Theatre Palisades

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joDkPQO--B4&feature=youtu.be Mark Twain TPAT actor Mitch Feinstein performs timeless quotes for our troubled times.... Originally scripted and performed four years ago, around the time of the presidential election, this monologue, derived from a collection of quotes by Mark Twain, has uncanny resonance now. Mitch says, "This piece was the first thing I ever performed as a member of Theatre Palisades Actors' Troupe. I created it for one of the member shows. Martha (Hunter) asked me to be Mark Twain. This was right around the election. The whole show was about politics. "My role was I would walk across the stage between the acts and do one of the quotes. I was so into it, I went out and bought the wig and the mustache!" This past Sunday, during the weekly TPAT meeting online, Martha suggested that Mitch reprise the role. For this video, Mitch's wife Judi made essential contributions as both director and camera person. Click the image below to view the video

In Memoriam It is with great sadness that the Board of Theatre Palisades notifies you of the passing of Sherry Coon (1950-2020), a stalwart of our company. Sherry was involved as an actor, director, and Member of the Board of Directors for many years, going back to the days that shows were presented in the gym at Rustic Park in Pacific Palisades. Sherry directed the production of Auntie Mame which was the opening presentation at the then-brand-new Pierson Playhouse in the fa...ll of 1988. An active member of Theatre Palisades since 1978, Sherry had served as President, Secretary and Vice President of Administration. Her committee work included Costume, Play Recommendation, Director Recommendation, and Membership Entertainment. She co-chaired the Actors Workshop with Andrew Frew, and she was an active member of Theatre Palisades Actors’ Troupe since its formation in 2013. She also worked as a producer, costume designer, actor, and light and sound technician. She was the 2001 recipient of Theatre Palisades’ Cristofer Cariello award (initiated in 1998 to recognize those who repeatedly excel in all aspects of creating live theatre and whose body of work shows outstanding production creativity). Sherry had an encyclopedic knowledge of plays and theatre. One of Sherry’s most memorable stints was as the director of Twelve Angry Men in 2012, where she met the challenge of a difficult play and created an unforgettable production. Sherry played many roles over the years including Mrs. Boyle in The Mousetrap, Miss Maudie in To Kill a Mockingbird and Dr. Graham in Black Coffee. Most recently, Sherry headlined as Ouiser Bourdeaux in our production of Steel Magnolias, a character with whom she felt a great affinity. Like Ouiser, Sherry was brilliant, acerbic, funny and all of these qualities surrounded a heart of gold. She will be missed.

The Theatre Palisades Acting Troupe continues to work on their skills through the pandemic by meeting weekly on Zoom, but this weekend they ventured to Los Liones Amphitheater and met in person while social distancing.

Theatre in the time of Covid - ONLINE Catch the replay of Zoom-sical performances by Theatre Palisades Youth in "Getting to Know... The Sound of Music"! Video available to ticketholders through August 24th... Get tickets: https://tpysoundofmusic.brownpapertickets.com/

Theatre Palisades is taking on creating and sharing our personal monologues, via video. The themes range across a broad spectrum from deeply vulnerable life stories to reminiscences about Theatre Palisades experiences, to playful comedies, parodies, and songs. We are hopeful that these videos will be thought-provoking, entertaining, and informative, and will keep us in connection with you, our beloved community. This week we present the first video produced out of the convers...ations our Theatre Palisades community has been having, reflecting on the impact that racism has had in each of our lives. Mariel Suarez, whom you may remember as the actress playing Amalia Balash in our production of PAFRUMERIE last year, shares her brief monologue Burnt Cake. (Run time: 2 minutes)

As the pandemic marches on, and our theatre community, as well as the larger community of humans simultaneously experiences an awakening and calls to action around issues of racial discrimination, many of us at Theatre Palisades are looking for ways to engage with difficult questions, and with our audience. How can our theatre use the art form we love to bring forward even more the voices and faces of people of color? To reflect on how "isms" have affected all of us, as well ...as other topics that are impacting us deeply? And how can we do this at a time when in-person connection in the theatre is not possible? Of course, this leads us to video. Theatre Palisades is taking on creating and sharing personal monologues, via video. The themes range across a broad spectrum from deeply vulnerable life stories to reminiscences about Theatre Palisades experiences, to playful comedies, parodies, and songs. We are hopeful that these videos will be thought-provoking, entertaining, and informative, and will keep us in connection with you, our beloved community. This week we present the first video produced out of the conversations our Theatre Palisades community has been having, reflecting on the impact that racism has had in each of our lives. Mariel Suarez, whom you may remember as the actress playing Amalia Balash in our production of PARFUMERIE last year, shares her brief monologue Burnt Cake. (Run time: 2 minutes) We hope you enjoy this heartfelt offering. Click below to view video: https://youtu.be/6JbNoy0Ujck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQwMfIC9LFY

TP Youth Summer Program Info Lara Ganz, TP Youth program director, writes:... It is a long-held TPY tradition to begin our rehearsals for our summer performance workshop on the first Monday after 4 of July. This year, due to the present circumstances, we have pushed the dates back by two weeks and will begin on July 20th, for the purpose of holding out hope for a chance to actually meet up, rehearse, and perform our show in-person. In the past, TPY has also had to enforce a very strict attendance policy in order to ensure that all of the actors be comfortably prepared for the show. This year, we will be relaxing those rules due to the circumstances. Our shows will be held over two weekends, August 7-9 and August 14-16. However, unlike in past years, all actors will NOT be required to attend both weekends of shows this year. Important dates: July 20th: Rehearsals begin (probably online if quarantine isn't lifted). Rehearsals will run July 20th through August 6th and opening night will (hopefully) be on Friday, August 7th. And then our second set of performances will be August 14-16.

We Stand Together Dear Supporters, Fans, Friends, and Family of Theatre Palisades, As the protests continue, we want you to know that Theatre Palisades stands with our fellow local theater companies in the commitment to anti-racism and in support of free speech and right of assembly. ... And in anticipation of the future return of our live productions, we will continue to work to bring plays that present great ideas, and themes that entertain, and perhaps educate, as well. The theater gives us all so much, both the artistic aspects and the connections that we have - and that we need - with each other. Let us all keep our friendships, our concerns, and our efforts focused. This intermission won't last forever. We are here for each other. From All of Us at Theatre Palisades

TPY Stars and Their Families on YouTube in QUARANTWEEN Quarantween Perspective... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNyebjpy9yg&feature=youtu.be This hilarious video is dedicated to our beautiful, loving and "well-meaning" mothers (and fathers) on Mother's Day! Special thank you's go out to Frozen producer, Ally White and TPY parent volunteers, Liz Denham and Kim and Rich Harrington for their spot on portrayals of Moms-and-Dads-in-Quarantween! It's funny because it's so TRUE! About the TPY Actors: Ella White, Sage Denham, Ingrid Knap and Mia Harrington all came together to create this video of the relatable family dynamics we all encounter while we shelter in place with families. What makes this really special is that we get to see the day to day routines through the eyes of our tweens! Their voices and perspectives are really refreshing as well as seriously amusing! Sage Denham captured our hearts as Anna in Frozen Jr! Sage is in 6th grade however, she possesses a grace, emotional sophistication, and generosity of spirit beyond her years. Sage is so reliable and a wonderfully kind cast mate to her peers. She is always willing to share her heart and beautiful vulnerability with the audience, teachers and her friends. Ingrid Knap's first TPY role was as Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty in the Beast, and it was obvious at that point that Ingrid was born for the stage! Ingrid brings her rare natural talent to every role she plays, she has a certain undefinable and enigmatic quality that is really breathtaking. Backstage, Ingrid always cares for her castmates, especially the youngest actors who are drawn to her kindness and unique sense of fun! Ella White has been SHINING in role after role at TPY. She is an incredibly versatile performer and has played Tigerlilly in Peter Pan, Benny in Guys and Dolls, Ariel in The Little Mermaid and most recently charmed sold out audiences as Anna in Frozen Jr. Mia Harrington played Olaf in our winter production of Frozen Jr. Hearing Mia sing is "better than ice cream"! Mia has a profound passion for the performing arts, and she delights in helping others.

MORE Videos on YouTube by our Talented TP Youth! Last week, two of our TP Youth actors were featured on Better Lemons for their original creations about the pandemic. This week, we share two more!... Lara Ganz, TP Youth Program Director, writes: As you know, our school-aged children are all confined to their homes. TPY kids have been reporting how much they wish they could be at school with their friends, in class with their teachers, at practice with their coaches... being seen, being heard by those who mean so much to them at this time in their lives-their peers and their mentors. The arts fulfill a universal human need to be seen to be heard. Our children's program, TPY, is a place for young actors to share their voice with the community. The benefits go both ways, between the young cast and the delighted audiences. We in the audience are moved, inspired, and enchanted by their luminous, spontaneous performances and through our witnessing, the children feel seen, heard and validated. As director of TPY, I am continually humbled by the profound talent and integrity of spirit that is apparent in these young actors. Dear newsletter readers, please know that your encouragement and support are very meaningful right now. These kids are really inspired to share their voices! We hope you will enjoy their videos and share these videos with others who may need a smile! Mia Harrington played Olaf in our winter production of Frozen Jr. Hearing Mia sing is "better than ice cream"! Mia has a profound passion for the performing arts, and she delights in helping others. She became dance captain at our rehearsals and spent much of her time helping other cast members prepare for their roles. Mia's light shines so bright, her enthusiasm is contagious! Mia wrote the music and lyrics for this inspiring and heart-warming original song, "A Friend like you." https://youtu.be/5HDBEo4QjGo Lexie Palmer has lit up the TPY stage in her roles as Ariel in The Little Mermaid and Elsa in Frozen, Jr. as well as in many performances at our sister theater, the Morgan-Wixon. Lexi sings, dances, acts, plays piano, tap dances, is a fabulous improviser and most importantly, she has the soul of a saint! It is a wonder how she can command the stage with her profoundly powerful presence and offstage be so selfless and humble. Lexie plays piano and sings all of the harmonies on this very special arrangement, make sure to catch her sweet message at the end of the song! https://youtu.be/PJr456RBICo