WE WON – Liverpool International Theatre Festival

WE WON – Liverpool International Theatre Festival

by | Jul 14, 2016 | Awards, Gypsy Stage Company, New Releases, Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus

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On May 18-22, 2016, the Gypsy Stage Company, under the direction of Internationally acclaimed director, Ruth K. Brown, took Sapperstein & Murway’s work, Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus, to the Liverpool International Theatre Festival in Liverpool Nova Scotia Canada.  They represented the United States against an amazing lineup of talented directors, actors and theatrical works from all over the world.

Well, it was a very talented group of directors and actors, with some amazingly written theatrical works, all performed at one of the most stunning events involving the entire community of Liverpool Nova Scotia in a way that was positively second to none!  It was such an honor to be a part of this, to be among such talented peers and with a devoted and giving community such as this.

We were fortunate to come home with a lasting memory and an even bigger honor … The Gypsy Stage Company brought home an award for our work.  It was such a thrill to represent our country in this way and we wish to express our profound gratitude to the Gypsy Stage Company and Ruth K. Brown for their love of our work and belief in its ability to “bring home the gold.”

Here’s the full list of competitors:

  1.  ARGENTINA:
    1. Name of Group: Arco Voltaico
    2. Name of Play: La celula – Acto incompleto y orquestado
  2. COLUMBIA:
    1. Name of Group: EFAC Black Box Theatret Lab Sibate Colombia
    2. Name of Play: BACK…BAK
  3. EGYPT:
    1. Name of Group: EAST VOICE GROUP FOR ARTS
    2. Name of Play: The Seven Days
  4. GEORGIA:
    1. Name of Group: Signagi Theatre
    2. Name of Play: A Strolling Group of Actors
  5. INDIA:
    1. Name of Group: BHARATI KAPADIA THEATREA
    2. Name of Play: Untold Stories
  6. MEXICO:
    1. Name of Group: Compania Teatral “Tercera Llamada”
    2. Name of Play: Curva Peligrosa (Dangerous Curve)
  7. MOROCCO:
    1. Name of Group: Dramatic Association for Artistic Creation
    2. Name of Play: Black and White
  8. NEPAL:
    1. Name of Group: Creative Academy/Lok Drishti Theatre
    2. Name of Play: Abhagini Aama – 2
  9. PERU:
    1. Name of Group: Cuerpos y Alma
    2. Name of Play: De la Cocha al Mar
  10. PORTUGAL:
    1. Name of Group: Associacao Manipulartes companhia de teatro de marionetas
    2. Name of Play: Manipulartes Apresenta / The Lover Fish
  11. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
    1. Name of Group: Gypsy Stage Company
    2. Name of Play: Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus
  12. VENEZUELA:
    1. Name of Group: VTP Veneteatro Producciones
    2. Name of Play: St. John of the Disabilities
  13. ZIMBABWE:
    1. Name of Group: Chipawo – New Horizon Theatre Company
    2. Name of Play: The Most Wonderful Thing of All (A Doll’s House)
Sapperstein & Murway’s Venus is a Hit – From the Award Winning Director, Ruth K. Brown

Sapperstein & Murway’s Venus is a Hit – From the Award Winning Director, Ruth K. Brown

by | May 20, 2013 | On The Stage, Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus

Ruth K. Brown, Director

Ruth K. Brown, Director

As a director I appreciated the fact that with my recent production of Women are from Venus; Men are from Uranus, J&G provided flexibility in casting, script usage and script changes to accommodate my vision and the limitations of the venue.

Royalty fees are on a sliding scale including the estimated audience size which is a key consideration for community venues. Royalty fees also include a CD with all of the music and sound effects required for the production. This is done using the PRESS PLAY method developed by J&G. For any low budget community theatre, complex sets can also pose problems. J&G keep their sets simple, i.e., often a single room, to keep production costs down.

I found the J&G staff very accommodating. They reached out during the rehearsal period to make sure any problems were resolved easily and reasonably. Permission, royalty and photo usage forms were provided quickly and in an easy-to-use format. J&G wishes to build relationships with those who perform their works, and they have already sent me FREE perusal copies of three additional plays for my future consideration.

Georgiana R. Staley and Wayne Meadows star as Woman and Man in The Everett Theatre’s production of WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS, MEN ARE FROM URANUS.

Georgiana R. Staley and Wayne Meadows star as Woman and Man in The Everett Theatre’s production of WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS, MEN ARE FROM URANUS.

As part of my theatre work I also serve on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Theatre Association (DTA). DTA sponsors an annual short play festival showcasing work performed by community based theatres. Conversations with J&G have led to a commitment to re-write Women are from Venus; Men are from Uranus to a shorter length allowing submission at the 2014 festival which I will be directing with great enthusiasm.

In summary, my experiences working with J&G Unlimited, Inc. were delightful; and I will continue to consider and to recommend their works to other directors!

“There is something for everyone in this show [Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus], which is sure to have you laughing and perhaps sighing a little, as evidenced by opening night’s audience.” – Stage Magazine, May 2013

“There is something for everyone in this show [Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus], which is sure to have you laughing and perhaps sighing a little, as evidenced by opening night’s audience.” – Stage Magazine, May 2013

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH TLC Scripts AS PER RUTH:

  • On-site printing capabilities so flexibility on what is received can usually be accommodated
  • PRESS PLAY to eliminate or greatly reduce music and sound effect license fees
  • Royalty fees are on a sliding scale including size of expected audiences
  • Royalty fees include a PRESS PLAY CD with the sounds/music required by the script
  • Flexibility with casting and even script versioning
  • Permission and license forms are quickly received and easy to use
  • Production photos and/or videos on their Facebook page for increased promotion
  • Outreach during rehearsal period with the intent to help ensure production success
  • Accommodation of other theatrical requirements if using one of their productions in a different way

 

Stage Magazine Reviews The Everett’s version of Sapperstein & Murway’s Venus

Stage Magazine Reviews The Everett’s version of Sapperstein & Murway’s Venus

by | May 18, 2013 | Comedy, On The Stage, The Everett Theatre, Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus

Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus made its way to the Everett Theatre stage and the reviews are in from STAGE Magazine … WOW what a great job you all did! Starring Georgiana Staley as Woman, Wayne Meadows as Man and Allison Brooks and Stephanie Williams as the Genome Observation Department Lab Tech’s. Directed by the magnificent Ruth K. Brown with costumes by the lovely and talented Star Timney and sets from the artful and handy David Sokolowski and Ruth Brown. the entire J&G Team were present at the show last weekend and OMG this group put on an amazing production of Sapperstein & Murway’s Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus! Thanks to Stage Magazine for the fabulous review! We’re so thrilled you had a great time!

Universal Humor at The Everett: WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS, MEN ARE FROM URANUS

Following a command from the Boss at the Genome Observation Department, two Lab Technicians spin “Woman” and “Man” into creation from a petri dish. These experimental subjects embark on a live journey of discovery that observers will find both witty and a touch of wistful. The subjects must learn to connect with one another, though (surprise) they find that they differ in many ways, and are not supplied with instructions. The Technicians cannot seem to help but meddle some, seeing that Man is in over his head. Talk about drama in relationships! There is something for everyone in this show, which is sure to have you laughing and perhaps sighing a little, as evidenced by opening night’s audience.

Rounding out the cast of WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS, MEN ARE FROM URANUS are Allison Brooks and Stephanie Williams who portray the Lab Technicians.

Rounding out the cast of WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS, MEN ARE FROM URANUS are Allison Brooks and Stephanie Williams who portray the Lab Technicians.

Georgiana Staley, she is Woman! Her expressions, physicality, character interpretation and timing reaped much audience reaction. The scene where she is birthing away behind a partition (without much help from Man) just steals the show. Also well executed was the maturation sequencing as Woman progressed through various stages in life. Wayne Meadows plays the quintessential Man, evoking sympathy, and laughter, with his “deer in the headlight” reactions to Woman. The interplay and timing between the two is terrific and adorable. In an interesting switch, female lab techs are featured in this show instead of traditional male casting of these roles. Lab Technician #1, played by Allison Brooks, and Lab Technician #2, played by Stephanie Williams, don’t always agree. They sometimes ignore the Genome Observation Department dictates and are not perfect, but they do stir up the sauce to spill out the laughter. Also appearing on stage in lab coats to assist are backstage crew members Jenn Fleagle and Lukas Vacula.

This production runs under an hour, and there is a fifteen minute intermission. A minimal, but funky set (Ruth K. Brown, David Sokolowski) is used. Sports wear is worn by Woman and Man instead of body suits (Star Timney, Costumer), which seems to work just fine for this production.

The Everett Theatre is an historic building. It is lovingly kept with an old time theater concession stand with fresh popcorn, candy, assorted beverages, and friendly people behind the counter who make one feel welcome. A coupon for this fun show is available at http://www.stagemagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Everett-May-Ad.pdf which also includes a free popcorn.

WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS, MEN ARE FROM URANUS
Written by Judith Sapperstein and Gary Murway
Directed by Ruth K. Brown
May 10 – 19, 2013
The Everett Theatre
45 W. Main Street
Middletown, DE 19709
302-378-7038
http://www.everetttheatre.com/

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