Kids on Fire

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Well by now West End Studio Theatre is empty. But I suspect there's still a bit of partying going on in celebration of the season's final production by the New Hampshire Theatre Project's Senior Youth Repertory Company, (deep breath after that title folks) And who can blame them hum? They've worked hard. Created some fine art. And for seven, its the end of their time with the company.

I suspect those still partying-on are students and that "Hamlet's" Director Genevieve Aichele is home crying at the loss of her performers, which she announced to the audience were some of her all time favorite.

Well there can be no doubt that Gen had/still has, a great crew. There was some serious performances tonight. And as followers of G Lady's ramblings know nothing excites the gloved-one more than fresh faces in the seacoast work pool. Alas, some will be leaving us soon for college.

Luckily a fair number are still in high school, so we have them a while yet. - Yes, that's a sigh of relief you hear. We're talking some fine talent folks.

And yes it is a talented group. But I cannot help but single out a few from tonight's performance. Channeling that McCartin women again, (and again see previous story for an explanation).

Among them, those we're losing: Hamlet, Dan Kleinmann. He's heading to Fordham University in the fall, but not before playing Danny in Prescott Park's "Grease" this summer. Can't wait! Jes Marbacker, the ghost and grave digger, is off to Colgate University. And Gen is also losing Gabriel Dorfsman-Hopkins, who played Claudius.

Lucky for some of the notables are staying right here: Queen Gertrude, AKA Hannah Feintuch; Ophelia, Brigid Abreux and Laertes, Luke Gajewski. My guest just loved Punit Matta as Polonious, who's also here another year or so.Watch for these performers folks. It is definitely to your benefit. TRUST me!

If you missed this production - My sympathies.

I know heading to a youth production is a hard call when you don't know a kid in it. There's an assumption - amateur and all that. But keep in mind, half the folks in the Rep's exceptional "Urinetown," (see below), are barely out of high school and grew up on these stages. The Seacoast has sent its fair share on to Broadway, national tours and respected venues - at about these kids ages. They DO get there from here.

Again, one of the great wonders of a theater-rich community is watching these natural performers blossom.

My philosophy is see 'um before tickets to their shows are upward of $125 each.

Yours in magic of art

Gossip Lady

Hope you enjoy the photos, snapped during the after-play merriment.

Top photo: receiving flower: L to R: Dan Kleinmann, Gabe Dorfsman-Hopkins & Genevieve Aichele
Two girls: Nelly Nickerson & Marcela Dorfsman-Hopkins
Thumbs up trio:Nelly Nickerson (back turned), Marissa Reilly & Jes Marbacker
Duo: Brigid Abreux, and longtime actor Roland Goodbody
Black-T clad guy: Dan Kleinmann
Bottom photo: Luke Gajewski

Two Stars, Two Photographers, We're all Winners

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Yes, I must mention theater again. But this time only as it pertains to the photography of these two lucky photographers.

Lucky you ask?

Well look at these pictures say I!













Just imagine it. A visual artist with actors as subjects. What bounty! All that passion. That fear. The anger, joy, jealousy, humor, despair, contrivance, pain - not to mention the great lighting.

Pardon me for going on - but it's hard to conceive of a more marvelous marriage. THOUGH;
there are other fine ones, such as the upcoming marriage between New Hampshire Theatre Project and Haley Farm Gallery in Kittery, Maine. (Bare with me. The tie-in will soon reveal itself).

The two are collaborating on a photography show (March 12-28) that features the work of Sofia Piel and Stephen Gianotti, taken of NHTP performers over the past 20 year period. (Delivered as promised, and sooner than you thought).

Just take a gander at these few samples. Utterly delicious, wouldn't you agree.

And get this Gossip Lovers; Haley Gallery’s Jackie Abramian will give all sales' proceeds AND donate a percent of any sales from the gallery’s usual stable to NHTP. Gold Star for the lovely lady! That goes well beyond collaboration. That's some real support.

The exhibition is in conjunction with NHTP’s “Entr'Acte,” another exciting event in celebration of the theater's surviving and thriving all these years.

Hum, makes you think that maybe Genevieve Aichele has been doing something right over there in her little corner of the theater world, with her shows and school programs and workshops and the like. – Well I say give HER a gold star too!

And in fact kudos and congrads to all of you. You make the art community proud.

Yours in appreciation and respect

Gossip Lady

Photos: top and middle, Piel; Lower photo Gianotti. Oh, and remember G Lovers, there can never be enough stars in the universe!
PPS: The guy in the center photo is no newcomer to the blog. Check out the January 21 posting. One of my favorite and another applaud for theater's visual artists.

The Swimming Mad Man: Creek Man

Greetings Gossip Lover,

Nope that’s not the Creature from the Black Lagoon - though the Creature is this guy’s hero.

The man in black is of course Gary Sredzienski, accordionist extraordinaire, also known as Creek Man, Kittery, Maine’s, swimmer of frigid waters. DC snapped a picture of him heading to the creek for a few laps in preparation for Saturday’s benefit swim (January 31).

For the second year Gary is taking the plunge for a local charity, this time it’s a 4.5-mile “romp” for Seacoast Hospice, from Sagamore Creek in Portsmouth to the end of New Castle Island.

Gossip Lady checked in with Creek Man Thursday night to ask how he’d spend Friday, the day before taking to the coldest water in the lower 48. “Relaxing, totally relaxing,” he said. “I was going for one more experimental swim to try out a new neoprene sock, but I decided to skip it.” Instead Gary will put the fins up and chow down. His day’s menu will consist of steak, salmon, bananas, other fruit, oatmeal and sweet potatoes.

Next Thursday check out Gossip Lady’s Portsmouth Herald video, www.seacoastonline.com/gossiplady, when she takes you inside Gary’s, Kittery home. G Lady and DC check out the art, watch him suit up and find out what’s stashed in the cellar.
Join us!

Till then; Yours in Fun & Informative Chatter

Gossip Lady

Donate/sponsor to the swim at www.seacoasthospice.org/donate_form/dform.cfm.\