It isn’t easy to tell an entire story without one word of spoken dialogue, let alone give proper attention to two concurrent plots that run simultaneously but never intertwine, except emotionally.  Yet SEASONS does just that, and with such deep resonance that sold-out houses were sobbing as they watched the four central characters of Elaine Pechacek and Katie Hammond’s original musical live through one very specific year that, for them, was filled with love, joy, regret, confusion, despair, birth, and death.

When we first meet the four characters they are all about to experience Just One Moment that changes the trajectory of the path they’ve been on up until now – a moment which provides the basis of each character’s plot arc for this one pivotal year we are about to live through with them.

Helen (Kristyn Chalker) has just walked into her reunion and is in a mischievous mood, looking for a chance to feel like she can have any guy there. Peter (Kyle Szen), an earnest type who apparently didn’t measure up in high school, winds up being the guy that takes her home and can’t believe his good fortune.   Across town Mrs. Jones’ (Amy Arbizzani) whole life changes in just one moment as we find her reacting to the news that she has cancer.  Shocked and angry, she vows to get a second opinion.  Unaware of this new development Mrs. Jones’ daughter, Hope, (Katie Hammond) is leaving a message for her mother excitedly explaining that her boyfriend has proposed and in just one moment she has now become engaged and her world is filled with promise and possibility.  As the song progresses Helen finds she’s waking up nauseous — her one moment resulted in an unplanned pregnancy with her Mr. Right Now.  Beautifully setting the scene (as well as the tone)  we now know that this is going to be a roller-coaster of a year.

Peter is not only up for the challenge of being a father but is excited to prove that he can be the right man for Helen, so he proposes (Take You Away). Unsure of what else to do, Helen accepts, convincing herself that she can Make It Work. Making it work, in this case, includes deferring medical school and starting a life with a man she’s less than enthusiastic about.  Director Danny Williams creates a heartbreaking moment as Helen, steeling herself in the mirror, is unaware that Peter has walked in on her self-pep-talk; the look of hope that turns to hurt and then is quickly masked which dances across Kyle Szen’s face hit like a punch and layered in more subtext than any line of dialogue could have done.

As Hope prepares for her wedding, Mrs. Jones is having a harder time concealing her illness.  She convinces her daughter to Take A Walk with her and in a tumbling of words she explains her condition, but also stresses the importance of enjoying the moment … as she explains that she can fight as long as she has the support and love of her daughter. Hope is shocked and dismayed but knows can’t change what is inevitable.

Peter and Helen who have now wed (Wedding Bells) and are preparing for their child are living out marital bliss far less blissfully than Peter had hoped.  Helen, who is angry and bloated, is doing nothing to hide her resentment and bitterness, tossing aside the present Peter brings home for her. Peter, exasperated, explains that he’s been Working So Hard to make a life for her and the baby and begs her to stop shutting him out and start appreciating him for the good man he is.

Kristyn Chalker as Helen / Kyle Szen as Peter (photo by Lee Wexler/Images for Innovation)

By mid play Helen is great with child and Mrs. Jones is sinking deeper into her illness after Hope’s wedding. Each women, in a pivotal moment when the life force actually moves from one story-line to the other, gives a truly showstopping performance as they rail against what is happening to their body; Helen (Push) screams with pain and fear as Peter stands by hoping to calm her through her delivery, while Mrs. Jones (Second Opinion)  screams in anger and frustration at this disease which is overtaking her and now looks like it will defeat her.  Both of these songs are star turns for the actresses – I was mesmerized by each as I watched Kristyn Chalker and Amy Arbizzani (respectively) belt out pain and frustration and hurt and anger and fear with such deep emotional accomplishment.  I think the entire audience was out of breath watching these two powerhouses live through these life changing events.

The third act finds Helen and Mrs. Jones far calmer as they make peace with the new changes in their lives; Helen sings her new daughter a Lullaby in which she expresses how truly astonished she is at how she could feel such love for her new daughter.  As Mrs. Jones is quietly dying in her own daughter’s arms she sings a peaceful song of letting go, advising her child Don’t Take For Granted the wonderful things life has to offer, the hidden moments of pleasure that are everywhere.

Amy Arbizzani as Mrs. Jones / Katie Hammond as Hope (Lee Wexler/Images for Innovation)

The final Lullaby (Reprise) has Helen singing lovingly to her baby daughter while Hope sings to her dying mother, the cycle of birth and death completed as each woman embraces what was brought with the seasons . (Song below is from an earlier showcase.)

As a musical team Elaine Pechacek and Katie Hammond are strong; they understand how to approach a complex issue and develop it in a way that gives it a foundation of truth as well as drama.  The melodies were not just catchy, hummable, and memorable but also richly layered with flavors and nuances that delviered a vivid emotional spectrum and allowed the audience to see  each character’s faults and failures as well as their triumphs.

It’s no wonder SEASONS was sold out almost before it was announced in the festival and that a fourth show had to be added.  I see a long life for this beautiful story – and hopefully many more Seasons of success for the team of Pechacek and Hammond.

SEASONS was featured as part of the Times Square International Theater Festival at the Roy Arias Studios & Theatres located at 300 W. 43rd St, NY, NY.

~~~

Related Posts:

• SEASONS: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• THM Sponsors The Times Square International Theatre Festival
• 1,934 Days: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• Alita The Show: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• The Extraordinary Fall of the Four-Legged Woman: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

1,934 Days
a play about longing and hope.

Isramerica Production
Conceived and Created: Sivan Hadari
Directed and Co-created: Charlotte Cohn

While sharing their own personal experiences and real life stories, ten actors haling from diverse cultural backgrounds (American, Asian, African, Israeli, Palestinian, Latin) explore the deep rooted connection they all have with “longing”.

Show Times:

• Wed 1/18 @ 10:00pm
• Sat 1/21 @ 10:00pm
• Sun 1/22 @ 6:00pm

Answers by Sivan Hadari – Creator/ Producer

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
This is an international festival. What part of the world are you coming from … and will your show tantalize the NYC audience with a taste of your nation’s culture?
Sivan Hadari: I am an Isramerican. Born in Brooklyn, raised in Israel and now back in New York. The actors in our cast are from Japan, Israel, France, The Philippines, USA, Kyrgyzstan, China and Singapore.
While sharing their own personal experiences and real life stories, twelve actors hailing from diverse cultural backgrounds explore the deep rooted connection they all have with “longing”. We will hear their tales of unrequited love, separation, heart-break, mourning, homosexuality, religion and faith while they draw inspiration from the story of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who was held captive in Gaza by Hamas for 1,934 days.

Dianna Martin’s Question
Who is the greatest inspiration to you artistically?
Sivan Hadari: Josh Fox, the founder and Artistic Director of International WOW Company. I worked with him on the show Reconstruction and I was inspired and moved by his work. He is an innovator and a true master when it comes to bringing together narrative, heightened imagery and socially conscious themes and subjects. Working with him has left its mark on me as an artist, and as an individual, till this very day.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
What emerged as the greatest challenge during the development of this production?
Sivan Hadari:Martha Graham once said: “There is only a divine dis-satisfaction.” To me that says that an artist’s work is never done. There is always one final touch you’d like to put on something before it goes out into the world. Luckily, we’ve had the opportunity to work with an extremely talented cast of twelve individuals who have poured their hearts and souls into the work, a production team (that include Larren Parrish and Julian Evans) that any producer could only dream of, and a stage manager, (Katie Kavett) that has gone above and beyond for our production. Not to mention our phenomenal director, Charlotte Cohn who has brought her own vision to this incredibly ambitious project in the most amazing way. It’s been a complex and mind-blowing journey, both creatively and artistically and we are thrilled at the opportunity to be a part of The Times Square International Theater Festival.

Antonio Minino’s Question
You’re in Times Square surrounded by the best Broadway houses and highest selling entertainment in the world. What resources are you utilizing to spread the word about your show and get butts in seats?
Sivan Hadari:PR, PR and them more PR. I myself am a master when it comes to PR, marketing and publicity. I am the President and Founder of Isramerica, a non-profit that supports Israeli and Jewish-American artists and our mailing list reaches around 6,000 subscribers in New York alone so we have been getting a lot of feedback from our audience about the show. We have been listed and featured in BroadwayWorld.com, The Village Voice, The Jewish Voice, Off-Off-Online and are collaborating with many organizations that are sending out information about our show. In addition, because we are working with actors that are originally from 12 different countries, we have the support of various consulates and cultural centers all over NYC. We expect a very diverse crowd and a wonderful show.

~~~

Related Posts:

• THM Sponsors The Times Square International Theatre Festival
• SEASONS (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• Alita The Show: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• SEASONS: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• Legacy Of The Tiger Mother (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)

Alita the Show

Writer and Director: Freia Canals and Denise Kornitz

A bilingual show (Spanish/ English) for the entire family.
Princess Alita lives in a world of luxury amidst the walls of her palace. She is oblivious to all that surrounds her and knows little outside of her own environment. One day she is sent on a mission that will change her forever.

Show Times:

• Wed 1/18 @ 4:30pm
• Sat 1/21 @ 12:30pm
• Sun 1/22 @ 11:00pm

Answers by Freia Canals and Denise Kornitz: Writers, Directors, Producers and Performers

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
This is an international festival. What part of the world are you coming from … and will your show tantalize the NYC audience with a taste of your nation’s culture?
Freia Canals and Denise Kornitz:
We are from Barcelona (Spain) and Buenos Aires (Argentina), but we have lived in different places including Madrid, London, Oxford, Israel and finally New York.
Yes, we brought to our show all our experiences and a big part of who we are.

Dianna Martin’s Question
Who is the greatest inspiration to you artistically?
Freia Canals and Denise Kornitz:
We both have a lot of experiences and people to inspire on: from friends, families to people we know. However the real inspiration came from the kids. We worked with them and we realized we wanted them to get in touch with some values that we believe important especially nowadays. Also we wanted to give them some tools to start getting in touch with who they are.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
What emerged as the greatest challenge during the development of this production?
Freia Canals and Denise Kornitz:The whole show has been a great challenge. We started from nothing and we came up with a script, we made puppets, life music and we combined 2 languages which are spoken simultaneously. The challenge never ends, continues every day we perform: we play 13 roles only being 2 actresses! Putting everything together was craziness but a wonderful experience!

Antonio Minino’s Question
You’re in Times Square surrounded by the best Broadway houses and highest selling entertainment in the world. What resources are you utilizing to spread the word about your show and get butts in seats?
Freia Canals and Denise Kornitz:We both have been teachers and know families, teachers, schools. They have seen our show and they talked to some other friends and families, and these talked to other people etc. The reviews we got from our audiences have been great and that helped to spread the word. Also, having a bilingual show that has puppets, life music, is educative and very fun, helps!!

~~~

Related Posts:

• SEASONS (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• 1,934 Days: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• SEASONS: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• Legacy Of The Tiger Mother (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• SUPERMAN 2050: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)

The Knocking Within

ANIKAI Dance Theater
Texts from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, MacBeth, Titus Andronicus and Othello
Selected and compiled by Wendy Jehlen
Direction, concept: Wendy Jehlen
Choreographer: Wendy Jehlen with Pradhuman Nayak

ANIKAI Dance Theater premieres “The Knocking Within,” a new text-based work looking at insanity and a dysfunctional relationship through texts from three of Shakespeare’s tragedies – Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello and Titus Andronicus.
The scenes will not play out in a linear manner, but rather will be woven into each other, so that the effect is of the disorientation of unmitigated mental illness and a relationship out of control, or is it the nightmares of two lovers?

Show Times:

• Tues 1/17 @ 6:00pm
• Fri 1/20 @ 8:30pm
• Sun 1/22 @ 3:00pm

Answers by Wendy Jehlen
Artistic Director
ANIKAI Dance

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
This is an international festival. What part of the world are you coming from … and will your show tantalize the NYC audience with a taste of your nation’s culture?
Wendy Jehlen:
We are from India and the US, by birth. However, this work, and all ANIKAI works, draws on influences and deep study of traditions from throughout the world. The subjects are also universal – dreaming, the space between waking and sleeping, relationship, love, fear. I believe that our work speaks to that culture of people who do not identify themselves with any one place, but rather with a global community.

Dianna Martin’s Question
Who is the greatest inspiration to you artistically?
Wendy Jehlen: It would be impossible to name just one person. We have both had so many influences and mentors. Much of this piece, believe it or not, was inspired by a few episodes of Radio Lab on NPR.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
What emerged as the greatest challenge during the development of this production?
Wendy Jehlen:Narrowing it down. The texts are so rich, as are the ideas we’ve been wrapping around them. It took us a while to settle into a structure, after which it flowed. I’m sure that we will make changes after this run, which is the premiere. After that we’ll be taking it to Boston, around India, and after that, who knows? The creative process is never over.

Antonio Minino’s Question
You’re in Times Square surrounded by the best Broadway houses and highest selling entertainment in the world. What resources are you utilizing to spread the word about your show and get butts in seats?
Wendy Jehlen: We’ve been using the Internet a lot, emails, Facebook, websites. It was listed in the Times under dance. I’m hoping that there will be curiosity about the breadth of influences and sources for the work, as was expressed in the Times listing. Also, this is a very intimate piece, and performing it for an intimate audience is perfect.
~~~

Related Posts:

• THM Sponsors The Times Square International Theatre Festival
• The Bardy Bunch – Keep On Singing And Dancing All Through The Night
• The Bardy Bunch: The War Of The Families Partridge And Brady (Fringe Festival 2011)
• Punk Grandpa: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• For Body And Light (2014 Frigid New York Festival)

WOYZECK MUSICAL DEATHMETAL

Gorilla repertory Theater
Writer: Christopher Carter Sanderson
Director: Christopher Carter Sanderson
Choreographer: Erin Porvaznika

Enervated by hunger and oppressed by his poverty, Woyzeck struggles to earn money for his common-law wife and their very young son. Scraping together money from his job as a private in the Army, which he supplements by doing odd jobs and shaving his captain for tips daily, Woyzeck slips into madness. As we have journeyed through this terrible landscape, we have seen everything through Woyzeck’s eyes using theatrical tools like cross-casting, rock, folk, and death-metal music and fabulous anachronistic costuming. Only in the very last scene, where the sheriff speaks clearly, does not sing in any way, and is dressed in contemporary costume do we wonder if Woyzeck was ripped out of today’s tabloid murder headlines… or set in Woyzeck’s hallucinatory world of late-1800’s Germany… or is it Norway?

Show Times:

• Wed 1/18 @ 10:00pm
• Sat 1/21 @ 3:30pm
• Sun 1/22 @ 1:00pm

Answers by Christopher Carter Sanderson, Writer of the book, lyrics, and music / Dirctor / Drummer

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
This is an international festival. What part of the world are you coming from … and will your show tantalize the NYC audience with a taste of your nation’s culture?
Christopher Carter Sanderson:WOYZECK MUSICAL DEATHMETAL was born in Oslo, Norway where I lived and worked while it was commissioned and originally developed, in part with the help of a Fulbright grant. Many aspects of Norwegian culture influenced the tone and atmosphere of the piece, including Norway’s folk music and Death Metal music. There are one or two specific references that the perceptive will pick up, too.

Dianna Martin’s Question
Who is the greatest inspiration to you artistically?
Christopher Carter Sanderson: William Shakespeare.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
What emerged as the greatest challenge during the development of this production?
Christopher Carter Sanderson:The climactic ballad duet was a big challenge. I knew it had to be there long before I could complete it, and I needed great voices and acting to help inform my imagination. That, and the logistics of getting half the cast, and all of the sets, props, and equipment for the show here from Kentucky were the biggest challenges!

Antonio Minino’s Question
You’re in Times Square surrounded by the best Broadway houses and highest selling entertainment in the world. What resources are you utilizing to spread the word about your show and get butts in seats?
Christopher Carter Sanderson: Very luckily for me, some folks have heard of my company in New York, Gorilla Rep, or read one of the many New York Times, nytheatre.com or other reviews of my work over the last 25 years. My last original musical was well received at FringeNYC in 2008. And, we’re hitting FaceBook pretty hard, and hawking postcards in Times Square!

~~~

Related Posts:

• THM Sponsors The Times Square International Theatre Festival
• SEASONS (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• 1,934 Days: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• Alita The Show: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• The Knocking Within: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)

Sanctuary

Susanne Sulby writer, actor, co-director,
Andrea Haring co-director

An exploration of the struggles and tragedies of war and our need for sanctuary. A fast paced energetic multi media exploration of the roles we have played in war throughout time. Multiple characters expose the connections of fear, bigotry, power and religion with war and how they find sanctuary from it.

Show Times:

• Monday, 1/16 @ 9pm
• Wednesday, 1/18 @ 6pm
• Friday, 1/20 @ 7:30pm

Answers by Susanne Sulby (writer, actor, co-director)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
This is an international festival. What part of the world are you coming from … and will your show tantalize the NYC audience with a taste of your nation’s culture?
Susanne Sulby: Though this is an International show I am from the US. Sanctuary is about our Universal experience as women in relation to war. This Story is told through the eyes of the three main characters, the house wife, an international war correspondent and Sanja Sihilovic a POW in Bosnia. ‘Sanctuary’ exposes the connection of fear, bigotry, power and religion to war throughout history and across the world. Using multiple characters, Film projection, movement and sound, I explore the human tragedy of war as well as the roles and responsibilities of individuals in the conflict of nations. Sanctuary makes immediate on the stage some of the most pertinent issues of our time.

Dianna Martin’s Question
Who is the greatest inspiration to you artistically?
Susanne Sulby: My teachers have always been my biggest inspiration. Currently Andrea Haring, my director, and Master Linklater, teacher, has inspired me to create challenging and specific work. Kristin Linklater has also inspired me to understand the importance of my voice in the world! Theatrically, I am inspired by so many people; of course incredible actors like Glenn Close who is able to manage a stage and screen career with ease, but also incredible women writers like Theresa Rebeck or the incredible Wendy Wasserstein.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
What emerged as the greatest challenge during the development of this production?
Susanne Sulby:Time. Time is always the challenge. (And of course money!) When I found that I would be performing this piece it was early December and I knew that I wanted to rewrite some of it and explore the positive changes that have happened in the world since its first production. To discover more hope and beauty. So, much of our time was spent developing those ideas.

Antonio Minino’s Question
You’re in Times Square surrounded by the best Broadway houses and highest selling entertainment in the world. What resources are you utilizing to spread the word about your show and get butts in seats?
Susanne Sulby: We have used as many ways as we can afford, post cards mailings, and drop offs, PR contacts with local writers, the web, e-mails, social networking sites and word of mouth from friends.

~~~

.

Related Posts:

• THM Sponsors The Times Square International Theatre Festival
• SEASONS (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• 1,934 Days: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• Alita The Show: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• The Knocking Within: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)

Libby Skala in A Time to Dance photo by Damon Calderwood

A Time to Dance

written and performed by Libby Skala

The story of a pioneering Austrian who transcends poverty, artistic repression and the rise of Hitler through the magic of dance.

Show Times:

• Tuesday, 1/17 @ 6pm
• Friday, 1/20 @ 9pm
• Sunday, 1/22 @ 3pm

Answers by Libby Skala (Playwright, Director, Producer, Performer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
This is an international festival. What part of the world are you coming from … and will your show tantalize the NYC audience with a taste of your nation’s culture?
Libby Skala: I’m first generation American, but my great aunt, in whose voice the play is written, came from Vienna, Austria. Through the narration of her life, the audience travels a fanciful journey through Vienna’s artistic, socio-economic and political environment during the early part of the 20th century, and then onto America where she built a new life.

Dianna Martin’s Question
Who is the greatest inspiration to you artistically?
Libby Skala: My grandmother. She was a huge aficionado of every form of artistic expression. She was an actress, architect, painter and poet who nurtured artistic expression in everyone she encountered. Not only did she encourage me, but she was a superb role model as the first woman architect in Austria and an Academy Award-nominated actress who worked well into her 90s.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
What emerged as the greatest challenge during the development of this production?
Libby Skala: Finding a structure for the piece under tremendous time constraint. The play was accepted into a festival before it was completed, and when no structure emerged, I tried to withdraw to no avail. I didn’t have time to bring a director on board because I’d been waiting first for the play structure. Opening night was a flop, but by the second performance out of sheer necessity, the structure was in place and the show flew.

Antonio Minino’s Question
You’re in Times Square surrounded by the best Broadway houses and highest selling entertainment in the world. What resources are you utilizing to spread the word about your show and get butts in seats?
Libby Skala: Email, Facebook, Twitter, postcards sent by snail mail, press releases to press, alumni networks, special interest groups, postcards dropped in key locations, word of mouth.

~~~

.

Related Posts:

• THM Sponsors The Times Square International Theatre Festival
• SEASONS (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• 1,934 Days: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• Alita The Show: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• The Knocking Within: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)

SEASONS

Writer: Katie Hammond and Elaine Pechacek
Director: Danny Williams

Spanning the course of one year, SEASONS is a story about love. This original musical delves into the lives of two couples. Poignant and touching, this story explores the characters with humor and realism, and will leave the audience wanting more.

Take a listen here: SEASONS “Don’t Take For Granted”

Show Times:

• Monday, January 16, 2012 at 9:30pm
• Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 8:00pm – SOLD OUT
• Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 5:30pm – SOLD OUT
• Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 8:00pm

Answers by Katie Hammond (lyricist), and Elaine Pechacek (composer) /Producers

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
This is an international festival. What part of the world are you coming from … and will your show tantalize the NYC audience with a taste of your nation’s culture?
Katie Hammond: Elaine and I, Two Classy Broads, LCC – split our time between New York City and Orlando, FL. I moved up to New York from Orlando about 18 months ago, and Elaine and I have continued our partnership long distance – we’re racking up a lot of frequent flyer miles! SEASONS will tantalize its audience. It’s a story about love, and one that everyone can relate to, regardless of their age, or sex or background. The 4 characters in our story experience every capacities for love – be that for a lover, a friend, a parent or child or a spouse.

Dianna Martin’s Question
Who is the greatest inspiration to you artistically?
Elaine Pechacek: My inspiration comes from all the mentors and teachers who believed in me and infused their pieces of influence into my life or that I am a reciprocation of all the mentors and music teachers I’ve ever had in my life and they are the ones who not only inspired me but made me understand the importance of not focusing just on musical perfection, but rather strive for true musical expression.

Katie Hammond: As the lyricist, I’ve been inspired by everything I’ve ever read. In some way or another – every theatrical or musical moment has influenced my style. Elaine always jokes with me that I like to shove as many words as I can into our songs…. so my inspiration is wordiness…. can that count? :)

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
What emerged as the greatest challenge during the development of this production?
Katie Hammond: We started writing SEASONS in January of 2010 – and cannot believe how far our musical has come in so short a time! Before I moved to NYC in August of 2010, we’d finished only 10 songs from the show, and presented them as a cabaret in Florida. Hearing the audience’s reaction to our story and the characters helped us focus our story-telling, and begin to bring the story to life. SEASONS was featured at the OCU Stripped Festival in February of 2011, and while we’d only completed half of the musical, the festival was happy to perform an abridged version. We finished the “to-date” version of the musical in July of last year, and held an Equity Staged Reading in Orlando on August 8, 2011.

One of the biggest challenges Elaine and I have faced during development was probably the physical distance between us. SEASONS has no dialogue. The entire story is told thru song, so composing these heart-felt and sometimes funny songs has been a huge learning experience for both of us – but we couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve made. We have hired an amazing cast of actors here in NYC, a gifted directed, Danny Williams, and he helped us compile our stellar creative team.

Antonio Minino’s Question
You’re in Times Square surrounded by the best Broadway houses and highest selling entertainment in the world. What resources are you utilizing to spread the word about your show and get butts in seats?
Katie Hammond: Our biggest resource has probably been facebook, and using email blasts. Our graphic designer, Xiaopo Wang, is so talented, and the images he has designed for us are just spectacular. We’ve sent our press release to everyone we could think of and really look forward to having all these people come and see SEASONS.

~~~

.

Related Posts:

• SEASONS (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• THM Sponsors The Times Square International Theatre Festival
• 1,934 Days: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• Alita The Show: 4 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)
• Legacy Of The Tiger Mother (Times Square International Theater Festival 2012)