tickets are going fast! Rosemary Harris* came and loved it! * NOTE:  For those of you under 30 and/or a geek, Rosemary Harris played the Aunt in the Spiderman movies.  For those of you over 30 and artsy-fartsy, Rosemary Harris is the Tony and Emmy Award winning actress (Tony for Best Actress in The Lion in Winter; Emmy for her … Read More

Headlines I Like

Ken AshfordTheatreLeave a Comment

Liff, Olivo, Ashford and Scott Win Fred & Adele Astaire Awards Regrettably but understandably, not this Ashford.  Details here.

Tony Award Nominees And My Predictions

Ken AshfordTheatre3 Comments

My predictions are in blue, although I’m really just guessing for most of them [UPDATE: Bill Cissna rightfully chastizes me in the comments section for writing "Oh, who cares" under lighting design.  Bill, 100% correct.  To be honest, I was frustrated about my ignorance about the nominees by that point in the post.  I too would like to see August … Read More

Best Little Whorehouse Review

Ken AshfordTheatreLeave a Comment

It’s a hit: By Mary Martin Niepold SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL Published: May 12, 2008 Its storyline practically guarantees the fun: A whorehouse in Texas, circa 1976, is about to be shut down through no fault of some of its own customers: a governor, a senator and longtime friend, Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd. Affectionately called the Chicken Ranch, this particular … Read More

My Weekend In The Whorehouse

Ken AshfordTheatreLeave a Comment

Good audiences, although the Sunday Mother’s Day audience was (not surprisingly) a little light.  The show amazingly has come together despite the large cast (31 in all) plagued with injuries, conflicts, dropouts, and latecomers.  Band is tight.  Chroeography came together.  I was pretty happy with my song ("The Sidestep") although I forgot to take my mike off of mute on … Read More

End Of The Nebula

Ken AshfordTheatreLeave a Comment

I have to say, The Nebula of Georgia experience was great.  It was by far the most successful show at Open Space — we sold out this entire week.  Lots of praise right and left.  Joe has created a terrific piece, and it was exhililarating to develop it. Won’t miss the daily drives to G’boro, but I really will miss … Read More

“The Nebula of Georgia” Is A Hit!

Ken AshfordLocal Interest, Personal, TheatreLeave a Comment

Very positive review from the Greensboro News and Record (sorry, only dead-tree version), praising every cast member as well as the play itself: "familiar characters in a fun dramedy…southern flavor penned by a damn Yankee…it’s easy to see this enjoyable show becoming a staple for the theatre…characters are well drawn and familiar…this show is likely to sell out!" Gotta love … Read More

August: Osage County Wins Pulitzer

Ken AshfordTheatreLeave a Comment

Not a surprise to me.  It was one of the best theatrical experiences (for a straght play) I’ve ever experienced, with the possible exception of Angels in America (another Pulitzer winner): Tracy Letts’ dysfunctional-family drama August: Osage County, which opened at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre in December 2007, has won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Pulitzer Prize for Drama … Read More

Jekyll & Hyde

Ken AshfordLocal Interest, TheatreLeave a Comment

I have to say, David Joy was every bit as good in Jekyll & Hyde as this article suggests.  A real tour de force.  His duet with himself as both Jekyll and Hyde was fun to watch. Also standing out was Courtney Willis as Emma.  A gorgeous voice. The entire ensemble was sharp and crisp.  Fantastic staging.  But the show … Read More

Local Theatre: Jekyll & Hyde

Ken AshfordLocal Interest, Theatre2 Comments

Despite some internal problems (which I shall not go into), it looks like the show is a success, and if the review is right, it’s due to the stagework of David Joy: With its current production of Jekyll & Hyde, the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem is taking on quite a challenge, one that proved worthwhile during last night’s sneak-preview performance. … Read More