Spotlight on Burns Park Players
Tim McKay, Vic Strecher, Clinch Steward (as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Rusty Charlie, and Benny Southstreet) on stage at Tappan Middle School during a rehearsal of "Guys & Dolls."
“You’re not with props, are you?” a woman whispers to The Chronicle, soon after we enter the darkened auditorium at Tappan Middle School.
As we’re telling her no, a disembodied male voice calls out over the speaker system: “Spots! You’re going to do a Venn diagram on all three of them.” Spotlights flick on, directed toward three actors clustered on stage.
They vamp. “Spots, you’re not picking up each of them equally,” intones the voice, which turns out to be coming from the director, Mike Mosallam. Someone else yells: “They’re farther apart than we were told!”
It’s Sunday afternoon – Tech Day for the Burns Park Players, the time when technical glitches like these are worked out before “Guys & Dolls” opens on Feb. 5. The crew arrived around 9 a.m., followed by the 40 or so actors at noon.
They were set to log several hours doing “cue-to-cue” – an abbreviated run-through focusing on transitions of lighting and set – with a full show rehearsal starting at 4 p.m.
The Chronicle dropped by for part of this controlled chaos, joining local photographer Myra Klarman, whose behind-the-scenes shots captured some of the day’s activity. Enjoy.
Fourth graders from Burns Park Elementary School during a rehearsal of the Burns Park Players production of "Guys & Dolls." The annual play raises money for arts activities in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. More than 100 children are in this year's show.
Crew members set up additional lights backstage at the Tappan Middle School theater during a rehearsal for "Guys & Dolls," which opens Feb. 5.
Mike Mosallam is directing this year's production of "Guys & Dolls." His day job is director of film initiatives for Wayne County.
Costume crew member Matt Toschlog at the sewing machine during Tech Day on Sunday. Dress rehearsals are scheduled for every night this week.
One of the large puppets that become animated during the nightclub scene, featuring the song "A Bushel and a Peck." The set designers for "Guys & Dolls" are Mark Tucker and Jeri Rosenberg. Tucker is also the creative force behind the annual FestiFools parade.
Props crewhead Claudia Boschitz with her favorite prop. The character Adelaide, played by Eva Rosenwald, wears this after her bridal shower.
Eva Rosenwald as Adelaide and Joel Swanson as Nathan Detroit rehearse the number "Sue Me."
The Burns Park Players rehearse the crapshoot dance for "Guys & Dolls."
Performances are held in the Tappan Middle School theater, 2251 E. Stadium Blvd. on Feb. 5, 11 and 12 beginning at 7:30 p.m. On Feb. 6 and 13, the show begins at 4 p.m.
Tickets for reserved seats are available at Morgan & York, 1928 Packard St. and cost $15. They can also be purchased at the door.
FYI… it’s “Venn” diagram. Sorry, but it’s the only thing I remember from high school geometry, and I just like to show it off every once in a while :)
Julie, thanks for pointing that out. I was an English major, which is especially clear whenn I try to fake my way through math terminology.
Wow, this is great! I can’t wait for the show!!
So glad to know about this show and the organization! LOVE the Chron! Thanks, guys!
Who is that handsome Vic Strecher? He looks very talented.