"Damn that playwright! He's dead to us Donnerites!"
Opening night went amazingly wonderfully well. :)
The Donner Party Cycle, Part One is fabulous! Come see the show! Our run, from March 9th through March 13th, continues tomorrow at Cal State Channel Islands in Malibu Hall 140. All shows through Saturday start at 8 pm, and the Sunday show is a matinee, starting at 2pm. Tickets are free for CI students, $5 for non CI students with school ID, $15 general admission. Come and see a wonderful and amazing show and support our theatre! Trust us, you'll leave hungry for more...
Don't believe me? Just ask reporters from the New York Times!
March 9, 2011: Camarillo, CA-A band of hardy actors blazed a trail across the wilderness of American history last night, telling the tales (some tall, many not) of the 1846-47 wagon train of emigrants to California notoriously known as the Donner Party and later rumored to have survived by cannibalizing their fellow travelers.
...
Brilliant in their depiction of a marriage ravaged by the demands of a cross-country journey and disagreements over whom to believe were the young actors Shayna Smith and Ian Abramson in their roles as the sharp-tongued Tamsen and cautious George Donner. Their impeccable comic timing kept the audience laughing at their squabbles, while the mortifying dangers of Indians and "self-serving trail guides" built to a dramatic frenzy. This being but the first of a two-part cycle, we're left wondering what happens to this wise and likeable couple in the second part. But, as the prescient Native American Washo reminds us, we "already know that part of the story." George and Tamsen die in the snows of the Sierras, never reaching the Promised Land of their dreams. This observer hopes their deaths don't come too quickly in performance, for he cannot imagine this journey--or an evening's play--without them.
Or the Boston Herald Tribune!
March 9, 2011: Camarillo, CA-Though the story of the infamous Donner Party, familiar to all school children as the unfortunate wagon train trapped in the early winter snows of the Sierras and forced to eat human flesh to survive, has been told many times on the stage, never with the liberties taken by this production. The playwright, Bob Mayberry, a graduate of one of those degree factories in the Midwest, eschews history in favor of romance and melodrama. Under the guise of poetic license, for example, he has collapsed the 4 children of Margaret and James Reed into a single character, Patty, and stolen her sister's famous if apocryphal tale of chasing off Indians with her hand mirror to beef up the role. The only thing saving this travesty of history is the energized and haunting performance of the young actress playing Patty, Victoria Primes. This reviewer could almost forgive the playwright his transgressions for having created a role for such a captivating actress.
Or the Kansas City Star!
March 9, 2011: Camarillo, CA-He didn't do it.
No amount of theatrical chicanery will change the fact. James Reed did not eat Luke Halloran.
Yet there it was, right there on stage last night, at the premiere production of The Donner Party Cycle.
I nearly lost my dinner.
It's a shame to see such a talented actor as Mr. Medina, playing the role of James Reed, forced to blaspheme the life of an American hero. Yet Mr. Medina rose above the playwright's cheap theatrical trick of miming cannibalism on stage through the tastefulness of his own performance. Bravo, we say. Encore, we say. And yummy!
Or the Fort Worth Register!
March 9, 2011: Camarillo, CA-The Sisters of the Holy Order of Bucking Broncos, a local FortWorth institution since Texas declared its independence in 1836, travelled to the tiny community of Camarillo, CA, just outside Los Angeles, to witness a retelling of the sordid tale of the Donner Party, that much suffering wagon train of emigrants along the California Trail. The sisters were disturbed by the questionable language of the play, especially that foul-mouthed Margaret Reed, who, it seemed to the Sisters, was "d---ing" her husband in every scene. To a man, the Sisters proclaimed such language unnecessary, especially in an historical drama, since it is the Sisters' understanding that our ancestors rarely if ever spoke so, how shall we say, colorfully.
But in private correspondence, two of the Sisters have confessed a strong admiration for Mrs. Reed, in spite of her language. As one put it, "She has such a fire in her! That woman could do things!" Another expressed strong praise for the actress performing the role of Mrs. Reed, Juliet Naulin, "I do declare, that young woman has such a way with words that, if I weren't one of the Sisters, I might forgive her the vulgarities in her speeches. Poor dear, it's not her fault. It's not something wrong with her. It's those playwrights. They have the gaul to put such words in the mouths of such lovely and talented actresses. Shame on them! And bless Miss Naulin for giving an old nun something to chuckle about all the way back to Fort Worth!"
Or the Daily Iowan, a student-run paper at the University of Iowa!
Like Dude, it was way cool! They had this chick--at least I think she was a chick--playing these guy's parts, y'know, and like wow! It was like something, y'know? I mean, I couldn't be for sure if she was a she or he was a he, or maybe she was playing a he, but like, Dude, it didn't matter, doncha see? It was like way cool. I mean at first, like, when she was playing some cowboy dude (I didn't really follow the story and all, just kept wondering when she/he was gonna come back on, y'know? Sides, I don't really get this theatre stuff, don't really dig it, ya dig? I mean, what's the point of all the costumes and the makeup and then they got musicians and these lights that keep going on and off and changing so I can't follow nothing, but all I really want is to see that chick play a guy again, and guess what? Yup, right near the end of the play, here she comes again, only now she's playing an old guy, y'know? Dude, it was like random! I didn't even recognize her at first cuz like her voice was all different and all and then I noticed her hair which was sorta like the young cowboy's hair only shorter, and I wondered like "Whoa, do they like cut her hair between scenes?" I mean, Dude, how would that work if they do the show the next night and all? Well, that's sorta it, y'know, uh, sorta the reason I don't like get this theatre stuff, it takes too much imagining.) But oh, Dude, that chick, yowza, she could play some dude, like y'know, Dude?
Yeah. That chick mentioned in the entirety of the Daily Iowan's paper? That's totally me. :D I've never had a full review solely about me before! *dances and ignores blatant colloquialisms and bad grammar*
Even the reviewers who had problems with the play agree that the acting is superb and their only qualms are the slight creative licenses taken by the playwright/director. But all in all, it's a mostly historically accurate play that had been modified to fit the stage better. And there's no denying that it makes a fantastic romp of a good time!
So please come out and see us! It's well worth the drive and few bucks it costs to get in. :) Come and get a taste about all this cannibalism and California trail cut-offs and cross-dressing shenanzies! :D
The Donner Party Cycle, Part One is fabulous! Come see the show! Our run, from March 9th through March 13th, continues tomorrow at Cal State Channel Islands in Malibu Hall 140. All shows through Saturday start at 8 pm, and the Sunday show is a matinee, starting at 2pm. Tickets are free for CI students, $5 for non CI students with school ID, $15 general admission. Come and see a wonderful and amazing show and support our theatre! Trust us, you'll leave hungry for more...
Don't believe me? Just ask reporters from the New York Times!
March 9, 2011: Camarillo, CA-A band of hardy actors blazed a trail across the wilderness of American history last night, telling the tales (some tall, many not) of the 1846-47 wagon train of emigrants to California notoriously known as the Donner Party and later rumored to have survived by cannibalizing their fellow travelers.
...
Brilliant in their depiction of a marriage ravaged by the demands of a cross-country journey and disagreements over whom to believe were the young actors Shayna Smith and Ian Abramson in their roles as the sharp-tongued Tamsen and cautious George Donner. Their impeccable comic timing kept the audience laughing at their squabbles, while the mortifying dangers of Indians and "self-serving trail guides" built to a dramatic frenzy. This being but the first of a two-part cycle, we're left wondering what happens to this wise and likeable couple in the second part. But, as the prescient Native American Washo reminds us, we "already know that part of the story." George and Tamsen die in the snows of the Sierras, never reaching the Promised Land of their dreams. This observer hopes their deaths don't come too quickly in performance, for he cannot imagine this journey--or an evening's play--without them.
Or the Boston Herald Tribune!
March 9, 2011: Camarillo, CA-Though the story of the infamous Donner Party, familiar to all school children as the unfortunate wagon train trapped in the early winter snows of the Sierras and forced to eat human flesh to survive, has been told many times on the stage, never with the liberties taken by this production. The playwright, Bob Mayberry, a graduate of one of those degree factories in the Midwest, eschews history in favor of romance and melodrama. Under the guise of poetic license, for example, he has collapsed the 4 children of Margaret and James Reed into a single character, Patty, and stolen her sister's famous if apocryphal tale of chasing off Indians with her hand mirror to beef up the role. The only thing saving this travesty of history is the energized and haunting performance of the young actress playing Patty, Victoria Primes. This reviewer could almost forgive the playwright his transgressions for having created a role for such a captivating actress.
Or the Kansas City Star!
March 9, 2011: Camarillo, CA-He didn't do it.
No amount of theatrical chicanery will change the fact. James Reed did not eat Luke Halloran.
Yet there it was, right there on stage last night, at the premiere production of The Donner Party Cycle.
I nearly lost my dinner.
It's a shame to see such a talented actor as Mr. Medina, playing the role of James Reed, forced to blaspheme the life of an American hero. Yet Mr. Medina rose above the playwright's cheap theatrical trick of miming cannibalism on stage through the tastefulness of his own performance. Bravo, we say. Encore, we say. And yummy!
Or the Fort Worth Register!
March 9, 2011: Camarillo, CA-The Sisters of the Holy Order of Bucking Broncos, a local FortWorth institution since Texas declared its independence in 1836, travelled to the tiny community of Camarillo, CA, just outside Los Angeles, to witness a retelling of the sordid tale of the Donner Party, that much suffering wagon train of emigrants along the California Trail. The sisters were disturbed by the questionable language of the play, especially that foul-mouthed Margaret Reed, who, it seemed to the Sisters, was "d---ing" her husband in every scene. To a man, the Sisters proclaimed such language unnecessary, especially in an historical drama, since it is the Sisters' understanding that our ancestors rarely if ever spoke so, how shall we say, colorfully.
But in private correspondence, two of the Sisters have confessed a strong admiration for Mrs. Reed, in spite of her language. As one put it, "She has such a fire in her! That woman could do things!" Another expressed strong praise for the actress performing the role of Mrs. Reed, Juliet Naulin, "I do declare, that young woman has such a way with words that, if I weren't one of the Sisters, I might forgive her the vulgarities in her speeches. Poor dear, it's not her fault. It's not something wrong with her. It's those playwrights. They have the gaul to put such words in the mouths of such lovely and talented actresses. Shame on them! And bless Miss Naulin for giving an old nun something to chuckle about all the way back to Fort Worth!"
Or the Daily Iowan, a student-run paper at the University of Iowa!
Like Dude, it was way cool! They had this chick--at least I think she was a chick--playing these guy's parts, y'know, and like wow! It was like something, y'know? I mean, I couldn't be for sure if she was a she or he was a he, or maybe she was playing a he, but like, Dude, it didn't matter, doncha see? It was like way cool. I mean at first, like, when she was playing some cowboy dude (I didn't really follow the story and all, just kept wondering when she/he was gonna come back on, y'know? Sides, I don't really get this theatre stuff, don't really dig it, ya dig? I mean, what's the point of all the costumes and the makeup and then they got musicians and these lights that keep going on and off and changing so I can't follow nothing, but all I really want is to see that chick play a guy again, and guess what? Yup, right near the end of the play, here she comes again, only now she's playing an old guy, y'know? Dude, it was like random! I didn't even recognize her at first cuz like her voice was all different and all and then I noticed her hair which was sorta like the young cowboy's hair only shorter, and I wondered like "Whoa, do they like cut her hair between scenes?" I mean, Dude, how would that work if they do the show the next night and all? Well, that's sorta it, y'know, uh, sorta the reason I don't like get this theatre stuff, it takes too much imagining.) But oh, Dude, that chick, yowza, she could play some dude, like y'know, Dude?
Yeah. That chick mentioned in the entirety of the Daily Iowan's paper? That's totally me. :D I've never had a full review solely about me before! *dances and ignores blatant colloquialisms and bad grammar*
Even the reviewers who had problems with the play agree that the acting is superb and their only qualms are the slight creative licenses taken by the playwright/director. But all in all, it's a mostly historically accurate play that had been modified to fit the stage better. And there's no denying that it makes a fantastic romp of a good time!
So please come out and see us! It's well worth the drive and few bucks it costs to get in. :) Come and get a taste about all this cannibalism and California trail cut-offs and cross-dressing shenanzies! :D