Yet another opening, another show!

Scenes from Midsummer Night's Dream, by Clayton Community Theatre
Titania and the fairies
Titania played by Talichia Noah, who was also in Clayton Community Theatre's production of "Doubt" as Mrs. Muller--outstanding actress!
The Mechanicals planning their play for the Duke and his bride

Tonight is opening night for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare, presented by Clayton Community Theatre at Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Rd.

Show times: Jan 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m., Jan. 24 and 31 at 2:00 p.m.

It is going to be a very entertaining show! Hope you can come!

We struggled to get good pictures in this low light theatre, these are some of mine, but MonkeyGirl and a professional photographer took over 1000 shots, hope we can get a few decent ones out of those! I'll post them later.

My jobs for the last day were thus:
Find a new pair of pants for Lysander, he ripped the knee out of the ones I gave him when he tripped going off stage (it was a staged trip, hope he doesn't rip any more pants during the run!)
Laundrying Lysander's rumpled pink shirt
Making a new sign for Wall

And return a bunch of borrowed and purchased stuff that isn't going to be used.

It will be a busy day, and I will earn my sleep in tomorrow morning, because today will be non-stop until late tongiht!

The Milkman Cometh

The Iceman came first, now......

Thisby is one of the mechanicals in Midsummer Night's Dream. The mechanicals are people who are planning to put on a play for Hippolyta and Thesius's wedding celebration. The personna of Thisby is lily-white, pure of heart, so hence......

THE MILKMAN!




Now this is a costume that would be hard to find at a thrift store! Quality Dairy, one of two big dairies that used to deliver in St. Louis, has been gone for over 30 years! I used Quality Dairy to deliver my milk, and it was quite convenient when I had little kids and no car! I was devastated when it went out of business! I found an artifact on eBay with the Quality Dairy logo, and tried to recreate it as closely as I could with my embroidery machine.

So here is Thisby's lily-white costume that I just built. I made the hat using a circa early 1900's Simplicity pattern, 2581, which has a man's and woman's duster coat and hat, made for riding in an open car. It was a challenge to get the crown to sit correctly, took a couple of rip outs and resews to get it right. I sure hope it fits! I think it looks pretty good. The coat was a jacket pattern that I had and the pants are a boxer pattern made long.

Thisby makes a change during the show as a mechanical during the play within the play. In that segment, he portrays the part of a woman, so he will have a costume change, one that might prove to be very hilarious! That personna will be Dorothy of Oz fame--my partner is making that dress. Can't wait to see it!

I've been doing quite a bit of shopping of sales and thrift stores to find the other costume elements. I have a lot in the collection right now, I need to share what I've pulled together with the director and actors on Monday. Then I'll know where to go from here.

P.S., I found my royal blue jacket for Oberon yesterday in an obscure little store in a semi-closed-down mall. But this is a brand new store full of promise and full of merchandise, and the prices are right! I have to check with the director on whether he still wants to go this direction, then pick it up Tuesday.

Countdown to....

A Christmas Carol!



So we moved in yesterday. It was somewhat chaotic, because we moved in on the tails of a 125 piece Northwinds band picking up their show and leaving in a huge truck! There were so many musicians on stage, I have never seen that stage so full. They had the Northwinds Band plus the University of Missouri Symphonic Band playing together! Wow, I'm so sorry I was in the midst of my move-in so I couldn't hear it.

So the black tied musicians moved out of the way, and the costumes and stage pieces moved in. We worked until after 10--the lights were still on a people still working when I left.

Friday and Saturday were crazy for me! I had about 7-8 garments to make--nothing very complicated, some simple elastic waist skirts, simple knickers, some simple accessories. I remade one actress's complete outfits, the ones we had chosen for her needed extensive ripping and resewing, I wasn't up for that! I hate to rip! It took me less time to start from scratch! Besides, she had gone from little to teeny-tiny over the past two years, and the stuff she wore before was way too big. She is one of my actresses that I love to sew for, because she could make a plastic garbage bag look good on her, although we like to show off her figure a little better. I made her a darling outfit for Mrs. Cratchit, and found a perfect blouse at the thrift store that works so well with it. She tried it on last night, it was soooooo cute. I don't know if it makes her look poor, but it sure is cute!

Then I had to organize and bag up everything. I put together all the costume pieces, hats, scarves, gloves, socks (for the knickered ones), coats, and actual suits and dresses. It is so much easier to do this in the privacy of my home than to wait til we get to the theatre with 100 interuptions to try to keep my wits together to do it. Then I had to move it! It took three loads of my little SUV to get it all up there.

Once we got to the theatre, I had several ladies ready to iron and steam everything to make it look fresh and nice. I got them going, then had to leave for my granddaughter's Christmas program at preschool. When I came back there was very little to finish up, they had done a nice job.

So now we wait for tonight for the actual rehearsal. I'm not sure if she will want costumes tonight or not, but I hope that all goes smoothly. I'm sure there will be grumbling on some parts, the first comment I got last night was "My hat's too big" from a veteran who wore that hat last year and we fixed it, so quityourb**ching! That wasn't what I wanted to hear.

Anyone involved in theatre knows that tech week can be hell week or go smoothly. Usually it is an up and down week. Crisis, followed by crisis solved, only to have another crisis arise! When things go well, you can add the finishing touches to your performance. When they go poorly, you are just glad to get something on stage by opening night. Who knows what lies ahead for us this week, we just hope to put on a good show for our audiences....AND, BREAK A LEG, CHRISTMAS CAROLERS!

He.e.e.e.l.l.l.l.o.o.o.! Is Any one out there?

Sometimes a bloger's life is lonely. Am I writing and spinning my words into cyberspace for just myself to read? Is there anyone interested in reading what I spit out?

A blogger can be considered the ultimate self-centered creature. That's what I thought when I first heard about blogging. Why would anyone want to read what I write? But then my daughter got me started on it, urged on by her BFF, who is an excellent blogger. For me, it is a way to hone my writing skills (I teach writing at a community college.) Sometimes, I catch myself making the same grammatical mistakes I just cautioned my students not to make, like writing run-on sentences, etc. etc. etc.

I've read some very interesting blogs, written by people with a special love for special topics. My blog focuses mostly on sewing, quilting and costuming.

But, is anyone out there? I never know, because only a few people comment on my blog. Come on folks, you don't have to be a registered blogger to comment!

I found out that my cousin who lives in San Francisco reads my blog. It is her way of keeping up with this branch of the family! And the other night, while waiting for "Doubt" to begin, one of the actors said, "I read a blog today written by someone who must have seen the first night of Doubt, she liked the show and gave me a good review." I told her, "I have a blogspot". Then we found out that she found my blog through Google, and had read my review of the opening of her show (read "Another Opening, Another Show" where she read the review.)

So I guess there really are people out there who read my blog. Since it is my photojournal of things I work on for different shows, it is a way for me to send lots of friends pictures, since they live far away and can't get here to see the shows.

But make a comment once in a while, OK? Do it as an annonymous person, I don't care! Just let me know you are out there!

Another Opening, Another Show

That's a familiar opening to a famous show. My blog has been neglected for 10 days because of two openings to two shows that I've been working on. Two tech weeks in a row make for a very busy schedule! So here's an update!

"On Borrowed Time"(Hawthorne Players) openend Nov. 6. It is being shown at the James J. Eagan Theatre at the Florissant, Civic Center. Shows this weekend are Friday and Saturday at 8, and Sunday at 2. Opening night saw a very enthusiastic crowd, small but enthusiastic enjoying the show. Characters were "on" for the night, and the show went on without a hitch. Grandpa and Grandma were great, the kids were awesome (lots of lines to deliver for young actors). Mr. Brink was very mysterious, but entertaining in his own quiet way. The other supporting characters did a great job of helping to tell the story. Larry Marsh directed and designed and constructed the set. Fabulous job in both areas! And it was very entertaining!

Last night, Nov. 13, the show "Doubt: A Parable" opened at Clayton Community Theatre, at Washington University South Campus Theatre. They knocked one out of the park, so to speak. Sr. Aloysius had many friends in the audience, and they reveled in her characterization of the crusty old school nun getting in the face of the young fresh-faced arrogant priest! Mrs. Muller riveted everyone to their seats, as she fought her way through her "visit to the principal" meeting. She caused everyone in the audience to get so quiet you could hear a pin drop as her emotion went from controlled "nice" to letting it all hang out in anger over the plight of blacks in the early '60's--"That's just the way it is, Sister!" Sr. James showed a wide range of emotion within the confines of her black nun habit--from exhuberant "joy of teaching" to fear to embarrasment to anger to sadness over the loss of her innocent way of looking at life. Great Job!

They actors and actresses all looked great! Of course, I'm biased! From the stylish 30's chick Aunt Demetria (aka Pismire!) dressed in her authentic '30's design suits, thanks to the patterns my friend gave me, to Father Flynn in his pretty authentic looking chasubles, I'm pleased with the results of the costuming.

I'll get a CD from the professional photographers who took pictures of both of these shows, and post some of the best shots from each show. I'm very proud of these productions from my own point of view, and I think the audiences were highly entertained by the productions.

It's my BLOG iversary!

Some blogger must have invented that word, it is my first anniversary of being a blogger.

It's beginnings were brought to life last summer while I was the passenger on a very long road trip to the east coast. As the miles passed by, I spent my time working on my iPhone, because I could get news from home that way. Oh, and it helped us tremendously when we got lost!

In one of the notes from home, I found out that a good friend passed away. Being about 900 miles away, I wasn't able to attend her funeral. But then, my daughter emailed that she had become a blogger. What exactly is a blogger, I thought?

After several days of reading her blogs, reading her friends blogs, I thought, THIS COULD BE FUN! So, my blogspot, Sew What? was born. I wrote about our adventures on our trip, but my focus had to be SEWING!

I was in the middle week between the first and last runs of the big musical I had just costumed. So, it was a perfect time to try to slip away and see something besides the walls of my sewing room. We went to Virginia via Illinois, Kentucky, Tennesee, North Carolina, and then finally to Virginia, and on the way back came through W. Virginia, Tennesee, Indiana and Illinois. We packed a lot of miles and a lot of interesting stops into our short 7 day trip. It was so interesting, but so short, I wanted to go back this summer, but that didn't work out.

So next week is my mini-vacation week. I plan on taking off Monday and lurking around the Lake of the Ozarks. One main focus is to comb the Factory outlet mall in Osage Beach for bargains. Another focus is to travel to Arrow Rock State Park to attend a theatre production at the Lyceum Theatre. This is professional summer stock type theatre community, and they produce about 8 plays during their summer season. We went to one last year, and loved the town, which is an old Missouri River town, complete with taverns, antique stores, and many things on a little main street to interest tourists and theatre goers. I'm going to let serendipity be my guide. I'm going alone, hopefully the buggy will be up to the task.

Still love to blog, who knows who reads this stuff. I know my cousin from San Francisco found out about my blog and reads it, also some friends who I didn't know were reading keep up with my life. Sometimes, it is a way for Monkeygirl and I to keep up with each other's busy lives. We may not have time to visit, but we can squeeze in some blogging every now and then.

Try it, it is fun to do! Blogging, that is.

Joseph Pictures

All pictures on this page are copyrighted by Gerry Love 2009. Thanks Gerry for doing such a great job of photography!
This is a sample of the girls Canaan costumes--tie dyed skirts, peasant blouses. Each skirt is made of 4 yards of muslin, then dyed. Each skirt is different, using the same colors but different blending of colors. We had a ball tie dyeing these skirts and the men's shirts.
Egyptian women--polyester interlock stretch fabric, accessorized with gold sequin trim and gold braid at shoulders. They have to change quickly, so no zippers! You can see several of the young children in the background, wearing eyelet dresses. One boy child is in white shorts and a tee shirt, with a colored belt around his waist. Each child has a different rainbow colored ribbon or belt.
Joseph in his "tear apart" coat. Put together with about 50 snaps and 5 yards of velcro. The sleeves tore off too quickly several times, now they are reinforced, and it takes special techniques to tear them off, but at least they stay put while he is wearing this coat!

This is the finale coat. He wears it all of 30 seconds before the lights go out! Darn! Lots of work went into this one, more than the first one. I think the bottom and the top don't go together, some day I will change it, but not before tonight! My design team agrees with me, but there isn't time to change it now.

As Joseph sings, "I'm a walking work of art..." They all are, and I am pleased with the results.

Two down, one more to go

Today, my two shows that I costumed closed. Prelude to a Kiss and Sound of Music are but a pleasant memory.

Now, Don't Drink the Water starts next Friday. I'm about done sewing, or so I think. I'm going to bring the stuff to the theatre tomorrow, and we'll go from there to see what we need.

The end of this long run of stuff to do is in sight. Hope I'm not speaking too soon!

Prepping for a wedding

You have your brides who are laid back, your brides who are up tight, and of course, many who are somewhere in between. The laid back brides plan the wedding about 2 months or less before the event. The uptight brides (Bridezilla type) have every nuance and detail planned within 24 hours of accepting the engagement ring. And every minute of their wedding day is filled to accomodate the many details of dressing for the big event.

But what if you have one minute to get ready for the big day?

In "Prelude to a Kiss" the bride and groom meet, get to know each other, live with each other, meet the parents, and are propelled down the aisle in about 30 minutes! This means that the actual wedding takes place without a lot of time to prepare the bride and groom for their great day.

The groom dresses before your eyes on stage. His best man brings in his tux and cumberbund and dresses him while he is speaking. The bride has about 1 minute, divided into 2 30 second sessions to get out of her other clothes, and into her wedding garb for the big event. We've developed a routine, and will practice it in upcoming rehearsals to perfect our timing to send her out on stage with the zippers zipped and veil arranged! Her maid of honor holds the veil, I attach the overskirt, AFTER she strips down to her bathing suit (for the honeymoon scene, which is immediately following after she strips off the wedding gown) and we zip up her gown. It's a flurry of activity. These continuous scenes always work better in movies than in stage plays!

I had a short "bridal" costume change to deal with in Oklahoma. In the span of 10 minutes, Laurey and Curley got married (change #1), spent their wedding night and were chivareed (change # 2), Judd got killed, Curley was tried (change #3), and they left for their honeymoon (change #4)! AND SANG "OKLAHOMA" IN BETWEEN! This meant 4 very quick changes in 10 minutes, with about 30 seconds each behind the curtain! During one of our practices before we had the routine down pat, Curley adlibbed "Be there in a minute!", because she wasn't ready, which brought on gales of laughter! We had to velcro Laurey into her clothes because buttons were not an option for that quick change. I followed her as she came off one scene to the curtain call to make sure she wasn't hanging out somewhere, I tucked her in as she lurched forth onto the stage!

So you brides who have plenty of time to prepare--be glad for that luxury. Those stage brides and grooms can't even sneak a peak in the mirror to see if things are in place on their BIG DAY!

Here comes the Bride..or at least I think it's her!

This play, which I am working on costuming, has been made into a movie, starring Meg Ryan. Have any of you seen it? If you have, you know why I titled this blog in the way I did! I'm not going to give away the secret, so you'll have to see the movie to fit the pieces of this puzzle together.

The wedding scene in this play is the centerpiece for the play, and so I was commissioned to find a wedding dress for the leading lady. Finding a wedding dress that would fit my beautiful actress by going to thrift stores or begging people for cast-offs isn't always fruitful or time-wise, so I decided long ago that I would use a simple pattern and make the dress to fit my actress. The lines of the dress I made are very close to the ones that MonkeyGirl chose for her own wedding 2 years ago.

Several of the criteria for this wedding dress are: she must be able to dress in less than a minute, she must wear her swim suit under it, because she peels off the dress on stage, and is on her honeymoon in the next scene! And she needs a veil that covers her face, because her father lifts it, kisses her and then gives her over to the happy groom.

I made a muslin and fit it on her Sunday, and then was ready to go ahead. I almost ran out of my cheap $3.88 a yard fabric, which I bought the entire bolt of, so some modifications had to be made, nothing critical. I'm sure it will look much better on her darling figure than stuffed with plastic bags and laying on the couch!

The veil will be modified today, I'm going out now to find a comb and will remove the ring. This style looks dorky on her, although it looks nice on the couch! We want it to look good on stage. Hope my director likes the results.

Is it OK, DR. J?

Measure once, cut twice OR?????

This is the play I'm working on today. I am the costume coordinator, but I did make a few things for this play. Mostly, the actors and actresses are raiding their closets for things to use in the play

Backstory to this post....

My darling Late Mr. was a very meticulous woodworker. He was very slow in completing projects, but he rarely had mistakes to cover up, and things fit together very well.

He framed the entire basement of our original family home, putting up the outside walls, interior walls and doorways. It took him months (and many cases of beer, I might add--but the walls were still straight!) to finish this framing job. After all the time he was working on it, when it was completely framed, I said, "Oh goody, now we can start hanging drywall!" Not so fast, Mrs. SewWhat. The entire thing was up and there was not one nail holding it in place. He measured so carefully and fit the wood so well that it stood, an entire basement, with not one nail. So he had to number everything, take it all down and nail it together! Luckily for the impatient spouse he was married to, this part didn't take nearly as much time as the cutting and framing did.

My kids were so impressed by Dad's life lesson that he taught them, to "measure twice, cut once!" that they put it in the eulogy they gave at his funeral.

Sorry to say, this life lesson is lost on me. I rarely do that, and many times get into trouble. You see, in this play, Prelude to a Kiss, one of the settings is in a trendy bar. The characters need a butcher apron to wear. I have a fancy embroidery sewing machine that often is neglected, so I thought, why not embroider the name of the bar on the apron, thus appearing to be a professionally made item. So I started on my job, with a vague reference in my head of what the name of the bar really is in the play. This is my prototype.


Hello, SewWhat--you idiot! Why don't you check on what you are supposed to do instead of relying on your rapidly faily memory? THIS IS WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO SAY!

Luckily, I didn't sew the erroneous logo directly on the aprons, I sewed them on a pocket to be attached to the apron. I was so proud of myself figuring out the embroidery process, I didn't pay attention to the right text!

So this is the finished project, and hopefully it will be right. I need to remember those words, "Measure once, cut twice" NOOOOOOOOO it's "Measure twice, cut once!" I always learn the hard way.